Harvard Law School
General Info
Harvard Law School (colloquially, Harvard Law or HLS) is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard Law is considered one of the most prestigious law schools in the United States. It is the country's second-oldest law school, and the oldest in continuous operation. It is also home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school's frequent referencing in American culture has led the Wall Street Journal 's law blog to declare that there was "no doubt...Harvard Law School holds a special place in our nation?s collective consciousness". Harvard Law introduced what would become the standard first-year curriculum for American law schools - including classes in contracts, property, torts, criminal law, and civil procedure - in the 1870s, under Dean Christopher Columbus Langdell. At Harvard, Langdell also developed the case method of teaching law, which became the dominant model for U.S. law schools.
Contact information
- (Website) http://www.law.harvard.edu/
- (Admissions Dean) jdadmiss@law.harvard.edu
- (Location) Cambridge, MA
Harvard Law Admissions
Harvard Law is considered a Moderately Competitive law school, which accepts only 18% of its applicants. Comparatively, Harvard is Significantly Higher than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2024 | 5207 | 931 (17.88%) | 562 (10.8%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.75 | 3.86 | 3.96 |
| LSAT | 170 | 173 | 175 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $58,242 | $58,242 |
| Part Time | N/A | N/A |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: $26,758
- Living off-campus: $26,758
- Living at home: $26,758
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: N/A
- Early Decision 2: N/A
- Regular Decision: 01/01
- Application Fee: $85
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Harvard Law Community
Harvard Law is considered to have a Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Harvard is Average.
Student body
Comparable Schools
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 142
- Part Time: 72
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 71
- # Minority Faculty: 34
Ratio
12.4 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: Yes
- Graduate Housing: Yes
- Law Specific Housing: Yes
Harvard Law Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. Harvard University 1L section size is 55% larger than law schools in Massachusetts and 61% larger than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 1148
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 528
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 364
- Law Journals: 1000
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 0.0%
- Second Year: 0.7%
- Third Year: 0.2%
- Fourth Year: 0.0%
Harvard Law Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The Harvard University class of 2019 had an employment rate of 100% with 1% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2019, 79.0%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 59.0%
- Business: 5.0%
- Government: 4.0%
- Public Interest: 10.0%
- Academia: 1.0%
- New York: 35%
- California: 13%
- District of Columbia: 12%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 79.0%
- First Time Takers: 596
- Average School: 95.3%
- Average State: 76.7%
- Pass Difference: 18.6%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- New York: 78.6%
- Passed: 288 of 296 (97.3%)
- State Average: 76.7%
- Difference: 18.7%