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The University of Chicago Law School
The University of Chicago Law School is a highly respected and well-ranked institution known for its excellent student body and outstanding faculty. The school offers several prestigious degrees, including the Juris Doctor (J.D.), which it was the first American law school to offer. University of Chicago Law School graduates enjoy bright career prospects, often landing clerkships with the US Supreme Court or other federal or state-level courts or jobs at elite law firms.
University of Chicago Law School is known for its push to integrate social science into law. This change in how jurisprudence is approached began when Aaron Director advocated for the first systematic study of the relationship between law and economics. Many notable faculty members at the school continue to work in this area today.
The University of Chicago Law School has published the Supreme Court Review since the 1960s. The faculty also oversees the publication of the Journal of Law and Economics. The Supreme Court Review is one of the most cited legal journals internationally, providing commentary on the nation's highest court.
The University of Chicago Law School is home to one of the three founding chapters of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization. The school is also home to the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic and a large American Constitution Society for Law and Policy chapter, a progressive organization.
Contents
History
In 1892, University of Chicago President William Rainey Harper envisioned creating a law school that would strengthen democratic governance. He believed democracy had yet to find a system that ensured the most capable individuals would lead the nation's affairs. Harper consulted widely, including a professor from the University of Cambridge who advised that the new school should train students to become not just lawyers, but leaders of the bar, esteemed judges, inspiring teachers, insightful scholars, and thoughtful reformers.
By 1901, plans for the new law school were officially announced, with classes set to begin the following year. Harper sought guidance from the Harvard Law School faculty, and James Barr Ames was offered the deanship. Ames initially opposed the proposed curriculum, which included subjects beyond the traditional first-year study, and insisted on two key points: the exclusive use of law teachers as faculty and the adoption of the casebook method for instruction. Harper agreed, and the founding faculty was assembled, including Blewett Harrison Lee, Julian Mack, James Parker Hall, Clarke Butler Whittier, and Harry A. Bigelow.
Notably, Harry A. Bigelow recognized the limitations of the casebook method, and the school soon embraced an interdisciplinary approach, heavily influenced by Professor Ernst Freund, which became a lasting hallmark of the University of Chicago Law School's curriculum.
Admissions
Each year, the University of Chicago Law School attracts approximately 5,000 applicants for an entering class of about 195 students. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews every completed application, seeking individuals who are not only academically exceptional but also intellectually curious, collegial, and lively in their academic pursuits. The school values students who approach their legal education with seriousness while maintaining a balanced and approachable demeanor. They prioritize assembling a diverse, multi-dimensional student body with a wide range of talents, backgrounds, and life experiences. For the Class of 2027 (entering Fall 2024), the median LSAT score was 173, and the median GPA was 3.94, reflecting the school’s high academic standards. The student body represents 33 states and 89 undergraduate institutions, contributing to a rich, dynamic learning community that prepares graduates for the complexities of the legal profession.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 169 - 173 - 175 | 169 - 173 - 175 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.83 - 3.94 - 3.99 | 3.83 - 3.94 - 3.99 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.78% | 12.7% |
| Applications received | 5259 | 5366 |
| Acceptances | 672 | 683 |
| Matriculants | 180 | 190 |
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the University of Chicago Law School's entering class (Class of 2027) showcased exceptional academic credentials. The median LSAT score was 173, with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 169 and 175, respectively. The median undergraduate GPA stood at 3.94, ranging from 3.83 (25th percentile) to 3.99 (75th percentile).
This highly selective institution received 5,366 applications, admitted 683 candidates, and enrolled 198 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 12.73% and a yield rate of 27.96%.
The diverse cohort represented 33 states and 89 undergraduate institutions, with an average age of 24 at matriculation.
These statistics underscore the University of Chicago Law School's commitment to academic excellence and its position as one of the nation's leading law schools.
Acceptance Process and Rate
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle at the University of Chicago Law School, the acceptance process remained highly selective. Out of 5,366 applicants, 683 were admitted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 12.73%. Of those admitted, 191 students enrolled, yielding a matriculation rate of 27.96% .
All applicants are required to complete the LSAC Flexible Application, regardless of whether they are applying for Early Decision or a Regular Decision.. The application allows candidates to indicate their decision preference directly .
The Law School continues to seek applicants who are intellectually curious, collegial, and academically rigorous, aiming to build a diverse and dynamic student body. The median LSAT score for the entering class was 173, with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 169 and 175, respectively. The median undergraduate GPA was 3.94, ranging from 3.83 to 3.99 .
