University of Illinois Chicago School of Law

The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law is a great place to study law. The school has a diverse student body and provides many opportunities for students to get involved in the community. UIC Law is also very supportive of its students and offers many resources that help students succeed.

History

The John Marshall Law School has a tradition of diversity and opportunity. It was founded in 1899 and is an independent law school that upholds these values. The school believes that the study of law is critical to the health of our democratic society and offers working professionals from all walks of life the opportunity and access to study law.

The John Marshall Law School is joining the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to create the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (UIC Law). This will be Chicago's only public law school. UIC Law is creating interdisciplinary programs to train our students for the future of law practice through multidisciplinary perspectives; enhancing our traditional strengths in intellectual property, lawyering skills, and experiential education; and building innovative programs in law and health sciences. The Law School will continue its engagement with the community, promote excellence, inspire innovation, and produce the next generation of talented lawyers and leaders for Chicago and beyond.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is one of the largest universities in Chicago. The addition of UIC Law grows the university to 16 academic colleges that serve more than 31,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UIC is known for its ethnically rich and culturally diverse campus and its dedication to providing access to underrepresented students. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is a major educator of health professionals and health care providers to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in business, law, health sciences, engineering, education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning and social work, architecture, design, and the arts. UIC is integral to one of the world's greatest cities' educational, technological, and cultural fabric.

Admissions

UIC Law operates on a rolling admission policy. This means that the office continues to review applications until the class is full. The earlier you submit your application, the better your chance of being admitted. However, applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if space is available.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	148 - 151 - 153
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	2.98 - 3.27 - 3.52
Acceptance rate	56.9%
Applications received	1679
Acceptances	956
Matriculants	90

LSAT

Applicants to the JD program at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law can visit the Law School Admission Council’s website for instructions on registering to take the LSAT. Although applicants can submit their application to UIC Law before taking the LSAT, files will not be reviewed until UIC Law receives an LSAT score from the LSAC. They encourage applicants for the fall entering class to take the February test (or an earlier administration) and applicants for the spring entering class to take the October LSAT (or an earlier administration). They will, however, consider scores from later administrations if space is available in the entering class. Please note that applicants may submit an application and request that they hold a review of their file until a subsequent LSAT administration. If you are registered for a future LSAT date, the Office of Admission will wait to review your application until the latest test score is received. Only the highest score will be considered if an applicant has multiple tests. LSAT scores are valid for five years.

GRE

The University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law will also accept GRE scores from applicants. In addition to the GRE score, all other application materials - including the application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume, and supplemental statements - must be submitted to the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service for assembly and submission. If an applicant has taken the LSAT, that score will also be a part of the CAS. While applicants need only take either the LSAT or the GRE, UIC Law requires all test results from the past five years. For example, if an applicant has taken both exams twice within the last five years, then UIC Law requires all four test results. Applicants may need to choose which results they will share. If an applicant has taken the LSAT, UIC Law considers the LSAT to be the primary admission test, regardless of whether the applicant has submitted a GRE score.

Transcripts/LORs

To be considered for admission to the UIC School of Law, you must submit your undergraduate transcripts and letters of recommendation through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Your CAS report must be complete and pay the required fee to the LSAC. We will accept up to four letters of recommendation.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is an opportunity to offer the Admission Committee personal details to supplement LSAT scores, transcripts, and credentials. It is important to be clear and concise when writing a personal statement and to ensure that it is 2-4 pages long. When writing a personal statement, it is important to include examples of leadership, community involvement, talents, and achievements.

Tuition Fee and Financial Aid

The tuition for in-state students attending the JD, LLM, or MJ programs at this school will be $1,200 per credit hour. The tuition for out-of-state students attending the JD, LLM, or MJ programs at this school will be $1,500 per credit hour.

The law school has added a laptop requirement for all incoming students to qualify for financial aid. Students may complete a Budget Increase Form to cover the purchase of a laptop up to $2,500. The form must be submitted along with a copy of the receipt, and the information must be sent to the Financial Aid Office. Request the budget increase before purchasing the laptop. Laptops must meet minimum performance specifications to qualify for financial aid. The funds for the budget increase will be disbursed directly to your student account. Any outstanding balances or debt owed to the law school when the computer loan is issued will be subtracted from the loan; the law school will then refund the remainder.

Tuition and Fee Waivers

At UIC Law, they do not receive any direct state appropriations, so students who are also employees of the University of Illinois system are not eligible to receive tuition and fee waivers from UIC Law based on their employment status. However, they may be eligible to be considered for merit-based scholarships awarded by the Law School under the exact eligibility requirements as other law students. Tuition and fees are due September 28. For more information, please visit Billing and Payment.

Application/Admission Fees

The University of Illinois at Chicago charges no application fee, but deposits for attending the law school or graduate program are required. The deposit amount varies depending on the student's status and program of study. International students are required to pay a higher tuition deposit. Some other fees and assessments may also be charged each semester, which can be found on the university's website.

Cost of Attendance

The estimated living expenses for JD students are $14,400 for housing and food, $1,400 for books and supplies, $4,500 for personal expenses, and $1,526 for transportation. There are also Stafford Loan Fees of $600 and Graduate Plus Loan Fees of $1,100. A living expense budget for students taking all online courses will be different than those also taking on-campus courses. The budget will exclude unnecessary expenses, such as transportation costs. Students enrolled in at least one on-campus course will be eligible for the approved living expenses.

