Western New England Law School

The School of Law provides students with a strong foundation in legal theory, combined with numerous experiential learning opportunities. As the only law school in western Massachusetts, their students can access excellent clinical and externship opportunities at local courts, businesses, and law firms. The graduates leave with the practical skills they need to turn their passions into professions.

History

The School of Law at Western New England University has a long and distinguished history. The school was founded in 1919 as part of the Springfield Division of Northeastern College. The full-time JD program was introduced in 1973, and the Blake Law Center became the new home of the JD program in 1979. In 2011, Western New England became a University with five academic divisions, including the School of Law.

The Western New England University School of Law is the only ABA-accredited law school in Massachusetts outside of Boston. It has a diverse student body, with students coming from more than 30 states and Canada. The School of Law offers full- and part-time programs, which attract students who are just starting their careers and have extensive professional experience. Some students are interested in becoming lawyers, while others plan to use their legal education to further their professional careers.

The students who attend Western New England University School of Law come from various backgrounds and have varying career objectives. However, one thing they all have in common is that they are drawn to the school's philosophy of collaborative teaching and learning and the faculty's dedication to teaching. As a top institution of higher education, they are fully committed to providing their students with a well-rounded legal education that will enrich their lives.

Admissions

Applying to Western New England University School of Law is simple and free. Click here to apply.

Statistics

Admissions Stats
Class of:	2020-2021	2021-2022
25th - 50th - 75th percentile LSAT	146 - 148 - 152	147 - 150 - 154
25th - 50th - 75th percentile GPA	3.03 - 3.27 - 3.58	3.12 - 3.47 - 3.7
Acceptance rate	60.2%	57.4%
Applications received	618	660
Acceptances	372	379
Matriculants	21	29

The 1L class at Western New England University is highly competitive, with a median LSAT of 150 and a yield of 32.72%. Of 660 applicants, 379 were offered admission, and 124 were accepted, making the school's 1L class size 124. The 25th percentile LSAT is 147, the 75th percentile LSAT is 154, and the median GPA is 3.47.

When to Apply

Application for fall 2023 is currently available online. The Admissions Committee typically begins admitting applicants by November and completes most of its work by April. If you apply after March 15, your opportunity for admission may be reduced. Committee members review each completed application to determine whether the applicant possesses the academic preparation and motivation to complete a rigorous law school curriculum. LSAT scores and undergraduate GPA are essential factors, but the Committee also considers personal statements, letters of recommendation, résumés, and supplemental materials. It is recommended that applicants apply in the fall preceding the year they wish to enroll. You can expect a decision on your application within four weeks of it being complete or from when the Committee begins its review work, whichever is later.

How to Apply

The materials you need to send to be considered for admission to the law school include an application, the fee, and your LSAT score. It is strongly recommended that you take the LSAT test the year before you wish to enroll so you can retake it if needed. You'll also need to register with the CAS and submit your transcripts for review. When reviewing your application, the admissions committee considers your undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation but may submit up to four letters. The Admissions Committee prefers letters that discuss your intellectual attributes, ability to reason, and ability to write clearly and persuasively. Letters that describe these characteristics in general terms are much less valuable than those that cite specific examples of your strengths. The most persuasive letters often come from faculty members familiar with your academic abilities. If you graduated from college some years ago, you should include a letter from an employer or coworker to provide insights into these areas. Unless they are familiar with your professional or academic abilities, recommendations from family, friends, or politicians are not helpful.

Applicants can submit their letters of recommendation in two ways. They can download and complete the Cover Sheet, which they should then provide to those writing recommendations on their behalf. The people writing the recommendations can then send us their letters of recommendation attached to the required cover sheet. Or, applicants can elect to utilize LSAC's Letter of Recommendation service (included with your CAS registration). More info is available at www.lsac.org.

Personal Statement

All applicants require a personal statement to law school. The purpose of the personal statement is to allow the admissions committee to assess your writing ability and learn more about you. In your statement, you should discuss your interest in law school and what you hope to do with your legal education in the future. This statement should be at most 1,000 words.

Résumé

The Admissions Committee looks at work experience and extra-curricular activities when considering applications. All applicants must submit a current résumé.

Character and Fitness

If you answer one of the character and fitness questions on your application with a "yes," you must include an appendix explaining what happened. In your explanation, you should talk about how you have grown or changed from this experience.

Optional Addenda

You may submit an optional supplement if you wish to convey additional information to the Admissions Committee. This could include clarification of your educational record or obstacles you have overcome in pursuing higher education. You may also submit a diversity statement explaining to the Admissions Committee what background, experience, and perspective you will bring to the classroom experience at the School of Law.

TOEFL / IELTS

Applicants who have completed their secondary education in a language other than English are encouraged to submit official score reports for either the TOEFL or IELTS exams. However, there is no required minimum score.

