300 College Park, 112 Keller Hall
Dayton, OH 45469-2760
Phone: 937.229.3555; Fax: 937.229.4194
E-mail: lawinfo@udayton.edu; Website: www.udayton.edu/law
Our mission is to enroll a diverse group of intellectually curious, self-disciplined, and well-motivated men and women, and to educate them in the substantive and procedural principles of public and private law. We seek to graduate highly qualified attorneys who will uphold the highest professional standards and recognize that service to others is the chief measure of professional competence.
We offer a full-time JD program providing a distinguished tradition of concern for the individual student in a supportive and professional environment. Our curriculum gives students a foundation in traditional courses but also helps them develop their skills with innovative programs like our legal skills courses and curricular concentrations. Our diverse student body of 480 promotes ample opportunity for one-on-one interaction with faculty, staff, and fellow students, creating an atmosphere of collegiality. Our student body actively participates in a myriad of law school organizations and community service opportunities. The University of Dayton School of Law is accredited by the ABA and is a member of the AALS.
Joseph E. Keller Hall is a 122,500-square-foot complex featuring a dramatic atrium, a variety of classroom and meeting spaces, and an expansive law library. Internet access is readily available via our wireless network from virtually any location in the law building. Every seat in the 325,000-volume Zimmerman Law Library has access to a power outlet as well as the wireless network. The library contains a computer training center where students learn to conduct online and computer-based research as well as study rooms that allow students to meet in groups of up to 20.
Founded in 1850, the University of Dayton enrolls more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The campus of nearly 400 scenic acres is located minutes from the city's center and has a fitness center, a student health center, child care, meal plans, and banking services. On-campus housing located within three blocks of the law school is available for over half of the entering class.
With a population of approximately 840,000, the Dayton Metro Area offers many amenities of larger urban areas while retaining its scenic, lush, and green open spaces. As the birthplace of the Wright Brothers, the city has a variety of flight-related museums and events, as well as many other cultural and recreational activities. You will find housing, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment districts that are varied and affordable. Cheer for the UD Flyers, Cincinnati Reds, or the Dayton Dragons, who have the longest active sold-out streak in all of US pro sports. For the outdoor enthusiast, Dayton's beautiful river bikeways, recreation trails, and parks provide miles and acres of exhilaration. If students want to explore beyond Dayton, they can reach Cincinnati or Columbus in an hour or visit the quaint towns of Yellow Springs, Waynesville, or Lebanon in less than 30 minutes.
We offer a traditional education that blends theory and practice with a focus on attaining essential lawyering and problem-solving skills. The emphasis on acquiring legal skills through real-world practical experience, capstone and clinic courses, and a required externship prepares students for a successful legal career. Students may choose from various curricular concentrations focused on particular areas of the law.
Entering students may choose to begin their first year in May or August. By starting in May in our Accelerated Program, students may complete their JD in two calendar years instead of the traditional three years.
Legal Profession Course Sequence—This comprehensive two-semester, six-credit-hour sequence helps students build legal research, analytical, and writing skills in the context of the evolving technology used in law practice. Small groups meet with experienced full-time faculty for training in such important skills as accessing and understanding legal authority and effectively communicating legal analysis within specific practice areas. These courses stress the practical application of research and writing skills necessary to produce clear, effective legal documents.
Academic Success Program—This program provides academic assistance to all students from the time they enter law school until the transition to the Road to Bar Pass Program. Workshops are offered throughout the year on class preparation, case synthesis, outlining/flowcharting, and exam writing.
The Academic Excellence Program is a learning community for first-year students that is designed to help participants make the transition to law school through structured study groups and skill-building workshops.
Externships—This semester-long legal apprenticeship in a legal setting, such as a governmental agency, law firm, corporation, court, or legal aid office, provides students the opportunity to practice their craft, to observe highly respected attorneys and judges at work, and to network with the legal community.
Capstone Courses—These courses are designed as a synthesis and completion of previously studied material. During their last semester, each student takes a capstone course specially designed to provide closure to their legal education. Students are asked to demonstrate their ability to apply to real and simulated legal problems the substantive knowledge and practical skills acquired during their time at the University of Dayton School of Law.
