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Wake Forest University School of Law
Located in Winston-Salem, the Wake Forest University School of Law, founded in 1894, is a pillar of legal education in North Carolina. At Wake Forest University School of Law, they are committed to providing you with a well-rounded and valuable legal education. They pair traditional classroom learning with opportunities for real-world experience and service-based learning. Their goal is to produce successful citizen lawyers who turn their interests and passions into successful careers in law. They are a tight-knit community that supports and encourages our students to reach their full potential. Whether you want to connect with fellow students, faculty, or alumni, Wake Forest School of Law provides the perfect environment for you to thrive as a future lawyer.
Contents
History
The Wake Forest School of Law was established in 1894. The school offered the Bachelor of Law degree, and only two students registered for the program in the first year. Unfortunately, one student dropped out after two weeks, leaving Stephen McIntyre as the only student for the first year. The Law School building was completed in 1956. Before this, the Law School had to share space with the library and the social science department. Dean Carroll W. Weathers stated, "unless the law school had its building on the campus in Winston-Salem, the law school was content to stay in Wake Forest." Dean Morant was appointed to Wake Forest University School of Law in 2007. He was the first African American academic dean at the school. During his tenure, the school rose 13 points in the U.S. News & World Report's rankings to 31st, the school's highest-ever ranking at the time. Dean Morant received a B.A. in 1975 and J.D. in 1978 from the University of Virginia. The Wake Forest University School of Law has launched a new online Master of Studies in Law degree program. The program is designed to be taken part-time and can be completed online. It is open to students with an undergraduate degree from any field, and no legal background is required. The WFU School of Law celebrates its 125th anniversary year 2019. It is one of the oldest law schools in the country and has a long and proud tradition of educating some of the nation's top lawyers. The school has always been known for its strong academics, and its graduates have gone on to achieve great success in the legal profession. In addition to its excellent academic program, the law school also offers various extracurricular activities, including moot court competitions, law journals, and clinics.
Diversity
At the Wake Forest School of Law, they believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key to empowering everyone involved in their community. They strive to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. They believe that by critically examining different perspectives and experiences, they can better understand complex problems and find potential solutions. The school feels it is important to promote these values to produce lawyers who can effectively engage with an increasingly diverse global community.
Admissions
Wake Forest University School of Law takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. The school value all aspects of the application, including the academic record, LSAT score, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. They encourage you to consider thoughtfully how each component will contribute to our understanding of your qualifications for law school and your potential for success. No one component determines the final decision.
Applications must be completed by the deadline to be considered. After decisions are released, decisions will continue to be released on a rolling basis. The application for the Wake Forest School of Law is available starting on September 1st and the deadline is on March 1st.
Statistics
The Wake Forest School of Law had 1,808 applications for their first-year class, 159 of which were enrolled. The first-year class consisted of students from 100 different schools and represented 32 states. 67% of the first-year class were from out-of-state, and the median LSAT score was 165. The 75th percentile LSAT score was 166, and the 25th percentile LSAT score was 159. The median GPA was 3.72, and the 75th percentile GPA was 3.85. The 25th percentile GPA was 3.46.
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 158 - 163 - 165 | 160 - 163 - 164 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.62 - 3.73 - 3.91 | 33.44 - 3.68 - 3.81 |
| Acceptance rate | 18.0% | 31.3% |
| Applications received | 1790 | 1909 |
| Acceptances | 322 | 597 |
| Matriculants | 316 | 363 |
Applying with GRE Scores
The GRE is an acceptable admissions test for Wake Forest Law, in place of the LSAT. If you have taken the LSAT in the past or plan to take it during the application process, your score and registration information will be automatically sent to Wake Forest Law. However, any subsequently reported GRE scores would be invalid for the admissions process.
