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Georgia State University College of Law
Located in Downtown Atlanta, the Georgia State University College of Law (GSU Law), despite its ranking, offers low in-state tuition, a compelling bar passage rate, and good employment prospects for those who wish to stay and work in the region.
Contents
History
The Georgia State University College of Law was founded in 1981 to provide a law school that embraced both traditional students and those who worked full-time. The college enrolled 200 students in its inaugural year, taught by six professors. Most students were part-time, and many took classes at night because they had full-time jobs during the day. Some were older students for whom the law was a second career. The college’s first seven students graduated in December 1984.
The Georgia State University College of Law is located in the heart of the city, which gives students access to the court system, state government, and other important legal resources. The school has a well-earned reputation for excellence and provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to compete in any legal field. Additionally, the school offers affordable tuition rates, creating a welcoming community for students from all backgrounds.
Admissions
At the College of Law, they believe that legal education should be dynamic and hands-on. Their approach allows students to tackle today's biggest legal issues head-on. They don't believe in sticking with the status quo; their faculty and students are at the forefront of law practice, theory, and technology. This drives their curriculum, which is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest changes in the legal field. If you're looking for an innovative and exciting legal education, Apply now!
Statistics
| Admissions Stats | ||
| Class of: | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT | 156 - 158 - 160 | 157 - 160 - 162 |
| 25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA | 3.28 - 3.52 - 3.68 | 3.35 - 3.55 - 3.76 |
| Acceptance rate | 28.6% | 38.7% |
| Applications received | 1855 | 2125 |
| Acceptances | 530 | 573 |
| Matriculants | 167 | 171 |
During the 2022 application cycle, 2,125 people applied, and 573 were offered admission. Georgia State University has a 1L class size of 222 and a yield of 38.74%. 222 out of 573 applicants offered admission were accepted, meaning that 38.74% of that offered admission ended up attending the school. The 1L class at Georgia State University has a median LSAT of 160. The 25th percentile LSAT is 157, and the 75th percentile LSAT is 162. The median GPA is 3.55. The 25th percentile GPA is 3.35, and the 75th percentile GPA is 3.76.
They offer a variety of courses, co-curricular activities, and externships to help students discover what kind of lawyer they want to be. Their options include a full-time and part-time program and day and evening classes. They also offer nine dual-degree programs where you can earn your bachelor’s and law degrees together or a law degree and master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Public Health, Health Administration, Analytics, or City and Regional Planning.
Application Steps
Applying to attend Georgia State University College of Law is a process that requires taking certain steps. The first step is to submit your application. The next step is assessing your credentials through the Credential Assembly Service. After that, you must submit your statement, college transcripts, and standardized test scores. You will also need to provide letters of recommendation, a letter of good standing, and a class rank from your previous school. Once this information is received, the admissions committee will decide your admission status.
Cost of Attendance
The Georgia State College of Law was founded to make legal education accessible and affordable. We offer various financial aid and scholarship options to help make this possible for full-time and part-time students.
| Georgia Residents -Estimated Cost of Attendance | ||
| Per Semester | 2 Semesters | |
| Tuition | $ 7,884 | $ 15,768 |
| Fees | $ 717 | $ 1,434 |
| Books & Supplies | $ 1,000 | $ 2,000 |
| Room & Board | $ 7,445.62 | $ 14,891.24 |
| Direct Loan Fees | $ 108.50 | $ 217 |
| Personal Expenses | $ 1,277.50 | $ 2,555 |
| Transportation | $ 1,149.43 | $ 2,298.86 |
| Total | $ 19,582.05 | $ 39,164.10 |
| Non-Georgia Residents -Estimated Cost of Attendance | ||
| Per Semester | 2 Semesters | |
| Tuition | $ 17,688 | $ 35,376 |
| Fees | $ 717 | $ 1,434 |
| Books & Supplies | $ 1,000 | $ 2,000 |
| Room & Board | $ 7,445.62 | $ 14,891.24 |
| Direct Loan Fees | $ 108.50 | $ 217 |
| Personal Expenses | $ 1,277.50 | $ 2,555 |
| Transportation | $ 1,298.43 | $ 2,596.86 |
| Total | $ 29,535.05 | $ 59,070.10 |
Figures based on the 2022-2023 academic year tuition and fee rates. Costs may vary based on personal choices. Rates are subject to change.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to help students with the costs of obtaining a legal education at Georgia State Law. This includes scholarships, tuition waivers, federal Stafford Loans and Grad Plus Loans, and private educational loans. Georgia State Law administers scholarships and tuition waivers. Georgia State University FAFSA School Code: 001574
Georgia State University College of Law Awards
- Class Gift Campaign Scholarship
- Georgia State University Tuition Waivers & Fellowships
- Georgia State Law Public Interest Summer Funding
- Scholarships Awarded During the Admissions Process
Academics and Curriculum
There are several great opportunities for GSU Law students to pursue an academic degree. For those interested in a joint degree, there are many options, including a JD/MBA, JD/MPA (public administration), JD with a Master of Philosophy, JD/MSHA or JD/MBA/MHA (health administration), JD/MPH (public health), and JD/MCRP (City and Regional Planning). Additionally, GSU Law offers an LLM program for internationally trained lawyers who wish to specialize in an area or prepare for a bar exam in a qualifying state. GSU Law is also great for non-traditional students, as it offers full-time and part-time JD programs.
