Carly Amendolare ’26, JD’28 never expected to be able to afford Boston College once, let alone twice. But today, as a student in the University’s 3+3 Program, she’s both a senior undergraduate at the Heights and a 1L at BC Law, thanks to a scholarship made possible by the BC Law School Fund.
“The BC Law School Fund has changed my life,” she says. “I know people say things like that a lot, but I really mean it. Growing up, BC was always my dream school, and I never could have attended either undergrad or BC Law without financial support. It means I get to pursue the kind of law I believe in—family law, service law, law that helps people—without worrying that I have to follow the money to pay off loans.”
Although Boston College was always on Amendolare’s wish list, the idea of law as a career had some serious competition. “I picked a new profession that I wanted to do like every two weeks,” she says. “I wanted to be a marine biologist, I wanted to be a nurse, I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to be a pop star.”
Finally, during her freshman year of high school, she went to her dad, a lawyer, and shared that she was interested in law and government. He was touched that her interests had changed and that she was inclined to follow his career path. He was very supportive. Over time, her passion only deepened. When she enrolled at Boston College, declared a political science major, and joined the pre-law track, he became her personal cheerleader. “He was also a major reason why I am choosing to pursue a career in family law,” Amendolare says.
“The BC Law School Fund has changed my life. I know people say things like that a lot, but I really mean it.”
Carly Amendolare ’26, JD’28
Her experience at BC Law is turning out to be everything she hoped for. “I have really awesome professors,” she says. A favorite class is Law Practice taught by Associate Professor Elisabeth Keller. And Assistant Professor Andrea Olson is so enthusiastic about teaching that, Amendolare says, “you also have to be enthusiastic” learning even the routine basics of civil procedure.
“I feel so grateful and so lucky that these scholarship funds are in place because they’re the reason I’m able to do this and attend these institutions,” she says. “There are no words for the level of gratitude I have.”
What is the BC Law School Fund? The BC Law School Fund, made possible by unrestricted gifts to the Law School, provides essential and flexible support for a wide range of programs and initiatives. It fuels scholarships that attract and retain talented students, empowers faculty to pursue research that enriches the classroom and the broader field of law, and, because these funds are immediately available, enables the dean to respond to emerging and unexpected needs that arise throughout the year.
Scholarships and Fellowships Nearly 90 percent of students in each class receive financial aid from BC Law, but the average aid package ($24,000 per student) lags behind peer institutions, making it difficult to attract high-achieving, mission-driven students. The Law School Fund can help close that gap, ensuring students can say yes to BC Law, no matter their financial circumstances.
Renowned Faculty BC Law School’s acclaimed faculty foster a spirit of camaraderie that defines the Law School experience. Yet as the competition for faculty increases, retaining those in the top-tier requires resources. The BC Law School Fund helps make this possible by providing critical support for research, travel, and other professional needs that allow BC Law to attract and support outstanding educators and mentors. “Funding makes a significant difference in the ability to engage with the broader academic and professional community at conferences and workshops,” says Diane Ring, Marianne D. Short and Ray Skowyra Professor. “These events are opportunities to engage with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from all over the world, to exchange ideas and improve your work, and to speak on panels.”
“It can be challenging as a junior scholar to take on projects that require more resources,” says Natalya Shnitser, professor and David and Pamela Donohue Faculty Fellow. “Donor funding allows me to take on bigger projects, acquire resources, and travel to build relationships with other researchers and content experts.”
Academic Innovation and Experiential Learning With Law School Fund support, BC can quickly adapt curricula, launch new initiatives, and expand programs and clinics in which students learn by doing. By engaging with experts and exploring the legal profession outside of the classroom, BC Law prepares students to lead meaningful legal careers.
Spaces that Build Community Law school is known for being rigorous and intense. Yet
BC Law stands apart for its culture of compassion and connection. Thanks to resources from the Law School Fund, the dean is reimagining academic and student areas to serve as a “third space”—a comfortable, community-focused environment beyond the classroom and home. By creating creative, collaborative, and flexible professional zones for virtual interviews and employer engagement, these refreshed gathering spots reflect how students truly live and learn on campus today.
A Future That’s Funded
Support of the BC Law Fund not only helps students pursue lives of impact, service, and leadership, but also allows the Law School to remain competitive with peer institutions in many areas, says Odette Lienau, Inaugural Marianne D. Short, Esq., Dean. “We want to make sure that we always have the capacity to bring students in, support them financially, and provide them with the absolute best education so they are inspired to give back to the world,” she says. “With the partnership of our whole community, we can build on our incredible strengths and prepare BC Law to act as a beacon for legal education in its next century.”
With your support, the Law School remains a place of growth, connection, and shared success—where tomorrow’s legal leaders are equipped to make a lasting impact. Make your gift. Shape the future here: bc.edu/lawgive.
$100 Million for 100 Years
SOARING HIGHER FOR BC LAW GOAL
$100 million
CURRENT FUNDRAISING TOTAL
$84.2 million (84 Percent to Goal as of January 12, 2026)
FUNDRAISING PRIORITIES
• Established the Marianne D. Short, Esq., Law School Deanship
• 12 newly endowed faculty positions
• $36 million raised for scholarships
“Gifts of every size from 5,527 donors have brought us to where we stand and represent the collective impact of the BC Law community’s generosity. The momentum this support creates is like a wave that is propelling us toward our goal and our centennial celebration in 2029. With much work left to be done, we are meeting this moment with confidence, a shared sense of commitment, and tremendous pride.”
Maria Tringale, director of development, Boston College Law School
For more information about Soaring Higher, including priorities, leadership, and ways to give, visit campaign.bc.edu.