University of Kentucky - College of Law

“Camaraderie” and “the accessibility of [their] professors” are frequently cited by students at the University of Kentucky College of Law as their school’s greatest strengths. The professors here are “wonderful, very experienced in their fields, great in the classrooms and always willing to meet with students outside of class,” and “have a broad range of backgrounds in real practice.” A few students note that many professors “are on phased retirement and there seems to be a shortage of professors available to teach certain (key) courses.” But, fret not, for “this will only be a problem for the next two or three years until the retiring professors are phased out. There are many new professors, with very impressive CVs, that are on the faculty and they are great resources for the students.” One student sums up: “Hands down, the faculty is the greatest strength of the UK Law School. Many are nationally (and some internationally) [renowned] experts in their law practice areas. So far, three of my core classes have been taught by Harvard Law grads. I feel as if I am getting an Ivy League education without the Ivy League price tag!”
Some students say that “when issues around administration (example: registration) arise, the academic dean immediately takes action,” though others feel that, while “the administrators are very nice,” they are also “not always very efficient. Not all student concerns are addressed, and others feel that there should be “more transparency between the students and the administration,” and better consideration by the administration “of how students will be affected by their decisions.” Still, another student gushes, “The UK Administration is part of the reason I chose to come to UK. The former Dean of Admissions wrote me a personalized acceptance letter and was an absolutely amazing person and a tremendous help in making my decision.”
While the facilities are not very “aesthetically pleasing” (with one student noting, “The building is decades old and all complaints about it are put off by saying, ‘it’s going to be rebuilt’”), “the quality of the faculty more than makes up for this.” Also, the law school has its own dedicated IT department “right in the library, and the IT department is an authorized Dell repair center, which is really handy.” Some students feel that there could be more focus on “academic success for 1L students (i.e. weekly review sessions, etc.,) and overall attitudes of inclusion and personal growth.” Finally, in terms of practical experience, “the externship opportunities and clinics [at UK] are great strengths and provide students with a broad range of hands-on learning experience.”

“Being in Kentucky is a blessing” is not an uncommon sentiment to find here in Lexington. Students feel that “the greatest strength of UK Law is its collegial atmosphere,” and make such bold claims as, “I definitely feel like I have gained lifelong friends and mentors.” The greatest strength of UK is “the close-knit community feeling fostered by the students. The students make a concerted effort to create an open and inclusive society of scholars, and are mostly successful in this endeavor. Only on one occasion can I remember not feeling at home at the University of Kentucky.” One student succinctly sums up the prevailing attitude regarding the school’s facilities with, “The building is . . . well, we need a new building.”