IDEA Leaders Pre-Orientation Program

IDEA Leaders group in front of Allard Hall

overviewAnchorIdentity. Diversity. Equity. Allyship.

At Allard Law, we believe that diversity is critical to lawyering and to legal education.

Diversity means lawyers who can better serve the public and advocate effectively for justice across the social spectrum. And diversity means students who are empowered to bring their full identities and lived experience to their learning and professional formation.

If this is what diversity means to you, too, apply to join the IDEA Leaders program.

As a first-year student from a persistently, historically and systemically marginalized group, or an ally, you can be a part of a selected cohort of students coming together to build belonging and empower diversity. Before jumping into the law school experience, the IDEA Leaders program provides a small group setting to provide inspiration, connections and resources to help support you as students, advocates and allies, and to help build community.

Over three days prior to the regular law school orientation, you’ll participate in exploratory and reflective workshops and team-building and social activities. You’ll also meet upper-year law student affinity group leaders and network with legal professionals from similar backgrounds. The program provides a safe space to hear about the diverse experiences of others in their cohort, to discuss the potential challenges of law school, to learn about well-being resources and practices, and to explore tools and strategies for engaging classroom discussions that may touch on your identity and experience. There will also be year-round programming to support your first year law school experience and foster leadership skills within the community.

whoAnchorWho can apply

The IDEA Leaders Program is for anyone who identifies as one or more of the following (listed alphabetically):

a first-generation university student;
being from an economically disadvantaged background;
disabled or with a chronic health condition that impacts their daily life;
Indigenous;
2SLGBTQI+;
Racialized; and
any others who self-identify themselves as benefiting from such a program, including students who are interested and have experience in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work (allies and accomplices)

whenAnchorWhen & Where

The program starts before Orientation and includes activities for three days including evenings.

This year it will be held from Friday August 22 to Sunday August 24, 2025 at Allard Hall.

While activities are still being confirmed, we expect IDEA Leaders to have opportunities to explore campus and Vancouver as well as connect with current students, staff and Faculty members. There will also be year-round programming to help further community building and leadership skills.

costAnchorCost

Participation in the program, including meals during program activities, is free for attendees.

howAnchorHow to apply

All entering JD students who meet the eligibility criteria above are invited to submit an application to the program. Applications will be reviewed by Allard Law staff and members of the IDEA Leaders Advisory Committee on a rolling basis, with all offers confirmed by the end of June 2025.

Space is limited; we anticipate accepting up to around 20 applications. Applicants need to be able to commit to participating in all three days of the program.

Apply Online Now

Preview application questions (PDF)

questionsAnchorQuestions?

If you have questions that are not answered above, please reach out to idea.leaders@allard.ubc.ca.

advisoryAnchorAdvisory Group Members

What law students have to say about the program

"I am so grateful that I got to meet a group of incredibly kind individuals who could empathize with a lot of similar sentiments and experiences I have, but yet all have unique and different circumstances than me as well. I also enjoyed getting to know upper year mentors and lawyers through the multiple panels. That was very helpful in informing me about the different career paths and barriers people face." - IDEA Leaders 2024 Participant

"As a racialized and first-generation law student, a program that would have connected me to my peers alike before official orientation would have been amazing. One of my biggest insecurities before law school was that I was going to be an outsider.

If I could have connected with students who came from similar backgrounds, it would have helped affirm my belonging at Allard and my own abilities to succeed within the program." - Selina, 2L JD student

"I met some of the most kind and genuine people ever, and had it not been for IDEA (and because they are not in my cohort) we wouldn't have crossed paths." - IDEA Leaders 2024 Participant

"I walked away with a better sense of the legal field and what supports are available at the law school, but more importantly I got to meet people in my cohort and in upper years who were incredibly supportive, and that made me feel so much less anxious about the first day of orientation and school." - IDEA Leaders 2024 Participant

"I would have been thrilled to be part of the IDEA Program had it been available when I was accepted into Allard.

Being a first-generation student and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I had to independently seek out connections with peers who shared similar life experiences.

The IDEA Program fills this gap proactively, creating a vital sense of community and belonging right from the beginning." - Travis, 2L JD student