Cornell Law School
General Info
Cornell Law School, located in Ithaca, New York, is a graduate school of Cornell University. It is one of the five Ivy League law schools. The law school offers four types of law degrees, an array of programs and institutes, and over 120 courses for its students. Programs at the law school can be supplemented by the rich academic resources available in other units of Cornell University. The law school's faculty is one of the most prolific in the nation, and is also known for its excellence in classroom teaching. Among the profession, Cornell retains an excellent reputation: its graduates have the sixth highest percent placement at the top 50 law firms. Additionally, Cornell's New York bar pass rate for first-time candidates is always among the highest of any law school in New York state. The Cornell Law School was formally opened in 1887, but was moved to its present-day location at Myron Taylor Hall in 1937. The law school building, an ornate, Gothic structure, was the result of a donation by Myron Charles Taylor, a former CEO of US Steel, and a member of the Cornell class of 1894. An addition to Myron Taylor Hall, the Jane M.G. Foster wing, was completed in 1988. Ms. Foster was a member of the class of 1918, and was the first woman to serve as Editor in Chief on an American law review.
Contact information
- (Website) https://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/
- (Admissions Dean) jdadmissions@cornell.edu
- (Location) Ithaca, NY
Cornell Law School Admissions
Cornell Law School is considered a Moderately Competitive law school, which accepts only 31% of its applicants. Comparatively, Cornell is Significantly Higher than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 3899 | 1192 (30.57%) | 203 (5.2%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 3.62 | 3.74 | 3.82 |
| LSAT | 164 | 167 | 168 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | $59,981 | $59,981 |
| Part Time | N/A | N/A |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: $20,151
- Living off-campus: $20,151
- Living at home: $20,151
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: 11/01
- Early Decision 2: 01/08
- Regular Decision: 02/01
- Application Fee: $80
Cornell Law School Admissions Predictor Tool
Cornell Law School COMPARISON TOOL
Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School Community
Cornell Law School is considered to have a Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Cornell is Above Average.
Student body
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 48
- Part Time: 32
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 31
- # Minority Faculty: 13
Ratio
13.1 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: Yes
- Graduate Housing: Yes
- Law Specific Housing: Yes
Cornell Law School Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. Cornell Law School 1L section size is 14% smaller than law schools in New York and 10% larger than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 638
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 205
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 45
- Law Journals: 286
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 4.4%
- Second Year: 0.5%
- Third Year: 0.5%
- Fourth Year: 0.0%
Cornell Law School Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The Cornell Law School class of 2023 had an employment rate of 98% with 1% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2023, 77.3%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 71.0%
- Business: 3.0%
- Government: 6.0%
- Public Interest: 5.0%
- Academia: 0.0%
- New York: 58%
- California: 7%
- District Of Columbia: 6%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 77.3%
- First Time Takers: 185
- Average School: 91.6%
- Average State: 78.6%
- Pass Difference: 13.0%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- New York: 78.6%
- Passed: 131 of 143 (91.6%)
- State Average: 78.6%
- Difference: 13.0%