Washington and Lee University School of Law

Nestled amongst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Washington and Lee University School of Law stands out among the nation's top law schools in more than one way. The school's small-town location contrasts with the hectic setting of more urban peer schools and lends a quaint Southern feel to the gorgeous campus. "W&L," as students and alumni affectionately call it, features a tight-knit community fostered by its small class size, isolated location, rich history, and unique Honor System.

History

THE UNIVERSITY
Washington and Lee University are located in Lexington, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. The school was founded in 1749 by pioneers of the Valley of Virginia and was initially named Liberty Hall. In 1796, George Washington made a generous endowment gift to the school, which prompted the change of name to Washington College. Following the Civil War, Robert E. Lee became the college president and oversaw its expansion into a national institution. Upon his death, the college was renamed Washington and Lee University.

THE SCHOOL OF LAW
Washington and Lee University's School of Law dates back to the Lexington Law School, founded by Judge John W. Brockenbrough in 1849. Although the trustees of Washington Academy had considered establishing a law department as early as 1804, it was not until after the Civil War, during Gen. Robert E. Lee's presidency, that a law program was formally associated with the College.

In June 1866, Brockenbrough's school was annexed to the College and became known as the "School of Law and Equity." By then, legal instruction in the United States had shifted from private study with established lawyers or judges to attendance at law schools. 1999 was the 250th anniversary of the founding of Washington and Lee University and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Law School. For a chronological listing (with biographical links) of the full-time faculty since the law school's founding in 1849 click here.

Admissions

Washington and Lee University School of Law are highly respected institution with median LSAT and GPA scores that are above average. The school has a long tradition of excellence, dating back to its founding in 1849. Washington and Lee are consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the country, and it graduates some of the most sought-after lawyers in the world. If you're looking for a top-tier education and an opportunity to work with some of the best legal minds in the country, Washington and Lee is the school for you.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	157 - 163 - 164	159 - 164 - 166
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.32 - 3.63 - 3.79	3.41 - 3.61 - 3.78
Acceptance rate	36.7%	31.4%
Applications received	1993	2293
Acceptances	732	721
Matriculants	452	459

Cost of Attendance

Tuition and Fees 2022-2023
	2022-23 (1L,2L)	2022-23 (3L)
Mandatory
Tuition	$52,080	$52,080
Student Activity Fees	$590	$590
SBA Fees	$220	$220
Technology Fee	$320	$320
Health Services Fee	$250	$250
Mandatory Dining Fee	$1,000	$0
Estimated
Projected Books/Supplies	$3,200	$3,200
Projected Living Expense Allowance	$14,220	$15,220
Loan fees	$1,500	$1,500
TOTAL BUDGET	$73,380	$73,380

Washington and Lee University School of Law tuition is quite expensive, costing $52,080. However, over 90% of the students receive scholarships, significantly reducing the cost. The average scholarship amount is $27,063.

Admissions Process

Although W&L sets numerical benchmarks yearly, the law school also considers other factors. The admissions office does not use a formula or index to compare applicants and considers factors such as recommendations, personal statements, work or educational experience since college, and other unique talents or experiences. Diversity also matters along various dimensions, including race, gender, geography, sexual orientation, and life experience. Director of Admissions Brett Twitty says that he and an Admissions Counselor read every application, sending some to a faculty committee for additional review.

When to Apply

The Admissions Committee looks for evidence of academic excellence, personal achievement, and a commitment to service. The Committee seeks to enroll a class of talented and diverse individuals who will contribute to the intellectual vibrancy of the school. Before matriculation, all applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. There is no minimum GPA or LSAT score, but the Admissions Committee does consider both when making decisions.

Applications for admission to Washington and Lee University School of Law are available online. The application fee is $60 and is non-refundable. Application fees may be paid by check or money order made payable to Washington and Lee University, or by credit card via the online application.

