Columbia Law School

Columbia Law

Columbia Law School is a highly respected law school that is part of Ivy League Columbia University. The school consistently ranks in the top five US law schools and offers an excellent education in corporate law. Additionally, its graduates are highly sought-after by the nation's top law firms.

Columbia Law School has a long tradition of legal scholarship, dating back to the 18th century. Its graduates include some of the most notable early-American legal figures, such as John Jay, the first chief justice of the United States, and Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. Both men were co-authors of The Federalist Papers.

Columbia has educated many successful individuals who have played influential roles in the US government, including two presidents, nine Supreme Court justices, and numerous cabinet members and presidential advisers. The school has also produced many successful businessmen and women, as evidenced by the large number of alumni who are members of the Forbes 400.

Most of Columbia Law School's 2013 graduating class obtained full-time, long-term employment that required a Juris Doctor within nine months of graduation. The starting salaries for these graduates were in the range of $180,000-$195,000. The law school was ranked number one by the National Law Journal for the percentage of 2015 graduates it sent to the largest 100 law firms in the United States.

History

James Kent and Columbia Law School
The history of law at Columbia University dates back to the 18th century. Notable early American judicial figures who graduated from the university's colonial predecessor, King's College, include John Jay, who later became the first Chief Justice of the United States.

James Kent was appointed the first law professor at Columbia College in 1793. After four years of lectures, Kent's work developed into the first two volumes of his Commentaries, with the second volume being published in November 1827. However, Kent was unsuccessful in establishing a law school or department within the college. As such, formal law instruction as a course of study did not begin until the middle of the 19th century.

The Founding of Columbia Law School and Theodore Dwight
The Columbia College Law School was officially founded in 1858. The first law school building was a Gothic Revival structure located on Columbia's Madison Avenue campus. However, the college eventually became known as Columbia University and moved to the Morningside Heights neighborhood. At the time of its founding, there was still some uncertainty about the demand for a formal law school education. Columbia Law Professor Theodore Dwight noted that many people were still skeptical about the need for such a course of study. However, the school's founding helped solidify the place of law as a respected profession. At the time, most people believed that it would be impossible to provide competent legal education through professional schools. The prevailing view was that lawyers mainly learned through on-the-job training or self-study. However, standards for legal education were very low at the time. Clerks in law offices were often not even supervised by the lawyers they were supposedly studying under. Examinations for admission to the bar were often superficial and did not test for actual legal knowledge. Politically influential people often got into law school regardless of their qualifications. Many people saw law as a trade or a way to advance their political careers rather than a science.

Columbia Law School is one of the oldest law schools in the United States. It was founded before the Civil War. In those days, most legal education took place in law offices, where young men would learn by copying documents and filling out legal forms under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. John Jay, a founding father of the United States and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, learned the law this way. He was lucky to have a good teacher. Not all apprentices had such good luck. Theodore Dwight, who used to teach at Hamilton College in New York, believed that formal classroom education was a better way to learn law than being an apprentice in a law office. History Of Columbia Law During The 20th Century William Albert Keener became dean of Harvard Law School in 1891 and held the position until 1901 when George Washington Kirchwey succeeded him. Harlan Fiske Stone, who would become a Supreme Court Justice, graduated from law school in 1898.

Stone began lecturing at Columbia Law School in 1899 while practicing law in New York. He joined the faculty as a full professor in 1910 and became dean of the law school in 1923. Stone left to join Sullivan and Cromwell as a partner in 1924. He served as Attorney General of the United States for almost a year before being appointed to the Supreme Court as an associate justice. In the 1920s and 30s, the law school at Columbia University became known as a hub for the legal realism movement. This movement was characterized by a focus on practicality and real-world applications of the law, as opposed to theoretical or academic approaches. The most prominent legal theorists associated with this movement were Karl Llewellyn, Felix S. Cohen, and William O. Douglas. Columbia Law School founded the first AIDS Law Clinic in September 1988. Professor Deborah Greenberg and Mark Barnes taught the clinic. The clinic focused on helping those with AIDS navigate the legal system.

