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Appalachian School of Law
Appalachian School of Law is a relative newcomer in legal education. The school has a small student body and is located in Grundy, a small town in western Virginia. It takes its namesake from being nestled in the coalfields of the Appalachian Mountains. The law school's website emphasizes "professional responsibility, dispute resolution, and practice skills" in its program.
Contents
History
In the early 1990s, the idea of establishing a law school in southwestern Virginia was proposed by Joseph E. Wolfe, an attorney from Norton, Virginia. The proposal immediately attracted support from local business owners, civic leaders, lawyers, and educators. They subsequently formed a Steering Committee of eighty members to make the school's mission statement and conducted a feasibility study.
In May 1995, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia approved the Appalachian School of Law (ASL) formation. In April 1996, Buchanan County signed a compact with ASL, which provided funds for renovation and operating costs. Additionally, The Appalachian Regional Commission contributed to ASL's operating costs.
The Commonwealth of Virginia Council of Higher Education granted ASL authorization to enroll students for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in April 1997. This marked the beginning of ASL as it held its first faculty meeting and classes on August 8 and 12, respectively, with nine faculty members and seventy-one students in attendance.
Finally, ASL Charter Class graduated on May 12, 2000. On February 19, 2001, the school received provisional approval from the American Bar Association, and several years later, on June 12, 2006, it received full approval. Today, the Appalachian School of Law is a fully functioning and respected law school in southwestern Virginia. It has since gained a reputation for excellence in legal education and developed a top-notch faculty passionate about teaching the law to its students. ASL has also established itself as an integral part of Buchanan County by providing legal services to its citizens.
The school's staff, faculty, and students continue to work hard to ensure that ASL remains a vital institution and continues contributing to the legal education of its students and the Southwest Virginia community. ASL aims to provide a quality, affordable and accessible legal education that offers exceptional degree programs while emphasizing professional responsibility and public service. This commitment will continue to impact not only the region's lawyers but also its citizens.
Admissions
Appalachian School of Law’s 2025 admissions process focuses on a holistic review that includes LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, personal background, and character and fitness disclosures. Recent data shows the school receives a little over six hundred applications each cycle and admits roughly forty to forty-five percent of applicants, with around fifty to sixty students enrolling. Typical admitted students have LSAT scores in the mid-140s and undergraduate GPAs around the low-to-mid 3.0 range, though the school considers a wide range of academic records. Applicants submit materials through LSAC, and ASL encourages early applications to maximize scholarship and review opportunities.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 145-146-151 | 145-147-150 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 2.65-3.13-3.50 | 2.77-3.04-3.56 |
| Acceptance rate | 48.5% | 43.7% |
| Applications received | 644 | 615 |
| Acceptances | 349 | 269 |
| Matriculants | 55 | 56 |
The 2025 admissions statistics for Appalachian School of Law show that applicants typically fall within an LSAT range of 145 to 150 and an undergraduate GPA range of about 2.77 to 3.56 for the middle fifty percent. For the 2024–2025 cycle, the school received 615 applications, admitted 269 students, and enrolled 56 first-year students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 43.7 percent. Compared to the prior year, application volume decreased slightly, acceptance numbers dropped, and matriculation remained steady, reflecting a competitive but accessible admissions profile.
Application Fee
To apply to the Appalachian School of Law, applicants must complete and submit an electronic application (e-app) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The e-app requires that applicants provide their personal information and academic records, as well as other necessary documents that may include letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a personal statement. Applicants are also required to provide a fee of $60 in order to submit the electronic application.
Application Requirements
The application process to attend the J.D. program at Appalachian School of Law requires prospective students to provide a few key items of information and documentation. Before applying, all applicants must submit an Electronic Application (E-app) through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) along with any additional required documents. A resume should also cover educational, professional, and volunteer history. ASL also requires a personal statement of 500 words to describe the applicant's professional goals and qualifications.
Finally, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is the first academic criterion for applicants. All transcripts from each college, university, or high school dual enrollment program attended must be submitted to qualify for admission.
