Stanford University Law School was founded in 1893 in Stanford, California. This private institution is extremely competitive, enrolling just 6.28% of applicants each year. Students have a median combined GRE score of 326, a median LSAT score of 172 (ranging from 170 to 175), and a median GPA of 3.91. For the 2021 first year class there were 5,685 applications, 357 students were accepted, and 161 students enrolled.

One in five students have already earned another graduate degree and 79% have been out of college at least one year prior to beginning the JD program. Students apply to the program from 72 countries and represent all 50 states. Stanford Law School has a diverse student population with 50.1% women and 46.6% minority students. Although there are no interviews as a part of the application process, applicants may submit the LSAT or the GRE and two letters of recommendation to demonstrate their abilities.

There are 14 concentration options for students to choose from including Clinical Education, Environmental Law and Policy, Law and History, Tech Law and Policy, and more. Additionally, students may earn a JD/MA, JD/MD, or JD/PhD in 21 different subject areas. Most of the JD/MA programs can be completed within three years, allowing students to earn two degrees within the same amount of time that a JD typically takes. The program is very student-centered, and students are encouraged to make their own course, create their own joint degree, and tailor the program to be what they desire. The school believes “to make a difference through law, you must know more than law” and they prioritize an interdisciplinary curriculum to ensure their graduates are well rounded.

Stanford offers 11 clinics, over 15 law and policy practicums, as well as a global law program. The school is known for its small class sizes, and intense but supportive and collaborative environment. There is a 4.5 to 1 student/faculty ratio and just 30 students in most first-year courses.

Tuition at Stanford Law School is $64,350 and around 80% of students receive some form of financial aid. The average award amount per student is $20,000.

The school is located in the sunny San Francisco Bay Area with great weather 12 months of the year. There are many connections to Silicon Valley, cultural events, museums, sports, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities for outside leisure.

This prestigious university’s employment outcomes match its admission standards. Since 2004, students have worked on 271 different Supreme Court cases. 89% of graduates are employed within ten months of graduation and 98.91% pass the bar exam within two years of graduation. 10 graduates from the class of 2021 are employed in law firms of 250 and less and 65 are employed in firms 251 or larger. Students earn a median salary of . The states with the largest employment rates of Stanford graduates are California (specifically the San Francisco Bay Area), Washington, D.C., and New York. However, alumni are found in all 50 states and countries.

164 graduates from the class of 2021 are employed in a position where passing the bar is required and 12 are employed in a position where having a JD is an advantage. 48 are employed in a federal clerkship, and 8 are employed in a state, local, or territorial clerkship.