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Baylor Law School
Baylor Law School is a private Christian university located in Waco, Texas. The law school is nationally ranked as a research one institution, providing students with a strong campus community and top-tier education. The faculty at Baylor Law School is dedicated to teaching and scholarship, blending research with an international reputation for educational excellence.
The Baylor University School of Law has earned itself a reputation as the "boot camp" of American law schools, mainly due to Practice Court. This rigorous required program is the main attraction of the school's nationally ranked trial advocacy program. Although many applicants will be intimidated by the rigorous nature of Baylor Law's academic program, those who are up for the challenge will reap great benefits from their legal education at the school. In the state of Texas, Baylor Law School graduates are known for their well-developed litigation skills at graduation and are actively sought by large and small law firms alike. The school's curriculum is also known for preparing its students for the Texas bar exam, evidenced by the fact that Baylor Law's grads consistently perform better on the bar than graduates of higher-ranked law schools in Texas.
Contents
History
Baylor University was founded in 1845 as a Baptist school in Texas. It was granted a charter by the Republic of Texas in 1845. The university was named for Judge R.E.B. Baylor, a Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas member, and later a state district court judge.In 1849, Baylor and another trustee of the university, Judge Abner S. Lipscomb, began teaching classes in the "science of law." Baylor University thus became the second university west of the Mississippi to teach law after St. Louis University, which began teaching law in 1842. Lipscomb died in 1856.
Admissions
The 1L class size at Baylor University is 213, and the yield is 19.38%. This means that out of the 3,200 people who applied, 1,099 were offered admission and 213 accepted, resulting in a yield of 19.38%. The median LSAT at Baylor University is 162, with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 158 and 163, respectively. The median GPA is 3.64, with the 25th and 75th percentiles at 3.35 and 3.78.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 157 - 160 - 162 | 158 - 162 - 163 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.45 - 3.63 - 3.82 | 3.35 - 3.64 - 3.78 |
| Acceptance rate | 34.0% | 34.3% |
| Applications received | 2725 | 3200 |
| Acceptances | 927 | 1099 |
| Matriculants | 366 | 264 |
In order to apply to Baylor Law School, you must first register with the Credential Assembly Service. This service will compile all of your academic transcripts and other related documents into one report which will be sent to Baylor Law School as soon as you submit your application. You will also need to provide an updated CAS report whenever you make any changes to your academic record.
The early Decision term is November 10, 2022, and the application deadline for the Fall 2023 Regular Decision term is March 15, 2023. Applications received after these deadlines will be reviewed after all timely applications have been reviewed.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Score(s)
Applicants must take the LSAT in order to be considered for admission to Baylor Law School. The Admissions Committee reviews the LSAT scores from the past 5 years in order to get a sense of an applicant's potential success in law school. It is recommended that you take the LSAT before the application deadline for the quarter you are applying to in order to increase your chance of admission.
Letters of Recommendation
They recommend that you provide one letter of recommendation but will accept up to three letters. Letters from professors, employers, or other individuals who can attest to your ability to pursue a rigorous and professional program are beneficial. A letter from someone who does not know you well is of no value and does not improve your application.
You should request your letter(s) in advance of the application deadlines and make sure that they are submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. They cannot accommodate any requests to hold application files awaiting additional letters of recommendation. To get some additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.
E-app
Applicants to Baylor Law School must fill out a form with basic information, and answer a series of questions about their character and fitness to practice law. If they answer affirmatively to any of the questions, they must submit an addendum explaining their answer.
Personal Statement
The personal statement is your chance to tell the Admissions Committee why you would be a great addition to Baylor Law. It is important to be persuasive but also to remain genuine. The Committee wants to get to know you as a person, so feel free to write about any experiences or skills that make you stand out. You may want to focus on why you want to study law and how your background or experiences could benefit the law school community. Whatever you choose to write about, make sure it is well written and edited. For more information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.
Addenda
You may submit addenda to discuss aspects of your academic background, LSAT performance, or life experiences. Addenda should not exceed two pages in length and should not be used as an extension of your personal statement. You can submit your addenda either by including them with your personal statement and uploading the one document with your e-app or by submitting them directly to Sam Smith at Samantha_Smith6@baylor.edu. For more information about writing addenda, click here.
Resume
A résumé is a document that showcases a person's work experience, education, and other accomplishments. It is typically two pages long and should list all full-time and part-time jobs, as well as extra-curricular activities, honors, and community involvement. To read some advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here.
Other Considerations
The Baylor Law School does not require an application fee and accepts applications for admission to all three quarters: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Admission into the Fall class is more competitive than admission into the Spring or Summer classes. An applicant can apply for admission to more than one quarter at a time. If you want to be considered for the following Spring semester if you are not admitted to the Fall term, you will need to answer "yes" on the Fall application. Baylor Law offers optional interviews. In addition to passing a bar examination, in order to practice law in most U.S. jurisdictions, an applicant must meet certain character and fitness requirements. The Baylor Law School notifies applicants of their potential ineligibility to obtain a license due to prior criminal convictions.
