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University of Wisconsin Law School
Known for its great location and "law-in-action" approach to legal academics, the University of Wisconsin Law School is among the best public law schools in the nation. Especially for residents of Wisconsin, who can attend the school at a remarkably low rate of tuition, Wisconsin Law is a great place to pursue a legal education. Those interested in practicing law in Wisconsin should also consider the school seriously, as Wisconsin Law graduates are exempt from the state's bar exam.
Contents
History
The University of Wisconsin Law School is among the most prestigious and well-respected law schools in the United States. It has provided students with a rigorous analytical education for over 150 years. The school also offers its students a wealth of opportunities for experiential learning, and it strives to create a diverse and welcoming community. Above all, the UW Law School has committed to preparing its graduates for the real world of law practice.
In 1891, the state legislature appropriated funds to construct a law building on UW-Madison’s Bascom Hill. The new building opened in September 1893.
The University of Wisconsin Law School has a history dating back to 1893. In 1963, when the existing Law School was demolished, Dean George Young found and rescued a sandstone gargoyle from the rubble. This figure and its departed twin had sat on the roof of the 1893 building for almost 70 years. While one pair perished in its fall, the second landed unscathed. The rescued gargoyle, which is now permanently installed in the Law School's atrium, represents the indomitable strength and spirit of our University of Wisconsin Law School and its many graduates.
The first UW Law School classes were held in 1868 in the State Capitol Building, shown here before its dome construction.
Admissions
The Indiana University Maurer School of Law is looking for students like you, who are academically capable and will add value to the community. The University of Wisconsin Law School reviews each application holistically and strives to create a stimulating and engaging environment for students. The school has a strong sense of community and is committed to the student's well-being.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 158 - 163 - 165 | 158 - 164 - 165 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.31 - 3.61 - 3.75 | 3.34 - 3.65 - 3.81 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.5% | 36.1% |
| Applications received | 1569 | 1867 |
| Acceptances | 666 | 675 |
| Matriculants | 273 | 345 |
The University of Wisconsin has a 1L class size of 274, and a yield of 39.11%. This means that 39.11% of the people who were offered admission to the school accepted it. The LSAT median for their 1L class is 164, with the 25th percentile at 158 and the 75th percentile at 165. Likewise, the GPA median is 3.65, with the 25th percentile at 3.34 and the 75th percentile at 3.81. In general, applicants with numbers near or above these medians should be competitive in application cycles for the next few years at Wisconsin, as these medians remain largely unchanged from year to year. Of course, like other top law schools, Wisconsin considers more than an applicant's numbers in its admissions process, and attempts to form entering classes diverse in ethnicity, experience, and background. Thus, applicants able to demonstrate ways in which they are able to offer such diversity to Wisconsin's student body will most likely increase their chances at admission.
Cost of Attendance
| STANDARD STUDENT EXPENSE BUDGET FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023 | ||
| EXPENSES | RESIDENT | NON-RESIDENT |
| TUITION & FEES | $33,158.40 | $51,854.64 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | $2,450.00 | $2,450.00 |
| ROOM & BOARD | $14,446.00 | $14,446.00 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | $5,468.00 | $5,468.00 |
| TRANSPORTATION | $834.00 | $834.00 |
| LOAN FEES | $262.00 | $262.00 |
| TOTAL: | $56,618.40 | $75,314.64 |
| "THRIFTY BUDGET" FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023 | ||
| EXPENSES | RESIDENT | NON-RESIDENT |
| TUITION & FEES | $33,158.40 | $51,854.64 |
| BOOKS & SUPPLIES | $2,450.00 | $2,450.00 |
| ROOM & BOARD | $12,852.00 | $12,852.00 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | $2,290.00 | $2,290.00 |
| TRANSPORTATION | $834.00 | $834.00 |
| LOAN FEES | $262.00 | $262.00 |
| TOTAL: | $51,846.40 | $70,542.64 |
The University of Wisconsin Law School has two application deadlines: the regular and early decision deadlines. The regular decision deadline is April 3, 2023, and the early decision deadline is November 30, 2022.
Application Requirements
The application requirements for first-year applicants to the Law School at the University of Wisconsin include a fee, the application itself, the Record of Residence form, an LSAT score, a CAS report including all college and graduate transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. International applicants must also provide a TOEFL score. Early Decision applicants must submit an Early Decision Agreement.