Interviews

At Brown, they do not conduct interviews as part of the admissions process. However, prospective students are invited to contact the Office of Admissions and schedule a visit for informational purposes.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees for the JD program at Western New England Law School for the 2022-2023 academic year are as follows: full-time students will pay $46,050 in tuition and fees, while part-time students will pay $34,538. This includes registration and general service fees, use of the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center (AHLC) by full-time students, technology fees, Student Bar Association fees, and Academic and Bar Success Materials. Part-time students who want to use the AHLC will pay an additional $200 per year. Additionally, Western New England Law School requires documentary proof of some form of health insurance for all students. There are several available individual student health insurance plans. Contact the Center for Health and Wellness for more information at 413-782-1211. The combined tuition and fees come to $48,420 for full-time students and $35,778 for part-time students.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance for determining financial aid eligibility is based on estimated living expenses for single students of $2,250 per month. This includes rent, utilities, transportation, food, and personal expenses. The overall bottom line for the 2022-2023 school year is $20,250.

Full Time (9-months)	2022-2023	Part Time (9-months)	2022-2023
Tuition	$46,050	Tuition	$34,538
Fees	1,770	Fees	790
Academic and Bar Success Materials	600	Academic and Bar Success Materials	450
Books	1,600	Books	1,600
Room & Board	13,000	Room & Board	13,000
Personal	2,410	Personal	2,410
Transportation	2,920	Transportation	2,920

Total	$68,350	Total	$55,708

Financial Aid

Private and Grad PLUS loans are similar in that they are both credit-based loans. The main difference between the two is that Grad PLUS loans are only offered to students taking six credits or more, while private loans are available to all students. Both loans have a fixed interest rate and a deferment period. However, the Grad PLUS loan has an origination fee of 4.2 percent, while private loans do not charge an origination fee. Additionally, the Grad PLUS loan requires no debt-to-income test, while private loans typically offer a lower interest rate if approved by a credit-worthy co-signer.

Scholarships

They are committed to making legal education affordable for our students at Western New England University School of Law. Over the past three years, an average of 75% of Western New England University law students received scholarships, and 90% received some form of financial aid overall. Law school is a significant investment; they will work with you to ensure you have the resources available to finance your legal education. This section provides information on scholarships, loans, and work-study awards.

Employment Prospects & Bar Passage

At Western New England University, they provide their students with a real-world education that is recognized for its quality, value, and outcomes. Their University has been ranked in the top 3 percent of colleges and universities among the top 1,275 public and private institutions reviewed in the United States by The Economist magazine. The rankings analyzed which institutions offered the “best value” for the education received. They believe their University provides their students with an excellent return on investment.

According to the American Bar Association, the Western New England University School of Law graduates passed the bar exam at a rate nearly two-and-a-half points higher than the national average. This puts the school in the top 45 percent of law schools nationwide.

Graduating from Western New England University means being primed for the workforce. 96% of their graduates are employed or offered a job within six months of graduation. That's because their programs are designed with your future in mind. They provide the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in your chosen field. So if you're looking for an investment in your future, look no further than Western New England University.

Quality of Life

The Western New England Law School offers its students top-of-the-line technology in its classrooms, library, and moot courtroom. Students can take advantage of multimedia classrooms, a top-of-the-line library, and a high-tech moot courtroom. The facilities at the Blake Law Center provide its students with an excellent learning environment.

The campus of Western New England University is located in a residential area of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield is the third largest city in Massachusetts, with a population of about 154,000. It is located less than 90 miles west of Boston and less than 140 miles northeast of New York City.

Springfield is home to many landmarks, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield Symphony Hall, and the MassMutual Center. MGM Springfield has also energized the city, which has brought new life to the entertainment district. Springfield's parks are also a significant attraction, with Forest Park being the largest and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Events

The Big E is a large fair that takes place annually on the second Friday after Labor Day. The fair runs for 17 days; in 2015, 1.23 million people attended. A parade of giant balloons takes place every year in Springfield and is a great way to usher in the holiday season. Bright Nights is also a great event during the holiday season. It's a driving tour of Forest Park, which has over 600,000 lights. The World's Largest Pancake Breakfast is also a great event annually.

Places to Visit

The Yankee Candle Village is a popular destination in New England. It offers an entertaining charm, interactive candle-making, and unique shopping. The Storrowton Village Museum is where New England village living comes to life. It features authentic recreations of 18th and 19th-century buildings that were moved from various locations in New England. The Six Flags New England amusement park is the largest and most popular amusement park in New England. It features dozens of thrill rides, family rides, shows, dining, shopping, and water activities. The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts. It is the primary water supply for Boston. The reservoir is a popular spot for hiking and other outdoor activities. The Holyoke Mall at Ingleside is one of the largest malls in New England. It features more than 200 stores. Springfield is also an easy drive to outdoor recreational activities like skiing and hiking.

Synopsis

The law school provides a variety of opportunities for on-campus involvement. There are many great organizations that you can get involved with based on your interests and activities. These organizations are a great way to get leadership experience and develop valuable skills.

Contact Information

Western New England Law School
Law Admissions
1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield MA 01119
Phone:
413-782-1406
800-782-6665
Email: admissions@law.wne.edu

Summary

Established	1919
Location	Springfield MA 01119
Dean	Dean Sudha Setty
2022 US News Ranking	147
LSAT Median Score	150
GPA Median Score	3.47
Bar Passage Rate	90.7% (2022)
Employment Rate	96% (2022)
Cost	$46,050 for the full-time ; $34,538 for the part-time
Average Debt	22,300
Application Deadline	15-Mar -2023

Forum and Discussion

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Reference

LSD Law
Ranked 147 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