Overview

Applicants
2,972
Acceptance Rate
18%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.70
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
219

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
157 - 164

Deadlines

Application Deadlines
July 1

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
Letters of Recommendation
Essay / Personal Statement

Selectivity Rating

Faculty Information

Total Faculty
112

10.71
Underrepresented Minorities


Students Say

At Villanova University School of Law, students find 鈥渁 good balance in an interactive and educational atmosphere鈥 through a blend of lecture, discussion, and serious hands-on experience. Students say the 鈥渁bsolutely wonderful鈥 professors are the heart and soul of the program. 鈥淚nstructors are all extremely intelligent and have a wealth of real-world experience, yet remain in touch with students,鈥 says a 1L. In fact, he tells us, 鈥淢y law school professors are much more helpful and approachable than my undergrad professors were.鈥 Another student agrees that the 鈥減rofessors鈥 knowledge and experience is fundamental to the Villanova experience.鈥 Many here happily report a lack of the 鈥渉eavy competitive atmosphere that you hear about at other schools,鈥 noting, 鈥淲e all encourage each other to do well.鈥
Villanova takes a fairly traditional approach to introductory course work, and students say, 鈥淭here is still a heavy reliance on the Socratic Method and many classes use a lecture format (especially in the first year).鈥 In the next two years, students continue studying the basic principals of law, while adding elective courses to their schedule. Experiential learning is emphasized throughout the curriculum, and students dole out praise for the school鈥檚 strong legal writing and research courses, simulation programs, clinics, and externships. The school has a 鈥渃lear emphasis鈥 on 鈥渟olidifying students鈥 legal writing skills.鈥 In addition, students take on real legal work thanks to the school鈥檚 鈥渟trong commitment to community service and pro bono work.鈥
For a Catholic institution, it should come as no surprise that a 鈥淐atholic identity鈥 reigns supreme. However, some students wish opportunities for service were not restricted by the administration鈥檚 commitment to Catholic values. (鈥淣o 鈥榬egular hours鈥 in the forty-hour work week can be spent helping efforts to litigate for women鈥檚 reproductive freedom, and the participating organization must be aware of the policy.鈥) Ultimately, many wonder 鈥渉ow the administration will balance the school鈥檚 Catholic mission with its mission as a legal institution.鈥
Villanova鈥檚 eagerly anticipated, state-of-the-art law school facility opened in August 2009 on a site adjacent to the university鈥檚 suburban Philadelphia campus. Law students no longer have cause to bemoan the 鈥渟evere lack of classrooms, computers, parking spots, hallways, lockers, and space in general鈥 that they complained about in years prior as the new facility offers twice as much space as the old building and a new 500-car parking garage, to boot. While they may complain that the campus has a 鈥渉igh school atmosphere,鈥 students also say they leave Villanova well-prepared for their professional career in the adult world. Students insist that 鈥渙pportunities for practical experience are abundant,鈥 and the 鈥淐areer Services Department works really hard to help students find jobs in the private and public sectors.鈥 They note that the school has 鈥渟trong professional contacts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware鈥 and that 鈥渕ajor firms routinely interview on campus and hire many Villanova graduates.鈥

Career overview

Median Starting Salary
$105,000
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
97%

Career Services

On campus summer employment recruitment for first year JD students
Yes

On campus summer employment recruitment for second year JD students
Yes

Employers who most frequently hire graduates
LAW FIRMS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION, PARTICULARLY IN PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, AND DELAWARE; STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES; AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT ALL LEVELS.

Graduates Employed by Area

55%
Private Practice
18%
Judicial Clerkships
12%
Business/Industry
8%
Government
3%
Public Interes

Graduates Employed by Region

78%
Mid-Atlantic
15%
South
2%
Pacific
2%
New England
1%
South West

Prominent Alumni

Kelly A. Ayotte
Former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire

Hon. Edward G. Rendell
Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Hon. Sandra Newman
Former Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Charles Widger
Founder of Brinker Capital

Jami Wintz McKeon
Chair of Morgan Lewis

Dates

Financial Aid Rating
Jun 1

Financial Aid Statistics


Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$52,980
Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$16,650
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$6,805
Fees
$575

Student Body Profile

Total Enrollment
594
Parent Institution Enrollement
10,697

Average Age at Entry
24

% International
0%

Demographics

15.00%
% Under-represented Minorities

100% are full time
0% are part time
60% female
40% male

Campus Life

Students Say

When they are not hitting the books, Villanova students live the high life at the many bars, clubs, and restaurants in Philadelphia, as well as at campus events. A student assures us, 鈥淭he Student Bar Association spends a lot of time planning activities to students. There are many active students groups as well.鈥 According to another, 鈥淪tudents get along well and the ones that choose to socialize together have a great time.鈥
Still, many students choose to maintain a life outside of school, living off-campus with their friends or spouses. Getting to campus is easy since 鈥渢he train runs literally out the front door of the law school.鈥 One student advises, 鈥渢here is a bar that students usually hang out at which can be fun, but sometimes after seeing these people all day and every day, it鈥檚 good to do something away from the law school crowd.鈥 Luckily, that is easy to accomplish at Villanova thanks to the school鈥檚 鈥渁mazing鈥 location. One student enthuses, 鈥淚t is twenty-five minutes from Philadelphia, as well as a short drive to New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, the beaches, and skiing!鈥
Most students say that they get along with their classmates, though some say the student body is pretty 鈥渉omogenous鈥 and 鈥渘ot exactly diverse.鈥 However, 鈥淰illanova has openly stated that they feel that diversity is a compelling interest at the institution鈥 and many believe that 鈥渋n time, Villanova will be one of the more diverse legal institutions.鈥

More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

Contact
Phillip Harrinarine
Interim Assistant Dean of Admissions

Address
299 North Spring Mill Road
Villanova, PA 19085

Phone
610-519-7010

Email
admissions@law.villanova.edu


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