Why Catholic University of America?
Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law offers a values-based legal education in Washington, D.C., emphasizing human dignity, social justice, and practical skills through extensive clinical and externship opportunities.
Catholic University of America is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 33.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.68 GPA and 159 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.46–3.85 GPA and 156–161 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 131 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Catholic University of America admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #70
- Median GPA
- 3.68
- 25th–75th: 3.46–3.85
- Median LSAT
- 159
- 25th–75th: 156–161
- Acceptance rate
- 33.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 131
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 1
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Catholic University of America admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
5 1Ls transferred out of Catholic University of America in the same cycle — context for how portable Catholic University of America's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Washington, DC
- 2Maryland
- 3Virginia
Where the most recent graduating class concentrated employment, per the school's ABA 509 employment summary. Use this as a signal of where the alumni network and OCI recruiting pipeline are strongest.
Signature clinics
Clinical programs that define Catholic University of America's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Catholic University of America" essay where they align with your interests.
- Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Clinic (IRAC)Students represent low-income immigrant and refugee clients in various legal matters, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases.
- Families and the Law ClinicStudent attorneys assist clients with immediate safety needs, civil protection orders, and longer-term family litigation such as divorce, custody, and child support.
- Low Income Taxpayer ClinicStudents represent low-income clients in tax disputes with the IRS.
- Veteran Advocacy and Estate Planning ClinicStudents provide legal assistance to veterans and their families, including estate planning services.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Catholic University Law Review— Covers a wide variety of issues at the forefront of the legal profession, publishing articles by scholars and practitioners.
- Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology— Focuses on recent developments in communications law, information privacy law, and intellectual property law.
- Journal of Contemporary Health Law & Policy— Archived journal that published in-depth legal analysis of modern health care trends, bioethics, and related issues.
Faculty highlights
Well-known faculty grouped by primary specialty. If a professor's scholarship aligns with your interests, name them in your essay and reference a specific paper or course.
- Stephen C. PayneDean and Knights of Columbus Professor of Law
- Steven J. LindsayAdministrative Law, Legislation, Evidence, Constitutional Law, Legal Theory
- Alexander J. HoffarthCorporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
- Stacy BrustinImmigrant and Refugee Advocacy, Clinical Legal Education
- Catherine KleinFamily Law, Clinical Legal Education, Director of Columbus Community Legal Services
- Roger ColinvauxTax Law, Nonprofit Organizations
- Susanna Frederick FischerIntellectual Property Law, Copyright Law
- Sarah H. DugginCorporate Responsibility and Compliance, Securities Law
- Elizabeth I. WinstonLegal Research and Writing, Appellate Advocacy
What makes Catholic University of America distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Strong emphasis on the Catholic intellectual tradition, promoting human dignity, justice, and service to the common good.
- ·Located in Washington, D.C., providing unparalleled year-round access to externships with federal agencies, the Supreme Court, and various legal organizations.
- ·Offers a part-time/evening J.D. program designed for working professionals, with access to the same faculty and services as full-time students.
- ·Features several specialized centers and institutes, including the Center for Law and the Human Person, Center for Religious Liberty, and the Law and Technology Institute.
- ·Pioneer in clinical legal instruction in Washington, D.C., with a focus on serving vulnerable populations through Columbus Community Legal Services.
Using this for your "Why Catholic University of America" essay
Strong "Why X Law School" essays are concrete and specific to the school — not interchangeable templates. Use these facts to anchor your essay, then layer on what you've found from the school's own faculty pages, clinical program descriptions, and journal listings.
Important note: admissions committees actively reject AI-written personal statements and "Why X" essays. Use this page as research material to write your own essay — never as a template to copy. Authentic, specific, personally-grounded reasoning is the only thing that wins these essays.
Frequently asked about Catholic University of America
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Catholic University of America?▾
Catholic University of America's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.68 and a median LSAT of 159. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.46–3.85 GPA and 156–161 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Catholic University of America's acceptance rate?▾
Catholic University of America's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 33.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Catholic University of America offer?▾
Catholic University of America's notable clinical programs include: Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Clinic (IRAC), Families and the Law Clinic, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Veteran Advocacy and Estate Planning Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Catholic University of America publish?▾
Catholic University of America's notable student-edited journals include: Catholic University Law Review, Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology, Journal of Contemporary Health Law & Policy.
Where do Catholic University of America graduates work?▾
Catholic University of America graduates concentrate employment in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Catholic University of America admit?▾
Catholic University of America admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Catholic University of America
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (7) — verify any fact above
- https://www.law.edu/academics/journals-and-moot-court/
- https://www.law.edu/academics/clinics-and-legal-externships/
- https://www.law.edu/academics/degree-programs/llm-program/
- https://www.law.edu/academics/concentrations/
- https://www.law.edu/faculty-and-staff/
- https://www.law.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/
- https://magazine.catholic.edu/making-the-case-for-humanity/
Generated from public sources via search-grounded AI on 4/27/2026. If any fact looks wrong, click through to verify and let us know.