Hofstra Law

Hofstra Law School

Hofstra Law School, based in Hempstead, NY, is one of many law schools that feed into the New York City market. Currently ranked 100 by US News and World Report, the school enjoys a better reputation than some of its peers (NYLS, Touro, etc.). However, that being said, risk-averse applicants might want to think twice about attending without significant scholarship money. The school's claim of a median post-graduate salary of $160,000 is suspect, especially in the struggling economy. Academics and facilities at the school are slightly lacking, and the school's tuition for full-time students is quite high at $41,780 per year. If you factor in the expensive cost of living near New York City (the ABA estimates that students will spend over $20,000 per year on living expenses alone at Hofstra), students can spend over $60,000 for their degree.

This is not to say that applicants shouldn't consider Hofstra a viable option. However, it is important to be realistic about your exit options. Being near the top of your class is almost a prerequisite to finding a well-paying job, and without significant financial aid, your school debt can be crushingly high.

History

The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University is committed to providing students with a comprehensive, rigorous legal education that will equip them with the skills and knowledge to become successful leaders in their profession, the community, and society. Since its inception in 1970, the school has provided an enriched educational experience to over 12,000 students. It offers a solid understanding of the law and opportunities to apply their knowledge through hands-on experience in internships and clinics.

The Maurice A. Deane School of Law is dedicated to providing its students with diverse programs that allow them to explore various legal practice areas. The school offers an array of joint degree programs, such as the JD/MBA, JD/MPH, and JD/MALFL (forensic linguistics), that allow students to gain expertise in multiple disciplines. Many graduate law programs are available, including the Paralegal Certificate Program, an online Master of Arts in Health Law and Policy degree, and LLM degree programs in American Legal Studies, Family Law, and Health Law and Policy (online).

The Maurice A. Deane School of Law is committed to providing students with the highest quality of legal education, enabling them to develop their skills, talents, and creativity to become successful advocates for justice regardless of profession or chosen career path. With the faculty’s dedication to hands-on learning and its mission to make a difference in the world, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law students are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to become influential leaders in their communities.

Admissions

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	163 - 168 - 170	165 - 169 - 171
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.65 - 3.81 - 3.93	3.74 - 3.83 - 3.92
Acceptance rate	21.5%	13.7%
Applications received	5667	7948
Acceptances	1220	1086
Matriculants	2035	1646

Hofstra University Law School welcomed a 1L class of 284 students in the 2022 application cycle. This means that out of 2,831 applicants, only 1,197 were offered admission, and 278 were accepted. This yields an acceptance rate of 23.22%, displaying just how competitive the admissions process is for the school.

The median LSAT score for the 1L class is 156. This means the 25th percentile LSAT score was 152, and the 75th percentile LSAT score was 158. Additionally, the median GPA of enrolled students was 3.48, meaning that the 25th percentile GPA was 3.16 and the 75th percentile GPA was 3.69.

With this data, it is clear that Hofstra Law School is very competitive and prestigious. Those fortunate enough to gain admission should consider themselves lucky, as they will receive an excellent education from one of the finest law schools in the country.

Personal Statements

Hofstra's statement prompt is very similar to most other schools. The school asks for a statement limited to two double-spaced pages that "demonstrate[s] how you can contribute your talents and experiences to the Law School." The application instructions continue:

In the past, successful applicants have written about significant personal, academic, and professional experiences; meaningful [sic] intellectual interests; extracurricular activities; and factors inspiring them to obtain a legal education.

The school's website further clarifies:

The Admissions Committee will be looking for the ability to write clearly and concisely. Write about matters that are important to you but, at the same time, make room to tell us about who you are, where you are from, any accomplishments you have achieved, or any adversities you have overcome. Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words.

In addition, students can submit an optional "diversity statement" to include "any background or experience that you believe contributes to the diversity of our student body." The school lists as examples:

Information that students have included in the past which the admissions committee have found to be helpful includes but is not limited to the description or documentation of a disability, hardships overcome, personal or family history of education or socio-economic disadvantage.

