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Pace Law School
Pace University is a private university in New York City and Westchester County, New York. The university enrolls approximately 13,000 students in its various colleges and schools, which include the College of Health Professions, the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, the Lubin School of Business, the School of Education, and the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. In addition to its academic programs, Pace University operates a women's justice center in Yonkers, a business incubator, and is affiliated with Pace High School. The university's main campus is in Lower Manhattan and has a Westchester campus.
Contents
History
In 1991, New York State Governor Mario Cuomo and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) partnered with Pace University School of Law to found the Battered Women's Justice Center, later renamed the Pace Women's Justice Center. Attorneys Michael G. Dowd was chosen to lead the Center as the founding director. Dowd was a renowned criminal defense attorney, especially known for defending women facing murder charges after killing their batterers in self-defense.
The Pace Women's Justice Center protects victims' rights and ensures that women get justice when facing domestic violence cases. The Center is committed to reforming the court system and ensuring that victims receive appropriate legal representation. The Center provides support, resources, referrals, and training to help empower victims of domestic violence and ensure their safety. In addition, the Pace Women's Justice Center works with other organizations in New York State to develop policies for equal access to justice for all victims of domestic violence. The Center is dedicated to advocating for victims' rights and providing them with the resources they need to stand up against their abusers.
Admissions
The application process is relatively easy if you want to pursue a Juris Doctor degree at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. To get started, applicants should go to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) website. This organization provides an electronic version of the JD application and is available for prospective students to complete. A law school report must be sent directly to Elisabeth Haub School of Law from LSAC, and all other required documents, such as transcripts and test scores. If you're unsure about applying to law school or just beginning the application process, please take the time to read some of the excellent pre-law articles found here.
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 |
During the 2022 application cycle, 2,054 applicants applied to Pace Law School, with 988 being offered admission. Amongst those offered admissions, 301 accepted and enrolled in the 1L class of 312 at Pace Law School. This result suggests that 30.47% of people offered admittance to the school ultimately attended.
Regarding academic background, the median LSAT score of accepted students was 152, with 25th and 75th percentile scores being 150 and 154, respectively. Similarly, the median GPA amongst accepted applicants was 3.4, with 25th and 75th percentile GPAs at 3.11 and 3.66, respectively. This data indicates that Pace Law School is selective in its admissions process, requiring a high GPA and LSAT score for admittance.
Overall, the 2022 application cycle numbers demonstrate that Pace Law School is a competitive school to get into and has a strong yield rate among accepted applicants. It also suggests that those applying to Pace Law School should be prepared to meet the school's stringent admissions requirements.
First-Year Applicants
Pace Law School allows applicants to pursue their JD studies in the fall or spring semesters. A key date to remember is the application deadline for each term, which can be found on the Admissions Calendar. To apply, prospective students must submit an online law school application through the Law School Assembly Service (LSAC). The application fee for the Spring 2023 Application has been waived.
In addition, applicants must submit a typed personal statement that showcases aspects of their background they believe will be of interest to the Admissions Committee, a resume, and an official transcript with all undergraduate and graduate studies sent to LSAC for processing through Credential Assembly Service (CAS) for a report. The last requirement is a reportable LSAT or GRE score.
Second-Year Applicants
Pace Law School offers an exciting Two-Year JD Program for international lawyers looking to further their legal education. To be eligible for the program, international applicants must submit a completed online application, pay a $70 fee, and provide a typed personal statement outlining some of their most relevant background experiences and interests. They should also include a resume, an LSAT score not older than five years old, and a current CAS report. Additionally, international applicants must show proof of language proficiency by providing a TOEFL Test score with at least 100 points that are no more than four years old. It is important to remember that all official transcripts for professional study must be sent to the LSAC for the CAS report. With these requirements fulfilled, international lawyers can look forward to furthering their education at Pace Law School's Two-Year JD Program.
