E
ILEEN
D
OYLE
C
RANE
, J.D.
U
NIVERSITY
P
RELAW
A
DVISOR
LC 402; MS 101
U
TAH
V
ALLEY
U
NIVERSITY
800 W
EST
U
NIVERSITY
P
ARKWAY
O REM , UT 84058-5999
801-863-6484
EILEEN
.
CRANE
@
UVU
.
EDU
S
C
U
Use this form and the RSL Spreadsheet to compile answers to compare and contract law schools.
LSW= School Website (Not all law school information is on website); PH= Phone call to law school; LSAC = Law School Admissions
Council; website has links to all ABA-approved law schools at: www.lsac.org
Faculty and Students
1) Count number of faculty who graduated from the law school in which they are teaching.
(Generally in academics, this is considered a weakness) (LSW) 1 full time faculty
5)
6)
7)
8)
2)
3)
Count the number of faculty who served as clerks to US Supreme Court justices or US Circuit Court of Appeals. (LSW) 10
What percentage of the faculty and students are: a) women and b) minority? (LSW/LSAC) 47% women, 40% minority
Performance and Services
4) Find out the first-time bar passage rate of graduates. What percentage of students takes the in-state bar? How many take the bar in the state you want to practice in? (LSAC) 70% first time pass, 71% take in-state bar,286 takers
How many judicial clerkships are awarded to graduates annually? (LSAC) 1-2% of grad class
How many student-edited journals does the law school have? (LSW) 5 student journals
How many clinics in which students represents clients exist in the law school? (LSW) 3 clinics
Does law school has a pro bono requirement for graduation? If so, how many hours? (LSW) no requirement
Placement and Opportunities
9)
10)
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12)
What is placement percentage nine months after graduation? (LSW/LSAC)
How many firms interview on campus, not just register. (PH)
73%
70 employers (last year)
How many states/foreign countries do graduates work in? (LSAC) Top 3: CA, TX, NY.; 1 foreign country
Do you have strong regional interests? If so, how many firms interview on campus from the region in which you want to live?
13)
14)
Finances
15)
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17)
What is the average debt load for the law school graduates? (LSW/PH) $114,000
What is the median salary for the law school graduates? (LSW/LSAC) $68,500
What kind of financial aid package is the school offering (loans only, grants/loans, scholarships)? Loans, scholarships
18)
19)
If none, how many law school graduates work in your preferred area? (LSW/PH) 182 in CA
How many people are in the class (LSW/LSAC) and how deep in the class do most firms interview (5%, 10%, or 15%)? (PH)
Top 25% are encouraged to apply
How many people work in the Career Services Office? (PH) 4 Staff members, plus student staff
If you are being offered a scholarship, what are the terms? Is it unconditional or renewable, based on certain grades or performance? If renewable, what is the forced grade curve and what percentage of students maintain their scholarship in the
2L and 3L years? (PH)
Is it necessary to factor in a cost of living adjustment when figuring the cost of a particular law school (NYC, SF, LA, DC)? If so, decide how much. Check http://www.bestplaces.net/col/
20)
Alumni
21)
Estimate your total potential debt and monthly payments to pay it off. Check www.finaid.org
How many state/foreign countries does the law school have alumni in? How extensively is the alumni association organized and how active is the chapters? (LSW/PH) (This will help you determine how much the school/alumni can help you get a job throughout your career, not just at graduation.) Alumni are in just about every state, 4+ foreign countries
Personal
22)
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Are there: a) social, b) extended family, c) educational opportunities, and/or d) religious entities in this area that are important to you/your spouse/family? Check Places Rated, a manual that rates US cities. (LSW)
Contact school alums who attended this school to get information about the a) city, b) law school. (LSW/PH)
4/1/2013