Finally, include your printed name and LSAC account number (or Social Security number) on all your attachments. You don't want the school misplacing a vital component of your application! If you're interested in improving your personal statement or even just looking for ideas to write about, Ken DeLeon, the creator of Top-Law-Schools.com, wrote a fantastic guide to personal statements, which can be found here for free: http://www.top-law-schools.com/guide-to-personal-statements.html.

When to Apply

The school has two different options for applicants. First, early birds can take advantage of Hofstra's non-binding Early Action (or EA) option, where applicants can get their decision mailed by December 15^th. To
take advantage of the EA option, prospective students must submit their complete applications by November 15^th. This means that the September/October LSAT is the last possible LSAT that students can take to get their applications in on time.

Other students can apply using the Regular Decision (or RD) option, where applications are due by April 15^th. Note that April 15^th is the priority deadline; the school explains:

We guarantee full consideration for all applications submitted by the April 15 priority deadline. We will permit applications to be filed after the deadline until we can no longer provide full consideration.

The earlier you get your application in, the better! While the school offers full consideration for all applications submitted before April 15^th, it is a fact that the school begins sending out offers of admission by December. That means that there are less spots open for you, and your chances continue to diminish the longer you wait. The school writes as much on their website:

The best time to apply to Hofstra Law School is October, November, and December. Applying to Hofstra Law School is free if one applies online and $75 if one sends in a paper application. To read a TLS article about deciding between EA and RD, click here.

Letters of Recommendation

Hofstra doesn't require that students submit letters of recommendation with their application, but it's a good idea anyway. The school's website had the following to say about whom to ask for letters of recommendation:

The author(s) of your letter(s) of recommendation should be someone who knows you well and can make insightful comments about your academic abilities and how those abilities will translate to the law school environment. The author does not have to be a former professor or college advisor. Your recommender can be a mentor, supervisor, associate, or someone from academia.

Submitting one or even two solid letters of recommendation could enhance your application considerably. This holds particularly true if you have been out of school for a few years and are trying to mitigate a low UGPA; a glowing recommendation from an employer can show your growth in maturity since your college years. For additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.

Waitlisted

Hofstra doesn't have much information about its waitlist on its website, but if you are waitlisted, be prepared for a long wait. You can improve your chances by sending in periodic LOCI (or letters of continued interest) with any significant updates to your application. These might include new publications, a new job, a new semester that improved your UGPA, a new LSAT score, etc. This will also show that you are interested in Hofstra, and they will appreciate the attention! That said, don't hound them with dozens of letters; just significant updates will do.

Urms (or Underrepresented Minorities)

Because of their disadvantaged histories in the United States, certain minorities enjoy a significant boost in the application process. To read more about this boost and whether you classify as a URM, click here. In addition, many pre-law programs are specifically created to help URM applicants get accepted to top schools. To read more about some of these programs, click here.

Transfer Students

Many students transfer in (and out!) of Hofstra each year. In the last report submitted to the ABA, the school noted that 28 students transferred out and 19 students transferred in. Concerning new transfer students, Hofstra's website explains: Successful candidates maintain an A-/B+ average and are usually in the top 15% of their current class. Transfer students can apply for either the fall or spring semester and must have attended at least two semesters at an ABA-accredited school to be considered. You will also need to acquire one letter of recommendation from a law school professor. The school also has an option for visiting students to attend Hofstra for one year and transfer credit back to their home institution. To learn more about the transfer and visiting processes at Hofstra, click here.

Final Thoughts About Admissions

With the rising standards for being accepted into law school, students should make sure to put together a strong application. Including a letter of recommendation or two (even though they're not required) is a great idea. One should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time brainstorming about, writing, and revising one's personal statement.

