admitted
a welcome guide for new KU Law students | spring 2024 | law.ku.edu/admitted
welcome
WHERE OUR GRADUATES GO Wherever you land, the Jayhawk lawyer network will be there to welcome and support you. More than 8,000 KU Law alumni live and work in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories and numerous foreign countries.
You are about to embark on the most intellectually challenging, and the most rewarding, educational experience of your life. The knowledge and skills you gain over the next three years will form the foundation of your legal career. As a student at KU Law, you can ensure that the foundation you build will support your professional goals, whatever they may be.
At KU Law, you become part of a proud history. The University of Kansas was established by a determined group of abolitionists with the personal courage and integrity to take a stand against slavery. When you walk around Green Hall, you will see composite photographs of generations of law students. From the earliest classes, those pictures include the faces of students of color and women. KU Law is, as it always has been, an inclusive place. As a KU Law student, you can select courses from a broad and varied curriculum and participate in a wide array of extracurricular learning opportunities. You can pursue a general legal education or specialize in one of our eight certificate programs. We have 10 joint-degree programs, all of which allow you to obtain both a J.D. and a master’s degree on an accelerated basis. Additionally, KU Law offers an experiential learning program including a mix of liveclient clinics, field placements and skills simulations. Your KU Law degree will provide entrance to careers across the board and across the nation, as last year our students found employment in 14 different states. KU Law students in the Class of 2022 ranked 9th in the nation among the 200 American law schools for finding full-time, long-term employment requiring bar passage. When you complete your legal education, you will become part of a proud and supportive KU Law alumni network. — Stephen Mazza, Dean of KU Law
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37 44
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4,246
732
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65 DC 72 MD
62 113
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24 4
400
31 MA
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100+ alumni
25-49 alumni
50-99 alumni
1-24 alumni
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CRITICAL MASS The four states where the most 2022 KU Law grads are employed:
#1 KANSAS 47 jobs (48.5%)
#2 MISSOURI 27 jobs (27.8%)
#3 COLORADO 4 jobs (4.1%)
#3 TEXAS 4 jobs (4.1%)
4 RI
25 NJ 8 DE
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12:30 p.m.
9:15 a.m.
LUNCH
CLASS
Lunch with friends
Business
at Green Hall or
Organizations
DeBruce Center
1:35 p.m.
10:10 a.m. STUDY
CLASS
Prep for next day’s
Lawyering Skills
classes
11:25 a.m. CLASS Contracts
5:00 p.m. HOME Dinner and more prep for the next day
a day in the life of a 1L: Alex Nelson
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OUTLaws and Allies is one of more than 20 organizations you can join at KU Law.
The First Generation Professionals offer a library to FGP students with free textbooks and supplies.
Student organizations provide leadership, community service and academic opportunities.
More info on involvement: law.ku.edu/ student-life
Intrigued by international issues? Want to dive into health and environmental law? We’ve got you covered.
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KU Marketing
get connected
Q&A with KU Law: What is your favorite thing about KU Law? “My favorite thing is the people. Law school is undoubtedbly challenging, but I am amazed every day at how my classmates and professors have created a supportive and encouraging environment.”
—Karlie Bischoff, 3L “My favorite thing about KU Law is the community. During my time at KU Law, the professors, fellow students and alumni have helped me every step of the way.”
—Olivia Almirudis Schneider, 3L
Which class has been your favorite so far? “My favorite class thus far has been Criminal Procedure. The legal loopholes on both sides of the law is what fascinated me the most.”
—Christy Harris, 2L
KU Law students and The Hon. Justice John Edwards of the Irish Court of Appeal during a study abroad trip to Ireland
As a KU Law student, you have the opportunity to spend part of your summer abroad. While you’re there, you’ll take challenging classes from distinguished faculty members alongside your fellow students, earning credits toward your degree and gaining an entirely new appreciation of the world. You’ll also have ample time to explore the city, take excursions and try new things. KU Law is affiliated with study abroad programs in Limerick and Dublin, Ireland and Istanbul, Turkey. Looking for a more immersive experience? KU Law has partnerships with a number of international law schools in countries including Scotland and Italy. Students can live and study abroad through semester-long exchange programs. Find more information online: law.ku.edu/study-abroad
“My favorite class was Feminist Jurisprudence with Prof. Deer. She is a talented indigenous legal scholar and feminist writer. She introduced me to new areas of interest and inspired me to think about my impact.”
