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Mercer University School of Law
Nestled in the middle of Georgia, Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law provides quality, private legal education with a strong reputation in Georgia and surrounding states. Founded in 1873, the law school is one of the oldest in the country. Surrounded by a Southern city rich with culture and history coupled with an innovative and thorough legal education, most students should expect to enjoy their time at Mercer.
Contents
History
Mercer University School of Law is an esteemed institution with a rich history of providing legal education to aspiring attorneys. Founded in 1873, the School has stood for over a century and a half as a beacon of excellence in legal education, ensuring students are well-prepared to practice law. In addition to providing rigorous legal instruction and curriculum, the School also provides a range of experiential learning opportunities, such as externships and clinical placements. Through these experiences, students can gain valuable hands-on experience while deepening their understanding of the law.
The School's faculty members are dedicated to helping students succeed in their legal studies and beyond. Faculty members are highly knowledgeable in their respective fields, with many having practiced law for decades before joining the School's faculty. This wealth of experience is invaluable to students preparing for their legal careers. The faculty also prioritize providing individualized attention, working closely with each student to ensure they can make the most of their studies and achieve their academic goals.
Admissions
Mercer University School of Law, also known as the Walter F. George School of Law, is one of the oldest law schools in the South, with a tradition of excellence dating back to its founding in 1873. Located in Macon, Georgia, the school is part of Mercer University and is recognized for its strong emphasis on practical training, ethical professionalism, and a supportive academic environment. The law school prepares students for a wide range of legal careers through its rigorous curriculum, distinguished faculty, and close-knit community. With a focus on service, advocacy, and leadership, Mercer Law continues to attract students who are committed to making a meaningful impact in the legal field and beyond.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 153 - 155 - 158 | 153 - 155 - 157 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.33 - 3.59 - 3.71 | 3.39 - 3.63 - 3.78 |
| Acceptance rate | 46.1% | 43.3% |
| Applications received | 911 | 1070 |
| Acceptances | 428 | 463 |
| Matriculants | 150 | 135 |
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Mercer University School of Law experienced a rise in interest, receiving 1,070 applications compared to the previous year. Of those applicants, 463 were accepted, with 135 students ultimately matriculating. The acceptance rate stood at 43.3%, slightly lower than the prior year, reflecting the school’s competitiveness. The entering class maintained solid academic credentials, with middle-range LSAT scores between 153 and 157 and GPAs spanning 3.39 to 3.78. These numbers highlight Mercer Law’s continued commitment to admitting students with strong academic potential while fostering a diverse and talented class of future legal professionals.
Application Process
To be considered for admission to Mercer University School of Law, applicants must apply electronically through LSAC (Law School Admission Council) with no fee. All applicants must have taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Mercer Law School will accept LSAT scores up to three years old. However, they strongly encourage all students to take the earlier examinations to ensure their application process is completed promptly.
It is important to note that they must receive your LSAT score and writing sample before reviewing your file. To help ensure that the admissions team can evaluate your application accurately, please submit all the necessary documents in an organized and timely fashion.
GRE and LSAC
Mercer University School of Law offers an alternative for those who prefer to apply with Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores instead of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Those interested in this route must instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send Mercer Law School their scores from the last five years. Applicants can log into their ETS accounts and select Mercer University School of Law as the recipient (ETS code: 4809).
Once Mercer has received all scores from the prior five-year period, admissions counselors will consider them when evaluating applications for admission. Applicants should also note that if GRE scores are unsatisfactory, they may be asked to take the LSAT. Additionally, GRE scores cannot be combined with prior LSAT scores.
To be considered for admission to Mercer University School of Law, all applicants must enroll in the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. This online platform allows potential students to submit their college transcripts and other relevant documents. A transcript must be sent directly from each institution you have attended – undergraduate and graduate – to LSAC.
Personal Statement
A personal statement is essential to the application process when applying for admission to Mercer University School of Law. This statement allows potential students to express their opinions and outlooks on various topics in the application instructions. Applicants must take great care to craft this statement to accurately reflect their perspectives and beliefs. Furthermore, applicants should consider including additional details and information that may benefit the admissions committee to exemplify further who they are as an applicant and why they would be a good fit for the school. By taking these steps, students can strengthen their application and increase their chances of acceptance to Mercer University School of Law.
Letters of Recommendation
Mercer University School of Law requires aspiring students to submit two letters of recommendation to be considered for admission. It is highly recommended that these letters come from university professors and should provide information on the qualities that make the applicant an outstanding candidate for legal studies. Such letters present evidence of the applicant's character, mental sharpness, and commitment to the study of law.
