Overview

Applicants
977
Acceptance Rate
47%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.42
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
114

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
152 - 158

Deadlines

Application Deadlines
March 16

Application Process

Rolling Admissions
Yes

Application Fee
$0

CAS Service Used
Yes

Applicants accepted in terms other than fall
No

Transfer Applicants Accepted
Yes

Deferred Admission
Yes

Other Admission Factors

Academic

LSAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Essay / Personal Statement

Selectivity Rating

Faculty Information

Student/Faculty
8:1
Total Faculty
97

30.9
Female


Students Say

Catholic University of America鈥檚 Columbus School of Law combines the professional opportunities and legal resources of Washington, D.C. with the intimate, student-friendly atmosphere of a private law school. Drawing from the surrounding city鈥檚 large legal community, many CUA professors are 鈥渇ull-time practicing attorneys鈥 with a 鈥渄eep understanding of their particular field.鈥 Here, professors come from 鈥渋nteresting and diverse legal backgrounds,鈥 including 鈥測ounger faculty already making names for themselves in areas like civil procedure, First Amendment conscience protection, and protecting children from sexual abuse.鈥 While the school attracts top-notch names, the atmosphere is 鈥渨arm鈥 and accommodating, with professors described as 鈥渋ntelligent, sympathetic, approachable, and caring.鈥 While the JD program is not overly easy, 鈥渢he emphasis is on creating successful students,鈥 with ample support services to promote that goal. For instance, 鈥渢here is a program for individuals in [the] lower 15 percent of the class with additional lectures, and study technique assistance鈥攖hey don't let people slip through the cracks.鈥 The accommodating culture extends to the administrative offices and staff, too. From financial aid to the program dean, 鈥渢he administration is very helpful and will address student concerns promptly.鈥
Legal education extends beyond the classroom at CUA, and the administration puts a lot of 鈥渆mphasis on the school鈥檚 moot court, arbitration, and trial teams, as well as journals and clinics.鈥 Plus, 鈥渁ll of the professors are more than willing and able to help connect students with internships, clerkships, and eventual jobs.鈥 Research is also a major component of the academic program, and 鈥渢he research librarians bend over backwards to help any student who asks.鈥 If they cannot find what they need at CUA, the school provides 鈥渁ccess to all major research databases as well as catalogs from most major libraries in Washington, D.C. through the interlibrary loan program.鈥 When it comes to the job hunt, many would love to see CUA鈥檚 Career Services department significantly enhanced. A current student details, 鈥淲hile the people working there currently do a very good job, that office needs more funding and larger staff so they can help students learn about and apply for jobs.鈥 However, 鈥渢he connections to government and legislative opportunities鈥 are strong at CUA, and the 鈥渧ery active alumni network鈥 helps students make inroads in D.C.鈥檚 legal community. On that note, students point out that the school 鈥渇ocuses primarily on D.C. and government jobs, so if you're a student looking to work elsewhere after graduation, Catholic may not be the best option.鈥
Catholic University of America鈥檚 religious affiliation is more than just in name alone, and, depending on their own background, students either praise or deride the Catholic influence on their law school education. Prospective students should be aware that, even in strict legal discussion, 鈥測ou don't get away from that Catholic perspective鈥 at CUA. For example, 鈥渢he school鈥檚 connection to the Catholic church prevents student groups from participating in certain activities, and makes some journal-writing topics off limits.鈥 Others explain that because of the school鈥檚 stringent standards, 鈥渢here can sometimes be trouble in getting outside speakers approved in a timely manner.鈥 Excluding religious affiliations, most students are happy to note that the school鈥檚 Catholic values are wonderfully demonstrated in its 鈥渃ommitment to public service and pro bono鈥 work.

Career overview

Pass Rate for First-Time Bar Exam
76%
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
92%

Career Services

On campus summer employment recruitment for first year JD students
Yes

On campus summer employment recruitment for second year JD students
Yes

Graduates Employed by Area

36%
Private Practice
24%
Government
22%
Business/Industry
15%
Judicial Clerkships
2%
Public Interes
1%
Academic

Prominent Alumni

Robert Casey
US Senator, Pennsylvania

Michael Bidwill
President, Arizona Cardinals NFL Team

Charlene Barshefsky
(former) US Trade Ambassador

Peggy Quince
Justice, Florida Supreme Court

Daniel M. Gallagher Jr.
Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission

Dates

Application Deadlines
Dec 1

Financial Aid Statistics


Expenses per Academic Year

Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$15,200
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$1,300

Student Body Profile

Total Enrollment
400
Parent Institution Enrollement
6,699

Average Age at Entry
26

Demographics

66% are full time
34% are part time
54% female
46% male

Campus Life

Students Say

Described as 鈥渁 great place to learn and study,鈥 CUA offers a comfortable campus environment, which also affords access to the many events, venues, and recreational opportunities in greater Washington, D.C. Within the law school, the 鈥渇acilities are phenomenal,鈥 offering classrooms that are 鈥渓arge, technologically current, and well-kept.鈥 Per the school鈥檚 recommendation, 鈥淓very student has a laptop,鈥 and there is 鈥渨ireless internet and power outlets at each desk.鈥 When students need a quiet place to concentrate, the 鈥渧ast and beautiful鈥 law library 鈥渋s well-lit and expansive; and it has a great view of the Catholic University campus.鈥
Taking a cue from the school鈥檚 friendly teaching staff, 鈥渟tudents tend to be much more collegial at Catholic compared with the more cutthroat competition you find at other area schools.鈥 This student body is a convivial crew who are instilled with the knowledge that 鈥渢he people in our classes are going to be our colleagues when we are done with school, so everyone is willing to work together if someone needs help.鈥 When they are not convening for study groups, CUA students also get together for clubs, association meetings, and school social events. Among other happenings, 鈥渢he school provides the opportunity for a vast number of happy hours both on and off campus.鈥

More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

Contact
Shani J.P. Butts
Assistant Dean forAdmissions

Address
3600 John McCormack Road, NE
Washington, DC 20064

Phone
202-319-5151

Email
admissions@law.edu


Articles & Advice