This data underscores the competitive nature of admissions and the Law School's commitment to academic excellence.
Application Fee
For the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, the University of Chicago Law School requires a non-refundable application fee of $90, payable by credit card upon submission through the LSAC Flexible Application system. This fee applies to all applicants, including those applying for Early Decision or Regular Decision.
Fee Waiver Eligibility
The Law School offers application fee waivers to eligible JD applicants. Waiver requests are accepted from September 1 (when the application becomes available) through March 1 (the application deadline). Eligible applicants include:
Additionally, the Law School honors LSAC fee waivers. If you have received a fee waiver from LSAC, the application fee will be waived automatically when you submit your application through LSAC; no additional confirmation or approval from the Law School is needed.
How to Request a Fee Waiver
For more eligibility information and how to request a fee waiver, please visit the LSAC website or email their Admissions Office.
LLM Program Requirements
For the 2025 admissions cycle, the University of Chicago Law School’s LL.M. program requires applicants to submit their applications through the LSAC system, utilizing both the Document Assembly Service (DAS) and the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (ITAES). Dean Perry emphasizes that applying early is advantageous, as the school follows a rolling admissions process. The LL.M. program is a full-time, one-year course of study, with no mandatory classes, allowing students to tailor their curriculum. Applicants must hold a first degree in law and, if applicable, meet the school’s English language proficiency standards through the TOEFL or IELTS exams. For transfer admissions into the J.D. program, the Law School considers applications from students currently enrolled at other ABA-accredited law schools who wish to join for their second and third years. On average, the Law School receives 150–200 transfer applications annually and typically enrolls a transfer class of 15–25 students. Transfer applicants may apply through Early Decision or Regular Decision. Early Decision applications must be complete by May 15, while Regular Decision applications are due by June 15. All transfer applications must include law school transcripts, the Law School Information Form, and at least one recommendation from a law professor. The J.D. program is full-time, with no part-time or evening options.
Transferring
For the 2025 admissions cycle, the University of Chicago Law School offers a selective transfer program for students wishing to join the J.D. program in their second and third years. Each year, the Law School receives around 150–200 transfer applications and typically admits a transfer class of 15–25 students. The application process is entirely electronic through the LSAC system, and no paper materials are accepted. Transfer applicants may apply through either Early Decision or Regular Decision. Early Decision applications must be submitted with all required materials, including first-semester law school grades and the Law School Information Form, by March 31, with binding commitments required upon acceptance. Regular Decision applications are accepted until June 15 and must include all first-year law school grades and necessary documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Transfer candidates are primarily evaluated based on their law school academic performance, the strength of a recommendation from a law professor, LSAT scores, and undergraduate transcripts. The J.D. program is full-time only, with no part-time or evening options.
Tuition and Expenses
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the estimated cost of attendance for first-year J.D. students at the University of Chicago Law School is $120,324. This total encompasses both direct expenses billed by the University and indirect estimated costs.
📚 Tuition & Fees
🏠 Living Expenses & Other Costs
These figures are based on a nine-month academic year covering the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. Actual expenses may vary depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices.
Financial Aid
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the University of Chicago Law School offers a comprehensive financial aid program to assist students in managing the cost of their legal education. Approximately 80% of students receive scholarships, and about 60% utilize loans to cover remaining expenses.
Curriculum
The University of Chicago Law School's curriculum for the 2025 academic year offers a rigorous and flexible legal education across its J.D., LL.M., M.L.S., and J.S.D. programs. The J.D. program begins with a structured first-year curriculum covering Contracts, Torts, Property, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. Students must complete at least 105 credit hours, including 40 core credits in the second and third years, two substantial writing projects, and eight credits in experiential learning courses. The Law School employs the Socratic Method, encouraging active student participation and critical thinking. With over 170 courses and seminars available, students have the freedom to tailor their studies to their interests without selecting a formal concentration. Joint degree options, such as the J.D./M.B.A. and J.D./Ph.D., are also offered.
The Law School's clinical programs provide practical legal experience through various clinics, including the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic, Civil Rights and Police Accountability Clinic, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, Employment Law Clinic, Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic, Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, Global Human Rights Clinic, Exoneration Project Clinic, Innovation Clinic, Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic, and Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab Clinic. These clinics allow students to work on real cases under faculty supervision, developing skills in litigation, legislative advocacy, and transactional law. Additionally, the Law School offers externship opportunities, such as the Prosecution and Defense Clinic, where students gain hands-on experience in legal settings.
