American University Washington College of Law

American University Law

American University's Washington College of Law, renowned for its International Law program and diverse clinics, offers all the benefits of a large D.C. law school. Though some worry that American University Law School will forever remain in the shadow of other law schools in Washington D.C., such as Georgetown and George Washington, this school can hold its own-especially when it comes to providing unique experiences to its large pool of future lawyers.

History

Two pioneering women founded the American University Washington College of Law over 120 years ago. These women were Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma Gillett, and they founded the school at a time when women were generally excluded from the legal profession. The founders created a tradition of providing opportunities for those historically outside the mainstream of the legal profession. They also believed that lawyers played a crucial role in developing society, business, government, and individual freedoms. Their extraordinary foresight and perseverance have formed the foundation for this law school. Over 120 years later, as a center of educational, scholarly excellence, where women and men from all backgrounds continue to pursue the founders' mission, WCL is a testament to these women's ideals and tenacity.

Admissions

The American University Washington College of Law is a top law school that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in various legal fields. With six highly-ranked specialty programs, AUWCL students are well-prepared to handle any legal challenge they may face.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	154 - 160 - 162	157 - 161 - 163
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.22 - 3.51 - 3.65	3.39 - 3.57 - 3.71
Acceptance rate	36.4%	27.9%
Applications received	5153	6737
Acceptances	1873	1882
Matriculants	906	755

American University's 1L class size is 409 people, and the yield is 21.36%. Out of the 6,737 people who applied, 1,882 were offered admission, and 402 out of those 1,882 people accepted. This means that 21.36% of the people offered admission ended up attending the school. The median LSAT at American University is 161, and the 25th percentile LSAT is 157. The median GPA is 3.57, and the 25th percentile GPA is 3.39.

Application Process

Applications for a JD degree must be submitted online using the Law School Admission Council's electronic application service. If you experience any difficulty or require technical assistance with the online service, please get in touch with LSAC at (215) 968-1393. Applicants can apply through either the Early Decision Option or the General Rolling Admissions process. The application cycle for Fall 2023 enrollment opens on September 1, 2022.

Application Checklist

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The best and brightest minds worldwide choose American University Washington College of Law because of its academic excellence, experiential education opportunities, and supportive law school community. Washington College of Law values the contributions of our transfer and visiting students and welcomes applicants for fall, spring, and summer admission.

Transfer

If you are applying for the fall semester, your transfer application should be filed by June 15. If you have completed your fall semester (full or part-time) and submit your application on or before March 15, you will be considered as an Early Action applicant. If you submit your application after March 15 or are not admitted based on Early Action review, you will be rolled over to the regular transfer pool. Admission under Early Action is contingent on maintaining and certifying good academic standing and successful completion of all second-semester courses.

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance for full-time JD students is $59,358. This includes the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other costs related to attending law school. The maximum amount of financial aid that a student can receive is limited to this amount. Financial aid can come from various sources, including federal loans, private loans, scholarships, and grants.

F U L L - T I M E ( 1 2 O R M O R E C R E D I T S )
Tuition	$59,842
Fees	$1,152
Room	$15,544
Board	$4,914
Transportation	$1,180
Personal	$1,800
Books	$1,800
Total	$86,232

Federal loan recipients at American University Washington College of Law may borrow up to $1,794 to help offset federal loan fees incurred at disbursement. This additional loan fee allocation is an average amount for all AUWCL loan borrowers. The updated maximum attendance cost, including the loan fees, is $88,026.

P A R T - T I M E ( B E L O W 1 2 C R E D I T S )
Tuition	$42,104
Fees	$512
Room	$15,544
Board	$4,914
Transportation	$1,440
Personal	$1,800
Books	$1,200
Total	$67,514

Federal loan recipients at AUWCL may average, borrow an additional $1,794 to help cover federal loan fees incurred upon disbursement. This means that the maximum cost of attendance, including loan fees, is $69,308.

M O N T H L Y L I V I N G E X P E N S E S B U D G E T

For the 2022-2023 academic year, students should budget approximately $2,475 per month for living expenses. Of that, approximately $1,725 should be allocated to rent and utilities. The total figure includes room (shared accommodations), board, and personal expenses from the above costs of attendance. This estimate only provides a general idea of what expenses to expect; actual costs may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Merit Scholarships

The AUWCL Office of Admissions offers merit scholarships to all applicants based primarily on academic indicators such as LSAT/GRE scores and undergraduate GPA. These scholarships are renewable for up to three academic years. Most incoming classes receive a merit scholarship, and the awards range from $10,000 to full tuition.

