Fall 2004
L AW S C H O O L B R I E F S
NEWS AND NOTES
LARGE, BRIGHT INCOMING CLASS
2007,” said Law Dean Symeon Symeonides. “We have reached this goal70three years ahead of schedule.”69
1,400
There is plenty of good news from the1263admissions front1,200 this year. The College of Law has received 1,263 applications for admission – the highest number in the school’s history. This is 96 percent higher than it 1,000 955 was four years ago. It is also 32 percent higher than 800 The corresponding last year. national and regional 749 742 increases have 645 been only 6.1 percent and 6.3 percent, 600 respectively.
The median LSAT of the entering class is now at 69 66 percent. Four years ago, it was at 61 percent and the 65 Long-Range Plan called for an increase to 65 percent by 2003. 63 62
The percentage of applicants admitted is now 39 per400 cent – the lowest in the school’s history. “Four years ago, the 200 acceptance rate was 74 percent and the Long2002 2003 to 2004 Range Plan2000 called2001 for a reduction 39 percent by Number of Applicants
6
1,400
75% 1263
70
74%
65%
1,000
800
800 742 645
955
66
600
400
400
69
63
63 62
61
45%
66
65
54%
749
60 39%
62
61
60
35%
200 2000 2001 2000 2002 2001 2003 2002 2004 2003
2 00 3
65
55%
645
600
200
749 742
69
64% 60%
955
70
1263
1,200
1,000
LSAT Median as a National Percentile
Acceptance Rate
1,400
1,200
“These improvements61are due to the hard work of our Admissions Office 60 staff under the able leadership of Carolyn Dennis and her predecessor Larry Seno,” said Dean Symeonides. “But they are also due to the dedication and accomplishments of the law faculty, which make this a more55attractive school for prospective law 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 students.”
55
25% 2004
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004 2000
55
2001 2000 2002 2001 2003 2002 2004 2003
2004
C L A S S E M P L O Y M E N T 75% T O P S74%75% 9 0 %74%
Employers are discovering what we’ve known all along: Willamette University College of Law graduates make 64% 65% 65% top-notch lawyers. Despite a difficult economy, WUCL graduates64% are in demand, especially here in the Northwest. 60% 60% Results from our most recent graduating class survey indicate that more than 90 percent of those seeking employ54% 55% of graduation. ment were employed within nine months As of February, 2004, the class of 2003 had an overall 54% 55% employment rate of 93.3 percent, compared with 88 percent for the class of 2002. The majority of new grads are beginning their legal careers in private practice (48.7 percent), with two-thirds of those graduates working for small45% 45% er firms of two to 10 attorneys. Several graduates chose to “go solo” and open their own practices, rather than brave 39% 39% a tough job market, or chose to use their law degree in an alternative way. 35%
35%
Based on reported salaries, the overall range for full-time salaries was $24,000 to $110,000 per year. The average salary overall was $45,784. The median was $ 41,662. Geographically, almost 90% of the class stayed in the 25%salary25% 2000 2001 Pacific Northwest region. 2000 2002 2001 2003 2002 2004 2003 2004