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Florida State University College of Law
FSU College of Law is located in the heart of downtown Tallahassee, which is the capital of the nation’s third-largest state.
Few other law schools in the nation can compete in terms of location. Being located in a state capital provides unique legal opportunities that are invaluable. Experiences that FSU Law students have in Tallahassee and around the globe translate into successful careers worldwide. The school offers students a collegial environment and a world-class faculty that delivers a sophisticated program of study. Faculty members are actively involved with students' work, as Florida State places great emphasis on collaboration outside the classroom. Because of the school's location and clinical programs, students have many opportunities to gain legal experience while taking classes. Tallahassee is home to many courts, 500-plus law firms, the Florida Governor's Office, the Florida Legislature, and many state agencies. Florida State Law is consistently rated one of the nation's "best value" law schools by The National Jurist magazine. The school has relatively low in-state tuition, and most non-residents reclassify as Florida residents for tuition purposes after their first year.
Contents
History
The FSU College of Law has undergone many changes over the past 50 years. In 1966, the law school was located in Longmire Hall on the main campus. This space was generously provided by the FSU Alumni Association and included offices, the law library, and a shared auditorium where all law classes were taught. Over time, the College of Law's physical plant has transformed dramatically. The law school now occupies eight buildings and two entire city blocks. The faculty, student body, and course offerings have all grown along with the physical plant. As a result of these changes, the College of Law's national reputation has significantly improved.
The College of Law 1966 welcomed its first students. The first dean was Mason Ladd. In 1968, the college received preliminary ABA accreditation. That same year, the Moot Court Team was established.
Admissions
At FSU, they pride themselves on preparing graduates for successful careers. The school's world-class faculty and friendly student body are why FSU Law is such a great place to study law. Additionally, Tallahassee provides students with plenty of opportunities to gain legal experience. Each year, approximately 20 lawyers from other nations come here to learn more about the American legal system and to advance their careers. The students come from various backgrounds, providing robust dialogue between students and faculty inside and outside the classroom.
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 156 - 161 - 162 | 158 - 163 - 164 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.48 - 3.72 - 3.82 | 3.55 - 3.82 - 3.9 |
| Acceptance rate | 29.7% | 22.5% |
| Applications received | 1798 | 2372 |
| Acceptances | 534 | 533 |
| Matriculants | 246 | 275 |
The current student body at NYU Law School comes from 42 U.S. states, 38 countries, and 299 colleges and universities. The 2021 entering class has a median LSAT of 163 and a median GPA of 3.82. This makes NYU Law School one of the most selective law schools in the country.
Entering 1L J.D. Procedures
When reviewing applications, the College of Law seeks to admit and enroll students with various backgrounds, interests, personal and professional experiences, and perspectives. The college also looks at an applicant's academic success LSAT score, and character and fitness. Although a holistic approach is taken, most admission decisions are based on the combination of LSAT/GRE scores and undergraduate performance.
Eligibility Notice
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution to be eligible for consideration. Applicants applying through one of their formal 3+3 programs must have at minimum 90 credit hours and have met all other requirements within the 3+3 program. Individuals who have previously been academically dismissed from a law school are not eligible to apply to Florida State Law.
Application Process
The College of Law at Florida State University encourages applications from qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status. The admissions committee evaluates admissions from October through August. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, and priority consideration is given to the most potent applications submitted by the priority deadline of March 15. Applications completed after March 15 but by the final deadline of July 31 may not receive a timely decision. The College of Law is a full-time three-year program with first-year students starting in the fall semester.
Application Fee
The application fee for admission is $30. The fee can be paid online through LSAC. LSAC fee waivers are accepted, and applicants may request a waiver. The standardized admissions test requirement is either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). To read about how to obtain a fee waiver, click here.
Credential Assembly Service Report
All applicants must register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through LSAC. This is a required step to apply to the College of Law. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all their application materials are current and up-to-date with the Credential Assembly Service. This includes submitting all valid [[ https://www.bcgsearch.com/article/900052390/What-is-the-Role-of-LSAT-in-Law-School-Admissions/%7CLSAT scores]] from within the past five years and all official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Applicants must be in good standing at their undergraduate degree-granting institution to be eligible for consideration.
LSAT Writing
Applicants must take the LSAT Writing portion, a standalone test, to have their LSAT score released by LSAC. Applicants who have already taken the LSAT Writing portion do not need to retake it. Receipt of a new LSAT Writing portion after a decision has been made will not qualify for reconsideration of a previously denied application. The LSAT Writing portion is not required for GRE applicants, as the GRE already includes a written assessment as part of the test.
