Washburn University - School of Law

For more than a century, the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas has delivered a solid education and loads of practical experience at an affordable price to aspiring lawyers. Residents of five Midwestern states, in addition to Kansas, are eligible for in-state tuition, and there is a two-year accelerated option for those looking to fast track their legal careers. Practical experience is easy to come by via interactive classroom teaching, externships, and live-client clinics (there are eight clinic practice areas, including a Tribal Court Practice and Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic). Additionally, there are six Centers for Excellence, which provide more opportunities for students to interact with legal practitioners. With the State Capitol, Federal Court, and State Courts all right in the school's backyard, students "have the trinity of American governance at our fingertips." Students say that "it's amazing to be able to actually practice law before a license is on the line." First-year legal writing courses provide students with valuable research skills, librarians are "extremely resourceful," and the school's research and technology resources are "top notch and help to connect [students] with further information on the topic being researched." The administration "does well with regards to making updated information and opportunities known to the students." As a bonus, Washburn Law alumni are "spread throughout the country and are willing to help students find job placement anywhere."

The deans and the professors at Washburn Law are "amazing people who take time out of their busy days to interact with students." The law school has an open door policy, and "the professors welcome this"; they are "always trying to help the students get the most out of their education" and "are really receptive to all student feedback." "Curves are very tight" when it comes to grading, but everyone is "eager to assist and happy to lend a helping hand." "Nobody is necessarily holding your hand, but there is generally a constant roadmap of the material," and "the intricacies of various subjects become the constant discussion and emphasis." As Washburn Law is "a small school in a small state capital," "each person's actions are magnified and examined at great detail by one another," making the school "fundamentally good for anyone seeking to practice law in a way that is visible to the general public."

Washburn Law has "a very strong community," in which everyone is "extremely friendly." The school provides "great facilities for students to study and interact," and people are "helpful to one another and work together to learn complicated concepts." This community "extends beyond the classroom and out into the town," and, when that town happens to be a State capitol, "a wealth of exciting opportunities to gain practical experience arise." The law school "is not in the best part of the city, but the city has done a lot to clean up the area." Many students commute from Lawrence, fifteen minutes from Topeka, "while still taking advantage of all Washburn Law has to offer." Indeed, there is a "pretty good social life" at Washburn outside of Topeka itself (which students claim is "so cheap" to live in), and "students like to drive to Lawrence or Kansas City to meet up for social events since those areas offer more to do."

With a variety of student organizations at Washburn Law, "it is so easy to get involved and stay involved." Many social events take place over the lunch hour, which makes it cinch for students to interact. Most would consider the school to be "open-minded to diversity and political discourse." The relationship between organizations is "friendly, and most groups are always willing to collaborate."