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University of Virginia School of Law
Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia, UVA Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the United States. University of Virginia School of Law ranks among the top 10 law schools. UVA is a public school, though the Law School does not receive state funding through an agreement called financial self-sufficiency.
Contents
History
Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, Virginia Law is one of the oldest legal institutions in the United States. Students can enjoy the attractions of Charlottesville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains while attending school near the major legal markets of the East Coast, such as Atlanta and New York. They also attend a school with a national reach in placing its graduates with a strong network of alumni in the judicial and private sectors. The school's reputation for frattiness is overblown. The hardworking students here are easily some of the smartest law students in the country and have amazing job prospects after graduating compared to students in inferior law schools. UVA Law is easily the most chill out of its peer t-14 schools due in large part to its great Southern location. Charlottesville's strongly conservative leanings have been overstated, and despite recent news, KKK marches are definitely the exception rather than the norm.
Current students say there is nothing like living in Charlottesville and that even minorities can thrive there. In fact, it is a big draw for prospective students, as it has been rated as one of the country's best places to live. The city offers a lower living cost than other cities with top schools. This helps make the law school experience less stressful for students, as graduates from Virginia Law carry less debt than graduates from any other top law school.
Apart from the school's chill vibe, Virginia Law offers what a top law school ought to offer-an exceptional legal education, outstanding faculty, an intelligent and diverse student body, and many opportunities for employment upon graduation.
Admissions
Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia School of Law offers a full-time, three-year J.D. program. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the law and the skills to apply it effectively in practice. Students refine their practical abilities through an extensive range of clinical programs, externships, and other experiential learning opportunities. The school also offers concentrations that allow students to build interdisciplinary expertise in their areas of interest, giving them the flexibility to tailor their legal education and intellectual journey.
Applications for the J.D. Class of 2028 will be accepted beginning September 1, 2024. Applicants who apply on or before the March 1, 2025 priority deadline are guaranteed to receive an admissions decision no later than April 14, 2025.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 167 - 171 - 172 | 162 - 172 - 174 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.72 - 3.94 - 3.99 | 3.78 - 3.96 - 4.00 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.9% | 13.9% |
| Applications received | 5610 | 5164 |
| Acceptances | 643 | 719 |
| Matriculants | 277 | 285 |
The University of Virginia School of Law's incoming J.D. Class of 2027 set new records for academic achievement. The class posted a median LSAT score of 172, with the 25th percentile at 167 and the 75th percentile at 174. The median undergraduate GPA reached 3.96, with the middle 50% ranging from 3.78 to 4.00. These are the highest median LSAT and GPA figures in the school’s history, reflecting an exceptionally competitive applicant pool. The class consists of 308 students selected from 5,193 applicants. Demographically, 54% of the students are women, 39% identify as people of color, and 19% identify as LGBTQ+. Additionally, 77% of the incoming class have postgraduate experience, 25% are first-generation graduate or professional students, and 9% are first-generation college students.
Acceptance Rate
For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, NYU School of Law received 8,537 applications and extended 1,423 offers of admissions, resulting in an acceptance rate of 16.67%. Of those admitted, 407 students enrolled, yielding an enrollment rate of 28.60%.
Application Fees and Waivers
The application fee for NYU School of Law is $85 and is submitted through the LSAC platform. Applicants who have received an LSAC-approved fee waiver for the LSAT or CAS Credential Assembly Service automatically qualify for a waiver of the NYU Law application fee. Additionally, the school offers fee waivers to applicants who have completed service commitments with organizations such as Teach for America, the Peace Corps, or the U.S. military, as well as recipients of the Truman Scholarship. Candidates seeking a fee waiver should email the admissions office at law.moreinfo@nyu.edu with their LSAC L number and supporting documentation. NYU Law also encourages applicants experiencing financial hardship to contact the admissions team to request a waiver.
What To Do to Increase Your Chances
To enhance your chances of admission to the University of Virginia School of Law in 2025, consider the following strategies:
For additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.
