Duke University School of Law is the most prestigious law school in the Carolinas, and one of the most prestigious law schools nationwide. Times Higher Education ranked it as the No. 1 law school int he world in 2017. It has the highest median LSAT and GPA in the region, making it difficult to gain admission.
Students are attracted to the school because the Duke degree opens doors for employment nationwide. The school typically reports the highest employment rate in the region and one of the highest in the nation. For the Class of 2017, it had a modified employment rate of 95 percent, second highest in the nation. The school also ranks at the top when it comes to the percentage of graduates who are partners at the nation’s largest law firms.
But all the prestige and opportunities come with a cost: Tuition is more than $60,000 a year, making it one of the most expensive law schools in the nation. Still, in 2017, it disocunted tuition by more than 30 percent on average.
For future lawyers with a specific interest, Duke has numerous dual-degree programs that allow specialization in entrepreneurship, environmental management, judicial studies, international comparative law, global business and more. The school publishes nine legal journals and has nine clinics offering experience in such areas as appellate litigation, environmental law and community enterprise.
Like other law schools, Duke University is striving to integrate substantive learning in the classroom with externships that give real-life experience. One example is Duke in D.C., which includes one semester of evening courses, combined with externships at government agencies, Congress, lobbyists and nongovernmental organizations.
The school excels in international law, business, criminal law and trial advocacy.
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