University of Pennsylvania - Law School

A University of Pennsylvania Law education is one of cross-disciplinary training, an integrative curriculum, and access to premier research opportunities. The school believes that legal expertise should be complemented by knowledge of related fields such as business, health, and education. Therefore, students are allowed to enroll in graduate level courses at Penn Law's sister schools or to pursue “numerous disciplinary certificates” or joint degrees. “It's clear that even many of the law classes themselves aim to provide a cross-disciplinary approach,” shares a student. This distinct approach led the school to partner with Penn Engineering to develop a Law & Technology Program, aimed at preparing enrollees for careers at the intersection of law and technology. But regardless of one's area of study, Penn “promotes student engagement” and public service, with pro bono student projects (many of which are interdisciplinary) offering direct experience through serving the community. The school's nine clinics and an array of externships also work toward this same goal. As one attendee explains, “There are more practical opportunities than I know what to do with.” All first-years take a course in Legal Practice Skills, learning the fundamentals of representing a client, and secondand third-years have access to further development tools and courses. Plus, “because Penn is so small, there is no shortage of opportunities or leadership roles,” and “resources are abundant.” Another future lawyer says, “There has never been a time where I find myself seeking out help or a resource that did not exist or was not easily accessible.”

Professors at Penn “are often the leaders in their fields and are highly sought after.” They are known to “welcome student feedback and serve as lifelong mentors.” To that end, in addition to regular schedules, they “will add more [office hours] if there is demand or a more convenient time.” This “creates a very stimulating environment for students” as it helps them gain access to professors who are “top-quality and are invested in teaching.” The faculty help “teach you how to study and follow up with students.” Additionally, the library staff also “does a wonderful job teaching students how to perform efficient and effective legal research,” and “the administration is so understanding and responsive to student needs.” In short, “Every student and every single person who works in the building is so devoted to this community and making it the best it can be.” As for the school itself, the location in Philadelphia—“a major city with a substantial legal presence”—is a huge plus, and Penn “does an amazing job at partnering with other Philadelphia organizations to provide students with the opportunity to engage in substantive legal work and make connections with other attorneys in the area.”

Both the administration and faculty at Penn Law emphasize teamwork, so “there is no sense that students are competing against each other.” In fact, the school “reveals neither class rankings nor GPA,” which in turn “really encourages students to be as collaborative as possible.” This extends to interpersonal relationships: “the law school is defined by our collegiality,” says one student, and so it's a place that maintains a “tolerance of diverse opinions, including traditional conservative thought.” That's important, because the small class sizes “afford students the opportunity to know most of their classmates at least by name by the time of graduation,” and “people openly share outlines, counsel each other/study together for exams, and genuinely support each other academically.” And while students at Penn “are serious about their studies, [they're] also up for having a good time,” so “people are really social and there are many opportunities for … having fun.” Since “there are tons of social activities, both in and outside of school, the “overall atmosphere at the school is extremely friendly.”