LAW SCHOOL PROFILE
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Drexel University College of Law, Philadelphia, PA [By Heather Jung] Drexel University College of Law is the newest addition to the legal-education family in Philadelphia, having recently joined the area’s five other law schools. Classes began in August of 2006 with an inaugural-class enrollment of 181.
For the first quarter, classes were held in
law. A rich variety of upper-division courses
than their counterparts from other more
Drexel University’s main buildings since
will be complemented by the co-op program
traditional law schools.”
the college of law’s building was not yet
and clinical opportunities.” Students who
complete. The four-story building was
want to pursue more specialized degrees can
Drexel College of Law has committed itself to
completed in January of 2007 and features
choose from three areas of concentration:
professionalism, making the aim of nurturing
seven classrooms of varying sizes, a two-floor
intellectual property, healthcare, and
it one of its founding principles. In order to
library, a two-story atrium and balcony, and
entrepreneurial business.
facilitate that ideal, the school has created the Public Interest Law Program. The program’s
office space for various student organizations. Drexel’s college of law has received
Acknowledging that it is not sufficient for
goal is to inspire students to work in public
provisional accreditation from the ABA.
graduating law students to merely think like
interest throughout their legal careers.
lawyers, administrators at Drexel Law have
Students at the college of law must complete
The average undergraduate GPA for the
designed a new cooperative educational
50 hours of mandatory pro bono service.
inaugural class was 3.4, and the average LSAT
program, which is based on the university’s
score was 156. Of the 181 students enrolled,
well-established program.
According to the school’s website, students who attend Drexel University College of Law
107 have completed some form of postbaccalaureate work, and 67 have completed
Through the program, students learn how to
will not only be studying but will also be
advanced degrees. According to acting dean
think like lawyers but also learn about the
“connected to the bright and vibrant city” of
Jennifer Rosato, next year’s class will be just
business of the industry they have chosen to
Philadelphia. The city is home to a number
as impressive.
pursue. The program places students in off-
of museums, such as the Philadelphia Art
campus organizations where they are guided
Museum, the African American Museum,
“Above all, we are committed to excellence-
by on-site attorneys. Students who participate
and the Rodin Museum; the “world’s largest
excellence in the faculty we hire, excellence
in the program work for as many as 25 hours
urban park;” performing arts venues, such as
in the students we admit, excellence in the
per week and receive six credits per quarter.
the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; several sports teams, including the 76ers and
courses we offer, excellence in the co-op externships we have created, and excellence
“A Drexel Law student will be able to do a
Phillies; and scenic bike paths that host the
in the facilities we build,” Rosato said.
‘deep dive’ and learn substantive information
USPRO Cycling Championships.
in one of the concentration areas,” the On the Net
The college of law’s website says that
Pennsylvania Department of Education said.
the school offers a traditional law school
“This depth will provide students with the
curriculum “to ensure that its graduates are
ability to be not only a productive member of
Drexel University College of Law
well-equipped to pass the bar examination
the bar but also of the business community in
www.drexel.edu/law/default.asp
upon graduation and to be competent legal
Philadelphia and the greater Commonwealth
professionals. That means that it will offer
of Pennsylvania […]. On account of this
Philadelphia, PA
its students classes in all of the subjects that
deep-dive feature of the J.D. program, Drexel
www.phila.gov
are tested on the bar examination; and that
students will likely graduate with the most
Drexel Law students (like students in any law
current knowledge in those areas of legal
Co-op Program at Drexel
school) may pursue a general program in the
need and will be able to be productive sooner
www.drexel.edu/law/coop-overview.asp
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