George Mason University School of Law

George Mason Law

George Mason University School of Law, located just outside of Washington, D.C. in Arlington Virginia, has plenty to offer its students. Between its increasingly strong regional reputation, fantastic career prospects, and incredibly low tuition, the school deserves an inquiry from any student who doesn't mind a conservative reputation and limited national mobility.

History

Renamed in 2016, Antonin Scalia Law School is located in Hazel Hall, established in 1999, and serves as the law school's home. The American Bar Association accredits the institution and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Its roots can be traced back to 1972 with the establishment of the International School of Law, which eventually merged with George Mason University in 1979 to form the George Mason University School of Law.

Admissions

George Mason University School of Law offers traditional and accelerated programs to earn a Juris Doctor degree. The school is highly ranked, providing students with an excellent education. The Flex-JD program enables students to earn their degree in as little as four years. Scalia Law provides maximum flexibility and the academic excellence of a Top-30 law school. This makes George Mason University School of Law an excellent choice for students seeking a top-tier education.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	157 - 164 - 165	158 - 164 - 166
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.42 - 3.77 - 3.87	3.41 - 3.81 - 3.88
Acceptance rate	22.8%	27.1%
Applications received	1820	2139
Acceptances	415	579
Matriculants	248	293

The deadline for regular admission applications is March 1. Applicants who submit their applications by this date will receive priority consideration. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. George Mason University School of Law uses a holistic approach when reviewing applications. It considers all aspects of an applicant's file, including academic achievement, work experience, leadership qualities, and service to the community. The admissions committee also values diversity and looks for applicants who will add to the richness of the student body.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2022 application cycle, 2,139 people applied to George Mason University School of Law. Of those who applied, 579 were offered admission. Of those offered admissions, 287 accepted and ended up attending the school. Thus, the yield rate for George Mason University School of Law was 44.73%. Nearly half of those offered admissions decided to attend the school.

Application Fee

George Mason University School of Law requires all applicants to apply electronically through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you have applied to the school in the past, you must submit a new and complete application and maintain your LSAC CAS registration. Scalia Law has waived the application fee for all first-year JD applicants. To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.

CAS Report with LSAT/GRE

Applicants must register with the LSAC CAS to ensure that Scalia Law receives a current Law School Report furnished by LSAC. Applicants may contact LSAC directly at 215-968-1001 or through the LSAC Website.

Applicants must use the CAS Recipient Code for Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University. The Code is 5827.

LSAT/GRE

All applicants must take either the LSAT or GRE. Applicants with both LSAT and GRE scores should submit LSAT scores only; in such cases, GRE scores will not be considered. LSAT -To be considered for our priority deadline of March 1, an application must be completed by March 1. GRE -To have a complete application by our March 1 priority deadline, an applicant must take the GRE before February 8. Applicants who are applying under our regular deadline of April 30 must take the GRE before March 7.

Personal Statement

George Mason University School of Law requires submitting a personal statement not to exceed two pages, double-spaced. This is an opportunity for the applicant to provide the Admissions Committee with insights into himself/herself as an individual and what is reflected in other parts of the application. The thoughts and words of the personal statement must be uniquely those of the applicant. Basic proofreading is the only outside assistance allowed to create the personal statement.

The personal statement must be submitted as an electronic document and uploaded to the electronic application. Applicants should include their names at the top of the personal statement. For personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.

One Letter of Recommendation

George Mason University School of Law requires that applicants submit one letter of recommendation using the LSAC CAS Letter of Recommendation Service. Applicants must follow the CAS procedures when submitting their letters of recommendation. For additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.

Resume

Applicants must include an up-to-date resume. There are no format or content requirements. However, it should be a professional resume. Scalia Law does not have a page limit for the resume, so applicants should use their best judgment to decide the proper length. To read some advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here.

Mason Statement

The application requires the submission of an additional statement not to exceed two double-spaced pages that discuss the applicant's particular interest in Scalia Law.

Early Decision Application Options

Scalia Law Scholars Program\

The Scalia Law Scholars Program is an early decision program for students interested in attending George Mason University School of Law. Admission to the program is binding and admitted students would receive a full tuition scholarship. This program is designed for applicants who have demonstrated exceptional academic and leadership qualities. Applicants must submit a signed Scalia Law Scholars Program Agreement to apply to the Scalia Law Scholars Program Program. Applicants who apply by January 15 will receive a decision by mid-February. Some applicants not admitted through the Scalia Law Scholars Program may be considered in the regular admission process. In contrast, others may be informed that their application has been denied and will not be evaluated again. Both full-time and part-time applicants can apply for the Scalia Law Scholars Program.

