Why Fordham University?
Fordham Law uniquely balances rigorous academic excellence with practical, hands-on training and a deep commitment to public service, leveraging its vibrant New York City location.
Fordham University is a very selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 18.8%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.79 GPA and 167 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.60–3.88 GPA and 164–168 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 423 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, Fordham University admitted 12 transfer students into the 2L class, with a median 1L GPA of 3.48 (25th–75th percentile: 3.42–3.58). 14 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #42
- Median GPA
- 3.79
- 25th–75th: 3.60–3.88
- Median LSAT
- 167
- 25th–75th: 164–168
- Acceptance rate
- 18.8%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 423
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 12
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Fordham University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- 3.42
- Bottom quartile
- Median
- 3.48
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- 3.58
- Top quartile
14 1Ls transferred out of Fordham University in the same cycle — context for how portable Fordham University'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 Fordham University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Fordham University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Community Enterprise ClinicServes grassroots nonprofits and community-based organizations working toward economic justice.
- Intellectual Property Law ClinicHelps artists, musicians, and other clients navigate the balance of protecting creative ideas.
- International Human Rights ClinicEngages in human rights initiatives and advocacy globally.
- Federal Litigation ClinicProvides students with experience in federal court litigation.
- Housing and Environmental Justice Litigation ClinicAddresses issues of housing affordability and environmental concerns.
- Legislative and Policy Advocacy ClinicExplores the legal, strategic, ethical, and social justice aspects of legislative advocacy.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Fordham Law Review— Covers a wide range of legal scholarship and is highly cited.
- Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law— Focuses on banking and finance law.
- Fordham Urban Law Journal— Addresses policy issues affecting urban areas.
- Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal— Serves as a leading source in media law, First Amendment rights, and entertainment and sports law.
- Fordham International Law Journal— Focuses on international law, including European Union law.
- Fordham Environmental Law Review— Focuses on environmental legal 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.
Contract Law
- Aditi Bagchi· also Law and Philosophy
Banking and Financial Regulation
- Susan Block-Lieb· also Bankruptcy, International Commercial Law
Criminal Law and Procedure
- Bennett Capers· also Critical Race Theory, Policing
- Daniel Capra· also Evidence, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Deborah Denno· also Law and Neuroscience, Capital Punishment
- Bruce Green· also Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Youngjae Lee· also Law and Philosophy
- John Pfaff· also Law and Economics, Law and Social Science
Corporate and Securities Law
- Sean Griffith
Constitutional Law
- Andrew Kent· also Foreign Relations and the Law, Legal History
Bankruptcy
- Richard Squire· also Corporate and Securities Law
Housing Law and Policy
- Norrinda Hayat· also Civil Rights, Critical Race Theory
What makes Fordham University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Its prime location in New York City provides unparalleled access to legal, financial, and cultural institutions, offering extensive externship and career opportunities.
- ·The 3-3 Program allows eligible undergraduate students to earn a Bachelor's and J.D. in six years.
- ·Home to the Fashion Law Institute, the first of its kind at a U.S. law school, providing legal assistance and resources to the fashion industry.
- ·Features over 19 centers and institutes, such as the Feerick Center for Social Justice, Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, and the Neuroscience and Law Center, advancing scholarship and providing hands-on training.
- ·Guarantees every interested J.D. candidate the opportunity to participate in either an in-house clinic or an externship prior to graduation.
- ·Offers various joint degree programs, including J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.A. in International Political Economy and Development, and J.D./M.S.W.
Using this for your "Why Fordham University" 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 Fordham University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Fordham University?▾
Fordham University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.79 and a median LSAT of 167. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.60–3.88 GPA and 164–168 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Fordham University's acceptance rate?▾
Fordham University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 18.8%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Fordham University offer?▾
Fordham University's notable clinical programs include: Community Enterprise Clinic, Intellectual Property Law Clinic, International Human Rights Clinic, Federal Litigation Clinic, Housing and Environmental Justice Litigation Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Fordham University publish?▾
Fordham University's notable student-edited journals include: Fordham Law Review, Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law, Fordham Urban Law Journal, Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal, Fordham International Law Journal.
Where do Fordham University graduates work?▾
Fordham University 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 Fordham University admit?▾
Fordham University admitted 12 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, with a median 1L GPA of 3.48.
Schools similar to Fordham University
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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