University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law

History

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke, School of Law, is a result of merging two primary schools: the Antioch School of Law and the District of Columbia School of Law. The Antioch School was founded in 1972 by Edgar S. and Jean Camper Cahn, who strove to advance the rights of minorities and those with low income. Antioch was also the first school to initiate a comprehensive clinical legal education model, which is now followed in most law schools around the country. The District of Columbia School of Law was established in 1986 when Antioch University decided to close its 32 units, including the School of Law. This new school retained much of what made the Antioch School so successful, including its mission, curriculum, clinical programs, and personnel. The District of Columbia School of Law was awarded provisional ABA accreditation in 1991 and rapidly grew to almost 300 students. In 1996 the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law was established through a merger between these two schools, carrying on their traditions while continuing to take steps to improve the quality of legal education. The school offers a wide range of degree programs, including a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program and certificate and dual-degree programs. Through its clinics and externships, students can gain practical experience while contributing to their local community. In addition, the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law has several centers, institutes, and organizations dedicated to the study and practice of law. The school is also home to several journals, including the D.C. Journal of Gender & the Law, an essential academic publication focused on gender-related legal issues in the District of Columbia and beyond. With its strong commitment to social justice and public interest, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is ensuring that its students are well-prepared for success in their legal careers.

Admissions

They encourage applicants to apply early and begin the admissions process as soon as possible. Prospective students are encouraged to explore the resources available on their website, including information about our curriculum, faculty, student services, and financial aid options.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	147 - 150 - 152	147 - 149 - 153
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	2.81 - 3.09 - 3.51	2.76 - 3.08 - 3.35
Acceptance rate	32.6%	42.1%
Applications received	518	548
Acceptances	169	231
Matriculants	13	6

The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, is an esteemed institution offering a top-notch Juris Doctorate. During the 2022 admission cycle, 548 eager applicants applied, while 231 offers were available. Of those offered admission, 74 decided to attend UDC Law, resulting in a yield of 32.03%.

The 1L class size has an impressive median LSAT score of 149, 25th percentile LSAT of 147, and 75th percentile at 153. Similarly, the median GPA is 3.08, with the 25th percentile being 2.76 and the 75th percentile at 3.34. These scores demonstrate just how competitive admission to UDC Law can be.

UDC Law is a highly sought-after school for those seeking a Juris Doctorate degree. With an impressive yield rate and median LSAT/GPA scores, it's clear that the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is a top-tier educational institution. UDC Law should be at the forefront of your considerations for those looking to pursue a successful career in law.

Application Dates

The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, invites prospective students to apply for admission in the Fall semester. The applications open on September 25th, and a priority deadline of February 15th has been set for those who wish to apply. If applicants meet this deadline, their application fee for the Fall semester will be waived. The final deadline for applications is May 1st.

At the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, they strive to create a vibrant and diverse legal education community that prepares graduates to become leaders in the field. They are dedicated to supporting our students and providing them with an enriching learning environment while promoting public service, civic engagement, and social justice.

Requirements

To apply for first-year admission to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, applicants must submit all the following: the online application for First-Year JD students found on LSAC; a non-refundable $40.00 application fee; a valid LSAT score; letters of recommendation; a personal statement; a justice essay; and a resume or CV.

Optional Addendum

Applicants may also submit an optional addendum to provide the Admission Committee with further information regarding any educational gaps, low LSAT scores, poor grades, or character and fitness concerns.

Character and Fitness

Applicants must also answer character and fitness questions upon submitting their application. If the applicant answers ‘yes’ to any of these questions, they must attach a detailed addendum.

Deadlines

First-year applicants must submit all requirements for admission to the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law by the following dates: • Early Decision Deadline: November 15th • Regular Decision Deadline: March 1st • Transfer Application Deadline: April 1st • Late Addendum/Transfer Application Deadline (for exceptional circumstances): May 15th All application materials must be received before the deadlines to be considered.

Tuition

The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, offers students an opportunity to receive a quality legal education at a reasonable cost. For resident students in the District, tuition for the program is set at $12,438 for each academic year. Students who live in the metropolitan area but outside of Washington, DC, are assessed a slightly higher tuition rate of $18,656. Non-residents will pay a higher tuition rate of $24,873. These rates do not include mandatory fees and other miscellaneous expenses that may be incurred throughout the year.

