BYU Law School

Brigham Young University Law School

It seems safe to say that the law school experience of a student at Brigham Young University Law School is unlike that of any other law school in the nation.  The school's Mormon ownership, its Honor Code, and its location in a town dominated by followers of the Mormon religion combine to create a unique law school experience that is unlikely to be appealing to most applicants. On the other hand, those who are attracted to this unique experience will gain a good legal education at a true bargain and will be a part of an intimate community for three years and long thereafter.  For Mormon applicants and those comfortable with the ideologies and practices of the religion, BYU Law is a truly unique and refreshingly inexpensive option.

The Mormon Factor: It is difficult to discuss BYU Law without emphasizing that the school is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church.  The vast majority of applicants and students at BYU Law are of the Mormon faith, and all are expected to live within the boundaries set by Mormon beliefs and practices.  The university's honor code rules out alcohol, tobacco use, and the drinking of tea or coffee, as well as pre-marital sexual relations, and also advocates against the "promoting [of] homosexual relations as being morally acceptable."  The honor code also rules out any form of revealing clothing and sets forth limitations on hairstyles, facial hair, and piercings.  Of course, this effectively rules out BYU Law as an option for most applicants, evidenced by the fact that the school receives fewer than 800 applications in a typical year, whereas similarly ranked schools usually receive more than 2,000. Non-Mormons considering applying to BYU would be wise to visit the school before enrolling if accepted.

History

The J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University (BYU Law) was founded in 1973 and has grown into one of the nation's leading law schools. The BYU Law faculty is committed to teaching excellence and innovation, with a focus on preparing students for leadership roles within their communities and around the world. BYU Law is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and as such, provides an education that develops not only students' intellectual skills but also their character. This commitment to producing morally upright leaders is one of the distinguishing features of a BYU Law School education.

Admissions

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	161 - 166 - 168	163 - 167 - 169
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.55 - 3.82 - 3.92	3.51 - 3.85 - 3.93
Acceptance rate	36.7%	39.9%
Applications received	455	476
Acceptances	167	190
Matriculants	33	30

The University of Minnesota Law School has a median LSAT score of 167, with the 25th percentile 163 and the 75th percentile 169. The median GPA is 3.85, with the 25th percentile being 3.51 and the 75th percentile being 3.93.

Important Dates for 2022 – 2023

The University of Minnesota Law School has announced the important dates for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. The application for the Juris Doctor program will open on September 5, 2021. The priority deadline for applications is March 1, 2022, and the final deadline is May 1, 2022. Please visit their website for more information about the University of Minnesota Law School and the Juris Doctor program.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2022 application cycle, 476 people applied and 190 were offered admission to the University of Minnesota Law School. Of those offered admissions, 133 accepted, meaning that 70% of those offered admission attended the school. Brigham Young University had a 1L class size of 137 with a yield of 70%. This means that, of those offered admissions to BYU, 70% attended the school.

Application Review Process

The BYU Law School Admissions Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Typically, applicants can expect a response in 4 to 6 weeks. A decision from the committee will be acceptance, denial, or an invitation to join the waitlist.

Some of the factors the committee considers are:

• Undergraduate GPA
• LSAT/GRE score
• Prior work experience
• Advanced degrees
• Diverse life experiences

Transfer

The University of Minnesota Law School has announced important 2022 – 2023 academic year dates. Transfer and visiting student applications will open on January 1, 2022. The deadline for transfer and visiting student applications is June 30, 2023. Visiting student applications for the 2023 Winter Semester must be completed by November 4, 2022. Applications for the Fall Semester must be completed by June 30, 2023.

BYU Law welcomes applications from JD candidates who have completed up to three full-time or four part-time semesters of coursework at another law school. The applicant's current class standing/rank is the primary consideration in assessing transfer applications. For example, applicants who have performed in the top third of their class at a similarly ranked law school will be looked upon favorably, while those in the bottom half are more likely to be denied admission. The academic reputation of the law school, the applicant, has attended will also be considered. Credits earned at another law school are accepted at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs, and all transfer credits will appear on the student's BYU Law Progress Report as a pass. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.

Tuition and Expenses

Brigham Young University establishes tuition and general fees for all academic programs annually. BYU is a non-profit corporation affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Significant portions of university operating costs are paid with church members' tithes. In recognition of this support, Church members are assessed lower tuition fees than those not. This practice is similar in principle to that of state universities charging higher tuition to nonresidents. Students are considered members of the Church if they have been baptized at any time during the semester or term.

