When David Vandrilla signed up for an undergraduate course on the history of the law, he expected it to be a bit dry.

So he was surprised when the professor, a federal judge, talked about the law with so much passion and enthusiasm. By the end of the semester, the economics major knew he had found his professional calling. He applied to law school during his senior year of college.

Now a third-year law student, Vandrilla is pursuing a concentration in criminal law.

As a prospective student, Vandrilla says he was impressed by the down-to-earth faculty members at Quinnipiac. "The professors were so human. They gave me the real information and wanted me to make the best decision. Everyone was so friendly and personable," he says.

Vandrilla says numerous professors have made a strong impact on his legal studies. "Professor Hogan definitely helped me become a better writer, which is a crucial skill for lawyers," he says.

And Professor Elizabeth Marsh's course on Constitutional law opened his eyes to an area of law he didn't think he was interested in. The experience prompted him to join the American Constitution Society, a student group at the School of Law. Vandrilla also belongs to the Society for Dispute Resolution competition team and serves as publication editor of the Quinnipiac Law Review.

Over the summer, Vandrilla interned for the Civil Litigation Bureau of the Chief State's Attorney's Office in Rocky Hill, Conn. He worked with the assistant state's attorney who supervises the office, helping him and his staff prepare for criminal trials. Vandrilla also had the chance to conduct a cross examination of a witness during a trial. "Internships let you see how the practice of the law works in the real world," Vandrilla says.

"I always knew the law was the career I really wanted," he says. "And so far I haven't been disappointed."