Public Interest Public Service Scholarship

The Public Interest/Public Service (PIPS) Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship awarded to incoming JD students with a demonstrated commitment to public service, strong academic credentials, and a desire to pursue a public interest or public service career upon graduation. A separate scholarship application is required.

Myers Law Scholarship

The Myers Law Scholarship is a highly prestigious award at AUWCL that provides one-year scholarships to full-time JD students who show academic promise and demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are funded up to 125 percent of tuition.

Restricted Scholarships

AUWCL scholarships are available to students in several categories, including financial needs and academic achievement. Most scholarships range from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the funding availability. The selection criteria for scholarships vary, but awards are usually based on financial need and academic achievement. Some scholarships have additional requirements, such as an application process or a specific study area. Procedures and selection criteria are announced in the WCL Docket email during the fall semester, with the application deadline typically 2-3 weeks after the first announcement.

United Methodist Scholarship

The United Methodist Scholarship is awarded to full-time J.D. law students who are full members of the United Methodist Church for at least one year before application. The scholarship is also available to international students from one of the United Methodist Church Central Conferences as long as they have been church members for at least three years. U.S. citizens and permanent residents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible.

Need-Based Grant

The AUWCL Office of Financial Aid offers a limited number of grants to full-time JD students who demonstrate financial need.

Academics and Curriculum

At American, all full-time students can take one elective in their second semester of the 1L year. The school offers an integrated curriculum program that covers the interconnected nature of all 1L and upper-level law courses.

The American University Law School is well-known for its strong international law program. Students who attend the school have access to unique opportunities, like conducting research for the United Nations in Geneva. This may be why the school ranks fifth on US News's top international law programs list.

The Washington College of Law is well-known for its strong public interest law offerings, with particular emphasis on environmental and human rights law. The school has many unique programs, including the Academy on International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the United Nations Committee against Torture Project, and the Program on International and Comparative Environmental Law. These programs provide invaluable opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field of law. As one student put it, "Public Interest seems to be at the heart of every effort that the school makes.'" While this may not be entirely accurate, it is clear that public interest law is an important focus at the Washington College of Law.

Experiential Education

AUWCL strongly focuses on experiential legal education, offering clinical programs, externships, and simulation courses in various areas. One particularly unique aspect of AUWCL's programming is its focus on international human rights and humanitarian law. This has led to several experiential programs that allow students to gain practical skills in these areas.

Clinical Program

The AUWCL Clinical Program is known for providing a great clinical education. This comes from the program's 11 in-house clinics, allowing students to gain experience in litigation, administrative work, transactional law, and policy. Student attorneys working in these clinics get guidance from faculty and learn how to manage cases and projects by themselves. They also learn to critically assess their work, which helps them grow as professionals.

Externship Program

At American University Washington College of Law, the Externship Program provides over 350 students each year with the opportunity to gain practical legal experience with government agencies, public interest organizations, courts, and law firms engaged in pro bono work. The school's proximity to governmental and non-governmental organizations in Washington, D.C., ensures students have a diverse range of exciting and valuable work experiences. Externships are also available in other locations across the United States and abroad.

The Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program

The Stephen S. Weinstein Advocacy Program trains students in all forms of legal advocacy, including trial and appellate litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and transactional negotiations. The Advocacy Program is currently ranked 3rd nationally in the 2021 U.S. News and World Report and has been one of the best advocacy programs for over a decade. The success of the program is due, in large part, to the more than 100 legal professionals who teach, coach, and volunteer to support our mission. Area practitioners and judges impart their vast expertise as they teach a wide range of advocacy courses, and skilled lawyers have coached student teams to more than 25 national championships over the last eight years.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Students from American universities who work in the private sector earn an average of $96,000 annually. If they enter the private sector, they can expect to make an average of $63,332. A little over an of law graduates from American Universities go on to work for law firms, while around 15% clerk for a judge. Another 15% enter into public interest. Almost all graduates from American University pass the bar on their first try.

Quality of Life

At American, there are three main facts that students must contend with: the location in D.C., the large class sizes, and the liberal atmosphere on campus. Regarding the location, one of the pros is that there are many things to do in D.C. The city offers a variety of cultural activities and vibrant nightlife. Additionally, who wouldn't want to be near all three branches of government or some of the world's largest law firms? However, there are also some cons to consider. For instance, American's campus is relocating in 2016 to a new building within walking distance from the Tenleytown Metro Station. In the meantime, the school is located about 5 minutes from American University's undergraduate campus. The school provides a shuttle service from the metro to both campuses, running every fifteen minutes on weekday mornings. The ride takes approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic.