Cost of Attendance

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law provides prospective students with three cost-of-attendance options: Resident, Metro, and Nonresident status. For Resident status, the total cost for first-year law school is $45,626, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, transportation costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. For Metro status, the total cost for first-year law school is $52,344, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, transportation costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. For Nonresident status, the total cost for first-year law school is $58,560, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, transportation costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. In addition to the tuition costs, there are also several options available for students to help finance their legal education, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, is committed to helping students find the best option for financing their legal education.

Financial Aid

When you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law's Office of Financial Aid will analyze your financial information and assess what you, as well as your family, can contribute financially towards the cost of attending law school.

Scholarships and Grants

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to its incoming students to recognize their outstanding academic and non-academic achievements while providing financial assistance regarding covering their tuition fees during their first year of law school.

These scholarships are designed to help offset the cost of tuition for entering students and must be re-applied for on an annual basis. It should be noted, however, that students' combined scholarships can stay within their direct tuition costs.

The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke, School of Law, offers several different types of scholarships tailored to the needs of its students, including but not limited to:

• Academic Achievement Scholarship • Community Service Scholarship • Diversity Scholarships • Leadership Scholarships • Public Service Scholarships

The University is committed to supporting and recognizing the achievements of all its law students. It encourages incoming prospective students to apply for these scholarships and take advantage of the financial relief they can provide. It is truly an excellent opportunity to make law school more affordable and accessible.

Academics

Because of the small size of the average incoming class, UDC typically creates a single section composed of about 70-80 students. The school has 42 total teaching faculty members, a little under half of whom are full-time professors, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12.9 to 1. All first-year students take the same schedule of requisite courses, including torts, civil procedure, criminal law, property, constitutional law, contracts, and legal writing. Students have said the workload is heavy and the grading curve is difficult. About 14% of first-year students do not return for their second year-a noticeably high attrition rate.

Clinics

The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, has an excellent reputation for providing students with high-quality clinical legal training. According to US News and World Report's Best Law Schools 2023 rankings, UDC Law is currently ranked 5th in the United States for the same.

UDC Law offers an array of clinical programs to meet the needs of students. Their clinics allow aspiring lawyers to gain practical, hands-on experience in various areas of law, including family law, criminal defense, immigration law, and appellate advocacy. Students can learn from experienced faculty and other legal professionals who serve as supervisors in each clinic.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

JD graduates from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law typically receive a median salary of $60,000 upon graduation if they enter the private sector. This amount increases to around $87,000 with experience in the field. Around 32.1% of law school graduates opt to work for a law firm, 9.4% clerk for a judge and 7.5% enter public interest roles. The bar pass rate for University of the District of Columbia graduates is 64.2%. Therefore, these graduates can expect to have successful legal careers after graduating from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

Quality of Life

The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, is a commuter school located in the heart of Washington, DC. With easy access to nearby parking and a metro subway station, this top law school is ideal for those seeking legal education in an urban setting. Students can also take advantage of the city's many cultural offerings, including restaurants, bars, museums, monuments, and landmarks.

The campus itself is beautiful, with modern buildings and well-maintained grounds. The area surrounding the school is described as safe and welcoming by students and faculty alike. And what's more, those interested in interning during their studies can take advantage of the school's prime location in the nation's capital. Here, students can intern at government organizations and nonprofits, getting a real-world taste of the legal world. With so many benefits to studying at UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, there's no doubt it is an excellent choice for aspiring lawyers looking to get ahead.

Synopsis

Competition for legal jobs in Washington is fierce even at the nation's top schools. Unless you already have a guaranteed job after law school, it may be an unwise investment to spend any amount of money on a UDC J.D.-let alone $150,000 or $180,000-as its employment numbers are atrocious and its bar passage statistics are unavailable.

Contact Information

UDC David A. Clarke School of Law
4340 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-274-7400
Email: lawadmission@udc.edu
http://www.law.udc.edu

Summary

Established	1972
Location	Washington, DC 20008
Dean	Twinette Johnson
2022 US News Ranking	147
LSAT Median Score	149
GPA Median Score	3.08
Bar Passage Rate	64% (2022)
Employment Rate	N/A (2022)
Cost	$ 12,438 resident; $ 18,656 metro; $ 24,873 non resident
Average Debt	$108,236
Application Deadline	1-May-2023

Forum and Discussion

University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums

Reference

LSD Law
Ranked 147
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