Joint Degree Programs
The University of Chicago Law School offers several joint degree programs, allowing students to integrate legal studies with other disciplines. These programs require separate admissions to each school and enable students to count certain coursework toward both degrees, reducing the overall time and expense involved.
These joint degree programs reflect the Law School's commitment to interdisciplinary education, preparing students for diverse professional paths.
Clinics
For the 2025 academic year, the University of Chicago Law School offers a wide range of clinics that provide students with valuable hands-on legal experience. These clinics, part of the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, allow students to work on real cases under faculty supervision in areas such as environmental law, civil rights, criminal defense, employment law, federal criminal justice, housing, immigration, and international human rights. Specialized clinics include the Exoneration Project, Innovation Clinic, Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic, and the Kirkland & Ellis Corporate Lab Clinic, which focuses on corporate law practice. Students also have the opportunity to participate in externship programs like the Prosecution and Defense Clinic, offering placements in local prosecutor and public defender offices. Clinics are primarily open to second- and third-year students, with selection based on a competitive application process. These experiential learning opportunities are a core part of the Law School's curriculum, helping students build practical skills alongside their academic studies.
Classes
Chicago Law employs a unique grading system, quarter system, and even section system. "The curriculum is very intense and academic," one student said.
Both faculty and students stress that one need not be a math or economics all-star to excel at and enjoy studying law at Chicago. The curriculum and teaching philosophy applies basic theories of economics to help explain and understand the law and its effects while leaving out most of the tricky technical aspects. Most Chicago Law students rave about the logical nature of the law and economics curriculum.
"You're not only learning the law; you're learning another theory that allows you to anticipate the law," a rising 3L said. Another student added, "Law and economics is this thread that underpins all the classes and kind of weaves its way in and out and can be more prevalent in some classes and less in others, but it's usually always at least there."
Professor Leiter said:
I think students have the misapprehension that they're going to be force-fed more economics than really happens. Most of the economic analysis of the law that gets realized in most classes is pretty simple stuff. It's a simple way of thinking about legal views and policy questions and legal doctrines. Frankly, if you go to any law school in the United States and they're not teaching you a bit of that, that's educational malpractice.
Classes tend to be small, with more than 60% of classes having fewer than 25 students enrolled.
The Quarter System
Chicago employs a quarter system as opposed to semesters.
This means that students will usually have three different sets of classes in a year as opposed to two. "In general, I think it's a very good idea," said a rising 2L. "The primary impact it has on 1L year is that it allows for a different amount of time to be allotted to different courses. More complicated classes are longer. Easier courses can be truncated down to nine weeks."
Torts, property, civil procedure, criminal law, and contracts, the standard 1L doctrinal courses, each last two quarters. Chicago's unique required 1L course, Elements of the Law, and an elective both last one quarter. A graded legal writing class is taken in all three quarters.
Students only take two exams after the first quarter, which is "definitely a nice way to ease into the toughness of law school," a student said (and also a way to partially shield a student's GPA in case of a rough first set of exams). The first year is back-loaded, though, and students say taking three or four exams after the third quarter is "extremely stressful." Said another student, "If you want an experience that kind of ramps up rather than being the same the whole year, then that's kind of good."
Attitudes toward the quarter system all seem to be based on personal preference-some students like having less material to study during exam periods, whereas others think the stress of three finals periods instead of two is a little much. "There's no downtime," one student said. "Since there are three exam periods, obviously there's going to be more crunch time for Chicago students."
One student said that while he prefers the quarter system because it allowed him to experience more professors, the main problem is that Chicago students are not in sync with other law students and usually have to start their summer jobs late. According to U. Chicago's website, 2Ls usually start their jobs a few weeks after students from other schools. "Because our classes begin much later in the fall, our students may be able to stay at their summer jobs for an additional 2-4 weeks after other students have returned to school if an employer permits," the website says. Students say it's usually a non-issue, and employers are very understanding and accommodating.
Sections
The entering J.D. Class of 2027 consists of 198 students. These students are divided into six sections of approximately 30–33 students each. For core 1L courses such as Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts, two or three sections are combined, resulting in class sizes of around 60–100 students. This structure allows students to interact with a broad range of classmates while maintaining a consistent small-group learning environment.