Early Decision Program

George Mason University School of Law's Early Decision Program is for applicants who are confident that Scalia Law is their top choice. The program requires an Early Decision Agreement. Applicants who complete the agreement by January 15 will receive a decision by mid-February. For the application to be complete, the applicant must have taken the LSAT (or GRE) on or before the November test offering. Applicants not admitted through the Early Decision Program may be considered in the regular admission process. Other Early Decision applicants may be informed that their application for admission has been denied and will not be re-evaluated.

The program is binding, meaning applicants admitted through the Early Decision Program agree to attend George Mason University School of Law. Applicants not admitted through the Early Decision Program may be considered in the regular admission process. Other Early Decision applicants may be informed that their application for admission has been denied and will not be re-evaluated. To read a TLS article about deciding between ED and RD (or Regular Decision), click here.

Tuition and Expenses

George Mason University School of Law's estimated tuition and fees for the 2022-23 academic year are shown in the table below. These estimates are used in determining financial aid packages for law students. Please note that these figures are subject to change at any time.

Cost of Attendance

Tuition and Estimated Costs for 2022-23
FULL TIME	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition per year	$23,836	$39,684
Student Fee per year	$2,733	$2,733
Total Tuition & Fees per year	$26,569	$42,417
Estimated additional costs (Cost of Attendance)	$31,254	$31,254
Total estimated cost	$57,823	$73,671

PART TIME	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition per credit hour	$851.30	$1,417.28
Student Fee per credit hour	$97.50	$97.50
Total Tuition & Fees per year	$19,924.80	$31,810.38
Estimated additional costs (Cost of Attendance)	$31,254	$31,254
Total estimated cost	$51,178.80	$63,064.38

George Mason University School of Law's FLEX-JD Program offers a unique opportunity for students to complete their JD in as little as 21 credit hours. This includes room and board, transportation, personal expenses, loan fees, and books. The cost of attendance will vary depending on the student's living arrangement.

Student Loans

George Mason University's Office of Student Financial Aid is located at the Fairfax Campus and provides various services to help students finance their education. George Mason participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, which requires students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. To be prioritized for available funds, the federal processor must receive the FAFSA on or before March 1. Types of financial aid available include Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

If you have questions about financial aid, you can visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Scholarships and Fellowships

George Mason University School of Law is committed to providing students with financial assistance. The law school offers merit-based scholarships to help defray the cost of legal education. All applicants will automatically be considered for a standard scholarship. Scholarship and fellowship awards will be posted to student accounts and appear on Patriot Web after students are registered for fall classes in late July or early August.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

George Mason University School of Law is looking for students who are passionate about the law and want to make a difference in the world. The entering class of fall 2022 has 159 students from 32 states, Washington, D.C., five countries, and 105 colleges and universities. There are 128 full-time and 31 part-time students in our Flex-JD program, plus 25 transfer students from 11 schools.

George Mason University School of Law is a highly selective school with an average age of 26. The median LSAT score is 166, two points higher than last year. The median UGPA is 3.83, which is also up from last year. 53% of the students are women, and 69% come from outside Virginia. 21% of the students come from underrepresented backgrounds.

George Mason University School of Law has a diverse and accomplished incoming class, including Eagles Scouts, Fulbright Scholars, marathon runners, a Peace Corps volunteer, and speakers of over 15 languages. The school also enrolled 76 new LLM students in its Flex-LLM in US Law and online US Law LLM programs, an increase of 77% over fall 2021. In addition, 34 students enrolled in the school's Juris Masters program. These students bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the George Mason community, and the school is excited to see what they will achieve during their time here.

George Mason University School of Law provides admitted and current students with employment data on its website, through the ABA, during presentations at open houses and mandatory career orientation sessions, and one-on-one. Career and Academic Services counselors are available to answer law student or graduate employment questions at 703-993-8020 or lawcareer@gmu.edu. Attendance at career events is encouraged.

Employment information is based on data from surveys received for every graduate and from follow-up contact conducted by the Career and Academic Services Office from graduation through the following March. Every graduate must fill out a survey as a condition of graduation, and Scalia Law School provides employment data to NALP, the ABA, and U.S. News. For a review of national law graduate employment data, visit www.nalp.org/research Clerkships counted in the clerkship category figure reflect clerkships beginning in the nine months following graduation. Increasing numbers of graduates apply for clerkships in the first one to three years following graduation. For a full listing of clerkships obtained by Scalia Law School students and alumni, visit www.law.gmu.edu/career/clerkship.

Reportable salary information does not include bonuses, part-time salaries, or other non-traditional compensation packages, and some graduates choose not to disclose their salaries. The Career and Academic Services Office does collect information about bonuses, part-time and hourly wages, and benefits packages. If you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact at 703-993-8020.