Interested students should apply early: while there is no early decision or early action program, the school's website stresses that, "sooner is almost always better," even for applicants who will have to wait to submit a later LSAT score. The admissions committee typically begins reviewing applications in November, once it has received a sufficient volume of files. Most decisions are sent out in January and February, and applicants who apply by March 1 can expect a decision by late March.

Multiple LSAT Scores

When considering applicants who have taken the LSAT multiple times, W&L puts the most weight on the highest score. However, the law school advises re-takers to sit for the December test since February results will not be received until very late in the rolling admissions process. While cancellations and no-shows do not usually affect applications, Twitty urges applicants to submit addendums if they cancel multiple administrations or failed to show up for one or more LSAT.

Personal Statements, The Optional Essay, and Addenda

W&L Law requires a personal statement of no more than three double-spaced pages. According to Twitty, the most important part of a personal statement is that it be…well, personal:

Any personal statement in which an applicant does not tell us anything about herself is truly a wasted opportunity. This is not the time to discuss your interest in Constitutional Law, the state of the justice system in America, or some equally abstract concept. It should also not be a narrative re-statement of your resume. For those two to three pages, your focus should be squarely on you.

Twitty stresses that the personal statement does not have to explain an applicant's desire to go to law school, and he also cautions against any gimmick that puts the emphasis on form rather than substance. Furthermore, personal statements should not discuss W&L as a good fit or even a #1 choice, although these sentiments can be effectively addressed in the addenda. Effective statements will vary widely, but Twitty identifies a few common elements:

A really good personal statement is well-written, tells us something about you we would not have necessarily gleaned from the other portions of your application, and makes us feel confident about your potential for success at our law school.

In keeping with its emphasis on honor and integrity, Washington and Lee Law invites each applicant to submit an optional essay addressing an ethical dilemma with which he or she dealt. Failing to submit this essay will not hurt an application, but writing one can help the admissions committee determine whether the candidate is a good fit.

The Director of Admissions says that W&L has "a liberal addendum policy." If applicants feel there are substantive reasons for weak spots on their records, such as a low LSAT score or bad semester of grades, they should let the admissions committee know. However, Twitty warns applicants to choose their words carefully: "You should explain, not excuse."

There is no one "right" answer to the personal statement question, so feel free to be creative. Remember that your essay should be well-written and free of grammar or spelling errors. And don't forget to proofread! The admissions committee will review your statement for evidence of your writing ability, so make sure it is your best work. For personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.

Letters of Recommendation

W&L requires two letters of recommendation, and Twitty says this is sufficient for most candidates. Submitting more than three letters can hurt an application. A strong and specific letter from someone who knows the candidate well is better than a generic missive from someone prominent. Twitty also cautions that letters from relatives, family friends, or others who essentially "have to like you" will be taken with a grain of salt. He recommends that applicants make sure their recommenders feel comfortable writing letters and have sufficient time and materials (resume, etc.) to put together something worthwhile.

At least one letter should be from someone who knows a candidate's academic aptitude, although non-traditional applicants shouldn't worry if they have been out of college for too long to find a strong recommender. Conversely, applicants with little work experience should not feel like they have to include at least one letter that speaks to a professional context: two academic references are acceptable.

Transfers, Waitlists, and Miscellaneous Admissions Tips

Washington and Lee Law look at all parts of a transfer candidate's application-including undergraduate GPA, and LSAT score-but weighs most heavily on first-year law school performance and recommendations from law professors. Last year, W&L took twenty-two transfers.

The number of applicants waitlisted and the number who are eventually accepted varies from year to year. The Office of Admissions often knows accepted waitlist candidates "well," so keeping in contact and expressing continued interest in the school may pay dividends.

Twitty remarks, "Every contact you have with an admissions office, good or bad, will likely be noted in your file." He encourages interested applicants to visit the school or contact the admissions committee. Says Twitty: "If we meet or speak with you, and we like you, this impression can help you as you move forward in the admissions process."