—Corrinne Yoder-Mulkey 2L
What do you like about Lawrence? “Lawrence is a classic college town – great for students, great for families. I moved here from the east coast to join the faculty and I feel happy and lucky to call Lawrence home.”
—Professor Uma Outka “KU students come from roughly 110 countries each year. They study with world-class scholars in a friendly, safe environment.” — Professor Raj Bhala
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life in lawrence
Tips to settle in Where should I live next year? Are there any campus housing options? There are many apartment complexes and rental properties in Lawrence. Although there is no designated housing for law students, there are recommended housing locations for KU graduate students. An apartment guide is available in the KU Law Admitted Students Portal on our website. More housing info: law.ku.edu/housing
How can I find a roommate? Admitted students can post or find posts seeking roommates in the Class of 2027 Facebook group. facebook.com/groups/kulaw2027
Lawrence boasts art galleries, museums, performance halls, global cuisine, lakes, trails, Division I athletics and proximity to Kansas City. It’s laid-back living in a cosmopolitan Midwest community. The University of Kansas lies at the center of the community and infuses an already vibrant city with vitality and diversity. And Lawrence has been recognized in several national lists including:
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#9 of the top 20 Coolest Towns in the U.S. #2 College Town to Stay in Forever Livability.com ranked Lawrence as one of the best places to live in America One of the top 4 best Slam Dunk College Towns during March Madness One of the most authentic main streets in the U.S.
Which utility companies should I use? Most rental properties use the same companies for all residents. If you do plan to buy a home, the most common utility companies are Evergy for electric, Black Hills Energy for gas, and the City of Lawrence for water, trash and recycling. High-speed internet options include Midco and AT&T Fiber. More tips online: law.ku.edu/admitted & law.ku.edu/next
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Best of Lawrence 2023
as voted by ljworld.com readers Best Bookstore: The Raven Bookstore Best Pizza: LIMESTONE pizza + kitchen + bar Best Coffee: Uplift Coffee Best Hiking and Bike Trails: Baker Wetlands Best Dessert: Sylas & Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream
Head 40 minutes east to Kansas City for world-famous jazz and barbecue, first-rate performing arts and convenient access to Kansas City International airport.
Take in a game at Allen Fieldhouse, hailed as “the best place in America to watch college basketball.”
Massachusetts Street (Mass Street) is the epicenter of shopping, restaurants and nightlife in Lawrence.
There are lots of housing and dining options within walking and cycling distance of campus. KU Marketing
Just steps from Green Hall, the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center offers a climbing wall, cardio equipment, yoga classes and more.
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what’s next?
Important dates and deadlines March March 1 // Priority date to file the FAFSA. March 15 // Seat deposit due (summer starters).
First 6 steps to launching your legal education 1. Submit your seat deposit Congratulations on confirming your decision to attend KU Law! To submit your seat deposit, visit law.ku.edu/admitted.
2. Apply for financial aid Contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships office to help finance your education: financialaid.ku.edu.
3. Enroll in courses No need to register for your first semester; we will take care of that for you!
4. Get your KU ID card Your card will gain you free access to the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center and the City of Lawrence bus system (Jayhawks ride free!). Learn more at kucard.ku.edu.
5. Buy your books
Students will receive their class schedule about three weeks before classes start. Shop online or at the KU Bookstore in the Kansas Union.
6. Reserve your study carrel
Students have a chance to sign up for a designated space to study in the Wheat Law Library. More information will be shared over the summer.
If you’ve been admitted, register for Admitted Students events at law.ku.edu/admitted/events.
April April 5-6 // Admitted Students Weekend. April 15 // First seat deposit due (fall starters).
May May 16 // Summer starters attend orientation and start classes.
June June 15 // Second seat deposit due (fall starters).
August August 15 // Fall starters attend orientation and start classes. The University of Kansas School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738 The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).