Why Nova Southeastern University?
Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law emphasizes practical experience through guaranteed live-client opportunities and a robust simulation program, preparing students for immediate legal practice.
Nova Southeastern University is a less selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 33.4%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.52 GPA and 153 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.34–3.71 GPA and 150–155 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 221 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Florida, Georgia, and Illinois — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the most recent older reporting cycle, Nova Southeastern University admitted 7 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- Unranked
- Not numerically ranked by US News
- Median GPA
- 3.52
- 25th–75th: 3.34–3.71
- Median LSAT
- 153
- 25th–75th: 150–155
- Acceptance rate
- 33.4%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 221
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Florida
- 2Georgia
- 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 Nova Southeastern University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Nova Southeastern University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law ClinicProvides legal services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Children and Families ClinicOffers legal representation in cases involving children and families, including international child abduction.
- Dispute Resolution ClinicStudents gain experience in mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes.
- Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law ClinicAssists entrepreneurs and small businesses with legal needs.
- Veterans Law ClinicProvides pro bono legal assistance to U.S. veterans and military personnel.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Nova Law Review— Publishes scholarly articles on timely issues of law and policy, including a Florida-specific book and symposium book.
- ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law— Focuses on scholarly work affecting the global community in international and comparative law.
- Journal of International Law and Comparative Studies— Dedicated to advancing scholarship in international and comparative law, with a commitment to bilingual (English and Spanish) publication.
- NSU Undergraduate Law Journal— Provides a platform for undergraduate students to explore scholarship interests and hone legal skills.
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.
Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Robert Jarvis· also Gambling Law, Sports Law, Legal Ethics
Environmental Law
- Joel Mintz· also Environmental Enforcement, Land Use Planning
Health Law
- Kathy Cerminara· also Bioethics, Patients' Rights in End-of-Life Decision-Making
Family Law
- Timothy Arcaro· also International Family Law, Domestic Violence Law
Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Fran Tetunic· also Mediation, Elder Law
Tax Law
- Elena Marty-Nelson· also Property Law, Wills and Trusts
Contracts
- Debra Moss Vollweiler· also Uniform Commercial Code, Professionalism, Legal Education
Property
- Michele Struffolino· also Professional Responsibility, Family Law, Constitutional Law
What makes Nova Southeastern University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Guaranteed live-client experience or field placement for every student.
- ·Comprehensive simulation program for practical legal training.
- ·Extensive dual-degree opportunities, including JD/MBA, JD/MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, and international dual degrees with European universities.
- ·Critical Skills Program designed to prepare students for the Bar Exam and the realities of legal practice.
- ·Technologically advanced facilities, including two on-campus courtrooms outfitted with modern technology.
Using this for your "Why Nova Southeastern 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 Nova Southeastern University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Nova Southeastern University?▾
Nova Southeastern University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.52 and a median LSAT of 153. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.34–3.71 GPA and 150–155 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Nova Southeastern University's acceptance rate?▾
Nova Southeastern University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 33.4%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Nova Southeastern University offer?▾
Nova Southeastern University's notable clinical programs include: Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Clinic, Children and Families Clinic, Dispute Resolution Clinic, Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic, Veterans Law Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Nova Southeastern University publish?▾
Nova Southeastern University's notable student-edited journals include: Nova Law Review, ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law, Journal of International Law and Comparative Studies, NSU Undergraduate Law Journal.
Where do Nova Southeastern University graduates work?▾
Nova Southeastern University graduates concentrate employment in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to Nova Southeastern 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://law.nova.edu/academics/jd-program/clinical-programs.html
- https://law.nova.edu/students/student-organizations/journals.html
- https://law.nova.edu/faculty-staff/people-directory.html
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.