University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law

Located in Sacramento, the state capital of California, Pacific McGeorge School of Law’s proximity to the courts understandably leads to an emphasis on lawyering skills and the reality of legal practice. The unique locale also offers “amazing access to California state government opportunities,” and its status as the “largest law school campus in the world” (resting on thirteen acres) is made even more resounding by the fact that the campus is solely a graduate campus. “No MBA students, undergrad, or the like—everyone here is either going through what you are or can help in some way,” says a 1L.
Most here say that McGeorge's great strength is its “awesome professors.” “Very few of them are the dry, stuffy professors you expect to have in law school”; instead, they're “witty, friendly, very accessible, and sociable.” “It's refreshing to see that they don't take themselves too seriously. Law school is just that much more fun when a professor is willing to show up to class wearing a twisted-balloon bow tie,” says a student. They “are always willing to meet and talk with a student” and also “great about not only attending school sponsored events but also show up to unofficial events.” For the most part, the “strong trial advocacy programs” and comprehensive curriculum “is well tailored to the student body,” and professors “want more than anything for us students to become that knowledgeable and quick.”
Another strength is the faculty scholarship. “I am constantly recommending to friends at other law schools supplements that were authored by Pacific McGeorge faculty simply because they are the best supplements,” says a second year. Administration is as accessible as the faculty, and even the Dean has held “a résumé review session to give individuals advice on their résumés.” The writing program could use some work to become more flexible, according to some, because “although the program sounds good on paper, it fails to achieve its goals because of the way it is implemented.” The global lawyering skills (GLS) program “emphasizes legal writing and oral argument, which is essential for becoming a skilled lawyer”; while it is not without its merits, many agree that it “takes up too many credit hours,” and “the idea that it is known in the region is not, in all likelihood, a function of its success.”
Classrooms are “nice and clean,” and a renovation of the library has been completed: it is “large, aesthetic,” and “gorgeous,” making it “a good place to study.” The library staff goes “above and beyond the call of duty in locating difficult-to-find sources.” Job placements “could be much better,” however, and students agree that a better reputation would help out greatly. “Your degree is only worth what job it gets you,” says one. Luckily, for those remaining in the area, “the school faces little competition from other schools,” and alumni “are always anxious to help out students.” Some wish the bar passage rates would go up, and agree that “it would be helpful if we were specifically told which electives we should take that would increase our chances of passing the bar.”

The students in the “very welcoming community” of McGeorge are “great,” and “experiences here are memorable,” according to one. Students are “much less competitive than at the majority of other law schools;” there is “a much stronger sense of community, unlike the cutthroat atmosphere” at some other law schools. “I came to McGeorge for the atmosphere, and it hasn't disappointed. My 1L section was like family,” says a second year student.
While the neighborhood around the school is “less than ideal,” the campus “is constantly working to ensure the students feel safe,” and public safety is “always available and easily accessible.” There is a “lack of on-campus housing,” so most students commute to school every day. The campus itself is lovely, with brick buildings, “massive trees,” and a gorgeous quad with a gazebo. “The campus is extremely beautiful and it has all the resources one could wish for a law school to have,” says a student. McGeorge also cares about the environment: there's an on-campus community garden and a student-run sustainability committee which works with the administration to make the school more sustainable.