Western State College of Law
Western State College of Law is a well-respected institution that has been around for over 50 years. The school has produced many successful alums, many of whom work in the legal field. Some notable examples include 150 judges in California and 15% of the Deputy Public Defenders and District Attorneys in Orange County. Western State College of Law is an excellent choice for those interested in a legal career.
Contents
History
Founded in 1966, Western State College of Law is a private law school in Orange County, California. It is one of the oldest law schools in the state and has a very good bar pass rate. Alumni are well-represented in the legal profession, with many working as public defenders or district attorneys. The school provides practical experience and access to alumni practitioners who can help graduates transition into the job market.
Their community is diverse and includes persons from a variety of social backgrounds. Their mission commits them to pursuing diversity, and they strive to offer each person the opportunity to develop their abilities fully. Barriers to the development of any individual hold us all back. They work together to break down these barriers and enable everyone to reach their full potential.
Admissions
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 148 - 150 - 152 | 148 - 150 - 153 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 2.94 - 3.14 - 3.41 | 2.86 - 3.11 - 3.43 |
| Acceptance rate | 42.9% | 46.0% |
| Applications received | 441 | 717 |
| Acceptances | 189 | 330 |
| Matriculants | 14 | 26 |
The 1L class at Western State College Of Law has a median LSAT of 150. The 25th percentile LSAT is 148, and the 75th percentile LSAT is 153. The median GPA is 3.11. The 25th percentile GPA is 2.86, and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.43.
Application Eligibility
Applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited College to be eligible to apply to law school. The degree must be equivalent to an American four-year degree to be accepted by the Law School Credential Assembly Service. Applicants who have been academically disqualified or dismissed from another law school may not restart as a first-year law student for at least one year.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a standardized test score. The only standardized tests that Western State College of Law accepts are the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants who have taken or will take the LSAT must submit their LSAT score(s). Applicants who still need to take the LSAT may submit their GRE scores. Applicants taking the LSAT and GRE are encouraged to submit standardized test scores from both exams. Applicants who received or will receive an LSAT score must send the score through their LSAC account. Applicants who wish to submit GRE scores should send all scores from the past five years through their Educational Testing Service (ETS) account. Western State College of Law's ETS school code for the GRE is 3375.
All applicants must register with LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and pay the appropriate fees to LSAC. For Western State College of Law to review your application, you must provide transcripts from all undergraduate and prior graduate institutions you have attended. For more information about CAS, please call (215) 968-1001 or visit www.LSAC.org. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. LSAC forwards letters of recommendation to Western State once a week. Please do not send duplicate letters directly to Western State. If necessary, the recommender may also send letters of recommendation directly to Western State. Recommendations from professors are strongly recommended, especially if you have graduated with an undergraduate degree within the last five years. A resume is optional but highly recommended. An optional diversity statement is also recommended.
Application Deadline
For the Fall 2022 term, the last LSAT that will be considered for admission is the June LSAT. The deadline to apply for the Fall term is July 15th. In early August, there will be an orientation for new students and a mandatory introduction to legal methods class. In early August, new students will also take an oath of professionalism. The fall main term classes begin in early August.
Transfer Applicants
The college welcomes students in good standing at other ABA-accredited or California Bar Examiners law schools. Transfer students must have grades from one year of law school to apply. However, applicants who have been academically disqualified or dismissed from another ABA-accredited or California Bar Examiners law school may not restart as a first-year law student until one year (two full semesters) after the date of disqualification or dismissal.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of attendance for a full-time student at the University of Michigan for the 2022-2023 academic year is $44,580. This includes tuition and fees of $22,290 for 12-16 units and room and board costs of $22,290.
NOTE: If you are a full-time student and take more than 16 units a semester, you will be charged the full tuition amount of $22,290 for that semester plus an additional $1,490 for each unit above 16 that you take.
The cost for part-time units at this college is $14,900 for the fall semester of 2022, $14,900 for the spring semester of 2023, and $29,800 for the academic year.