Admissions

Columbia Law School remains one of the most selective law schools in the country, with the 2025 admissions cycle reflecting this rigor. Out of 7,671 applicants, only 901 were admitted, yielding an acceptance rate of approximately 11.75%, with 360 students ultimately enrolling. The admissions process evaluates candidates holistically, requiring a completed application form with an $85 fee, a personal statement, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and standardized test scores from either the LSAT or GRE. The school also offers an Early Decision option, which has a deadline of November 15, 2024, with decisions typically released by the end of December. This program is binding, meaning admitted applicants must commit to Columbia and withdraw applications from other schools. Additionally, Columbia welcomes transfer students, typically admitting between 35 to 60 each year. Transfer applicants must have completed at least 28 credits at an ABA-accredited or AALS member law school and apply by June 15, 2025. Successful transfer candidates are usually among the top 5–10% of their class, as Columbia applies a thorough, holistic review to all applicants. If you're not sure about applying to law school or just beginning the application process, then please take the time to read some of the excellent pre-law articles found here.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2023-2024	2024-2025
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	169 - 173 - 175	170 - 173 - 175
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.81 - 3.90 - 3.97	3.81 - 3.9 - 3.96
Acceptance rate	12.23%	11.8%
Applications received	7754	7671
Acceptances	948	901
Matriculants	362	360

Acceptance Rate

Columbia Law School's acceptance rate for the 2024–2025 admission cycle stands at approximately 11.75%, reflecting its highly competitive nature. Out of 7,671 applicants, 901 were offered admission, with 360 ultimately enrolling, resulting in a yield rate of 39.96%.

This selectivity places Columbia among the most competitive law schools in the United States, significantly lower than the national average acceptance rate of around 42% . Admitted students typically present strong academic credentials, with LSAT scores ranging from 170 to 175 and undergraduate GPAs between 3.81 and 3.96.

The combination of a low acceptance rate and high academic standards underscores Columbia Law School's status as a premier institution for legal education.

Application Components

Columbia Law

To apply to Columbia Law School's J.D. program for Fall 2025, applicants must submit the following components:

• Application Form and Fee: Complete the application via LSAC and pay the $85 fee.
• Standardized Test Scores: Submit LSAT or GRE scores. If both are taken, all scores must be reported.
• Academic Transcripts: Provide official transcripts through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least two letters are required, with up to four accepted. Recent graduates should submit two academic references; others should include one academic and one professional reference.
• Personal Statement: A two-page, double-spaced essay showcasing your writing skills and motivations for pursuing law.
• Résumé: Detailing academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences.
• Dean’s Certification: Required upon admission to confirm good standing at previous institutions.
• Optional Materials: Applicants may include addenda to explain aspects of their application or to highlight unique contributions to the Columbia community.

Interviews are conducted by invitation only. The application period opens on September 10, 2024, with a Regular Decision deadline of February 15, 2025.

Reviewing these materials in advance can give you a significant advantage in the law school admissions process. You can also read the wwaitlist from BCG Attorney Website and When to apply to Law School.

Early Decision

Columbia Law School's Early Decision (ED) program for the Fall 2025 entering class is designed for applicants who have determined that Columbia is their unequivocal first choice. The ED application deadline is November 15, 2024, and applicants are typically notified of the Admissions Committee's decision by the end of December. This program is binding, meaning that if admitted, candidates must withdraw all other law school applications and commit to matriculating at Columbia. Failure to honor this commitment will result in the revocation of the admission offer. Applicants must submit a completed application, including the Early Decision Contract, by the deadline. It's important to note that while the ED process is expedited, ED applicants are evaluated using the same selection criteria as Regular Decision candidates, and there is no significant advantage in the admissions process. Additionally, some ED applicants not offered admission may be reconsidered during the Regular Decision cycle, while others may receive a final denial. Prospective applicants should carefully consider their commitment to Columbia before applying under the Early Decision plan.

Transferring

Columbia Law School's transfer admissions process for the Fall 2025 cycle is designed for students who have completed their first year at an ABA-accredited or AALS member law school and wish to continue their legal education at Columbia. The application period opens on May 1, 2025, with a deadline of June 15, 2025 .

Application Components: Applications are submitted electronically through LSAC and must include:

• Completed application form and $85 fee
• Personal statement
• Résumé (up to two pages)
• Two letters of recommendation from current law school professors
• Dean’s Appraisal/Certification from current and prior institutions
• Official transcripts, including spring semester grades
• LSAT or GRE scores

Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials promptly, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once complete .

