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UNC School of Law
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the premier public university in North Carolina. Founded in 1795, the school holds the distinction of being the nation's first state university. The school's public nature is demonstrated through its commitment to public service; for instance, it offers students the chance to work with its Center for Civil Rights and for Poverty, Work, and Opportunity. With nearby Wake Forest and Duke being the only real competition for jobs in the immediate area, graduates have decent employment prospects in North Carolina. Combine all of these factors with wonderful weather and a gorgeous campus, and you have a remarkable school that should appeal to those interested in practicing law in North Carolina. 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.
Contents
History
The University of Minnesota Law School is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. Founded in 1845, it is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was the first state-supported university in the country. The American Bar Association has accredited the school since 1928.
The University of Minnesota Law School prepares its students to be outstanding lawyers and leaders who will serve the people, institutions, and businesses of North Carolina, the nation, and the world. The school offers various courses and programs focusing on civil rights, banking, environmental law, intellectual property, Entrepreneurial and securities law, bankruptcy, and constitutional inquiry. With numerous centers and initiatives, the University of Minnesota Law School is a leader in legal education.
Admissions
UNC School of Law receives 1,400 applications each year from North Carolina students across the U.S. and worldwide. Approximately 180 of those who apply to join the Carolina Law family. Students not only hail from geographically different places but also from various backgrounds in the workforce and academia.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 159 - 163 - 164 | 162 - 164 - 166 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.5 - 3.68 - 3.78 | 3.6 - 3.73 - 3.83 |
| Acceptance rate | 21.6% | 15.5% |
| Applications received | 1767 | 2866 |
| Acceptances | 382 | 443 |
| Matriculants | 513 | 597 |
The University of Minnesota Law School's 1L class has a median LSAT score of 164. The 25th percentile score is 162 and the 75th percentile score is 166. The median GPA is 3.73. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.6 and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.83.
Acceptance Rate
The University of Minnesota Law School had 2,866 applicants during the 2022 application cycle. Of those applicants, 443 were offered admission. Of those offered admissions, 199 decided to attend the school, meaning the yield was 44.92%. This means that, of the people who were offered admission, 44.92% ended up attending the school.
Application Materials
Application materials must be submitted through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), and the school must receive all materials by May 1. Your application will be considered once our Office of Admissions has received the following:
Application Form
Complete the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) application online. By applying electronically, you agree to all the terms and conditions set forth in the directions and on the last page of the application. This electronic submission serves as your signature on the honor system page.
Application Fee
The application fee is $70, unless one obtains a fee waiver. To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.
Scores from every Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to law school. Scores are reported through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) at the LSAC. The University of Minnesota Law School accepts test scores up to five years old. They base their admissions decision on the highest score if you have multiple test scores. They accept the February LSAT, but they encourage you to take one of the earlier exams to complete your application promptly. If you have a pending LSAT test date or unreported score, your file will be held as incomplete and will be ineligible for review.
Transcripts
Transcripts are graded from all colleges, universities, and graduate and professional schools attended.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
The third letter of recommendation is optional. Recommendation writers should use your full name. To get some additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.
Personal Statement
This is your opportunity to share why you want to join the legal profession and why you are interested in Carolina Law. Please refer to the application for specific information regarding the personal statement requirement and the topics to be addressed. The personal statement should be double-spaced and in no less than 10-point type. Please limit your responses to four full pages for the required questions and four additional pages for the optional questions.
Ken DeLeon, the creator of Top-Law-Schools.com, wrote a fantastic guide to personal statements which can be found here for free.
Resume
The resume may be up to three pages long. This means you can go into as much detail as you need to provide a comprehensive overview of your skills and experience. However, you should also be aware that potential employers will likely only spend a few seconds skimming your resume. As such, you should make sure to include only the most relevant and important information.
When to Apply
Unfortunately, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill doesn't offer an early decision option. However, applying early is still beneficial. Applications generally open up on October 1 and close on March 1, but do not wait until February to start preparing your application. To be considered for the prestigious Chancellors' Scholarships, applicants must apply by December 31. More spots are open earlier in the admissions cycle, so if you want to give yourself the best possible chance, apply early.
Transfer Students
The University of Minnesota Law School only accepts transfer students for full-time study. You must have completed one year of full-time study or the equivalent number of credit hours in part-time study at a law school approved by the Association of American Law Schools or the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar. No more than 30 credits of work from another law school will be credited. No student ineligible to return to the institution last attended will be admitted. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.