Regular Decision
The Wake Forest University School of Law Admissions Committee considers all aspects of an application when making a decision. They encourage you to consider thoughtfully how each component will reflect your qualifications and potential for success in law school. In most cases, no one component determines the final decision. All applications must be complete and include all required materials by the deadline to be considered. After decisions are released, they will continue to be released on a rolling basis throughout the remainder of the admissions cycle. To read a TLS article about making the decision between ED and RD (or Regular Decision), click here.
Binding Early Decision
The Wake Forest School of Law Binding Early Decision program is a way for students to demonstrate their strong interest in attending the school. Students who apply through this program are evaluated according to the same admission standards as all other applicants, but the school considers the students' demonstrated interest.
Applicants who apply through the Binding Early Decision program may apply to other law schools, but they are not allowed to have more than one active binding application at any one time. This includes applications to other law schools that have a binding commitment policy.
Suppose an applicant has already submitted a binding application to another law school. In that case, they may apply to Wake Forest Law's Binding Early Decision program if, and only if, they are released from their binding commitment to attend the other law school. This would include a decision from the other school to not admit the applicant (e.g., deny, waitlist) through the binding program at that school.
Tuition and Expenses
The cost of attendance for the Wake Forest School of Law for the 2022-2023 school year is estimated to be around $51,000. This includes tuition and fees, which are typically reviewed and increased annually. The school year is divided into two semesters, Fall and Spring, and the total cost is around $51,000 for both semesters combined.
Cost of Attendance
| 2022-2023 (Fall and Spring Semesters) | |
| TUITION AND FEES | |
| Tuition | $51,000 |
| Technology Fee | $400 |
| Student Health Fee | $528 |
| Activity Fee | $100 |
| Total Tuition and Fees | $52,028 |
| ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENSES | |
| Average Loan Fee | $1,142 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,530 |
| Housing and Utilities | $11,700 |
| Food | $3,690 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,700 |
| Health Insurance | $2,834 |
| Transportation | $3,120 |
| Total Estimated Additional Expenses | $26,716 |
| Total Estimated Budget | $78,744 |
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Wake Forest School of Law graduates make an average of $103,000 in the private sector. This number may vary depending on what type of job the graduate takes after leaving law school. Approximately 65.5% of Wake Forest School of Law graduates go to work for law firms, while 9.7% clerk for a judge. Only 2.1% of graduates choose to go into public interest work. 94.6% of Wake Forest School of Law graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Quality of Life
The Wake Forest School of Law is a great place to study law. It is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is easily accessible from Interstate 40. The school is situated near the Sundance Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott. It is also close to the main entrance of Wake Forest University. The Worrell Professional Center is the first building on the right as you enter the campus. The Piedmont Triad International Airport between Winston-Salem and Greensboro is the closest large airport (approximately 25 miles from campus).
Wake Forest is a small law school. First-year classes generally don't exceed 40 students in size. As a result, students enjoy substantial access to Wake Forest's professors, who are known to be top-notch-the Princeton Review included Wake Forest on its top-10 list of schools with "Professors Who Rock".
The law school has just opened a newly renovated commons space which offers beautiful and welcoming spaces for the students to congregate and study, including a cafe and fireplace. The new space for students to socialize and study creates a positive environment.
It is also worth noting that Winston-Salem is a residential area. Prospective students should be aware that this translates to a less diverse night-life than one could expect from a school located in Manhattan or D.C. Students will certainly have the opportunity to go out and interact, but a drinking culture does not dominate the social scene as it may be at other schools around the country. While this may be a turn-off to some students, it may be exactly the serene setting hoped for by others. As with many factors concerning one's quality of life in law school, this will depend on personal preference.
Law Library
The Professional Center Library supports the research and instruction needs of Wake Forest Law faculty and students. As a selective U.S. Federal Depository Library, the library houses an extensive collection of materials, including U.S. Government documents. In addition, the library offers dedicated study spaces for law school students.
A team of experts is available to help students learn and develop new research strategies needed for complex legal studies. Students will also learn how to access and use many of the information resources they encounter in the legal profession.