"It's nice to always have a core group of friends in class with you, but it's also nice that we're not divided cleanly in half so we never meet the rest of our class," one student said.
Class Offerings
The Law School operates on a quarter system, offering three academic terms per year: Autumn, Winter, and Spring. This system enables students to take more courses over their three years of study compared to a traditional semester system.
In the 1L year, students take foundational courses, including a unique course called "Elements of the Law," which introduces interdisciplinary approaches to legal studies. In the Spring Quarter, 1Ls select from a range of electives, allowing them to explore areas of interest early in their legal education.
"The electives are generally pretty good, but they are limited. But I don't think there was a class I wanted to get into that I didn't get into," a student said. Another added, "It's a smaller school than, say, Harvard or Georgetown, so where there everything you want will be offered every semester, here you have to plan more. You can find everything you want here, but it's just not going to be offered every quarter."
Every student interviewed said there weren't any practice areas or topics of law in which they wish more classes were offered. Students noted that the administration takes student requests seriously. "My friend wanted an animal law class taught, and he petitioned the dean and suggested who to hire, and that's who they hired as an adjunct," a rising 2L said.
The Socratic Method
The Socratic Method remains a hallmark of the Law School’s teaching approach, especially in 1L courses. Professors engage students through cold-calling and question-driven discussions to promote critical thinking and a deep understanding of legal principles.
"The way that professors use the Socratic Method is as a very positive force. It's very constructive," a student said. "If you don't do well, people will still be supportive. If you were having a tough time, people would try to slip you answers."
In 2L and 3L classes, the use of the Socratic Method tends to decrease, though active participation continues to play an important role.
Grading
The University of Chicago Law School uses a unique grading scale from 155 to 186. For classes with more than ten students, the median grade is set at 177, with approximately the same number of grades above 180 as below 173.
The grading breakdown is as follows:
Graduation honors are awarded based on final average grades:
The Law School also awards two major distinctions:
The grading scale was changed in 2003 from 55–86 to 155–186 to avoid confusion with the traditional 100-point grading system.
Studying
Chicago has a long-held reputation for attracting and fostering students who take their studies quite seriously. "The first two quarters, there were people who would be in the library until midnight every night, and you really don't need to do that," a rising 3L said.
Thanks to the benefits of the quarter system, though, students at Chicago can often hammer down their most effective study habits after taking only two finals after the first quarter. With the obvious qualification that every person studies differently, most students said that on average, people study about a few hours a night, prior to the crunch time of finals, when hours are much longer.
Some tips and methods from top students:
- "I used a version of the highlighting system that's discussed in 'Law School Confidential.' It was a lot faster for me than actually going through and writing up written briefs. I also started using canned briefs and focused on black letter law. In general, I found it helpful to meet in small study groups and compile black letter law-based outlines with other students."
- "I just wrote down what the holding is, what the takeaway is-little one-page briefs for basically every case first quarter. Most people start doing that and then at some point sort of stop."
- "I would read a case and highlight it and get to class 15 minutes early and type up the first case. If I didn't get called on, I would start on the second case during class. When it came time to study for finals, I would take my notes from class and I would literally just put it into my outline and I would go through and read it all and start cutting things down and finding patterns. I'd say I never briefed a case but essentially I was writing a brief of the case in my own method just before class-about a paragraph per case."
- "I would say I briefed just about every case fall quarter and then I never did it again. I think I'd still do it the same way if I had to do it again."
- "As far as finals go, I didn't really use too much in terms of secondary resources. I like to basically do the outline from scratch."
- "Find a study group of like three or four smart people. A lot of people are used to just studying alone, but in law school, it actually really helps to talk with people about stuff."
- "People should talk with professors as much as possible - not just for understanding concepts and everything, but to have that contact. If you're lucky they sort of tend to guide you toward what might show up on the final. Obviously, they're going to focus on what they think is important."
Employment Prospects
The University of Chicago Law School continues to demonstrate exceptional employment outcomes. For the Class of 2024, 99% of graduates secured full-time, long-term employment within 10 months of graduation.
In terms of employment sectors:
The median starting salary for graduates entering the private sector was reported at $225,000.
Bar Passage
The University of Chicago Law School boasts a high bar passage rate. For the Class of 2024, the first-time bar passage rate was 97.42%, placing it among the top law schools nationally.
1L Summer Placement
Securing summer internships after the first year is facilitated by the Office of Career Services, which provides comprehensive support through workshops, resume reviews, and job listings.
