Harvard University, Harvard Law School Admission
Harvard University, Harvard Law School Undergraduate Program
Harvard University, Harvard Law School Application

The Facts

Harvard University's Law School is perhaps the most famous and prestigious private law school in the country. The university itself is located in the town of Cambridge, Massachussetts just outside of Boston, and has a combined graduate and undergraduate population of over 18,000 students, however, the law school is significantly smaller, and is home to approximately 1,665 law students. The average age of the currently enrolled students is around 24, and it is rather rare for students to enter the school right after their undergraduate education. The school is perhaps best known for its amazing research sources, internship, externship and clerkship opportunities, as well as for its dedicated and rather quirky faculty. Harvard Law School offers degrees in the master of laws (LLM, 1 year program), doctor of juridicial science (S/JD), as well as combined degrees in the JD/LLM (with Cambridge University), JD/MBA, JD/MPP, JD/MPP/ID, JD/PhD, JD/MA, as well as the JD/MALD. Some of the schools most popular programs include studies in the areas of civil procedure, commerical law, constitutional law, corporation securities law, criminal law, environmental law, government services, human rights law, intellectual property law, international law, labor law, legal history, legal philosophy, property, as well as taxation.

Admission to the Harvard Law School is notoriously competitive among the many many students who apply; last year, over 7,300 students applied for admission to the school, and approximately 840 of those students were accepted. Eventually however, only about 554 of the admitted students actually enrolled for the coming semester. The admitted students had an average LSAT score ranging from 169 to 175, as well as an average undergraduate GPA of about a 3.9. Students are notified of their admissions status on a rolling basis, and no early application program is currently in place.

The school has 218 faculty members, all of whom students say are extremely dedicated to the school and devoted to the success and erudition of their students. The school itself has an 11:1, student to faculty ratio, which is quite impressive considering that the law school is fairly large. Students also remark that the school is not nearly as competitive as many people believe. Students don't really have to worry about getting jobs after graduation, so the cutthroat atmosphere is kept to a minimum.

Employment Facts

Harvard Law students have some of the best statistics in terms of getting a job directly after they receive their law degrees. Over 99% of students are placed in a job within the first few months of graduating, and the average starting salary is around $109,611. The bar exam is valid for Massachussetts and New York State, and the pass rate for the first time bar 98. Students are most frequently hired by employers such as major national law firms, federal and state government, investment banks, consulting firms, as well as law schools.

What's Good

"The school isn't nearly as vicious and cutthroat as it is made out to be. Of course you have to work hard, but it is a very pleasant atmosphere."

"The faculty are incredible; they are really the life and breath of the school."

"You really don't have to stress a whole lot in terms of job placement; employers literally breathe right down your neck."

What's Bad

"The facilities could actually use some work. They are more modern than the rest of the buildings at Harvard, but not in a good way..."

"The workload can be a bit overwhelming, and it can feel impossible to get everything done."

"The school is extremely expensive, and there isn't as much financial aid as I would like there to be."

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