By completing the application process and providing the necessary information, prospective students can confidently apply to the Appalachian School of Law's J.D. program. Those accepted into the program will have taken an essential step toward their future professional development and career goals.
LSAT Score
The Appalachian School of Law requires all applicants to take the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test). This test assesses an applicant's ability to think critically and perform at a high level, making it an essential part of the admissions decision. To ensure that all scores are recent and relevant, the Admissions Committee will only consider the highest official score reported from LSAT testing dates within the past five years preceding the intended term of enrollment. Applicants must also include ASL's LSAC school code (5829) when submitting their scores to ensure that they are accurately recorded for review. This information will help evaluate academic performance and prepare for success at ASL.
Letters of Recommendation
ASL requires two letters of recommendation; however, up to four are accepted by the Law School Admissions Council. It is strongly recommended that the authors of these letters be those with direct, personal knowledge of the applicant's abilities and character, such as their former professors, supervisors or other professional contacts. Letters from family members or friends who do not have firsthand experience with the applicant's academic or professional performance will not be considered.
Cost of Attendance
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | US$41,000 |
| Housing and Food | US$18,000 |
| Books and Supplies | US$1,800 |
| Personal Expenses | US$9,500 |
| Transportation | US$2,500 |
| Loan Fees | US$2,000 |
| Technology and Academic Materials | US$1,000 |
| Health Insurance (if required) | US$1,500 |
| Estimated Total Cost of Attendance | US$77,300 |
The living costs portion is an estimate intended to cover typical off-campus expenses such as housing, food, books, supplies, personal items, and transportation for students attending Appalachian School of Law. These amounts reflect an average budget used for financial aid calculations. The total cost of attendance is a broad estimate, and actual expenses may vary based on lifestyle choices, housing arrangements, commuting needs, and personal spending preferences. Let me know if you want this in paragraph form or combined with admissions information.
Scholarships
The Appalachian School of Law offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to its students in the form of a credit against tuition. This merit-based program requires no prior applications and is determined based on the information provided within the admissions application.
This scholarship opportunity is designed to help reduce some of the financial burden associated with higher education and to provide students with the motivation and resources to become successful members of the Appalachian School of Law community. The awards are determined by merit, not need, and may be renewed for up to four years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.
Academics & Curriculum
Appalachian's newcomer status, small size, and remote location limit the school's national recognition and academic reputation. US News & World Report gave Appalachian School of Law a Tier 4 ranking. Its peer assessment review was a lowly 1.4 out of 5. With only 17 faculty members, Appalachian has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15.8-to-1. While the school claims its small size helps foster a sense of community and camaraderie, many students find the lack of options when choosing classes to be onerous. Additionally, students find fault with the brutal grading curve. In the past, the curve forced out an average of 10 to 15 percent of the student population after the 1L and 2L years.
The first-year curriculum at Appalachian is similar to other law schools. Students must take a rigorous course schedule that includes civil procedure, contracts, torts, criminal law, legal process, and property law classes. 2L and 3L students follow a general outline of courses, with open electives for students who wish to explore different areas of law. Appalachian indicates that all students must complete at least 90 semester hours and a selection of requisite courses to graduate.
Experiential Learning
The Appalachian School of Law has prioritized ensuring that its students leave the school with practical legal experience long before they even graduate. To this end, ASL offers an extensive Externship Program that allows students to gain hands-on legal experience and establish valuable professional contacts. Through this program, students can observe court proceedings, conduct legal research, interview clients, and help develop trial strategies.
Externship Program
The Appalachian School of Law (ASL) requires all students to complete an externship field placement to earn three credits for successful completion. During the spring semester, the externship component consists of a classroom component with lectures and other academic instruction. In the following summer, students will work under the direction of a seasoned lawyer for at least 200 hours. This externship allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from their classroom instruction to real-world situations in the public interest or pro bono legal environments.
