Georgia (Atlanta) -- Georgia State University College of Law -- Accreditation: Full ABA -- Year Founded: 1982

Dean: Steven J. Kaminshine
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Enrollment: 650 Avg.
USNWR ranking: 60
Annual tuition: In-State Tuition: $11,568, Out-of-State Tuition: $32,592

The Georgia State University College of Law is an urban law school located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1982, is it accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.



In addition to the Juris Doctor degree, the college offers joint degree programs with other colleges at Georgia State University, including Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of City and Regional Planning, and Master of Science in Health Administration. The college's educational programs are enhanced through externship and pro bono programs facilitated through the proximity of the Georgia State Capitol, major law firms and corporate offices. In addition, the College of Law has excellent clinics, such as the HeLP and Tax Clinic, that allow students to get hands-on practice experience while also helping their community.

The college offers flexible full time and part time programs to accommodate a varied spectrum of students.

Admission FAQs

1. What is required for admission to Georgia State University College of Law?

• Complete application with $50 fee
• Personal statement
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Law School Report containing your LSAT scores, all undergraduate/graduate transcripts and your recommendation letters

2. What are the median GPA and LSAT score for entering students?
The median GPA is 3.42 and the median LSAT score is a 159.

3. When should I apply?

• First-year students can only apply for the Fall term each year.
• We begin accepting applications Oct. 1 each year.
• The Admissions Committee begins deliberations after Jan. 1.
• The deadline for submitting a complete application is March 15.

4. Who makes admissions decisions?
The Admissions Committee. After your file is deemed complete by the admissions staff, it is forwarded to the admissions committee for review and a decision.

5. How long does it take to complete the full-time and part-time programs at the College of Law?
The full-time program takes an average of three years. The part-time program takes four to five years.

6. What is your retention rate?
For the 2009-10 academic year, the retention rate was 96%.

7. How much weight does the admissions committee place on GPA and LSAT score?
Because studies show that undergraduate GPA and LSAT score(s) strongly predict the level of a student's performance in the first year of law study, both are significant factors in admissions decisions. However, your entire file, including your personal statement and letters of recommendation, is reviewed carefully by each committee member.

8. Should I take the LSAT more than once?
It is extremely important to prepare the best you can for your first attempt at the LSAT because substantial increases in scores are rare. However, the admissions committee will review all LSAT scores.

9. What should I include in my personal statement?
The personal statement gives you an opportunity to describe yourself, your interest in law school, and the goals you seek to achieve through a JD degree. The statement also gives you a chance to include specific information about your abilities beyond the data set forth in your application. In addition, the personal statement gives the admissions committee an example of your writing style and thought processes. The personal statement should be no more than two pages double spaced.

10. Is preference given to in-state students?
No. The Admissions Committee considers each student's credentials regardless of residence; however, because of location, about 90 percent of our students are Georgia residents.

11. Who should write letters of recommendation?
Educators or employers are preferred. The recommender should be someone who is able to comment specifically about the your intellectual ability, work habits, dependability, thoroughness and other characteristics.

12. What is the profile of your student body?
Like the city of Atlanta where we're located, our student body at the College of Law is very diverse. There are about 679 students enrolled in the College of Law and approximately 227 students entered in fall 2010. Minorities make up about 22 percent of enrolled students.

13. How many students enrolled in the College of Law are women?
Women comprise approximately 46 percent of our student body.

*The LSAT and CAS Law School Report are administered by the Law School Admission Council visit LSAC on the web (Welcome to LSAC.org).

Contact

Georgia State University College of Law
140 Decatur St., Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (404) 413-9000
College of Law Home

Georgia State University
College of Law
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4037

There are 200 ABA accredited law schools, divided between 194 with full .... Georgia (Atlanta), Georgia State University College of Law, Public, Full ABA,