Loyola Law: Your Future, Your Success

Loyola Law School is a prestigious institution with campuses in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. Loyola Law School offers a variety of programs, including a Doctor of Judicial Science, Master of Laws, and Juris Doctor. The school has a strong focus on academic excellence and service to others, as reflected in its Ignatian Law Scholars Program. Loyola Law School's application process is holistic, considering not only LSAT scores and undergraduate academic records but also letters of recommendation, personal statements, resumes, and extracurricular involvement. The school's diverse student body and commitment to Jesuit-centered education create a unique and enriching community for its students. Loyola Law School's rankings in Best Law Schools and Part-time Law speak to its reputation and quality. With affordable tuition fees and a range of financial assistance programs, Loyola Law School is an attractive option for aspiring law students.

Loyola Law School's ranking

Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University, a private Catholic university in Los Angeles, California. Loyola was established in 1920 and has been an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school since 1935. Loyola's campus is located just west of downtown Los Angeles and consists of several contemporary buildings designed by Frank Gehry. Loyola's library holds a collection of nearly 560,000 volumes. Loyola offers a range of degrees, including the Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Science in Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD). Loyola's Evening Program features a hybrid schedule that combines on-campus and remote learning.

In terms of rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Loyola Law School 60th in its "America's Best Graduate Schools 2024" feature. Loyola was also ranked 61st in Best Law Schools and 6th in Part-time Law by the same publication in 2023. Loyola's trial advocacy and moot court programs were ranked 4th nationally by U.S. News & World Report in 2020. Loyola University Chicago's law school was ranked 78th in Best Law Schools and 11th in Part-time Law, also by U.S. News & World Report.

When considering law schools, it is important to look beyond rankings and consider a variety of factors that align with your personal goals and interests. These factors may include the school's reputation, faculty, curriculum, clinical opportunities, and post-graduation employment outcomes. It is also essential to research the bar passage rates and the percentage of graduates who obtain long-term, full-time employment requiring bar passage or providing a J.D. advantage.

Loyola Law School has impressive post-graduation employment statistics. For the class of 2022, 93% of graduates were employed in 2023, with 80% in jobs requiring bar admission. Additionally, 97% of employed alumni held long-term positions. According to ABA-required disclosures, 87% of 2017 graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation, with 70% in full-time, long-term, bar passage-required or J.D. advantage jobs.

Jesuit-centred education

Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit-centred educational institution. The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in the Catholic Church have founded and managed a number of educational institutions, including notable secondary schools, colleges, and universities. Jesuit Education is based on a 450-year-old tradition that aims to form high school and college students intellectually, morally, and spiritually toward lives of solidarity, service, and professional success.

The goal of Jesuit Education is to help shape students' minds and hearts into a habit of reaching out to the needs of today's and tomorrow's global society and, in the process, reaching out to God. This is done through learning in community service, interdisciplinary courses, and the engagement of faith, theology, philosophy, and ethics studies.

The values of Jesuit Education are rooted in the vision of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit Order. These values include:

• Cura Personalis: Emphasizing the view that each person is a unique creation of God, demonstrated through personal attention in the classroom, deep respect for diversity and difference, and an emphasis on holistic care for the mind, body, and spirit.
• Discernment: Encouraging students to be open to God's spirit as they make decisions and take actions that contribute to the greater good.
• Finding God in all things: Grounded in the presence of God, Jesuit Education encompasses imagination, emotion, and intellect, encouraging students to seek the divine in all things.
• Magis: Challenging students to go beyond what is expected, interacting with the world with generosity, excellence, and empathy.
• Reflection: Inviting students to pause and consider the world around them and their place within it before making decisions, including challenging the status quo, acknowledging biases, and accepting responsibility for actions.
• Service rooted in justice and love: Cultivating critical awareness of social and personal evil while pointing to God's love as more powerful, through community service programs, service-learning semesters, and volunteer opportunities.
• Solidarity and kinship: Students work together for the greater good, developing relationships with their communities and sharing their talents and skills to help and serve others.

Jesuit Education offers a unique and transformative educational experience, inspiring students to live purposeful and fulfilling lives of leadership and service to others, creating a better world.

