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« TLS Profiles - TLS Programs - TLS Stats - Rankings University of Hawaii Richardson School of LawFor many, spending three years in Honolulu would be dream come true; it behooves future law students to remember, however, that the majority of their time will be spent in the library, not at the beach. And so, prospective students should look beyond the University Of Hawaii Richardson School Of Law’s picturesque location when deciding whether to attend. It is likely that they will not be disappointed with what they find—though job-placement statistics will undoubtedly serve as cause for concern. Admissions & Tuition Admissions at Hawaii are more competitive than the raw numbers suggest. The Princeton Review gives the school an “Admissions Selectivity Rating” of 87 out of a possible 100. This seems high given the 25th to 75th percentile ranges for GPA and LSAT (3.10-3.70 and 156-161, respectively. A closer look, however, shows that Hawaii selects only 18% of applicants (196 out of 1,049). This can most reasonably be taken to indicate that the admissions committee at Hawaii looks beyond the numbers, searching for soft-factors would add that “something extra” to the entering class. Hawaii also accepts applicants on a part-time basis. Here, we find the admissions process to be significantly less competitive. 45% of applicants were accepted to the part time program last year. Those admitted had GPA’s ranging from 2.9 to 3.4 for the 25th to 75th percentiles, and LSAT scores which ranged from 148 to 152. Hands down, Hawaii is one of the cheapest tier-1 law schools in the country. In-state students pay an uncommonly low $13,656 per year in tuition, while out-of-staters pay a still cheap $24,480. With all other expenses (room & board, books, misc. fees) totaling only around $15,000, in-state students enjoy an annual cost of attendance under $30,000, which is what tuition alone costs at many U.S. law schools. Even with the low cost of attendance, the financial aid office at Hawaii is relatively generous. 25% of students receive grants totaling more than half the cost of tuition; and the median grant is nearly $6,500, which is quite high relative to the schools costs. The strength of the school’s financial aid program (combined with the cheap tuition, of course) is best evidenced by graduates’ low average indebtedness: only $51,702 per student (USNews). Employment Employment prospects for Hawaii grads do not provide as much hope for one’s financial future as the school’s low tuition does. This is because Hawaii employs a truly poor number of students upon graduation: only 64%. Very few schools fall below 70%, with the majority sitting comfortably above 80%. Hawaii grads do fare better, however, with time. According to USNews, 94% of graduates secure employment within nine months of graduation. For those who do find jobs, private-practice is the most common. 35% of graduates entered this field, according to the Princeton Review, with salaries ranging from $63,000 to $75,000. Those who entered the public sector earned less money with a median of $47,000 (though it should be noted that this number is high when compared to schools across the country). Most students— over 80%—stay in Hawaii after graduation; and those who do leave the state generally do not go far, with most finding work in the Pacific states. USNews, however, reports a bit of an aberration: in 2006 8% Hawaii graduates found work in South Atlantic states such as Maryland, Virginia, and Florida. It is possible, then, for Hawaii grads to find work all across the United States. Academics Overall, Hawaii does not shine academically. The school ranks 82nd among 195 law schools in the country. This is a solid ranking, but it will do little to give the school national recognition. As the school’s Dean correctly points out, however, the school’s “face-to-face culture and the extraordinary ways in which our students look out for one another cannot be easily measured. In addition, these rankings are skewed against smaller schools like us” More narrowly, students praise the school’s program in environmental law. A search on the school’s website reveals that the course offerings in the field are strong; but the school does fail to place in the top-20 on USNews’ ranking of Environmental Law programs (not that this is sufficient in determining the worth of the program). Hawaii does stand out with its focus on Pacific-Asian Legal Studies, for which it has a very strong clinic and a strategic location for studying. Other clinics include: the Native Hawaiian Rights Clinic, the Family Law Clinic, and the Prosecution Clinic, among others. Quality of Life While some students complain about job placement, or grumble on about the school’s facilities, few will complain about the quality of life at Hawaii Law. With a total enrollment well under 300, Hawaii students enjoy a small and reportedly tight-knit community. Competition is said to be rare, as “[t]he culture and values of Hawaii permeate the school and administration,” as one student interviewed by the Princeton Review puts it. Also likely to contribute to the non-competitive atmosphere is the school’s location. Yes, downtime is a rarity any law student; but those who can find some during their time at Hawaii have seemingly limitless options for de-stressing. It is Hawaii, after all. There are a wide variety of academic and social clubs (including a Surf Club) that allow students to enjoy each other’s company, and Hawaii’s unique environment, outside of the classroom. Also notable as influential on quality of life at Hawaii are the school’s efforts to build a diverse faculty and student-body. A testament to the success of such efforts is the Princeton Review’s ranking of Hawaii as #3 on a list of schools providing the “Best Environment for Minority Students” and #5 on a list of schools with the “Most Diverse Faculty.” Conclusion Hawaii’s quality of life is tough to beat, as is the school’s low cost of attendance; but too many Hawaii graduates struggle to find work, and those that do are often limited geographically. These are all factors, among many others, that any prospective student should keep in mind when evaluating the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law. Quick Reference U.S. News Ranking: 82 |
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