Tuition and Expenses
The University of Minnesota Law School tuition is determined by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. The tuition for NC resident students is $50,860. The tuition for returning non-resident students is $68,572. The tuition for incoming non-resident students is $71,072.
Cost of Attendance
| Tuition and Fees 2022-2023 | |
| NC Resident Students | |
| Tuition and Fees | $24,492 |
| Room and Board | $19,268 |
| Books/Supplies | $1,290 |
| Travel | $1,374 |
| Student Health Insurance Estimate | $2,616 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,820 |
| Total | $50,860 |
| Incoming/Returning Non-Resident Students | |
| Returning Students Tuition and Fees Incoming Students Tuition and Fees |
$42,204 $44,704 |
| Room and Board | $19,268 |
| Books/Supplies | $1,290 |
| Travel | $1,374 |
| Student Health Insurance Estimate | $2,616 |
| Miscellaneous | $1,820 |
| Total Costs of Returning Students Total Costs of Incoming Students |
$68,572 $71,072 |
Scholarships
There is no separate application required for merit-based scholarships. For entering students, all scholarships are merit-based and are awarded on the strength of your admissions application. These three-year awards are automatically renewed if you remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
In support of our mission to the cause of justice and a lasting commitment to pro bono and public service, Carolina Law wants to encourage students to enter permanent public service employment without regard to debt burden and to assist our graduates entering public service with their law school loan debt.
Employment Prospects
The median salary for University of North Carolina law school graduates is $110,000 if they enter the private sector. The average salary for those who enter the public sector is $62,000. Just over half of all graduates (54.3%) go work for law firms, while 12.9% clerk for a judge and 8.1% go into public interest. Most graduates (97.1%) pass the bar on their first try.
- Employment Type Funded
Non-Profit 31%
Public Defender 28%
District Attorney 19%
Government Agency 16%
Fellowship 6%
- Median Salaries
$54,000 – LRAP Recipients
$130,000 – Graduates Working in the Private Sector
- Geographic Distribution
This year’s entering J.D. class includes students from 26 States, Washington, D.C., China, and the U.K.
| Students with engineering/science backgrounds | 5% |
| Students with military background | 8% |
| First generation students | 34% |
| Female / Male / Non-binary students | 54 / 44 / 2% |
| 28 years and older | 17% |
| Undergraduate majors | 52 |
Law School Culture
One former student explained:
UNC may be a fallback school for a very small group of people, but for most students, UNC was our top choice, and we're thrilled to be there. There is almost a noticeable lack of competitiveness here; if you miss class and e-mail your class asking for notes for the day, you'll likely get upwards of 30 e-mails in return with the notes. People help each other out and enjoy each other; we're not oblivious to the fact that we're competing for jobs, but there's a strong sense that you do what you can and then relax. That's not to say there aren't cliques and social networks and whatnot, but that's just natural. It's not an overly cliquey place.
Apart from the collegial student body, the social life at UNC is notable. There are many different restaurants and bars to visit in Chapel Hill and nearby Carrboro, and different venues in the area put on music of all kinds. Catching a show at the Cat's Cradle and eating at the Top of the Hill are virtually requisites while attending UNC, and there are plenty of other opportunities to pursue as well. Athletics is another big part of life at Chapel Hill; the UNC-Duke basketball rivalry is one of the most celebrated in American sports, and UNC's other sports teams are top-notch. The law school has several intramural teams in sports like basketball, softball, and volleyball, and students can play casually on most nights. One student said:
A wide group of guys plays basketball three nights a week, and there's a lot of activity. A nice thing about the law school building is that it's very close to the IM fields and Woolen gym, where basketball courts exist. The average UNC law student is physically active, and many options are available if you want to play intramural sports.
A UNC law alum discussed the quality of life in and around Chapel Hill:
We never run out of things to do - this area is absolutely incredible and there is something for everyone. Chapel Hill has a great party scene and is always bustling with young people. It's definitely where most students spend a lot of their free time. Carrboro is where we go for the best coffee shops, concerts, and restaurants; it has a more alternative scene. Durham is diverse and has amazing food, as well as its very own film festival and a great arts scene. Finally, Raleigh is certainly bigger and it's only 25-30 minutes away, so I do go there occasionally for a change of scenery.
