Loyola University Chicago - School of Law

The Loyola University Chicago School of Law is a student-focused institution that proudly defines itself by a “Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service [that] defines the culture and character of the school.” The school offers both a full-time and a weekend degree—“The weekend program director is above-and-beyond helpful,” shares an enrollee—as well as numerous opportunities for specialization, including certificates in Child and Family Law, Public Interest Law, and International Law and Practice. Additionally, the Community Law Center and a host of clinics also link theory to practice while serving the community. With renowned centers and institutes (such as the Center for Social Justice and the Institute for Health Law and Policy), students gain both experience and networking contacts during their time in attendance. A minimum of six experiential law credits are required after the first year, which is relatively easy to do in Chicago, where “there is excellent access to the courts (state/federal/appellate/etc.) and associated opportunities.” Moreover, because the city's legal community is “tight knit,” it helps to be connected, and students note that experiences “are abundant via Loyola alumni.” And the school “does a good job of encouraging Loyola students as early as the first year to take advantage of Loyola's network.” For instance, judicial externships are readily available, and “anyone who cares about the law and works hard has the opportunity to extern for a judge.” On top of that, the school “offers many moot and mock trial teams as a means of letting their students be a part of a community.”

“‘Engaging' does not begin to describe the classroom experience” at Loyola, where professors “go out of their way to make sure you not only understand the relevant material” and also “truly care about you as a person.” They have “helped to cultivate a collaborative community at Loyola that stands apart,” and “the professionalism of the outstanding faculty is empowering and encouraging.” Students regularly praise the Legal Writing and Research courses, which “are taught in a very direct and approachable way.” According to one, “the legal writing course [sets] the stage for the rest of the substantive courses.” This groundwork is also supported by “research facilities [that] are excellent,” including the library, which always has aides at the ready. There is also a strong focus “on teaching trial skills that equip students in the program to handle the courtroom from day one of practice.” The administration at Loyola is “empathetic and realistic when advising students,” so it's “consistently [asking for] student input in the administrative processes such as hiring, technology, resources, and classes.

The “atmosphere at Loyola is one of genuine care amongst the students,” who are “good people trying to do good things in the world.” While “the school leans liberal,” people “of every sort of ethnicity, orientation, or political persuasion are afforded opportunities to be heard and respected.” This is “a social school, with plenty of opportunities to make friends to study or socialize with,” and there is “a weekly ‘Bar Review' which frequents local taverns on Thursday nights.” Everyone “is friendly and ignores all of the cutthroat attitude that law schools are notorious for.”