The tuition rate for summer 2023 courses will be $1,490 per unit. Suppose you are a part-time student enrolling in an overload and taking the 11th unit during the semester. In that case, you will be charged part-time tuition of $14,900 per semester plus $1,490 for the additional unit taken during the semester. If you are a student in your final fall or spring semester, you may petition to pay only the “per-unit” rate of $1,490 per unit taken if enrolled in less than eight units to complete your unit requirements.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance is the maximum amount of money you can receive from all sources to cover your expenses while attending school. The Student Finance Office establishes standard budgets that reflect the average expenses for a student. These budgets vary according to living arrangements and the length of the award period. Each budget includes average tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. These budgets serve as a guide for reasonable expenses for a “modest standard of living.” Examples of the cost of attendance estimates can be found here.
Please remember that the budget is an estimated representation of 2022-2023 costs and is subject to change.
Loans
Student loans are borrowed money that you have to pay back with interest. They are a legal obligation, so it's important to understand the responsibilities of borrowing and what you'll have to repay. You must meet certain eligibility requirements to borrow, and the amount you can borrow is based on the school's cost of attendance and other financial aid/scholarships you receive. There is a loan fee, and interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. The borrower is responsible for paying the interest during all periods, and if any interest isn't paid, it will be capitalized (added to the principal amount of your loan). You must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note before you can receive a student loan, and you're required to complete an exit interview before you graduate or leave school.
Law School Culture
Justice, inclusion, and understanding are essential for the professional world. However, mistrust and bias can often get in the way of these things. The school work must eliminate these things from their profession to create a more just and inclusive environment. This is something they strive for in their law school community. They encourage everyone's input and participation to create a better future for all.
Freedom of expression is important because it allows for communication and understanding between people. It also allows individuals to pursue knowledge and growth. This freedom is limited by time, place, and respect for others, but within those bounds, anyone can express any idea they have and disagree with others.
They believe that everyone in their community deserves to feel safe and secure. They will not tolerate any type of discrimination or intimidation, and they will stand up against any acts of incivility. They are proud of the diversity of their community and resolve to celebrate their differences. They choose to be there and accept these values as a condition of learning and working at Western State College of Law.
Classroom and Faculty
The Western State tradition of bringing practical experience into the classroom is important because it helps students learn how the law applies in real life. Classes in business law, criminal law, family practice, immigration law, and real estate practice provide certified practical experience. Faculty with backgrounds as practicing attorneys bring real-world cases and documents into the classroom, teaching students the practical application of the law.
Academics and Curriculum
Law school is the best place to start your legal career. Here, you will find faculty and staff invested in your professional development. They provide individual guidance and access to a wide range of opportunities in the legal field so that you can find your niche and develop your skills. These opportunities, such as particular areas of study, externships, Law Review, Moot Court, Mock Trial, or Negotiations, will help you gain practical experience and hone your lawyering skills. Earning a certificate in a specific area of law will demonstrate to employers that you are specially prepared and focused in that area.
The Juris Doctor degree program at our law school requires a minimum of 88 units. The core courses are required, while others are recommended or elective. The program can be completed in as little as three years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Full-time students typically enroll for 15 units each semester and don't have to take summer classes. Part-time students take 9 or 10 units each semester and normally five units in the summer to complete the program. It's possible to take additional units in the summer session if needed. Students in good standing can petition to switch from full-time to part-time or vice versa before the start of the academic year, which will affect their course load and time to complete the degree.
First Year Experience
The first-year curriculum at law school includes Introduction to Legal Methods, an introductory academic and practical skills course designed to provide 1L students with the opportunity to develop skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond. Their small class sizes, team-based collaborative learning model, and supportive full-time faculty set their program apart and give students a unique opportunity to grow as professionals from their first day of class. Students can practice and hone their skills based on individualized feedback and grow as professionals in an encouraging and supportive environment. The skills students can develop and master in our program include strategies to use their learning style to their advantage, case reading and briefing skills, classroom preparation and participation skills, legal analysis skills, exam techniques, writing and organizational skills, and the development of professional values.