Law School Culture

As mentioned, Hofstra Law is located in Hempstead, NY, on Long Island. This means that students are reasonably close to New York City, but students can find plenty to do closer to home. The school's website boasts:

Long Island, located at the threshold of New York City, is a diverse playground of unbelievable natural beauty and a wealth of historical charm. It is a true island, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, East River and Long Island Sound, with hundreds of miles of pristine beaches…. Go to the Coliseum to see the Islanders play. Go to a museum….

In addition, Hofstra University has its own Cultural Center, which operates "primarily through the medium of the international scholarly conference." The school breaks down symposia topics into three different categories: "conferences dedicated to the monographic study of world-historical figures," "conferences dedicated to historical, cultural, political, or artistic problematic," and "a series of conferences dedicated to the Presidents of the United States." The center has analyzed the presidencies of Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, etc., and is proud of its focus on historical figures such as Einstein, James Joyce, and Van Gogh. Notable past topics include "The Trotsky-Stalin Conflict in the 1920s" and "Inscription as Art in the World of Islam," among many others.

Students interested in discovering more about the different restaurants, museums, and other attractions in the Long Island area can click here. With many different beaches and parks listed on this page alone, it is clear that students will have plenty of opportunities to get away from the rigor of law school, and the 129 museums given on this page only further emphasize this. Needless to say, students will have ample chances to have fun in Hempstead!

Hofstra students also have plenty of different choices when it comes to on-campus dining. The school's website explains some of the options: "a Student Center café that offers an authentic Asian food station, a gourmet salad bar, Cabo Caliente (Mexican cuisine), In the Raw sushi bar, Charcoals Burgers," and many other restaurants. The school also has a "California-style juice bar" and a "gourmet coffee shop." So, plenty of variety is available even if you don't have time to go off-campus for a bite to eat.

Finally, the school has several safety initiatives to help keep Hofstra students out of harm's way. For instance, the school has two "courtesy buses" operational 24 hours a day. They are "designed to give optimum service to those who may need transportation around campus and to other designated locations." To learn more about public safety at Hofstra, click here.

Housing

Because the school is located in Hempstead and away from New York City, housing prices tend to be slightly more reasonable than in the Big Apple. One student writes:

I'm guessing you know that Hofstra is on long island and not in New York City; therefore, the cost of living is MUCH less than if you lived in the city. While the housing situation is much different than around university campuses (I would not recommend moving into the overpriced dorms), it is possible to find inexpensive housing. I'm paying $675 for a studio apartment in a converted house in a nice neighborhood near the train station. It possible to find cheaper if you rent a room from someone or find roommates and rent a place. Of course, there are more expensive options; my friend pays about 1,000 a month for a one-bedroom on the second floor of a house, but it's much more spacious.

Another student emphasizes that off-campus housing is the way to go:

The on-campus housing for grad/law students is a joke with the rules it has. It is OK if you JUST want to study, but if you plan to have any fun at all, do not move into these apartments. It is a great place to get work done and meet certain people, but the rules are worse than some dorms I lived in while at undergraduate college. Do not expect to be treated as an adult here.

The first student above suggests searching for a place on craigslist or using the Hofstra off-campus housing website, found here.

Recreational Facilities

If you're interested in lifting weights or running while you're at Hofstra, their recreational center is the place to be. The school's website explains:

This versatile fitness center houses a multipurpose gymnasium, an indoor track, a fully equipped weight room, spacious locker rooms, a lounge area, a conference room, and a mirrored aerobic/martial arts room. Various programs are offered throughout the year and are accessible to the Hofstra community.

However, that being said, some current students seem dissatisfied with the Rec Center. The recreational facility has been under construction for several years and only recently reopened. One student writes in the Hofstra Chronicle, the official Hofstra newspaper:

I didn't think they could make the Rec Center worse, but somehow Hofstra managed to finagle it. As if the gym wasn't too crowded before, now the entire Rec Center is confined to the space of the basketball courts, with the entire weight room stationed in half of one basketball court! And they are still using the same decrepit weights!

