Capital University - Law School

It’s a simple fact: Capital University Law School is “an underrated gem.” Boasting “one of the highest Bar passage rates in Ohio,” a “good practical skills program,” “small classes” and “abundant” resources, it’s easy to understand how the program attracts so many future JDs. Students greatly benefit from “a strong mandatory legal research and writing program, including a mandatory drafting class for 3Ls.” Moreover, beyond the general clinic program, students can take advantage of a fabulous “Foster Youth Advocacy Clinic.” Additionally, those prospective students hoping/needing to work while attending law school will be delighted to discover that Capital “offers [that] rare alternative in legal education, a high-quality part-time evening program.” Students really appreciate the “opportunity to take courses with people who have work experience gives a unique diversity to course discussions.”
Impressively, Capital’s faculty is comprised of “scholars who are nationally known in the areas of family, children’s, environmental, and regulatory law.” Further, a number of professors have “[practical] experience in litigation, negotiation, and public service.” Accessibility is another common attribute of Capital’s faculty and, typically, they are “more than willing to meet with students out of class when necessary.” Students here also find that their professors are “motivated and engaged in the material.” Their “love for teaching is infectious” and they continually find ways to be “creative” in the classroom. And, as one sage third-year explains, “the dedicated professors make all the difference.”
Students certainly have a difference of opinion when it comes to Capital’s administration. As one third-year laments, “The registar’s office needs a lot of help.” He further elaborates, “[A]lmost every semester I attended Capital, it cancelled classes after I registered. During my fall semester of last year four out of five of the classes I wanted to take got cancelled. This semester, a class got cancelled abruptly, with over eighty students registered, because of ‘unforeseen changes in the professor’s personal life.’” However, a second-year argues that the “administration is generally quick to address problems,” and a first-year asserts that they “make great efforts to accommodate the needs of [their] students.”

Capital is able to foster a “strong student community.” This can largely be attributed to the fact that it’s “not overly competitive, and the students at the school are all friends.” As a knowing third-year tells us, “We share notes, study suggestions, even outlines. I’ve NEVER seen any underhanded or mean competitive actions.” While there tends to be a divide between full-time first-years and part-time students, another third-year informs us that “as soon as you hit 2L year (even as a full-time day student) you almost always have to take a night course or two.” He continues, “I can’t underscore how valuable this is to class discourse, diversity or students, and networking. CULS also has a number of veterans in the night program, which brings the conversation to a whole different level.”
Outside the classroom, students benefit from CULS’s prime Columbus location. Indeed, the program’s great reputation and proximity to the capital virtually guarantees “amazing externship opportunities.” A third-year explains, “Varieties of positions are available at the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Legislature, Executive branch, numerous agencies, or lobbying organizations.” And, given the “current evolving legal market, public service work continues to be one of the more stable practice areas. [Attending] CULS provides outstanding preparation and networking opportunities.” Beyond the legal world, students can take advantage of all the great entertainment options Columbus offers—from the zoo and aquarium to NHL hockey, the symphony, opera, and numerous restaurants and cafes.