University of California - Davis Law School

Article by Stephanie Saenz, Stanford University

UC-Davis Law School is one of the best public law schools in the state of California and amongst the top 40 law schools in the nation. Founded just 41 years ago in 1965, this three-year, full-time program has become extremely competitive and is becoming increasingly more so with its high rankings, great weather, universally regarded professors and collegial atmosphere. The school, named King Hall in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., is continually working towards a pledge to social justice and service to the community. Even putting aside its rankings and stature, many aspects of King Hall make it a great option for those law school applicants wishing to pursue a law degree in California and more importantly, a job in the area.

UC Davis Law School - Admissions and Tuition

Because UC Davis Law does rank among the top 40 law schools in the nation, admission to the law school has become exceptionally competitive and more than likely will remain that way. This law school has grounded a name for itself among the UC system's law schools and many of its students come from top-notch schools like Berkeley, Yale and Stanford, showing that the student population is just as high caliber as that of many other top law schools. In fact, Davis Law usually receives approximately 4,400 applications to its school and only accepts 800, which is less than 20 percent of those that apply. Therefore, the school has to be selective in who it chooses to accept and consequently, acceptance to the law school is getting tougher to achieve each year.

Admitted students generally have LSAT scores ranging from a 158 for students at the 25th percentile to a 163 for students at the 75th percentile, with an average LSAT score right at 160. In addition, the average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is a 3.6. While Davis Law is not strictly a GPA/ LSAT oriented school, numbers are still a large factor in the admissions process. The school, however, likes students who have taken opportunities that distinguish them as more than just a regular college student. They pride themselves on the fact that many of their students are very well-rounded individuals. Davis Law particularly likes students who show a sense of maturity as well as encompass and espouse the ideals of the school, a pledge to social justice and a commitment to serving the community.

In its deliberations over each student's application, Davis Law takes into consideration the following components: undergraduate GPA, LSAT score, financial disadvantages or other hardships, work experience, extracurricular activities, community involvement, maturity, highly developed studies and what type of commitment the individual has taken in the study of law. While it may be that undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores hold the most weight in the admissions process, all of the factors listed above are taken into consideration, particularly when it can not be determined whether an applicant should be admitted or rejected based only on their numbers. This makes evident that the school, while selective, is not selective based solely on one's GPA and LSAT score.

The way in which most applicants allow for each of these components to come through is in their personal essays. Because there is no interview process, the essays are a great way to address these factors. Students do serve on the admissions committee, so personal essays are a great way to appeal to these students and connect with them on a level higher than one based primarily on numbers. In general, it is these students (along with other members of the admissions committee) who will scrutinize over all components and aspects of your application in which to determine whether to accept or reject you.

Since Davis Law is a public law school, California residency is a major tuition factor (although, on a side note, it is by no means an admission factor). For those students from the state of California, annual tuition is over $17,000, a big difference from the annual tuition for non-residents, which is approximately $30,000. In addition to this, books for the year cost almost $1,000 (this can clearly vary from person to person) and room and board for those living off-campus is right above $9,000. Therefore, for non-residents, Davis Law can cost as much as $40,000 for the year while it only costs $27,000 for those California residents. Note that non-residents can generally achieve residency and in-state tuition after one year.

Luckily, around 90 percent of the student body population at Davis Law receives some sort of aid, both 1Ls and 2Ls and 3Ls alike. Davis does not give out many merit-based scholarships, evident by the fact that only 1 percent of students actually receive them; however, many students, usually above 80%, receive scholarships. All in all, the average total aid package ranges around $24,400 which almost fully covers tuition for in-state students and covers a large portion of the tuition for those out-of-state students. Of course, financial aid varies from person to person and is contingent on the financial aid application, but you never know how much you could receive until you apply for it.

UC Davis Law School - Curriculum and Academics

The curriculum at Davis Law is intended to make its students the best lawyers they can possibly be and because of this, it can be grueling at times. For the most part, a large emphasis is placed on the basics, those required classes that must be taken by every student, and bar classes. The California state bar exam can be brutal so the school prioritizes bar classes, especially for 2Ls and 3Ls. The first-time bar pass rate for the school comes in at a little over 80%, so Davis Law has made it a main goal to bring that percentage up.

