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Why Georgia Law
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The University of Georgia School of Law, founded in 1859 by Joseph
Henry Lumpkin, Thomas R.R. Cobb and William Hope Hull, has long been
regarded as a national leader in legal education. Eleven Georgia Law
graduates have been governors, and more than 35 have been U.S. senators and
representatives. Currently residing in 49 states and more than 45
countries,
scores of our alumni serve with distinction on federal and state
courts, while others are prominent attorneys, corporate officers,
general counsels and leaders in cabinet departments.
Former Georgia Governor Carl E. Sanders (J.D.'48) summarized the
school's commitment to excellence at the 1964 groundbreaking of the law
library: "The people of Georgia want and deserve nothing short of the
best. The University of Georgia School of Law is, therefore, to be one
of such excellence that no citizen of Georgia need ever leave the state
because a superior legal education is available elsewhere." Sanders'
quote made such an impression that it was etched into the outer wall
of the law library to serve as a perpetual reminder of Georgia
Law's continuing pursuit of excellence.
Georgia Law attracts extremely well qualified students from around the
country due to its reputation for an accomplished and dedicated
faculty, a rigorous curriculum and its sense of community. At the
School of Law, we strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages and
respects a variety of backgrounds and views, realizing that education
is enhanced for everyone when you bring together an able and diverse
group of people.
The entering class usually numbers in the low 200s, and the entire
student body, including LL.M. students, averages 650. While more than
three-quarters of those enrolled are Georgia residents, the 2007
entering class represented 15 states and 74 undergraduate institutions.
College alma maters include the country's Ivy League schools, leading
state schools and small private institutions of solid reputation. The
2007 entering class graduated at or near the top of their undergraduate
classes and boasted a 163 median LSAT score and a 3.67 median GPA.
Although each UGA law student has notable accomplishments, it's hard to
pin a label on the "typical" student. While some enroll in law school
directly following college, others choose to wait, thus bringing the
experience of advanced degrees, careers and family life to the
classroom. As part of a university community of more than 30,000 students,
many law students find Athens' cosmopolitan mix of students and
collegial atmosphere the ideal place to pursue a law degree.
Finally, it is one of the best buys in legal education. Tuition
for Georgia residents during the 2006-07 academic year is $10,614 and
for non-residents it is $28,490. The availability of scholarships
helps reduce the debt burden for many students. Georgia residents
are eligible for the University of Georgia Law Scholars Program that
provides merit scholarships for Georgians whose academic records and
LSAT scores show exceptional promise for distinction in the study of
law. Non-residents may receive Tuition Equalization Scholarships
that allow them to pay tuition at the rate charged residents for the
first year of law school. In addition, it is possible for
non-residents to become Georgia residents and pay tuition at the
resident rate for their second and third years of enrollment.
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"This
is a very humane place. It's competitive, no doubt about
that. Our students work hard. But I think the overall environment
in which students work is a healthy one; that is, there is a lot of
cooperation and genuine friendship and caring among students.
Also student/faculty relationships tend to be mutually beneficial and
built on shared respect"
Dan T. Coenen
University Professor and J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law |
