Santa Clara University Law School is a private, Roman Catholic school with a strong intellectual property program -- not surprising, since it’s located in the heart of the Silicon Valley. It is ranked #84 in the 2012 U.S. News and World Report rankings.
Aside from its high-tech program, Santa Clara Law is also well-known for its gorgeous campus, student diversity, and wide range of possible study abroad opportunities. A Santa Clara Law degree is extremely well-respected in the Bay Area, but it’s not as nationally recognizable as some other California law schools.
Santa Clara Law School’s full-time, 3-year J.D. program operates from August to May; there is also a part-time program. Housing information can be found on the school's website.
Contact Information
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0421
(408) 554-4800
Email: lawadmissions@scu.edu
Website: http://www.scu.edu/law
Fast Facts (Fall 2010 Entering Class)
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Enrollment Information
Applicants: 4,973
Enrolled: 247 (full-time); 82 (part-time)
- Other Statistics
Women: 48%
Minority: 45%Student to Faculty Ratio: 1: 16
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GPA/LSAT Scores (Full-time students)
LSAT 25th-75th percentile: 158-162
UGPA 25th-75th percentile: 3.12-3.55
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Tuition (2010-2011): $39,360 (full-time); $27,552 (part-time)
Application Procedures
Application fee: $75
Application deadlines: Rolling, but 2/1 for “maximum consideration for Fall admission
Applicants may apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) or by mailing a completed application, which is available for download at the school’s website. In addition to the application and fee, applicants must submit:
- CAS subscription, including LSAT score and transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation (not required)
For complete information on admission procedures at Santa Clara Law, see Admissions.
Transfer Procedures
Santa Clara Law accepts transfer applications from students who have completed one year at an ABA-accredited law school, reserving about 10-20 seats per year for transfers. In addition to the application and fee, transfer applicants must provide the following to the school by July 1 for fall admission and by November 1 for spring admission:
- Letter of good standing
- Letters of recommendation from professors not required but “helpful”
- Official law school transcript(s)
- LSAC CAS report
For full information on transferring to Santa Clara Law, see Transfer and Visiting Students and Auditors.
Degrees and Curriculum
In order to earn a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara Law, a student must complete 86 units of credit. For a fuller description, see the Graduation Requirements (PDF).
The first-year curriculum at Santa Clara Law School includes Pleading and Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, Torts, Legal Research and Writing. Evidence is also required sometime after the first year.
In addition to the Juris Doctor, the law school also offers several LL.M. programs, including those in Intellectual Property, International and Comparative Law, and United States law for foreign attorneys. The school also offers a joint degree programs, the JD/MBA and JD/MSIS.
Study Abroad
Santa Clara Law offers numerous opportunities for students to study abroad with classes in 13 countries and internships in 21 countries around the world, including programs in Germany, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Turkey, China, and more.
Law Journals and Other Activities
Students have the opportunity to participate in several student journals, including the Santa Clara Law Review, Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal, and Santa Clara Journal of International Law.
Along with many student organizations, students can also participate in specialized centers, clinics, and programs, such as the High Tech Law Institute, Center for Social Justice and Public Service, and the Northern California Innocence Project.
Bar Exam Passage Rate
Santa Clara Law School graduates have a first-time bar passage rate of 82%.
Post-Graduation Employment
Santa Clara Law graduates have an 82% employment rate nine months after graduation.
Fifty-seven percent of Santa Clara Law’s graduates went into private practice, 8% secured government positions, 4% took public interest jobs, 1% went into academia, 1% entered the military, and 29% are classified as "other."