Iowa at a Glance 2011-2012
Degrees offered J.D. LL.M. Joint degree with almost any other graduate/ professional degree offered at The University of Iowa
Entrance dates
Iowa Law
J.D. August LL.M. August
Student body (as of 8/11) Total 561 J.D. candidates 556 LL.M. candidates 5 Men 58% Women 42% Minorities 17% Residents 49% Nonresidents 51%
2011 Entering class Class Size Men Women Minorities Residents Nonresidents
180 60% 40% 18% 51% 49%
GPA Median 3.64
25th/75th Percentile
3.51/3.81
LSAT Median 161
25th/75th Percentile
158/164
Age Range 21 to 43 Average 24 States & foreign countries
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Undergraduate institutions
91
Undergraduate majors
43
Entering with advanced degree 12% Journals & Organizations Law journals
College of Law 1
Student organizations
Faculty 46 full-time faculty
11 to 1 student to faculty ratio
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www.law.uiowa.edu Law Library • Second largest academic U.S. law library
according to volume count and unique individual catalog title in all formats including electronic • More than 1.3 million volumes and volume equivalents • Wireless Internet access throughout library • 441 study carrels, all wired for LAN and Internet access, and more than 50 computer workstations
Clinical Law Programs • Maximun of 15 credit hours
• In-house clinic and externship placements • In-house clinic areas of practice include: assistive technology, criminal defense, domestic violence, employment law, Family Representation Clinic, general civil, immigration law, Muscatine Intake Project, policy in action, and public benefits
Career Placement for Class of 2011 Total graduates: 183
Employed: 168 Bar required: 138 J.D. advantage: 17 Other professional: 10 Non-professional: 2 Unknown: 1 Employed long-term, full-time: 143 Employed long-term, part-time: 11 Employed short-term, full-time: 10 Employed short-term, part-time: 3 Employed law-school funded: 1 Pursuing graduate degree: 2 Unemployed – seeking: 10 Unemployed – not seeking: 3 Employment status unknown: 0
Tuition & Fees 2012-13 Academic Year Resident: $27,344
Non-resident: $47,792
five reasons to come to Iowa
Contact Us Office of Admissions
The University of Iowa College of Law 320 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, IA 52242 319-335-9095 2
1. World-class education 2. Alumni network 3. Opportunities for collaboration with faculty 4. Student-focused approach 5. Community
“ Within a few weeks at Iowa Law, I was downtown assisting the County Attorney’s office. I’ve worked with professors as a research assistant, taken part in numerous clinical programs, and participated in moot court. I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned in a real setting.” Joe Fraioli (‘13)
Iowa Law world class Iowa has the leading academic law library, a global curriculum, and a strong writing tradition, which highlight its world-class legal education provided in the nation’s heartland. Through our unique Citizen Lawyer Program, live-client legal clinics, and wide range of externship placements, Iowa’s law students hone their skills and embrace the highest ideals of the legal profession. We hope you will join us and experience our commitment to a superior legal education.
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From river-to-river, coast-to-coast,
and around the globe, Iowa-educated lawyers make a difference. 4
“ Iowa is academically rigorous, but it is equally friendly. It would seem as if the two can’t coexist, but I saw a genuine effort by the staff and faculty to create that kind of environment.” Heather Taylor ('07)
Iowa Law alumni network When you decide to pursue your legal education at Iowa, you are welcomed into a tradition of excellence. Wherever your career takes you, our solid reputation will go with you and serve you well. Our alumni network is strong and ready to open doors for you. Every year our alumni events take us throughout the state and across the nation, many occur during the summer and current students are invited and encouraged to attend. Throughout the year, our alumni return to Iowa to interview students, participate in our programs and symposia, and to enjoy their reunions and pregame tailgates. 5
Iowa Law collaboration As a student, you will not be just another face in the crowd. Our faculty and administration make students their number one priority. How? • Our faculty maintain an open-door policy. They are willing and interested in interacting with students on both a professional and personal level. “Open door” is not just a phrase used in recruiting materials; come and visit and you will see this in action. • Our faculty is accessible. Faculty offices are on the same floor as our student lounge. Clinical faculty work alongside students. Accessibility makes collaboration common. • We have an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, which encourages every student to work individually with professors to develop their analytical, writing, and advocacy skills. • Our administration is responsive to student ideas. Students sit on committees alongside faculty, administrators, and alumni. We all work together to ensure the traditions that make the College of Law great continue. 6
• We recognize the importance of civility and a collaborative and collegial environment that fosters personal development and professional growth. We enroll students who know how to disagree without being disagreeable. “Cutthroat competitionâ€? is unheard of here, and students worktogether alongside each other in a cooperative and mutally respectful manner.
Our national reputation is built not only on the good work of our alumni, but by our distinguished faculty known for its dedi-
cation to scholarship and teaching. Our faculty are renowned scholars and legal professionals whose research and writing help shape the direction of cases and legal policies on a regional, national, and international level.
