St. John’s University School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
St. John’s Law opened in 1925 to help a diverse and talented student body learn the fundamentals of the law, build practical skills, and uplift their communities. That founding mission still animates the Law School community as our students excel in the classroom, on journals, and in clinics, externships, and advocacy competitions. Our graduates surpass national and New York bar passage and employment averages and proudly join a network of 16,000+ alumni worldwide, including distinguished public servants, preeminent law firm and business leaders, and pioneering entrepreneurs. Recognizing that achievement in the field, Law.com has named St. John’s Law a “Go-To Law School” for placing the most graduates in the 500 biggest law firms.
The JD Program
We seek to identify and admit a diverse group of talented J.D. students who will succeed at St. John's and become lawyers who continue our proud tradition of excellence in the legal profession and the business world. As part of the admissions process, we consider all applicants for scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application and, if awarded, scholarships range from partial-tuition to full-tuition, automatically renew annually, and can't be forfeited.
Our application opens September 1! For first-year J.D. applicants, our priority application deadline is March 15, and our final application deadline is July 15. There is no application fee, so apply today!
Gain the Skills and Knowledge You Need to Be Practice-Ready Starting Day One
- 60+ student organizations and shared identity groups
- Award-winning advocacy and dispute resolution competition teams
- 10 in-house and partner clinics
- Hundreds of courses taught by top scholars and educators
- A campus community featuring a fitness center, multiple entertainment venues, spectator sports, and religious services
- Spacious townhouses just for law students
- A network of 16,000+ alumni who give, mentor, and hire
- A dedicated student services team that includes academic support professionals
Externship Program
Our Externship Program places students in a wide variety of legal positions, including public interest, public service, government, private practice, and corporate law. Students work directly with an assigned mentor attorney on real legal matters. Read more about our Externship placements on our website.
Centers
Through the Law School's 12 academic centers, you'll engage with leading scholars and practitioners who are addressing legal issues with real-world importance and impact:
- Center for Bankruptcy Studies
- Center for International and Comparative Law
- Center for Labor and Employment Law
- Center for Race and Law
- Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy
- Mattone Center for Law and Religion
- Hugh L. Carey Center for Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property Law Center
- Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law
- Public Interest Center
- Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights
- Writing Center
Clinics
In the Law School's clinics, you'll work under the supervision of clinical professors and practicing attorneys on real legal matters as advocates for marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented New Yorkers. Our 10 in-house and partner clinics are:
In-House Clinics:
- Child Advocacy Clinic
- Consumer Justice for the Elderly: Litigation Clinic
- Defense and Advocacy Clinic
- Securities Arbitration Clinic
Partner Clinics:
- Bankruptcy Advocacy Clinic
- Domestic Violence Litigation Clinic
- Economic Justice Clinic
- Prosecution Clinic
- Refugee and Immigrant Rights Litigation Clinic
- Tenants’ Rights Advocacy Clinic
Co-Curricular Programs
At St. John's Law, you'll have many opportunities to hone practical skills and build your knowledge of the law hands on through our co-curricular advocacy and dispute resolution programs and as members of student-run journals.
- St. John’s Law Review
- American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review
- Journal of Catholic Legal Studies
- Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development
- New York International Law Review
- N.Y. Real Property Law Journal
- Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute
- Moot Court Honor Society
- Dispute Resolution Society
Study Abroad Programs
Explore the law in its global context through the range of global programs we offer:
- Study in Rome Summer
- International Practica
- International Legal Study and Exchange Program
- Dean’s Travel Study Program
- Transactions in Emerging Markets
JD and Graduate Programs
Gain a competitive edge in the dynamic legal marketplace in our joint-degree programs:
- J.D./M.B.A. Accounting
- J.D./M.B.A. Business Administration
- J.D./M.S. Accounting
- J.D./M.A. Government & Politics
- J.D./LL.M. Bankruptcy or Real Estate
Continue your legal education and build marketable skills in our graduate programs for US and foreign-trained attorneys:
- Bankruptcy LL.M.