Application Fee and Waivers
The Law School charges a $60 application fee, which is non-refundable. If you require a fee waiver due to financial need, don't hesitate to contact us at admissions@law.wisc.edu. The number of waivers is limited, so apply early if you need one. To learn more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.
Record of Residence Form
All applicants must complete the Registrar’s Record of Residence form, regardless of whether you are claiming residency. This form will be sent to you via email two to three days after you apply, and is used to determine whether you are eligible for in-state tuition. Residency for tuition can be complex and governed by Wisconsin state statutes. The UW-Madison Registrar’s Office makes residency determinations, and not by the Law School. For more information about residency for tuition, please visit the Registrar's Residence for Tuition Purposes page or contact the Office of the Registrar's Residency Counselors at 608-262-1355.
Credential Assembly Service
All applicants are required to subscribe to the Credential Assembly Service, sponsored by LSAC. You must send an official CAS report to the Law School with your application, including transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended. For questions about CAS, please refer to LSAC’s website or contact them directly at 215-968-1001.
International Applicants
International applicants are required to register for the LSAT and Credential Assembly Service. International transcripts should be sent to LSAC through the process detailed on LSAC's International Transcripts webpage.
In addition, a TOEFL score is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. You should have your score sent to LSAC, and it will be included in your CAS report. Additional information regarding the TOEFL exam may be found at https://www.ets.org/toefl. We will waive the TOEFL requirement if you have a minimum of one year of study at a U.S. college or university. International applicants may be asked to participate in a web-conference interview.
Reapplicants
If you are reapplying for admission to the law school, you must indicate this on the application. They strongly encourage you to submit new application materials, including new letters of recommendation. The supporting materials from prior years’ applications will be included in your file when you reapply. You will be required to re-register with CAS and submit a new application and fee.
Transferring
To apply as a transfer student at the University of Wisconsin Law School, you must have attended an ABA-approved law school. You must be academically eligible to continue as a regular full-time student in the school you last attended. To be admitted as a transfer student, you must have completed the equivalent of the first-year curriculum and no more than 45 credits. Applications are only accepted for the fall semester. To read a fantastic article about transferring, click here.
Academics & Curriculum
Due in part to its "law-in-action" approach to legal academics, the University of Wisconsin Law School enjoys an excellent academic reputation. According to this approach, students at Wisconsin learn not only what the laws are but also "why those rules evolved to address social concerns, and how those rules operate in the real world". Partly as a result of the school's dedication to this approach, class discussions at Wisconsin Law are multi-faceted, clinical opportunities are emphasized and plentiful, and graduates of the school have gained a reputation of being prepared to hit the ground running in the legal field.
The University of Wisconsin Law School provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be excellent lawyers. Our law-in-action tradition helps graduates navigate an increasingly complex world. The UW Law School faculty have set the following learning outcomes for students: 1) Students will be competent in understanding substantive and procedural law. 2) Students will be competent in legal analysis, reasoning, problem-solving, and written and oral communication. 3) Students will be competent in their awareness of ethical dilemmas likely to arise in legal practice and their ability to identify and use legal resources. 4) Students will be competent in other professional skills needed as a member of the legal profession. 5) Students will understand the concept of law-in-action, including the procedures and social forces that influence legal outcomes.
Grading System
The grading system at the University of Wisconsin Law School is based on letter grades, with A+ being the best and F being the worst. Most law school courses give letter grades, which are converted to numerical equivalents to calculate grade point averages. The conversion table is as follows:
LETTER GRADE G.P.A. A+ 4.3 A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 D+ 1.3 D 1.0 D- 0.7 F 0
The University of Wisconsin Law School allows instructors to give students S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) grades in some courses rather than letter grades. This includes Trial Advocacy, Appellate Advocacy, Lawyering Skills, Advanced Legal Writing, and seminars with fewer than 20 students. In clinical courses, grades are based on S+, S, S-, and U.S+ and can be awarded to no more than 15% of the students in each clinical program. Grades of S, S+, S-, and U are not considered when computing a student's GPA.
In terms of curriculum, Wisconsin students enjoy more flexibility than most in their first year at the law school, as they are allowed to choose one elective from among four choices in the second semester of their first year. Beyond this first year, Wisconsin students enjoy much more flexibility, as they are free to select from among 171 elective courses to complete their JD degrees. Because over half of these courses contain fewer than 25 seats, Wisconsin students can establish close communication with the school's highly reputable faculty. Also available to Wisconsin students is a variety of clinical opportunities, as the school lays claim to one of the most extensive clinical programs in the nation.