Tuition and Expenses
The average tuition and fees for Baylor Law School are $61,876.50 per academic year. This cost is based on 14 or 42 quarter hours for the entire year. The only required fee is the Student Bar Association fee, which is $2.25 per quarter hour. This fee amounts to $31.50 per academic year if paid for all three quarters. The tuition cost for full-time off-campus students per quarter is $29,374. The total cost of attendance for full-time off-campus students per academic year is $87,284.
Scholarships
- Dean's Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Baylor Law School scholarship is based on various merit factors, and all applicants are automatically considered. The scholarship covers part or all of the tuition, and it is renewed by the recipient maintaining a 2.75 GPA throughout their second and third years.
- Leon Jaworski Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate Advocates
The Leon Jaworski Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate Advocates is a full-tuition scholarship offered to incoming law students who have outstanding records in advocacy programs such as debate or mock trials. This scholarship is renewable for the second and third years of law school if the recipient continuously maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and participates in Baylor Law's award-winning interscholastic advocacy program. The Leon Jaworski Scholarship was established in honor of a 1926 graduate of Baylor Law who is most remembered for his roles as a Special Prosecutor during the Watergate crisis and as the founding partner of the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP. This scholarship is a great opportunity for incoming law students with outstanding advocacy records!
- Presidential Scholarships
The Baylor Law School offers full-tuition scholarships to graduates of Texas A&M University and Abilene Christian University. These scholarships are renewable if the student maintains a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- 2L and 3L Academic Scholarships
If a student has a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or above after all grades from the first three-quarters of law school are received, the student is eligible for up to an $8,000 scholarship per quarter, up to the 9th quarter of law school, provided that the student continues to earn a cumulative 3.60 GPA. If the student is in a fourth consecutive quarter and earns a cumulative 3.60 GPA after all grades from the first three-quarters of law school are received, the student will only receive up to $16,000 in their 5th quarter and up to $8,000 in every eligible quarter after that. Baylor Law awards this scholarship as long as the law student does not already have a scholarship larger than $8,000/quarter and the law student abides by the Donor Appreciation Protocol.
Loans
The Baylor Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid provides free individual student loan counseling for all admitted students, current students, and alumni. This counseling is available through AccessLex Connex.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Baylor Law School offers Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans up to $20,500 per academic year. The interest rate for these loans is 6.54% and a 1.057 origination fee is deducted at disbursement. There are no Federal Direct Subsidized loans available to graduate or law students. Interest begins to accrue on unsubsidized loans as soon as they are disbursed, with the exception of the period from March 2020-December 31, 2022 when all federal loans have a 0% interest rate. Loans enter repayment six months after the borrower drops below half-time status. Forbearance and deferment options are available for Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans, and they may be consolidated, paid back under several different repayment plans, and be eligible for forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
- Graduate PLUS Loans
The Graduate PLUS loan is a federally guaranteed loan that students can use to cover the additional costs of school that is not covered by other forms of financial aid. The interest rate for these loans, for loans disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, is 7.54 percent annually, and a 4.228 percent origination fee will be deducted from the disbursement for loans disbursed before October 1, 2023. After you drop below half-time status, you must immediately begin paying back these loans. A Graduate PLUS loan has forbearance, and deferment options may be consolidated, paid back under several different repayment plans, and eligible for forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If your application for a Graduate PLUS loan is denied, you have several options for reapplication, including obtaining the signature of a cosigner.
- College Access Loans
If you are a Texas resident looking for extra financial assistance for college, you may be eligible for College Access loans. The State of Texas funds these loans, and you or a cosigner must have a good credit score (650 or higher), no public records such as tax liens or bankruptcy proceedings, and at least four credit trade lines. The interest rate is fixed at 5.35 percent, and there is no origination fee. You have a six-month grace period after dropping below half-time status before you must start paying back your loans. These loans cannot be consolidated or forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, but they have several repayment options.
- Private Alternative Loans
Baylor Law School recommends that students looking for private loans check the repayment plans and interest rates before signing any documents. Private lenders offer various loan options, but it is important to know that these loans often have stricter credit requirements. They are also not eligible for income-based repayment or federal loan forgiveness programs.
Academics and Curriculum
The Baylor Law School experience is not easily replicated. The rigor of the coursework and the personal attention to detail from the professors sets this school apart from others. This combination of intensity and individualized focus makes for a successful law school experience and prepares students for their careers in the legal field.
Dean's List & Class Rank
The Dean's List is a designation given to full-time students with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher for the final grades in any given quarter. The Class Rank is determined after all grades are recorded for the entire graduating class. The rank is based on the student's grades through Spring 2022 and can be viewed on Bear web. The approximate rank percentages listed below are provided to give students an idea of their approximate rank and provide information for those evaluating Baylor law students for potential employment.
Experimental Learning
Baylor Law School has always been known for its practical training, and it is no surprise that it ranks near the top of the National Jurist's list of best law schools for practical training. Here, students aren't just taught about the law in a classroom setting - they experience it first-hand through hands-on learning opportunities. This helps them develop the real-world skills they need to be successful lawyers in today's world.
