PROSPECTIVE STUDENT VIEWBOOK
IDAHO DIFFERENCE THE
The University of Idaho College of Law has a statewide mission to provide an outstanding legal education program where all students benefit from the rigorous curriculum, impactful clinics, numerous externship opportunities, three areas of emphasis, a pro bono program, extensive career resources, interdisciplinary concurrent degree programs, and our friendly Idaho communities.
Welcome to the
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
COLLEGE OF LAW Since 1909, the University of Idaho College of Law has been Idaho’s Law School. You will find our alumni as leaders in law, business, and public service. Whether you wish to pursue a career in private practice, the judiciary, government, business, education or public interest, the academic programs we provide will prepare you for success anywhere in the country or world. In addition, we have emerged as one of the best educational values in the nation, being repeatedly named a Best Value Law School by preLaw magazine. The U of I College of Law has a statewide mission to provide an outstanding legal education program where all students benefit from the rigorous curriculum, impactful clinics, numerous externship opportunities, three areas of emphasis, a pro bono program, extensive career resources, interdisciplinary concurrent degree programs, and our friendly Idaho communities. Unique to our institution, the full Juris Doctor degree is available at both our Moscow and Boise locations. The two locations each provide students with a comprehensive legal education while also having opportunities correlated to the interdisciplinary assets of Moscow’s location as part of the broader University of Idaho campus and Boise’s commercial and governmental opportunities. We look forward to receiving your application and hope that you will join us as we continue to grow and innovate in Moscow and Boise. If you want to know more about our plans for the future or have any other questions, please visit the web site or contact me directly. Jerrold A. Long, Dean
Consistently ranked a
BEST VALUE
law school by preLaw Magazine
CURRICULUM The College of Law’s form of teaching involves the case method, a study of the actual decisions made by appellate courts. We supplement this with selected readings that provide key insights into the nature of judicial and legislative processes. Many of our advanced courses provide you with the opportunity for simulated exercises and problem solving. We emphasize techniques that foster your initiative and the development of analytical and communication skills.
YOUR FIRST YEAR Fall Semester Credits Civil Procedure I...........................2
Torts ...............................................4
Legal Research..............................1
Property ........................................4
Contracts I.....................................2
Academic Skills Lab I..................1
Legal Writing and Analysis (year-long) ........................................................................................................................ 5 Spring Semester Credits Civil Procedure II .....................3
Constitutional Law I................3
Criminal Law..............................3
Contracts II................................3
Graduation Requirements for the Class 2022 • Students must complete six semesters of full-time study in residence, earn 90 semester hours of credit and maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average. • Students must pass all first-year courses as well as Constitutional Law II, Evidence, the second-year Legal Writing course, and Professional Responsibility. • Students must earn at least six credits in experiential learning courses and write a major paper to satisfy an upper-division writing requirement. • Because the College, like the legal profession, places a high value on public service, all students must complete at least 50 hours of law-related pro bono service before graduation. • Students must complete the Professionalism Education Program requirements. All graduation requirements must be completed within six years from the time the student first matriculates into law school.
Professionalism Requirement Students who enter the College of Law must complete a professionalism education program that consists of opportunities that address the following topics: cultural competencies; civility and appropriate professional behaviors; law practice management; bias and thought processes; and other topics related to the development of a student’s professional conduct and identity. Workshops in the program are offered each semester and students are required to attend a minimum number each year.
Can’t enroll full-time? If you need to enroll less than full-time you may be able to pursue an adjusted curriculum option. Consult the Admissions Office for more details and visit: uidaho.edu/law-admissions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES Pursuant to ABA Standard 301, the College of Law has established the following five learning outcomes, with associated competencies, for its program of legal education: LEARNING OUTCOME 1
Knowledge of Law and Legal Institutions Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law and legal institutions. Graduates will be able to: • Demonstrate competence in the substance of foundational common law subjects. • Demonstrate competence in the substance of U.S. Constitutional Law and related federal statutes. • Demonstrate foundational competence in the substantive law of the student’s chosen area of study, if applicable. • Demonstrate the capacity to engage in sophisticated statutory reading, application and interpretation. • Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate jurisdiction and choice of applicable law (i.e., state, federal, etc.). • Demonstrate an understanding of the trajectory of a legal dispute or lawsuit from start to finish.
