Why Louisiana State University?
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center offers a unique bijural curriculum, integrating both civil and common law, culminating in an optional Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law alongside the Juris Doctor.
Louisiana State University is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 52.5%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.74 GPA and 157 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.48–3.93 GPA and 154–159 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 208 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Louisiana, Texas, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Louisiana State University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #85
- Median GPA
- 3.74
- 25th–75th: 3.48–3.93
- Median LSAT
- 157
- 25th–75th: 154–159
- Acceptance rate
- 52.5%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 208
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 1
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Louisiana State University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
Top employment markets
- 1Louisiana
- 2Texas
- 3California
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 Louisiana State University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Louisiana State University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Immigration ClinicStudents represent individuals in immigration matters through administrative processes and proceedings.
- Appellate and Parole Advocacy ClinicStudents assist prisoners with parole and pardon matters and collateral legal issues for reentry.
- Juvenile Defense ClinicStudents defend local youth in juvenile court delinquency proceedings.
- Prosecution ClinicStudents serve as special assistant district attorneys, assisting with felony matters and prosecuting misdemeanors.
- Small Business and Community Development ClinicStudents represent small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations with non-litigation needs.
- Wrongful Conviction ClinicStudents assist life-sentenced, potentially innocent incarcerated clients with investigating and litigating applications for post-conviction DNA testing.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Louisiana Law Review— Louisiana's flagship legal journal, a forum for comparative and civil law scholarship.
- Journal of Civil Law Studies— An online, peer-reviewed, and student-edited periodical focusing on civil law globally and its relationship with other legal systems.
- LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources— Focuses on legal issues related to energy and natural resources.
- LSU Law Journal for Social Justice & Policy— Promotes discussion of issues relating to social justice and public policy.
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 and Professor of Law
- Alena M. Allen
Constitutional Law
- Caprice Roberts· also Interim Dean
- Raymond T. Diamond· also Antitrust Law, U.S. Criminal Law
Energy Law
- Keith Hall· also Mineral Law, Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization (CCUS)
Civil Law
- Andrea B. Carroll· also Property Law
- Oliver P. Moréteau· also Comparative Law
Environmental
- Ryan Stoa· also Energy, and Natural Resources Law, Cannabis Regulation
Transactional Law
- Jordan Engelhart· also Small Business and Community Development
Administrative Law
- Nicholas S. Bryner
Constitutional Criminal Procedure
- Lisa Avalos· also U.S. Criminal Law
What makes Louisiana State University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Offers a Juris Doctor and an optional Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law, reflecting its bijural curriculum in common and civil law.
- ·Houses the John P. Laborde Energy Law Center, the first such center in Louisiana, focusing on comprehensive instruction and research in energy law.
- ·Features a Center of Civil Law Studies, encouraging international and comparative legal studies.
- ·Provides a study abroad program in Lyon, France, for students interested in international legal systems.
- ·Offers various dual degree programs, including JD/MBA, JD/MMC, JD/MPA, JD/MS in Finance, and JD/MSW.
Using this for your "Why Louisiana State 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 Louisiana State University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Louisiana State University?▾
Louisiana State University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.74 and a median LSAT of 157. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.48–3.93 GPA and 154–159 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Louisiana State University's acceptance rate?▾
Louisiana State University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 52.5%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Louisiana State University offer?▾
Louisiana State University's notable clinical programs include: Immigration Clinic, Appellate and Parole Advocacy Clinic, Juvenile Defense Clinic, Prosecution Clinic, Small Business and Community Development Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Louisiana State University publish?▾
Louisiana State University's notable student-edited journals include: Louisiana Law Review, Journal of Civil Law Studies, LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources, LSU Law Journal for Social Justice & Policy.
Where do Louisiana State University graduates work?▾
Louisiana State University graduates concentrate employment in Louisiana, Texas, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Louisiana State University admit?▾
Louisiana State University admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Louisiana State 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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