Personal Statements
For the 2025 admissions cycle, the University of Virginia School of Law emphasizes the personal statement as a vital component of the application. This essay offers applicants a platform to present aspects of their background, experiences, and motivations that aren't evident elsewhere in their application.
Key Guidelines for Crafting Your Personal Statement:
This advice may not make the personal statement any easier to write, but it is a good prompt for students interested in Virginia Law. For more information on personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.
Binding Expedited Decision
The Binding Expedited Decision (BED) option is designed for applicants who are certain that UVA Law is their top choice. Under this program, applicants receive an admissions decision within 21 business days after their application is marked complete. If admitted, candidates commit to enrolling at UVA Law, withdrawing all other law school applications, and refraining from submitting new ones. This binding agreement underscores the applicant's dedication to attending UVA Law.
Importantly, applying through BED does not disadvantage applicants in terms of merit-based scholarship considerations. The admissions committee evaluates BED applicants for scholarships in the same manner as regular decision applicants. In fact, some BED applicants have been pleasantly surprised by generous scholarship offers, reflecting the school's commitment to supporting its students financially.
To read a TLS article about deciding between ED and RD (or Regular Decision), click here.
Waitlisted Applicants
Applicants placed on the waitlist will be contacted after UVA Law's first and second deposit deadlines to confirm continued interest. Detailed instructions for demonstrating this interest will be provided at that time. Historically, movement from the waitlist occurs in late spring or early summer, though the number of offers extended can vary significantly each year. In some years, no offers are made, while in others, a substantial portion of the class is admitted from the waitlist.
Candidates admitted from the waitlist are eligible for financial aid, including merit-based scholarships. It's advisable to keep your FAFSA and supporting documents up to date to ensure timely processing. Housing options are generally available for students admitted from the waitlist. However, please note that deferring enrollment is not permitted for candidates admitted through the waitlist.
Transferring
UVA Law accepts transfer applications from students who have completed their first year at an ABA-accredited law school. For the 2025 cycle, applications open on May 15, 2025, with a priority deadline of June 15 and a final deadline of June 25. Applicants must submit their materials electronically via LSAC.
The admissions committee places significant emphasis on first-year law school performance, including class rank and the rigor of the academic program. While LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs are considered, they are secondary to law school performance. Required materials include:
- An official transcript of all first-year law school coursework.
- A letter of good standing from the current law school's dean or appropriate official.
- A statement of class rank as of the end of the first year.
- Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from a law school professor.
Transfer students are fully integrated into the UVA Law community and are eligible to participate in journals, clinics, moot court, and other academic and extracurricular programs. However, they are not eligible for the school's international combination degree or exchange programs.
To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.
Tuition and Expenses
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the tuition at the University of Virginia School of Law is $74,700 for Virginia residents and $77,700 for non-residents. When factoring in estimated living expenses, books, personal costs, and other fees, the total cost of attendance is approximately $105,348 for Virginia residents and $108,348 for non-residents. These figures are based on a standard budget designed to support a modest student lifestyle, though actual expenses may vary depending on individual circumstances. The University Financial Aid Committee sets the cost of attendance annually in accordance with federal guidelines, and this budget serves as the framework for determining financial aid packages, which may include scholarships, grants, and student loans.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Loans
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the University of Virginia School of Law continues to offer a variety of financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their legal education. The Office of Financial Aid works closely with students to identify funding opportunities and develop realistic financial plans that align with their educational and professional goals. Merit-based scholarships are automatically considered for all admitted students and can range from partial tuition awards to full scholarships, including the prestigious Karsh-Dillard Scholarships, which cover full tuition and provide faculty mentoring. No separate application is required for merit Scholarships.
Need-based scholarships are also available and require students to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Unmarried students aged 28 or younger must include parental financial information on the CSS Profile, though exceptions may be made in certain cases. Federal student loans, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans, are accessible to eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Financial aid awards are generally released beginning in March, and priority consideration is given to those who submit all required financial aid documents by the February 7, 2025, deadline. Scholarships awarded to entering students are typically renewable for all three years of study, provided the student remains in good academic standing and continues to meet the character standards expected of future legal professionals.
