University of Wisconsin - Law School

Located in the state capital of Madison, the University of Wisconsin Law School “is an incredibly well-run law school” that focuses on skill-based learning by taking a law-in-action approach to emphasizes how law relates to social change and to society as a whole. The school offers numerous dual degrees, certificates, and curricular concentrations, as well as one of the country's largest clinical programs. This abundance of options “allows students to get heavily involved with client-interfacing, substantive, and meaningful work as early as 1L summer,” working hands-on with real clients in the Federal or Criminal Appeals Projects, the Family Court Clinic, or the Neighborhood Law Clinic, among others. The school dedicates special “attention … to Wisconsin-specific law,” which is aided by the school's location. “Downtown Madison as an aspiring lawyer is great” because it creates numerous experiential learning opportunities, including placements in courts and state and federal agencies. Last year, more than 92 percent of students took a clinic or externship course. Additionally, the Lawyering Skills Program offers simulation courses that let students develop professional skills such as oral communication, negotiations, writing for practice, and client counseling within a supervised classroom setting, and “the emphasis on practical legal skills is unmatched.” The Academic Enhancement Program “is an incredible resource” that provides support services such as learning skills assessments, study groups, and study aids. Finally, the state of Wisconsin's Diploma Privilege lets students secure a license to practice law in Wisconsin without taking a bar exam right out of law school. Overall, “clinical work, externships, and internships [are] all heavily emphasized” here, and “really allow you to get first-hand experience working with real people in the community.”

Professors at UW Law “understand that law school is stressful but also expect a great deal from their students.” However, they're there to help: Faculty “from the dean to professors are accessible and want to converse … with students,” so they “encourage meeting them for office hours or otherwise approaching them with questions via email.” For example, “the dean hosts weekly office hours,” and “the administration is accessible and cares about their students.” This dedication draws many favorable comments from enrollees: “I've had several professors that, in addition to being excellent lawyers, have really spent the time to develop their curriculum using research-based methods and cater to a variety of learning styles.” Many teachers also “assign student-directed learning projects throughout the semester to enhance student research and independent studies.” Facilities-wise, “the [law] building is dated,” but the library “is beautiful and a nice place to study.” It also offers “multiple research trainings that are very useful,” and the librarians really “take time to make sure that you understand the services.” In addition to these trainings, there is “ample opportunity to learn things beyond the classroom thanks to events … where speakers come and talk about various areas of law.” The school's 14,000 alumni also regularly make appearances on campus, perhaps most notably during the Pizza with Professionals lunch panels.

“Madison is a very active city with lots of options,” and the school's Bascom Hill location “is perfect if you like that Big Ten campus vibe.” Within the classroom, there is “a healthy level of respectful … participation,” but “pretty much everyone is friends or acquaintances with … other classmates.” As such, they're “willing to share notes when people miss class and … create study groups [to] meet up outside of school.” Students caution that “it can get competitive, especially around recruitment time,” but overall the “variety of different student organizations and opportunities to be involved” creates a “very welcoming” environment that fosters a “strong ‘team' attitude.”