The student body tends to be liberal-leaning (one student described the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro as "among the most liberal/progressive in the South"), but there are organizations available for students who are more conservative as well. Finally, students who are interested in more outdoors-esque activities can rest assured that they have plenty of options; one student writes:
Hiking locally is a little bit limited, but you've got some good trails at Duke Forest, Eno River State Park, Jordan Lake, and a few other places. As far as long weekend trips there is a ton of great stuff within a half-day drive: It ranges from primitive camping on uninhabited islands on the Outer Banks, to hiking the Appalachian Trail or the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. You're a two and a half to five hour drive from the mountains and two and a half to five hour drive from the coast. In the Piedmont (the flat area between) there are also some nice areas to hike/camp like the Uwharrie.
Housing
In terms of housing, law students generally experience few problems, as affordable and suitable apartments are available near the law school campus and throughout Chapel Hill and nearby Durham. One student said:
A lot of grad students, and law students in particular, live in Glen Lennox. You'll also find law students scattered around places like Southern Village, Meadowmont, and any of the various apartment complexes in town. A good number choose to live in Southern Durham at some of the apartment complexes off 54.
Additionally, a UNC undergraduate and law school alum had the following extensive advice about where to find housing:
For unfurnished apartments, Shadowood is really nice and doesn't have too many undergrads. A lot of the units are two floors and have an upper living room (which might be nice for an office). Glen Lennox has small condos that are a bit more expensive. It's also almost impossible to get a washer and dryer included. BUT, if you don't need a washer/dryer their small singles are an AWESOME deal and the closest thing you'll find to the law school. On the MUCH more expensive side is Meadowmont. It is close to the law school and really high-end. You should also check out Heels Housing, which is a really great resource that the Daily Tar Heel [the school's newspaper] has put together. Finally, a really popular option in Chapel Hill is renting a small house (or portion of a house) from a private company. Most of these rentals are run through ChapelHillRent. Most years, I found my housing on ChapelHillRent or on Craigslist.
If you're looking for furnished apartments, your best furnished option in the area is Chapel Ridge. The down side for Chapel Ridge are the undergrads. This is one of the most popular places for undergrads to live, but it's generally quiet and the best of the furnished options. Good neighborhoods / areas include Carrboro and Davie Circle. Carrboro is a wonderful area; the only downside is that it is far from the law school. Davie Circle is a GREAT place to rent a house! It's a quiet neighborhood setting, and although there are undergrads, they are usually upperclassmen. A lot of senior citizens are there as well. Also, anything on Highway 54 will be close to the law school and easily accessible for the bus line.
Places not to live include Townhouse Apartments ("Where the party's at"), the Verge, and Odum Village on campus. In my opinion, the Verge is completely overpriced and so far from campus it's ridiculous. Their bus is not convenient. Only live here if you're planning to drive every day. Odum Village is really old and also not close to the law school. You probably won't get a parking spot, so you'll have to pay for parking elsewhere. You'll also have to go back to sleeping in an XL twin bed.
Safety
On the subject of safety, the school tries its hardest to make sure that students remain out of harm's way. There are a number of "campus call boxes" located around campus, where students can lift a telephone receiver to alert the police of an emergency. The school also offers a "P2P service" where students can telephone a bus to come pick them up and transport them to another location near campus at any time of the day. Finally, the UNC Police Department offers a women's self defense class called RAD.
RAD is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The RAD system is a comprehensive, women-only course of instruction that begins with awareness, prevention, risk, and risk avoidance. It then teaches hands-on self-defense training, but it is not a martial arts program.
Safety is a tricky subject at UNC. One recent student body president, Eve Carson, was murdered near UNC's campus. This terrible event created a great deal of concern for the security of the university's students. Thus, several additional security measures have recently been introduced. First, the lighting on several of the school's quads was improved. In addition, the school has recently improved its program called "Alert Carolina," where UNC will send texts to students, faculty and staff to alert them of any danger in the area. Finally, the school will sound sirens for truly dangerous situations to alert students to find immediate shelter. Undoubtedly, Eve Carson's murder was an immense tragedy; however, UNC is generally quite safe. Crimes do occur, so one should always take preventative measures to avoid putting oneself in dangerous situations. Walk in groups, carry mace or other defense devices, and avoid being out late at night in secluded areas.
Parking
One recent UNC undergrad the following to say about parking:
Parking in Chapel Hill is difficult at best. There are very few spots located near the law school where you'll be able to rent parking. Usually parking is rented privately by house owners in the area. Areas that are good for law school parking include Gimgoul Village and Ridge Road.