Practice Court
The Baylor Law School experience is excellent for honing practical lawyering and leadership skills. The Practice Court program is nationally recognized as one of the most rigorous and demanding law school experiences, but it is also very rewarding.
Clinics
Baylor Law School provides opportunities for students to work with actual clients through their legal clinics. This allows students to gain experience in meeting and working with clients who have real needs and issues. The clinics also provide a way for students to participate in pro bono public service.
Current Baylor Law Legal Clinics include:
- Estate Planning Clinics
- Immigration Clinics
- Intellectual Property Law Clinics
- Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic
- Trial Advocacy Clinics
- Veterans Clinics
The Baylor Law School Clinic allows students to develop their client counseling and practical application skills. In addition, students can gain a broader perspective of the law and its impact on people's lives. The clinic also allows students to learn time management skills, which will benefit their future legal careers. Finally, the clinic helps students realize the impact that they can have on others' lives.
Pro Bono and Public Service Program
The Baylor Law Pro Bono and Public Service Program seeks to raise awareness of the needs in their local community and encourages student involvement in pro bono and community service work. The Program connects needs in the community with students who want to volunteer, acting as a clearinghouse for opportunities and keeping track of volunteer hours for recognition and resume purposes.
Quality of Life
Given the rigorous nature of legal studies at Baylor Law, Waco is a suitable city for students of the school to reside in. The city offers relatively few distractions to law students, although a number of clubs, bars, and restaurants are available for students to visit during their scarce free time. Baylor Law students will likely be much more interested, however, in the newly renovated facilities at the law school campus, which is considered by many recent graduates and current students to be an ideal place to study law. Outdoor enthusiasts will likely enjoy Waco, as the city houses one of the largest city parks in the nation, one that provides active students plenty of opportunities to stay in shape during law school. The low cost of living in Waco doubtlessly appeals to law students as well, most of whom are able to find appropriate housing for about $500 per month. The area surrounding the Baylor Law campus is said to be, for the most part, safe, and traffic and parking generally do not pose problems for law students.
It is important to realize that both Baylor and surrounding Waco are heavily religious, reflective of the Baptist origins of Baylor. As an example, dancing was only allowed on campus in 1996! While visiting a prospective law school is always recommended to see if the law school is a good fit, this is particularly true for Baylor and insular Waco.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The rigor of studying law at Baylor pays off for students during the job search, as law firms in Texas have come to recognize Baylor Law grads as competent individuals who are ready to contribute immediately. Especially for students who hope to become litigators, Baylor Law's name speaks volumes in the state of Texas as well as in the greater Southwest area and promises to open many doors in this region. In all, nearly 90% of Baylor Law grads stay in the Southwest region to begin their practice of the law. As is evident, Baylor Law's reputation wanes outside of Texas and its neighboring states, and students hoping to land jobs away from this area usually face a much more difficult job search, although those ranked near the top of their class enjoy somewhat more national job prospects. The school's career services office and loyal alumni network assist students regardless of class rank or desired job location, in part contributing to an annual employment rate of more than 91% for graduating classes at Baylor Law within 9 months of graduation. For those who choose to enter the private sector, about 75% of a typical Baylor Law class, the median first-year salary has reached $74,000 in recent years.
The median salary for a JD graduate from Baylor University who works in the private sector is $97,000. If they go into the private sector, a grad can expect to make $65,444. 68.6% of law graduates from Baylor University go directly to work for law firms, while 7.1% clerk for a judge. 2.9% of graduates go into public interest. 86.0% of Baylor University graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Synopsis
Applicants willing to take on the tremendous challenge of studying law at the Baylor University School of Law will reap the benefits of their labor before and after graduation. While at Baylor Law, students enjoy great job prospects and interview opportunities with large and small firms in the state of Texas, while after graduation, they are better prepared for the Texas bar exam than are graduates of any other law school in the state. In sum, Baylor Law School can be an option to consider for those who are comfortable with the conservative values of Baylor and Waco.
Contact Information
Baylor Law School
1114 S. University Parks Dr.
One Bear Place #97288
Waco, TX 76798
Phone: 254.710.1911
Fax: 254.710.2316
Admissions
Jenny Branson
Email: Jenny_Branson@baylor.edu
254.710.4842
https://www.baylor.edu/law/index.php?id=929875
Summary
| Established | 1849 |
| Location | Waco, TX |
| Dean | Brad Toben |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 58th |
| LSAT Median Score | 162 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.64 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 85% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 60% (2022) |
| Cost | $61,876.50 |
| Average Debt | $140,198 |
| Application Deadline | November 14, 2022(Early Decision) March 17, 2023 (Regular) |
Forum and Discussion
Baylor Law School Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
Reference
https://www.baylor.edu/law/
Rank #58
LSD Law
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
Guide to Fee Waivers
Forums: https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/programs.php?state=tx
