Fordham University School of Law: Rankings, Programs, and Admissions
Fordham University School of Law, located in Manhattan, New York City, is one of the eight ABA-accredited law schools in the city. It offers a comprehensive legal education with a variety of programs and opportunities for its students. This article delves into Fordham Law's rankings, academic programs, admissions process, and career prospects, providing a detailed overview for prospective students.
Rankings and Reputation
Fordham Law consistently receives recognition in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranked Fordham Law #27 in the nation. In 2020, The National Law Journal ranked Fordham Law 4th nationally in terms of placement of 2018 graduates in the 25 largest law firms of the largest legal market, which is New York.
It is important to note that law school rankings can be subjective, and other factors beyond rankings should be considered when choosing a law school. These factors include the location of the school, specific programs offered, and potential career opportunities after graduation.
Academic Programs
Fordham Law offers a wide array of academic programs to cater to diverse interests. These include:
Juris Doctor (J.D.): The flagship program, providing a comprehensive legal education.
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Master of Laws (LL.M.): This program offers various areas of study, including:
- Banking, Corporate, and Finance Law
- Compliance
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Law
- Fashion Law
- Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law
- International Business and Trade Law
- International Law and Justice
- U.S. Law
Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.): Curriculum is also available.
Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.): Admissions and Dissertation information are provided.
Joint Degrees: Fordham Law offers three joint degrees in conjunction with Fordham University's other graduate schools.
3-3 Program: This program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctor in six years of study: three at Fordham College and three at Fordham Law.
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Clinical Education
Clinical education is available at Fordham, though not required. Students are selected for clinics via a competitive application process after their first year and after taking the Fundamental Lawyering Skills course.
Public Interest and Pro Bono
Fordham's Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC) serves as the clearinghouse for student community service and pro bono work. It hosts 19 student-run organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Unemployment Action Center.
Law Journals
Students at Fordham Law publish six nationally recognized law journals:
- Fordham Law Review
- Fordham Urban Law Journal
- Fordham International Law Journal
- Fordham Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal
- Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law
- Fordham Environmental Law Review
These journals are highly respected and frequently cited by judges and other law reviews. For example, Fordham Law Review is consistently ranked among the top law reviews.
Admissions
For the 2024 admissions cycle, Fordham Law School received 6881 JD applications and accepted 1524 candidates. Of those accepted, 429 chose to enroll. The application deadline for both the full-time and part-time programs is March 15, and the application fee is $75.
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Admission Statistics
For a competitive law school application to Fordham Law School, students should aim to meet or exceed the median statistics. Rising LSAT/GPA medians, narrowing bands, or falling acceptance rates indicate increasing competitiveness.
Factors to Consider
Your LSAT score is a significant factor in law school admission. The location of your intended law school is important. Try and find a law school where you will enjoy the climate and environment. It will most likely be where you end up practicing as a lawyer.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The 2015-2016 tuition at Fordham Law was $53,440 for full-time J.D. students and $40,080 for part-time J.D. students. Law school tuition at Fordham Law School is $149k annually (calculated from semester costs).
Financial Aid
The school offers financial aid, and the financial aid application deadline is available.
Career Prospects and Bar Passage
After completing their JD program at Fordham Law School, graduates entering private law firms earn a median starting salary of $215,000. JD graduates pursuing public sector legal careers start at approximately $74,553. Additionally, 4.8% of graduates obtain prestigious judicial clerkships, and 6.6% pursue public interest law careers.
Employment Statistics
According to Fordham Law's official 2014 ABA-required disclosures, 80% of the Class of 2014 were employed full-time 10 months after graduation; 67.8% were in full-time, long-term, JD-required positions; 11.1% held positions the ABA classifies as "J.D. Advantage"; and 20.7% were employed in public sector positions in government, nonprofit organizations, and judicial clerkships. According to the school's ABA-required disclosures, 88.12% of 2023 graduates obtained full-time, long-term, JD-required employment.
Bar Passage Rates
For JD graduates from Fordham Law School, the first-time bar exam pass rate is 87.78%.
Notable Alumni
Fordham Law has produced many notable alumni, including:
- Government Officials: Governor of New York Malcolm Wilson, New York City Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri, and United States Attorney General John N. Mitchell. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives including Thomas Suozzi, Thomas Vincent Quinn, Bill Owens, Jerrold Nadler, Vito Fossella, Geraldine Ferraro, Francis E.
- Legal Professionals: Prominent figures in the legal field.
- Other Fields: Individuals who have made significant contributions in various sectors.
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