Overview
Applicants
3,539
Acceptance Rate
7%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.94
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
208
Test Scores
LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
-
Deadlines
Application Deadlines
February 15
Application Process
Rolling Admissions
Yes
Application Fee
$85
CAS Service Used
Yes
Applicants accepted in terms other than fall
No
Transfer Applicants Accepted
Yes
Deferred Admission
Yes
Other Admission Factors
Academic
LSAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Letters of Recommendation
Essay / Personal Statement
Selectivity Rating
Faculty Information
Student/Faculty
7:1
Total Faculty
70
Students Say
Its hard to beat Yale Law School, where the atmosphere is highly intellectual and classes are mostly small (first-year classes vary in size from fifteen to ninety students). One of the many uniquely cool things about Yale is that there arent very many required courses. All 1Ls must complete course work in constitutional law, contracts, procedure, and torts. Theres also a small, seminar-style legal research and writing course, and thats pretty much it. Best of all, there are no grades. First semester classes are graded pass/fail. After first semester, there is some semblance of grades but, since Yale doesnt keep track of class rank, its not a big deal.
Academically, this is the best place in the world. Its easy to learn about whatever youre interested in, from medieval European law to helping immigrants in the modern-day United States, says one student. Yale is home to cutting-edge centers and programs galore. Clinical opportunities are vast and available in your first year, which is a rarity. You can represent family members in juvenile neglect cases, provide legal services for nonprofit organizations, or participate in complicated federal civil rights cases. Its also easy to obtain joint-degrees or simply cross-register for other classes at Yale. A particularly unique program allows students to get a joint-degree at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.
Student report that the administration is generally friendly. Word on the faculty is mixed. I love all my professors, beams a 2L. They will help me with anything. Nearly all agree that most professors are delighted to help you. When jobs and clerkships are on the line, its not uncommon for professors to personally make calls on behalf of students to high-profile firms or government officials. Other students, however, tell us the faculty isnt all its cracked up to be. Quality teaching is not valued enough, gripes a critic. Professors are hired based on their scholarship rather than their ability to teach or their interest in interacting with students.
Employment prospects are simply awesome. A degree from Yale virtually guarantees an easy time finding a good job and a lifetime of financial security. There is very solid career support (including lots of free wine at recruiting events). But did you know that Yale prolifically produces public interest attorneys? Its true. Every one of Yales graduates could immediately take the big firm route but, each year, hordes of them dont. Yale encourages diverse career paths and nontraditional routes (especially in academia and public interest) and annually awards dozens of public interest fellowships to current students and newly minted grads. Theres a great loan forgiveness program too.
Facilities are phenomenal. Yale boasts wireless Internet access throughout the Law School, wireless common areas, and perhaps the greatest law library in the history of humanity. The research facilities are spectacular. Aesthetically, everything is beautiful, especially if you are into wood paneling, stained glass windows, and hand-carved moldings. If you care about architecture and Ivy League ambiance, come to Yale.
Academically, this is the best place in the world. Its easy to learn about whatever youre interested in, from medieval European law to helping immigrants in the modern-day United States, says one student. Yale is home to cutting-edge centers and programs galore. Clinical opportunities are vast and available in your first year, which is a rarity. You can represent family members in juvenile neglect cases, provide legal services for nonprofit organizations, or participate in complicated federal civil rights cases. Its also easy to obtain joint-degrees or simply cross-register for other classes at Yale. A particularly unique program allows students to get a joint-degree at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.
Student report that the administration is generally friendly. Word on the faculty is mixed. I love all my professors, beams a 2L. They will help me with anything. Nearly all agree that most professors are delighted to help you. When jobs and clerkships are on the line, its not uncommon for professors to personally make calls on behalf of students to high-profile firms or government officials. Other students, however, tell us the faculty isnt all its cracked up to be. Quality teaching is not valued enough, gripes a critic. Professors are hired based on their scholarship rather than their ability to teach or their interest in interacting with students.
