The low cost and generous scholarships at BYU law will help you to feel like you can work in any industry.

The opportunities for placements in big law or prestigious government positions are limited.

Consider your long term goals before committing to BYU law.

Yes

Engaging professors with platinum resumes; supportive, well-connected alumni network; tlite education for a fraction of the price of comparable schools.

Limited alumni connections outside NYC, DC, LA, and the mountain states; facilities need an update.

BYU offers great value and solid job and clerkship prospects for people who do well. Experience may vary for those in the lower echelons of the class or those who seek employment outside Utah or the major legal hubs on the coasts.

Yes

Low tuition

Great for students with kids

Classmates are great

Great alumni base

Mormon perfectionist culture

Lots of students focused on young families with little time for socializing

Know the culture you're getting into and be okay with that. Even though a lot of your classmates will be married, it seems the single students get to know each other even better and build strong, professional relationships. Building relationships with classmates is the most important thing in law school. There is a good alumni base that will look at for you, Mormon or not.

Yes

Few professors employ the "true" Socratic method, but in most classes, especially 1L classes, students will be called on to give the facts/rules of a case. The Socratic dialogue is far less intimidating than I expected (particularly after watching movies like "The Paper Chase." There's a good mix of theoretical and practical classes. Class sizes for 1Ls are between 50 and 100 students. For 2L and 3Ls, it all depends on the class. For example, I was in Wills and Estates with 112 other students, and in Water Law with only 16. Grading is based on a forced 3.3 median. BYU doesn't give out letter grades, but rather, grade point numbers ranging from 2.7 (the lowest passing grade) to 4.0. BYU's network (the school is affiliated with the LDS Church) provides students with an incredible array of international and domestic externships.

Some of the classrooms are a bit older, but the moot courtroom is very nice, and the law school is being remodeled this summer to add another smaller moot court room specifically designed to support mock trials.

Applicants are required to write the standard personal statement essay - BYU doesn't ask any other unique application questions. Applications are processed through LSAC/LSDAS. The LSAT is required. Full or half tuition scholarships are given to the most competitive students. Tuition is some of the lowest in the nation - under $10K per year. Students who don't receive a scholarship prior to admission can earn a $1,000 per semester scholarship if they're in the top 10%, but this isn't guaranteed. The financial aid office is great - the law school has its own financial aid adviser and he is incredibly accessible and responsive.

The students get along very well, there are a lot of hard working people and that is helpful and motivating. I never had a problem with competitiveness being that several friends would share notes and outlines and we all worked with each other; of course always trying to do the best. The Law and Religion Center is unique to BYU and is very neat. Many foreign leaders come to BYU to see how to deal with religious freedom issues in their own countries. There are several former supreme court clerks at the school. The writing program is very straining and really helped me grow as a writer, the school is very strong is so many areas.

The atmosphere is beautiful, close to shopping, hiking, water parks, and much more. The school has a great atmosphere in supporting athletics, arts, comedy, and it is always fun to just go over to campus and find something good to see.

There is a separate Dean's certification from undergrad that no other school required, and a religious endorsement. The LSAT range is high and so is the GPA range.

2L

A few classes employ traditional Socratic method. Most use a modified (softened) version. There are ample opportunities to learn practical legal skills through an excellent externship program and co-curricular programs.

Cost of living is relatively low, library is excellent. The moot courtroom is great. and the school is building a new trial courtroom. Some locals don't like us involved in politics, but there are still opportunities to get involved. Violent crime is virtually non-existent, but there are occasionally thefts when students leave valuables unattended. There is plenty to do if one wants a temporary escape from law.

Application is through LSAC and is similar to other schools. The major difference is that a student must obtain a recommendation from a religious leader unless the student has no religious affiliation.

Classes are excellent quality. Faculty is very distinguished and accomplished but also very approachable. There are ample opportunities for working with faculty as research and teaching assistance. Classes are relatively small. There are many unique international work opportunities because of the school's network.

Great quality of life. Very low cost of living.

The median LSAT and GPA is always high for admitted students (comparable to schools ranked in the top 15-25 range, depending on the year).

3L

very competitive, but every one is willing to help each other

Excellent classes with rigorous study required in most. More theoretical than practical study on the whole, but the practical study that is available is very worthwhile, including the Interviewing and Counseling class which is very likely one of the best. It includes theory, deliberative practice, reflective analysis, and great resources to learn interviewing and counseling skills. Class sizes vary from small to large. The focus on natural resources and environmental law are improving. The foreign internship program is exceptional, and the national one is very good too.

Cost of living is moderately cheap. Campus facilities are excellent. The library is lovely. All students have personal laptops. Moot court room is large and has beautiful grained wood and suits its purpose admirably. The neighborhoods, both that in which the law school is located, and those in which the students live, are friendly and good.

Standard: application, personal statement that distinguishes you from the other applicants, good LSAT score and grades, financial aid and scholarships available.