University of Georgia School of Law

The University of Georgia School of Law is among the finest law schools in the South and is widely considered to be one of the 50 best law schools in the nation. Students at the school can look forward to excellent job prospects in the region, especially in the growing legal market of the city of Atlanta. Applicants interested in securing employment in this region should give the school serious consideration, while residents of the state of Georgia, who can enroll at bargain rates, should place the school near the top of their lists.

History

The University of Georgia School of Law is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious law schools. Founded in 1859, it is the second oldest school or college at the University of Georgia, the birthplace of public higher education in America. The law school has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. Senators, a Vice President of the United States, and a Supreme Court Justice. The school is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the country and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Law Schools.

The University of Georgia School of Law offers a rigorous legal education that prepares its graduates for successful careers in the legal profession. The school offers various courses in all areas of law, and its faculty is nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and teaching. The school also strongly commits to public service, and its graduates are legal, business, government, and academia leaders.

The University of Georgia School of Law is located in Athens, Georgia, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city home to the University of Georgia and many other colleges and universities. Athens is also a center for the arts, with a lively music and nightlife scene. The city is just a short drive from Atlanta, the state capital of Georgia, and is convenient to some recreational and cultural attractions.

Admissions

The University of Georgia School of Law is looking for students with diverse experiences and talents who can enrich the educational experience for everyone. The admissions committee considers things like test scores and GPA when making decisions about who to admit. Still, they also recognize that there are other important factors to consider, like an applicant's character, involvement in their community, and professional experiences. Committee members also take into account where an applicant went to undergraduate school, their major, and any graduate or professional work they may have done. Finally, the state an applicant resides in is also taken into consideration. If you're unsure about applying to law school or just beginning the application process, please take the time to read some of the excellent pre-law articles found here.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	157 - 165 - 166	160 - 166 - 167
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.5 - 3.78 - 3.88	3.5 - 3.82 - 3.93
Acceptance rate	19.4%	18.5%
Applications received	2486	2998
Acceptances	481	554
Matriculants	459	528

The Admissions Committee at the University of Georgia School of Law will consider all LSAT or GRE scores. Still, it will primarily focus on the highest score if an applicant takes the test more than once. Applicants entering the class of 2023, must take the LSAT or GRE no later than the June 2023 administration and are encouraged to register for an earlier administration. Test scores from the June 2018 administration or later for either exam are acceptable. Note: If an applicant has taken both the LSAT and GRE, they must report their LSAT score. An applicant cannot withhold an LSAT score if they have one, regardless of whether or not they also have a GRE score.

Acceptance Rate

The University of Georgia School of Law is one of the most popular law schools in the country. In the 2022 application cycle, nearly 3,000 people applied, and 554 were offered admission. The school has a 1L class size of 194 and a yield of 34.48%. This means that out of the 554 applicants who were offered admission, 191 accepted and ended up attending the school. Although the acceptance rate is relatively low, the yield rate is quite high, indicating that those offered admissions are likely to accept and attend the school.

Application Fee

The University of Georgia School of Law requires all applicants to pay a $50 non-refundable application and processing fee. This fee must be paid online when applying through LSAC.org. The fee is used to cover the costs of processing applications and is not refundable. For more about obtaining a fee waiver, click here.

Standardized Test

To apply to the University of Georgia School of Law, all applicants must have a reportable score on either the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants taking the GRE must designate UGA School of Law as a recipient of their scores. For the 2023 entering class, applicants must take the LSAT or GRE no later than the June 2023 administration. However, it is encouraged that applicants register for an earlier administration.

LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS)

All applicants must register with the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and have an LSAC Law School Report sent to the School of Law. Transcripts of all academic work, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, must be sent to CAS. All coursework taken before the fall semester (quarter) 2022, must be forwarded to CAS for the report. The resulting Law School Report, which includes LSAT score(s) and copies of all transcripts, is sent to the School of Law if no problems exist with the applicant's file at the CAS.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for applicants. These letters should ideally be no more than two years old. They should come from professors, employers, or others who can speak to the applicant's ability to succeed in a professional program. Employer references will be accepted if the applicant has been out of school for several years. The LSAC letter of recommendation form must be used by applicants using the LSAC letter of recommendation service. This form is available on LSAC.org. For additional advice on obtaining letters of recommendation, click here.

Resume

Submit a resume detailing your education, employment, skills, honors, awards, and accomplishments. Upload the document as an attachment to the application form. For advice about creating a professional law school resume, click here.

Tuition and Financial Support

The University of Georgia School of Law charges an annual tuition of $17,604 for residents and $36,362 for non-residents, and a fee of $1,390 for both groups.

Cost of Attendance

Tuition 2022-2023
	Georgia Resident	Non-Resident	Georgia Resident & Non-Resident Fees
Annual Tuition & Fees	$17,604	$36,362	$35,716

Expenses 2022-2023
Books & Supplies	$2,226
Room & Board	$10,904 On-Campus; $13,194 Off-Campus
Transportation	$1,278 Resident; $2,112 Non-Resident
Personal Misc. Expense	$3,292 On-Campus; $4,168 Off-Campus
Total Costs	$54,740

Total Estimated Cost of Attendance 2022-2023
$36,694 'Georgia Resident, On-Campus
$39,860 Georgia Resident, Off-Campus
$56,286 Non-Resident, On-Campus
$59,452 Non-Resident, Off-Campus

Authentic Scholarships

The University of Georgia School of Law is committed to offering a world-class, hands-on education that preparing students for success in the legal field. The school offers a variety of scholarships to incoming students based on academic achievement, potential for success in law school, and other factors. These scholarships make it possible for talented students to pursue their dreams of a legal education, regardless of their financial background. The University of Georgia School of Law offers scholarships to its students funded by endowments and gifts from alumni and friends of the legal community. These scholarships help defray the cost of a student's legal education and allow students to connect with the donors who have funded their particular scholarship. In many cases, these donors become a source of support and guidance for the students.