Other Application Requirements
Mercer University School of Law requires prospective students to complete a bachelor's degree before being admitted to the program. Applicants with undergraduate education outside the United States must submit their transcripts to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service for evaluation. This service is included in the Credential Assembly Service registration fee. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will complete an International Credential Evaluation and incorporate it into the law school report.
In addition, if the student's native language is other than English, they must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. To request the TOEFL score be sent to LSAC, applicants must contact the Educational Testing Service and have their score included in the credential evaluation document as part of their law school report. Once all documents are received and evaluated, Mercer University School of Law will review them for admissibility into the program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Attending Mercer University School of Law for the 2022-2023 academic year costs $42,292. This fee covers nine months of tuition and associated expenses such as student services, library resources, and technology fees. Additional expenses such as textbooks or housing may add to this cost.
Cost of Attendance
Mercer Law strives to make its legal education affordable while maintaining high value. For the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition and fees are clearly laid out, and the institution offers a range of financial aid options to help students manage the overall cost. Nearly all students benefit from scholarships, loans, or work-study, and aid is applied first toward tuition and fees with any remainder available for living costs. The total cost of attendance includes not just tuition, but also fees, housing, meals, transportation, books, and other personal expenses. Mercer also provides guidance and support for those seeking external scholarships or federal aid, and maintains processes to help students in special financial situations.
| Category | Annual Amount (USD) | Notes / What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $45,082 | Tuition: $44,782 + Fees: $300 |
| Living Allowance (Subtotal) | $23,289 | Includes housing, utilities, food, transportation, personal expenses, books, loan fees; Bar exam fee for 3L students |
| • Housing | $9,918 | Based on $1,102/month × 9 months |
| • Utilities | $2,232 | Based on $248/month × 9 months |
| • Food | $4,950 | $550/month × 9 months |
| • Transportation | $2,475 | $275/month × 9 months |
| • Personal Expenses | $1,044 | $116/month × 9 months |
| • Books & Supplies | $1,321 | Estimated cost for required reading, supplies, etc. |
| • Average Loan Fees | $1,349 | For those who borrow; fees associated with loans |
| • Bar Exam Fee* (3L only) | $1,291 | Included for 3rd-year students only |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $68,371 | Sum of tuition/fees + living allowance, etc. |
- Bar Exam Fee is only applicable to third-year students.
Financial Aid
Mercer University School of Law offers most of its students' financial assistance, providing them with everything they need to pursue their legal studies successfully. The aid is available in various forms, including scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities. Merit scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and proficiency in their legal field. These awards are highly competitive and may be either full or partial tuition scholarship awards. Direct Stafford loans and Direct Graduate PLUS loans can also help students finance their education by providing additional funds to cover tuition costs. Alternative private loan programs may also be available, depending on each student’s financial situation. These loans are typically offered through commercial lenders and may include conditions that require borrowers to have a cosigner or collateral.
Scholarship
Mercer University School of Law offers a variety of merit-based scholarships for its students. These awards are designed to recognize and reward those who demonstrate the potential for excellence in legal studies. Applications for these scholarships are considered based on academic achievement, LSAT/GRE scores, and any personal accomplishments that may make one stand out from the rest.
To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA and submit their applications by January 15th to be considered for all available funding. Additionally, all accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships unless they apply for a Woodruff Scholarship. However, additional scholarship awards may be given out during the year to students who are ranked in the top segment of their class after their first year and received little or no other Mercer scholarships when they entered.
Woodruff Scholarship
The George W. Woodruff Scholarship is a prestigious merit-based award presented to four exemplary students in each entering class of Mercer University School of Law. This scholarship covers tuition and provides the recipients with an annual stipend of $5,000. This money can be used for books, supplies, and other living expenses.
Additional Scholarships
Mercer University School of Law offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and law students. The Jesse Mercer Scholarships are awarded annually to three exemplary undergraduates, allowing them to gain invaluable experience and pursue their academic goals. To be eligible for this award, students must demonstrate outstanding leadership, excellence, and commitment to the university community. The Mercer Lawyer Scholarships are awarded to students based on their potential for excellence and leadership within the legal profession. This scholarship provides financial assistance to help offset the cost of tuition and other associated expenses. To be eligible, applicants must be in good academic standing and commit to pursuing a career in law. The Public Interest Fellowship Program is also provided to encourage students to pursue a career in public service. Each year, several first and second-year students are chosen as fellows and placed with a law-related public interest organization for one summer. During this placement, these students receive a stipend that can be used for tuition or other educational expenses. With these scholarships, Mercer Law allows students to pursue their legal goals and make a difference in their community.
