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« TLS Profiles - TLS Programs - TLS Stats - Rankings Seton Hall Law School
Admissions & Tuition The Princeton Review gives the school an “Admissions Selectivity Rating” of 84 out of a possible 100. Roughly 42% (1,125 of 2,638) of applicants were granted admission last year. Of those admitted students, the 25th to 75th percentile GPA range was 3.22–3.65 and the range for the LSAT was 157-162—with medians of 3.45 and 160, respectively. Seton Hall also accepts students on a part-time basis; and, as is the case at many schools, the admissions standards for part-time students are less demanding than those for full-timers. A whopping 68% of part-time applicants were accepted last year (392 out of 571). Those admitted had GPA’s ranging from 3.02 to 3.57 for the 25th to 75th percentiles, and LSAT scores which ranged from 151 to 155. Cost-of-attendance at Seton Hall Law School is on the expensive side. Tuition alone is over $38,000 a year. And when room & board, book costs and miscellaneous fees are considered, the total cost of attendance each year is likely to top $55,000, with a three year total of more than $165,000. Surely, this is a daunting figure, but there is hope: Seton Hall has a generous financial aid office, which gives grants equal to or higher than the cost of one-half tuition to more than 23% of its students. The median grant last year was a more-than-helpful $17,500, while the 25th to 75th percentile range was $8,750 to $26,250. Even with such a strong financial aid program, 88% of Seton Hall students still end up borrowing money to finance their legal educations. As a result, the average indebtedness for Seton Hall graduates is a discouraging $91,500. Seton Hall has fantastic career prospects however, and prospective students should make themselves aware of the potential return on their investment. Bar Passage & employment Prospects The Bar passage rate for Seton Hall graduates is 85%, six percentage points higher than the rate for all New Jersey law school graduates. Seton Hall grads have little trouble finding work after passing the Bar. Nearly 90% of all graduates have a job lined up at the time of graduation. Within nine months of graduation, over 98% of graduates are employed. These numbers speak well of Seton Hall’s strong regional reputation. Employment statistics alone can only say so much. The question is not whether these students find jobs, but whether they find jobs that justify the investment of three years’ tuition and time. The answer is yes—at least for those who entered the private sector. Starting salaries for graduates who entered private practice in recent years have ranged from $55,000 for the 25th percentile to $105,000 for the 75th. The overall median was a solid $70,000. Not bad for a young professional, just out of school. Those students who entered public service did not fare so well financially. The median starting salary in this field is generally just under $40,000 for Seton Hall graduates. These students, however, are rarely in it for the money. While career prospects are strong for Seton Hall graduates, students should be aware of the fact that such prospects are not strong everywhere. Seton Hall is a regional school, and its graduates struggle to find work outside of the Middle Atlantic region—specifically outside of New Jersey. Roughly 70% of 2006 graduates ended up practicing in New Jersey. And for the 30% of students who did leave the state, half of them stayed very close, finding work in the border states of New York and Pennsylvania. The remaining students spread themselves out around the country, with nearly all of them staying east of the Mississippi River. Academics With great facilities and some stand-out programs, Seton Hall Law School is well-equipped to prepare its students for the career that lies ahead. The law school building is relatively new, providing big, tech-friendly classrooms and vast library resources. The classrooms themselves don’t teach students however, and it is the professors who must make the cut. The Seton Hall faculty is up to the task, with professors who are “leading experts” who “view teaching as their first priority,” according to students interviewed by Princeton Review. Healthcare law is far and away Seton Hall’s strong suit. Ranked fifth in the country according to USNews’ specialty rankings, the program is unanimously respected. Students can complement their JD with a concentration in Health Law or even an LLM. Seton Hall is also a regional power in intellectual property. Unfortunately, Seton Hall shines in few other fields; and this may be a factor come hiring time—though, as noted in the employment section above, Seton Hall grads seem to have little trouble finding work. Quality-of-life Newark is not the most desirable place to attend law school. In fact, it is not the most desirable place to do anything, really. Crime is high, the city is full of eyesores, and the social scene leaves much to be desired. But Seton Hall students make the best of their surroundings. Many students spend time in nearby Hoboken, where there is a growing population of young professionals and an increasingly vibrant night-life. Students also always have the option of hopping over to New York City for a weekend, which offers infinitely more opportunities for social life than anywhere in New Jersey. Undoubtedly, law students have little time to socialize anyway; but prospective students would be mistaken to discount the effect that a school’s location will have on one’s experience. Students at Seton Hall do have fun, but the obstacles are many. Conclusion In sum, Seton Hall Law School should be on the short list of any student with a desire to practice in New Jersey. Students should be sure to visit the campus, however, and decide whether or not they could spend three years in Newark. Quick Reference U.S. News Ranking: 66 |
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With strong academics and great career prospects, Seton Hall Law School is quite an attractive option—especially for those student who plan to build their careers in New Jersey. And while the school’s location is less-than-ideal, Seton Hall students seem to be happy with their choice.