Experiential Learning
Georgia State University College of Law provides a unique and innovative curriculum that helps students master the theory of law. This approach blends legal theory with practical experience, which gives students the skills and confidence they need to succeed after graduation. Their graduates can hit the ground running and are highly sought-after by employers.
Georgia State Law provides various programs and resources to help you succeed in your legal studies. Their Academic Success Program pairs you with a faculty adviser to help you overcome any academic challenges you may face. In addition, they have 25+ student organizations, alumni, and the Center for Professional Development available to mentor and network with you. Their mindfulness training and yoga programs give you the skills to balance law school with the rest of your life. Their engaged faculty are experienced attorneys and legal scholars who write casebooks and codes, advise on domestic and international matters and are dedicated to your success. With their innovative curriculum, practical training, and cutting-edge professional development center, you will be ready for any career upon graduation.
Certificates
- Certificate in Advocacy
- Certificate in Entertainment, Sports & Media Law
- Certificate in Environmental & Land-Use Law
- Certificate in Health Law
- Certificate in Intellectual Property Law
- Certificate in Legal Analytics & Innovation
- Certificate in Public Interest Law & Policy
Clinics
Clinics offer students a unique opportunity to see how the law works. In clinics, students use methods learned in the classroom to help clients who cannot afford a lawyer. The facility for the on-campus clinics functions like a law firm and serves clients from the community. Students in the in-house clinics are assigned their cases and work under the supervision of law faculty or a supervising attorney. Participating in a clinic is the perfect way for students to explore their areas of interest and find their passion.
- Capital Defender Clinic
- HeLP Clinic
- Immigration Clinic
- Mediation Clinic
- Olmstead Disability Rights Clinic
- Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Externships
Externships allow students to apply the theories they learn in class to real-world cases. Students earn class credit while working with non-profits, government agencies, corporations, and law firms. They are paired with attorneys who help them develop their skills and work with a faculty supervisor who helps guide their learning experience. Externships allow students to serve the public, make contacts in the field, and learn skills for daily law practice.
Urban Fellows Program
The Urban Fellows Program is a graduate-level program that brings together students from Georgia State University and Georgia Tech's School of City and Regional Planning. The program allows students to learn about urban growth and development aspects. The fellows attend lectures, meet with experts in the field, and write a research paper on a topic related to urban planning. They also present their research findings to their classmates at the end of the semester.
Pro Bono & Public Service
Georgia State Law encourages student involvement in pro bono and public service through the Pro Bono & Public Service Recognition Program. This program recognizes students for their efforts in activities that address the unmet legal needs of people of limited means and their work in enhancing the capacity of law and legal institutions to do justice. The Center for Access to Justice's award-winning Pro Bono Program connects students with legal volunteer opportunities to help those who need legal assistance. Under attorney supervision, Georgia State Law students can provide valuable assistance and enhance law and legal institutions.
Moot Court
The Moot Court program at Georgia State Law is a great way for students to improve their legal skills by developing their written and oral advocacy abilities. Every year, our law school sends teams to competitions that focus on different areas of law. Our moot court teams have had a lot of success in national competitions. Many program graduates go on to become successful litigators and district attorneys.
Employment Prospects & Bar Passage
The median salary for a JD graduate from Georgia State University who works in the private sector is $90,000. If they go into the private sector, a grad can expect to make $62,500. 62.4% of law graduates from Georgia State University go directly to work for law firms, while 3.9% clerk for a judge. 5.5% of graduates go into public interest. 88.3% of Georgia State University graduates pass the bar on their first try.
Quality of Life
Atlanta is a great place to live for law students. The city has a lot of cultural offerings, like museums and a professional team in every major sport, and plenty of nightlife opportunities. The weather is mild, which is great for those who don't like the cold, and despite muggy summers, Atlanta is still a great place to live, climactically speaking. Crime is a problem in Atlanta, but there has been much improvement in recent years.
Library
The Law Library is a comfortable space with a primarily wireless environment. Students, faculty, and attorneys can access a large collection of print and electronic resources. Librarians are available to help with research projects and provide assistance in finding materials. The library also has a section dedicated to government documents available to the public. The website provides an overview of the library staff and services, as well as access to research guides, the online catalog, and a list of treatises. A Faculty Publications link highlights books, articles, and electronic publications authored by faculty.
Synopsis
The Georgia State College of Law was founded to provide accessible and affordable legal education to students. We offer part-time and full-time programs, many specialties, and an expansive experiential learning curriculum. Their renowned faculty are problem solvers, and through their teaching and scholarship, they challenge their students to do the same. They have a strong sense of community here at GSCOL and are committed to extending justice wherever possible.
Contact Information
Georgia State University
College of Law
Admissions Office
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4049v
Atlanta, GA 30302-4049
Physical Address
85 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
email: lawadmissions@gsu.edu
email: lawllm@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-9200
Summary
| Established | 1970s |
| Location | Atlanta, GA |
| Dean | LaVonda Reed |
| 2022 US News Ranking | 78th |
| LSAT Median Score | 160 |
| GPA Median Score | 3.55 |
| Bar Passage Rate | 88% (2022) |
| Employment Rate | 47% (2022) |
| Cost | $17,202 Georgia Residents (2 SEMESTERS) $36,810 Non-Georgia Residents 2 SEMESTERS) |
| Average Debt | $85,644 |
| Application Deadline | January 15, 2023(Priority) JUNE 1, 2023(Regular) |
Forum and Discussion
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Reference
Georgia State University College of Law, Atlanta, GA
https://law.gsu.edu/
Rank #78
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