Academics and Curriculum
At Mercer University School of Law, their students engage in a unique and dynamic educational experience that goes well beyond the traditional law school curriculum. They provide an environment where students are encouraged to think analytically and critically and take risks to reach new heights. At Mercer, they believe legal education should go beyond merely understanding the law. They strive to help their students develop the skills they need to be successful professionals in whatever legal field they choose.
Mercer Law offers opportunities such as clinics, externships, and internships that allow students to apply what they have learned in class and gain valuable experience in real-life settings. Their clinics provide students with an opportunity for direct legal representation while allowing them to experience a range of legal experiences. Their externships and internships allow students to work alongside experienced attorneys in government agencies, corporate law offices, or private practice firms.
Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law is home to the Woodruff Curriculum. Atlanta philanthropist, George W. Woodruff, endowed $15 million to Mercer School of Law and made a challenge to "make an outstanding law school even better." Since the initiation of the Woodruff Curriculum in 1990, Mercer has taken several steps that have created a nationally renowned legal program. Some of the initiatives taken in the Woodruff Curriculum include reducing class sizes to some of the smallest in the country and placing a greater emphasis on practical skills; the curriculum's legal writing program was also the first of its kind.
The first-year courses at Mercer Law are the same as those at other law schools - torts, contracts, civil procedure, etc. - but the Woodruff Curriculum still benefits 1Ls, as many of those courses will have fewer than 25 students. Second and third-year curricula include a workshop on client interviewing and counseling, in-depth seminars on topics such as labor arbitration and international law, and advanced skill courses. As a testament to the Woodruff Curriculum's success, Mercer is one of only a select group of schools in the country to have received the Gambrell Professionalism Award from the American Bar Association. The award noted the Woodruff Curriculum's "depth and excellence" and the school's ability to "turn law students into professionals."
Real World Experience
Mercer has been an educational advocate providing externships and field placements for students interested in gaining experience in school. Some of these opportunities include clerkships, judicial field placements, and research and writing opportunities with faculty at Mercer. In addition, Mercer's Law & Public Service Program is devoted to providing practical experience for students interested in pursuing a career in public service. The Law & Public Service Programs have allowed students to work on real cases while furthering students' understanding of the role of lawyers as public servants. In addition, Mercer has committed financial support to students pursuing public service work. The school will provide 28 students with stipends for the summer of 2010 to help them with their work, and three full-tuition scholarships are given out each year to students pursuing public interest careers.
Although Mercer has done well in offering real-world experience for its students, potential applicants should note that such placements and externships may be limited compared to a school in Atlanta. However, it is essential to note that Macon, Georgia is still home to the county, state, and federal courts, which may provide students with more opportunities than many locations throughout the country.
Moot Court, Mock Trial, and Law Review
In addition to the standard academic program, Mercer is home to a nationally ranked and well-respected moot court program. The school's moot court teams frequently take home top spots at national competitions, recently beating out schools such as Harvard and UGA. The moot court allows students to further their oral speaking abilities while garnering stronger relationships with faculty coaches. The moot court also allows student competitors to travel on Mercer's dime!
Mercer is also home to the oldest continually published law review in Georgia and a respected mock trial team.
Study Abroad
Mercer offers several study-abroad opportunities for students to countries such as China, Switzerland, Spain, and Argentina. Students also have the choice to find their study abroad program through another school and have it approved for credit through Mercer.
Faculty
Mercer's faculty includes 32 full-time professors, resulting in a 12:1 ratio of students to full-time faculty. In addition, Mercer is also home to 33 adjunct professors. The faculty at Mercer follows an open-door policy; students typically find it easy to access professors and achieve meaningful relationships with them. Most of the faculty has stayed active in their practice fields, including publishing papers and articles, giving presentations, and practicing in national newsworthy cases. In the classroom, many professors follow the traditional Socratic Method. Still, the smaller classes, especially in the 2L and 3L years, provide students with an opportunity to truly interact with the faculty and gain meaningful relationships that will carry over into their careers.
Student Life
Mercer University is located in the heart of Macon, Georgia - a city rich with culture and history. The law school sits atop Coleman Hill and overlooks the downtown portion of the city. The school is an oversized reproduction of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, which Mercer acquired from an insurance company some years ago. Students will find the law school surrounded by gorgeous antebellum homes, which serve as a significant tourist attraction for Macon visitors; many students choose to live around or even in (some homes have been turned into apartments) some of these cherished Macon treasures.