Additional Opportunities:

Transfer students are eligible to participate in Columbia's student law journals, including the Columbia Law Review, which has its own application process. An information session for prospective transfer applicants is scheduled for May 21, 2025, providing insights into the application process and student life at Columbia.

For information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements or Submit your Law School Essays.

Tuition and Expenses

Columbia Law School's tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year is $84,820, reflecting a steady increase in tuition costs over the past few years. The total cost of attendance, including estimated living expenses, books, supplies, and personal costs, is approximately $112,698. This figure does not include costs associated with summer study, which would add to the total educational expenses.

Columbia Law School remains committed to making legal education affordable and accessible to all qualified students. They continue to offer a wide range of need-based and merit-based scholarships, grants, and loan programs. In fact, approximately 57.73% of students receive financial aid, with the average grant award being around $30,000 per student. The admissions process remains need-aware, meaning that a student’s financial situation may be considered in the context of the overall application.

Scholarships and financial aid are available to help cover the cost of attendance. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

Columbia Law School is committed to making legal education affordable and accessible to all qualified students. They offer a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships and loan programs. More than half of their students receive some form of financial assistance, and they are need-aware in their admissions process.

Financing Your Legal Education

Columbia Law School offers both need-based and merit-based grants and fellowships. Many of these awards are distributed at the time of admission and often come in the form of partial tuition waivers. Despite the availability of these grants, most students still need to rely on federal and private educational loans to fully finance their studies.

Columbia encourages a cost-sharing philosophy, especially in the LL.M. Program, where students are expected to contribute toward their educational costs and actively pursue external funding sources. This approach broadens the diversity of the student body across financial, geographic, and professional backgrounds, enriching the academic and professional experience for all.

All graduate-level students are considered independent for federal financial aid purposes, which means that parental information is not required on the FAFSA. However, for institutional grants and Columbia University loans, detailed parental financial information is required on the CSS Profile, regardless of the student's age, marital status, or tax dependency. The school's financial aid policies prioritize supporting students from the most financially disadvantaged backgrounds, and grant decisions are based on a comprehensive assessment of family resources, including both custodial and non-custodial parents when applicable.

Loans

Columbia Law School strongly encourages responsible borrowing. They advise students that for every $10,000 borrowed, the expected monthly loan repayment is approximately $125 after graduation. Students should fully understand the terms and obligations of their loans, including in-school requirements and post-graduation repayment responsibilities.

Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes to their educational loans to ensure accurate record-keeping and compliance with borrowing policies. Columbia Law emphasizes careful financial planning throughout the duration of the law program.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Columbia Law School continues to offer a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to help graduates pursue careers in public interest law without being burdened by educational debt. Graduates working in eligible public interest positions may receive loan repayment support that is gradually forgiven over a three-year period.

Additionally, Columbia’s LRAP can be integrated with the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, offering graduates multiple pathways to managing and reducing their student debt while contributing to public service.

Columbia offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program to enable students to pursue careers in public service. More information about Columbia's LRAP can be found on Columbia Law School's website.

Curriculum

1L Foundation Curriculum

Columbia Law School offers a variety of courses on topics such as crimes and defense strategies, the application and adjudication of law, and the role of criminal sanctions in modern society. Students can also choose to participate in extramural moot court competitions in specialized areas of law. The school also offers intensive training in research, writing, and analytical skills needed in legal practice. Additionally, students can take courses on property law, torts, and other topics. Columbia also offers a course on First-Year Electives which allows students to choose one elective course for the spring semester. Some recent offerings for the First-Year Electives include:

• Corporations
• Empirical Analysis of Law
• Federal Income Taxation
• Ideas of the First Amendment
• International Law
• Labor Law
• Law and Contemporary Society
• Legislation and Regulation

Upperclass Curriculum

Columbia Law School offers a range of courses on different legal topics. There is a January Term where students can explore areas of the law that they may not be familiar with. In addition to required courses, students must also complete a professional responsibility course, two writing credits, and six experiential credits. There are also opportunities to take classes at other schools within Columbia University and to spend a semester abroad.

