Why City University of New York?
CUNY School of Law is dedicated to training outstanding public interest lawyers and enhancing the diversity of the legal profession, with a curriculum centered on integrating clinical teaching methods and social justice advocacy.
City University of New York is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 35.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.54 GPA and 154 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.26–3.77 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 217 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, City University of New York admitted 6 transfer students into the 2L class, with a median 1L GPA of 3.06. 3 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #171
- Median GPA
- 3.54
- 25th–75th: 3.26–3.77
- Median LSAT
- 154
- 25th–75th: 151–158
- Acceptance rate
- 35.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 217
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 6
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students City University of New York admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- 3.06
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
3 1Ls transferred out of City University of New York in the same cycle — context for how portable City University of New York's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1New York
- 2New Jersey
- 3Washington, DC
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 City University of New York's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why City University of New York" essay where they align with your interests.
- Community & Economic Development Clinic (CED)Provides legal support for community-based organizations and economic development initiatives.
- Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility Clinic (CLEAR)Supports clients and communities contesting the U.S. security state through litigation and advocacy.
- Defenders ClinicPrepares students to fight mass incarceration through criminal court representation, parole preparation, and post-conviction relief.
- Disability Rights and Social Justice Clinic (DRSJC)Advocates to enhance the civil rights, autonomy, and self-determination of older adults and people with disabilities.
- Human Rights & Gender Justice Clinic (HRGJ)Works to advance gender justice and counter multifaceted discrimination in the U.S. and globally.
- Immigrant & Non-Citizen Rights Clinic (INRC)Students redefine advocacy for immigrant and non-citizen rights, including border lawyering.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- City University of New York Law Review— Public interest and social justice issues, recognized as a leading civil rights journal.
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.
- Naz AhmadImmigration, Civil Rights, National Security Law
- David C. BaluarteInternational Human Rights, Immigration, Refugee and Statelessness Protection
- Alexandra CollGender Equality, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law
- Natalie M. ChinDisability Rights and Social Justice
- Natasha ChokhaniFamily Regulation Systems, Juvenile Justice, Evidence
- Daniel LoehrConstitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Sentencing Law
- Marie MarkImmigration Advocacy
- Charisa Kiyô SmithFamily Law, Equity, Public Service Law
- Erin TomlinsonCriminal Defense, Parole, Clemency Petitions
- Lisa WatersLawyering Skills, Legal Pedagogy
What makes City University of New York distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Mission-driven focus on public interest law, integrating practical experience and doctrinal study throughout the curriculum.
- ·Nationally recognized clinical program, guaranteeing every student an immersive semester of real-world practice.
- ·Pipeline to Justice program, a 10-month pre-law initiative for underrepresented students focused on public interest.
- ·Offers dual degree programs including JD/MPA in Law and Public Accountability, JD/MA in Forensic Psychology, and JD/MIA.
- ·LEED-Gold certified building in Long Island City, Queens, making it one of the greenest law schools in the nation.
Using this for your "Why City University of New York" 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 City University of New York
What is the median GPA and LSAT at City University of New York?▾
City University of New York's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.54 and a median LSAT of 154. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.26–3.77 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is City University of New York's acceptance rate?▾
City University of New York's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 35.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does City University of New York offer?▾
City University of New York's notable clinical programs include: Community & Economic Development Clinic (CED), Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility Clinic (CLEAR), Defenders Clinic, Disability Rights and Social Justice Clinic (DRSJC), Human Rights & Gender Justice Clinic (HRGJ). Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does City University of New York publish?▾
City University of New York's notable student-edited journals include: City University of New York Law Review.
Where do City University of New York graduates work?▾
City University of New York graduates concentrate employment in New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does City University of New York admit?▾
City University of New York admitted 6 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, with a median 1L GPA of 3.06.
Schools similar to City University of New York
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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- https://www.law.cuny.edu/academics/clinics/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/academics/journals/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/about/centers-initiatives/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/admissions/degrees-offered/dual-degree-program-admissions/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/news/cuny-law-ranked-1-in-the-nation-for-public-interest/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/news/cuny-law-welcomes-new-2024-faculty-advancing-public-interest-legal-education/
- https://www.law.cuny.edu/faculty/faculty-experts-hub/
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.