LEARNING OUTCOME 2
Legal Analysis and Reasoning Graduates will demonstrate the capacity to engage in sophisticated legal reasoning and analysis. Graduates will be able to: • Identify the legal rules and principles applicable to a given context. • Identify legally relevant facts, both known and unknown, in a given legal context. • Identify nature and consequence of ambiguities in the facts in a given context. • Identify the legal rules and principles applicable to a given context. • Identify legally relevant facts, both known and unknown, in a given legal context. • Identify nature and consequence of ambiguities in the facts in a given context. • Construct and support an argument grounded in appropriate legal authority and policy considerations, while recognizing and addressing weaknesses thereof. • Understand role of legal research in identifying applicable law and developing analysis and argumentation relevant for a particular dispute.
LEARNING OUTCOME 3
Oral and Written Communication Skills Graduates will be proficient at communicating complex legal arguments, reasoning, and analysis, both in writing and in oral communication. Graduates will be able to: • Produce written work that is logically organized, clear and concise, free of grammatical, syntactical, and other formal errors, and reflects an understanding of its audience and purpose. • Orally communicate legal arguments effectively and nimbly.
LEARNING OUTCOME 4
Problem Solving Graduates will recognize that multiple different potential resolutions to a dispute exist, including avoiding disputes before they begin. Graduates will be able to: • Identify problems and classify them (i.e., legal, business, family, interpersonal, etc.). • Identify possible means of resolving each identified problem, including legal and non-legal means. • Assess the probability that each identified means will resolve the identified problem and quantify the anticipated costs, risks, and benefits associated with each identified means. • Drawing therefrom, make a reasoned recommendation about the best course of action to attempt to resolve the identified problem.
LEARNING OUTCOME 5
Professionalism, Ethics, and Values Graduates will understand their professional and ethical obligations to their clients, the courts and the bar, and the public. Graduates will be able to: • Demonstrate competence in the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
“The availability of the professors has been magnificent. I have had email responses at 6:30 a.m., meetings on Black Friday, and coffee shop conversations off campus.”
Jenny Gallegos ’19
Access to
WORLD CLASS FACULTY The College of Law’s faculty members, both new and long-standing, come from diverse social and legal backgrounds. They include former judges, prosecutors, public defenders, JAG attorneys and attorneys from a variety of private practice areas. Our faculty members ensure that the region, nation, and even the world take notice of the College of Law by producing thought provoking, high-quality scholarly work. Our faculty dedicate themselves to the success of their students and remain accessible by maintaining an open-door policy. At the same time, they serve the community by giving their time to a number of worthy causes. They also strive to expand and improve the curriculum and course offerings at the College of Law. For more on the College of Law faculty please visit uidaho.edu/law-faculty.
ONE COLLEGE – TWO LOCATIONS The College of Law offers you the opportunity to complete your full Juris Doctor degree at both our Moscow and Boise locations. Each of these communities presents a distinct array of venues for learning, professional development and recreation.
MOSCOW The University of Idaho campus in Moscow lies tucked among the rolling hills of the scenic Palouse, a region in north-central Idaho that has been recognized by National Geographic magazine for its natural beauty. With a population of just under 25,000, Moscow is a friendly college town that offers a safe, family-oriented environment.
A Vibrant Community Moscow has an exciting downtown area with a collegiatefriendly nightlife. It’s a short walk from campus with a variety of restaurants, including casual and fine dining, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Greek and Italian, and a farmers’ market and CO-OP. Moscow supports a rich arts and cultural scene with galleries, theater productions, a Renaissance fair, concerts and community events. The town is only eight miles away from Pullman, Wash., home to Washington State University. Moscow is also an hour-and-a-half drive from Lake Coeur d’Alene, and Spokane, Wash., with top-rate shopping and restaurants. Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and Boise, Ida. are all within a five or six hours’ drive for a weekend away in a more urban environment.
Outdoor Oasis Ranked by Outside magazine as a top university for outdoor adventure, the University of Idaho in Moscow offers much to the outdoor enthusiast. The region’s picturesque mountains, lakes and rivers feature miles of trails for biking and hiking, world-class skiing and snowboarding, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and excellent fishing and camping. The University’s award-winning Outdoor Recreation Program helps students enjoy all of these activities with easy equipment rentals and organized group trips.