Law School Culture
While the atmosphere may become intense during exams, one 1L said, "The atmosphere [at UVA] is, in my judgment, about as relaxed as law school can be." A typical day can look like anything; another 1L said: "I can spend 12 hours working if I have a memo or none if I already completed the assigned reading and feel like relaxing."
The law school has a rigorous curriculum, and all students eventually crack their casebooks open and do their work. Many professors will cold-call, which helps keep classes on their toes.
Two factors help maintain the relaxed atmosphere. Classes are graded on a B+ curve, which is generous, and to keep competition less cutthroat, no class rank is issued. The lack of ranking, a first-semester student said, "means no direct rivalry; you're not looking at a list and seeing a couple of other students directly above [you] and getting an urge to sabotage them to help yourself." Accordingly, students tend to freely share notes and information, supporting one another wherever possible.
Still, by looking at GPA, students can get a sense of who is at the top of their class (those above a 3.7 or A-) and who is at the median (those with a 3.3 or B+).
Because of the school's "laid-back nature," the sociability of the student body, and the alcohol-centric nature of some of its events, the school has been branded as a "party school." However, many events are purely law-related and meant to enrich every student's experience. For example, the school offers guest lecturers (in the past, John Grisham and Ronald Dworkin); JAG panels; discussions on issues such as legalizing drugs, women in the judiciary, or diplomatic immunity; and everything else that falls between the moot court, law review, and a pie and cookie social.
One student described the culture during 1L as: "Very friendly. You tend to hang out with your small section (roughly 30 students) a lot, and your section is often paired with another section on a Friday night so you can meet other people. There is more social stuff in the fall as everyone gets settled in. In the spring, people tend to have made more friends outside of their section as well, but you are still close to your section mates." Finally, one student said that though "the sections regularly have play dates … that involve copious amounts of liquor," there is a "path less traveled" available to all students, "which is traveled surprisingly frequently":
The library is spacious, the building is quiet and open late, and the help staff is always on point. There is a coffee machine and enough nooks and crannies to not see another person for a very long time. If you so desire, you can easily find someone who loves studying as much as you do, and before you know it, you'll be emailing each other Crim Law hypos while pretending to your friends that you haven't done the reading in months. Everyone pretends to be carefree and such, but nobody got here by being a spaz. Even the crazy party people go home, buckle down, and do their work. Despite that and the economy, nobody appears to be conniving or trying to make others fail.
Professors
As of 2025, the University of Virginia School of Law continues to uphold its reputation for exceptional faculty engagement and academic excellence. The law school boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of 5.7:1, ensuring personalized attention and fostering meaningful relationships between professors and students.
UVA Law's faculty comprises 105 full-time resident professors and 161 adjuncts and visiting scholars . Notably, 21 faculty members have clerked for the U.S. Supreme Court, and many are recognized leaders in their respective fields. Professors such as Anne Coughlin (criminal law), Frederick Schauer (constitutional law and legal theory), and Danielle Citron (privacy and civil rights) exemplify the school's commitment to scholarly excellence and student mentorship .
The faculty's dedication extends beyond the classroom. Professors actively participate in organizing lectures, collaborating with student organizations, and contributing to pro bono initiatives, enriching the academic environment . This holistic approach to legal education has earned UVA Law top rankings in faculty quality and classroom experience .
Students consistently praise the faculty's approachability, enthusiasm, and commitment to teaching. One student highlighted the school's reputation for strong professor-student relationships, stating, "I decided to attend UVA based on its reputation for strong professor/student relationships and the environmental clinic and PLACE program here" . law.virginia.edu
UVA Law's faculty in 2025 continues to provide an intellectually rigorous and supportive environment, preparing students for successful legal careers through dedicated teaching and mentorship.
Classes
As of 2025, the University of Virginia School of Law maintains its commitment to fostering a collaborative and rigorous academic environment for first-year (1L) students.
Class Structure and Sections
The entering 1L class comprises approximately 305 students, who are divided into small sections of about 30 students each. These sections are designed to promote close-knit learning communities. In the fall semester, students take all required courses with their section, including a "small section" class exclusive to their group. Other required courses may combine two or more sections, resulting in classes of 60 to 90 students. This structure facilitates both intimate learning experiences and broader peer interactions.