While W&L notes each applicant's undergraduate institution, the school stresses that "how you fared wherever you went to college is ultimately more important. The most recent first-year class represents ninety-five different universities and colleges.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

At Washington and Lee University, students can receive scholarships based on merit or through loans from state, federal, and private lenders. This makes it possible for students to finance their legal education. The scholarships are based on a student's academic achievements, while the loans come from various sources, including state governments, the federal government, and private lenders. This allows students to find the financial assistance they need to attend law school.

To finance your legal education with educational loans, you must complete a FAFSA and direct it to Washington and Lee University. The University's Office of Financial Aid will not work on your file until your FAFSA has been received.

For first-year students, qualification for a merit scholarship is based on undergraduate academic records, Law School Admission Test scores, probability of superior scholarship in the School of Law, potential for leadership in the legal profession, and character.

Law School Culture

Although it traces its roots to the antebellum Lexington Law School, the Washington and Lee School of Law officially began during Robert E. Lee's tenure as college president. Lee, who had great concern for professional development in the post-war United States and also instituted business and journalism courses, incorporated the School of Law in 1870. The law school boasts many prominent alumni, including seven U.S. Senators and a Supreme Court Justice. History looms large for today's W&L Law students: the main campus Colonnade, just a few minutes walk from Lewis Hall, is a National Historic Landmark-as is Lee Chapel-and students say that the school's traditions, along with the small, close student body, contribute to a remarkable sense of congeniality and camaraderie.

Student Governance

Thanks to W&L's strong tradition of student governance, law students enjoy a significant degree of autonomy and are actively engaged in law school life. With nearly fifty student organizations for a student body of around 400, W&L Law truly allows students to shape life at the law school. Most students will hold a leadership position at some point in Lewis Hall.

The Honor System

The Honor System significantly shapes life at W&L for undergraduates and law students. It is not codified, has been entirely student-run since 1905 and is the foundation of the "community of trust" that pervades on both sides of campus. While no list of honor violations exists, the system has traditionally been interpreted to proscribe lying, cheating, and stealing. The Honor System confers many benefits on W&L students. Students leave valuables sitting out with no fear of theft, and can purchase food from the law school snack bar on an "IOU" system after-hours. Professors take students at their word, exams are unproctored, and some classes even include take-home tests. Though most law schools quickly claim that "cutthroat" competition does not exist on their campuses, the Honor System makes that claim especially convincing for Washington and Lee. These advantages quickly impress many visitors, as one TLS poster attests:

Seeing laptops, purses, books, etc. literally left unattended in the library completely boggled my mind. It's one thing for all the brochures to talk about the honor code, but to see it in play really told me a lot.^[^iv]

Student Body

The Washington and Lee University School of Law is a great place to get a [[ https://www.lawcrossing.com/article/900052829/How-to-Do-Legal-Research/%7Clegal]] education. The student body is 385 students, and the faculty-to-student ratio is 6:1. The average 1L legal writing class size is 20. The Washington and Lee University School of Law prepares its students for successful careers in the legal field.

Washington and Lee University School of Law is a great place for women, with almost half of the student population being female. Additionally, the school has a diverse population, with over a quarter of students coming from different backgrounds. The school is committed to diversity and provides opportunities for women and diverse students to succeed.

Academics

At Washington and Lee University School of Law, they believe that each year of law school should present new and different challenges to produce lawyers who are better positioned to provide valuable service to their clients and employers from the outset of their careers. This approach allows us to offer a unique educational experience that better prepares their students for the real world.

The Faculty to Student Ratio at Washington and Lee University School of Law is 6:1. For every six students, there is one faculty member. This allows for more individualized attention and helps students.

Washington and Lee University School of Law is well-known for its curricular innovations. W&L was one of the first law schools to introduce small-section legal writing classes and to require an administrative law course and a transnational law course in the first year of law school. During the second and third years, students broaden their knowledge of the law, selecting from a wide array of more specialized and rigorous courses. They also take their first steps into actual practice and develop successful lawyers' habits and mindsets. The combination of the demanding study of legal doctrine and analysis with simulated and actual practice experiences creates a unique opportunity for our students to learn in context and to be truly prepared for the legal profession when they graduate.