On-campus Recreation
Active students flock to the on-campus Student Recreation Center, a 10,000-square-foot facility with weight training and cardio exercise space, an indoor track, two full-size gyms, and a 55-foot freestanding climbing wall. On-campus recreation also includes an outdoor track complex; tennis, racquetball and basketball courts; an indoor swim center; and an 18-hole golf course.
Affordable Housing You can choose from numerous affordable housing options. On campus, South Hill Apartments and South Hill Vista Apartments—with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—are ideal for students who are married and/or have children. Elmwood Apartments offer one-bedroom units, with or without a loft, for students who are married or 21 and older. Or you may opt to live in one of the University’s 27 residence halls and living-learning communities. Those who wish to live off campus may rent homes, apartments or condos, new and historic—all at an affordable rate (i.e., 1 bedroom - $550/mo). For more information about University Housing, visit uidaho.edu/universityhousing.
Childcare University-sponsored childcare is available through the Early Childhood Learning Center and the Child Development Laboratory in Moscow.
“Choosing to attend the U of I College of Law is easily one of the best decisions I’ve made. . . . It not only provided me with a great education, but strangers on Day One quickly turned to close and longtime friends I now consider family. . . . Every class I took provided me with legal knowledge and analytical skills that served me well while preparing for the Texas Bar Exam. When I had questions or concerns, the faculty, staff, and administration were always there to provide support.”-
Nii-Amaa Ollennu ’15
BOISE Boise, with a population of 217,000, is the largest city in Idaho and the core of the state’s most robust metropolitan area, known as the Treasure Valley. Boise serves as the hub of the region’s economic, business and government activity that creates ample opportunity for professional development and networking.
Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center The Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center (ILJLC) is a collaborative effort between the University of Idaho College of Law and the Idaho Supreme Court to create a center for legal education and civic engagement. The multipurpose facility houses the Idaho State Law Library, classrooms, Idaho Supreme Court judicial education offices and training facilities, and public civic outreach and education space. Situated on the capitol mall in Boise, the home to the seat of government, the ILJLC is an excellent place for today’s law student to study and engage with a network of government officials and legal professionals.
State Capital As the capital of Idaho and the state’s principal center of government, Boise enables students to learn and work alongside Idaho’s lawmakers and members of the state and federal judiciaries. The Boise location is adjacent to the Idaho State Capitol, Idaho Supreme Court and Idaho State Bar. Students in Boise can gain experience in various externships and areas of law. There are countless opportunities to network with lawyers, judges and government officials in the Treasure Valley.
Urban Experience Boise is well-known for its friendliness and community spirit. Anchored by a dynamic downtown area, the city offers art galleries, cultural events, theater, opera, a zoo, first-rate dining and shopping, and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Boise Music Festival. Boise has Art in the Park, the Boise Art Museum, a high-quality education system, a farmers’ market, and so much more, all in a safe city where neighbors look out for each other. In March 2019, Boise earned the top spot on Livability’s list of Best Places to Live in the US.
Gateway to Recreation The Boise area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounding lakes and rivers offer opportunities to enjoy water sports, and the nearby Rocky Mountains are an ideal destination for skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, camping and more. The greenbelt along the Boise River and through downtown is popular with local bicyclists, walkers and joggers. The grassy foothills surrounding the city are traced with trails for hiking and cycling and offer spectacular vistas of the Boise skyline.
A Place for Young Professionals In 2017, Forbes named Boise to their list of America’s 25 Best Cities for Young Professionals. Boise’s inclusion confirms that it is a great place for those looking for affordable housing, employment prospects and networking opportunities. The average cost of living is below that of most major metros with the average rent of a two-bedroom apartment at $942/mo.
“My experience at U of I was more than obtaining my J.D. Clinics, externships, and the Boise option were invaluable in getting me to where I am. I developed lifelong relationships and found that alumni are quick to help each other and current students alike.”
Cally Younger ’12
Tailor Your
EDUCATION Areas of Emphasis You may apply to your emphasis area of interest during your first year. If you wish to specialize your studies, you may choose from one of three areas of emphasis offered by the College of Law:
NATIVE AMERICAN LAW The College of Law has an ongoing commitment to educating students in the area of Native American Law and encouraging Native Americans to enter into the field of law. This emphasis requires 12 credits of designated coursework, a substantial research paper in the area of Native American Law, and 20 service hours of experiential learning that involve the application of Native American Law. Available in Moscow.