Financial Assistance

FEDERAL LOANS

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for a Federal Direct Loan. This loan is available to law students enrolled at least half-time. You can borrow up to $20,500 per year. You will have to pay the interest on the loan from when it is disbursed until you repay it. You can pay the interest while in school or let it accrue (capitalize).

GRADUATE PLUS LOANS

Graduate Plus Loans are available to law students enrolled at least half-time.  Financial need is not a requirement, but a student must not have an adverse credit history (bankruptcy, tax liens, etc.) to be approved for the Graduate PLUS Loan.  The maximum annual loan amount is based on the student's cost of attendance minus other aid received.

Information and application materials may be obtained by contacting the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid. With the exception of short-term emergency loans to enrolled students, all student loans are administered by the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid.

Academics & Curriculum

Like most top law schools, Georgia Law students enroll in a required set of courses during their 1L year, which is thought to be the most academically rigorous year at the law school. After completing first-year requirements, students are free to choose from among 126 elective courses at the law school, and can also take courses at other schools and colleges at the University of Georgia for credit towards their JD degrees. Interdisciplinary opportunities are also available in the form of several joint degree programs available to law students, including the traditional JD/MBA and the less common JD/MEd in Sports Studies. Students looking for more practical training can take advantage of Georgia Law's several clinical opportunities, among them the Criminal Defense Clinic and the Family Violence Clinic, and can also participate in the school's acclaimed and decorated Moot Court and Mock Trial teams. Lastly, students interested in taking their legal educations beyond American borders will have plenty of opportunity to do so through Georgia Law's various study abroad programs, which take place in Oxford, Brussels and several other cities.

Student Body

The University of Georgia School of Law has an average enrollment of 600 students. Of those enrolled, 73% receive some form of scholarship aid. This aid is especially important for first-generation college graduates and military veterans, who make up 100% of the school's population. The University of Georgia is committed to making sure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.

World Class Faculty

The University of Georgia School of Law has many highly accomplished faculty members who have been recognized with awards such as the Fulbright Scholars and American Law Institute Young Scholars Medal. In addition to their academic achievements, many faculty also serve as consultants to legal institutions, foreign governments, and corporations. This ensures that students at the school benefit from the latest real-world legal expertise.

Quality of Life

There seems to be an almost universal admiration of Athens among students at Georgia Law School. The college town houses a variety of restaurants and bars, the latter of which is often home to live musical acts to suit a wide range of musical tastes. Athens has a very active live music scene and has helped launch such famous bands as REM and the B-52's. Aside from nightlife, students at Georgia can participate in the hoopla surrounding the university's storied football program, and can also participate in the various functions and events hosted by the law school. It seems safe to say that Georgia Law students will run out of free time, especially during their 1L year, before they run out of ways to pass that free time in Athens. In terms of housing, students are typically able to find suitable apartments for less than $500 per month, and most tend to live off-campus. The city's public transportation system is said to be convenient and efficient in getting students to campus, although parking on campus is not a problem.

All this, combined with Athens' proximity to Atlanta (75 miles), and the University of Georgia's beautiful and spacious campus, makes for a promising quality of life for students at Georgia Law School.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

The University of Georgia School of Law is the top law school in the state for employment, with almost 98% of students who sat for the bar passing within 12 months of graduation. The school also has the highest state bar passage rate among Georgia law schools for the July/post-graduation sitting of first-time test takers for the past 9 years.

The University of Georgia School of Law is a top law school for students seeking judicial clerkships. With 38 clerkships available for the Class of 2021, the school is No. 8 in placement success. Additionally, UGA Law ranks No. 10 in bar passage according to U.S. News & World Report for the 2022/23 academic year. These rankings reflect the high-quality education and career preparation UGA Law provides its students.

Synopsis

The University of Georgia School of Law provides its students a fine legal education at a reasonable cost, followed by excellent job prospects in Atlanta and the state of Georgia as a whole. At the same time, the charming city of Athens promises Georgia Law students a high quality of life and a low cost of living, a combination sure to make for an enjoyable three years at the law school. Without a doubt, residents of Georgia and applicants wishing to land employment in Georgia should give the school serious consideration.

Contact Information

University of Georgia School of Law
J.D. Office of Admissions
Harold Hirsch Hall
Athens, GA 30602
706.542.7060
ugajd@uga.edu
http://www.law.uga.edu/jd-admissions

Summary

Established	1859
Location	BAthens, Georgia
Dean	Peter B. "Bo" Rutledge
2022 US News Ranking	29th
LSAT Median Score	166
GPA Median Score	3.82
Bar Passage Rate	94% (2022)
Employment Rate	76% (2022)
Cost	$17,604 Georgia Resident Tuition $36,362 Non-Resident* Tuition $1,390 Georgia Resident & Non-Resident Fees
Average Debt	$77,169
Application Deadline	December 1, 2022 (Early Decision) June 1, 2023 (Regular)

Forum and Discussion

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Reference

https://www.law.uga.edu/
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