Personal Statement
The Admissions Committee receives many more applications than they can admit. They must consider many factors when making admissions decisions, such as LSAT and GRE scores, GPAs, work or service experience, leadership potential, and undergraduate course of study. In addition, the Committee also looks at things like graduate study, economic needs, social or cultural disadvantages, and extraordinary family or personal responsibilities.
If there are any factors that you would like the Committee to consider, you should discuss them in your statement. This statement is typically 2-3 pages long and should be typed and double-spaced. For personal statements and application essays, check out the TLS Guide to Personal Statements.
Resume
A detailed resume should accompany the application and must be submitted through LSAC. For advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here.
Residency Form
You will need to provide documentation to prove your residency if you are a Florida resident, including a copy of your FL driver's license, voter registration card, and FL vehicle registration. If you are not a Florida resident, you must provide residency documentation from another state.
Educational Institution Discipline or Violations of Law
To be considered for admission, you must include in your application a written explanation that includes a description of the incident(s) and the final disposition of the incident(s). This must include copies of the official documents about the incident(s). Official documents include, but are not limited to, court documents, copies of the citation, letters of good standing from the university, a letter regarding academic or disciplinary sanctions and their completion, etc. The final disposition of the incident must be included for the documentation to be valid.
Transfer
To be considered for admission as a transfer student, you must have completed one full-time semester or two part-time semesters of law school at an American Bar Association (ABA) or Association of American Law School (AALS) accredited institution. If you have more than 43 credits, you cannot apply as a transfer student but may submit a visitor application. In addition, you must be in good standing at your current law school and be eligible to return to the institution where you studied law before transferring. To be admitted as a transfer student, you must have an LSAT score of 147 or higher on file with LSAC.
Tuition and Expenses
The cost of attending law school varies depending on many factors. The most significant factor is whether you are a resident or non-resident of Florida. Residents pay considerably less than non-residents, with tuition/fees per credit hour at $688 for residents and $1,355 for non-residents.
Cost of Attendance
| 2021-2022 Fall/Spring Cost of Attendance Budget | ||
| Category | In State | Out of State |
| Tuition & Fees | $20,690 | $40,700 |
| Housing | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Board | $4,500 | $8,500 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Transportation | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Personal/Insurance | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Total | $41,890 | $61,900 |
Scholarships
The College of Law offers first-year scholarships to students who demonstrate merit based on LSAT/GRE scores and cumulative GPA. Most of our entering students receive scholarship awards. Scholarship awards are non-negotiable.
The College of Law offers scholarships for second and third-year students. The scholarships disburse during the fall and spring semesters, with some exceptions for summer disbursements. There are also scholarships specific to our environmental programs.
Loans
The College of Law offers a scholarship program to help students finance their legal education. In addition, students finance their education mainly through the Federal Direct Loan program. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and offers lower interest rates, multiple repayment options, and other protections. The Florida State University processes all federal loans through the Federal Direct Loan program. Students must be registered for at least six credit hours to be eligible for student loans. For more information on financial aid, contact the Florida State University Office of Financial Aid at 850.644.5716.
Law School Culture
During the past 50 years, the credentials of their students have increased, as has the diversity of their student body. The first students at FSU Law were groundbreakers. They paved the way for all the students who would come after them and created a culture that has endured, working together instead of at odds with each other. Some members of the first classes at the law school have joked that they would not be admitted to FSU Law if they were applying today. Still, the foundation they helped create has consistently resulted in their most recent incoming classes having some of the best credentials in the state. Recent incoming classes also include more females and minorities than the early classes. The most recent incoming class was 51% female, compared to 3% in 1966.
The law school culture and its students' excellence have resulted in many award-winning advocacy programs and student organizations. The first several classes recall a close-knit student body that formed strong bonds among themselves and with professors. This strong community has continued to thrive and create successful programs.
Academics & Curriculum
The first year of Florida State's JD curriculum is fairly traditional. It provides the foundation in history, doctrine, philosophy, process, and analytical methods students need to approach their careers. Florida State offers students a broad menu of specialized courses and clinical experiences in the second and third years. They have strong business, environmental, and international law programs. Each of these areas offers courses and experiences that go beyond the basics. Their JD students can earn certificates in each of these three specialty areas. They also offer an LLM in Environmental Law and Policy, an LLM in Business Law, an LLM in American Law for Foreign Lawyers, and a Juris Master program for college graduates. Their JD students can also take advantage of one of the nine joint graduate pathways they offer in cooperation with other colleges, schools, and departments at Florida State University. The most popular of these is their JD-MBA program.
Students have many opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom in the real world. Florida State's clinical programs and location in Tallahassee provide students with a wide variety of opportunities to gain the legal experience employers desire. The law school is within walking distance of the state Capitol, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and several government agencies.