TOP 30
environmental law
program in the nation - preLaw Magazine 2018
For more information regarding the Native American Law Emphasis, visit uidaho.edu/native-law.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW The Northwest abounds in natural resources, and issues involving natural resources and the environment have figured prominently in Idaho’s legal history. Water law issues, in particular, continue to shape Idaho and the American West. The College of Law benefits from its connections to nationally recognized natural resources colleges at the University of Idaho, Washington State University and numerous outdoor laboratories. Moscow provides the ideal place to study natural resources and environmental law but the core curriculum is also available to Boise students. This program was developed because the practice of law is becoming more specialized and the practice of natural resources and environmental law has become highly technical and complex. The Natural Resources and Environmental Law Emphasis requires 15 credits of designated coursework and a major writing assignment. Available primarily in Moscow and distance to Boise. For more information regarding the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Emphasis, visit uidaho.edu/nrel.
BUSINESS LAW AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The College of Law offers many possibilities for in-depth study of business law and entrepreneurship. Students may choose one of three tracks within the emphasis: • The Commercial Law track is designed with a focus on the various laws that govern commercial transactions. • The Enterprise Organization track is designed with a focus on the legal issues that surround the formation, operation and governance of businesses. • The Intellectual Property and Technology Law track is designed with a focus on the legal issues that surround the protection of intellectual property and management of intellectual property rights. The Business Law and Entrepreneurship Emphasis requires 22 credits (12 within a chosen track) of designated coursework, an additional course that fulfills a skills requirement, and a major writing assignment. Available in Moscow and Boise. For more information on the Business Law and Entrepreneurship emphasis, visit uidaho.edu/ble.
Concurrent Degree Programs Students who wish to maximize the investment of their time and money, and aim to become more specialized, may consider one of our concurrent degree programs. J.D./MACCT (Master of Accountancy) – Available in Moscow. J.D./M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) – Available in Boise. J.D./M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) – Available in Moscow and Boise. J.D./M.S. in Accountancy, Taxation – Available in Boise. J.D./M.S. in Applied Economics (Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology) – Available in Moscow. J.D./M.S. in Bioregional Planning and Community Design – Available in Moscow and Boise. J.D./M.S. in Environmental Science – Available in Moscow. J.D./M.S./Ph.D. in Water Resources (Law, Management and Policy) – Available in Moscow. J.D./P.S.M. (Professional Science Masters) in Natural Resources – Available in Moscow. To request more information on any of these programs please contact our Admissions office or visit uidaho.edu/law-concurrent.
Juan Guzmán
Alan Page
Sherman J. Bellwood Ken W. Starr
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
LECTURE
The Bellwood lectures bring prominent and highly regarded international, regional and national leaders to Idaho and to campus. Students can discuss, examine and debate numerous subjects related to the justice system. Previous speakers include: Anita Hill, women’s rights icon; Morris Dees, cofounder and chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center; Juan Guzmán, former Chilean Judge; Kenneth R. Feinberg, the nation’s leading authority on mediation disputes; Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Janet Reno, former Attorney General; Sandra Day O’Connor, Retired Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; and many others.
John G. Roberts, Jr
More Events and Opportunities
Antonin Scalia
Every year, the College of Law sponsors events and programs that help broaden your skills and experience. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Idaho Court of Appeals and Idaho Supreme Court regularly hear cases in our courtroom. Here are just a few of our regular events: • Idaho Law Review Symposium • Native American Law Conference and Events • Idaho Critical Legal Studies Journal Symposium
Janet Reno
• Natural Resources and Environmental Law Symposium • Northwest Institute for Dispute Resolution • Professionalism Day with Accomplished Attorneys and Judges • Judge Alfred Budge Visiting Jurist Program
Sandra Day O’Connor
Morris Dees
Kenneth Feinberg
“ I chose the University of Idaho College of Law because I knew it would offer unique challenges and adventure. What sets it apart from other institutions is the camaraderie between faculty, staff, students, and alumni. In my experience, everyone is willing to help you succeed in accomplishing your goals and overcoming your challenges.”
Shane Bell ’18
Preparing for
THE FUTURE Career Development The Career Development Office assists law students in finding employment. We support the strategic career development of students through counseling, workshops, and programs, and we inform students about the breadth of career opportunities available to law school graduates.