Experimental Experience
Experiential learning at UW Law School allows students to develop practical skills and professional identity. The curriculum is designed to provide an extraordinary range of opportunities for hands-on experience. This allows students to gain real-world experience and prepares them to be successful lawyers. Whether your interests lie in litigation, business, public policy, or another area, you will find an experiential learning opportunity that suits you at UW Law School.
Clinical Programs
The University of Wisconsin Law School offers clinical education, which allows students to work with real clients in different areas of law, such as criminal law, health-care advocacy, and business law and entrepreneurship. By doing this, students can learn how the law works in practice and apply what they have learned in the classroom to these real-life situations. The law-in-action approach at UW Law helps to develop well-educated, thoughtful graduates who can successfully bridge the gap between law school and practice.
Externships
The University of Wisconsin Law School's externship program allows students to receive course credit for working in an off-campus legal setting, such as a judge's office or a state agency, under the supervision of an on-site attorney. This program provides students with many opportunities to gain professional lawyering skills and insights into various legal systems and professional aspects. They are also able to network with people in the legal field.
Pro Bono Program
The Pro Bono Program at the University of Wisconsin Law School provides students with opportunities to deliver legal services to underrepresented community members. The program helps students find placements in private and nonprofit law firms, legal aid groups, and other organizations where their pro bono work will be performed under direct attorney supervision.
Lawyering Skills
The Lawyering Skills course aims to help students develop the skills they need for effective law practice. The course provides simulations that allow students to practice oral communication, negotiations, writing for practice, and client counseling in a supervised setting. These skills are essential for the early years of law practice.
Quality of Life
It seems safe to say that the quality of life enjoyed by Wisconsin Law students is among the best in the nation. Madison is considered to be one of the most livable cities in America and houses a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs at which students can pass their free time. If they wish to stay on campus, students can enjoy one of the biggest college party scenes in the nation. Also, during the fall semester, students participate in tailgating and other activities surrounding the school's powerhouse football team. Third-year law students partake in the tradition of running across the football field during the homecoming game. Further contributing to the quality of life of Wisconsin students is the plentiful and relatively affordable housing found throughout Madison, as well as the city's safety.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
In Wisconsin and throughout the northern Midwest, the University of Wisconsin Law School students enjoy great job prospects. Many top firms from the largest legal markets in this region, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, visit Madison each year to interview students, and a large percentage of graduates, 67% of the class of 2007, secure employment in the region. Predictably, job prospects wane as one looks beyond the Midwest, and students hoping to secure employment in such areas should be prepared to put in extra legwork in their job search and would be wise to tap into the school's alumni network. Typically, more than 97% of Wisconsin students are employed within 9 months of graduation, with more than half of graduates taking jobs in private practices. The median salary of graduates of the class of 2007 who entered the private sector was $115,000.
As previously mentioned, Wisconsin Law graduates who secure employment in Wisconsin do not have to sit for the bar exam. Undoubtedly, this makes for an unusually enjoyable third year for Wisconsin students.
In 2021, the median salary for a JD graduate from the University of Wisconsin who works in the private sector is $75,000. If they work in the private sector, they can expect to make $56,160. 51.5% of law graduates from the University of Wisconsin go directly to work for law firms, while 9.6% clerk for a judge. 12.5% of graduates go into public interest. 100% of the University of Wisconsin graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Synopsis
Especially for Wisconsin and Minnesota residents who can attend the school at bargain rates, the University of Wisconsin Law School is a great place to earn a legal education. That said, any applicant would likely enjoy life in Madison and would benefit from the school's "law-in-action" approach, and those hoping to secure employment in the Midwest would be in a great position to do so as graduates of Wisconsin Law.
Contact information
University of Wisconsin-Madison
LAW SCHOOL
Admissions Office
975 Bascom Mall,
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-2240
Email: info@law.wisc.edu
admissions@law.wisc.edu
https://www.law.wisc.edu/prospective/
Summary
| Established | 1868 |
| Location | Madison, WI |
| Dean | Daniel P. Tokaji |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 43 |
| LSAT Median Score | 164 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.65 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 100% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 67% (2022) |
| Cost | $33,158.40 RESIDENT
$51,854.64 NON-RESIDENT |
| Average Debt | $71,700 |
| Application Deadline | November 29, 2022 (Early Decision)
APril 1, 2023 (Regular) |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
https://law.wisc.edu/
Rank #43
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