Externships
Western State offers a variety of placement options for students, which can be matched to fit their personal goals, experience, academic standing, and expectations. Students receive academic credit and individual supervisor feedback for their legal work. Every student is encouraged and has the opportunity to participate in one or more externships during their time in law school.
In addition to the time spent in their placement, student externs also meet weekly in an on-campus seminar to debrief their experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the functions and responsibilities of attorneys, judges, and other legal personnel.
Externships Benefits
An externship is a course that allows students to be placed in an approved work setting. To enroll in an externship, students must have a GPA of at least 2.0. Students cannot enroll in two externships simultaneously but can take more than one externship in different semesters with the permission of the Director of the Externship Program. Students must repeat the accompanying seminar to be allowed to repeat an externship.
Moot Court
The Honors Moot Court Team is based on the student's written brief and performance in the 1L Moot Court Competition. These students take an Advanced Appellate Advocacy course where they can further explore the procedural and substantive aspects of appellate practice and prepare to compete in moot court competitions. In the Advanced Appellate Advocacy course, students work on an Appellate Brief based on a case currently on appeal at the United States Supreme Court. During the last week of class, they present a 12-minute Final Oral Argument before a panel of judges. These students may represent Western State at local and national moot court competitions.
Law Journal
The Western State Law Review is a student-run legal journal that publishes articles relating to California law or federal law that substantially impact California. The publication is distributed in print and online (at LexisNexis, Westlaw, and HeinOnline) to practitioners and schools worldwide. It draws heavily on California lawyers’ work and provides opportunities to build connections with the practicing bar that can lead to important work after graduation. In addition to publishing at least two journals a year, the Law Review routinely puts on a symposium, inviting speakers from across the country to debate topics such as the legalization of marijuana and the NSA’s spying program. The symposium is open to the public, and lawyers, judges, and interested citizens from throughout the state come to engage and analyze the complicated issues of the day. Law Review membership is a prestigious honor, and students should strive to become eligible to be part of this nationally recognized organization.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Law graduates from Western State College Of Law make a median salary of $80,000 if they work in the private sector. If they go into the private sector, a grad can expect to make around .74.5% of law graduates from Western State College Of Law go directly to work for law firms, while 0.0% clerk for a judge. 1.8% of graduates go into public interest. Around 51.7% of Western State College Of Law graduates pass the bar on their first try.
The Western State School of Law offers an excellent program for preparing for the California Bar Exam. In addition to the required courses, students can also write essays and outlines previously administered by the CA State Bar. This helps reinforce the material learned in the Bar Prep course and gives students a head start on what to expect from the exam.
Quality of Life
The Western State campus is in Irvine, a suburban city in Orange County. It is close to the area's legal, technology, finance, and business centers and has access to opportunities at nearby courts, private firms, public agencies, and businesses. Attractive residential communities also surround the location. The climate and beauty of Southern California make it a desirable place to study and work.
Synopsis
The law school experience can be very demanding, and sometimes students need a bit of extra support. The Disabled Student Services office is here to provide accommodations for any qualified students with disabilities. This office complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, so they are committed to ensuring that all students have a positive learning experience.
Contact Information
Western State College of Law
Admissions Office
16715 Von Karman #100
Irvine, CA 92606
Phone: (714) 459-1166
Email: adm@wsulaw.edu
Summary
| Established | 1966 |
| Location | Irvine, CA 92606 |
| Dean | ALLEN EASLEY |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 147 |
| LSAT Median Score | 150 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.11 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 52% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 0% (2022) |
| Cost | Fall 2022: $22,290 (full time); Fall 2022: $14,900 (part time) |
| Average Debt | $109,826 |
| Application Deadline | 15-July-2023 |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
LSD Law
Ranked 147
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
Guide to Fee Waivers