Scholarships and financial aid

Loyola University offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support students in their legal studies. Here are some of the key opportunities available:

• Ignatian Law Scholars Program - This program is designed to recognise incoming law students who demonstrate exceptional promise and a commitment to Jesuit values, such as academic excellence and service to others. Ignatian Law Scholars receive a renewable Dean's Scholarship, as well as mentorship from faculty and alumni to ease their transition into law school.
• Early Admissions Program - Loyola University New Orleans offers an early admissions pathway for students who have completed three-fourths of their undergraduate degree requirements at the university itself. Applicants to this program must demonstrate stronger credentials (GPA and LSAT scores) than those who completed the full four years of undergraduate studies.
• Scholarships for Transfer Students - Loyola welcomes transfer students from other law schools and select foreign-educated attorneys. While there is no specific mention of scholarships, Loyola does offer advanced standing for students with prior law degrees, allowing them to complete their degree in less time.
• Standardised Test Scores - Loyola takes into account the highest LSAT score when considering applicants for scholarships. Additionally, applicants with significant score differences of more than 3 points are encouraged to submit an explanatory statement, which may impact their scholarship eligibility.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships at LMU - Loyola Marymount University (LMU) offers financial aid and scholarships to law students. While the details of these opportunities are not specified, LMU's website provides contact information for the Graduate Admission Office, encouraging prospective students to reach out for more information.

Loyola's application process

Loyola University has several campuses across the United States, including in New Orleans and Chicago. The application process may vary depending on the campus and the program you are applying for. Here is an overview of the application process for the College of Law at Loyola University New Orleans and Loyola University Chicago.

Loyola University New Orleans

The College of Law at Loyola University New Orleans accepts applications for the Fall term. For the Fall 2025 class, applications will be accepted from October 15, 2024, through July 1, 2025, 12 pm CDT. The application must be submitted through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). There is no application fee.

A complete application for the College of Law at Loyola University New Orleans includes the following:

• A complete application submitted through LSAC
• A valid Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score (including the LSAT writing sample), a valid JD-Next Exam score, or a valid Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score
• A complete Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report submitted to Loyola Law through lsac.org, including transcripts from each college and/or university attended
• A personal statement (2-3 pages)
• A resume that includes education, extracurricular activities, work history, community service, and other awards
• Two letters of recommendation (dated on or after March 1, 2023), with a maximum of four letters accepted

International applicants must take the LSAT or GRE unless they have earned an international law degree. They must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, including the Test of Written English and the Test of Spoken English.

Loyola University Chicago

The School of Law at Loyola University Chicago accepts applications for its Full-time and Weekend JD (part-time) programs beginning October 1 for the fall term. The Admissions Committee starts reviewing applications in December and releases decisions on a rolling basis from late January.

A complete application for Loyola University Chicago School of Law includes the following:

• The online application form available through LSAC
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, submitted through LSAC's CAS
• One letter of recommendation, submitted through LSAC
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score
• A current resume or curriculum vitae, uploaded through the online application
• A personal statement (two pages) submitted through the online application
• Completion of the character and fitness section of the application

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score report, unless they have completed a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.

Loyola's campus

The Loyola campus offers a range of facilities and resources to support students' academic pursuits. The law library, for example, provides a quiet and spacious environment for study and research, equipped with the latest legal resources and technology. Additionally, the campus houses several specialised centres, such as the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy, the Centre for Public Interest Law, and the Civitas ChildLaw Centre, which offer unique opportunities for students to explore specific areas of law and gain practical experience.

The Loyola campus also fosters a strong sense of community and encourages students to get involved in extracurricular activities and community service. With a variety of student organisations and affinity groups, students can connect with like-minded individuals and develop their leadership skills. The law school's commitment to social justice is evident in its 20-plus live-client legal clinics, where students can gain hands-on experience while providing much-needed legal services to the community.

The campus is also home to a diverse array of students from various academic backgrounds, reflecting Loyola's commitment to inclusivity and its celebration of different perspectives. This diversity extends to the faculty and staff, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the campus, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

In addition to its academic offerings, the Loyola campus provides a range of support services to ensure students' well-being and success. From academic advising to career development resources, students have access to the guidance and tools they need to navigate their legal studies and future career paths. The campus also offers mental health resources and support groups, recognising the importance of holistic well-being in a student's academic journey.

Overall, Loyolas campus offers a rich and immersive educational experience, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and community engagement opportunities to become well-rounded legal professionals. With its combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and a strong sense of community, the Loyola campus is a vibrant and inspiring place to pursue a legal education.

Frequently asked questions