Cost of Attendance
FALL 2022–SPRING 2023
Direct Costs
|
Day Full-Time |
Part-Time (JD) |
Tuition |
$51,240 | $38,450 |
Student Activity Fee |
$90 | $60 |
Institutional Fee | $658 | $636 |
Technology Fee | $210 | $120 |
University Health Service Fee | $150 | |
Total | $52,348 | $39,266 |
Estimated Indirect Costs
|
Resident |
Commuter |
Commuter |
Loan Fees | $216 | $216 | $216 |
Books & Supplies |
$1,800 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
Room & Board** |
$17,270 | - | - |
Transportation |
$600 | $1,350 | $1,350 |
Personal Expenses |
$1,318 | $5,138 | $21,936 |
Total |
$20,354 | $8,504 | $25,302 |
Pace Law School is an excellent law school offering quality legal training for students aiming to become lawyers. The estimated tuition costs for the 2022-2023 academic year are divided into direct and indirect costs. Direct tuition costs will range from $52,348 for full-time JD students to $39,266 for part-time JD students.
The estimated indirect costs for the 2022-2023 academic year vary based on where a student chooses to reside while attending Pace Law School. For those living on campus, the estimated cost is $20,354; for those choosing to live with their parents while attending law school, the estimated cost is $8,504; for those living independently, the estimated cost is $25,302.
Financial Aid
Additionally, Pace University may require additional information from students who have submitted the FAFSA form to determine their eligibility for need-based aid. This could include your most recent income tax transcript or a verification form provided by Pace’s Financial Aid Office. To apply for financial aid from the Federal Government or need-based aid from Pace University, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year starting October 1st at www.fafsa.gov. The FAFSA school code for Pace Law School is 002727.
Academics & Curriculum
Pace requires the completion of 88 credits for a student to earn a J.D.; 35 of these credits come from required courses. In the fall, full-time 1Ls have traditionally taken 4 credits each of Contracts, Property, and Torts, and 3 credits each of Civil Procedure and a combined Criminal Law / Legal Analysis and Writing class. In the spring, 1Ls continued with Civil Procedure and Criminal Law / Legal Analysis and Writing and took 4 credits of Constitutional Law. Starting in 2010, the Criminal Law / Legal Analysis and Writing course will be broken up into two separate courses. Students will take four credits of Legal Writing during their fall semesters, while during their spring semesters they will take one credit of Legal Writing and three of Criminal Law.
The only other required courses are Professional Responsibility and Federal Income Tax, both taken during the second year. Students are also required to complete an upper-level writing requirement, but this is not tied to any particular course; it can be completed in any course whose professor agrees to supervise the student's project, and students who are on journals may satisfy the requirement with their notes or comments.
Pace Law School's primary claim to fame is its environmental law program, ranked third in the nation in 2009 by US News & World Report. The school's focus on environmental law is evident from its LLM programs, joint degrees, and law centers, outlined below. The school also prides itself on its legal writing program, although it does not appear among the 27 schools in the US News legal writing rankings.
In addition to four LLM programs (Climate Chance, Environmental Law, Comparative Law, and Real Estate Law), Pace offers six joint degrees: a J.D./M.B.A., J.D./Master of Public Administration, and J.D./B.S. or J.D./B.A. within Pace University, a J.D./M.A. in Women's History with Sarah Lawrence College, a J.D./M.S. in Environmental Policy with Bard College's Center for Environmental Policy, and a J.D./Master of Environmental Management with the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Two of the LLM degrees, LLM in Real Estate Law and LLM in Environmental Law, can also be completed as joint degrees with the J.D. Finally, the school offers a Doctor of Juridical Science in Environmental Law.
Six specialized centers allow students to conduct research and gain real-world experience in the surrounding community. These are the Land Use Law Center, the Real Estate Law Institute, the Center for Environmental Legal Studies, the Energy and Climate Center, the Center for Judicial Studies, and the Women's Justice Center.
