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University of California at Los Angeles School of Law

published November 11, 2010

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
Published By
( 32 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Overview

One of the most prominent law schools in the country, University of Southern California Gould School of Law offers a forward-looking, interdisciplinary legal education guided by nationally renowned professors and informed by the diversity of a friendly and collegial student body. Located in the nation’s second-largest city, one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, the school offers myriad opportunities to apply the law to real-world problems through partnerships with some of the world’s leading companies and law firms. Students acquire the experience necessary to succeed as leaders in a global environment through interdisciplinary training and practical application of skills.

Through a wide range of academic programs, USC Law serves the community, sponsors cutting-edge research, provides hands-on learning opportunities to students, and offers timely continuing education programs for professionals. Its interdisciplinary focus stresses the interconnections among law and other areas, from economics and history to public policy and healthcare.

USC Law is known for its diverse student body, its leadership in clinical education, and its tight-knit alumni network composed of national leaders in the legal profession, business, and the public sector. It is the most diverse of the nation’s top law schools.

Student-Faculty Ratio5

12.5:1

Admission Criteria

 

LSAT

GPA

25th-75th Percentile

165-167

3.54-3.77

Median*

167

3.69


The above LSAT and GPA data pertain to the fall 2011 entering class.

*Medians have been calculated by averaging the 25th- and 75th-percentile values released by the law schools and have been rounded up to the nearest whole number for LSAT scores and to the nearest one-hundredth for GPAs.

Admission Statistics7

Approximate number of applications

5,987

Number accepted

1,513

Percentage accepted

25.3%


The above admission details are based on fall 2011 data.

Class Ranking and Grades

USC Law School does not rank its students. However, the law school provides the GPA cutoff for the top 10% of each class. This limited rank information is calculated and published at the end of each academic year.

USC Law’s grading system uses both numbers and letters. Numerical grades range from 1.9 to 4.4 with letter-grade equivalents ranging from F to A+. The system differs from a typical letter-grade system (in which A=4.0, A-=3.7, and B+=3.3, etc.) in that faculty can assign intermediate numbers, such as 3.4. For example, although both 3.3 and 3.4 are grades of “B+”, the 3.4 carries a slightly higher numerical value, and therefore contributes to a higher GPA. This combination of letters and numbers was selected because the letters can be easily understood by all potential employers, while the intermediate numbers allow more gradations and therefore more nuance than a simple system of letters only.

The below chart shows the current numerical and letter grades as well as the equivalent grades on the old 65-90 grading system used for students entering before the fall 2001 semester. These equivalents are provided for informal guidance only. Grades may be reported only in the manner in which they are recorded and displayed officially on the transcript or Record of Academic Performance (RAP). Grades may not be converted from one system to the other for reporting purposes:

Honors Designation

(if any)

Old System Numerical

Grade

Current System Numerical Grade

Current System letter Grade

Highest Honors

90

4.4

A+

High Honors

87-89

4.1-4.3

A+

High Honors

85-86

3.9-4.0

A

Honors

84

3.8

A

Honors

81-83

3.5-3.7

A-

Honors

80

3.4

B+

None

79

3.3

B+

None

76-78

3.0-3.2

B

None

73-75

2.7-2.9

B-

None

71-72

2.5-2.6

C+

None

70

2.4

C

None

66-69

2.0-2.3

D

None

65

1.9

F


A grade above 1.9 (F) or a grade of CR must be earned to receive credit toward the 88 units required for the Juris Doctor degree. Courses will not be counted towards the JD degree when a grade of 1.9 (F) is entered.

Sometimes students may notice markings other than “CR” or a numerical grade on their records. Other markings which may appear on the transcript or RAP are:

IP - “In Progress”--No grade is yet reported; IP represents the first half of a two-semester course; grade reported at the end of the second semester.

MG - Missing Grade; faculty member did not submit a grade for the student for the course; or faculty member submitted a numerical grade when a non-numerical grade is required, or vice versa.

W - Withdrawal, approved by academic petition to the Registrar, no grade entered.