Employment prospects are simply awesome. A degree from Yale virtually guarantees an easy time finding a good job and a lifetime of financial security. There is very solid career support (including lots of free wine at recruiting events). But did you know that Yale prolifically produces public interest attorneys? Its true. Every one of Yales graduates could immediately take the big firm route but, each year, hordes of them dont. Yale encourages diverse career paths and nontraditional routes (especially in academia and public interest) and annually awards dozens of public interest fellowships to current students and newly minted grads. Theres a great loan forgiveness program too.
Facilities are phenomenal. Yale boasts wireless Internet access throughout the Law School, wireless common areas, and perhaps the greatest law library in the history of humanity. The research facilities are spectacular. Aesthetically, everything is beautiful, especially if you are into wood paneling, stained glass windows, and hand-carved moldings. If you care about architecture and Ivy League ambiance, come to Yale.
Career overview
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
97%
% of job accepting graduates providing useable salary information
92%
Career Services
On campus summer employment recruitment for first year JD students
Yes
On campus summer employment recruitment for second year JD students
Yes
# of Employers that Recruit on Campus Each Year
200
Graduates Employed by Area
41%
Private Practice
28%
Judicial Clerkships
17%
Public Interes
5%
Government
4%
Business/Industry
2%
Academic
Graduates Employed by Region
37%
Mid-Atlantic
24%
South
13%
Pacific
7%
MidWest
7%
New England
4%
South West
3%
International
2%
Mountain
Dates
Financial Aid Rating
Mar 15
Application Deadlines
Mar 15
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Annual Total Aid Package Awarded
$72,659
% Students Receiving Some Aid
77%
Expenses per Academic Year
Estimated On-Campus Room and Board
$20,740
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$1,100
Student Body Profile
Total Enrollment
621
Average Age at Entry
25
Demographics
46.00%
% Under-represented Minorities
100% are full time
0% are part time
51% female
49% male
Campus Life
Students Say
Though the student population is a bit Ivy heavy, it doesnt necessarily follow that everyone is wealthy. Approximately 75 percent of the lucky souls here receive financial assistance of some kind. It does follow, however, that students are pretty conceited about their intelligence and their privileged educational status. If egos were light, an astronaut on the moon would have to shade his eyes from the glare of New Haven, analogizes one student. Im not sure theres a cure for that, but it might not be wise to tell us in the first week of torts that many of us will wind up on the federal bench.
There are parties, swears a 1L. However, for many students, the social scene at Yale is simply an extension of academic life. Lectures and cultural events of all kinds are, of course, never-ending. The surrounding city of New Haven is lively in its own way and New York City and Boston are both easily accessible by train. On campus, Yale offers an encouraging environment and a wonderful community. Because of the small size of each class and the enormous number of activities, it is incredibly easy to get involved with journals (even the Journal) and any other student group you might want to try. Students are very engaged and motivated, but not generally in a way that stresses everyone else out, explains one student. The no-grades policy for first semester completely eliminates the competition I expect exists at other schools. People ask me what law school is like, and I can honestly say, I work pretty hard, but its fun, says a satisfied student. Then those people stare at me oddly, and maybe theyre right that fun isnt exactly the right word. But Ive found it enriching and enjoyable and the people Ive met here have been great.
There are parties, swears a 1L. However, for many students, the social scene at Yale is simply an extension of academic life. Lectures and cultural events of all kinds are, of course, never-ending. The surrounding city of New Haven is lively in its own way and New York City and Boston are both easily accessible by train. On campus, Yale offers an encouraging environment and a wonderful community. Because of the small size of each class and the enormous number of activities, it is incredibly easy to get involved with journals (even the Journal) and any other student group you might want to try. Students are very engaged and motivated, but not generally in a way that stresses everyone else out, explains one student. The no-grades policy for first semester completely eliminates the competition I expect exists at other schools. People ask me what law school is like, and I can honestly say, I work pretty hard, but its fun, says a satisfied student. Then those people stare at me oddly, and maybe theyre right that fun isnt exactly the right word. But Ive found it enriching and enjoyable and the people Ive met here have been great.
More Information
% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%
Admissions Office Contact
Contact
Craig Janecek
Assistant Dean of Admissions
Assistant Dean of Admissions
Address
PO Box 208215
New Haven, CT 06520-8215
New Haven, CT 06520-8215
Phone
203-432-4995
Email
admissions.law@yale.edu
