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Law School

Academics

In addition to the J.D., the law school offers the LL.M., S.J.D., and LL.C.M. Students may take relevant courses in other programs and apply credit toward the J.D.; a maximum of 12 credits may be applied. The following joint degrees may be earned: J.D./D.E.S.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Global Business Law), J.D./M. Bioethics (Juris Doctor/Master of Bioethics), J.D./M.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Islamic Studies, international studies, social policy, and philosophy), J.D./M.A./M.S. (Juris Doctor/Master of Criminology), J.D./M.B.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration), J.D./M.C.P. (Juris Doctor/Master of City Planning), J.D./M.ES. (Juris Doctor/Master of Environmental Studies), J.D./M.G.A. (Juris Doctor/Master of Government Administration), J.D./M.P.H. (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health), J.D./M.S.Ed (Juris Doctor/Master of Education Policy or Higher Education), J.D./M.S.W. (Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work), and J.D./Ph.D. (Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy in American Legal history).

The Law School offers concentrations in corporate law, criminal law, environmental law, family law, intellectual property law, international law, juvenile law, labor law, litigation, media law, securities law, tax law, torts and insurance, regulation of business, property and land development, perspectives on the law, law and the health services, constitutional law, courts and administration of justice, commercial law, urban and public interest law, and clinical, professional responsibility, and co-curricular courses. In addition, clinics and extern programs are available for credit in law-related agencies outside of the school. The clinical program includes courses in litigation, civil practice, interdisciplinary child advocacy, public interest, entrepreneurship legal clinic, legislative process, transnational issues, meditation, and criminal defense. Seminars are available to second-and third-year students. First-year students enroll in 2 electives in regulatory/administrative law and 1 in perspectives. Each year a substantial number of students are employed as research assistants for faculty members. The school requires that all students complete 70 hours of service in public interest (pro bono). Penn Law has a partnership with the National Constitution Center that involves multiple events and lectures. Penn Law has programs in Hamburg, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Tel Aviv, Israel; and a joint degree with Wharton’s Lauder Institute which involves student abroad. A wide range of minority organizations host conferences and social events. Upper-level students provide mentoring. Student groups reflect the interests of students. The most widely taken electives are Corporations, Evidence, and Federal Income Tax.

To earn the J.D., candidates must complete 89 total credits, of which 28 are for required courses. The following first-year courses are required of all students: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Writing, Property, and Torts. Required upper-level courses consist of Professional Responsibility. The required orientation program for first-year students lasts 2 days.

In order to graduate, candidates must have completed the upper-division writing requirement.

Admissions

In the fall 2007 first-year class, 5632 applied, 913 were accepted, and 259 enrolled. Twenty-five transfers enrolled. The median LSAT percentile of the most recent first-year class was 98; the median GPA was 3.77 on a scale of 4.0. The lowest LSAT percentile accepted was 50; the highest was 99.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and take the LSAT. No specific undergraduate courses are required. Candidates are not interviewed.

The application deadline for fall entry is February 15. Applicants should submit an application form, LSAT results, transcripts, a personal statement, a nonrefundable application fee of $75, 2 letters of recommendation, and resume. Notification of the admissions decision is on a rolling basis. The latest acceptable LSAT test date for fall entry is December. The law school uses the LSDAS.

Financial Aid

About 79% of current law students receive some form of aid. The average annual amount of aid from all sources combined, including scholarships, loans, and work contracts, is $53,630; maximum, $59,660. Awards are based on need and merit. Required financial statements are the FAFSA and the institution’s financial aid form. The aid application deadline for fall entry is March 1. First-year students are notified about their financial aid application shortly after acceptance.

Students

About 46% of the student body are women; 31%, minorities; 8%, African American; 9%, Asian American; and 8%, Hispanic. The majority of students come from the Northeast (44%). The average age of entering students is 24. About 39% of students enter directly from undergraduate school, 12% have a graduate degree, and 61% have worked full-time prior to entering law school. About 1% drop out after the first year for academic or personal reasons; 99% remain to receive a law degree.

Students edit the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business and Employment Law, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law, University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, Journal of Law and Social Change, Journal of International Law, and Journal of Animal Law and Ethics.The student Moot Court Board, made up of third-year students, administers the Moot Court Program, which holds a voluntary intramural competition for the Edwin R. Keedy Trophy. The school also participates in several competitions sponsored by bar associations or other law schools, including the Jessup International Moot Court Competition, the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, and others. Penn Law has more than 50 student organizations with a broad spectrum of interests, including academic, recreational, and areas of diversity.

The law school operates on a traditional semester basis. Courses for full-time students are offered both day and evening and must be completed within 3 years. There is no part-time program. New students are admitted in the fall. There is no summer session. Transferable summer courses are not offered.

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