The University of Minnesota Law School is a great choice for students seeking an affordable education. The school's total cost of attendance is just $29,272 for non-Latter-day Saints students and $14,636 for Latter-day Saints. This makes the University of Minnesota Law School one of the most affordable options for students seeking a quality education.

Academics & Curriculum

A seemingly rare similarity between Brigham Young University Law School and most other law schools is the core set of classes required of all 1L students.  Also, although BYU Law's entering classes are much smaller than those of similarly ranked law schools, its section sizes are not significantly smaller in the first year, and 1Ls enroll in classes usually filled with 100 or more students.  The workload during this first year is tremendous, perhaps contributing to the school's decision to establish its Academic Success Program, which offers weekly tutorial sessions in each first-year course, alongside many other services aimed at helping students adjust to the workload at BYU Law. After this rigorous first year, students are free to choose from among 100 elective courses in rounding out their JD degrees and can also choose to pursue various joint degrees. It bears mention that students of BYU Law are not required to enroll in any religious courses, and non-Mormon students are not at any academic disadvantage.  Of course, any classroom dominated by Mormon students will naturally have a Mormon tint, but it seems that professors and students try their best to carry on discussions inclusive to members of all faiths.

Quality of Life

There is no alcohol. This overarching fact will provide a very high or very low quality of life for BYU Law School students, depending of course on whether they share in Mormon principles and beliefs.  The ban on alcohol effectively eliminates the typical law school social scene that revolves around bars and replaces it with a social scene largely dominated by married couples, which make up a much larger portion of the student body than at other law schools.  Life in Provo is also likely to be much more enjoyable for Mormons, as the town is largely homogenous and dominated by members of the Church.  All students, however, will likely enjoy the city's lack of crime and traffic and its low cost of living, and its proximity to great ski resorts and other mountain-related activities.  Additionally, Provo is ruggedly beautiful as towering mountains surround the BYU campus.  In all, Mormons and those comfortable with the lifestyle of Mormons will likely enjoy an excellent quality of life at BYU Law that is unlikely to be matched elsewhere. At the same time, those who wish to have a more typical law school experience should look elsewhere.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Brigham Young University Law School

Because it is a Mormon school, job prospects at BYU Law School are a bit more national than at other similarly ranked law schools, as the school boasts not only an impressive alumni network but also affiliation with a large number of Mormon lawyers who graduated from other law schools but are nevertheless dedicated to helping fellow Mormons land employment.  That said, most BYU Law students usually stay in the Rocky Mountain region to practice law, although a considerable percentage find jobs in DC and on the West Coast. 

Brigham Young University law graduates make a median salary of $94,300 upon graduation if they work in the private sector. If they go into the public sector, a grad can expect to make $55,000. 47.9% of Brigham Young University law graduates go directly to work for law firms, while 19.8% clerk for a judge. 4.2% of graduates go into public interest. 97.8% of Brigham Young University law graduates pass the bar on their first try.

This means that nearly half of all BYU law grads choose to work in law firms, while almost 20% become clerks for judges. Public interest positions are chosen by 4.2% of grads, and the vast majority of students (97.8%) pass the bar exam on their first try. Salaries for private practice can be quite high – with a median salary of $94,300 – though those working in the public sector make significantly less, with a median salary of just $55,000.

Synopsis

For Mormon applicants, the Brigham Young University Law School is an obvious choice, as the school is both a bargain and a haven.  Those who are comfortable living the Mormon lifestyle should also consider the school seriously, as they are unlikely to find such a "clean" atmosphere elsewhere.  Applicants who are not comfortable with the boundaries set by Mormon practices and beliefs, on the other hand, should steer clear of the school, as they are likely to experience an uncomfortable three years in Mormon-dominated Provo, Utah.

Contact Information

340 JRCB, Box 2800
Provo, Utah 84602-8000
801.422.4277
admissions@lawgate.byu.edu
http://www.law.byu.edu/

Summary

Established	1973
Location	Provo, Utah
Dean	D. Gordon Smith
2022 US News Ranking	23rd
LSAT Median Score	167
GPA Median Score	3.85
Bar Passage Rate	98% (2022)
Employment Rate	83% (2022)
Cost	"$29,272 (Non-Latter-day Saint Total) $14,636 (Latter-day Saint Total)"
Average Debt	$46,007
Application Deadline	March 1, 2023 (JD Priority Deadline) May 1, 2023 (JD Final Deadline)

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Reference

https://law.byu.edu/
LSD Law
Rank #23
LSAC Guide
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The Guide to Law School Loans

News: https://law.byu.edu/news/