American University has a large law school so classes will be large, and the student-faculty ratio will be mediocre. However, there is a small section option (usually around 50 students), and most students find their professors accessible. Additionally, American University has a liberal student body. The Princeton Review ranks America at #5 for students who have a leftward-leaning bias. One student, a 2L, suggests that the professors are pretty liberal as well. This is to be expected given the large interest in such fields as International and Human Rights Law and the fact that the school is in D.C.-which is quite a progressive city itself. That said, the school does provide an outlet for many different perspectives, and the student body has an array of political perspectives - particularly in the part-time sections, which typically consist of policy professionals from varying interest groups and representatives.

Location

The AU-Tenleytown Metro Station is just one block away from our law campus, which features five courtrooms, light-filled classrooms, and top-of-the-line technology. Our location in Northwest Washington, DC, provides students with direct access to the heart of the nation's capital and hundreds of externship and internship opportunities. American University Washington College of Law strives to Champion What Matters.

Library Interior

The Pence Law Library is a popular spot for American University Washington College of Law students. It features comfortable seating and plenty of natural light, making it a great study place. Additionally, the library has several resources that students can use for their research projects.

State-of-the-Art Campus

The Warren Building is also a central part of the law school experience. It houses the Pence Law Library, the Office of Information Technology, and the Ceremonial Courtroom.

LEED Gold Campus

The American University Washington College of Law's campus achieved LEED Gold certification in the spring of 2017. The design of the campus was created with sustainability in mind, functionality, and health. Some green features of the campus include 240,000 square feet of green space, space for 200 bikes, and energy-efficient systems that reduce energy consumption by 20%.

Capital Hall

Capital Hall is a historic building that reflects the rich history of the American University Washington College of Law. It serves as the law school's administrative and student center and houses the Dean's Office, Academic Affairs, Admissions, the Office of Career and Professional Development, and Student Services. The building has also been expanded to provide more space for journals and other student publications.

Yuma Building

The Yuma Building is the center of academic activity at American University Washington College of Law, housing classrooms, faculty offices, their top-ranked clinic and international programs, and subject-specific programs and centers.

The Courthouse

The stand-alone Courthouse on Campus is one of the University's most magnificent features. Formerly the chapel from the former Immaculata Seminary, the Courthouse was converted in 1986 when the University purchased the Tenley Campus space. Today, it features the Stephen S. Weinstein Courtroom and two smaller practice courtrooms on the lower level.

The Commons

The Commons is a popular spot for students, faculty, and guests to get together for informal meetings, study sessions, or a break between classes. It's a centrally-located passageway connecting the Warren and Yuma Buildings with collaborative working spaces and lounge and table seating. The Commons is a busy hub for the entire law school community.

Courtyard – AUWCL Outdoor Class

The AUWCL Campus features plenty of green space, providing a scenic atmosphere and an outdoor dining area. Some faculty members have even been known to hold classes outdoors!

Atrium

The Atrium is a popular space for meeting with colleagues and hosting events. It features the Atrium Café as well as comfortable, informal spaces. Located between Capital Hall and the Weinstein Courthouse, it also serves as a reception area for alumni events and conferences.

Cafeteria

The Dining Hall is located in the Yuma Building and offers a variety of dining options as well as outdoor seating.

The American University Washington College of Law community strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Their campus provides many great spaces for gatherings, wellness events, and more. They are committed to championing what matters most to their community.

Synopsis

American University's Washington College of Law is a great but expensive school. It has to compete with other law schools in Washington D.C., such as Georgetown and George Washington, but it has some great strengths. One is its International Law program, and another is its clinical offerings for people who want to work in Public Interest. If you don't mind a liberal bias or, even better, if you crave it, then this is the school for you.

Contact Information

American University Washington College of Law
Admissions Office
4300 Nebraska Avenue,
NW, Suite C201,
Washington, DC 20016

FALL 2022 STAFF HOURS:
Monday - Thursday 9am-6pm
Friday 8am-5pm
(Please note that our team works remotely on Tuesdays and our suite is closed.)

Email:: WCLADMIT@WCL.AMERICAN.EDU
Phone: 202-274-4101
https://www.wcl.american.edu/school/admissions/

Summary

Established	1896
Location	Washington, DC
Dean	ROGER A. FAIRFAX, JR.
2022 US News Ranking	73
LSAT Median Score	161
GPA Median Score	3.57
Bar Passage Rate	82% (2022)
Employment Rate	45% (2022)
Cost	$60,994 F U L L - T I M E ( 1 2 O R M O R E C R E D I T S ) $42,616 P A R T - T I M E ( B E L O W 1 2 C R E D I T S )
Average Debt	$136,628
Application Deadline	March 1, 2023

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Reference

https://www.wcl.american.edu/
Rank #73
LSD Law
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