Charleston Law Enrolls New Class

Charleston School of Law, an ABA-accredited law school, welcomed 247 new first-year students for the Fall 2021 semester.

The School’s Admissions office released additional statistics of interest about the Fall class:

  • 66% female, 34% male
  • 75% are from out-of-state, 25% from South Carolina
  • 36 states and 137 colleges and universities are represented
  • Median age of 23 (20 – youngest/58 – oldest)
  • 1,515 applications, which was the highest in eight years

Although entering student credentials will not be finalized until October 5 in reporting to the American Bar Association, the Fall class is projected to be the highest credentialed since 2012. The Fall 2021 class marks the fourth consecutive year of increases in entering credentials. Aiming to keep a legal education affordable, the Law School awarded close to $5 million in merit and need-based scholarships to entering first-year students.

The semester begins on the heels of the success of graduates who sat for the bar. Twenty of 23 students who graduated from Charleston School of Law in December 2020 passed the February 2021 bar exam for an 87% pass rate. First-time, repeat, and two-year pass rates have all increased as well in recent years. In February, the ABA Council found the Law School back in compliance with an accreditation standard governing bar passage.

“We are all proud of the upward trajectory of the Law School,” said Charleston School of Law Dean Larry Cunningham. “We look forward to continued success for our graduates as they serve the community through the legal profession.”

Charleston Law is a student-centric culture. This Fall, the school responded to the students request for affordable, convenient food options on campus by adding a micro market which offers sandwiches, snacks, and beverages throughout the day. The new mini store is located on the second floor of its 385 Meeting location.

Charleston School of Law Career Services reports that employment of graduates continues to improve despite the challenges of a global pandemic. Of the 217 graduates of the Class of 2020, 162 are employed full-time (74.7%) including 117 (53.9%) who are working in bar passage required or “J.D. advantage” jobs.

The Law School is also expanding opportunities for students to gain experience in the profession. Charleston Law has partnered with One80Place this fall to create the Homeless Justice Project Clinic. The program has already accepted four 3L students from the school. The partnership will allow students to work closely with low-income and homeless clients and learn more about public interest law. “I am very excited about this new partnership,” said Dean Cunningham. “I am committed to expanding opportunities for students to get real-world, hands-on experience through even more clinics and externships.”

Since the first class in Fall 2004, Charleston School of Law has expanded its alumni base to more than 2,400 graduates. The School has legal professionals working in the community, the state, the region, and across the country. Charleston Law will share its alumni success stories as part of its new podcast, which launched with special guest Ben Pogue (’09). Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or listen to stream podcast episodes online.

Safety is a top priority this Fall. With recent spikes in COVID cases across the country and in the state of South Carolina, the Charleston School of Law has temporarily reinstated its “mask required” policy for students, faculty, staff, and campus guests. The decision is based on recommended CDC guidelines.

CHARLESTON SCHOOL OF LAW QUICK FACTS

The Charleston School of Law is an ABA-accredited law school nationally recognized for its student-centric culture. Our faculty and staff are committed to preparing you for success both in the classroom and in the legal profession.

  • The Princeton Review ranks Charleston School of Law professors second in the country for faculty accessibility (2021)

  • Charleston School of Law faculty ranked among the top of The Princeton Review’s list of Best Professors in the nation (2016-2018)

  • Experiential Learning: Charleston School of Law students have access to about more than 150 externship sites, creating opportunities for experiential learning in the legal field.

  • Community Service: Charleston School of Law students have performed more than 241,000 community service hours (2004-current).

  • Students have won the National Tax Moot Court Championship for seven consecutive years (2012-2018)