Visit our faculty blog to find out what the faculty is talking about: http://blogs.law.uiowa.edu/facnews/ 7
The University of Iowa College of Law’s web site provides statistical data about the College’s admitted students, bar passage, and employment and salary data. To find out more go to: https://www.law.uiowa.edu/about/statistics.php 8
“ Our professors are experts in their fields and class size is small enough that you get tons of individual attention. You can’t beat the tuition either. Many second– and third–year students become research assistants, which provides tuition at the in–state rate, a stipend, and health insurance.”
Nichelle Closson (‘13)
Iowa Law student FOCUSed Cost/Value The University of Iowa College of Law is an excellent value for residents and non-residents alike. Our graduates owe $20,000 less than the national average1 due to our sizeable scholarships and the ample number of research assistantships for second- and third-year students. (Become a research assistant [10 hours/week] and you’ll get resident tuition, a stipend, health insurance, and invaluable experience). Iowa City’s cost-of-living makes a difference too. Apartments are easy to find that are within walking distance to the law school. Rents are reasonable at $500-750/month. Bus systems are easy-to-use and inexpensive. Plus, we’re a city with ample bike trails.
1) Rebecca Larsen, “Best Value Law Schools,” The National Jurist Volume 21, Number 3 (2011): 24-27.
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Small Class Size With an entering class of approximately 180 per year, Iowa provides a collegial environment in which students get to know and work with many of their classmates. Each semester of their first year, for example, L1s have two “small sections” among their four classes – the first a legal research and writing class of about 20 students, the second a substantive law class of about 40 students. Iowa prides itself on the opportunities these small sections provide for enriching each student’s learning, and for strengthening the law school community as a whole. Students are at the heart of our institution, and the College of Law’s administration, faculty, and staff go to great lengths to provide a place that is student centered. Outstanding teachers and a professional learning environment that is student centered, diverse, collegial, and friendly, are just a few examples of our student-centered orientation.
Student Opportunities Journals Iowa is pleased to be home to four student-edited journals. A majority of Iowa students write for a journal during their second year of law school and many of them accept board positions during their third year. View the journals online at http://www. law.uiowa.edu/journals-orgs.
Iowa Law Review Journal of Corporation Law Transnational Law & Contemporary Problems Journal of Gender, Race & Justice
Clinical Law Programs The In-House Clinic allows student interns to work on cases supervised by faculty members. Interns represent their clients throughout the whole legal process. Other opportunities include: arguing cases before trial or appellate courts and administrative agencies, as well as projects with grassroots organizations, non-profits, businesses, and the public. The Externship Program places students in a variety of legal settings under the direct supervision of staff attorneys and faculty members.
Visit student organization web sites at: http://www.law.uiowa.edu/journals-orgs/#groups 10
“ One of the best things about the College is how student centered it is. There are programs in place to help you succeed there, and in the legal profession. It’s very collegial. Everyone is friendly, warm, and inviting.” Amy Beier (‘12)
Student Groups
Study Abroad
The following extracurricular student organizations work hard to provide students with opportunities to connect with other students who share their interests. These groups strive to enhance the law school community through their activities, outreach, and volunteer commitments. Membership to any group is open to all law students who support the goals of the organization.
The College of Law sponsors programs in England, France, Portugal, and Germany. Students also may apply to ABA-accredited programs at other law schools. For more information visit, http://www.law. uiowa.edu/academics/studyabroad_other.php.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Society (ADR) American Constitution Society Asian American Law Students Association (AALSA) Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Christian Legal Society Environmental Law Society Equal Justice Foundation The Federalists Society Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) International Law Society (ILS) Iowa Campaign for Human Rights (ICHR) Iowa Student Bar Association (ISBA) J. Reuben Clark Law Society Jewish Law Students Association Latino Law Students Association Law Students for Reproductive Justice Middle Eastern Law Students Association (MELSA) National Lawyers Guild (NLG) Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) Organization for Women Law Students and Staff (OWLSS) The Outlaws Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) Phi Delta Phi (PHIDs) Pro Bono Society The Society for International Human Rights Law at Iowa (SIHRLI) Sports Law Society
Co-curricular Organizations Academic credit is available for participation in these professional skills-training programs. Competitive opportunities are available as well as board positions for students who meet the given organization’s requirements. Client Counseling Trial Advocacy Moot Court
Centers and Programs The College has eight Centers and Institutes, which receive national and international attention for their research projects and service activities. Some of the most popular Centers are: the Citizen Lawyer Program (http://clp.law.uiowa.edu/clp), the Innovation and Business Law Center (http://www.uiowa. edu/~ibl/), and the International and Comparative Law Program (http://www.law.uiowa.edu/international). For a full list of our Centers and Programs visit: http://www.law.uiowa.edu/centers.