Students typically engage in a variety of summer experiences, including:
These opportunities provide valuable practical experience and help students explore various legal career paths.
Loan Repayment Assistance
The University of Chicago Law School's Loan Repayment Assistance Program Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) has been significantly enhanced to support graduates pursuing public interest careers. Starting with the Class of 2023, the revamped LRAP offers substantial financial assistance to alleviate the burden of law school debt for those committed to public service.
Key Features of the LRAP:
Graduates from earlier classes, up to and including the Class of 2022, may petition to switch to this more flexible LRAP if they choose. For those interested in applying, the application process for the 2025 calendar year includes submitting an application form, an employer certification form, and documentation of loan repayment details. The priority deadline for earlier payment consideration is December 2, 2024, with a final submission deadline of March 31, 2025. Read LRAPs Make Career in Public Interest Law Possible.
Summer Funding
The University of Chicago Law School offers guaranteed summer funding of $6,000 to both first- and second-year JD students who engage in qualifying public interest work for at least eight full-time weeks. This funding applies to positions in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and international human rights groups. First-year students receive this support through the Heerey Fellowship Program, while second-year students are funded via the Chicago Law Foundation and other donors.
Students may also earn up to $6,000 from external sources without affecting their eligibility for the Law School's summer funding. The application for the 2025 summer funding opened in March, with a priority deadline of May 19 and a final deadline of August 4. law.uchicago.edu
Additionally, the JD International Human Rights Summer Internship Program offers placements with NGOs abroad, providing students with global public interest experience. Participants in this program are also eligible for the $6,000 guaranteed funding.
Clerkships
The University of Chicago Law School continues to excel in placing graduates into prestigious judicial clerkships. For the Class of 2024, 28.9% secured clerkships, with 98.2% of these positions in federal courts. This achievement positions the Law School at the forefront nationally for federal clerkship placements.
The Law School's Office of Career Services provides comprehensive support for students pursuing clerkships, including personalized counseling, faculty mentorship, and assistance with applications.
Quality of Life
The University of Chicago Law School fosters a vibrant community where rigorous academics are balanced with engaging social traditions. Weekly events like Wine Mess and Coffee Mess offer students opportunities to unwind and connect. Wine Mess, held in the North Green Lounge, provides a selection of beverages and snacks, creating a relaxed atmosphere for students and faculty to socialize. Coffee Mess, typically held on Wednesday mornings, offers coffee and donuts, facilitating informal interactions among the Law School community.
The annual Law School Musical is a cherished tradition, showcasing the talents of students and faculty in a humorous performance that satirizes law school life.
Student Organizations
With over 60 student organizations, UChicago Law offers a diverse array of groups catering to various interests, including public service, legal specialties, cultural affiliations, and social activities. These organizations provide platforms for students to engage in meaningful extracurricular activities, from community service to academic discussions and cultural events.
The Law Building
The Law School's facilities are designed to support both academic pursuits and community building. The D'Angelo Law Library, a six-floor structure designed by Eero Saarinen, underwent significant modernization to enhance functionality while preserving its architectural integrity. Renovations included updates to mechanical and electrical systems, interior finishes, and compliance with ADA standards.
Common areas within the Law School, such as lounges and study spaces, are equipped to facilitate collaboration and relaxation. Additionally, Café D'Angelo offers convenient dining options within the Law School building.
Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, the Law School benefits from a vibrant community with access to cultural institutions, restaurants, and proximity to downtown Chicago, enriching the overall student experience.
Social Life
Reviews of Chicago Law's social life are mixed. Said a rising 2L: "There are a lot of people out, especially fall quarter, getting to know each other. It may be less socially active than other law schools, but if you make an effort to go out, you usually can get people to go out somewhere."
Another postulated that 1Ls are more likely to hang out around apartments rather than go to bars since the immediate area doesn't offer much nightlife. "The problem with Hyde Park is there's only a couple places to go out, so you need to go further north, and sometimes that's hard to do," a student said. Another added, "If you're going out, it's not in Hyde Park."
One student said that social life actually expands quite a bit after the first year since most students live farther north and "everyone goes to the same places," noting that the Fullerton, Diversey, and Clark areas tend to be the most popular. He also said that "The first year, you're spending more time studying."
Graduate school mixers are hosted periodically throughout the year, and law school events and bar nights are well-attended.