First-Year Curriculum
The 1L curriculum covers foundational legal subjects: Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts, Constitutional Law, Property, and Legal Research and Writing. Legal Research and Writing spans both semesters, focusing on developing essential legal writing and research skills. In the spring semester, students have the opportunity to choose two electives, allowing them to explore areas of personal interest early in their legal education.
Grading and Academic Environment
UVA Law employs a grading curve with a median of B+ across most courses, fostering a less competitive atmosphere and encouraging collaboration among students. The Legal Research and Writing course is graded on a pass/fail basis. This grading approach supports a collegial environment where students can focus on learning and professional development.
Community and Extracurricular Activities
The section-based system not only enhances academic collaboration but also extends to extracurricular activities. Sections often form teams for the school's annual softball tournament, a tradition that strengthens camaraderie and school spirit. Such activities contribute to a supportive community, helping students balance the demands of law school with social engagement.
Overall, UVA Law's first-year program combines rigorous academics with a supportive and collaborative community, laying a strong foundation for students' legal careers.
The Socratic Method
Students report various things about the use of cold calling-that is, picking out students at random to answer questions-and the prevalence of the Socratic Method, a more dialectical, back-and-forth method of inquiry:
My professors vary in their adherence to the Socratic Method, but they all cold call.
Socratic Method is present in every class but is so varied that it can't even be called the Socratic Method in some classes. Where it is utilized well, there is kinetic energy to the lecture because everyone comes to class prepared and pays full attention the entire time.
For the core classes, I've got two that cold call and two that don't. The ones that do, I would say, definitely are very Socratic. They use cold calling to push kids to reason through a case and different variations of it, like you heard law school is like. One of my professors likes to use cold calls to ask kids about random pop-culture trivia, which he then works into one of his example stories, and it can be kind of frustrating or confusing because he's asking you stuff that has nothing to do with the case or the law. One of the professors that don't cold call just uses volunteers when he asks questions and goes on and explains the answer himself if nobody volunteers it. So it's kind of semi-Socratic. If nobody wants to participate, it'd just turn into a lecture, but usually, there's at least someone in class trying to answer.
The class atmosphere is generally extremely positive. None of my professors are harsh cold callers; most are lobbing softball questions or are asking tough questions they don't necessarily expect you to answer with much clarity - they're using what they can get out of you to launch into what the REAL answer or explanation is. Chances are, if you've read the case and given it any thought, you will not be embarrassed. Even if you do fall flat on your face, no one cares. People vary in their cold call ability, and apparently, it has very little correlation with how smart they actually are, how well they actually know the law or the grades they'll eventually receive. So, no worries.
Laptops
Regarding technology requirements, UVA Law mandates that all incoming J.D. and LL.M. students possess a laptop equipped with a functional wireless network card. The law school strongly recommends purchasing laptops through Cavalier Computers' "Law bundles," which are tailored to meet the institution's specifications and come pre-installed with essential software such as Microsoft Office Professional, antivirus protection, and cloud backup services. These bundles also include a customized three-year service and support plan, ensuring minimal downtime and reliable technical assistance.
For students opting to purchase laptops outside of the recommended bundles, it's important to ensure that the devices meet UVA's minimum specifications. While the Law IT Help Desk provides comprehensive support for bundled laptops, assistance for other models may be limited. Additionally, the Financial Aid Office offers a one-time budget increase of up to $2,500 to accommodate the purchase of a qualifying laptop, provided that students submit the necessary documentation.
UVA Law's continued emphasis on the Socratic method underscores its commitment to cultivating analytical prowess among students, while its robust technological support ensures that students are well-equipped to meet the demands of their legal education.
