Getting Into Emory Law School

Learn what it takes to get into Emory Law School.

See Acceptance Rates, Average LSAT Scores, GPA & More

Emory Law School Overview

The Emory Law School opened in 1916. It is part of Emory University, a private school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. The school offers students a robust curriculum that prepares students for life after graduation.

The school insists that students maintain high levels of work and education. Slacking off is not tolerated at Emory University. Students are willing to learn and are hardworking. They also demonstrate politeness and respect.

Emory University has one of the top 30 law schools in America. Some classify Emory Law School as the south's answer to Ivy League schools. It is a fair reputation as the standard of education is very high.

Emory University does cost a lot more than your average law school. The private Christian school has great values, yet is not the cheapest to attend. The campus is moderate in size, with just under 7,000 students. There is also plenty to do in the surrounding Atlanta area.

Emory University is by no means a party school. You can enjoy an active social life, but it doesn't rise to the levels of being drunk all the time. Not that you can afford to anyway, but keep in mind the student body tends to be a little more conservative.

Campus housing is an issue at Emory University. As a law school member, you'll need to live off-campus. Campus housing is only available to first-year students and undergrads. There are some sororities and frat houses, but they're not an option because law students must live off-campus.

The school does believe in giving back to the community. Emory University is happy to provide a free law clinic. The law clinic allows you to assist less fortunate members of the community as well as gain experience at the same time.

The school has an extensive law program and one of the best law libraries in the country. Here, you can study towards your:

  • Juris Doctor
  • Juris Master
  • Master of Laws
  • Master of Comparative Law
  • Doctor of Juridical Science

The school also offers joint degrees if you want to maximize your time.

Class sizes are larger than national and state averages. Emory University averages about 185 students per class. However, most students don't see it as a problem and graduate programs traditionally have smaller class sizes compared to undergraduate studies.

The attrition rates are interesting to examine at Emory University. Students are most likely to drop out in their second year. Around 4.8% of second-year students will do so. Students are least likely to drop out in their first or last year.

Unfortunately, students at Emory University feel that tuition and fees are high. But they're willing to stick with the school thanks to the high bar passage rate. The bar passage rate at Emory University outperforms the state by 9%.

Something of concern is that 3 out of 10 students might struggle to find work after graduating. However, it is more likely a factor of the economy in Georgia rather than the fault of the law school.

On the bright side, those that do land a job in the private sector can expect to earn almost double what the public sector pays.

Emory Law School Rankings

According to U.S. News & World Report, the school ranks 22nd in the country out of almost 700 competitors. The overall ranking is important because it's very difficult to compare one school to the next. It is important to remember that each school has its advantages and disadvantages.

For example, compare Emory University to Arizona State University. Look at their offerings, and you'll see that there's a vast difference between the two law schools. Emory University is a lot smaller and offers more law programs.

It is one of the many reasons why the law school scored higher than ASU despite the fact ASU has a larger student body and lower tuition.

According to Niche.com, Emory is the top Christian school in the country. The statistic is of comfort for parents that want their children to follow a more spiritual path. The school's ranking is essential because it shows a strong sense of values. If your child is a devout Christian, they'll appreciate being in an environment where they feel supported.

Also, according to Niche, the school ranks ninth in the country for having the best professors. Is it why the school achieves such a high bar passage rate? Possibly, but the rating is important for other reasons as well.

It's amazing the difference that an enthusiastic professor can make to the learning experience. As a result, the rating shows that professors go out of their way to ensure their students get a high-quality education.

Students also find their professors easy to relate to and ask questions. It, in turn, makes professors more approachable. It is a characteristic that every good law professor needs, so students feel comfortable approaching their superiors.

Emory Law School Admissions

What is the Emory Law School acceptance rate?

The average acceptance rate at Emory University over the past few years hovers around 30% to 40%. There is a moderate amount of competition. The school typically opens up 250 spots per year for its law school. However, it averages close to 4,000 applications a year.

Compared to Ivy League schools, there's not as much competition. But there are many other law schools out there that are easier to get into compared to Emory University.

The Emory Law School is very careful when vetting potential applicants. The institution considers:

  • Students with an aptitude for the law.
  • Students with good LSAT scores and a high GPA.
  • Learners that are willing to work hard.