Academics
Wake Forest School of Law's curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded legal education while encouraging students to get involved in their local community. Their small and interactive classes allow plenty of collaboration between students and professors. In addition, they emphasize the importance of service and experiential learning, providing their students with many opportunities to gain real-world legal experience. Therefore, graduates are well-prepared to enter the legal profession as successful citizen lawyers.
Faculty
The Wake Forest School of Law faculty are experienced, practitioners and law scholars. They emphasize the connection between teaching and legal scholarship, making the law applicable to real-world experiences. With more than 100 faculty members, Wake Forest Law offers a wide variety of courses taught by experts in the field. Students can expect to receive a well-rounded education that will prepare them for success in their future legal careers.
Experiential Learning
The law is a fundamental part of Wake Forest education. Wake Forest Law offers many opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with the law. This includes clinics, numerous student organizations, pro bono work, law journals, and externships. The law school is also home to a North Carolina Business Court, which allows students to witness appellate and business proceedings.
Legal Clinics
Legal clinics provide an opportunity to hone your craft, working directly to advise or represent real clients under the supervision of a faculty member. Participation in a clinic takes place in conjunction with other traditional academic courses.
- Appellate Advocacy Clinic
The Wake Forest School of Law offers opportunities for students to represent low-income clients in civil and criminal appeals. Students handle an actual appeal from start to finish, learning the process and procedures involved in appellate law. This experience provides a valuable opportunity to learn about one of the most critical aspects of our legal system.
- Community Law and Business Clinic
The Wake Forest School of Law focuses on the transactional aspects of nonprofit organizations, small business start-ups, and arts & entertainment law. This gives students the skills necessary to work in a complex legal and regulatory environment.
- Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
The Wake Forest School of Law provides legal assistance to clients who cannot afford or access legal representation on environmental or sustainability matters. This can include local, state, national, and international clients. The work done by the Wake Forest School of Law in this area can help promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
- Innocence and Justice Clinic
The Wake Forest School of Law offers a program that helps students learn about the causes of wrongful convictions and how to investigate cases where evidence can prove a client's innocence.
- Intellectual Property Law Clinic
The Intellectual Property Law Clinic will help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits with the clearance, protection, and management of copyright, trademark, and related intellectual property rights. This will help bridge the gap between doctrinal courses and real-world intellectual property law practice.
- Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic
Wake Forest School of Law will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful lawyer. You will gain experience working with clients, advocating for them, and collaborating with healthcare providers to identify and address legal issues affecting low-income patients' health. This program is committed to providing health justice for all and will give you the tools you need to make a difference in the world.
- Veterans Legal Clinic
The program will help low-income former service members correct any injustices in their records. They'll work closely with our peers and medical experts to develop the best case for our clients. They'll also be responsible for conducting extensive fact investigations and drafting legal arguments.
Summer Programs
The Wake Forest School of Law offers a variety of summer programs that cater to rising second-year and third-year JD students and students from other accredited law schools. Additionally, the school offers a 4-week pre-law program specifically designed for undergraduate students interested in attending law school and pursuing a career in law.
Synopsis
Between the school's low tuition and solid career prospects, any student looking to practice in the southeast would be foolish not to include Wake Forest School of Law on her shortlist. Wake's student body, in fact, in 2015 came from 32 different states and over 80 colleges and universities. Only 20-25% of Wake's incoming class typically is from North Carolina. While you won't find a big-city experience here, the Wake clinical offerings and the new facilities should nicely complement the school's great professors and solid regional reputation.
Contact Information
Wake Forest University
School of Law
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
vPhone: 336.758.5437
Email: lawadmissions@wfu.edu
Summary
| Established | 1984 |
| Location | Winston-Salem, NC |
| Dean | Jane Aiken |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 37th |
| LSAT Median Score | 163 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.68 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 95% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 63% (2022) |
| Cost | $52,028 |
| Average Debt | $82,416 |
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2023 |
Forum and Discussion
Wake Forest University School of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
Reference
https://law.wfu.edu/
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