Curriculum
As of 2025, the University of Virginia School of Law offers an expansive curriculum with nearly 300 courses and seminars available each year. Students can customize their legal education through a variety of concentration areas without the need to formally declare one. Popular areas of focus include business law, constitutional law, criminal justice, environmental law, family law, health law, intellectual property, public policy, and tax law. UVA Law is particularly renowned for its strengths in commercial, constitutional, corporate, securities, labor, tax, and intellectual property law. The school also has a growing reputation in human rights and environmental law, providing significant academic and practical opportunities for students interested in public interest work. Additionally, the Pro Bono Program remains a core part of the UVA Law experience, with many students taking on the "Virginia Law Challenge" to complete at least 25 hours of free legal work each year, reinforcing the school's deep commitment to public service.
Joint Degree Programs
UVA Law continues to offer a broad range of joint degree programs that allow students to combine their legal studies with complementary disciplines. Available joint degrees include partnerships within the university, such as the J.D./M.B.A. with the Darden School of Business, the J.D./M.P.P. with the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and the J.D./M.P.H. with the Department of Public Health Sciences. Students may also pursue joint degrees in English, Environmental Science, Government, Foreign Affairs, History, Philosophy, Medicine, and Urban and Environmental Planning. UVA Law has established collaborative programs with prestigious external institutions, including the J.D./M.A. in International Relations with Johns Hopkins University, the J.D./M.A.L.D. in Law and Diplomacy with Tufts University, and the J.D./M.P.A. in Public Affairs with Princeton University. While these joint degrees can be valuable for interdisciplinary careers, students should carefully consider the time, cost, and necessity of these programs, as they are not always required for success in the legal profession.
It should be noted that joint degrees are generally expensive, time-consuming, and rarely necessary (often a hindrance) to getting a job as a lawyer.
Clinics
The clinical program at UVA Law in 2025 continues to provide students with practical, hands-on legal experience across a wide range of practice areas. The law school now offers 24 clinics, including the well-known Innocence Project Clinic, where students investigate potential wrongful convictions in Virginia, and the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, where students work on preparing cases for potential U.S. Supreme Court review. Other popular clinics include the Family Mediation Clinic, where students engage in both negotiation and litigation on behalf of clients, and the Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic, which focuses on environmental justice and community advocacy. Students can also participate in the Immigration Law Clinic, which typically runs for a single semester and provides direct legal assistance to immigrants and refugees. Clinics at UVA Law offer valuable real-world experience, helping students build essential legal skills and reinforcing the school’s commitment to public service and experiential learning.
Employment Prospects
As of 2025, the University of Virginia School of Law continues to demonstrate exceptional employment outcomes for its graduates. For the Class of 2023, 97.18% of graduates secured full-time, long-term positions requiring bar passage within ten months of graduation, the highest rate among all ABA-accredited law schools.
In terms of employment sectors:
- Private Sector: 74.1% of graduates entered law firms, with 68% joining firms with 251 or more attorneys.
- Judicial Clerkships: 15.6% secured clerkships, including positions at federal and state courts.
- Public Interest: 7.1% pursued roles in public interest organizations.
- Government: 3.2% took positions in government agencies.
The median starting salary for graduates entering the private sector was $225,000, reflecting the school's strong placement in top-tier law firms.
Summer Employment
During the summer, many UVA Law students work in Charlottesville, Washington, D.C., or Richmond. Others secure positions in major cities like New York and Chicago. Students engage in various roles, including positions at law firms, federal government agencies, and judicial internships.
In 2025, the Law School's Mortimer Caplin Public Service Center awarded $944,000 in Public Service Summer Grants to 163 students—120 first-year and 43 second-year students. First-year students received $5,000, while second-year students received $8,000.
Additionally, the student-run Public Interest Law Association (PILA) raised $45,000 for the PILA+ program, providing supplemental grants of $1,200 each to 38 students working in high cost-of-living areas.
Quality of Life
UVA is situated in what can, by all measures, be called a college town. Charlottesville is small and packed with greenery. Chances are high that you will see someone you know while walking around the city or shopping at the mall. The law school is a short drive from the airport and not too far from the Appalachian Trail. Many find the intimate surroundings a welcome relief from the bustle of a big city lifestyle.
