At just 18 years old, Emery Taylor is on a trajectory few could have predicted when she walked the halls of Lyons Central High School. Now a standout at the University at Buffalo, Taylor has been admitted to UB’s prestigious 3+3 Accelerated BA/JD program, making her the youngest documented student ever accepted into the university’s law school.
Her journey to this historic achievement began in the small, tight-knit Finger Lakes town of Lyons, where she first demonstrated the ambition and resilience that would define her academic career.
Taylor’s fast-track approach to education was set in motion when she decided to combine her sophomore and junior years of high school, earning enough college credits to accelerate her undergraduate studies. At 16, she ran a high-stakes campaign for senior class president, challenging a well-established incumbent in an election that turned contentious. Despite her youth and inexperience, she won, proving not just to her classmates but to herself that she was capable of defying expectations.
“My campaign slogan was ‘The Girl with the Smile will take you the extra mile,’” Taylor recalls. That smile, once a nervous habit, became a symbol of determination. She overcame personal attacks, gender-based criticism, and rumors, but ultimately, she emerged victorious.
That same drive propelled her to UB, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while juggling rigorous coursework, a part-time job, and responsibilities as a True Blue Ambassador, promoting the university on social media. She is also a Daniel Acker Scholar, recognized for her commitment to social justice and leadership.
“Emery’s admission into the 3+3 program at such a young age is an extraordinary achievement,” said Benjamin Rogers, associate director of admissions at UB Law. “It is incredibly rare for someone to reach this stage of their legal education so early. She is the youngest person ever admitted to UB Law in our documented history, which speaks to her dedication and drive.”
Despite her rapid academic progress, Taylor insists she never feels rushed. “I don’t like to waste time, and I love the feeling of getting things done,” she says. “I also worry about debt. Growing up, I watched my parents struggle with student loans, and I hope to avoid some of that.”
Taylor’s journey has not been without challenges. She was diagnosed with postural orthostatic hypotension in 2022, a condition that causes dizziness and occasional fainting. More recently, doctors have suggested she may have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which accelerates her heart rate when she stands. Even as she manages these health concerns, she remains focused on her goals.
Her aspirations remain broad and ambitious. Law school is just the next step in a journey that began in Lyons, where she first learned the power of persistence, risk-taking, and the confidence to stand out.
“I’m really open to anything,” she says. “There are so many different spectrums of things I mean when I say that.”
For now, one thing is clear—whatever path Taylor chooses, she’ll take it the extra mile.
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