Financial Aid

The UIC Law Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) is committed to helping all law students find the financial resources necessary to succeed in law school. The financial aid team offers an array of federal, state, and institutional programs to help students learn and understand the financial aid process, from when they first enroll in school through each year of the law curriculum. If you require financial assistance, it is highly encouraged that you complete the necessary paperwork by the appropriate deadlines.

Financial Aid Debt Management Series

UIC Law is committed to providing students with the best resources possible to help them borrow responsibly and manage their debt. Our upcoming financial aid debt management workshops will provide students with the necessary tools and information to make sound decisions when borrowing money for school. The series will consist of four events, two this fall and two in the spring.

Types of Financial Aid

Unsubsidized Loan:

These loans are not based on need. Loans begin to accrue interest from the date of the first disbursement. The current interest rate is 6.54%.

Graduate Plus Loan:

These loans requires a credit check, and you may apply with a cosigner. Loans begin to accrue interest from the date of the first date of disbursement. The current interest rate is 7.54%.

Private Loans:

These loans allow you to apply with an outside lender. The interest rates vary depending on credit.

Scholarships

At UIC Law, all students are automatically considered for a range of merit scholarships. Current students can apply for scholarships and financial awards every spring by completing the Law School's Common Scholarship Application. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Hansen, Director of Admissions, at (312) 427-2737 ext. 403.

Law School-Funded Scholarships

Barrister’s Scholarship
Dean’s Scholarship
Distinguished Scholar Scholarship
Scholarships
Edward T. Lee Scholarship
Student Veteran Yellow Ribbon Scholarships

Academics and Curriculum

What makes UIC Law so special is the variety and number of courses they offer to their students. Regardless of what courses interest you, you'll develop the strategic, analytical, and transactional skills that are so valuable to employers. They specialize in educating attorneys who can succeed from their first day on the job.

To earn a JD from UIC Law, degree candidates must pass a core curriculum, which provides them with fundamental knowledge and skills related to substantive legal concepts and rules. After completing the core curriculum, degree candidates must select electives from substantive areas of law. To successfully graduate, they must obtain an overall GPA of 2.25 or better and earn a minimum of 3 clinical and externship credit hours.

The Lawyering Skills Program provides students with the opportunity to develop essential legal skills required for success in law school and beyond. The program offers courses covering legal research, writing, and oral advocacy.

JD Concentrations

The JD concentrations offer degree candidates the opportunity to go beyond their foundational knowledge of the law to develop further competitive distinction in specific areas of study. The concentrations are designed to guide selecting electives in specific areas of study and develop the practice-ready skills that employers seek in career applicants. Each concentration has specific requirements and elective courses a student may take to earn the certificate.

JD candidates can pursue a concentration in one of the following areas:

JD Experiential Education

The Law School offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities to its students, including Community Legal Clinics, externships, and a combination of both. These opportunities allow students to put their skills to the test in natural legal work settings. A maximum of 15 clinic or externship hours may be credited toward the JD.

Community Legal Clinics

The UIC Law clinical program offers JD candidates the opportunity to develop real legal experience. The clinics are designed to help students develop the courtroom-ready skills employers seek in career applicants.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

Each year, UIC Law submits data to the American Bar Association (ABA) and the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) regarding the employment status of graduates from the preceding year. The ABA Employment Summary reports below reflect graduates’ employment as of February 15 of the reporting year. Employment includes full-time and part-time positions, long-term and short-term positions, and positions in legal and non-legal industry sectors.

Upon graduation, JD graduates from the University of Illinois—Chicago make an average of $65,000 if they work in the private sector. If they go into the private sector, a grad can expect to make around $64,000. Most law graduates from the University of Illinois—Chicago, 55.4%, go directly to work for law firms. However, 3.8% clerk for a judge, and 9.1% go into public interest. 71.6% of graduates pass the bar on their first try.

Quality of Life

At UIC Law School, their location is one of their biggest strengths. Their prime location in downtown Chicago puts us in the heart of the city's legal industry. The students have access to plenty of opportunities for internships, externships, and job prospects after graduation. Their location also allows us to stay connected to some of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Choosing UIC Law School means that you are ready to make a difference in the world.

Synopsis

UIC Law is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of its students and their community. They are part of the University of Illinois Chicago, the largest university in Chicago and the only public Carnegie Research 1 institution. This gives their students more resources and opportunities to impact their community. The nationally recognized faculty and programs provide their students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to change lives.

Contact Information

University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Admissions Office
300 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (800) 537-4280
Email: law-admissions@uic

https://law.uic.edu/admission/

Summary

Established	1899
Location	Chicago, IL 60604
Dean	Nicky Boothe
2022 US News Ranking	147
LSAT Median Score	NA
GPA Median Score	NA
Bar Passage Rate	72% (2022)
Employment Rate	39% (2022)
Cost	In-State JD, LLM, and MJ Tuition (Per Credit Hour): $1,200 Out-of-State JD, LLM, and MJ Tuition (Per Credit Hour): $1,500
Average Debt	$124,041
Application Deadline	March 1

Forum and Discussion

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Reference

University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Ranked #147
LSD Law
BCG Attorney's Advice for Associates
LSAC Guide
How to Learn to Do Well on a Law School Exam
Success in Law School - A Unique Perspective
The Guide to Law School Loans
Guide to Fee Waivers