It has been said that Davis' law school is different from other law programs in that it allows for more slack from its 1st year students. This is evident in the fact that many of the core, basic classes required for 1Ls are a full year long. In addition, for four of the six classes, grades are not finalized until the spring, giving 1Ls room to get adjusted to life in law school and learn what it takes to succeed in that type of atmosphere. Depending on a person's viewpoint, this type of situation could be both bad or good. It is bad if a year is not necessary to learn the material and a semester would have done the trick or good if the material is more dense and a year allows for it to be better retained.

Required courses can make the 1st year rigorous though. Both criminal law and legal research are required classes in the first semester and constitutional law and legal writing are required classes in the second. Upper division courses are where students get more variety in the classes they can take. The areas of concentration for these classes include: human rights and civil liberties, criminal justice, environmental law, business and taxation, international law, estate planning and taxation, civil litigation, labor and employment law, immigration law, intellectual property and public law. In general, 2Ls and 3Ls can usually get whatever classes that interest them although 3Ls get more priority. Classes for the most part are taught in large sections, usually above 70, although some are taught in smaller sections, with less than 30 students. Students have complained that classes are sometimes overscheduled and some are only offered every other year, making it necessary for students to make sure they take the classes they need during the year it is offered (as they might be able to only take it their 2L year or their 3L year).

All in all, most students feel as though the quality of the classes is great, with most classes being both interesting and thorough. So, not only do students get an excellent legal education, but their classes are taught by some of the most reputable professors in that field. It is always great to know that the professor who is teaching your class was also the author of the book you are studying from, something many students come across at Davis Law School. Professors are especially well regarded in property law, criminal law and civil procedure. In addition, the professors and faculty are both willing to help their students and are always accessible. The Socratic method is often used by professors in classes, but students are not penalized for not knowing the answers to their questions. This only further purports a collegial atmosphere.

Even though the law program at Davis is a bit more gentle on its first year students, it does become increasingly more difficult with each year. Students have felt as though the workload is as hard as you choose to make it, with some going as far as to say that the hardest part of the school was getting in. Clearly, this is subjective and varies from person to person.

The grading at UC Davis Law School is fair and you get what you deserve, meaning that those people who work hard will reap the benefits of their hard work. The curve even allows for a lot of A's and B's, something different from most law schools. In addition, Davis Law School works hard to maintain as many students in its entering class as possible. It does not fail out any of its student and its retention is usually around 90%, with students only ever leaving to transfer to a better school or for personal reasons.

Davis Law provides many clinical opportunities and is especially prominent in its civil rights litigation, immigration, family law and prison law programs. The school also provides many internship, externship and clerkship opportunities for its students. In addition, the trial and advocacy programs are especially popular with most students participating in one or more of these programs. Lastly, Davis Law School has a public service law program, which is particularly helpful for those students who wish to or are hoping to seek careers in either public sector or public interest law.

UC Davis Law School - Legal Specialties

Davis Law has many academic specialties. It is renowned for the many concentrations offered at its school including, but not limited to, intellectual property, taxation, social justice, criminal law, business law, environmental law and international law. Among these concentrations, professors are especially prominent in property law and criminal law.

UC Davis Law School - Quality of Life

The quality of life at Davis Law is above average. Located in northern California in between San Francisco and Sacramento, Davis has been described as a small and very safe college town, providing the school with one of the safest law school communities in the nation. It proves to be an ideal location in that it is in a more rural area and therefore has few distractions (and those distractions that are available are at least a car ride away) and it is relatively easy to navigate the area. The City of Davis provides the school with lots of great restaurants and ultimate weather with hot summers, mild winters and little rain. The only take back of the city is that there are no big chain stores such as Target or Wal-Mart. Clearly shopping can be done elsewhere and Davis no doubt provides great venues to get what one needs, but many of the students feel that chain stores with great prices such as these are a necessity. In addition, Davis provides students without cars many great attractions and makes these things accessible with its extensive bus system and its biker-friendly atmosphere. However, for those students wishing to get away, Davis is fifteen minutes away by car from Sacramento, which provides plenty to do and more variety than the smaller Davis, and a little over an hour away from San Francisco. It also ideally lies in between the beach and the mountains, both accessible with a car and a few hours to spare.

