Why Mcgeorge School of Law?
McGeorge School of Law leverages its location in California's capital to offer distinctive programs in public law, international law, and advocacy, emphasizing experiential learning with guaranteed clinic or externship opportunities.
Mcgeorge School of Law is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 55.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.52 GPA and 155 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.17–3.73 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 175 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in California, Nevada, and Colorado — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the most recent older reporting cycle, Mcgeorge School of Law admitted 3 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #152
- Median GPA
- 3.52
- 25th–75th: 3.17–3.73
- Median LSAT
- 155
- 25th–75th: 152–157
- Acceptance rate
- 55.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 175
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1California
- 2Nevada
- 3Colorado
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 Mcgeorge School of Law's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Mcgeorge School of Law" essay where they align with your interests.
- Bankruptcy ClinicStudents represent clients in Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
- Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy ClinicStudents provide legal services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Elder and Health Law ClinicStudents address legal issues affecting elders, including abuse, probate, and estate planning.
- Federal Defender ClinicStudents handle bench and jury trials in federal court, one of only two such clinics nationally.
- Immigration Law ClinicStudents provide legal services to underserved non-citizens, including VAWA, U/T visas, SIJS, and asylum cases.
- Legislative and Public Policy ClinicStudents engage in legislative advocacy, drafting bills and influencing public policy.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- University of the Pacific Law Review— General legal scholarship, including domestic and international law symposiums and a review of California legislation (Greensheets).
- California Initiative Review— Analysis and commentary on California ballot measures.
- Pacific McGeorge Global Business & Development Law Journal— International law, focusing on transnational business and development 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.
- Michael Colatrella Jr.Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Linda CocoClinical Legal Education, Bankruptcy, Access to Justice
- Rachael SalcidoEnvironmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Ocean and Coastal Law
- Mike VitielloCriminal Law, Sentencing Policy, Marijuana Law
- Jarrod WongInternational Law, Arbitration, Dispute Resolution
- John SpranklingProperty Law, Environmental Law, Land Use
- Reza RezvaniTrial Advocacy, Legal Practice, Litigation Skills
- Ed TelfeyanLegal Writing, Appellate Advocacy, Trial Practice
- Rishi BatraAlternative Dispute Resolution
- Nicolas HeidornRedistricting, Campaign Finance, Government Ethics
What makes Mcgeorge School of Law distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Located in Sacramento, California's capital, providing unparalleled opportunities to engage with state government and public policy.
- ·Guarantees every student two clinic or externship experiences as part of its curriculum.
- ·Offers a distinctive two-year Global Lawyering Skills (GLS) program, an intensive legal writing and advocacy curriculum.
- ·Provides joint JD/MPP or JD/MPA degrees, being the only law school in the country to offer degrees in both law and policy.
- ·Hosts an International Legal Studies Program in Salzburg, Austria, where U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy taught for many years.
- ·Features three Centers of Distinction: the Capital Center for Law & Policy, the Eglet Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, and the Global Center.
Using this for your "Why Mcgeorge School of Law" 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 Mcgeorge School of Law
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Mcgeorge School of Law?▾
Mcgeorge School of Law's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.52 and a median LSAT of 155. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.17–3.73 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Mcgeorge School of Law's acceptance rate?▾
Mcgeorge School of Law's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 55.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Mcgeorge School of Law offer?▾
Mcgeorge School of Law's notable clinical programs include: Bankruptcy Clinic, Buccola Family Homeless Advocacy Clinic, Elder and Health Law Clinic, Federal Defender Clinic, Immigration Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Mcgeorge School of Law publish?▾
Mcgeorge School of Law's notable student-edited journals include: University of the Pacific Law Review, California Initiative Review, Pacific McGeorge Global Business & Development Law Journal.
Where do Mcgeorge School of Law graduates work?▾
Mcgeorge School of Law graduates concentrate employment in California, Nevada, Colorado, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to Mcgeorge School of Law
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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