Below are answers to some of the more frequent questions we’re asked about Quinnipiac University School of Law and the application process.
Don’t see your question here? Contact us.
General
- What sets Quinnipiac School of Law apart?
- What is the environment at Quinnipiac like?
- What is the "ideal" major in college for law school?
- What courses should I take to prepare myself for the rigors of law school?
- What is the profile of the most recent full-time class?
- What is the profile of the most recent part-time class?
- What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
- What is the typical class size?
- How diverse is the Quinnipiac student body?
Admissions
- What LSAT scores and GPA are competitive for admission?
- What advice can you give me about the personal statement?
- How many letters of recommendation can I submit?
- Must I send transcripts to the School of Law?
- How can I arrange a campus visit?
- Do you offer full tuition scholarships? What are the requirements for these scholarships?
- What is Quinnipiac's LSAC code?
- How quickly will I receive an admission decision?
- If accepted to the School of Law, can I defer attendance?
- Can I transfer to Quinnipiac from another law school?
- Can I attend as a visiting student?
- Where can I find more information about the admission process and financial aid?
- How can I get a better feel for what it might be like to be a law student at Quinnipiac?
- I have a master's degree with a strong GPA, but my undergraduate GPA is weaker. How will this affect me?
Academics
- What concentration programs does Quinnipiac offer?
- Do I have to take a concentration program?
- What types of clinic and externship programs does Quinnipiac offer?
- Can you tell me about the JD/MBA program?
- Is there a study abroad program?
Career Services
- What is the bar pass rate for Quinnipiac School of Law graduates?
- What is the job placement rate for Quinnipiac School of Law graduates?
- Do large law firms recruit at Quinnipiac?
General
What sets Quinnipiac School of Law apart?
Aside from our spectacular setting central to New York, Boston and New Jersey, where law career opportunities abound, we offer a range of excellent programs, including skill-building legal clinics and externships. See what Dean Saxton says...
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What is the environment at Quinnipiac like?
Quinnipiac prides itself on its strong sense of community. Students encourage and support each other in their academic pursuits. Likewise, faculty members are very supportive of and accessible to students. Our experienced faculty members are happy to expand on classroom discussions, help evaluate job opportunities or offer assistance with individual academic issues.
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What is the "ideal" major in college for law school?
There is no "ideal" major or required major for law school. Today, law students are graduates from all fields of study, including but not limited to, business, education, engineering, fine arts, humanities, liberal arts, natural sciences, nursing and social sciences. More about applying to the School of Law...
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What courses should I take to prepare myself for the rigors of law school?
The best preparation for law school is a rigorous academic program that teaches one to think logically, read carefully and write well. A good foundation in these critical skills matters more than the particular major our courses taken. More about applying to the School of Law...
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What is the profile of the most recent full-time class?
The academic profile of the 2009 entering full-time class is as follows:
GPA (25th - 75th percentile): 3.09 - 3.63
LSAT (25th - 75th percentile): 156 - 160
Average GPA / LSAT 3.32 / 158
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What is the profile of the most recent part-time class?
The academic profile of the 2009 entering part-time class is as follows:
GPA (25th - 75th percentile): 3.01 - 3.55
LSAT (25th - 75th percentile): 151 - 154
Average GPA /LSAT 3.27 / 152
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What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
The current student-to-faculty ratio is 10-to-1.
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What is the typical class size?
Typically, first-year classes range from 35-60 students. Legal writing classes are much smaller, usually about 13-17 students. The class size for upper division courses varies. Some are as large as 60-70 students; others may have as few as 10. Eighty-one percent of our upper division classes have fewer than 25 students.
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How diverse is the Quinnipiac student body?
Fourteen percent of this year's first year class identified themselves as persons of color. Diversity is also represented by students' life and work experiences, age, geography, etc. The age range of the student body is typically spread over four decades - from 21 to 50+. Students are enrolled from 24 different states from all regions of the U.S. as well as five additional countries. Quinnipiac is continually working toward even greater diversity within the student body.
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What is the bar pass rate for Quinnipiac School of Law graduates?
Quinnipiac School of Law offers to its students, free of charge each year, a supplemental bar prep course. This course can assist students as they prepare for the bar exam in almost any state in the U.S. The pass rate of our students on the Connecticut Bar who have taken this course (attending typically one-third or more of the classes) is close to 100%.
Free Supplemental Bar Prep Course (Pass Rate on CT Bar):
2009 - 100%
2008 - 99%
2007 - 98%
2006 - 100%
2005 - 100%
Admissions
What LSAT and GPA are competitive for admission?
There are no minimum LSAT scores or GPA standards for admission. While the two most important factors are the LSAT score and the GPA, the entire application file is reviewed and taken into account when making a decision.
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What advice can you give me about the personal statement?
The personal statement should address your reason for pursuing a legal education, and the length should be between 500 and 1,000 words. The personal statement is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that we cannot obtain from other parts of your application.
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How many letters of recommendation can I submit?
We require two letters of recommendation with your application. We will accept up to four.
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Must I send transcripts to the School of Law?
Transcripts (copies) will be sent to the School of Law through the LSDAS service once you subscribe and they are released. Upon acceptance to the School of Law and before classes begin, you will be asked to arrange for official transcripts to be forwarded to this institution. More about applying to the School of Law...
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How can I arrange a campus visit?