One exuberant 1L offered the following assessment of Charlottesville:
I love it so far. It's a great town, at least in my opinion. The city feels very friendly; it's very green (lots of trees and natural spaces), and there's plenty of stuff going on. It's largely a college town and has a lot of typical college-town stuff (bars and clubs near the main grounds, intramural sports, and clubs all over the place, college-student discounts at grocery stores, etc). It's old and historic and has a great relaxed feel to it.
You're not far from Monticello, which I have already visited, and it's an incredible place to see. But the city also has most of the retail outlets you'd expect, a Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Best Buy, Office Depot, a mall with Macy's and J.C. Penney's, pretty much everything you could need. It's not that small of a city; it's pretty big, certainly big enough that you can find whatever you need. It's a good compromise between a small rural area and a big urban metropolis, and in many ways has the best of both. It's not "too big" or "too small," but in many ways, it's just right.
The weather is pleasant, and there is nothing like watching the campus change color with the seasons. Charlottesville itself offers a variety of dining and nightlife options. Students also report the high quality of the facilities is a major selling point for the school.
Facilities
The law school moved from the iconic rotunda to its current location in 1974. Accordingly, the main building is relatively new, which gives it a distinctively modern Jeffersonian look in direct contrast to the classic gothic towers of other top schools. Some students are not that impressed with the stony, blank facade, though the sense of grandness inspires others invoked when walking through the pillars of its main entrance.
The locus of school-wide activity is Caplin Pavilion, where lectures and other events or receptions are held. Otherwise, most students will spend their time in the law library, a state-of-the-art facility with several quiet study areas and a coffee bar where students can get a quick caffeine fix.
The Student-Faculty Center, opened in 2002, has a light-filled lobby, a student study lounge, and informal and formal dining areas where students and faculty have been known to congregate. In addition, there is an outdoor terrace where students can sit and eat. It is one of many study areas available to students. The grounds of the University of Virginia also allow students plenty of room to meander, find a quiet spot, and catch up on schoolwork.
Housing
As far as options near or on campus go, one helpful law student provided the following information:
UVA offers family housing in the Copeley complex, which is about as close to campus as possible. [You can view floor plans here.] Its offerings include apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms.
The University Gardens are a little farther away (across from Highway 29, I think) and do not offer three-bedroom leases. [View a floor plan here.] Otherwise, the nearby Ivy Gardens has 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that are slightly pricier and a little farther away from the law school grounds than Copeley but still closer than U. Gardens.
You should also check out Huntington Village if you don't mind adding 5 minutes to your walk-they are townhomes instead of apartments and give the advantages of a more home-like feel and less noise from neighbors.
One graduate offered the following:
Many law students and 1Ls especially live close to the school. The most popular place is Ivy Gardens-it's almost like law school dorms. I didn't live there because they were full by the time I started looking, but it's very convenient, and it's just easy. It's within walking distance, which is nice, and many events are held there-dinners, potlucks, parties, etc. I wound up having to drive over all the time anyway. Jeffersonian Apartments are also very close-anything off of Arlington Blvd. will be right by the school. A little closer to the school year, you'll find law students looking for roommates. Craigslist is useful, too-there are plenty of law students on there.
The cost of housing is low in the city, with one-bedroom apartments near campus running as low as $700 and two-bedroom apartments as cheap as $400 per person. Students will find little stress from the city itself, a boon for those who cannot stand the heightened pace and high prices of the likes of New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago.
One current student gives the following breakdown for prices:
While it depends on your shopping habits, rent for sharing a two-bedroom would probably be $400 to $600, and rent for a one-bedroom would be $700 to $900. These would be for nice places and/or places close to the law school; knock off $100 or $200 if you're living farther away in non-luxury digs. Electricity runs me about $60-$75 a month during hot months.
A current 2L gave the following overview:
Most 1Ls live close (walking distance) to the law school, but quite a few drive to school. Historically, The Jeffersonian and Ivy Gardens have been where most first years end up staying. However, this last year (the 2013/2014 academic school year), a new apartment building was built next to The Jeffersonian, called The Pavilion. Many first years stayed at The Pavilion, though it is much more expensive than other options. If I had to put a number on it, this last year, probably a third of the first-year class lived in The Pavillion, another third lived in The Jeffersonian and other privately owned apartments across the street on Arlington, half of the remaining third lived in Ivy, and the other half of the remaining third was spread out over the rest of Charlottesville.