The law school offers one of the most extensive externship programs in the United States. Students earn academic credit while working under the supervision of practicing attorneys. The program places students in more than 100 offices throughout Florida and elsewhere. Students may even select international externships in locations worldwide, including London, the Hague, and Botswana. Many of the school's externships engage students in actual law practice.
Florida State's Public Interest Law Center trains second-and third-year law students in legal advocacy, emphasizing mentoring, small-group discussions, and role-playing. Students are certified by the Florida Supreme Court to practice under the supervision of attorneys. They interview clients, conduct discovery, draft pleadings, and represent clients in various legal forums. Through its three live-client clinics - the Children's Advocacy Clinic, the Family Law Clinic, and the Medical-Legal Partnership - the Public Interest Law Center provides students with practical skills training and management skills that they will continue to use as practicing attorneys. The Center's work on children in prison has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2010 landmark decision and featured by national and international media. The law school's 50,000-square-foot Advocacy Center houses five courtrooms.
Florida State's co-curricular organizations provide students with a wealth of ways to earn credit for "hands-on" legal activities. The mock trial and moot court programs prepare students to be trial and appellate advocates, and the three student-run scholarly journals, including the flagship Florida State University Law Review, give students additional opportunities to hone their research and writing skills.
Clinical Programs
The Florida State University College of Law provides many opportunities for its students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world. The college's clinical programs and location in Tallahassee provide students with a wealth of options to gain legal experience, which is highly desirable by employers. The law school is close to the state Capitol, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and several government agencies. As a result, students have a wide variety of externship and live-client clinic opportunities from which to choose.
Externship Programs
An externship is a semester-long work experience that allows students to gain practical legal experience while working off-campus in a law office or court. FSU Law has one of the most extensive externship programs in the country, with a wide variety of opportunities at government, legal aid, not-for-profit, and in-house corporate counsel law offices. Positions are offered each semester and available throughout Florida and nationally, and internationally.
Business Law Clinic
The Business Law Clinic helps advise business and social entrepreneurs within the Florida State University community. Students in the clinic learn transactional skills, such as bargaining, drafting, risk assessment, and legal ethics. They will conduct various legal services, including intake, identifying legal and business issues, and developing bargaining strategies. Students will also help choose the appropriate entity type and draft organizational documents.
Public Interest Law Center
The Public Interest Law Center at the Florida State University College of Law provides law students with the opportunity to gain real-world legal experience by representing underrepresented clients. Students in the Center's live-client clinics and projects have represented clients before government agencies and in court, conducted discovery, and drafted pleadings. National and international media have featured the work of the Center.
Quality of Life
The Florida State University College of Law is located in the heart of downtown Tallahassee, which provides many opportunities for students to gain hands-on legal experience. In addition to invaluable opportunities in Tallahassee, FSU law students have opportunities to gain global experience. The law school campus is within walking distance of the Florida Capitol, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and many government agencies. Because there are so many attorneys, government leaders, and judges in Tallahassee, students also have many opportunities to network.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
Florida State University College of Law reports that nine months after the FSU Law class of 2021 graduated, about 70% of the newly minted J.D.s had long-term full-time jobs requiring bar passage. Law graduates from Florida State University make a median of $83,989 in the private sector. If they go into the private sector, they can expect to make around $50,000. Most (51.8%) of law graduates from Florida State University go directly to work for law firms, while about 8% clerk for a judge. About 8% of graduates go into public interest. Over 84% of Florida State University graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Florida State’s law school graduates continue to excel on the Florida Bar Examination. Bar passage rate for the most recent exam administration was 84.4%. This is significantly higher than the overall passing rate for first-time test takers, 71.7%.
Some notable facts and figures for the 2020-2021 academic year include 179 students participating in externships at 81 different placement sites. Twenty-one students were placed with federal judges or federal agencies. Students were placed in 36 cities, including Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, Washington, D.C., and London. Thirty-one students were in full-time litigation placements. Twenty-three students were at in-house corporate counsel placements.
Contact Information
Florida State University College of Law
Admissions Office
475 West Jefferson Street
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Phone: 850.644.3787
Email: admissions@law.fsu.edu
https://law.fsu.edu/admissions/admissions
Summary
| Established | 1966 |
| Location | Tallahassee, FL |
| Dean | Erin O'Hara O'Connor |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 47th |
| LSAT Median Score | 163 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.82 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 97% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 87% (2022) |
| Cost | $20,690 (In State) $40,700 (Out State) |
| Average Debt | $69,049 |
| Application Deadline | March 15, 2023(Regular)
July 31, 2023 (Final Deadline) |
Forum and Discussion
Florida State University College of Law Discussions
Law School Admissions Forums
Law Student Forums
Law School Class Forums
Reference
https://law.fsu.edu/
Rank #47
LSD Law
LSAC Guide
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The Guide to Law School Loans
Guide to Fee Waivers