One student said he went out almost every Friday and Saturday, and then one other night of the week to do something more low-key. "Up until maybe two weeks before exams, there's enough time to socialize most nights, if you're interested in doing that," he said. "I would say people do generally go out."
Housing
Convenient and safe housing options are located relatively close to the law school, along with more vibrant areas further up north. Generally speaking, 1Ls stick around the Hyde Park area, and then head north (the Lincoln Park and Lake View areas are particularly popular) for their second and third years.
"Everyone moves to the north side," a 3L said, who advised that students do live in Hyde Park for their first year, for the "community feel."
Regents Park
A large number of 1Ls live in the Regents Park apartment complex, located about a 15-minute free shuttle ride away from the law school. It's about ten blocks north of the law school. Though it is dominated by 1Ls, a fair number of upperclassmen live there, too.
Students appreciate being surrounded by their classmates, as it is often the focal point of social activities or just meeting up, but it's also not like a dorm situation where it's impossible to "get away." Although there are other apartment complexes closer to campus and cheaper, students said that they like the amenities of Regents (24-hour doorman, convenience store, restaurants, fitness center) and the social aspect of it.
"If there's one piece of advice to give to incoming students, it's to consider the value of living at Regents-not for the amenities, but because a lot of people live there and it's really the social hub," a rising 2L said.
Others agreed that it is wise to stay in Hyde Park for the first year because of its convenience and closeness to school and classmates. Another common 1L housing option is to live in the University of Chicago graduate housing, which can be closer than Regents but could be in a sketchier area with facilities that are not as nice.
Hyde Park
Bordered by Lake Michigan, Hyde Park is famous for housing the University of Chicago's campus and not much else. Dean Perry said the main reason why the law school building is located in Hyde Park-as opposed to downtown Chicago-is to remain closely tied to the rest of the campus and facilitate interdisciplinary learning among the graduate departments.
The area immediately surrounding the school includes coffee shops and cafes, perfect for snacks or studying between classes. Though there are scattered bars near the law building, several students said that the only one usually frequented is the University of Chicago Pub, an on-campus bar located in the basement of Ida Noyes Hall. A student said it is usually "teeming with undergrads," but that the beer is good and cheap. Other students have noted that the pub is not usually "teeming" with anyone and that the statement should be qualified by noting that University of Chicago undergrads are somewhat different than a stereotypical undergrad, so the pub is decided not full of drunken students raising hell.
The University operates two gyms nearby, both free to students. For those commuting from other parts of Chicago, parking can be a bear, and it's recommended that students purchase a pass (which usually runs between $80-$150 a month, depending on location).
Extra-Curricular
As of 2025, the University of Chicago Law School hosts over 60 student-run organizations, offering a diverse array of opportunities for students to engage in various interests, including public service, legal specialties, cultural affiliations, and social activities. These organizations provide platforms for students to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the Law School community.
A current student shared:
"I'd say students are pretty involved here. I got very involved in my clinic, which was sort of my thing, and most other students have their thing, too. I'd say to incoming 1Ls to try lots of stuff at first but then sort of hone it down to just a couple activities tops by the time you're a 2L."
Moot Court Competitions
Moot court competitions are integral to the experiential learning at the Law School. Students enhance their advocacy skills through participation in various competitions:
Publications
The University of Chicago Law School publishes several esteemed journals that provide students with valuable opportunities to contribute to legal scholarship and refine their research and writing skills. The University of Chicago Law Review is one of the nation’s leading law journals, publishing articles, essays, and book reviews from prominent legal scholars. Membership in the Law Review is highly competitive and is determined through a combination of a writing competition and academic performance. Another key publication is the Chicago Journal of International Law, which focuses on international legal issues and policy, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue on global matters. The University of Chicago Legal Forum is a unique annual journal that explores a single, carefully selected legal topic each year and features articles from an accompanying fall symposium. Additionally, the University of Chicago Business Law Review, established in 2021, specializes in topics that bridge the fields of law and business, providing critical insights into corporate and commercial legal issues. Collectively, these journals play a vital role in the intellectual life of the Law School and offer students significant avenues for professional development and scholarly contribution.
Contact Information
The University of Chicago Law School
Admissions Office
1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-834-9484
Email: admissions@law.uchicago.edu
Summary
| Established | 1890 |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Dean | Thomas J. Miles |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 3rd |
| LSAT Median Score | 173 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.94 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 97.1% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | 95.3% (2025) |
| Cost | $81,069 |
| Average Debt | $186,558 |
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2025 |
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