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University of Notre Dame Law SchoolWritten by Hadi Sedigh
Admissions and Tuition: With over 3,500 applicants vying for less than 200 seats in a typical application cycle, Notre Dame is highly selective in its admissions process. The results of this selectivity are evident in the school’s entering class of 2007, as the class boasts an impressive 75th percentile GPA of 3.76 and a 75th percentile LSAT score of 167 while the respective numbers for the 25th percentile were a 3.40 GPA and a LSAT score of 164. Of course, Notre Dame Law School looks beyond numbers in its admissions process, employing a “whole-person review philosophy”. With its goal of preparing responsible legal leaders in mind, the school looks for candidates who are able demonstrate leadership through employment or public service experience, and also searches for qualified candidates likely to contribute to the school’s community spirit. As is the case with all other top law schools, diversity is highly valued at Notre Dame, and the school aims to fill its entering classes with students diverse in ethnicity, experience and background. Applicants may have increased incentive to apply early to Notre Dame, as the school’s application fee is reduced to $55 before February 15th. Also, applicants with their hearts set on Notre Dame can take advantage of the school’s Early Decision program, and by applying through this program by November 1st, are assured a decision by December 15th. Accepted students who decided to matriculate at Notre Dame for the 2007-2008 academic year paid $35,490 in tuition. Academic Reputation and Curriculum: Throughout the nation and the world, Notre Dame Law School enjoys an excellent and unique academic reputation. Although the school is strong in the traditional fields of the law, much of its strong academic reputation has come about as a result of the unusual breadth of the school’s curriculum, which allows students to also approach legal matters from religious and philosophical perspectives. As a result, Notre Dame graduates are generally thought to be especially well-rounded as they enter the legal field. If one is an atheist or agnostic, it is best to visit the campus first for while religion is not as ubiquitous as at other law schools such as Pepperdine, it certainly plays a prominent role in academic and social discussions. Another unique aspect of Notre Dame’s curriculum is its yearlong study-abroad program in London, currently the only yearlong program offered by an ABA accredited law school. The London program offers students the opportunity to spend their second year of law school studying international and comparative law at the Notre Dame London Law Centre. The school also offers a shorter version of this program, in which students can spend six weeks of the summer following their first year of law school studying law in London. Notre Dame describes its first year curriculum as “required and demanding”. 1Ls enroll in 15 credits per semester, including a yearlong Legal Writing course. After this grueling first year, students are left with 12 more required credits, including a Jurisprudence course, and are thereafter free to choose from more than 100 elective courses to complete their 90-credit JD education. Impressively, more than 60% of these elective courses include less than 25 seats. The law school began a major expansion in 2007 and this nearly complete expansion will approximately double the size of the law school’s facilities with no increase in class size. Quality of Life: Though South Bend may prove to be an underwhelming place to live for those accustomed to life in large metropolitan areas, the University of Notre Dame and its campus more than make up for whatever the town may lack. During the fall semester, the school is immersed in the hysteria that surrounds the Notre Dame football team, and throughout the year, immensely popular intramural sports allow students to stir up their own athletic fever. Also, the relative lack of nightlife in South Bend does not prevent students from socializing, as house parties and school sponsored events allow students to meet and mingle during their free time. In fairness to South Bend, the city serves the interests of students in several ways, as it is both a comfortably safe and relatively inexpensive place to live, offering various affordable living options to students of Notre Dame. Also, the city’s proximity to Chicago allows students fond of bars and clubs to quench their thirst for nightlife on the weekends by making the 1 and ½ hour drive to the Windy City. Employment Prospects and Bar Passage:
Of the graduating class of 2006, 99% were employed within six months of graduation, 65% of which were employed in private law firms with a median salary of $110,000. Typically, more Notre Dame graduates sit for the bar exam in Illinois than in any other state, and upwards of 90% of these graduates pass the exam in their first attempt, which exceeds the 85% passage rate of the state. Synopsis: Notre Dame Law School enjoys a reputation in and beyond America of preparing responsible and well-rounded professionals who are committed to serving their clients and the legal field with integrity and honor. Especially for applicants interested in securing employment in the Midwest, the opportunity to join the prestigious Notre Dame family should be given serious consideration. Contact Information: Notre Dame Law School Admissions Office Quick Reference: U.S. News 2008 Ranking: 28th |
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Given the school’s slogan of “educating a different kind of lawyer”, it should come as no surprise that Notre Dame Law School is, in many ways, a different kind of law school. In large part due to the university’s Catholic tradition and values, the law school places increased emphasis on integrity and ethics in law, and aims to prepare its students to become responsible leaders in various legal fields. These values, along with the small size of the school’s student body and the tremendous school spirit aroused by the school’s legendary football team, combine to create a community spirit at the law school that is welcoming to students of all faiths and beliefs. 
Employment prospects for Notre Dame, a strong regional school, students are typically strongest in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, where Notre Dame consistently places graduates into top private law firms as well as prestigious judicial clerkships. Though prospects are inevitably weaker throughout the rest of the nation, Notre Dame’s highly regarded alumni network allows students endless opportunity to explore job options by tapping into this vast network. Further, more than 250 law firms from throughout the nation visit the school annually to interview Notre Dame students.