Joint Degree Program

The law school announced the addition of an accelerated JD/MBA joint degree program, which allows students to obtain both a JD and MBA within three years. There will not be a reduction in the four-year joint program of JD/MBA when the accelerated program begins. Both programs will be available to interested students. In terms of career objectives, law students may benefit from a joint degree. Columbia's law school may approve joint degrees with any of these graduate or professional schools to enable students to achieve this goal:

• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Ph.D. in selected programs)
• School of Business
• School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
• Graduate School of Journalism
• School of the Arts
• School of Public Health
• School of Social Work
• School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation

Furthermore, students have petitioned the Columbia Law School Rules Committee previously for permission to create a joint degree program with schools that grant advanced standing for work completed in the Columbia J.D. program, including:

• Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government
• Johns Hopkins' Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
• Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs
• Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

Dual Degree Programs and International Alliances

Columbia has established partnerships with several law schools abroad, including those in London, England; Paris, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Frankfurt, Germany. These relationships allow for students to pursue a dual degree program, earning a JD along with a Master in French Law (4-year program in Paris), Global Business (3 Year program in Paris), LLM (3-year program in London), LLB/JD (4-year program in London), or JD/LLM (4-year program in Frankfurt). Columbia Law School has a large number of international students from China and specifically has a joint exchange program with Peking University. This program began in 2006 and has been expanded multiple times to include different aspects such as faculty teaching or co-teaching courses abroad. In 2013, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities, which has allowed for even more collaboration between their faculty, such as joint publications and seminars.

Clinical Programs

The law school has nine clinical programs that help the community. These include a technology-based clinic, which helps people understand the consequences of criminal charges, and a clinic focused on sexuality and gender law. The Sexuality and Gender Law Clinic is the first of its kind in the United States. It is dedicated to helping people with legal and public policy issues related to gender and sexuality. Columbia also has a program in law and technology. Columbia Law School has strong programs in corporate law. For example, they offer a course on Deals that includes participants from the Columbia Business School and the law school. The Columbia Business and Law Association (CBLA) also sponsors events and lectures on various business-related topics. This group is open to students from both the law school and the business school. Finally, the Unemployment Action Center has a chapter at Columbia Law School that helps students interested in this area of law.

Quality of Life

Columbia Law

A campus tour at Columbia Law School will give you more than just an idea of how to get around from the classroom to the library. You'll also see how you can interact with faculty, other students, and their community while you're there as a student. This is a great way to get a feel for what life would be like as a Columbia Law School student.

Location

Located in Manhattan's ever-expanding Upper West Side, Columbia offers students an endless number of ways to pass their prized free time. The school is surrounded by restaurants, clubs, and bars of all varieties, and everything that New York City has to offer is accessible via a short ride on the subway. Also, because the law school is connected to the main campus of the university, law students have the opportunity to enjoy a "real" college campus in Manhattan.

Morningside Heights

• FOOD TRUCKS AND FARMERS MARKET - Columbia Law School is located near a farmers market that is open year-round on Thursdays and Sundays. The market features food trucks that offer a variety of cuisines, including halal chicken with rice. Students often visit the market for quick and affordable meals.

• SUBWAYS - New York's 24-hour mass transit system, the subway, makes it easy to get around the city for work or play. The subway can take you to all of the city's boroughs, making it a convenient way to explore everything New York has to offer;

15 minutes to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
20 minutes to Midtown, Broadway, Madison Square Garden, and Times Square
25 minutes to Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library, Greenwich Village, the High Line, and the Whitney Museum
30 minutes to SoHo, Tribeca, and Chinatown
40 minutes to Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and Lower Manhattan courthouses
45 minutes to Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Barclays Center

• RIVERSIDE PARK - Columbia Law School is located on the waterfront of the Hudson River, offering beautiful biking and running paths, playgrounds, dog runs, tennis courts, and a skate park. Manhattan's scenery along the river is unmatched, making this an ideal spot to enjoy some time outdoors. Whether you're looking for a place to get some exercise or just to relax and take in the view, Columbia Law School is the perfect spot.

• DODGE FITNESS CENTER - Columbia Law School's athletic complex is top-notch, including a swimming pool, indoor running track, squash courts, saunas, and state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment. This is a great place to stay in shape and relieve stress!