While the situation will most likely improve after the school finishes its construction, it is not useful to current students. Thus, be warned that you may have to join a local gym in the area to get reliable and easy access to weights.

Journals

Law students can get involved with five different journals and publications at Hofstra. They include the Hofstra Law Review, the Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, the Family Court Review, the ACTEC Law Journal and the Journal of International Business and Law (or JIBL). The school had the following to say about journal selection:

Membership in the publications is achieved either by a combination of outstanding academic performance with a strong showing in the writing competition, writing competition, or submission of an article deemed publishable by the board of editors.

The Hofstra Law Review has been the school's "flagship journal" since 1973 and is published quarterly. The journal is "currently the 48^th most cited Law Review in the country," and membership is extremely difficult to obtain. Students are immediately invited to join if they are in the top 5% of their class as a first-year or one of the five winners of the journal's annual writing competition. The rest of their membership is formed based on GPA and their "writing competition score." A new and exciting part of the law journal is its "Ideas" section, a home for short pieces (three to ten pages in length) that serve as "brief observations on important legal questions." The Hofstra Law Review also recently started up an alumni newsletter to "help build a strong network of Law Review alumni." With 37 different volumes tackling subjects as varied as the death penalty, sentence bargains, and capital mitigation, the Law Review is Hofstra's most esteemed legal publication and is a major feather in the cap of students that manage to be accepted as members.

Another longstanding journal at Hofstra Law is the Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal. With an expansive 26 volumes, this journal is "widely regarded as one of the premier authorities in the fields of labor and employment law and as one of the preeminent specialty journals in the US." Much like the Hofstra Law Review, applicants must have top-notch grades and do well in the writing competition conducted by the Hofstra Law Review to be accepted. In addition, students are "required to take Labor Law, Employment Law or Employment Discrimination during their first or second semester after they become staff members." The journal also has a symposium series; recent topics have been "Uncertain Times, Uncertain Jobs & Benefits, Can We Stabilize Healthcare?" and "Ledbetter Fair Pay Act & Pay Equity Panel Discussion:The Past, Present & Future.'"

Since its humble beginning as a newsletter, the Family Court Review has spanned over 40 different volumes and has become a "respected journal with an international following of family law professionals." The journal is published quarterly and has recently addressed issues like adoption, mediation, and court affiliated parent education. The FCR believes that its longevity and success can be attributed to its adherence to the following three core values: "respecting the interdisciplinary nature of our work," "recognizing that our world expands beyond national boundaries," and "focusing on the families and individuals served by the family law professionals." Students obtain membership by the writing competition conducted by the Hofstra Law Review, and those who express serious interest in "family law and family dispute resolution" are given priority in the selection process.

Finally, the Journal of International Business and Law (or JIBL) is interested in exploring the "interaction of business and law in the global marketplace." The newest journal at Hofstra, JIBL has nonetheless made a significant splash in the Hofstra community. For instance, the journal recently ran an investment management conference with Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as its keynote speaker. As a joint project of the law school and the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, the journal "draws on the different perspectives of its members" to create an interdisciplinary approach. Recent topics have included compulsory licenses, 21^st century pensions, and accounting. Students are selected based on their grades and the writing competition previously referenced. In addition, members of the journal are required to "take a course related to International Law during the Fall of Spring semester of their first year as a part of JIBL."

Academics and Curriculum

At Hofstra Law, they are committed to giving you the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in today's rapidly-evolving legal environment. Their curriculum is designed to help you stand out amongst your peers and give you a competitive edge regarding job opportunities. They keep their courses up-to-date with current trends in the legal profession, teaching you the practical skills that employers seek. Their courses also emphasize professionalism, legal ethics, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication — all qualities that today's hiring managers seek.

