Northeastern Law School in Boston offers students a unique opportunity to work with four different environments through its Cooperative Legal Education Program; it is #86 in the 2011 U.S. News and World Report rankings.
Northeastern Law is also well-known for its commitment to public interest, and also the fact that the school doesn’t hand out grades; students instead get written evaluations of performance.
Northeastern Law's three-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) program operates from late August to May; there is no part-time program. Housing information for both on-campus and off-campus living is available on the school's website.
Contact Information
400 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 2115
(617) 373-2395
Email: lawadmissions@nunet.neu.edu
Website: http://www.slaw.neu.edu/
Fast Facts (Full-Time Class of 2013)
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Enrollment Information
Applicants: 4,316
Enrolled: 220
- Other Statistics
Women: 60%
Students of Color: 34%Student to Faculty Ratio: 1: 16.9
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GPA/LSAT Scores (Entering Fall 2010)
LSAT Median: 161
25th-75th percentile: 155 - 164UGPA Median: 3.53
25th-75th percentile: 3.31 - 3.70 -
Tuition (2010-2011): $40,950 full-time
Total Estimated Budget: $62,760
Application Procedures
Application fee: $75
Application deadline: March 1 for Fall admission; November 15 for Early Action
Applicants must apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). In addition to the application, applicants must submit:
- LSDAS report, including LSAT score
- Undergraduate transcript
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
For complete information on admission procedures at Northeastern Law, see Application Process.
Transfer Procedures
The law school says about 40 to 45 students apply for transfer in a given year, and about 10 to 15 end up attending the school. The website notes that even if you’re not in the top 10% of your law school class, you should still consider applying as the admissions committee takes many factors into account when making its decision.
In addition to the application and fee, transfer students to Northeastern must provide the following by June 15 (Fall transfers only):
- LSDAS report, including LSAT score
- Official law school transcript
- Letter of good standing from current dean
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (one from current law professor
For full information on transferring to Northeastern Law, see Transfer Application.
Degrees and Curriculum
In order to graduate from Northeastern Law, students must complete 103 quarter hours of academic credit, four quarters of cooperative work under the supervision of an attorney, and fulfillment of the public interest graduation requirement; for full requirements, see Degree Requirements on the school's website.
The first-year curriculum at Northeastern Law includes Contracts, Property, Torts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Justice, Civil Procedure, and Legal Skills in Social Contexts.
Northeastern Law also offers several dual degree programs including the JD/MBA , MELP (Environmental Law) with Vermont Law School, and JD/MA in Sustainable International Development with Brandeis University.
Law Journals and Other Activities
Students have the opportunity to participate in the Northeastern University Law Journal.
Along with dozens of student organizations, students can also participate in specialized institutes and special programs, such as the Domestic Violence Institute, Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute.
Bar Exam Passage Rate
Most Northeastern Law graduates take the Massachusetts Bar Exam; according to the law school, in 2009, they achieved a 97% pass rate.
Post-Graduation Employment
According to the law school, generally 94% percent of the graduating class is employed six months after graduation; 40% of graduates accept positions with one of their former co-op employers.
Forty-two percent of graduates went into private practice, 16% accepted government positions, 14% entered academia, 10% went into the public interest field, 9% held non-legal jobs, 6% secured judicial clerkships, and 3% entered business employment.