When you visit campus, you may attend a class and take a campus tour led by a current law student. Campus visits may be arranged Monday through Friday while classes are in session. Schedule a campus visit
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Do you offer full tuition scholarships? What are the requirements for these scholarships?
Our Dean's Fellows and Faculty Fellows awards are our most prestigious scholarships and range from $35,000 to full tuition per year. We usually offer approximately fifteen of these scholarships to members of the entering class each year who are full-time day students.
The Dean's Fellows and Faculty Fellows awards recognize applicants who possess a record of extraordinary scholarly achievement and leadership, have a demonstrated commitment to public service and show strong potential to be leaders during and after law school.
Typically, a competitive candidate will have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and an LSAT score of 160 or higher. However, the LSAT guideline may be flexible if candidates present a strong academic record along with other outstanding attributes. The application deadline is February 1, 2010.
In addition to your application for law school admission, potential candidates are required to submit an additional statement which should present your case for being selected and include: your leadership experience; scholarly pursuits; civic and volunteer activities; and plans for what you hope to do with your law degree.
Finalists for these awards will be invited to campus April 10-11, 2010, for interviews and a special program designed to introduce them to our community. Travel and lodging expenses will be paid by the School of Law.
Additional merit awards - ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per year - are also available for highly qualified students who may not receive one of the above awards.
More information about merit scholarships
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What is Quinnipiac's LSAC code?
Quinnipiac University School of Law: 3973
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How quickly will I receive an admission decision?
An attempt is made to review applicants' files as soon as they are complete and to notify applicants of the Faculty Admissions Committee's decision as soon as possible.
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If accepted to the School of Law, can I defer attendance?
The School of Law does not grant deferrals. An admitted applicant who wishes to delay matriculation would need to re-apply for admission for the next academic year. The application fee will be waived for these students. More...
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Can I transfer to Quinnipiac from another law school?
Yes! Transfer applications are considered from students who meet certain qualifications. More...
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Can I attend as a visiting student?
Yes! You need permission from your home institution as well as from Quinnipiac. More…
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Where can I find more information about the admission process and financial aid?
There are several options for finding out more information. Plan a visit to our campus, attend one of our admission programs or contact us at 203-582-3400.
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How can I get a better feel for what it might be like to be a law student at Quinnipiac?
Plan a visit to our campus where you can meet with a current student, sit in on a law school class and speak to someone from the admissions office.
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I have a master's degree with a strong GPA, but my undergraduate GPA is weaker. How will this affect me?
The key measurement in the admission process is the undergraduate GPA. However, we do review transcripts for graduate level work and it is taken into consideration. Graduate degree GPAs are not averaged into the cumulative GPA on the LSDAS report. More about applying to the School of Law...
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Academics
What concentration programs does Quinnipiac offer?
Quinnipiac currently offers six concentration programs:
Civil Advocacy and Dispute Resolution
Criminal Law and Advocacy
Family Law
Health Law and Policy
Intellectual Property
Tax Law
More information about concentration programs
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Do I have to take a concentration program?
No. Concentrations are not required to complete your JD degree. Concentrations are options for those students seeking more in-depth learning in a specific topic.
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What types of clinic and externship programs does Quinnipiac offer?
There are six clinic and nine externship programs. Clinics are in-house and externships are off-site. Many externships are in Connecticut, but there are also externship opportunities in New York. Every student is guaranteed at least one clinic or externship experience, and many students participate in more than one.
Clinics
Civil Clinic
Tax Clinic
Evening Clinic
Advanced Clinic
Defense Appellate Clinic (full year)
Prosecution Appellate Clinic (full year)
Externships
Corporate Counsel Externship
Criminal Justice Externship
Family and Juvenile Law Externship
Judicial Externship
Legal Services Externship
Legislative Externship
Mediation Externship
Public Interest Externship
Field Placement II
More information on our clinic and externship programs
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Can you tell me about the JD/MBA program?
Typically, the JD/MBA program takes four years to complete. Many students apply to the MBA program during their first year in law school. Students who apply then do not have to take the GMAT exam for entrance to the School of Business.
More information on the JD/MBA program
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Is there a study abroad program?
Yes. We have a study abroad program in the summer which is offered in conjunction with Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. The program includes classes taught by Quinnipiac and Trinity professors. Students may also participate in study abroad programs offered by other schools as long as the program is approved by the ABA and our academic dean.
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Career Services
What is the bar pass rate for Quinnipiac Law graduates?
First time test takers - July 2008:
CT 96% / NY 81% / MA 100% / NJ 100%
Quinnipiac Law offers to its students, free of charge each year, a supplemental bar prep course. This course can assist students as they prepare for the bar exam in almost any state in the U.S. The pass rate of our students on the Connecticut Bar who have taken this course (attending typically one-third or more of the classes) is close to 100%.
Free Supplemental Bar Prep Course (Pass Rate on CT Bar):
2009 - 100%
2008 - 99%
2007 - 98%
2006 - 100%
2005 - 100%
What is the job placement rate for Quinnipiac School of Law graduates?
Typically 95% of our graduates have been employed within nine months of graduation.
The Class of 2008 had a 95% employment rate nine months after graduation. The list below indicates where they found employment by major categories:
41% - Private Law Firms
28% - Business & Industry
11% - Government
10% - Judicial Clerkships
5% - Public Interest Law
2% - Academics
3% - Other
Do large law firms recruit at Quinnipiac?
Yes. Our Career Services Office holds on-campus interviews with many large law firms in the area for both summer associate positions and post-graduate employment.