TOP 50
Law School for practical training
- preLaw Magazine 2018
Both the assistant dean and director of career development are licensed attorneys and active members of the legal community. The assistant dean is available in Moscow, and the director is available in Boise, both full-time. Both use their combined experience in career services and the practice of law to provide law students and alumni with one-on-one counseling. They arrange employer visits, host a variety of workshops, cultivate networking opportunities, advise on professional development, and review student resumes and cover letters. As a result of the skills honed through interaction with the Career Development Office, our alumni have found employment as judicial clerks at a percentage higher than the average throughout the U.S. Our alumni practice law in private firms, public service organizations, prosecutors’ and criminal defenders’ offices, and as solo practitioners. Idaho graduates serve in all branches of local, state and federal government, and they hold high-ranking positions in major regional, national and international businesses. For more information, including current employment statistics, visit uidaho.edu/law/career-development.
Serve real clients, change real lives As a law student, you will have many opportunities to apply classroom theory to hands-on legal practice. Third-year students who have earned their limited licenses to practice may represent clients in a variety of different courts under the supervision of clinical faculty. Learn more about gaining experience in our clinics below. • Family Justice Clinic students provide legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Housed at the FACES of Hope Victim Center, students primarily assist clients with obtaining domestic violence protection orders, represent clients in a variety of family law matters, and help clients with housing issues. Currently available in Boise. • Main Street Clinic students represent clients in a variety of cases, including misdemeanor defense, family law, consumer protection, and landlord-tenant disputes. Students learn the skills for working in a small, general practice by managing their own caseloads from initial client interview through final resolution. Currently available in Moscow. • Immigration Clinic students help immigrants from a variety of countries who may be seeking asylum, permanent resident status, citizenship, protection for juveniles and crime victims and relief from removal. They represent clients in immigration court and before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Students also conduct educational outreach programs and presentations in immigrant communities. Currently available in Moscow. • Tax Clinic students represent low-income taxpayers in controversies with the Internal Revenue Service. Students also conduct public information and outreach presentations to inform taxpayers for whom English is a second language and/or other low-income taxpayers about tax law issues. Currently available in Boise. • Entrepreneurship Law Clinic students assist entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the State of Idaho. Students provide advice and perform legal services for the clients, such as preparing formation and organizational documents and employee agreements. Students also handle trademark prosecutions with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Currently available in Boise. Discover more about our clinics at uidaho.edu/law-clinics.
Public Service Externships Externships help bridge the gap between the theoretical and the practical, and provide students with experiences that will give them an advantage when seeking post-graduation employment. Our program enables students to work for selected public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or state and federal judges while receiving credit toward graduation. Students who have completed two-thirds of the required credits for graduation may qualify for a limited license to practice law, which allows them to appear in court and try cases under the supervision of a licensed
PAST EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS • Ada County Public Defender’s Office • American Civil Liberties Union • California Department of Justice • Capital Habeas Unit Federal Defenders Services of Idaho • Center for Justice (Spokane, Wash.) • City Attorney’s Office – multiple cities • Coeur d’Alene Tribe Office of Legal Counsel • County Prosecutor’s Office – multiple counties, Idaho and Washington • Idaho Attorney General’s Office – criminal, environmental • Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence • Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. • Idaho State Bar • Idaho State District Court – multiple districts • Idaho Volunteers Lawyers Program (IVLP) • National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Public Policy Office • New Mexico Office of District Attorney, Second Judicial District • Nez Perce Tribe Prosecutor’s Office • Office of the Governor of Idaho • Second District Court, State of Utah • Southeast Alaska Conservation Council • State Appellate Public Defender’s Office • United States Attorneys Office • United States District Court • University of Idaho • Washington State University Center for Human Rights • Washington State Attorney General’s Office
Skills Competitions Hone your skills through legal writing competitions and courtroom competitions. We encourage you to enter papers in any of the dozens of legal writing competitions sponsored annually by the American Bar Association, or other professional associations, law schools and law firms. On campus, students have numerous opportunities to participate in regional and national skills competitions, including:. • Raymond C. McNichols Appellate Moot Court Competition • ABA National Moot Court Competition • Dean Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition • ABA Bankruptcy Moot Court • ABA Mediation Advocacy Competition • ABA Negotiation Competition • National Native American Law Student Association Moot Court Competition • National Latina/o Law Caucus Moot Court Competition
Trial Advocacy Program For over 40 years, the College of Law has held its annual trial advocacy program in Moscow. The week-long program, modeled after the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, provides third year law students from both our Moscow and Boise locations an opportunity to learn practical skills in courtroom advocacy from experienced faculty and accomplished judges and practitioners. As the week-long session concludes, the students test their skills by trying a case to juries that consist of new, first-year law students.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS The number and diversity of student organizations in the College of Law comprises both extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Here are just a few. Student Bar Association — the College of Law’s student government that represents the collective interests of the student body in administrative matters. Idaho Law Review — the College of Law’s journal of legal scholarship and the only scholarly journal with its primary focus being the law in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Board of Student Advocates —a student organization that oversees and fields competitors for annual mock trial and moot court competitions, such as the Raymond C. McNichols Moot Court Competition. Idaho Critical Legal Studies Journal—a critical studies journal that encourages rigorous critical thinking and aims to include the voices of those who are often underrepresented in legal and cultural discourse, including those whose experiences and ideologies are shaped by race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity.