The law school is relatively popular thanks to its high standard of education. It is why it's essential to bring you're A-game if you want to get one of those coveted spots.

If you wish to enter one of the law school's specialist programs or try for a scholarship, you need to be one step ahead of everyone else. We recommend confirming the deadlines for scholarships so you don't miss out. Some of the scholarships close at the end of January rather than March.

Our best advice is to get your law school application in as early as possible. It won't guarantee acceptance, but it does put you in a far better position.

While the university does accept late applications, it's not obliged to do so. Late applications get considered only if the school has space left in the law program for new students. It is not very likely due to the competitive nature of the law program.

Why is the law school so popular? Emory University has an average bar passage rate of 88.8%. It is far higher than the state average. The bar passage rate is also a good indication of the quality of the education you'll get at the school.

  Applications Offers Matriculated
Class of 2023 3,921 1,255 (32,01%) 234 (6,0%)
  25% Median 75%
GPA 3.45 3.77 3.88
LSAT 156 165 166

 

Class of 2020      
  25% Median 75%
GPA 3.51 3.7 3.91
LSAT 158 165 166

 

Emory Law School LSAT Percentiles

75th percentile 166
50th percentile 165
25th percentile 156

Promotional Opportunity:  ?Want to get into {Law School} Law School? Sign up for LSATMax?

2023 Entering Class Profile

Number of Students 836
 LSAT Score 165
Undergraduate GPA 3.77
% Women 49.9%
% Students of Color 9.0%
% Enrolled Directly After College 6.0%

 

What is the tuition for Emory Law School?

  In-State Resident Non-Resident
Full Time $51,510 $51,510
Part-Time N/A N/A

 

What are the living expenses at Emory Law School?

On-Campus N/A
Off-Campus $24,748

 

What are the housing options at Emory Law School?

On-Campus No
Off-Campus Yes

 

BAR Passage Rates at Emory Law School

Reporting 70.8%
First Time Takers 277
Emory Average 88.8%
{State} Average 79.8%
National Average 75%

 

Application Deadlines

When will the Emory application materials be available?

  • The school operates on rolling admissions. Therefore, the materials are available year-round. Regardless, the application needs to get completed before you submit it. If you're waiting for grades, you won't be able to apply on time.

When does Emory begin accepting applications?

  • Again, applications get received on a rolling basis. Keep in mind that only applications turned in by the 1st of March are guaranteed for vetting. After this date, the school only considers applications if there is still available space.

How are applications to Emory submitted?

Does Emory have an ?early admission? or an ?early decision? process?

  • Yes, they do. To be eligible, you must apply before the 1st of March. You'll receive an answer within 14 business days.

How much is the application fee and when is the deadline?

Application Fee $85
Early Decision Deadline 3/01/2020
Regular Decision Deadline N/A

Does Emory grant interviews?

No, not typically. Students with Alumni ties may receive an interview request. However, generally speaking, interviews are few and far between.

Employment after Emory Law School

  • Table with median salary after law school
Median Salary Private Sector $115,000
Median Salary Public Sector $58,000

Students moving into the private sector can expect to receive far higher compensation compared to the public sector. The median salary after law school is pretty good for not only Georgia but the rest of the country. Approximately 55% of graduates remain in-state thanks to the competitive pay scale.

Considering that the private sector pays almost double, it's hardly surprising that 58% of students work in private law firms after graduating. Around 17% of students opt to work in the public sector.

Examples of the kinds of jobs that graduates of Emory Law School choose from include:

  • Being a judicial clerk. The pay isn't great, but you get a wide range of experience within the law. You also get to know the judges better, which can serve you well in your career later on down the road.
  • Working with environmental law or non-profit organizations.
  • Contract law is another big employer of recent graduates. It's a field that is ideal if you prefer not to appear in court.
  • Another area of the law that is lucrative is intellectual property law.
  • Being a compliance attorney is not the sexiest job in the world. But there is a lot of work out there for the enterprising graduate.
  • Tax law is another one of those subjects that is a little tedious at times. If you've got a head for numbers and a keen eye for detail, it might just suit you though.

Some graduates will also decide to head into private practice. It's very tough to do this straight out of law school. That's why so many graduates choose to join an established law firm first before considering their own practice.

Promotional material

Other Schools to Consider

Continue Reading