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Home » Law Schools » Rankings and Profiles » Indiana University School of Law - BloomingtonWritten by Hadi Sedigh
Admissions and Tuition: With an applicant-to-available seat ratio as high as 20 to 1 in recent years, the Indiana University Law School is highly selective in admissions. Of the 2,524 applicants who petitioned for a seat in the 2009 entering class, about 600 were accepted, 220 of which matriculated to form the Class of 2011. Among those who matriculated, the median LSAT score was 164, while the median GPA was 3.70. To be competitive in future application cycles at IU Law, an applicant should generally have numbers near or above these medians. Of course, top law schools look beyond numbers as they aim to form entering classes diverse in race, ethnicity, and experience, and IU Law is certainly no exception. As a result, applicants who can offer diversity to the student body of the school will likely increase their chances at admission. As mentioned in the introduction, Indiana University Law School’s public standing allows it to offer residents of the state of Indiana a lower rate of tuition. For the 2009-2010 academic year, this resident rate is $24,000, a fraction of the tuition costs of most similarly regarded law schools. For non-residents, the tuition rate, like that of most top law schools, is approaching the $40,000 mark, and rests at $39,800 for the 2009-2010 year. It bears mention that Indiana University seems to have relatively tough residency standards when compared to other similarly ranked public universities, as it does not grant residency to those who move to the state primarily for the purpose of educational pursuit. Thus, it seems safe to say that non-resident applicants will pay the higher tuition rate throughout their three years at IU Law. Academic Reputation and Curriculum: Like most similarly regarded law schools, the Indiana University School of Law enjoys a solid academic reputation. The school’s faculty is recognized nationally and internationally, and its impressive 10 to 1 student to faculty ratio allows students great accessibility to their professors. Further, IU Law’s various areas of focus and numerous clinical offerings allow students to pursue their particular interests during law school, and at times, to interact with real clients under the supervision of the faculty. Also, IU Law’s extensive selection of study abroad opportunities will likely impress applicants hoping to take their legal education beyond American borders, as the school offers programs of varying lengths in London, Barcelona, Paris, Hong Kong, and Beijing, among other cities. In terms of its curriculum, Indiana University Law School is fairly standard. First-year students enroll in traditional required courses, and are thereafter free to choose from the school’s 120 elective course titles to complete their JD degrees. The majority of these upper level courses contain less than 25 seats, ensuring that students can interact with classmates and professors who share their interests. Another opportunity for interaction between students is created by IU Law’s practice of splitting first-year students into five or seven person groups that are mentored by 2Ls and 3Ls. This practice provides both academic and peer support for students, and helps to ease the burden of the doubtlessly rigorous 1L workload. Quality of Life: Given that Bloomington is considered by many to be among the most livable cities in the country, it’s a safe bet that students at IU Law will enjoy a high quality of life while at the law school. A college town in the truest sense, Bloomington revolves around Indiana University and its various schools, and houses all of the amenities that lead to the satisfaction of students. Bars and nightclubs are plentiful, and the city’s selection of restaurants offering cuisines from around the world usually earns the praise of law students. The green and expansive campus of Indiana University is also praiseworthy, as it offers law students access to all of the resources offered by a major university, as well as a bustling party scene recently ranked as the best in the nation. In addition, housing is affordable and plentiful, safety is rarely a problem, and Indianapolis, with its huge shopping malls and professional sports teams, is a short drive away. Employment Prospects and Bar Passage: For students and graduates of Indiana University Law School, job prospects are strongest in the Midwest. Many top firms from the largest legal markets in this region, including Chicago and Indianapolis, visit the campus annually to interview students, and a majority of the school’s graduating classes usually accept positions in the region. Students hoping to land jobs outside the Midwest will likely have a more difficult job search, although the school’s alumni network, which spreads across the nation, will certainly be of assistance to said students. The school’s career services office is of tremendous help to students as well, and has received high praise from graduates for its dedication and relentlessness in helping students land a desirable position. Partly as a result of the efforts of this office, up to 97% percent of students have found employment within nine months of graduation in recent years. In terms of bar passage, graduates of IU Law generally succeed, as nearly 91% typically pass the exam on their first attempt in the state of Indiana, compared to an overall state passage rate of about 84%. Synopsis: With its great location and academic prestige, the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington is a great place to pursue a legal education, especially for applicants hoping to securing employment in the Midwest. Residents of the state of Indiana should also give the school special consideration, as they would be charged a low in-state tuition rate while at the law school. Contact Information: Indiana University School of Law Quick Reference: U.S. News Ranking: 23rd |
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Located in one of the most vibrant college towns in the nation, the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington enjoys recognition as one of the best law schools in the Midwest, as well as a place among the finest public law schools in America. The school offers students access to the resources of one of the largest public universities in the nation, as well as an internationally recognized faculty and highly regarded law library. Especially for residents of the state of Indiana, who pay lower resident tuition rates at the school, the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington is a great place to attain a legal education.