IN - Incomplete; assigned when work is not completed because of documented illness or other “emergency” occurring after the twelfth week of the semester.

IX- If a mark of IN is not removed within one calendar year it becomes a grade of IX, and is calculated into the GPA as a failing grade.

Grade normalization (Curve)

In order to achieve fairness and consistency across classes and courses, the average and the distribution of grades in the law school courses are controlled following USC Law’s historic grading patterns. Minimum grade required for graduation is 2.60.

Honors

Students in the top 10% of each graduating class may be invited to join the Order of the Coif.

Awards

Name of Award

Description

Alfred I. Mellenthin Award

Awarded for the highest GPA after two years of law study

ALI-ABA Scholarship & Leadership Award

Awarded to the graduating student best representing scholarship and leadership

American Board of Trial Advocates Award

Awarded to the best third-year student in preparation for trial practice of the law

Barger and Wolen Written Advocacy Award for Best Brief

Awarded for Best Brief and Best Petitioner Brief in the Hale Moot Court Honors Program

Carl Mason Franklin Award in International Law

Awarded for excellence in the field of international law

Deloitte Award

Awarded for excellence in the field of corporate taxation

Dorothy Wright Nelson Justice Award

Awarded for contribution to the improvement of the administration of justice

Edward S. and Eleanor J. Shattuck Award

Awarded to students who are judged by the faculty to exhibit the greatest potential for becoming outstanding members of the bar

Eleanor Klein Merit Award

Awarded to an outstanding graduating woman

Irmas Fellowship

Awarded to assist recent USC Law graduates beginning careers in public interest law

James J. Holbrook Award

Awarded for significant contribution to the Southern California Law Review

Judge Barry Russell Federal Practice Award

Awarded for significant contribution toward the improvement of the administration of justice

Judge E. Avery Crary Award

Awarded to the four finalists in the Hale Moot Court Honors                        competition

Judge Malcolm Lucas Award

Awarded for the highest scholastic average during first-year

Law Alumni Award

Awarded to the member of the graduating class with the highest academic average in scholarship

Mason C. Brown Trial Advocacy Award

Awarded for the commitment to public interest endeavors and an aptitude for trial work

Miller-Johnson Equal Justice Award

Awarded to a student or students for commitment to civil and social justice while at USC Law

National Association of Women Lawyers

Awarded for contributing to advancement of women in society

Norma Zarky Memorial Award

Awarded for excellence in entertainment law

Peter D. Knecht Memorial Award

Awarded for excellence in contract and entertainment law

Roger Sherman Memorial Prize in Intellectual Property

Awarded for excellence in intellectual property

Warren J. Ferguson Award

Awarded for the best essay on a social justice topic, such as labor, poverty, criminal justice, civil rights, or discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation


Journals

The Southern California Law Review, in existence since 1927, is a student-run organization that publishes one volume produced as six separate issues over the course of each year. It strives to publish articles of high caliber that advance legal scholarship and thereby aid in the resolution of contemporary legal problems, to foster a sense of intellectual community and professional camaraderie among members of the law review and the faculty of the law school, and, finally, to train students in the methods of legal analysis and writing.

The Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal was founded in 1978 to assess contemporary society, conceive new and unique legal methodology, and seek solutions to contemporary societal problems. It seeks to do this not from the perspective of traditional legal scholarship but rather by challenging traditional legal scholarship through the perspectives of disciplines upon which the law is premised. As a result, it provides a framework upon which the future of the law must grow.

The Southern California Review of Law and Social Justice promotes the discussion and examination of issues lying at the intersection of social justice and the law. It contains legal narrative and analyses of case law and legislation in order to promote a greater understanding of the law’s interaction with historically stigmatized groups, and potential as an instrument of positive social change. This analysis may borrow from the perspectives of many disciplines. The journal’s goal is to influence the development of the law in ways that encourage full and equal participation of all people in the political, social, civic, and economic life of the country.

Moot Court

USC Law’s Hale Moot Court Honors Program, in existence since 1948, provides students with an opportunity to develop written and oral appellate advocacy skills. During the first year, each student writes an appellate brief and presents an oral argument before panels of student judges. On the basis of their written and oral performance, a selected number of students are invited to participate in the second-year Hale Moot Court Competition.

