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LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
Emory University School of Law [by Marty Schultz-Akerson] With Atlanta as a background and a consistent ranking in the top 30, Emory has a lot going for it. Find out what students have to appreciate at one of the South’s best law schools.
A perennial fixture on the U.S. News and
government and international agencies locat-
Clinic offers free legal assistance to those
World Report list of top law schools, the Em-
ed in Atlanta make these dual degrees par-
seeking to protect Georgia’s forests and
ory University School of Law takes advantage
ticularly attractive. For example, students in
natural habitats. In this program, second and
of its close proximity to the business center
the joint JD/Master of Public Health program
third year students take on important cases
of the South, Atlanta, as well as its affilia-
benefit from the nearby Center for Disease
under the supervision of staff trial lawyers.
tion to Emory University’s diverse academic
Control and Prevention, The Carter Center,
Finally, many students take advantage of
programs. With the Atlanta skyline in sight
and the national headquarters for the Ameri-
a Field Placement Program, interning in
and the gorgeous Emory campus all around,
can Cancer Society. Likewise, the School of
major corporations, law firms, government
law students at Emory develop the practical
Law has partnered with the well-respected
agencies, and non-profit organizations in the
legal skills necessary to succeed in today’s
Candler School of Theology and the Center
greater Atlanta area.
competitive market while reflecting on the
for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion to
legal issues that continue to challenge and
form a national hub for the ecumenical and
Student life is what you might expect from a
excite generations of legal scholars.
inter-faith discussion of the complex interac-
top-ranked southern law school: intellectual-
tions between law and religion. Originally founded as a manual labor school
ly stimulating and intense, but not cutthroat. Student organizations cover the entire legal
in 1836 by the Methodist church, Emory
Students at Emory excel in the traditional
spectrum, and students are encouraged to
University has since grown to become an
legal curriculum, but also benefit from
find their particular niche in the legal world
international research center. The addition
comprehensive training meant to give them
early on, whether it be as an editor for one of
of the School of Law in the 1910s, along with
a head start on the practical skills necessary
Emory’s three legal journals, a competitor in
the Schools of Theology, Business, and the
to be successful lawyers. For example, all
the Moot Court Society, or an advocate with
Arts and Sciences, played a large role in
second year students are required to partici-
the Emory Public Interest Group. Students
Emory’s rise to prominence. Earning its ABA
pate in the highly acclaimed Trial Technique
are expected to display the ethics and re-
accreditation in 1920, the School of Law has
Program, a two week, intensive boot camp
sponsibility central to the legal profession in
become a dominant player in a geographical
led by trial lawyers, judges, and drama
their interactions with one another, faculty,
area that continues to grow in importance in
coaches. Students simulate all aspects of
and administration, and the long-standing
the legal field.
trial preparation, management, and advo-
honor system stands as a testament to the
cacy, and are videotaped in a courtroom built
trust faculty invest in their students.
In addition to the standard JD, Emory offers
on campus specifically for this purpose.
its share of dual degree programs. Options
Tuition at Emory is $32,772 for the aca-
include the JD/MBA, the JD/Master of Divin-
Similarly, Emory students have access to
demic year. The School of Law is aware of
ity, the JD/Master of Theological Studies,
numerous clinical opportunities. The Barton
the considerable financial commitment of a
the JD/PhD in Religious Studies, and the
Law and Policy Clinic, established in 2000,
legal education, and tries to assist students
JD/Master of Public Health. All of these
strives to empower under-served children in
in obtaining the best financial aid packages
programs allow students to complete the
Georgia’s welfare system. Although students
possible. 86% of students receive some form
two degrees faster than if they were to be
do not provide direct legal representation for
of financial aid. There are also significant
pursued separately.
the children, they staff legal clinics, provide
scholarship opportunities, such as the Wood-
cogent research and analysis for policy-
ruff Fellows Program that covers tuition
Emory University’s exceptional academic
makers, and oversee a free informational
and fees and provides a $3000 stipend for
breadth as well as its proximity to numerous
website. Likewise, the Turner Environmental
candidates with exceptional academic and
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LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
leadership qualifications. Getting admitted to Emory is difficult, although not impossible. Recent acceptance rates have hovered around 21% of the 4,000 applicants. Once accepted, students enjoy a unique blend of education and lifestyle, honing their intellect as legal scholars and practitioners, enjoying the wonders of an elegant southern campus and a world-class city.
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