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Duke University Law SchoolFrequently cited as the "Harvard of the South," Duke Law School no longer needs any mention of its Ivy League counterpart to inspire recognition. An outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus, and warm atmosphere are among the law school's many attributes. Duke Law School Admissions Duke Law School was recently ranked 12th by the US News law school rankings. The school's admission criteria match its high standings. Of the 5,800 applicants for the recent entering class, roughly 1500 were offered acceptance and 207 matriculated. The median LSAT was 168 and the median GPA was 3.78. Joint degree programs are offered, and students wishing to earn both a masters and law degree can do so in three years, needing only to apply to the law school and include an additional letter of interest. Four year professional degree programs are offered in conjunction with the divinity school, medical school, business school, public policy school, and the school of the environment and earth sciences. Early action is an option in the application process; however Duke warns that those students will be evaluated on a higher standard than those submitted for regular admissions. Though the regular admissions application deadline is not until March 1, Duke also advises that all forms be submitted by January 1. If accepted to Duke, students face an expensive tuition bill. Tuition alone is over $40,000 and total costs reach around $60,000. All students also need their own laptop computer. Duke does offer financial aid and non-need based scholarships. Application forms are included in the admissions material. Duke Law School Curriculum First year students focus on core classes, including constitutional law, civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, property, torts, and a legal research and writing course. Classes are kept deliberately small, rarely exceeding ninety students. In the second and third years, students are encouraged to choose from a wide range of electives, seminars, and clinical programs. The clinical programs include topics on children's education, community economic development, the death penalty, human rights in Sierra Leone, and services for those infected with HIV. Within the Duke Law School curriculum, students are allowed to pursue a field of interest. Strong programs include corporate and commercial law, public policy and public interest law, among others. Recent faculty hires have bolstered the academic standings of the intellectual property law, international and comparative law, and tax law departments. Duke Law School takes pride in its technologically savvy students, cited as one of the two most wired schools in the country. Duke was the first law school to publish all of its journals electronically. All classrooms have power hook-ups at every seat, videoconferencing capabilities, and web access. All students have a laptop computer. First year students have the opportunity to learn contracts on a multi-media DVD. In addition to encouraging international diversity on campus, Duke Law School also encourages students to gain international experience. Duke participates in summer institutes hosted in Geneva and Asia, as well as offering exchange programs with 14 other universities. Students pursuing a joint-degree in international and comparative law have the option of starting their studies the summer before their first year matriculation. Duke Law School Student Life In their free time, Duke Law students have over thirty extra-curricular activities from which to choose, including moot court competitions, student government, volunteer work, and six academic journals. Students can also attend any one of the numerous lectures, seminars, and series hosted by the law school, and by Duke University. The Duke Law School contains multiple lounge areas, and an outdoor courtyard. Duke University has two fully equipped gyms for student use, swimming pools, student unions, cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater on campus. The Duke Gardens are located in the center of the university's campus, providing an ideal venue for sunbathing, strolling, or proverbially taking time to smell the roses. If students prefer a more untamed outdoors, the university is surrounded by miles of the Duke Forest, in which they can hike, bike, run, or even visit the Primate Center. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University boasts a gorgeous campus, complete with its own stunning chapel. The weather is temperate and pleasant for most of the year, and sunny weather is the predominate forecast in all seasons. Adjacent to Duke's campus are several small streets containing restaurants, bars, and a few shops. Adventurous students can explore the city of Durham, and discover much more beyond the campus confines. A ten-minute drive to Chapel Hill, home to the University of North Carolina, offers an even greater array of all things social. Life after Duke Law School The Office of Career Services at Duke works hard to ensure that students are provided with ample opportunities for their future. Over 300 employers recently interviewed on campus, and the median salary offered graduates in the private-sector was over $135,000. Ninety-two percent of the recent graduates were employed before graduation. Duke Law School also has a high bar passage rate, with ninety-seven percent passing the New York exam on their first attempt, and one hundred percent passing among those who took it a second time. Conclusion While admission to the "Gothic Wonderland," a nickname given to Duke University by its students, is not easy, nor the cost inexpensive, Duke Law School should remain a top option for students, especially those considering applying to its cold Ivy League cousins. An outstanding academic reputation, an excellent faculty, a beautiful campus, and an enjoyable student life are among the reasons Duke Law School remains one of the top ranked in the country. Contact Information Duke University School of Law |
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