• MORNINGSIDE PARK - Columbia Law School's campus is home to a beautiful park with sweeping sunrise views. The park has basketball courts, baseball fields, and playgrounds, making it the perfect place to relax or get active.

• LANDMARKS - Columbia Law School is the largest cathedral in the world and holds more than a dozen services a week for worshippers of many faiths and communities. Other iconic locales are Grant’s Tomb and Tom’s Restaurant, the exterior of which was made famous by the television show “Seinfeld.” Columbia Law School is an important part of the local community and offers a variety of services to residents.

• HARLEM - Harlem is a historic neighborhood located east and north of Columbia University's campus. The area was home to the Harlem Renaissance, a period of great creativity and cultural advancement for African Americans in the arts, music, literature, and dance. Today, the neighborhood retains its rich history and culture while also welcoming new residents and businesses. Visitors can enjoy the many sights and sounds of Harlem, from the famed Apollo Theater to gospel churches and soul food restaurants.

• CENTRAL PARK - Central Park is a large, beautifully designed park in the heart of Manhattan. It's perfect for unwinding and enjoying nature, with plenty of space to walk around, play sports, and more. Many students and faculty members visit Central Park to relax and rejuvenate. It's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Classrooms and Library

Greene Hall is the main building of Columbia Law School. It has modern technology for presentations and video conferences in classrooms and auditoriums. These are used for lectures, panel discussions, and other events by the school's institutes, centers, and student organizations.

Columbia Law School has several buildings on campus that provide space for classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. In addition, Lenfest Hall offers apartment-style living for law students. The lobby of Jerome L. Greene Hall serves as the Law School’s public square, where student groups often set up tables for recruitment events. Multimedia monitors in the lobby provide up-to-date information about Law School events and links to our Twitter feed. The lobby also has comfortable areas for socializing, gathering, and studying.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

In the past, securing employment at top law firms has been likened to "shooting fish in a barrel" by some Columbia graduates. Now, however, it's not so easy. You can check Law Firm Interview Tips.

Typically, many Columbia law students secure full-time jobs before they begin their third year at law school. Often, students are offered employment with the same top firms at which they interned or worked during the summers after their first and second years. Of course, many of these employment opportunities are in the New York City area, as Columbia is often considered the premier school for job placement in the top law firms in the city.

But these days, entry-level biglaw hiring has been shrinking (including the traditional biglaw summer programs). Students should not assume they will get big-firm jobs, even from Columbia.

Columbia Law School is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the United States by various publications. For 2021, Columbia Law School's bar passage rate was 96.2% compared to the state average of 86.7%. While the 2021 job placement rate was 94.3% compared to the state average of 90.6%.

Notable Alumni

Some of the most notable students to attend Columbia Law School include Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Both men became presidents of the United States and were awarded honorary JDs in 2008. Mikheil Saakashvili, former president of Georgia, also received his LL.M. from Columbia. Giuliano Amato, twice former Prime Minister of Italy, is another notable graduate of the school. Columbia Law School graduates have also gone on to serve in high-level positions in the US government, including as members of the President's Cabinet and as justices on the Supreme Court. Three alumni have even served as Chief Justice of the United States. Nine alumni have served on the Supreme Court of the United States overall, including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Additionally, several graduates have gone on to serve as US Solicitor General. The school's international reach is also evident in the success of its alumni. Graduates have gone on to prominent judicial positions worldwide, including as members of the International Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court of Italy. Many CLS graduates have served on Supreme Courts in countries such as Denmark, Ireland, the Philippines, Japan, Sierra Leone, Norway, and Uganda.

Contact Information

Columbia University School of Law
Office of J.D. Admissions
435 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854-2674
Email: admissions@law.columbia.edu
http://www.law.columbia.edu/

Summary

Established	1858
Location	New York, NY
Dean	Daniel Abebe
2025 US News Ranking	10th
LSAT Median Score	173
GPA Median Score	3.9
Bar Passage Rate	95.5% (2025)
Employment Rate	N/A (2025)
Cost	$84,820
Average Debt	N/A
Application Deadline	N/A

Forum and Discussion

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References

Columbia Law School
LSD Law
Ranked #10
BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
US News & World Report Columbia Law School Profile
Guide to Fee Waivers
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans
Forum: Columbia 1L(s) taking questions
News: Above the Law