Because Davis is a smaller law school, comprised of just one and a half buildings that contain all the classrooms, faculty offices and the law library, it can almost feel as though law students are in a universe of their own. The relatively close proximity students spend with each encourages a non-competitive and friendly atmosphere where students are close with one another. The only competition one finds at Davis Law is the one that stems from people working to achieve the best that they can be.

While not the best looking facilities on the outside, they are decent and provide adequate means for its students. Indeed, while the classroom facilities could use updating and the technological amenities are rarely used, most of the students at King Hall provide their laptops and other technological needs for themselves, making the basics enough for the students. Students are provided with lockers in the law school facility and share a smaller lounge with some of the administration staff. They are also provided with a law library key, giving them access to resources and books at all times. Each student is given gym privileges with the school, which they definitely use. Unfortunately, there isn't a cafeteria in the law school but a food court nearby provides sufficient food for those eating during the day.

One of the drawbacks of attending Davis Law is the fact that housing is not set aside for its students. The City of Davis does provide housing opportunities for these students but the costs are high and climbing with each year. Davis Law School does provide married housing, which can make those with families at a better situation than those without.

In general, the students of in King Hall are what make it a great school. Diverse and politically enlightened (although tending more towards the liberal side), they revere law as noble and as a means for a great profession, one of service, as opposed to one that makes big money fast. The small school allows for a great atmosphere and most students enjoy the quality of life they come into contact with at Davis Law.

UC Davis Law School - Social Life

The social life at Davis Law is excellent. A large majority of its students are sociable and involved in the law school community, which hosts many law school functions, including an annual semiformal and mixers with other Davis professional schools. The law student association also hosts many activities including bar reviews, speakers and student organizations.

Davis Law is not on any level a party school so much of the social life revolves around parties and bars in the city of Davis. Popular bars include Cantina, Froggy's, Graduate and Sudwerk, all of which are bustling with students. A popular favorite in Davis is Sophia's Thai Kitchen, where most of the law students congregate on Thursday nights. All in all, Sacramento does offer more variety in regards to bars and nightclubs so many students choose to venture there on their nights out. This is the case with San Francisco as well, as its nightlife is happening nightly.

Because the school is so small, everyone knows everyone. This can be both good and bad in that much of the interactions you have for the three years in law school are with those same individuals in your graduating class. That being said, dating within Davis Law is prevalent.

UC Davis Law School - Employment Prospects

Davis Law graduates do not find themselves in a bind for career prospects come graduation. On average, approximately 95% of its students have jobs after graduation with an average starting salary totaling slightly above $78,000. Davis Law is reputed and respected by employers throughout the state of California, as many distinguished alumni are located throughout the state, and is slowly building its reputation throughout the nation with the spread of its alumni outside of California. Consequently, because it is in the process of building this reputation, it is still not known very well on the East Coast. Many students graduating from Davis Law have already achieved more than just a BA or a BS and because of this, graduates of the school tend to match those graduating from a Top 10 law school. Those in the top 10% of their class usually land the big firm jobs but generally, by graduation, most all students have found jobs or clerkships that are ideal for themselves. It is not often that those who do well at Davis Law come across any hardships or problems in finding big time jobs in New York or in the Bay Area, showing that it does have students who compete with other great law schools in the area.

In general, it has been said that the career resources at the law school are average and campus recruiting is standard; however, those with just a BA tend to have to work a bit harder to catch the same opportunities as those that already have another advanced degree.

In conclusion, Davis Law is proving to be just as competitive to get into as many top law schools. Because of this, let the school know about yourself and get beyond the basics. Concentrate on the points that make you a well-rounded individual because the make-up of its current student body espouses students with many different aspects of life and showing the school what you have to offer only puts you in line with those students. In addition, make sure to get your application in as early as possible so you have the best possible option of letting the school know why you are an excellent applicant to their law school. They have their choice of top students, so let them know why they should pick you.

Contact Information
University of California - Davis School of Law - King Hall
400 Mrak Hall Drive
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752 - 6477
lawadmissions@ucdavis.edu

Application Deadline: February 1
Application Fee: $75

Financial Aid Application Deadline: March 2