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“ I really enjoy exercising and playing intramural sports. The fields and workout facilities at Iowa are phenomenal.” Joe McFarlane (‘13)
Iowa city community
Photo of Iowa City
It’s true. The three years you spend in Iowa City will leave you feeling glad you made the decision to come to Iowa as well as wondering how you can stay. Iowa City is a diverse and friendly community that provides a range of cultural outlets and great Big Ten sports. Our downtown is a casual setting with locally run bookstores, great restaurants, tree-lined walkways, charming neighborhoods, summer festivals, and students from the world over. This relaxed and friendly community carries over to the law school.
Here are a few things we have to brag about: • Campus
Recreation and Wellness Center. In the fall of 2010, the University of Iowa opened a new fitness facility that is available to all students; it is a five minute walk from the law school. This state-of-the-art facility boasts 20,000 square feet of fitness space over three levels, a 52 ½ foot climbing wall, a 50-meter competitive swimming pool, an 18-foot deep diving well, a Leisure Swim13
ming Pool, a 1/9 mile jogging track, two basketball/volleyball courts, one multi-activity gym, a café, locker rooms, upgraded club locker rooms, a Wellness Suite, and the Recreational Services Administrative Suite. • Iowa
City hosts a number of music and arts events throughout the year including: the Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Iowa Arts Festival, Iowa City Book Festival, and the Riverside Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, as well as the offerings of the Englert Theatre and Hancher’s performing arts series. The University of Iowa will soon be home to a new arts campus, including a state-of-the-art performance arts facility in 2015, and a new art museum in 2016-2017.
• Iowa’s
geography is diverse and we have plenty of recreational opportunities to see it all, including 41 public parks in Iowa City, many of which have walking and biking trails. At the nearby Coralville Reservoir, opportunities on the water abound as well as additional opportunities for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. You can also visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge, which contains a variety of fossils more than 350 million years old.
• Home
to the UI’s Writers’ Workshop and a UNESCO City of Literature (one of only four in the world, it joins Edinburgh, Melbourne, and Dublin with this appointment), Iowa City provides many literary opportunities, including, “Live from Prairie Lights,” an internationally known reading series featuring up-and-coming and wellestablished authors and poets from around the globe.
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“ The amount of diversity within the culture of Iowa City surprised me. There are many different restaurants, the parks and museums are nice, and it’s not far from major Midwestern cities.” Darcelle Skeete (‘13)
2nd Best Small Metro Area for Business/Careers Forbes, 3/2008
#8 Up and Coming Tech Cities Forbes, 3/2008
Best Midwestern Towns Outdoor Magazine 8/07
10th Smartest City in the Nation Forbes, 3/2008
Iowa City
regularly receives accolades for being among the best in whatever it sets out to do.
Top 100 Best Places to Live Money Magazine A “Best Value” law school prelaw Magazine Back to School edition, 2011
An A- grade and placement among the top 36 US public interest law programs prelaw Magazine Winter 2011
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Visit Us!
Iowa Law
Tours Visits for prospective students generally include attending a class and a tour of the building. Tours are given by current law students, so we do not schedule law school visits during school holidays, on weekends, or one week before or during examination periods. Self-guided tours are available at any time, along with an appointment with an admissions counselor. To schedule a tour, please contact the Law Admissions Office: law-admissions@uiowa.edu or 319-335-9095.
Prospective Student’s Day Each year, we host a Prospective Student’s Day during the fall semester. This event is a great opportunity to see the school; meet our administration; and learn more about what makes us great. If you are interested in attending this program, please contact us at law-admissions@uiowa.edu.
Visit Us on the Road
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Come and meet us at one of our Admissions Events around the country. Our schedule is available at: http://www.law. uiowa.edu/prospective/recruitingevents.php.
Address E-mail Telephone Mail
Fax
http://www.law.uiowa.edu/prospective law-admissions@uiowa.edu 800-553-4692, ext. 9095, or 319-335-9095 College of Law Admissions Office The University of Iowa 320 Melrose Ave. Iowa City, IA 52242-1113 319-335-9646 (Attention: Admissions)
Visit our video tour at: http://www.uiowa.law.edu/videotour.php 17
message from the dean Congratulations on your decision to study law. You are about to embark on an intellectually challenging, and rewarding, educational endeavor. Whether you choose to practice law or pursue a career in government or business, I encourage you to make the Iowa College of Law your destination for legal education. The learning environment at Iowa is rigorous and collaborative, and the intellectual climate is open and robust. Whether the topic is legal theory or legal practice, constitutional law or contracts, you will be able select courses from a varied curriculum and participate in a wide array of extracurricular learning opportunities. Your classmates will come from down the road, across the nation, and around the world. Your professors will be nationally and internationally known scholars and accomplished teachers who choose to fulfill their professional obligations to Bench and Bar by preparing the next generation of lawyers and leaders. We invite you to become one of them. Gail B. Agrawal Dean and F. Wendell Miller Professor of Law 18
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Office of Admissions The University of Iowa College of Law 320 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, IA 52242 319-335-9095 800-553-4692. ext 9095 law-admissions@uiowa.edu
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