From the School

Stetson University College of Law, Florida's first law school, offers full and part-time J.D. and LL.M. programs in Tampa Bay. Recognized by U.S. News as No. 1 for Trial Advocacy and No. 4 for Legal writing, Stetson routinely wins international, national, regional and state competitions for alternative dispute resolution, mock trial and moot court.

Overview

From The School


Applicants
1,698
Acceptance Rate
46%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.33
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
229

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
153 - 157

Deadlines

Application Deadlines
May 15

Application Process

Rolling Admissions
Yes

Application Fee
$55

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
Non-Academic

Extracurricular Activities
Work Experience
Other Factors

Selectivity Rating

Overall


Faculty Information

Student/Faculty
6:1
Total Faculty
142

48.71
Female
12.68
Underrepresented Minorities


Students Say

Founded in 1900, Stetson University's College of Law is the State of Florida's first law school and places an emphasis on legal writing, research, and a nationally acclaimed trial advocacy program. These focus areas complement the five concentrations, 60 electives, and more than 400 clinic and externship opportunities offered to Stetson Law's 815 students. The "administration is very involved," and the school is "very responsive to the needs of the students" and "very concerned with student happiness." The leadership development program is "effective," as are the school's pro bono efforts, which "teach us to serve the community and promotes development of moral character." Competition teams are similarly "top of the line and are held to high regard internationally." "Educational and charitable events and networking opportunities are plentiful and beneficial," the "awesome" Career Development office is on top of finding employment for students, and "the school has clinics that almost guarantee jobs." Internships are readily available and new opportunities for employment are posted on a weekly basis: "Even if you aren't from the area, it is not difficult to find opportunities. The bar prep program is one of the best in Florida: "Everything is customized to you. It's unbelievable having access to this after graduation." To top it all off, the academic success program "has very dedicated professionals willing to help with anything you need."

Professors are "absolutely top flight," "consistently get involved on campus with students with their classwork and events," "engaging in class," and "are never out to embarrass anyone." "Teaching is their top priority," and there is "nobody on campus that [a student] can't send an email to and get an appointment within a few days." The faculty as a whole "very much believes that Stetson is an excellent school" and that creates "strong professional pride both in professors and students." There is "a lot of reading, but no busy work," and "as long as you have good study habits and self-discipline, the workload won't be an issue." The school provides students with "a great education and also gives students the opportunity to learn a good work-life balance, which is a crucial skill." Librarians are extremely helpful and "happy to answer any questions you may have about research," and there are also training sessions on the different legal research databases on campus given throughout the semester. "Stetson Law sets the standard for how professionalism, kindness, ethical practices, and justice should be integrated together," sums up a student.

Career overview

From The School


Pass Rate for First-Time Bar Exam
72%
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
95%

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
150

Employers who most frequently hire graduates
Holland & Knight; Carlton Fields Jorden Burt; Hill Ward Henderson; Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns; Phelps Dunbar; Shumaker Loop & Kendrick; Trenam Kemker; Bush Ross; GrayRobinson; Banker Lopez Gassler; Broad and Cassel; Cole, Scott & Kissane; federal and state court judges; federal, state, and local government; judge advocate general (JAG) corps; Citigroup; FordHarrison; Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell. Please note that the 10 month employment data are comprised of members of the classes of Dec. 2014, May 2015, and Aug. 2015 as of March 15, 2016. Job location is expressed as a percent of those providing this information. Included in the Government, Judicial clerkships, and Public interest category are a total of 13 fellows who are supported but not employed by the law school.

Graduates Employed by Area

43%
Private Practice
7%
Public Interes
4%
Judicial Clerkships
3%
Academic
2%
Business/Industry
2%
Government

Graduates Employed by Region

77%
South
2%
MidWest
1%
International
1%
Mid-Atlantic
1%
Mountain

Prominent Alumni

Chief Justice Carol Hunstein
Supreme Court of Georgia

Hon. Elizabeth Kovachevich
USDC Middle District Florida

Bruce Jacob, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law
Argued Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963)

Rich McKay
President & CEO, Atlanta Falcons

Pam Bondi
Attorney General of Florida

Overview

From The School


Dates


Financial Aid Statistics

Average Annual Total Aid Package Awarded
$52,649

% Students Receiving Some Aid
95%

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$42,326
Estimated On-Campus Room and Board
$9,438
Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$9,438
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$1,500
Fees
$320

Overall

From The School


Student Body Profile

Total Enrollment
791

Number of Foreign Countries Represented
3
Average Age at Entry
24

% International
1%

Demographics

28.80%
% Under-represented Minorities

84% are full time
16% are part time
53% female
47% male

Campus Life

Students Say

Stetson Law has an "amazingly beautiful campus" located right next to "one of the top beaches in the entire world" in a small beach town close to St. Petersburg and Tampa. The law school is separate from the main university campus, and "being a standalone law school, in paradise, creates a unique atmosphere." There is "a lot of diversity and positive interaction" at Stetson and "tons of organizations and activities that are inclusive to everyone." The atmosphere is "relaxing and peaceful," and there is definitely "a laid-back, almost small town feel in the school." Everyone here is "friendly and cooperative"; classes may be graded on a curve, but students are "very helpful to each other" and are "happy to answer questions if you're lost or confused."

Stetson's Student Bar Association is in charge of socials, and they always have "the greatest events planned at the perfect time to have fun with your fellow classmates." There are "tons of student socials and networking events that involve prominent community members" and almost every day around lunch time there are different clubs having a meeting or presentations on various topics being given ("and most of the time lunch is provided"); students "can go to the meetings and just listen, or can run for board positions if you want to be more involved." There are many kinds of clubs: "areas of law (such as environmental, employment, and property), political organizations, Bible study, cultural clubs," and more.


More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

From The School



Contact
Darren Kettles
Director of Admissions

Address
1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707

Phone
727-562-7802

Email
lawadmit@law.stetson.edu