From the School

St. Thomas University School of Law is a highly-regarded student-centered law school where diversity is cherished, a commitment to human rights and international law flourishes, and the Catholic heritage of social justice enhances the education of all faiths.

One of the greatest strengths of our law school is the profound sense of community shared by students, faculty, and administration. St. Thomas Law is a leader in diversity, boasting one of the most culturally diverse student bodies in the country. This global diversity, within such a close-knit community, facilitates a cosmopolitan learning environment where intellectual discovery thrives.

A hallmark of St. Thomas Law is our emphasis on practical training, student engagement, social justice, and ethical behavior. Our students and alumni have a deep sense of justice and charity, and fully utilize their education and experience to lead the way in making our legal system one that truly champions the rights of the powerless.

Overview

From The School


Applicants
1,001
Acceptance Rate
60%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.06
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
218

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
144 - 151

Deadlines

Application Deadlines
June 1

Application Process

Rolling Admissions
Yes

Application Fee
$40

CAS Service Used
Yes

Applicants accepted in terms other than fall
Yes

Transfer Applicants Accepted
Yes

Deferred Admission
Yes

Other Admission Factors

Academic

LSAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Letters of Recommendation
Essay / Personal Statement

Selectivity Rating

Overall


Faculty Information

Student/Faculty
15:1
Total Faculty
91

40
Female
30
Underrepresented Minorities


Students Say

St. Thomas University School of Law offers “a small, tight-knit community” that truly wants to see its students thrive and succeed. The school takes a practical approach to teaching law and students are quick to highlight the legal writing department, which they view as an “asset.” Indeed, the in-depth curriculum requires “a closed memo, open memo, motion for summary judgment, client letter, affidavit, service lists, statement of the facts, complaint and answer to the complaint, interrogatories, request for admissions, request for documents, summons, and appeals brief (and argument in the presence of three judges).” As one second-year continues, “Legal writing [is] the cornerstone of [your] career. Therefore, the standards for memos, motions, etc. are high.”
Moreover, law students here speak glowingly about their “tremendously helpful and supportive” professors. The vast majority seems to maintain “an open door policy,” which really “allows students to visit professors freely to ask questions and review problems.” Additionally many truly appreciate how STU professors “push their students to achieve legal and social excellence.” Indeed, “they are always there to offer whatever they can to help students, which is always well researched or spoken from their extensive experience.” This praise also extends to the administration, which tends to “greet the students with open arms and typically by first name.” Impressively, they also operate under an open door policy, which “helps cater to the needs of students (ex: extending library hours during final exams).” As a second-year brags, “Anything the students want/need, the students feel free to bring up to the administration for their consideration.“
STU also provides “great” research facilities and on-campus resources. One second-year elaborates, “Not only do we have Westlaw and LexisNexis, we have access to other great databases such as JSTOR and HeinOnline. Campus offers unlimited, free printing which is helping when writing your law review comment and/or seminar paper.” Even better, “The staff in the library is ALWAYS around to help. They will meet with you for however long you need; it is like having your own personal library assistant there for you along the way.”
Students here are also extremely grateful for the professional opportunities a St. Thomas education affords them. As one second year elaborates, “The externship programs and on-campus interviews brought in from career services is phenomenal. The school places students in trial, appellate, and supreme courts for both state and federal systems.” Another pleased student agrees, “The reputation that our school has in South Miami has helped place these students in the judicial clerkships and various public offices (state attorney and public defenders).” Further, St. Thomas has “a unique relationship with the Pax Romana of the United Nations. Therefore, students can be selected to go to New York to the UN headquarters for a unique experience with ambassadors and diplomats.”

Career overview

From The School


Median Starting Salary
$52,000
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
68%
% of job accepting graduates providing useable salary information
74%

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
50

Employers who most frequently hire graduates
Cole Scott & Kissane; Greenspoon Marder; Rumberger Kirk Caldwell; Rubenstein Law; Lydecker Diaz; Peyton Bolin, P.L; State Attorney's Office (Miami Dade Broward Palm Beach); Public Defender's Office (Miami Dade Broward Palm Beach) Department of Justice, Executive Office of Immigration Review

Graduates Employed by Area

39%
Private Practice
13%
Business/Industry
12%
Government
2%
Academic
1%
Judicial Clerkships

Graduates Employed by Region

88%
South
4%
Mid-Atlantic
2%
Mountain
2%
Pacific
1%
MidWest
1%
South West
1%
New England

Prominent Alumni

Javier Ley-Soto
Legal Counsel, Miami Dade College

Jennifer J. Wioncek
Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

Viviana Arango Loshak
Shareholder, Fowler White Burnett

The Honorable Georgina Picos
Federal Immigration Judge (TX)

Frances Guasch De La Guardia
Partner, Holland & Knight

Overview

From The School


Dates


Financial Aid Statistics

Average Annual Total Aid Package Awarded
$50,000

% Students Receiving Some Aid
96%

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$37,992
Estimated On-Campus Room and Board
$18,500
Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$17,600
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$1,800
Fees
$2,290

Overall

From The School


Student Body Profile

Total Enrollment
591
Parent Institution Enrollement
2,517

Average Age at Entry
27

% Out-of-State
5%
% International
2%

Demographics

70.00%
% Under-represented Minorities

97% are full time
3% are part time
57% female
44% male

Campus Life

Students Say

“This law school is very diverse.” In fact, it’s one of the most ethnically diverse bastions of legal education in the country. There is a very high Hispanic student enrollment. There is also “a substantial number of second-career types as well as attorneys from Latin American and other countries who are revalidating their degrees” in the United States. “About half of the student body came to St. Thomas via the ‘traditional’ student method,” estimates a 1L, “and the other half is a little older and brings a wide range of practical understandings. This dichotomy leads to some truly enlightening classroom discussions.” Some students explain, “There is a good deal of competition” academically. Others say that students “join forces” and share notes regularly and copiously at exam time.
STU is situated on the main campus of the larger university in a suburb between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Some students tell us the location is “not so good.” The cost of living in these parts isn’t the cheapest, either. On the plus side, the weather in South Florida is “very relaxing” virtually year-round, and the Floridian campus boasts palm trees, ponds, and tennis courts. The area also offers tons of activities and nightlife. Bars, restaurants, shopping and cuisine are all world-class and, of course, “you always have the beaches.” Perhaps more importantly, students at STU are privy to “rich experiences” and “fantastic events.” A pleased third-year proudly shares, “Our Law Review [has] hosted a tremendous symposium on Media and the Law, in which Harvard Law Professor Charles Nesson was the keynote speaker.” Additionally, “[one] semester, Justice Scalia came and talked to our school.” St. Thomas Law hosts many alumni networking opportunities, affording students chances to network with the bench and bar. Socially, there are “enough student organizations to find something you like.” This law school is a pretty tight-knit place too. “Close relationships” are easily formed, and students know pretty much everyone in their class year. Also, “The school design invites socialization.” “There is a breezeway always full of students talking and hanging out, sharing thoughts, and talking about the professors and classes.”

More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

From The School



Contact
305-623-2310
Asst. Dean for Enrollment & Scholarships

Address
16401 Northwest 37th Avenue
Miami , FL 33054

Phone
305-623-2310

Email
admitme@stu.edu