The First Year

The Washington and Lee University School of Law is dedicated to creating a challenging, stimulating, personal, and collegial environment. The professors are accessible and willing to help students in their learning process. The competition so often associated with law school is not a part of life at our school, and students work together to grapple with the legal problems they encounter in their first-year courses.

The Second-Year and Third-Year Curriculum

Just as the first year lays the foundation upon which the remainder of your legal education will build, the second year and third years at Washington and Lee require students to engage in an even more advanced and challenging course of legal study and identify and pursue their interests in particular areas of the law.

Washington and Lee is a "liberal arts" approach to legal education. At no point during your three years at the law school will you be expected to pick a track or specialization or commit to the intensive study of only one area of the law. However, our upper-level offerings are extensive and comprehensive, allowing students to tailor a curriculum best suited to their career objectives.

Joint Degrees and The LLM Program

Washington and Lee is primarily a liberal arts college, and the School of Law is the only professional or graduate school on campus. However, W&L does offer a joint JD and Master in Health Administration degree in conjunction with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The accelerated program spans four-and-a-half years instead of the six it would take to complete each degree separately.^[^vii] W&L Law also confers an LLM in US law to graduates of foreign law programs.

Extracurriculars

Journals

The law school offers five journal opportunities. Positions on the quarterly Washington and Lee Law Review are awarded through a write-on competition held at the end of 1L year.

Washington and Lee Law Review

Published four times yearly, the Law Review presents lead articles from leading scholars, judges, lawyers and student notes. Student writers are chosen during the summer after their first year of law school based on grades and the results of a writing competition. Each staff writer develops a topic for original legal research and writes over the second year under the supervision of a faculty advisor and student editor. Selected writers continue as editors in the third year of law school.

Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice

The Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice is a biannual scholarly publication focusing on legal issues that affect historically underrepresented classes of persons in various subjects, including real estate, education, healthcare, the environment, and public welfare. JCRSJ publishes articles submitted by leading scholars and practitioners and student notes. Staff writers of JCRSJ is chosen during the summer after their first year of law school based on a writing competition. Each staff writer is required to write a note during the second year of law school under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Selected staff writers continue as board members of JCRSJ during the third year of law school.

German Law Journal

The German Law Journal is an online journal that publishes commentary and scholarship in German, European and international law fields. Its English-language treatment of comparative and international law attracts more than two million site visits from more than 50 countries each year. W&L students can write book reviews, case comments, and short articles and, following instructional learning, assist in discussing and assessing submissions for the Journal.

Frances Lewis Law Center

Since 1978, the Frances Lewis Law Center has continually enriched the intellectual life of the Washington and Lee law school and the university community. Established with a generous gift from Frances and Sydney Lewis, the Law Center's initial mandate was to support serious research that advanced law reform.

Transnational Law Institute

The Transnational Law Institute supports and coordinates teaching innovations, externships, internships, a speaker series, and visiting faculty to help prepare students for the increasing globalization of legal practice.

Clinics and Externships

W&L offers several clinical experiences. The Black Lung Clinic helps former coal miners and their families secure federal benefits for the damage caused by coal mine dust; the Community Legal Practice Clinic provides legal services to victims of domestic violence and senior citizens in Rockbridge County. The Tax Clinic and Criminal Justice Clinic also provide legal services to needy area residents. Washington and Lee also run the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse, which supports attorneys representing capital murder defendants throughout Virginia.

