Delhi law student falls in love with Penn State Law

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Rijuta Mohanty,  a New Delhi native and graduate of Penn State Law’s  LL.M. Program had heard about Penn State from her cousins, who live in State College, and uncle, a Penn State engineering professor.  When the time came to apply, she researched the LL.M. program and knew there was no other choice.

“The caliber of the professors, the Penn State brand, and the quality of learning drew me to Penn State Law,” said Mohanty.“ The work that I do here is practical and academic combined.”

Mohanty knew Penn State is among the top 50 of the world’s research universities, and after her research, was impressed with the Penn State Law LL.M. Program. Since becoming a student this past fall, she discovered even more benefits.  Before coming to Penn State Law, she was apprehensive about living in a small city, coming from a big city like Delhi. She quickly discovered the friendly community in State College, the home of Penn State Law, and the vast, cultural diversity at Penn State, with its more than 7,500 international students on the University Park campus.

“It’s easy to find yourself in a small place, rather than losing yourself in a big city, because in big cities the schools are bigger, the classes are bigger, and you get lost,” she said. “At Penn State, the air is clean, the people are welcoming, the professors are approachable, and international students have accessibility to professors who are considerate of their needs; and all students get individualized attention.”

Penn State Law also attracted Mohanty because of its academic and practical teaching methods, similar to Amity Law School, which she attended in Delhi. Amity focuses on experiential learning, with many moot court competitions, and applied learning through internships.  In India, law students attend school for five years, and at Amity, students hold an internship every semester.  

Mohanty explained that, growing up, her father, a lawyer in New Delhi, would come home from work and discuss his cases. She found it fascinating and realized she had an interest in law.  Mohanty’s interest in legal academics increased during her LL.M. studies, and is now applying to the S.J.D Program .

“I am totally in love with Penn State,” said Mohanty, who is currently serving as Penn State Law India Programs Coordinator while she prepares to take the New York State Bar Exam in July.