CUNY Law emphasizes social justice lawyering and breaking down structural barriers to justice through its programs, which include legislative advocacy to allow CUNY students to earn college degrees while on public assistance, providing advice for Muslim community surveillance issues, and conducting know your rights presentations for pro se litigants in adult guardianship cases.
CUNY Law is a public law school
CUNY Law Students hail from diverse backgrounds, but all share one goal – effecting meaningful social change. A community of activists, organizers, scholars, and advocates unite around a belief that only when human experience is accurately represented in law will there be justice for all. This principle guides their work both inside and outside the classroom; engaging society through activities such as law reviews, moot courts, and student bar associations, as well as supporting victims of domestic violence and pro bono legal cases, is all part of being part of this community.
Long Island City’s CUNY School of Law occupies six floors of a sun-drenched, LEED, Gold-certified building designed for professional training. Each floor contains seminar and group work rooms, standard classrooms equipped with technology, kitchenettes, and lounge spaces on every floor – perfect for professional education! Ideally situated across from Manhattan with easy access to New York City’s best neighborhoods!
Average Graduate Salaries at CUNY Law are around $75,000. Many graduates go into public interest work after attending this renowned law school, known for its diverse student body and faculty and extensive clinical education program. College Factual recently named it one of the best law schools in America due to its efforts in expanding access to the legal profession.
Applications to CUNY Law must include two letters of recommendation written by individuals who know their character, experiences, and abilities – ideally professors, supervisors, or volunteer coordinators who know them well; letters from family members are not accepted.
It offers a full-time day program.
CUNY Law has earned widespread praise for its progressive legal education program, which integrates academic subjects with practical instruction. Students build an intellectual foundation in their first year before engaging with one of CUNY Law’s top-ranked clinical programs to gain hands-on experience and focus on substantive areas of law and how it marginalized and oppressed communities.
Students enjoy extensive academic and professional support services, from counseling to career development. The law school’s Career Planning Office employs five full-time professionals who offer guidance on resume writing, job interview preparation and identification of interests, and accessing physical and virtual resources. Students may also utilize our Writing Center, New York City Law Review, or Moot Court, which offers personalized tutoring sessions for further academic support.
CUNY Law boasts one of the nation’s most diverse student bodies and an inclusive culture. Not only are there numerous student organizations that celebrate identity affinity groups at the school, but its Mississippi Project also allows students to volunteer alongside lawyers at civil rights organizations in Mississippi and Louisiana during midyear breaks.
The admissions committee prioritizes applicants who are enthusiastic about progressive discourse and ready to use legal education to create positive change in society. All prospective students are asked to submit a personal statement detailing their passion and demonstrating a commitment to CUNY values; additionally, they may wish to note any extracurricular activities or service-related work they are engaged with.
It offers a part-time evening program.
Students enrolled in this program can create a schedule that best meets their needs by selecting three classes per fall and spring semester and two summer courses. Furthermore, a full-time career planning office (CPO) offers individual counseling, resume review services, mock interviews, and other resources – including administering Myers-Briggs tests to help identify professional interests among its many services provided by this school.
At our law school, our curriculum balances practical experience with academic study. First-year students participate in a two-semester Lawyering Seminar that requires them to complete tasks such as interviewing and counseling clients, fact assessment and negotiation with clients, and engaging in simulations that teach how to analyze cases effectively. Furthermore, this curriculum also builds students’ legal research foundation.
CUNY law students also benefit from participating in numerous clinical programs that give them real-world experience while serving the community. Students can participate in any number of these opportunities, from family law and civil rights to criminal justice reentry.
Law schools also are committed to diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by their student body composition of 46.6% White students, 24.5% Hispanic or Latinos, and 11.3% Black or African American. Furthermore, student organizations exist within the law school’s walls while its faculty work closely with students to create an engaging learning environment. Furthermore, its financial aid office strives to make legal education affordable regardless of socioeconomic status.
It offers a variety of programs and activities.
CUNY Law offers several programs to maximize students’ law school experiences, such as community service projects and legal internships, dual degree opportunities, and international study experiences. These offerings are available to both full-time and part-time students.
CUNY Law’s Admissions Committee considers various criteria when making admission decisions, such as LSAT/GPA scores, academic performance, personal statement and letters of recommendation, work experience, community involvement, and diversity factors such as age, ethnicity, and cultural background. Furthermore, public interest law commitment is also taken into consideration.
First-year students take an intensive two-semester Lawyering Seminar that combines practical experience and classroom learning. This program features a hands-on legal clinic and a clinical externship, allowing students to hone real-world skills such as writing, interviewing, counseling clients, and participating in court cases. CUNY Law also offers an alternative program that offers daytime classes during day hours and evening and summer session classes to meet working professionals’ schedule needs.
Early Decision program applicants for 2023 must submit their applications and all supporting documents by January 1; November 30 is the school’s application deadline for regular applicants, who must pay a $250 seat deposit by February 1 to secure their place in class.
CUNY Law School stands out as one of the nation’s most diverse legal programs, drawing students from more than 50 nations and all walks of life. Additionally, it’s famous for its exceptional faculty and commitment to social justice – its interdisciplinary programs address global issues like climate change and human rights.
It offers a JD/MSW dual degree.
The JD/MSW dual degree offers students exceptional opportunities to integrate legal knowledge with social work expertise. Available in both full-time and part-time formats, the program can typically be completed within four to five years and allows students to engage with community partners while creating lasting change.
CUNY Law has long been recognized for its progressive law education and producing graduates who take up public interest work. Its distinctive integrated curriculum combines the study of substantive areas of law with a “lawyering program,” teaching practical skills like case analysis, legal writing/research/counseling/interviewing, negotiation/alternative dispute resolution procedures/recognizing ethical dilemmas, etc.
CUNY Law’s distinguished faculty is only part of its offering: students have access to various clinical programs that give hands-on experience and allow them to apply classroom learning directly in real-world settings. Furthermore, its commitment to progressive dialogue can be seen among its student body from different backgrounds and experiences, yet it shares one goal: making an impactful difference locally and professionally.
Long Island City Law School occupies six floors of a sun-drenched, LEED Gold-certified building explicitly designed for professional training. The school features seminar and group work rooms, standard classrooms with full technology access, kitchenettes on every floor, and a cafe – making it one of the greenest law schools nationwide.
The admissions committee seeks applicants who are enthusiastic about applying their legal training to address social problems and foster justice in society. To be considered for admission to law school, applicants should outline why they want to become lawyers and how they will contribute to its culture of progressive discourse.
