admitted a welcome guide for new KU Law students | spring 2023 | law.ku.edu/admitted
WHERE OUR GRADUATES GO
You are about to embark on the most intellectually challenging, and the most rewarding, educational experience of your life. The knowledge and skills you gain over the next three years will form the foundation of your legal career. As a student at KU Law, you can ensure that the foundation you build will support your professional goals, whatever they may be.
At KU Law, you become part of a proud history. The University of Kansas was established by a determined group of abolitionists with the personal courage and integrity to take a stand against slavery. When you walk around Green Hall, you will see composite photographs of generations of law students. From the earliest classes, those pictures include the faces of students of color and women. KU Law is, as it always has been, an inclusive place.
As a KU Law student, you can select courses from a broad and varied curriculum and participate in a wide array of extracurricular learning opportunities. You can pursue a general legal education or specialize in one of our eight certificate programs. We have 11 joint-degree programs, all of which allow you to obtain both a J.D. and a master’s degree on an accelerated basis. Additionally, KU Law offers an experiential learning program including a mix of liveclient clinics, field placements and skills simulations.
KU Law graduates routinely perform well on the bar exam and find success in the job market. With support from our Free Bar Prep Program, graduates in the Class of 2021 had the 11th-highest bar exam pass rate in the nation, with a nearly 96% pass rate. The 2021 class ranked eighth nationwide in the “best jobs” category.
When you complete your legal education, you will become part of a proud and supportive KU Law alumni network.
— Stephen Mazza, Dean of KU Law
Wherever you land, the Jayhawk lawyer network will be there to welcome and support you. More than 8,000 KU Law alumni live and work in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories and dozens of foreign countries.
welcome
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CRITICAL
MASS
100+ alumni 50-99 alumni 25-49 alumni 1-24 alumni #1 KANSAS 54 jobs (58.8%) #2 MISSOURI 25 jobs (26.3%) #3 Colorado 5 jobs (5.2%)
The three states where the most 2021 KU Law grads are employed:
8:30 a.m. HOME Time for a run and breakfast
10:20 a.m. CLASS Civ Pro and Lawyering
12:00 p.m. LUNCH Lunch at the Burge Union
a day in the life of a 1L: Israel Nelson
1:30 p.m. CLASS Contracts and Torts
3:30 p.m. STUDY
Read and work ahead for the next day’s classes
8:00 p.m. HOME Dinner and more prep for the next day
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OUTLaws and Allies is one of more than 25 organizations you can join at KU Law.
The First Generation Professionals offer a library to FGP students with free textbooks and supplies.
Student organizations provide leadership, community service and academic opportunities.
More info on involvement: law.ku.edu/ student-life
Intrigued by international issues?
Want to dive into health and environmental law? We’ve got you covered. 4 KU Marketing Communications
get connected
Q&A with KU Law:
What is your favorite thing about KU Law?
“My closest friendships were made in Green Hall. Who you surround yourself with in law school is important and they have made law school much more enjoyable.”
—Jamie Treto, 3L
“My favorite things about KU Law have been the support and guidance that professors are eager to provide, the student community, and the friends I’ve made along the way.”
—Brett Hallagan, 3L
Which class has been your favorite so far?
“It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll narrow it down to my top three: Criminal Procedure with Professor Yung, Business Organizations with Professor Ho, or Federal Income Tax with Dean Mazza.”
—Olivia Almirudis Schneider, 2L
As a KU Law student, you have the opportunity to spend part of your summer abroad. While you’re there, you’ll take challenging classes from distinguished faculty members alongside your fellow students, earning credits toward your degree and gaining an entirely new appreciation of the world. You’ll also have ample time to explore the city, take excursions, and try new things.
KU Law is affiliated with study abroad programs in Limerick and Dublin, Ireland and Istanbul, Turkey.
Looking for a more immersive experience? KU Law has partnerships with a number of international law schools in countries including Scotland, Italy and Costa Rica. Students can live and study abroad through semester-long exchange programs.
Find more information online: law.ku.edu/study-abroad
“My favorite class has been Lawyering Skills. The professors walk us through the legal research and writing process. It helped me gain confidence in my skills and made me excited to advocate for future clients.”