Facilities
The academic facilities at the UNC School of Law could be improved. One student explains at length:
The facilities are pretty blah. The school is a bit cramped since they've increased the class size and expanded the faculty in the last couple of years. Also, the main building was put up in the 60s and has started having some maintenance issues, like when a brick facade cracked in 2007 and forced the school to close several classrooms for three months. But everything is adequate. The library has everything you need and is well-used. As an in-state student, I'm happy with a less-than-stellar building in return for the relatively low tuition. Also, there are plans in the works to build a modern facility at a new satellite campus. Construction was supposed to start this year, but everything appears to be on hold because of the economy.
There are several gyms on campus that are quite near the law school, and they provide up-to-date equipment for both cardiovascular work and weightlifting. A recent graduate of the law school states: "The recreational facilities are excellent, as UNC is known for its athletics. The law school is in the heart of all of the athletic facilities and 2 great gyms are literally a 5-minute walk from the law school. Lots of students participate in intramural sports teams, so this is very convenient for us." The facilities tend to get quite busy during peak hours, but you can usually find a free treadmill or bench if you wait around for a few minutes. There are also fields and an outdoor track available for students to exercise on. Finally, if all else fails, you can always go for a run around the gorgeous Carolina campus.
Extracurriculars
Like other top law schools, there are plenty of different activities and organizations for students to get involved with at UNC. As mentioned previously, students enjoy playing on intramural sports teams. There are also clubs like Parents as Law Students (PALS), the Christian Legal Society, and the UNC Law Music Club, just to name a few.
At the beginning of each year, there is an event called "Fall Fest," where all of the various clubs and organizations set up booths on South Road to look for new members. This is an exciting way to start off the new academic year and to get involved on campus. That being said, make sure that you don't bite off more than you can chew; the first year of law school is extremely busy, so you won't have a great deal of time for extracurricular activities.
Academics
First-year students take the standard law school fare of torts, contracts, constitutional law, etc. This schedule tends to be fixed, so first-year students don't get a choice on what classes they get to take. However, in their second and third years, students get to choose from a variety of different courses.
Grading Policies and Regulations Grades are due within 72 hours (3 calendar days) following the scheduled date of the final examination. Each student whose name is listed on a grading roster is validly registered for the section and must receive a grade appropriate to the grade type (A-F, Pass/Fail, or Audit) for which a student registered. Grades assigned in courses numbered above 099 (prior to Fall 2006) or above 399 (starting in Fall 2006) depend upon the individual student classification. Students with undergraduate classifications should be assigned grades using the undergraduate grading system. Students with graduate or professional classifications should be assigned grades using the appropriate graduate or professional grading system.
Note: See the Grading System page for a complete list of authorized grades.
Joint Degrees
The school offers many different joint degree programs. These include degrees like a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) or Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS). In particular, students can capitalize on UNC's top-20 business program. A former student of the law school wrote: "I know several students who have done joint degrees at UNC-dual degrees in the business school and the public health school are probably the most popular. I know a couple of students who have also done dual degrees in social work and city planning." Students interested in securities and finance law find that the University of North Carolina is an ideal place to study, as nearby Charlotte is the second largest financial and banking center in America after Wall Street. To see a full listing of joint degrees at UNC, click here. To read more about joint degrees and why one might pursue one, click here and here.
Centers
The school has a number of centers and initiatives that promote specific areas of law. They include: the Center for Banking & Finance, the Center for Civil Rights, the Center on Poverty, Work & Opportunity, the Center for Law, Environment, Adaptation & Resources, the Center for Law & Government, the North Carolina Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center, the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy, the Director Diversity Initiative, and the Intellectual Property Initiative.
As one example, the Center for Banking & Finance aspires "to take a leadership role in the continual evolution of the financial services industry." It hopes to achieve this through "leading discussions and studying the legal and policy issues related to banking and finance," "advancing the teaching of banking and finance," and "sponsoring conferences for industry professionals." Previous speakers have included Ken Thompson, CEO of Wachovia; H. Rodgin Cohen, partner at Sullivan & Cromwell; and Hugh McColl, CEO of Bank of America.
