Wake Forest University School of Law: Program and Application Overview
Discover the Wake Forest University School of Law and gain insight into their program and application process.
Posted December 12, 2024
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How Hard Is It to Get Into Wake Forest University School of Law?
Wake Forest University School of Law, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is recognized for its focus on academic excellence, research, and community service. As one of the top-tier law schools, Wake Forest Law attracts students from across the nation seeking a rigorous education and practical training.
For the J.D. Class of 2024, Wake Forest Law received 2,116 applications, extended offers to 666 students, and enrolled 175, resulting in an acceptance rate of 31.5%. The median LSAT score was 165, and the median GPA was 3.79. These statistics reflect the school’s commitment to enrolling a diverse and talented student body, ready to join a community of fine citizen lawyers.
Conveniently located in the Piedmont Triad area, Wake Forest University School of Law offers unparalleled access to professional opportunities in federal courts, government agencies, and the private sector. Prospective students are encouraged to showcase leadership, community service, and a commitment to justice in their applications.
Read: How to Get Into a T14 Law School
Wake Forest Law Acceptance Rate Over Time
| Class Year | Applications Received | Offers of Admission | Enrolled 1Ls | Acceptance Rate | Yield Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,116 | 666 | 175 | 31.5% | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 2,200 | 700 | 180 | 31.8% | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 2,085 | 662 | 170 | 31.7% | 25.7% |
Wake Forest Law Ranking
Wake Forest University School of Law is ranked consistently among the top-tier law schools in the nation. Currently ranked #25 by U.S. News & World Report, the school’s personalized teaching approach and emphasis on first-year legal analysis have contributed to its strong reputation.
Wake Forest Law School Tuition
For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition for Wake Forest Law is approximately $54,192, with additional fees bringing the total cost to around $79,862, including living expenses. The school offers financial aid packages and scholarships to help reduce the cost for students, ensuring they can focus on their growth without undue financial burden.
Programs Offered at Wake Forest Law
Wake Forest University School of Law provides a diverse curriculum designed to foster growth, leadership, and practical skills. Programs include:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program - The J.D. program focuses on building foundational skills in legal research, writing, and civil procedure. Students are prepared for roles in government agencies, federal judge roles, supreme court work, law firms, and public service.
- Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program - This program offers international attorneys the opportunity to study U.S. legal systems, with specializations in comparative law, constitutional law, and public service.
- Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) Program - Tailored for scholars pursuing advanced legal studies and research, this program emphasizes international and comparative law.
- Dual Degrees - Wake Forest offers programs combining the J.D. with master’s degrees in bioethics, business, or divinity.
- Clinical Courses - Students engage in real-world practice through clinics such as the Innocence and Justice Clinic and Business Law Clinic, where they handle cases alongside attorneys and professors.
Admissions Requirements: Who Gets Into Wake Forest Law?
The admissions committee at Wake Forest Law evaluates applicants holistically, focusing on academic performance, leadership skills, and alignment with the school’s values of research and community service.
Class Profile
- Women: 54%
- Students of Color: 28%
- Median LSAT: 165
- Median GPA: 3.79
Wake Forest Law’s admissions process reflects its dedication to building a community of diverse and talented future attorneys who are committed to justice and professional excellence.
How to Get Into Wake Forest Law With Lower GPA or LSAT Scores
Wake Forest University School of Law evaluates applications holistically, providing opportunities for candidates with lower academic metrics to demonstrate their unique strengths and alignment with the school’s mission. By strategically addressing potential weaknesses and emphasizing your unique qualifications, you can create a standout application.
Create a Powerful Personal Statement
Your personal statement is a powerful tool to showcase your individuality and resilience. Focus on crafting a narrative that highlights your life experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, and motivations for pursuing a legal career. Be specific about how Wake Forest Law’s strengths, such as its emphasis on first-year legal analysis or clinical opportunities, align with your goals.
If you’ve worked on community service projects, discuss how this experience has shaped your desire to engage in public service. Also, connect your interest in environmental law, trial advocacy, or another specialized program to Wake Forest’s curriculum or clinics. A well-written personal statement can bridge the gap between academic metrics and your broader potential.
Submit Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation offer a third-party perspective on your academic and professional abilities. Choose recommenders who know you well, such as professors, legal mentors, or employers, and provide them with clear guidance on what to emphasize.
These include your ability to thrive in rigorous academic environments, examples of leadership, teamwork, or problem-solving skills, and specific accomplishments, such as research projects or internships, demonstrating your readiness for law school. The stronger and more specific these endorsements, the more compelling your application will be.
Highlight Professional Experience
Professional achievements can demonstrate your readiness for the challenges of law school. Highlight internships, full-time jobs, or volunteer roles that reflect your commitment to the legal field or related areas. Public service work can illustrate your dedication to improving lives and align with Wake Forest’s values while legal internships can showcase practical skills, such as research, client interaction, or litigation support. More so, corporate or environmental law experience can show your versatility and preparation for Wake Forest’s diverse curriculum. Connect these experiences to your future goals and how Wake Forest can help you achieve them.
