Why Indiana University - Indianapolis?
IU McKinney School of Law offers a dynamic urban legal education in Indiana's capital, emphasizing hands-on learning and a wide array of specialized programs, particularly in health law and international law.
Indiana University - Indianapolis is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 64.9%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.58 GPA and 154 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.33–3.82 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 227 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Indiana, Illinois, and Washington, DC — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Indiana University - Indianapolis admitted 5 transfer students into the 2L class. 1 1L transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #124
- Median GPA
- 3.58
- 25th–75th: 3.33–3.82
- Median LSAT
- 154
- 25th–75th: 151–158
- Acceptance rate
- 64.9%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 227
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 5
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Indiana University - Indianapolis admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
1 1L transferred out of Indiana University - Indianapolis in the same cycle — context for how portable Indiana University - Indianapolis's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Indiana
- 2Illinois
- 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 Indiana University - Indianapolis's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Indiana University - Indianapolis" essay where they align with your interests.
- Civil Practice ClinicStudents represent clients in a variety of civil matters, including domestic cases, housing, and consumer problems.
- Disability ClinicStudents represent school-age children with special needs and persons afflicted with HIV, Alzheimer's disease, and AIDS.
- Criminal Defense ClinicStudents represent clients in criminal cases involving misdemeanor or Class D felony charges.
- Immigration Law ClinicStudents represent both detained and non-detained clients in immigration matters before federal administrative agencies.
- Appellate Practice ClinicStudents represent indigent clients in civil or criminal appeals, handling all aspects of representation including oral arguments.
- Child Advocacy Law ClinicStudents work with Kids' Voice, a nonprofit agency, representing children's best interests as Guardians ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Indiana Law Review— Covers a broad range of legal topics and publishes four issues annually, including a widely acclaimed Survey of Recent Developments in Indiana Law.
- Indiana International & Comparative Law Review— Devoted to the study and analysis of current international legal issues and events.
- Indiana Health Law Review— Focuses on health care law and policy, publishing articles on bioethics, malpractice, managed care, and food and drug law.
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.
Dean
- Karen E. Bravo· also International Law
Clinical Professor of Law
- Joel M. Schumm· also Criminal Law, Appellate Procedure
- Fran Quigley· also Health Law, Human Rights
Law and State Government
- Cynthia A. Baker· also Health Law
Health Law
- Aila Hoss· also Federal Indian Law
- Jami Sayeed· also Administrative Law, Medicaid Law
- Renee Landers· also Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Privacy Law
Nonprofit Law
- Robert A. Katz· also Health Care Organizations, Bioethics
What makes Indiana University - Indianapolis distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Strategic location in downtown Indianapolis, offering unparalleled access to state courts, the legislature, government offices, and major law firms for externships.
- ·Offers nine joint-degree programs, including JD/MD, JD/MBA, JD/MPH, and JD/MSW, fostering interdisciplinary study.
- ·Features a Hybrid Part-Time J.D. Program, providing flexibility for students.
- ·Home to the Ruth Lilly Law Library, recognized as one of the largest research libraries in the country, staffed by librarians with dual J.D./M.L.S. degrees.
- ·Offers an interdisciplinary accelerated degree program blending sport management (Bachelor's) and foundational legal principles (Master of Jurisprudence).
Using this for your "Why Indiana University - Indianapolis" 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 Indiana University - Indianapolis
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Indiana University - Indianapolis?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.58 and a median LSAT of 154. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.33–3.82 GPA and 151–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Indiana University - Indianapolis's acceptance rate?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 64.9%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Indiana University - Indianapolis offer?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis's notable clinical programs include: Civil Practice Clinic, Disability Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, Immigration Law Clinic, Appellate Practice Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Indiana University - Indianapolis publish?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis's notable student-edited journals include: Indiana Law Review, Indiana International & Comparative Law Review, Indiana Health Law Review.
Where do Indiana University - Indianapolis graduates work?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis graduates concentrate employment in Indiana, Illinois, Washington, DC, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Indiana University - Indianapolis admit?▾
Indiana University - Indianapolis admitted 5 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Indiana University - Indianapolis
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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