Charlottesville
Despite its small population (43,475 in the city, 203,882 in the metro area), Charlottesville packs a lot of punch for a city its size.
Located in central Virginia, the city has been ranked by Frommer's as one of the best places to live in America. The ranking was in part inspired by its low cost of a living, strong sense of history, and high amount of cultural and intellectual activity (the city's website boasts of a good public school system and "more newspaper readers per capita than anywhere else in the nation"), gorgeous weather, and four colorful seasons that blend into each other in characteristic mid-Atlantic fashion.
The range of dining options is wide, as Charlottesville has some of the finer restaurants on the East Coast. It is not as much of a gustatory center as New York City or Los Angeles, but it does have some upscale options. As it is a college town, you can expect a motley assortment of bars, sandwich shops, pizza joints, cafes, and movie theaters. The movie theaters apparently leave something to be desired, according to a current 1L who offered this critique from a film major's standpoint:
Let me just say that the movie theaters here suck. I still haven't tried the Downtown Mall 6, but the other theaters (Carmike and Regal) are both old, small, and lousy. One is four-screen, and one is six-screen; neither has stadium seating or hard, uncomfortable seats. They're typical theaters designed in the '70s or '80s. Having come from a metropolis that had several nice, new 18-plus screen theaters, that's a hard adjustment to make for me.
Despite the aging movie theaters, Charlottesville has a new downtown performance space called the Charlottesville Pavilion and a new John Paul Jones arena, the home of UVA's basketball team. College basketball is a big draw for residents; like all of the university's sporting events, games are free for students. However, the arena is not limited to basketball games and has had acts as diverse as Jon Stewart, WWE, John Mayer, and the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions.
For those looking to leave town, the law school is about 20 minutes from the airport and an hour from the state's capital, Richmond. Washington, D.C., is a bit of a drive, at two hours away, and for those who want to see the Atlantic and dip their toes into the sand or salty water, Virginia Beach is a three-hour drive.
Most students spend their spare time in or near the city and will volunteer for activities such as trail maintenance, community theater, city revitalization projects or whatever catches their interest. Charlottesville is a thriving cultural, artistic, and entertainment hub for Virginia, so chances are if you search for a creative outlet, others will be there to greet you with open arms.
Overall, students seem to enjoy living in the city and attending UVA. Three more opinions from current and past students are below:
I'm 28 and enjoying it so far. There is definitely that college atmosphere, but honestly, you can choose your level of acceptance. You can play on the softball team, go out drinking with your classmates, or whatever else is going on or spend time in the library studying instead. It depends on you and what you want, and people don't give you a hard time for not doing something. It's still a very professional and prestigious law school at its core. The fact that it can be more relaxed just makes it a little more comfortable.
So far, I'm enjoying the hell out of living here. It's a very friendly town with a great atmosphere. The traffic and parking suck; live near the law school, so you can walk even if you own a car.
As far as Charlottesville goes, I definitely like it. I don't have a car, but living on Arlington, it's not a problem. I can walk to school; I'm five minutes away from a shopping center that has pretty much everything I could want (two grocery stores, a ton of restaurants, a pharmacy, stores with school supplies, banks, clothing, etc). The city is not very pedestrian-friendly, but I can walk to the Corner [the University's main drag] if necessary. The university bus system is, surprisingly, very efficient, especially if you're not opposed to walking a few blocks to catch one. There's a bus that goes to the main grounds (and the Corner), and there's another nearby one that goes to the medical area, so I think the buses will enable you to get all of your needs taken care of.
Indebtedness
As of the 2025–2026 academic year, the University of Virginia School of Law estimates the total cost of attendance (COA) at $106,670 for Virginia residents and $109,670 for non-residents. This budget includes tuition, fees, living expenses, and books and supplies.
While specific data on average student indebtedness for the Class of 2025 is not publicly available, national trends suggest that law school graduates typically incur significant debt. For instance, the average law school debt for graduates in recent years has been substantial, reflecting the high costs associated with legal education.