Outside the classroom, their extracurricular programs offer numerous opportunities to gain real-world experience through clinics and externships. Whether you want to volunteer at a legal aid office, serve as an advocate for social justice issues or gain hands-on experience in the courtroom, they have something to offer you.

Hofstra Law strives to provide students with an excellent education and the skills necessary for success in today's legal marketplace — and tomorrow's. With their innovative curriculum and extracurricular opportunities, they are confident that you will be ready for anything the legal profession can throw.

Experimental Learning

At Hofstra Law, they recognize that the legal market has shifted to require more specialized skills and knowledge. To prepare their students for success in their future practices, they have implemented Foundational Lawyering Skills as a required course for second-year students. This intensive program is divided into three modules and covers various topics, from legal research and writing to interviewing clients and witnesses.

In each module, students are taught the fundamentals of skill through a lecture before breaking into small groups. During these breakout sessions, they will have the opportunity to practice the skill with their peers while receiving individualized feedback from their experienced faculty members. They believe this real-world application of skills is essential for success in the legal industry, and their students are well-prepared to join the workforce.

Externships

The Externship Program at Hofstra Law provides a unique opportunity for its students to broaden their legal knowledge and obtain real-world experience. Through this program, students can work with experienced attorneys in various legal areas while attending an accompanying seminar instructed by faculty members. The seminars focus on developing the essential lawyering skills necessary to succeed in their field placement. The program gives students a chance to interact with practitioners and develop practical skills that will prove invaluable as they pursue a career in law.

In addition, Hofstra Law’s Externship Program provides personalized guidance throughout the experience, including one-on-one support from faculty mentors and opportunities for networking with legal professionals. Students are given a list of potential placements and encouraged to pursue the one that best aligns with their interests and career goals. Ultimately, the program seeks to prepare students for identifying job opportunities when they graduate and helps them gain experience in their chosen field during law school.

Fellowship

Hofstra Law School offers a range of scholarships and fellowships to its admitted students. These awards are highly competitive and give recipients a chance to engage with leading professionals in their respective fields while also receiving a stipend for their summer internship. For first-year students, the fellowship selection process starts before they even arrive on campus. Hofstra Law evaluates a student’s academic background and potential to succeed in their chosen field when selecting fellowships and scholarships. Students awarded the fellowship has access to additional resources, such as faculty advisors and mentors, to help them make the most of their time at Hofstra Law School.

Hofstra Law School believes that its fellowships and scholarships are a great way to invest in the future of its students. By equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary for success in their chosen field, Hofstra Law can immediately ensure that its graduates are prepared to impact the legal profession.

Journals

The Hofstra Law Review has been an esteemed publication in print for over four and a half decades. Since its founding in 1973, it has earned the respect of practitioners and academics alike, firmly establishing itself as one of the top law school journals in the country. It occupies the 131st place amongst more than 1,000 law school journals in the United States.

As a journal, the Hofstra Law Review stands out from the rest in its commitment to quality. They strive for excellence by devoting additional time and resources to ensure that each issue is meticulously proofread and well-researched. The resulting product is scholarship and erudition, in which legal issues are examined from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Pro Bono

Hofstra Law firmly stands behind the notion that legal education should encompass the theoretical aspects of the law and provide students with practical experiences. This includes pro bono activities and volunteer services to organizations, government agencies, private lawyers, and practitioners. They also strongly encourage their students to develop new projects that provide these pro bono services, with some of their most successful initiatives coming from student-led projects. Examples include their Veterans Legal Assistance Project (VLAP), which was created to provide legal assistance to veterans facing various legal issues. Through VLAP, students gain invaluable experience in estate planning, immigration law, and tenant and landlord disputes.

