Why George Mason University?
George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School is distinguished by its rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong emphasis on law and economics, its commitment to civil discourse, and its strategic location near Washington, D.C. for practical experience.
George Mason University is a very selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 19.6%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.93 GPA and 166 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.55–3.98 GPA and 158–167 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 159 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, George Mason University admitted 26 transfer students into the 2L class, with a median 1L GPA of 3.36 (25th–75th percentile: 3.22–3.47). 2 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #32
- Median GPA
- 3.93
- 25th–75th: 3.55–3.98
- Median LSAT
- 166
- 25th–75th: 158–167
- Acceptance rate
- 19.6%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 159
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 26
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students George Mason University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- 3.22
- Bottom quartile
- Median
- 3.36
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- 3.47
- Top quartile
2 1Ls transferred out of George Mason University in the same cycle — context for how portable George Mason University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Virginia
- 2Washington, DC
- 3Maryland
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 George Mason University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why George Mason University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Supreme Court ClinicProvides pro bono legal representation before the United States Supreme Court, allowing students to work on certiorari and merits briefs.
- Free Speech ClinicEngages students in pro bono legal representation of free speech claims under the First Amendment.
- Cybersecurity and AI ClinicOffers students hands-on cybersecurity experience by providing pro bono services to vulnerable organizations.
- Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS)Assists active-duty military members, their families, and veterans with administrative, litigation, and non-litigation matters.
- Innovation Law ClinicHelps entrepreneurs and startups with legal needs such as forming corporations, drafting contracts, and filing patent applications.
- Law and Mental Illness ClinicStudents study laws affecting the mentally ill and represent petitioners in civil commitment hearings.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- George Mason Law Review— Flagship journal publishing scholarly articles from judges, practitioners, and legal scholars.
- Civil Rights Law Journal— Focuses on scholarship related to civil rights law.
- The Journal of Law, Economics & Policy— The first student-run journal in legal academia dedicated to the economic analysis of law and policy.
- National Security Law Journal— Publishes timely scholarship on national security law, including foreign affairs, intelligence, and homeland security.
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.
Constitutional Law
- David Bernstein· also Evidence, Products Liability
- Ilya Somin· also Property Law, Local Government Law
Law and Economics
- Henry N. Butler· also Antitrust
- Todd Zywicki· also Bankruptcy, Contracts
Antitrust
- Timothy Muris· also Consumer Protection, Administrative Law
Patent Law
- Tun-Jen Chiang· also Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property
- Adam Mossoff
- Christopher Newman· also Property Theory
Environmental Law
- Caroline Cecot· also Administrative Law, Torts
Financial Regulation
- Paolo Saguato· also Banking, Securities
Corporate and Securities Law
- J.W. Verret
What makes George Mason University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·A required first-year course, 'Economics for Lawyers,' underscores the school's unique interdisciplinary approach to legal education.
- ·Its location in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from Washington, D.C., provides extensive opportunities for externships and practical experience with government agencies and Capitol Hill.
- ·Home to prominent research centers including the Law & Economics Center, National Security Institute, C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State, and Liberty & Law Center.
- ·Offers joint degree programs including a JD/MBA and a JD/MPP, allowing students to combine legal training with business leadership or public policy.
- ·Known for fostering civil discourse and exposing students to diverse viewpoints across the legal and political spectrum.
Using this for your "Why George Mason 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 George Mason University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at George Mason University?▾
George Mason University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.93 and a median LSAT of 166. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.55–3.98 GPA and 158–167 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is George Mason University's acceptance rate?▾
George Mason University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 19.6%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does George Mason University offer?▾
George Mason University's notable clinical programs include: Supreme Court Clinic, Free Speech Clinic, Cybersecurity and AI Clinic, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS), Innovation Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does George Mason University publish?▾
George Mason University's notable student-edited journals include: George Mason Law Review, Civil Rights Law Journal, The Journal of Law, Economics & Policy, National Security Law Journal.
Where do George Mason University graduates work?▾
George Mason University graduates concentrate employment in Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does George Mason University admit?▾
George Mason University admitted 26 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, with a median 1L GPA of 3.36.
Schools similar to George Mason 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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Try Case Cub free →Sources (3) — verify any fact above
- https://www.lsac.org/choosing-law-school/george-mason-university-antonin-scalia-law-school
- https://www.law.gmu.edu/academics/clinics-externships-and-legal-practicum
- https://www.law.gmu.edu/academics/journals
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.