The Public Prosecutors Program places twelve 3L's with the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia. The General Externship Program allows students additional flexibility when choosing how they wish to satisfy their practice requirement during their third year of law school, while the Judicial Clerkship Program places students with judges at several different courts, including the Fourth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.^[^x]

Moot Court

Washington and Lee Law has a unique Moot Court setup. All second and third-year students are eligible for internal competitions in six different disciplines (Negotiations, Client Counseling, Appellate Advocacy, Mock Trial and Arbitration); the top performers are then invited to represent W&L in regional or national events. The Moot Court Executive Board, made up of 3L's, has a high degree of autonomy in administering internal competitions and making other program decisions.^[^xi]

Student Activities

In addition to journals and university-wide governing bodies, W&L offers nearly fifty student organizations. These range from career interest groups like the Tax Law Society and the Public Interest Law Students Association to recreational ones like the Fieldsport and Angling Society and the Washington & Lee Wine Society. There are also chapters of the Black Law Students Association, the Asian Pacific Americans Law Students Association, the Latin American Law Students Association and OUTLaw. According to the Office of Admissions, most students are involved in at least two or three organizations.

Partly because of the school's rural location and small student body, intramural sports are huge. Football is especially popular: competitive students play undergrad and faculty/staff teams in the university-wide intramural league, while the Law School Football League engenders wide participation and a more relaxed atmosphere-perhaps because of the kegs provided by the Student Bar Association each Friday in the fall. During the winter, law students also field teams for law school-wide basketball and floor hockey leagues. Softball also brings out a large proportion of the student body for more social than competitive reasons.

Facilities

The law school was originally part of the main campus and sat on the historic Colonnade for most of the twentieth century. In 1977, the law school moved to Lewis Hall, a more modern-looking building tucked in the woods near the undergraduate sports fields. Aesthetically, the building bears a more modern look than the main neoclassical campus, but students and visitors generally have good things to say about the facilities. Classrooms are relatively high-tech and campus computing runs smoothly.

Each law student gets their own "carrel" in the law library, which is open 24/7. On-campus dining options are somewhat limited, but not as bad as might be expected for such a small school: in addition to the "Brief Stop" café in the law school, law school students can also nosh at the Marketplace (main campus buffet-style dining hall), Café 77 (main campus quick eatery), and the E. Café (a kosher option located within the Hillel House). The athletics facilities are top-notch for a liberal arts school: a gym with cardio machines, free weights, and resistance machines is seldom too crowded for students to get a workout in, and the gym building also includes basketball, squash, and racquetball courts, a full-size pool, rowing machines, and a sauna.

Clerkships

W&L does reasonably well placing graduates in judicial clerkships: a fifth of each class typically clerks, with about half of those clerks finding employment with coveted Article III federal judges. According to Director of Admissions Brett Twitty, the school "emphasizes the importance of clerkships to all of our students, not just the top quarter or third of the class." The small student body may also help students get to know their professors better, leading to strong letters of recommendation. An enthusiastic alumni base no doubt helps as well.

Law School Efforts

In the shaky economy, W&L is encouraging students to take advantage of a tight-knit alumni network beginning in their first years of law school. The school also urges students to meet frequently with the Career Planning Office, consider a wide range of markets and employment options, and take advantage of services like mock interviews. And of course, the new third-year curriculum largely represents an attempt to prepare students for a different, more competitive job market.

Housing

While over 90% of W&L Law students live off-campus, the School of Law does offer on-campus housing in the Woods Creek Apartments located in between the law school and undergraduate campuses. These apartments offer convenience and simplicity, but students are not lavish in their praise for the actual accommodations. Law students live in four-person apartments. Each student has a single room, but all four students share one bathroom and a small kitchen. The buildings are among the least aesthetically pleasing on campus, and rent costs more than $700 a month (students must vacate the premises during Winter Break).

For those students who wish to live off-campus, there are many attractive and inexpensive housing options in the Lexington area. Many students rent apartments or houses in or around downtown Lexington, while some take advantage of the area's natural beauty by commuting from locations in surrounding Rockbridge County. Some students also live in nearby Buena Vista, which offers especially cheap rent. Even within Lexington city limits, diligent searchers should be able to find well-maintained accommodations for less than $500 a month. Those who require a quiet environment should do some research to ensure they don't end up in one of a few undergrad "party house" areas.

