University of Idaho College of Law

Introduction

The College of Law, established in 1909, has been a member of the AALS since 1914 and has been accredited by the ABA since 1925. As Idaho's leader in legal education, the College of Law emphasizes quality over quantity and is founded on collegiality and a dedication to the highest ideals of a noble profession.

College of Law students benefit from an attentive, dedicated, and accessible faculty as well as the unique opportunity to combine residential university community and metropolitan living and learning. The primary location of the College of Law is the Menard Law Building on the main campus of the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. However, through the Semester in Practice and Third Year in Boise programs, third-year students may elect to engage in classroom and experiential learning in Boise, Idaho, one of America's fastest growing metropolitan areas.

Enrollment/Student Body

With an overall enrollment around 350, students at the College of Law have a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Students come mostly from the West, representing almost 100 colleges and universities, 24 different states, and several foreign countries. Approximately 60 percent of our students are Idaho residents. The College of Law welcomes and actively seeks diversity, with particular attention to students of color and those who have overcome socioeconomic disadvantage. Due to our highly selective admission process and positive learning environment, including an academic support program run by a licensed attorney, academic attrition is less than 3 percent.

Technology, Library, and Physical Facilities

The College of Law occupies a building with full wireless Internet access and a newly renovated, state-of-the-art courtroom. The law library houses a collection of more than 240,000 volumes and volume-equivalents and more than 4,800 serial titles. The law library also provides a computer lab; LexisNexis, Westlaw, Dialog, and HeinOnline services; and the US Congressional Serial Set. Membership in the Western Library Network and the Inland Northwest Library Automation Network allows users to access holdings of libraries across the nation. Law students also have access to the other libraries of the University of Idaho and those at Washington State University, located 8 miles away in Pullman, Washington.

Curriculum

All first-year students are required to take courses in Legal Research and Writing, Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts, Statutory Reading and Interpretation, Property, Civil Procedure and Introduction to Law, and Constitutional Law. After the first year, students must take Professional Responsibility and Constitutional Law II. Afterward, they may choose to pursue an area of emphasis. The College of Law provides emphases in natural resources and environmental law, business law and entrepreneurship, advocacy and dispute resolution, and Native American law.

Practical Skills

The College of Law places great importance on public service and the development of practical skills. Our distinctive Pro Bono Program, which requires all students to complete at least 40 hours of approved pro bono service before graduation, engages students in substantial, law-related public service and provides a learning experience outside the classroom.

There are eight live-client clinics available at the College of Law:

general practice clinic,
appellate clinic,
immigration clinic,
small business legal clinic,
tax clinic,
domestic violence and sexual assault clinic,
economic development clinic, and
mediation clinic.

Students may also sharpen their practical skills by participating in our externship program, completing a semester in practice, and/or participating in a wide variety of faculty- and lawyer-supervised skills competitions.

Dual Degrees

Dual JD/MS/PhD degrees in water resources are offered as part of the one-of-a-kind Waters of the West initiative offered in cooperation with the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. There are three options for emphasis: engineering and science, science and management, and law, management, and policy.

Dual JD/MS Environmental Science degrees are available in cooperation with the University of Idaho College of Graduate Studies Environmental Science Program.

Dual JD/MS degrees are offered in Bioregional Planning and Community Design.

Dual JD/Master of Accounting degrees in cooperation with the University of Idaho College of Business and Economics and dual JD/Master of Accounting, Taxation Emphasis degrees in cooperation with Boise State University are also available. These programs are particularly valuable for students interested in practicing tax law.

Admission

Applications are accepted beginning in October preceding the year in which enrollment is desired. Our law program is full time. Although students have the option of spending all or part of their third year in Boise, Idaho, students must spend their first and second years in Moscow, Idaho. Applicants must submit college transcripts and letters of recommendation through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). The application priority deadline is February 15, but we recommend late-fall application. Applications submitted after February 15 will be reviewed, but timely applications will receive priority consideration. The Admission Committee looks at each applicant holistically, including, but not limited to, LSAT score, academic record and background, writing ability, personal statement, work and life experiences, and recommendations.

Student Activities

Students belong to more than 30 active student organizations. The Student Bar Association represents student interests, both educational and social. The Idaho Law Review, which covers topics ranging from state and regional problems to national and international issues, and The Crit (an electronic journal of critical legal studies), give students valuable writing and editing experience. The Board of Student Advocates and the Law Students for Appropriate Dispute Resolution coordinate intramural competitions and provide opportunities for students to participate in national competitions that build professional skills. Other groups include the American Civil Liberties Union, Latino Law Caucus, Federalist Society, Multicultural Law Caucus, Native American Law Students Association, OUTLaw, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, and the Women's Law Caucus.

Career Development

The Career Development Office, run by a licensed attorney, facilitates students' career planning and their search for summer and permanent employment. The office actively promotes job opportunities, including arranging on-campus interview and recruit-by-mail programs. Historically, over 90 percent of graduates find employment within nine months of graduation or go on to advanced graduate study. The college has exceptional success placing students in federal and state judicial clerkships as the first step in their careers. A majority of students find employment in Idaho, although Utah, Washington, and Oregon are also popular. Idaho graduates are employed throughout the United States and several foreign countries.

Applicant Profile

University of Idaho College of Law

This grid includes only applicants who earned 120–180 LSAT scores under standard administrations.

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
	GPA
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	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
LSAT score 165–169	7	7	5	5	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	2	2	18	18
LSAT score 160–164	10	10	14	14	14	13	6	6	4	3	6	6	4	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	59	56
LSAT score 155–159	20	20	32	31	33	33	34	34	19	18	12	8	7	6	5	5	0	0	3	3	165	158
LSAT score 150–154	16	12	32	24	42	23	40	16	44	16	16	6	11	3	3	1	1	0	3	2	208	103
LSAT score 145–149	8	3	18	6	33	7	26	5	12	2	9	1	8	0	1	0	1	0	3	0	119	24
LSAT score 140–144	3	0	10	2	9	1	10	2	12	2	6	0	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	0	59	8
LSAT score 135–139	1	0	3	1	6	0	3	1	2	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	2
LSAT score 130–134	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
LSAT score 125–129	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
LSAT score 120–124	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	65	52	115	84	140	79	120	64	95	42	53	21	39	14	14	8	2	0	15	7	658	371

Apps = Number of Applicants
Adm = Number Admitted
Reflects 99% of the total applicant pool; highest LSAT data reported.