To assist students in managing educational expenses, UVA Law offers various financial aid options. Approximately 66.5% of students receive grants or scholarships, with an average award of $35,000. Additionally, the Financial Aid Office provides resources and counseling to help students understand loan options, budgeting, and repayment strategies.
Students are encouraged to engage in detailed financial planning and to consult with the Financial Aid Office to explore available resources and strategies for financing their legal education.
For more information, please visit the University of Virginia School of Law website or contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Extracurricular
Law students have a variety of extracurricular activities from which to choose, including 10 academic journals, 60 student organizations, the Student Bar Association, and a range of social and athletic activities.
When it comes to what students get together to do outside of the classroom, one thing comes to mind: softball. "Each section forms a softball team, and then sections play each other," according to one first-year. Each April, the law school hosts a softball tournament that draws law students from about 50 law schools.
Events like this give Virginia Law its reputation as a school that values camaraderie and fun. Law school is stressful, but tournaments and the like give students outlets to have a good time and let loose.
Virginia Law's Libel Show is an annual variety show held by students that makes light of just about everything related to law. The following advice is given to attending students:
[You should] participate in Libel Show all three years. I waited until a 3L year, and I regret that - it was so much fun. If you don't know, Libel Show is the annual comedy skit show that pokes fun at lawyers, professors, the school, and the legal field in general.
It's a bit of work, but it's fun. You can be involved in many ways, whether performing, writing, making props, playing instruments, or whatever. Just do it. Here are some good videos of Libel Show, though some jokes may be lost on non-UVA 0Ls. [Link 1] [Link 2] [Link 3]
[2008] It was the 100th year of the Libel Show, and we got Justice Scalia and Ted Kennedy to do the intro, which was pretty cool.
Pro Bono Work
There are 19 student-led organizations devoted to public service. Students take the challenge seriously to serve. Their community and the entire city benefit from the activities of law students. Volunteers have represented veterans to help them receive disability claims, performed legal intake with families at the UVA Children's Hospital, and represented indigent clients for issues related to divorce, domestic violence, family law, and immigration or asylum law.
Some of the legal work occurs in the iconic Rock House, where the Richmond-based firm Hunton & Williams LLP and UVA have established a pro bono partnership.
A recent graduate had this to say:
I love pro bono, and you get the chance to help people while you're in law school. I worked on a project at Legal Aid that gave legal help to prisoners. There's pretty much any group you can think of-take advantage.
Journals
Virginia Law is home to two noted specialty journals: the Journal of Law and Politics, described by the school as "the first and only nonpartisan publication devoted exclusively to examining the interaction between law and politics," and Virginia Journal of International Law, "the oldest continuously published, student-edited law review in the United States devoted exclusively to the fields of public and private international law."
A full list of journals can be found here. The website also includes a video on the process for journal selection.
Moot Court Competitions
Like every top law school, Virginia Law offers moot court and trial advocacy competitions. The law school's website has a video that gives some insight into the moot court competition.
About 150 2Ls participate in two-person teams for Virginia Law's most famous event, the William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition. According to Above the Law, the moot court board has been a source of embarrassment to the school in the recent past.
Contact Information
University of Virginia School
Office of Admissions
University of Virginia School of Law
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 924-7354
Fax: (434) 982-2128
Email: admissions@law.virginia.edu
www.law.virginia.edu/admissions
Summary
| Established | 1819 |
| Location | Charlottesville, VA |
| Dean | Leslie Kendrick |
| 2025 US News Ranking | 4th |
| LSAT Median Score | 172 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.96 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 96.5% (2025) |
| Employment Rate | N/A (2025) |
| Cost | "$74,700 (in-state, full-time), $77,700 (out-of-state, full-time)" |
| Average Debt | N/A |
| Application Deadline | N/A |
Forum and Discussion
University of Virginia School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
References
University of Virginia School of Law
LSD.Law
Ranked #4
Guide to Fee Waivers
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
Interview: Dean Jason Trujillo of UVA Law
Forum: UVA Law Students Taking Questions
News: Above the Law
