The University of Tulsa - College of Law

The University of Tulsa College of Law “looks to achieve a high level of student success” by using a rigorous academic curriculum to deliver practice-ready graduates into a variety of fields. On top of that, the school boasts a 6,000-strong alumni network and “diverse experiential learning options.” This combination leads to “most students [being] afforded the ability to make strong bonds with their professors and fellow classmates.” The school also puts a lot of “focus on the professional development of the students and their bar passage.” Additionally, there is “very good access to quality practical experience at any time,” and in the second or third year, students have the opportunity to complete an externship under the supervision of a licensed attorney or judge, all while gaining academic credit and client experience. The more than 150 available placements include federal courts, corporate legal departments, and law firms. The TU College of Law Legal Clinic functions as a working law firm, housing the Community Advocacy Clinic, Immigrant Rights Project, and Solo Practice Clinic, which all give students the chance to get their feet wet as court representatives, managing partners, and advocates. Students complete this work all while helping individuals in the local community. “The Solo Practice Clinic was a good experience that has prepared me for opening my own firm, or not,” says a student. “We worked with asylum seekers in detention, … and it was valuable training in interviewing potential clients through interpreters.”

Professors go “above and beyond to make every single student feel comfortable and encouraged,” and the small class sizes (the student-to-teacher ratio is 6.6:1) lend to a “comfortable classroom atmosphere.” One student shares, “I truly feel like I have received an unparalleled education thanks to their constant support.” That's because the professors “are really dedicated to helping you understand the material” and “challenge students to apply everything that was taught in the semester, while still providing an applicable view of how it can be used in [the] real world.” The administration at UT “listens to student feedback and promptly acts to implement or explore any recommendations,” and the Professional Development Office similarly “does a phenomenal job at making sure every student who wants a job—and is willing to put in the time and effort to look for one—finds one.” Students have access to “a lot of good online databases, and the library staff is extremely skilled and helpful” in making sure those resources are used to maximum effect.

“Tulsa is a growing city” that is “quite easy to navigate.” It's a place that “accommodates … pretty much all interests,” so “you will likely run into people you know throughout your day if you are out and about.” There is a “fantastic bar district [and] museums.” Plus, “festivals [run] all through the summer [while] music and art events run nearly all year-round.” There are also “new restaurants … constantly opening, along with nightlife.” Overall, “the people are friendly,” “housing is affordable,” and “everything is easy to get to.” It's also a “very inclusive” environment. On campus, the law library houses three law journals and an increasing number of student organizations. “There are three floors filled with study carrels and tables by windows for a really open atmosphere with lots of natural light,” as well as “multiple study rooms with whiteboards” for group study. “Social events occur every other week or so and [almost] all students are invited and attend.” Here, “it's easy to find your niche group” amongst this “more cooperative than competitive” bunch. And you can rest assured that if there are any issues, “they are resolved very quickly due to the size of the school.”