Quality of Life

George Mason Law

Looking for a conservative law school located in the highly developed suburbs of Northern Virginia? Then George Mason Law School is the school for you. If you are not, look elsewhere, as most students say that the school's conservative bias and Northern Virginia location permeate all facets of a GMU legal education. This includes the lifestyle led by Law Students. Many students are known to hold part-time jobs outside of class, and one 1L claims that his entire class seems "perpetually busy" and not interested in "having any fun whatsoever." Most students feel that the school is not overly-competitive, though, and they enjoy the sense of camaraderie that exists among the student body

Regarding social life, some complain, as did one 3L, that there isn't much to do in Arlington if you aren't satisfied with dividing your time between "the classroom and the bar scene." While it seems to be true that the drinking culture dominates social life, most students seem to be able to find alternatives. DC is not too far away, and there seem to be many school-sponsored events and student groups. As will be true with most law schools, social life at George Mason can only be what its students make of it. It seems that GMU gives its folks plenty to work with.

Faculty and Curriculum

George Mason University School of Law offers an intimate 4:1 faculty-to-student ratio, with 51 full-time and 184 part-time faculty members. This allows students to receive individualized attention and benefit from the faculty's wealth of experience and knowledge. The school can also offer a wide range of courses, ensuring that students can get the education they need to succeed in their chosen field of law.

George Mason University School of Law has an innovative and demanding curriculum that emphasizes the role of economic analysis in law. The school offers its students a wide variety of focus areas, providing them with the substantive preparation they need to succeed in practice. George Mason is dedicated to developing well-rounded lawyers who can think critically and communicate effectively. The school offers various courses covering all aspects of the law, from business and financial regulation to constitutional law. George Mason also strongly commits to public interest law and provides its students with the skills and knowledge they need to pursue careers in this field. The school is excellent for students seeking a challenging and rewarding legal education.

George Mason Law School runs its curriculum on a semester basis with the standard first-year curriculum. Almost 200 courses are available to choose from beyond those required in the first year.

GMU is known to have a strong focus on research, legal writing, and technical methods. The law school is renowned for its expertise in Law and Economics, offering both a joint degree and an LLM with such a focus. The school also offers students the opportunity to complement their studies with programs run by the Center for Law and Economics. The university has an excellent economics department, including two Economics Nobel Laureates as professors. As an epicenter (along with the University of Chicago Law School) for law and economics, George Mason is a hotspot for educating judges and academics about the interrelationship between economic principles and legal doctrine. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once called the Center's programs "[M]ore intense than the Florida sun."

In addition to the Law and Economics program is the National Center for Technology and Law, programs which would be a nice compliment to the school's many course offerings in Intellectual Property Law. George Mason Law School benefits from the United States Patent and Trademark Office also being in Arlington.

Academics

Clinics, Externships, and Legal Practicum
George Mason University School of Law's location means that Scalia Law students have great chances to get real-world experience while still in law school. They can sign up for multiple courses focused on practical experience, as long as it does not go over the number of out-of-class credits and pass/fail (or "CR") credits allowed by the school. The Career and Academic Services Office can find more information on the clinics, externship programs, and legal practicum.

Synopsis

Again, the low tuition and strong career prospects and regional reputation undoubtedly make GMU a steal. This is especially true for students interested in the intersection of economics and law. It behooves any potential applicants to visit the campus. This is especially true for liberal students or those who are looking for social life beyond the bar scene. Most students, though, will be happy with what they find.

While George Mason is currently a regional law school, it is a law school on the rise as evidenced by its not being deemed a top 50 law school in the 2000 U.S. News law school rankings to continually rising each year and had been ranked in the top 35. For the latest rankings, GMU took a dip to 41st, but the school is hoping to move back up by next April. As George Mason continues to build upon its strength in law and economics and solidify its reputation, its reputation will continue to spread.

Contact Information

George Mason University
Antonin Scalia Law School
Admissions Office
Suite 150
3301 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22201

Phone: (703) 993-8010
Fax: (703) 993-8088
JD Inquires: lawadmit@gmu.edu https://www.law.gmu.edu/admissions/

Summary

Established	1979
Location	Arlington, VA
Dean	Ken Randall
2022 US News Ranking	30th
LSAT Median Score	164
GPA Median Score	3.81
Bar Passage Rate	95% (2022)
Employment Rate	68% (2022)
Cost	$26,569 (In State) $42,417 (Out-of-State)
Average Debt	$93,480
Application Deadline	March 23, 2023

Forum and Discussion

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Reference

https://www.law.gmu.edu/
Rank #30
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

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