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« TLS Profiles - TLS Programs - TLS Stats - Rankings Hofstra Law School
Admissions & Tuition Roughly 38.5% of applicants were granted admission in 2008 (1,945 out of 5,050). For those who matriculated in 2009, the 25th to 75th percentile GPA range was 3.27–3.70 and the range for the LSAT was 155-159—with medians of 3.56 and 157, respectively (USNews). Students are also admitted to Hofstra Law School on a part-time basis. Last year, nearly 40% of those who applied in 2008 were admitted (317 out of 801). The 25th to 75th percentile GPA range for part-time matriculants was 2.90–3.37, while the range for the LSAT was 150-154, according to LSAC. Cost of attendance at Hofstra is fairly high. Full-time students paid almost $41,780 last year in tuition and fees alone. Combine that with an estimated room & board cost of $11,500 and the additional $5000 or so spent on books and miscellaneous fees, and full-time students are looking at a price-tag approaching $60,000 per year. One should look closely at the career prospects for Hofstra graduates before deciding to invest the requisite total of approximately $180,000. The financial aid office does do its part in helping students meet the financial burden. Nearly 50% of Hofstra students received a grant last year. Grants ranged from $8,000, for the 25th percentile, to $25,000 for the 75th percentile. The median was a solid $16,200, according to USNews. Bar Passage & Employment Prospects Hofstra students struggle with the bar, but enjoy seemingly strong career prospects. Only 84% of Hofstra graduates passed the New York Bar on their first try last year, falling short of the state-wide passage rate of 85.6%. It is hard to determine the effect this has on graduates’ immediate career prospects, as Hofstra does not report its time-of-graduation employment rate (most likely because it is quite low). Nine months after graduation, however, Hofstra graduates are employed at a rate of nearly 94%. Of those employed graduates, most (77%) stay in New York. This is to be expected as Hofstra is undoubtedly a “regional” law school, meaning that the majority of its graduates find work in and around the region the school is located in, since the school’s reputation does not extend well beyond that region. Some students were able to overcome Hofstra’s regional restraints, however: USNews reports that 6% of 2006 graduates went to work in the South Atlantic, and 2% found work as far away as the West Coast. A majority also emerged with respect to the fields of law in which Hofstra’s 2007 graduates chose to practice: 64% went to work in the private practice, 15% went into business, 9% found government work, 4% obtained judicial clerkships, and 4% entered public-service. Those who entered the private sector earned the most, with starting salaries ranging from $80,000 for the 25th percentile to a whopping $160,000 for the 75th percentile. Likely those who were able to secure employment with large New York firms. The median starting salary for these graduates was a solid $160,000. The median for those who entered public-service was $49,500, which, while low compared to the salaries of private sector graduates, is quite competitive with national public-interest starting salaries. These strong salaries make Hofstra’s cost-of-attendance much easier to swallow, even if they are called into question by the fact that only 23% of private-sector students reported their salary figure. Academics Aside from a top-25 program in Legal Writing, Hofstra Law fails to distinguish itself academically. The student-faculty ration (15:1) is not great, facilities are mediocre, and classes tend to be large. Nevertheless, Hofstra provides enough resources that, for students willing to go the extra mile, a fulfilling educational experience can be had. Hofstra offers fellowships (Family Advocacy, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender rights, Child Law), clinics (Housing Rights, Political Asylum, Economic Development) and journals (Hofstra Law, Family Court, and Labor and Employment Law), all of which can provide students with hands-on experience and practical know-how that can provide that necessary advantage come hiring time. Quality of life Hofstra Law is located in Hempstead, New York on Long Island, which allows students access to beaches, parks, restaurants, nightlife, museums, concert halls, and much more. Also, Hofstra is just 45 minutes outside of Manhattan, providing students with some of the most vibrant night-life and diverse cultural activities in the world. On campus, students enjoy a non-competitive environment, and find it easy to meet people, thanks mostly to Hofstra’s many student organizations. It seems that for students who make the effort to get out and get involved, there is a very healthy social scene at Hofstra Law School. Conclusion Tuition is high and the academic program seems to be lacking. But for students who want to take the gamble, and go for that big New York paycheck, Hofstra Law School just might be the perfect school. Quick Reference U.S. News Ranking: 100 |
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Offering a diverse social scene and surprisingly high starting salaries, Hofstra Law School attracts an excess of applications each year. Prospective students should look closely at the school’s academic program, however, as it is lacking in several respects.