Quality of Life

Many find Lexington's historic atmosphere charming; others find it stifling. Lexington has about 7,000 residents and is also home to the Virginia Military Institute. The attractive downtown area has a variety of boutique shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. The town's outskirts offer chain stores and restaurants, but one must drive close to an hour to find something that passes for a mall. There are only a few bars in Lexington, and the newly-opened Macado's has become law students' watering hole of choice.

Despite the area's limitations, most students seem happy to be at W&L Law. Part of this undoubtedly stems from the closeness of the student body: many law schools boast of a collegial atmosphere, but W&L students seem more adamant than most in insisting that students actually like, respect, and support each other. As one TLS poster puts it:

The best part about the social scene is really just how the small school and small town setting are conducive to making friends quickly, and making really good friends.

However, this small class size can also intensify law school's high school-like social aspects. The same poster writes:

You will see the same people every weekend. You will know who dislikes each other, who have hooked up, who are dating, who can't hold their liquor, etc.^[^xiii]

Since there are no other graduate programs and few young professionals in the area, opportunities to date or make friends outside of law school are limited. Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke are each approximately one hour away. Richmond is a two-hour drive; the nation's capital three. Though many enroll at W&L Law despite the small town and student body but end up loving the atmosphere they engender, those who require lots of nightlife options might want to look elsewhere.

Aware of these circumscribed options, the law school and the university as a whole do make an effort to bring exciting guests to town. Recent university-sponsored concerts have included such diverse acts as Gov't Mule, Three 6 Mafia, Blues Traveler, Busta Rhymes, and Girl Talk. The school also brings in big-name speakers like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Senator Jim Webb, pundit James Carville, and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Click here to check out articles that help you survive law school.

Outdoor Activities

Lexington's surroundings are gorgeous, and W&L holds a special appeal for those who enjoy the outdoors: nearby mountains and state parks offer hiking and camping galore, and students can access the stunning fall colors of the Blue Ridge Parkway with just a fifteen-minute car ride. The immediate area around Washington and Lee has plenty of scenic trails and paths for runners and cyclists, while some of the best whitewater rafting and kayaking in the country can be found a couple of hours away on the Gauley River. Students also enjoy trout fishing and tubing on the Maury River and swimming or sunbathing at Goshen Pass and Panther Falls.

Synopsis

For those who can do without the hustle and bustle of city life, Washington and Lee has lots to recommend it: a charming and historic college town surrounded by pristine countryside, one of the prettiest campuses in America, and a small student body bound together by a community of trust and mutual support. Though tuition is relatively high, the cost of living is low, and problems like safety, theft, and parking are non-issues. The law school is also trying to prepare students for a shifting and uncertain job market through an innovative third-year program, the results of which remain to be seen.

The average W&L Law student does graduate with over $100,000 in debt, which should give pause to any prospective law student in the current economic climate. In addition to analyzing debt and job prospects, anyone interested in Washington and Lee Law should make it a point to visit. For a reason, the school holds a special place in the heart of thousands of students and alumni, and it is worth seeing if this unique law school might win a similar place in yours.

Contact Information

Washington and Lee University
School of Law
Office of Admissions
Sydney Lewis Hall, Suite 400
Lexington, VA 24450-0303

Phone: 540-458-8503
Email: lawadm@wlu.edu
https://law.wlu.edu/admissions

Summary

Established	1749
Location	Lexington, VA
Dean	Melanie D. Wilson
2022 US News Ranking	35th
LSAT Median Score	164
GPA Median Score	3.61
Bar Passage Rate	93% (2022)
Employment Rate	71% (2022)
Cost	$52,080
Average Debt	$96,721
Application Deadline	March 1, 2023 (Regular) December 1, 2022(Early Decision)

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Reference

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