Apply Early
Rolling admissions provide an advantage to early applicants, as more spots are available earlier in the cycle. Submitting early demonstrates your commitment and allows the admissions committee more time to review your materials. Ensure your application is complete and polished before submission, and use optional essays or addenda to address any academic weaknesses.
Application Process for Wake Forest University School of Law
Deadlines (2024-2025)
- Early Decision: November 1, 2024
- Regular Decision: March 15, 2025
Requirements
- Application Fee: $75
- LSAT or GRE Scores: Required
- Personal Statement: Explain your goals and alignment with Wake Forest’s mission.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two are required.
- Optional Essays: Include diversity or additional context essays.
5 Expert Tips for Applying to Wake Forest Law
- Leverage Wake Forest’s location – Wake Forest Law School is conveniently located in Winston-Salem, within the Piedmont Triad area, providing access to professional networks, legal internships, and government agencies. Highlight in your application how you plan to take advantage of this location, whether by engaging with local community service initiatives or networking with big law firms and government agencies in the region.
- Highlight first-year legal analysis – Wake Forest’s rigorous first-year legal writing program and focus on legal analysis are standout features of its curriculum. Use your personal statement or essays to express enthusiasm for these programs. Explain how excelling in legal research, writing, and analytical skills will support your career goals in public service, advocacy, or litigation.
- Show dedication to public service – Include specific examples of your involvement in community service or advocacy work, such as volunteering for legal aid organizations or nonprofit initiatives and mentoring underprivileged students, or engaging in pro bono projects. Articulate how these experiences have prepared you to contribute to Wake Forest’s values and engage meaningfully in the community.
- Discuss clinics and programs – Reference clinical courses or the trial advocacy program to show how Wake Forest School can help you achieve your career goals. Wake Forest’s clinical courses, including the Innocence and Justice Clinic and the Veterans Legal Clinic, provide hands-on learning opportunities. Research these offerings and mention them in your application to demonstrate alignment with your interests. For example, if you are passionate about trial advocacy, discuss how participating in these clinics aligns with your goal of becoming a courtroom attorney. Highlight the value of Wake Forest’s diverse curriculum in building expertise in areas like environmental law or constitutional law.
- Tailor your essays – Tailor your personal statement and optional essays to showcase your unique fit with Wake Forest. Reference specific faculty members, research opportunities, or the law school’s collaborative community. Avoid generic statements—focus on why Wake Forest’s mission and resources make it the ideal school for your legal education and how you will contribute to its community.
The Bottom Line
- Aim high in academics – Target an LSAT score of 165+ and a GPA of 3.79 for competitive standing.
- Focus on public service – Highlight your contributions to public service or community engagement.
- Leverage Wake Forest’s unique strengths – Reference its first-year writing program, clinics, and collaborative community.
- Apply early – Early submissions enhance your chances in the rolling admissions process.
Get into Law School with the Help of an Expert
For personalized guidance on crafting a standout application and maximizing your chances of admission, consider working with top law school admissions coaches who specialize in helping candidates succeed.
FAQs
Does Wake Forest have a good law program?
- Wake Forest ranks highly in national law school rankings.
What is the starting salary at Wake Forest Law School?
- Wake Forest Law is tied for #81 in terms of the median starting salary among graduates working in private practice as law firm associates ($75,000).
What is Wake Forest University best known for?
- Wake Forest is recognized as the national model for leadership and character development education and has received more than $43 million from the Lilly Foundation to help other colleges and universities replicate Wake Forest's success.
Does Wake Forest Law do interviews?
- Students may also be required to participate in a short interview prior to selection. Although preliminary selections will be made at Wake Forest, participating judges and special masters will make the final selection and may require additional materials or interviews.
Read: A Guide to the Wake Forest University School of Law Interview Process
Is Wake Forest University expensive?
- Wake Forest University's tuition is $67,642. Compared with the national average cost of tuition of $47,999, Wake Forest University is more expensive. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price.
Does Wake Forest University offer full scholarships for international students?
- International students are eligible for most merit-based scholarships, including a number of our full-cost awards (Carswell, Gordon, Reynolds, and Stamps Scholarships). The regular application also serves as a scholarship application, so there is no separate form to complete.
What questions do they ask in the Wake Forest interview?
- Interviews are generally 25 minutes long. We'll ask you questions about your high school and classes, your academic interests, your most treasured books, your talents, your service work, what you think about, and what you are studying!
Why do people go to Wake Forest University?
- North Carolina's own Wake Forest University prepares students to lead lives that matter and has a reputation for quality that affords its students "excellent placement into jobs and graduate schools."
What is Wake Forest law known for?
- Wake Forest Law has been recognized for its legal research and writing program which is ranked consistently among the top in the nation.