The ASL externship experience also meets the requirements for bar admission in various states. For example, New York requires applicants taking the bar exam to complete 50 hours of pro bono work.
ASL offers its externship database comprised of hundreds of approved sites from across the country, allowing students to choose where they would like to do their field placement. With such a broad range of options, students are sure to find an externship suitable for their interests and goals.
By completing an externship with ASL, students can merge their academic knowledge with real-life experience in the legal field. This exposure helps our students prepare for their eventual entry into the profession and provides valuable networking opportunities. So, if you want to gain hands-on legal experience, the ASL externship is an excellent way to start.
In addition to courtroom experience, the Externship Program also offers students a chance to gain insights into public service and working for government entities or non-profit organizations. This allows students to learn how government works practically and how attorneys help serve the public.
Clinics
The Appalachian School of Law has developed an innovative Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) which seeks to address the legal needs of low-income people. This strategic collaboration uses a holistic approach that combines medical, legal, and business expertise to effectively respond to socio-economic problems that can substantially impact health outcomes. Through this program, healthcare patients and others in need receive assistance to help resolve legal issues that could be exacerbating their medical issues. MLPs have had promising results, and the Appalachian School of Law's MLP is no exception. The MLP at Appalachian provides services such as pro bono legal advice, case representation, public benefits assistance, and other services to help those in need. The MLP also provides an invaluable learning opportunity for Appalachian Law students, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in providing legal assistance and working with clients from various backgrounds. Through this program, Appalachian is helping to provide access to justice while educating future generations of attorneys. This is a beautiful example of how Appalachian Law is making an impact in the community.
Quality of Life
Grundy (population: 1,105) is not precisely a social hub. While the mountain town offers proximity to gorgeous parks, mountain trails and stables for horseback riding, the town proper boasts little more than a three-screen movie theater, an active YMCA, and a locally-renowned flood control program. Students complain primarily about poor housing and water quality in Grundy, as well as the homogeneity of the population, elements of which may not be friendly to outsiders and minorities.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Appalachian School of Law’s 2025 data offers a clear picture of what graduates can expect after earning their degree, including realistic employment opportunities and long-term bar-passage outcomes.
2025 Employment Prospects
Recent employment outcomes for Appalachian School of Law show that a little over sixty percent of graduates secure full-time, long-term positions that require bar passage within the standard reporting period. Most graduates build careers in small or solo law firms, while others enter public service, government roles, or regional legal positions. Only a small percentage move into large national law firms, which is typical for regional law schools with smaller class sizes. Overall, the employment picture reflects steady opportunities for students who want to practice law in smaller communities, serve the public, or establish themselves in localized legal markets.
2025 Bar Passage
First-time bar passage rates for Appalachian School of Law typically fall in the low sixties, reflecting a challenging but attainable path for new graduates. However, the school’s extended bar-passage statistics show that a significant majority of graduates pass within two years, which meets the American Bar Association’s required standard. This means that even if students don’t pass on their first attempt, most achieve bar admission after additional preparation and retesting. The data indicates that students who stay committed to the process have strong long-term prospects for becoming licensed attorneys.
Synopsis
Students at Appalachian spend nearly $48,000 a year for a 65 percent chance of employment within nine months of graduation. Many students will earn a salary that, even before taxes, would not sufficiently cover one year of attending law school. For even small-town lovers and mountaineers, the numbers alone should make students without substantial scholarship money wary about choosing the Appalachian School of Law.
Contact Information
Appalachian School of Law
Office of JD Admissions
PO Box 2825
1169 Edgewater Drive
Grundy, VA 24614
Phone: (276) 244- 1203
Email: admissions@asl.edu
Summary
| Established | 1993 |
| Location | Grundy, VA |
| Dean | David J. Western |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 178th-195th |
| LSAT Median Score | 147 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.04 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 61.2% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | $41,000 |
| Average Debt | N/A |
| Application Deadline | N/A |
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Reference
https://www.asl.edu/
LSD Law
Rank #178-195
Appalachian School of Law
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