Road to Bar Pass—The School of Law encourages bar exam success during law school by offering a bar preparation course. It also supports bar exam success after graduation by providing services that offer support ranging from planning a schedule, to reviewing practice questions, and sponsoring simulated exams.
Our Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property and Technology Law is for students who already possess a JD and desire to further their legal expertise in the area of intellectual property. The Master of Study of Law (MSL) in Intellectual Property and Technology Law is for students who do not possess a JD but desire an in-depth understanding of intellectual property.
With backgrounds spanning a spectrum of legal endeavors, many of our faculty members are known nationally for their expertise and scholarship. As prominent scholars and leaders, our professors transfer their expertise to students both inside and outside of the classroom. Students consistently praise our faculty, not only for their outstanding teaching skills, but also for their constant involvement in, concern for, and support of students' lives.
Collegiality, support, and a welcoming atmosphere distinguish our diverse student body. Students may participate in organizations that help develop writing, research, and oral advocacy skills; those that speak to their mutual professional interests; or those that provide support of a student's personal and biographical background and interests. Our Student Bar Association is made up of officers and representatives from each class who oversee all student organizations and it is the voice of student governance at the law school.
Whether providing online networking for recent alumni, or working one-on-one with students to hone their job search, career services is a priority at the School of Law. Our Career Services Office has outpaced many of its peers in placing graduates in full-time law jobs. The assistant dean and his staff are committed to providing comprehensive career planning and placement services to assist students and alumni with identifying and securing positions commensurate with each individual's interests and career goals.
The Admissions Committee looks for a well-rounded and diverse group of students for each entering class. Undergraduate GPA and LSAT score are seriously considered, but commitment, motivation, leadership, and a breadth and depth of experiences are also a large part of the applicant review. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, beginning November 1 and continuing through late spring.
Approximately half of the entering class receives scholarships. The majority of our scholarships are merit based, with the goal of diversifying the class also taken into consideration. Renewal of merit scholarships is dependent upon academic performance at the end of the preceding two semesters.
Federal Direct loans up to $20,500 are also available to our students. Alternative loans may also be used to cover the cost of a legal education, should scholarships and federal loans not do so. Federal and alternative loans are available pending a student's citizenship status and credit rating.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for questions or to schedule informational visits. Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
This grid includes only applicants who earned 120–180 LSAT scores under standard administrations.
| GPA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSAT Score |
3.75+ Apps |
3.75+ Adm |
3.50– 3.74 Apps |
3.50– 3.74 Adm |
3.25– 3.49 Apps |
3.25– 3.49 Adm |
3.00– 3.24 Apps |
3.00– 3.24 Adm |
2.75– 2.99 Apps |
2.75– 2.99 Adm |
2.50– 2.74 Apps |
2.50– 2.74 Adm |
2.25– 2.49 Apps |
2.25– 2.49 Adm |
2.00– 2.24 Apps |
2.00– 2.24 Adm |
Below 2.00 Apps |
Below 2.00 Adm |
No GPA Apps |
No GPA Adm |
Total Apps |
Total Adm |
| LSAT score 175–180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LSAT score 170–174 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| LSAT score 165–169 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 18 |
| LSAT score 160–164 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 82 | 78 |
| LSAT score 155–159 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 53 | 53 | 51 | 48 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 251 | 235 |
| LSAT score 150–154 | 40 | 39 | 83 | 82 | 111 | 109 | 114 | 108 | 87 | 80 | 54 | 45 | 30 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 538 | 495 |
| LSAT score 145–149 | 28 | 26 | 77 | 68 | 102 | 85 | 108 | 88 | 84 | 61 | 59 | 39 | 25 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 503 | 382 |
| LSAT score 140–144 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 4 | 44 | 4 | 44 | 4 | 40 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 225 | 17 |
| LSAT score 135–139 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 |
| LSAT score 130–134 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| LSAT score 125–129 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| LSAT score 120–124 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 129 | 122 | 249 | 205 | 347 | 268 | 359 | 266 | 285 | 188 | 203 | 119 | 92 | 49 | 45 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 27 | 6 | 1744 | 1229 |
Apps = Number of Applicants
Adm = Number Admitted
Reflects 99% of the total applicant pool; highest LSAT data reported.