As another example, the Intellectual Property Initiative hopes to "open an exciting forum for exploring hot topics in intellectual property law, and to build bridges with our community by creating opportunities for our students to use their intellectual property skills to serve the public interest." The initiative recently hosted the Laura N. Gasaway Tribute Symposium on Digital Publication and Libraries, where panels discussed copyright and digital distribution, Google Books, and several other interesting topics.
As a final example, the Center for Law, Environment, Adaptation & Resources is focused on addressing "emerging environmental law issues, particularly serving as a leader on the laws related to climate change adaptation." Affiliated projects include "examination of barriers to the integration of carbon trading regime," "examination of the failings of various insurance regimes to give proper economic incentives with respect to Natural Disasters and Climate Change," and "examination of legal regime governing post disaster response recovery and proposals for addressing flaws." Student associates with the center have also written a number of environmentally focused papers; titles include, "Air Toxins and the Waxman-Markey Bill, "The Fight for Environmental Justice in New Hill, NC," and "Exploring the Neuse River as a Public Trust Issue."
Public Interest
Perhaps foremost, UNC is known for its commitment to public service and social responsibility. First, the school's pro bono program is designed to reward students who dedicate their time to the public good. Students who complete 50 hours of pro bono service receive a "Letter of Recognition" from the dean of the law school, as well as a notation on their transcripts. Those who complete 75 hours of pro bono service "receive a certificate from the North Carolina Bar Association and the law school acknowledging their service at the end of their third year." Finally, those who complete 100 hours of pro bono service receive "a special recognition at graduation." Many different organizations participate in the pro bono program; for instance, one could partner up with the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, the U.S. Marine Corps, or N.C. Prisoner Legal Services.
Students who are entering public interest should be relived to hear that UNC has a LRAP (Loan Repayment Assistance Program) to help graduates pay back their loan debt. Eligibility for the program is done in two different tiers. The applicants that have first priority are those working in jobs like non-profits, federal or state prosecutor's offices, or public service law-related fellowships. After money is distributed to these applicants, the school will give any remaining funds to those working in judicial clerkships. In addition, one's annual salary must be less than $59,000, and one must not be in default or in deferment of any educational loans.
The school also has a number of clinics that help students get real-world experience in the public interest arena. For instance, the Juvenile Justice clinic allows students to "represent children accused of crimes." Other clinics include the Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, the Community Development Law Clinic, and the Immigration / Human Rights Policy Clinic, which gives students "an opportunity to represent clients in immigration cases and work on legal projects addressing human rights initiative." Likewise, some of the externship programs the school offers allow students to work with public interest groups to get hands-on experience with public interest work. Students who want to participate in the clinical and externship programs can usually find a spot; one student remarks:
There are a lot of sites, and I will be doing one in the fall. You can do an externship or clinic starting in the spring of your 2L year. The selection method for participation in the externship program to bid on sites or clinics is a pure lottery system, so it really just depends on how many people participate. I'd say it would be pretty unusual for a student to not be able to do a clinic.
Finally, as mentioned previously, students can get involved with a number of centers on campus for public interest and environmental work. The Center for Civil Rights allows students to work on issues related to "education, housing and community development, economic justice and voting rights." Students can obtain fellowships and summer internships in civil rights work, bolstering their resume and learning valuable skills.
Journals
Students at UNC can choose between five different journals. The school's website explains the selection process for the journals:
First-year law students are eligible to participate in the Joint Journal Competition held each May, the week after spring semester exams. Each of the five journals selects staff members from the competition. In total, there are 130 staff positions among the five journals available to rising second-year law students. Journal selection is made by the editors-in-chief of the journals, typically in mid-July. Students are invited to join the journal staffs in late July before resume collection begins for on-campus interviews.
The five journals include the North Carolina Law Review, the North Carolina Banking Journal, the North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation, the North Carolina Journal of Law and Technology, and the First Amendment Law Review.
Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Van Hecke - Wettach Hall
CB No. 3380
Chapel Hill, NC 29599
Email: law_admissions@unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-5106
https://law.unc.edu/admissions/apply-now/jd-applicants/
Summary
| Established | 1845 |
| Location | Chapel Hill, NC |
| Dean | Martin H. Brinkley |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 23rd |
| LSAT Median Score | 164 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.73 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 97% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 74% (2022) |
| Cost | NC Resident Students: $50,860 Returning Non-Resident Students: $68,572 |
| Average Debt | $87,026 |
| Application Deadline | May 1, 2023 |
Forum and Discussion
UNC School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
Reference
https://law.unc.edu/
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