Macon is also rich with music history as it is the home of the Allman Brothers Band, Otis Redding, Little Richard, and many more legendary musicians. Although Macon may not be the center of the Southern music scene anymore, the city continues to foster the development of new musicians and local artists. Students will find a prominent, independent restaurant scene spread across Macon, and many graduates often find themselves craving some of their favorite local eateries from when they were at Mercer. Further, Macon is the home of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and numerous other local museums and attractions. The Grand Opera House, a historic landmark currently run by Mercer, houses many Broadway productions and concerts each year.
The downtown area has continued improving over the years with the addition of bars, restaurants, and shops, but the nightlife for students and Macon residents is still relatively limited. Though there are not many places where Macon residents can enjoy the outdoor patios, music, and libations of the downtown bars, it appears as though things will continue to get better for the downtown area due to renovation efforts and organizations. Macon is also host to the annual Cherry Blossom festival. The city has more cherry blossom trees than any other city in the world, and to celebrate, the city hosts a week-long line-up of concerts, activities, fair rides, and parties that people from all across the world come to attend. In addition, Macon is home to a minor league hockey team, an arena football team, and an independent baseball league for players attempting to break into the majors.
One downfall of the Macon area is that students who enjoy outdoor activities must work to find them. There are a dozen golf courses in the Macon area, a river walk, and Lake Tobesofkee, but these provide limited activities, and other outdoor activities are few and far between. If students try hard enough, they will be able to find biking and walking trails, Indian mounds, and river floats, but locating such activities often discourages many students from taking advantage of them.
One great thing about Macon is its location. In the state's center, Macon is 80 miles away from Atlanta and just over two hours from the closest beach. Students who don't mind a little drive can easily be in Atlanta for a Braves game, concert, or nightlife in over an hour. Alternatively, in just over two hours, students could head south to Savannah or Tybee Island for a weekend getaway. Macon's central location is truly convenient for people who enjoy weekend road trips.
Campus Life
Students at Mercer have access to over 26 student organizations, allowing them to interact with like-minded individuals and participate in related activities. Furthermore, Mercer's Student Bar Association hosts several school-wide functions each year, including a talent show and formal. Students also have access to the relatively new University Center on the undergraduate campus, which houses a number of basketball courts, workout facilities, a coffee house, and restaurants. Law students should be aware that the University Center has limited hours on weeks that the undergraduate campus is away for fall or spring break. The law school has a student lounge that serves coffee and food, but the hours are limited compared to the food at the University Center. Aside from their studies, many students participate in intramural sports with other students, including flag football, tennis, soccer, basketball, and several other sports.
Library
The Furman Smith Law Library is utilized by lawyers and judges across Georgia and features computer labs, multimedia outlets, private study carrels, and more than 80 network drops for laptop connections. Additionally, the entire law school is wireless and includes student office space.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Mercer University School of Law is a prestigious institution producing quality JD graduates for many years. Graduates from Mercer have an impressive median salary of $66,000 per year upon entering the private sector. For those pursuing positions in the public sector, their median starting salary is slightly lower at $50,000 per year. Those who enter into law firms make up the majority of graduates, with 58.6% choosing that route. Clerking for a judge and public interest are two less popular but viable paths, respectively, at 8.1% and 4.5%. Mercer’s JD program is also exceedingly successful in preparing students to pass the bar exam, with the school’s first-time pass rate of 80.7% being significantly above the national average. All of these factors make Mercer University School of Law one of the top law schools in the country and an ideal choice for anyone looking to pursue a career in law.
Synopsis
Though it may not garnish the rankings of other Georgia schools, most students will find their time and education from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law rewarding and fulfilling. Quality legal education should prepare students to be strong competitors for jobs in the Southeast region while providing them with a charming Southern city to live in while in school. Students should not expect easy-to-find outdoor activities nor abundant nightlife, but most students should still expect to find an overall rewarding experience at Mercer.
Contact Information
Mercer University
Walter F. George School of Law
Admissions Office
1021 Georgia Ave.,
Macon, GA 31201
Phone: 478-301-2605
Email: admissions@law.mercer.edu
https://law.mercer.edu/admissions/
Summary
| Established | 1873 |
| Location | Macon, GA |
| Dean | Karen J. Sneddon |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 107th |
| LSAT Median Score | 155 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.63 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 76.5% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | 72.1% (2025) |
| Cost | $43,988 |
| Average Debt | $122,798 |
| Application Deadline | June 1, 2025 |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
Mercer University School of Law
https://law.mercer.edu
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