More Student Organizations Agricultural Law Society American Civil Liberties Union American Constitutional Society Black Law Student Association Criminal Law Society Environmental Law Society Federal Bar Association Law Student Division Federalist Society Health & Fitness Club Hunting & Fishing Club Idaho Golf Club Idaho Trial Lawyers Association Idaho Intellectual Property Law Society J. Reuben Clark Law Society Latino/a Law Caucus Law Students for Appropriate Dispute Resolution Native American Law Students Association National Lawyers Guild OutLaws (LGBTQ club) Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, Borah Chapter Public Interest Law Group Veteran Law Association Volunteer Income Tax Association Women’s Law Caucus
attorney.
Excellence through
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Diversity and inclusion are essential components of the College of Law and require legal professionalism from all sectors of our community to provide an appropriately respectful learning environment. We value people of all cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, physical abilities, lifestyles, opinions, nationalities, philosophies, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, ages, life experiences and identities. The College of Law upholds a strong commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, and we strive to foster a community of mutual respect among our students, staff and faculty. Our differences make us a vibrant community of scholars, lawyers and professionals. The College of Law’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is supported by our: • Career Development Office, expanding career opportunities for women and minority students. • Native Law Program and courses, such as Critical Legal Studies, and our focus on the legal status, experiences and rights of diverse populations. • Pro Bono Program, which requires all students to perform at least 50 hours of law-related public service, assisting the under-served and disadvantaged. • Professionalism Education Program, which exposes students to the importance of cultural competency skills and provides training on bias issues in practice.
Fall 2018 Entering Class Profile
49% WOMEN 28% MULTICULTURAL 27 - AVERAGE AGE
Be Prepared to
PRACTICE LAW Law Library The U of I College of Law Library in Moscow maintains a comprehensive collection of resources to support students and faculty in their scholarly pursuits. In addition, the Idaho State Law Library located in the Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center in Boise provides access to legal information in a variety of formats, including books, periodicals, pamphlets and digital resources. Faculty, staff and students can gain individual access to LexisNexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law databases. The Law Library subscribes to many other legal and non-legal databases, such as Congressional Universe, Hein Online, LegalTrac, LoisLaw and Bloomberg BNA. Moreover, the Idaho State Bar provides law students with free access to the Idaho State Bar Association’s Casemaker web library. For more information, please visit uidaho. edu/law-library.
Academic Success The Academic Success Office helps students develop the tools and skills they need to maximize their law school success. The directors lead orientation’s Lawyering Fundamentals, workshops, small group sessions and individual consultations designed to enhance students’ ability to effectively read, brief, outline and apply the law, and to thrive in the law school environment. Academic services are provided to all students with a special emphasis on first-year students through the Academic Skills Lab courses. The Academic Success Office also provides academic advising and bar preparation assistance. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/ law-academicsuccess.
Bar Exam Success Toolkit (BEST) Included in our tuition, the College of Law offers you the “Bar Exam Success Toolkit,” (BEST) a set of initiatives and resources designed to comprehensively support student success on the bar throughout the entire law school experience, from orientation up until the exam. BEST includes the BARBRI Bar Review Course, instruction over the summer that provides the substance and skills needed to succeed on the bar exam. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/law-best.