Clinics

The school offers seven different clinics where students can get involved. Hofstra's website explains the purpose of clinical work:

Participation in a clinic is truly a unique educational opportunity. It may well be the only occasion during a student's law school career literally to "practice" law. In a clinic, students represent actual people and work on actual cases. They advocate in court, counsel clients, conduct fact investigations, and mediate disputes. Students not only must think like a lawyer, as they are asked to do in most law school classes, but also act like a lawyer. The experience is both deeply challenging and immensely rewarding. Most students in a clinic see their participation as the highlight of their legal education. This experience enables them to approach law practice with confidence and sensitivity.

The different clinics available for students include the Asylum Clinic, the Clinical Prosecution Practicum, the Community & Economic Development Clinic, the Criminal Justice Clinic, the Disaster Recovery Clinic, the Health Law & Policy Clinic, the Immigration Clinic Practicum, the Juvenile Justice Practicum, the Law Reform Advocacy Clinic, and the Youth Advocacy Clinic. In these clinics, students get valuable hands-on experience that will help them with their budding legal careers.

Centers

The school also has seven different centers/institutes where students can get involved with specific areas of the law. These centers include the Center for Applied Legal Reasoning, the Center for Children, Families and the Law, the Center for Legal Advocacy, the Institute for Health Law and Policy, the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation, the Institute for the Study of Gender, Law and Policy, and the Institution for the Study of Legal Ethics. Just as an example, the Institute for Health Law and Policy offers a concentration in Health Law for Hofstra students, as well as a Fellowship for Health Law and Policy, which "provides scholarships for entering J.D. students who are planning a career in health law and wish to be leaders in the field." For more information about Hofstra Law's selection of different centers and institutes, click here.

Study abroad

For those students who are interested in studying abroad, Hofstra Law offers four different opportunities. Students can study in Curacao, the Dutch Antilles; Pisa, Italy; Freiburg, Germany; and Sydney, Australia. For example, the Curacao winter program is an "intensive three-week course of study in international and comparative law." The school's website further explains:

helps prepare you to practice law in the globalized world economy by equipping you to address international legal problems that arise in theory and practice. You will be exposed to foreign legal institutions of the Americas and Europe, and you will experience the unique legal and social culture of Curaçao, which reflects strong African, Caribbean and European influences.

To learn more about the Curacao program and other study abroad opportunities, click here.

Employment Prospects

Hofstra University is an excellent educational institution for law students, offering various opportunities and experiences to help students become successful professionals. Graduates of the school's Juris Doctor (JD) program earn a median salary of $75,000 upon graduation in the private sector, while those entering the public sector can expect to earn around $67,000. In addition, 57.2% of graduates go directly to work in a law firm, and 3.6% clerk for a judge or pursue public interest roles after graduating from Hofstra Law. Furthermore, the school boasts an impressive 70.9% first-time Bar passage rate for its students. Hofstra Law is an excellent choice for those looking to launch an outstanding legal career. With its impressive job placement rate, high starting salary potential, and successful Bar results, law students will find it a top-notch option for their studies.

Synopsis

Hofstra Law isn't a fantastic school; it has high tuition and limited job prospects for most graduates. In most cases, going to a more affordable state school might be the right decision. However, there are numerous academic opportunities for ambitious students that seek them out. Hofstra might be the perfect school for those who want to gamble and go for that big New York City paycheck. Just remember to work hard, pursue any leads that come your way, and keep a level head about your job prospects.

Contact Information

Maurice A. Deane School of Law
Admissions Office
108 Hofstra University
Joan Axinn Hall
Hempstead, NY 11549
Phone: (516) 463-5916
Email: lawadmissions@hofstra.edu

https://law.hofstra.edu/admissions/

Summary

Established	1970
Location	Hempstead, NY
Dean	Judge Gail Prudenti
2022 US News Ranking	118th
LSAT Median Score	156
GPA Median Score	3.48
Bar Passage Rate	71% (2022)
Employment Rate	54% (2022)
Cost	$64,022
Average Debt	$144,097
Application Deadline	April 15, 2023

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Reference

https://law.hofstra.edu/
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