Pace Law School's academic regulations state that, for all 1L courses except Criminal Law/Legal Analysis and Writing (or, starting in 2010, Legal Writing), the mean grade must fall between a 2.5 and 2.95. (For upper-level students, the curve is less harsh. In the required upper-level courses, the mean grade must fall between 2.65 and 3.10, while for all other upper-level courses, this curve is merely recommended.) If a student finishes his/her first semester with a GPA of 1.5 or below or any subsequent semester with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or below, s/he is academically dismissed. (Students who are dismissed with a GPA between 1.5 and 2.0 may petition for readmission.) The school reports that the norm for students receiving a 2.0 or below in 1L classes is 17%, so it is likely that the grading curve and academic dismissal policy are what accounts for the school's fairly high 1L attrition rate of 16.7%.
If a student finishes his/her second or any subsequent semester with a GPA above 2.0 but below 2.3, s/he is placed on academic probation. Once a student has been placed on academic probation, failure at the end of any semester to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above will result in academic dismissal.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Graduates of the Pace Law School have an impressive starting salary when entering the legal profession. Statistics show that the median pay for students going into private practice is a whopping $80,000, while those entering public service can expect to make around $68,000.
The data also highlights which areas graduates typically move into after completing their studies. Of those who complete their JD, 44.9% go on to work at a law firm, 7.5% clerk for a judge and 5.4% enter public interest roles.
Furthermore, 69.6% of Pace Law graduates pass the bar exam on their first attempt, demonstrating their qualifications and commitment to pursuing a legal career. This success rate is a testament to the high quality of the program, and graduates can be assured that their degree has prepared them for a secure and successful future in the field.
Pace Law School offers its students an impressive record of job prospects and salary potential. From private practice to the public interest, Pace Law graduates have access to various career opportunities and can expect to make a competitive salary after graduation. With an impressive bar passage rate, graduates are prepared for the legal profession and have the potential to enjoy a long-term, successful career.
Quality of Life
Pace University School of Law is an institution of higher learning in White Plains, New York, nestled in the heart of Westchester County. The university enjoys a prime location, accessible by train from New York City in just half an and by car within 45 minutes (or up to 1.5 hours in heavy traffic). The surrounding There are several large apartment complexes within walking distance of the campus, but a 1-bedroom apartment in these areas will likely cost between $1500 and $2000 a month. Students with cars may find cheaper housing by commuting from northern New Jersey, southern Connecticut, New York towns further north than White Plains, or even the Bronx.
The university is close to various entertainment options, such as the Westchester Mall (a two-minute drive from campus) and White Plains' bustling downtown. The area also offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, with three swimming pools and an ice-skating rink set in an extensive system of public parks.
Overall, Pace Law School students benefit from a wealthy suburb's advantages: pleasant surroundings, convenient dining and entertainment options, and a lack of diversity. A university is ideal for those who enjoy suburban life and the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Synopsis
Pace Law School is one of the most expensive schools in the country, and its recent employment statistics have been criticized for leaving out some key measures, such as response rate. Although its median starting salary for the private sector was high in 2008, only a tiny portion of the graduating class could attain those jobs - which is even more difficult now with the current economic climate. Additionally, only a few firms have attended on-campus interviewing recently, suggesting that Pace graduates do not stand out as much for potential employers. Therefore, before applying to Pace Law School, prospective students should consider their financial situation and how they plan to pay for the school - which could include living with their parents if they are from the area. As for academic options, Pace has an excellent environmental law record and offers a range of programs and extra-curricular activities in this field. Pace Law could be an option for students with close ties to White Plains or a strong interest in environmental law.
Contact information
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
Admissions Office
78 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
Phone: 914-422-4210
Email: admissions@law.pace.edu
Summary
Established | 1976 |
Location | White Plains, NY |
Dean | Horace E. Anderson Jr. |
2022 US News Ranking | 142 |
LSAT Median Score | 152 |
GPA Median Score | 3.4 |
Bar Passage Rate | 70% (2022) |
Employment Rate | 47% (2022) |
Cost | $51,240 |
Average Debt | $169,187 |
Application Deadline | 1 June- 2023 |
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Reference
Pace Law School - Transforming Law Students Into Formidable Lawyers
https://law.pace.edu/
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