Center for Disability Access and Resources In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, the University of Idaho Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR) provides support to students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Students who request assistance must provide adequate advance notice of such requests and must provide appropriate disability documentation to CDAR. The Dean of Students at the College of Law works closely with CDAR and students to ensure the learning needs of students with accommodations are met. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/ current-students/cdar.
HOW TO APPLY Requirements for Admission To be considered for admission, applicants must register for the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS), take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Applicants who will use first-year law credits to complete a bachelor’s degree will also be considered. The College of Law highly recommends students take the LSAT, at the latest, in the summer or fall prior to the year they wish to enter law school. The College accepts applications from potential full-time and adjusted curriculum (less than full-time) students who intend to enroll during the fall semester. All of the following MUST accompany the Application for Regular Fall Admission: • $50 application fee. • Law School Admission Council Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report. • Résumé—not to exceed 2 pages. • Personal statement—not to exceed 2 pages. The personal statement may be on any topic of your choice. • Letters of Recommendation—two (2) are required. You may choose whomever you wish to write on your behalf. However, it is strongly recommended that at least one letter comes from a post-secondary professor whose class you have taken, if possible. Only letters received as part of the applicant’s CAS Report will be considered. Do not have letters sent directly to the College of Law. • A detailed addendum if any question on the Character and Fitness section of the application is answered “Yes.” Any of the following MAY accompany the Application for Regular Fall Admission • Diversity Addendum expanding on any circumstance(s) or factor(s) that make the applicant unique. • Any other appropriate information.
PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15 The admissions committee evaluates completed applications on a rolling basis beginning in November. Every effort will be made to notify applicants who apply by the priority deadline as soon as possible. We will continue to receive and evaluate applications past the priority deadline and throughout the summer.
Transfer and Visiting Student Applications For transfer or visiting applications, please contact the Admissions Office at lawadmit@uidaho.edu or visit uidaho.edu/lawadmissions.
Non-Residents can
BECOME RESIDENTS AFTER 12 MONTHS,
Enrolled law students not claimed as dependents on their parents’ taxes who continuously reside in Idaho for 12 months can qualify to convert to residents for tuition purposes. Pay non-resident tuition your first year and resident tuition your second and third years. Ask the Admissions Office for more details!
Basis for Admissions Decisions
Tuition, Scholarships and Loans
When making admissions decisions, the Admissions Committee considers all the information in an applicant’s file. The principal criteria considered are the LSAT score, undergraduate grade point average and personal statement. In addition, the Committee considers significant advanced education, writing ability demonstrated through the LSAT essay and personal statement, significant life experiences, and other information in an applicant’s file that indicates promise of academic excellence or diversity of background or perspective that will enrich the educational experience of the class.
We are proud to be one of the most affordable law schools in the country. The University of Idaho also offers generous merit-based scholarships and out-of-state tuition waivers to help competitive applicants. Our students graduate with lower than average loan debt.
Important Contacts University of Idaho Law Admissions lawadmit@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-2300 Law School Admission Council lsac.org or (215) 968-1101
All applicants offered admission to the College of Law are automatically considered for scholarship aid. The criteria used in determining awards are the same used in the admissions process. Notification of scholarship awards is included in the offer of admission letter. Federal financial aid is available to qualified students through the University’s Financial Aid Office. To apply, a student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2019-20 COST OF ATTENDANCE
Idaho Residents
Non-Residents
University of Idaho Office of Financial Aid finaid@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-6312
Full-time Student Fees/Tuition
$22,260
$41,496
Room and Board
$10,846
$10,846
University of Idaho University Housing housing@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-7379
Books and Supplies (estimated)
$1,130
$1,130
$34,236
$53,472
Transportation (estimated)
$1,167
$1,167
Miscellaneous and Personal
$3,815
$3,815
$39,218
$58,454
University of Idaho Office of the Registrar registrar@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-6731
Subtotal: Base Costs
Total Costs:
MOSCOW 875 Perimeter Drive MS 2321 Moscow, ID 83844-2321 (208) 885-2300 BOISE P.O. Box 83720-0051 Boise, ID 83720-0051 (208) 364-4560
uidaho.edu/ui-law