- Transnational Legal Practice LL.M.
- US Legal Studies LL.M.
- Real Estate LL.M.
Student Life
Diverse and Inclusive Community
Welcoming. Inclusive. Caring. Students, faculty, alumni, and staff use these words again and again to describe St. John’s Law and the wider Law School community. Consistent with our mission, we’re also a community that embraces and values diversity in its many forms. We actively cultivate a campus atmosphere where respect is paramount.
- Shared Identity Groups
- Incoming Student Support
- Ongoing Student Support
St. John's Law fulfills and grows our deep and unwavering commitment to supporting our students and to fostering a learning environment in which they all can thrive. Today, as one of the best law schools in New York City, with one of the highest graduate employment rates in the nation, we remain committed to being an engine of opportunity, particularly for the most traditionally underrepresented individuals and groups in the legal profession.
Student Organizations
St. John’s Law is committed to the pursuit of excellence in learning, professionalism, and service. Our over 50 student organizations play a critical role in that pursuit, providing invaluable opportunities for students’ professional development and furthering the Law School’s service-oriented mission.
Our student organizations, which include multiple shared identity groups, reflect the wonderful diversity of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives at St. John’s Law. They warmly invite all current students to enhance their Law School experience by participating in one or more organizations.
Housing
St. John's Law is located in a quiet, safe, suburban neighborhood in Queens, about 12 miles from Manhattan. There are several housing options for law students including:
- University-owned DePaul Townhouses
- University-owned Henley Road Residence
- Off-Campus Housing
Queens and the Community
St. John’s Law is a New York City institution that’s as richly unique as Queens, our “hometown" and the city’s most diverse borough. Our 100-acre campus has a park-like feel with green lawns, flowers and fountains, and majestic views of Manhattan. Mix in nearby neighborhoods – Forest Hills, Astoria, Long Island City, Ridgewood, Bayside – that regularly top "hottest places to live" lists. You'll find world-class shopping; fan-favorite sports teams; vibrant nightlife; an innovative art scene; and an incomparable array of global cuisines. Public transportation is convenient to campus and quickly takes you to Manhattan, the hub of international law and business.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Learn more about career placement at
St. John’s University School of Law
Tuition and Aid
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$75,170.00
|
| Fees |
$1,572.00
|
| Expected Cost of Attendance |
$110,224.00
|
Our admissions team considers applicants for merit scholarships as part of the application review process. There is no separate scholarship application, and no minimum LSAT or GPA requirement. Merit is determined by:
- Academic history
- Standardized test performance
- Commitment to community
- Commitment to the St. John’s Law mission
St. John's Law awards scholarships to outstanding applicants for academic achievement and for merit-based factors aligned with our mission that are considered during holistic review. This includes awards for first-generation college students, applicants who have faced adversity and are committed to their community, and those whose background and/or interest in law school align with the school’s mission and the legacy of our alumnus, Theodore Jones, L'72.
Merit scholarships are unconditional and can’t be forfeited.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
In reviewing applications, we focus primarily on the demonstrated qualities and proven skills we deem essential for academic success and intellectual stimulation at St. John's Law.
While LSAT or GRE scores and undergraduate GPAs are important factors, we don't rely on numbers alone in our admission process. We follow a holistic review process, which means we consider all aspects of your application. We want to get to know you beyond the numbers.
Among other things, we consider:
- Academic Readiness: Test scores (LSAT/GRE), academic history (GPA, major, trends, coursework), self-disclosure of success on previous standardized tests, master's or doctorate programs, and certificate programs
- Skills and Professional Readiness: Professional work history, internships, fellowships, and feedback from recommenders
- Commitment to Community: Volunteer work, societal advancements, and ethical standards
- Challenges Faced and Overcome: adversity, socio-economic impacts, justice impacted, disability, etc.
- Commitment to the St. John's Law mission: Clear indications that the applicant is committed to joining a community and service orientated institution with a long history and commitment to fairness, equity, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism goals