During the Hale Competition, students write an appellate brief, attend an oral advocacy clinic, participate in videotaped practice rounds, and present their arguments before panels of judges from state and federal courts, practicing attorneys, and faculty members. The Hale Competition culminates with a final round of argument before a panel of distinguished judges. Winners of the Hale Competition represent USC Law in national and state competitions in their third year. The entire program is administered by third-year students.

The National Team consists of third-year students who represent USC Law in national-level moot court competitions around the country.

Clinical Programs

USC Law offers two types of clinical training: classroom courses that include simulated exercises and supervised casework with actual clients. These clinical training programs helps student to hone their lawyering skills. Through classroom exercises, students use hypothetical case materials in simulated law office and courtroom settings, with actors playing the roles of clients and witnesses. Then, students learn legal skills and principles by working on actual cases for real clients under the supervision of faculty member. It offers the following clinical programs:

Immigration Clinic
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic
International Human Rights Clinic
Mediation Clinic
Post-Conviction Justice Project
Small Business Clinic

Placement Facts

Starting Salaries (2010 Graduates employed Full-Time)

Private sector (25th-75th percentile)

$135,000-$160,000

Median in the private sector

$160,000

Median in public service

$60,000


Employment Details

Graduates known to be employed at graduation

82.1%

Graduates known to be employed nine months

after graduation

91.3%


Areas of Legal Practice

Graduates employed In

Percentage

Law Firms

61.8%

Business and Industry              

10.7%

Government

12.4%

Public Interest Organizations

5.6%

Judicial Clerkships

5.6%

Academia                            

3.9%

Unknown

0%


Externships/Internships

Externships

The Office of Public Service is responsible for the coordination and administration of the Judicial and Clinical Externship programs.

Students can receive academic credit for clinical externships by working for a non-profit public interest office or government agency. Students also receive academic credit through an externship with a judge. This program provides a valuable opportunity to observe and affect government and legal processes from within.

Internships

The law school offers Clinical Internship Program. Students can participate in government and non-profit organizations.

Student organizations

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU @ USC)
Armenian Law Students Association
Asian Pacific American Law Students Assoc - APALSA
Black Law Students Association - BLSA
Christian Legal Society
Critical Legal Studies Association
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Committee
Entertainment Law Society
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law and Bioethics Society
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Society
International Law and Relations Organization
Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)
Jewish Law Students Association - JLSA
Latino Law Students Association
USC LawCapella
Legal Aid Alternative Breaks - LAAB
Muslim Law Students Association
OUTLaw
Phi Alpha Delta - PAD
Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity
Public Interest Law Foundation - PILF
Real Estate Law
South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA)
Street Law
Student Bar Association - SBA
Surf Law Society
USC Art Law Society
USC Government Law Organization (GLO)
USC Sports Law Society
Women’s Law Association - WLA

References

http://weblaw.usc.edu/contact/department.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/how/
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/index.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/who/intro/
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/university-of-southern-california-gould-03021
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/university-of-southern-california-gould-03021/admis¬sions
Id.
http://weblaw.usc.edu/careers/employers/recruitment.cfm#sec3
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/curriculum/gradingSystem.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/assets/docs/why/academics/curriculum/GradeScale.pdf
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/curriculum/gradingSystem.cfm
http://www.nalplawschoolsonline.org/ndlsdir_search_results.asp?lscd=90513&yr=2011
Id.
http://weblaw.usc.edu/how/jd/finaid/aid/awards.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/students/orgs/lawreview/about.cfm
http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~idjlaw/
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/students/honors/index.cfm
Id.
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/clinics/
http://premium.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/university-of-southern-california-gould-03021/career-prospects
Id.
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/academics/curriculum/externships.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/careers/employers/internship.cfm
http://weblaw.usc.edu/why/students/orgs/

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

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LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.

published November 11, 2010

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left
( 32 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
What do you think about this article? Rate it using the stars above and let us know what you think in the comments below.

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