Overview

Applicants
1,634
Acceptance Rate
27%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.95
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
126

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
159 - 168

Application Process

Rolling Admissions
Yes

Application Fee
$40

CAS Service Used
Yes

Applicants accepted in terms other than fall
No

Transfer Applicants Accepted
Yes

Deferred Admission
Yes

Other Admission Factors

Academic

LSAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Letters of Recommendation
Essay / Personal Statement

Selectivity Rating

Faculty Information


Students Say

Alabama prides itself on offering a tremendous legal education at an affordable price. Though the school definitely places an “emphasis…on corporate law,” students are grateful that there are also “amazing faculty members with interests in academia, public interest and environmental law.” And according to one-second year, these professors are “huge assets to students with no desire to go to a big firm or to vote Republican.” Overall, many find their academic experience to be “exceptional.” As another second year notes, “The quality of classes I've taken has been amazing, especially compared to classes I sat in on at other (higher ranked) law schools prior to enrolling. There are incredible academics willing to oversee guided research topics and help you get published.” Students also highlight Alabama’s international programs, which offer “even more opportunities to work with professors in different areas of law in different countries.” Moreover, they note that “the school's administrators and professors have an open door policy and are always amenable to speaking with students. The administrators and professor genuinely care about the students and their success in the classroom and beyond.”
One gripe students at UA do have is with the perceived “bias against students with low GPAs.” As a frustrated second-year notes, “While I had hoped that a lower GPA might merit extra attention, especially since I am paying full-price to attend the Law School, I have found that students with high GPAs by far receive the most praise and attention from administrators.” Another student concurs adding, “Furthermore, like many law schools, my school's administration and faculty tends to place favor and preference upon those with higher GPAs, a practice that outcasts those of us with a strong work ethic who fell victim to the mandatory curve.” Fortunately, the low student to teacher ratio means struggling students can meet individually with their professors if they need extra help. In addition, the school hosts several skills workshops open to the entire law school.
Students feel that there remains room for improvement when it comes to career services. However, they appreciate the strides the office has made. “Our career services are still adjusting to our improving national reputation. They are making increased efforts at providing useful business contacts outside of Alabama, but could still improve.” A frustrated second year adds, “We do not attract a lot of attention from prestigious firms because they assume we are all uninformed rednecks—an assumption that is both unfortunate and inaccurate.” However, another more content second-year counters, “As a native Alabamian, I am interested in finding long-term employment either in my home state or in Washington, D.C. The school has been very helpful in creating connections for me, both through UA Law alumni and through the D.C. externship program.”

Career overview

Pass Rate for First-Time Bar Exam
89%
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
94%

Career Services

On campus summer employment recruitment for first year JD students
Yes

On campus summer employment recruitment for second year JD students
Yes

# of Employers that Recruit on Campus Each Year
300

Employers who most frequently hire graduates
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Maynard Nexsen; Balch & Bingham LLP; Burr & Forman LLP; Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC; Dentons Sirote; Kirkland & Ellis; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama and Middle District of Alabama; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.; Adams and Reese LLP; Holland & Knight; Dority & Manning; Baker Botts LLP; Latham & Watkins; Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals; Morgan & Morgan; McGuireWoods; Husch Blackwell

Graduates Employed by Area

58%
Private Practice
13%
Government
11%
Judicial Clerkships
7%
Public Interes
3%
Business/Industry
2%
Academic

Graduates Employed by Region

86%
South
6%
South West
3%
Mid-Atlantic
2%
MidWest
2%
Pacific
1%
Mountain
1%
New England

Prominent Alumni

Hugo Black
Former SCOTUS Justice

Morris Dees
Founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center

Frank M. Johnson
Former Judge for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Jeff Sessions
Former Attorney General of the United States

Richard Shelby
Former U.S. Senator

Dates


Financial Aid Statistics

Average Annual Total Aid Package Awarded
$22,000

% Students Receiving Some Aid
91%

Expenses per Academic Year

In-State Tuition
$24,080
Out-Of-State Tuition
$44,470
Estimated On-Campus Room and Board
$21,624
Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$21,624
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$1,000
Fees
$837

Student Body Profile


Demographics

100% are full time
0% are part time

Campus Life

Students Say

UA manages to foster a warm and welcoming environment and this collegial atmosphere certainly extends to the law students. Indeed, “Alabama has heart, ambition, and an attitude that really encourages teamwork. Outlines and notes circulate through so many students—there is no required "quid pro quo" in that regard. We just believe in each other.” A second year student concurs stating, “Everyone operates with a sense of respect and professionalism toward one another…with a little ‘Southern Hospitality,’ everyone always lends a helping hand, so the competition is outweighed by our southern charm.”
“The average student is young and direct from college,” and “usually” comes directly from Alabama “or from a neighboring state.” Students describe themselves as “very smart” and “down-to-earth.” Politically, it is a pretty conservative atmosphere, though you will nonetheless find students with a range of interests and viewpoints. While the UA law population is “not very diverse,” “in recent years, racial and geographic diversity has been a priority of the law school. The average age of law students has increased as well.” One ecstatic third year buoys this sentiment sharing, “I'm a Yankee, but the people down here are second to none. I wouldn't trade any of them for anything.”
While most students here are diligent workers, one 2L also assures us that they “know how to have a little fun” as well. A fellow student agrees adding, “It has been very easy for me to make several good friends among very diverse individuals with differing interests. While we study a great deal we also find time to hit up the bars in large groups.” Additionally, “The Student Bar Association throws parties every other week, and the students all socialize together.” Tuscaloosa offers “great weather” and “it’s a great college town.” Be forewarned though, for those not “super interested” in football “[it is considered] sacrilegious down here.” Indeed, Alabama’s social scene generally “revolves around sports,” and “football is a near-religious experience.” Devotion to the Crimson Tide certainly extends to the law school. In fact, students have their own cheering section, “right there with the fraternities.” As a first year student admits, “We schedule our work so we can attend Crimson Tide ball games.” If you “don’t like football you’ll probably have a harder time finding your niche.” However, others assure us that “it is possible to escape and do your own thing.” “Birmingham is an awesome city a mere forty-five minutes away from Tuscaloosa and it offers everything an urbanite could need,” including “fantastic shopping, excellent restaurants, lots of young singles, a sense of community, and even a little bit of the hipster scene (somewhat of a rarity in Alabama).”

More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

Contact
Claude Reeves Arrington
Associate Dean for Admissions

Address
Box 870382
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Phone
205-348-5440

Email
admissions@law.ua.edu


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