Why Samford University?
Samford University's Cumberland School of Law is nationally recognized for its rigorous practical skills training, particularly in trial advocacy, and fosters a supportive, collegial learning environment.
Samford University is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 62.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.63 GPA and 155 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.42–3.84 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 146 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Samford University admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #122
- Median GPA
- 3.63
- 25th–75th: 3.42–3.84
- Median LSAT
- 155
- 25th–75th: 152–157
- Acceptance rate
- 62.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 146
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 2
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Samford University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
5 1Ls transferred out of Samford University in the same cycle — context for how portable Samford University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Alabama
- 2Tennessee
- 3Florida
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 Samford University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Samford University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Cooney Contracts and Risk Management ClinicStudents work on contract drafting and risk assessment in partnership with a global insurance brokerage.
- Cumberland Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (C-VETS)Provides legal assistance to veterans and their families in civil and some criminal matters.
- Medical-Legal Partnership ClinicStudents collaborate with physicians and social workers at UAB Hospital to address patients' legal needs.
- Innocence ClinicStudents review innocence claims, analyzing legal records and identifying overlooked facts in old cases.
- Immigration Advocacy ClinicStudents provide legal assistance in various immigration-related matters.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Cumberland Law Review— Traditional law review focusing on legal issues and changes in the law, both locally and nationally.
- American Journal of Trial Advocacy— The nation's oldest law review dedicated to the art of trial advocacy, publishing practical scholarship on pre-trial, trial, and appellate tactics.
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.
Tax Law
- Tracey Roberts
Legal Research and Writing
- Robin W. Andrews
Criminal Law (Adjunct
- Michael Billingsley· also U.S. Attorney's Office)
- J.B. Ward· also U.S. Attorney's Office)
Federal Procedure (Adjunct
- Hon. Nicholas Danella· also U.S. Magistrate Judge)
Civil Litigation (Adjunct)
- Annesley H. DeGaris
Legislative Affairs (Adjunct)
- Robert L. McCurley Jr.
Health Law (Adjunct
- Cynthia Ransburg-Brown· also UAB Office of Counsel)
What makes Samford University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Nationally recognized for Trial Advocacy, ranked #9 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
- ·Offers eight joint degree paths, allowing students to combine a JD with other graduate degrees.
- ·Home to the Center for Children, Law & Ethics and the Land Use & Natural Resources Law Center, which advance justice and shape policy.
- ·Provides a 3+3 accelerated program, enabling qualified students to earn a bachelor's and JD in six years.
- ·Offers online Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degrees with specialized concentrations in regulatory compliance.
Using this for your "Why Samford 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 Samford University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Samford University?▾
Samford University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.63 and a median LSAT of 155. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.42–3.84 GPA and 152–157 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Samford University's acceptance rate?▾
Samford University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 62.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Samford University offer?▾
Samford University's notable clinical programs include: Cooney Contracts and Risk Management Clinic, Cumberland Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic (C-VETS), Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, Innocence Clinic, Immigration Advocacy Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Samford University publish?▾
Samford University's notable student-edited journals include: Cumberland Law Review, American Journal of Trial Advocacy.
Where do Samford University graduates work?▾
Samford University graduates concentrate employment in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Samford University admit?▾
Samford University admitted 2 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Samford 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 (4) — verify any fact above
- https://www.samford.edu/law/
- https://www.samford.edu/law/clinics
- https://www.samford.edu/law/journals
- https://www.samford.edu/law/faculty-staff
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.