—Karlie Bischoff, 2L
What do you like about Lawrence?
“Lawrence is a great place to live. We have plenty of great places to eat, grab a coffee, or catch a concert. And best of all for those of us coming from a bigger city: no traffic! ”
—Professor Alex Platt
“KU students come from roughly 110 countries each year. They study with world-class scholars in a friendly, safe environment.”
— Professor Raj Bhala
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KU Law students visit the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
Tips to settle in
Where should I live next year? Are there any campus housing options?
There are many apartment complexes and rental properties in Lawrence. Although there is no designated housing for law students, there are recommended housing locations for KU graduate students. An apartment guide is available in the KU Law Admitted Students Portal on our website.
More housing info: law.ku.edu/housing
life in lawrence
Lawrence boasts art galleries, museums, performance halls, global cuisine, lakes, trails, Division I athletics and proximity to Kansas City. It’s laid-back living in a cosmopolitan Midwest community. The University of Kansas lies at the center of the community and infuses an already vibrant city with vitality and diversity. And Lawrence has been recognized in a lot of other rankings:
How can I find a roommate?
Admitted students can post or find posts seeking roommates in the Class of 2026 Facebook group.
facebook.com/groups/kulaw2026
Which utility companies should I use?
Most rental properties use the same companies for all residents. If you do plan to buy a home, the most common utility companies are Evergy for electric, Black Hills Energy for gas, and the City of Lawrence for water, trash and recycling. High-speed internet options include Midco and AT&T Fiber.
More tips online: law.ku.edu/admitted & law.ku.edu/next
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation ranked Lawrence among its “Dozen Most Distinctive Destinations,” touting it as one of the best-preserved and unique communities in America.
• Business Insider and Lumosity have ranked Lawrence one of the nation’s smartest cities.
• Livability.com ranked Lawrence No. 4 for Best College Town.
• Entrepreneur ranked Lawrence 23rd among the top 50 U.S. cities for entrepreneurs.
Best
of Lawrence 2022
as voted by lawrence.com readers
Best Bookstore: The Raven Bookstore
Best Pizza: LIMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar
Best Coffee: Uplift Coffee
Best Hiking and Bike Trails: The Lawrence Loop
Best Dessert: Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream
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Head 40 minutes east to Kansas City for world-famous jazz and barbecue, first-rate performing arts and convenient access to Kansas City International airport.
Massachusetts Street (Mass Street)
is the epicenter of shopping, restaurants and nightlife in Lawrence.
There are lots of housing and dining options within walking and cycling distance of campus.
Take in a game at Allen Fieldhouse, hailed as “the best place in America to watch college basketball.”
Just steps from Green Hall, the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center offers a climbing wall, cardio equipment, yoga classes and more.
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what’s next?
First 6 steps to launching your legal education
1. Submit your seat deposit
Congratulations on confirming your decision to attend KU Law! To submit your seat deposit, visit law.ku.edu/admitted.
2. Apply for financial aid
Contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships office to help finance your education: affordability.ku.edu.
3. Enroll in courses
No need to register for your first semester; we will take care of that for you!
4. Get your KU ID card
Your card will gain you free access to the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center and the City of Lawrence bus system (Jayhawks ride free!). Learn more at kucard.ku.edu.
5. Buy your books
Students will receive their class schedule about three weeks before classes start. Shop online or at the KU Bookstore in the Kansas Union.
6. Reserve your study carrel
Students have a chance to sign up for a designated space to study in the Wheat Law Library. More information will be shared over the summer.
Important dates and deadlines
March
March 1 // Priority date to file the FAFSA.
March 15 // Seat deposit due (summer starters).
If you’ve been admitted, register for Admitted Students events at law.ku.edu/admitted/events.
April
March 31-April 1 // Admitted Students Weekend.
April 15 // First seat deposit due (fall starters).
May
May 18 // Summer starters attend orientation and start classes.
June
June 15 // Second seat deposit due (fall starters).
August
August 17 // Fall starters attend orientation and start classes.
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).
The University of Kansas School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738
