Why Hofstra University?
Hofstra Law is recognized as a pioneer in integrating clinical education and was one of the first law schools to require Transnational Law, emphasizing practical skills and legal technology.
Hofstra University is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 44.7%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.65 GPA and 156 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.35–3.83 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 263 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Hofstra University admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class. 6 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #117
- Median GPA
- 3.65
- 25th–75th: 3.35–3.83
- Median LSAT
- 156
- 25th–75th: 151–158
- Acceptance rate
- 44.7%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 263
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 4
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Hofstra University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
6 1Ls transferred out of Hofstra University in the same cycle — context for how portable Hofstra University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1New York
- 2New Jersey
- 3Illinois
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 Hofstra University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Hofstra University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Asylum ClinicStudents represent asylum applicants seeking protection in the U.S.
- Community & Economic Development ClinicStudents provide legal services to non-profit organizations and small businesses.
- Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law ClinicOffers legal assistance to veterans, addressing a range of their legal needs.
- Deportation Defense ClinicStudents defend individuals facing deportation proceedings.
- Law Reform Advocacy ClinicStudents engage in advocacy for systemic legal change and policy reform.
- Hofstra-Northwell Medical Legal PartnershipProvides integrated legal and medical care to underserved community members.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Hofstra Law Review— General legal scholarship, the flagship law review.
- Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal— Scholarly articles on various aspects of labor and employment law.
- Journal of International Business and Law (JIBL)— Explores the intersection of business and law in the global marketplace.
- Family Court Review (FCR)— An international, interdisciplinary family law journal published in conjunction with the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
- ACTEC Law Journal— Published under the auspices of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
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.
Medical ethics
- Janet L. Dolgin· also bioethics, health care laws.
Ethics and professional regulation of tax practice.
- Linda Galler
Children's law
- Theo Liebmann· also ethics.
Judicial ethics
- James Sample· also election law.
Legal Ethics
- Ellen C. Yaroshefsky· also criminal justice.
Constitutional Law
- Robin Charlow· also religion and the law.
- Eric M. Freedman· also capital punishment.
- Julian Ku· also international law.
Family Law
- Andrew Schepard· also children's law.
Religion and the law
- Ronald J. Colombo· also corporate law.
What makes Hofstra University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·A pioneer in fully integrating clinical education into a traditional law school curriculum.
- ·One of the first law schools to require Transnational Law as a first-year course.
- ·Offers joint JD/MBA, JD/MPH, and JD/MALFL (forensic linguistics) degree programs.
- ·Features a Law, Logic, and Technology Research Laboratory and a technology capstone course.
- ·Provides study-abroad programs, including an ABA-approved field study in Cuba and programs in Pisa, Italy, and Curaçao.
- ·Located on a 244-acre university campus in suburban Long Island, offering a green setting with easy access to New York City.
Using this for your "Why Hofstra 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 Hofstra University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Hofstra University?▾
Hofstra University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.65 and a median LSAT of 156. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.35–3.83 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Hofstra University's acceptance rate?▾
Hofstra University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 44.7%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Hofstra University offer?▾
Hofstra University's notable clinical programs include: Asylum Clinic, Community & Economic Development Clinic, Robert W. Entenmann Veterans Law Clinic, Deportation Defense Clinic, Law Reform Advocacy Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Hofstra University publish?▾
Hofstra University's notable student-edited journals include: Hofstra Law Review, Hofstra Labor and Employment Law Journal, Journal of International Business and Law (JIBL), Family Court Review (FCR), ACTEC Law Journal.
Where do Hofstra University graduates work?▾
Hofstra University graduates concentrate employment in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Hofstra University admit?▾
Hofstra University admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Hofstra 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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