New York Law School

New York Law School

185 West Broadway
New York, New York 10013
(212) 431-2888
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Rankings:
TipppingTheScales (2013): 12
U.S. News (2013): 6
AboveTheLaw (2013): 10

NYU LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS SAY…
Academics & Programs: New York Law School, a private institution in lower Manhattan, prides itself on providing hands-on training to yield lawyers who pass the bar exam and who are “ready to make an impact on the legal profession.” The program has a heavy focus on practical courses and offers “many opportunities to take part in real lawyering while you are still in law school” through coursework as well as externships. There are plenty of opportunities to tailor your program to fit your professional needs with 250 elective courses offering a host of specialized areas of law. The NYLS campus employs “state-of-the-art facilities in a prime location of New York City. There are numerous courthouses within walking distance and students are “encouraged and sometimes required by professors to see the law in action first-hand,” says a 1L.
The faculty at NYLS brings talent and expertise to each program, making classes a pleasure. “Professors and deans make themselves accessible at all times, eager to help students in any way that he or she can, friendly in the hallways, want to get to know the student body,” beams a 2L. “The professors here actually care. They want their students to learn the law and join the legal field as competent and well-trained lawyers. They focus less on theory and more on the challenges that we will face in practice. This is great, because most of us are here because we want to be practicing attorneys. For those who are interested in legal scholarship, the Law Review is a great way to get involved. Professors are generally more than happy to meet with students to give guidance on school, careers, and anything else,” says one student.
“The assistant dean and registrar Oral Hope, is incredibly dedicated to his job and has more than once helped me organize a perfect class schedule. Professors are usually well qualified and like conveying their knowledge. They are also very accessible” says a 2L. Some students are not as satisfied with the administration, charging that it can be “unavailable and hostile to criticism.” Most students, however, view the management team as “present and very accessible to students,” as well as “very responsive to students’ needs.”
The classes at NYLS may not be suited for students seeking small classes and individual attention. Many students cite classes as being “seriously overcrowded.” When it comes to career services offered by the program, reviews are mixed. Some prospective lawyers on campus say that “career opportunities for students outside the top tier seem to be few and far between.” “Getting into prestigious law firms is extremely difficult, and recruitment at NY Law is terrible.”
Of course students at the top of their class view things differently, reporting that “it’s not difficult to get a big firm job here in NYC,” citing the “huge network of practicing alumni” who hold positions at big name organizations in government, public interest, and firms of all sizes as their defense. “Like most things, law school is what you make it. NYLS has an enormous amount of resources available if one sought them out. If the school does not have something, they are willing to reach out to other institutions on your behalf. I have had the privilege of working with professors outside of the classroom, which has enabled me to further tap into the resources at NYLS,” retorts a 2L.
Campus Life/Facilities: Despite being a smaller campus, the facilities are impressive. Newer buildings are outfitted with state-of-the-art amenities, including “brand new classrooms, lounges,” study rooms, and a new library. “The classrooms, library and building in general are state of the art. Wireless internet and wireless printing is accessible everywhere in the building. The classrooms are designed in such a way that you can always see and hear the professor,” adds a 2L. Like the city in which the campus sits, NYLS is a melting pot where students of every age and part of the world converge to immerse themselves in their law education. Minorities make up a quarter of the student body but students say that there are only two types of students: “those that are from the NYC area [and] those that are not.”
NYLS maintains a competitive atmosphere but not overwhelmingly so. “People are more than willing to share notes, outlines, and briefs,” they say. “I was very surprised at how cooperative students are with each other,” relates a 1L. There is plenty to do when students aren’t studying. “Student groups are plentiful, and there are many leadership opportunities for students.” As far as the social scene, reviews often vary. “Since New York Law School is not attached to a larger undergraduate institution, we are a more close-knit community,” says a 1L, “like a large extended family.” While other students feel a rift. “I would not say that there is a strong New York Law School social scene per se,” reflects a 2L. “School spirit, community, and social life at the school should be improved.” All students agree, though, that there is no shortage of things to do when New York City is your campus. NYLS is located in the hip, trendy, and expensive neighborhood of Tribeca. Endless shopping and nightlife options are available in nearby Greenwich Village and Soho, with the rest of the city of Manhattan just a subway ride away.
* The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.