The Best Law Schools For Clinical Training

 

Rank and School	Annual Tuition (Full-Time)	LSAT (25th -75th Percentile)	Acceptance Rate	Median Private (PR) and Public (PU) Sector Starting Salaries	Post-Graduation Debt	Employ-ment After 9 Months (2011 Grads)	Over-all Rank
1. Georgetown	$50,890	163-169	31.1%	$160,000 (PR)$58,000 (PU)	$145,631	84.3%	13
2. New York U.	$54,678	168-172	31.4%	$160,000 (PR)$51,630 (PU)	$147,685	95.9%	6
3. American U.	$48,148	153-159	46.7%	$80,000 (PR)$55,000 (PU)	$158,636	53.6%	72
4. City U. of New York (CUNY)	$22,912	153-157	30.0%	$42,000 (PR)$40,000 (PU)	$74,503	59.6%	113
5. Yale	$54,650	170-176	9.4%	$160,000 (PR)$61,036 (PU)	$111,961	91.4%	1
6. Washington U. (St. Louis)	$49,945	160-167	24.3%	$110,500 (PR)$55,067 (PU)	$109,978	75.0%	18
7. U. of District of Columbia (Clarke)	$21,285	147-152	34.8%	$45,000 (PR)$44,000 (PU)	$34,645	37.6%	NR
8. U. of Michigan	$52,784	165-170	27.0%	$160,000 (PR)$57,408 (PU)	$117,675	86.6%	10
9. U. Of New Mexico	$34,521	151-158	40.3%	$60,750 (PR)$44,000 (PU)	$73,292	69.7%	72
10. Stanford	$52,530	169-173	10.3%	$160,000 (PR)$62,459 (PU)	$108,391	96.1%	2

Source: U.S. News & World Report
Here are some of the secrets behind the success of these schools:

Steeped in the Jesuit tradition, the Georgetown University Law Center is the second largest law school in the United States. Boasting alums ranging from political heavyweights like Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe to media stars like Greta Van Susteren, Georgetown is best known for integrating legal theory with field-based experience. Each year, nearly 325 students participate in clinics, where they work with real clients, whom they often represent in court. Backed by 17 full-time faculty – and located within walking distance of the U.S. Supreme Court – Georgetown’s clinical students handle cases for political refugees, criminal defendants, tenants, and victims of violence. Students can also gain policy-making and legislative experience by working with public interest groups.

Six miles from the Georgetown’s Law Center, you’ll find the third-ranked clinical law program: American University’s Washington College of Law. Catering to over 200 students, American’s clinical program acts like an in-house law firm. It represents clients like the disabled, immigrants, juveniles, criminal defendants, entrepreneurs, and non-profits. Overseen by faculty and practitioners-in-residence, this program provides students with experience in filing briefs, counseling clients, appearing in court, and negotiating settlements. In addition to their case loads, students also participate in clinic seminars and hold case discussions with fellow students.