Why Seattle University?
Seattle University School of Law is a mission-driven institution deeply committed to social justice, offering a practice-based curriculum and a highly-ranked clinical program in the heart of a global city.
Seattle University is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 54.9%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.60 GPA and 157 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.22–3.80 GPA and 152–160 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 221 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Washington, Oregon, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Seattle University admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class. 11 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #128
- Median GPA
- 3.60
- 25th–75th: 3.22–3.80
- Median LSAT
- 157
- 25th–75th: 152–160
- Acceptance rate
- 54.9%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 221
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 4
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Seattle University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
11 1Ls transferred out of Seattle University in the same cycle — context for how portable Seattle University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Washington
- 2Oregon
- 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 Seattle University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Seattle University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Civil Rights ClinicStudents work on civil rights issues before state and federal appeals courts, engaging in amicus curiae and direct representation.
- Defender ClinicStudents represent clients in criminal defense matters, gaining practical experience in court.
- Immigrant Justice ClinicStudents provide legal aid to immigrants, often in underserved rural areas.
- Federal Tax ClinicStudents represent low-income taxpayers in disputes with the IRS.
- Housing Justice ClinicStudents work on issues related to housing rights and justice.
- Workers' Rights ClinicStudents assist clients with various employment and labor law issues.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Seattle University Law Review— Publishes high-quality legal scholarship on all topics, serving as the school's flagship journal.
- American Indian Law Journal— An academic collaboration focusing on rapidly developing Indian law.
- Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental & Innovation Law— Publishes articles on environmental, technology, and innovation law topics.
- Seattle Journal for Social Justice— Focuses on issues of social justice and equality.
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.
- Anthony E. VaronaContracts, Administrative and Public Law, Media Law, Sexuality and Gender Law, Intellectual Property, Criminal Law
- Dean SpadeTransgender Activism, Critical Trans Politics, Administrative Violence, Social Movements
- John B. KirkwoodAntitrust Law, Consumer Protection, Economic Regulation
- Mark ChinenInternational Law, International Governance, Contracts
- Angelique M. DavisConstitutional Law, Race & Law, Critical Race Theory, Political Science
- Mark VerstraeteTechnology Law, Ethics, Intellectual Property
- Philipp RenningerConstitutional Law, Administrative Law, Media Law, Comparative Legal Systems
- Elizabeth BaldwinLegal Writing, Immigrant and Refugee Legal Issues
- Melissa LeeCivil Rights, Critical Justice
- Jessica LevinCivil Rights, Critical Justice
- Zaida RiveraImmigrant Justice, Pro Bono Service
What makes Seattle University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Flex JD Program: A part-time hybrid-online JD program designed for working professionals.
- ·Jesuit Tradition: Infuses legal education with a sense of purpose and a drive for social justice.
- ·Access to Justice Institute (ATJI): Inspires students to pursue public service and advance justice.
- ·Technology, Innovation Law, and Ethics (TILE) Institute: Offers a comprehensive program in innovation law, intellectual property, and ethics.
- ·Hybrid Hubs: Innovative initiative to broaden access to legal education in underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest through local partnerships.
- ·Global Accelerated JD: A two-year JD program for foreign-trained lawyers.
Using this for your "Why Seattle 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 Seattle University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Seattle University?▾
Seattle University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.60 and a median LSAT of 157. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.22–3.80 GPA and 152–160 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Seattle University's acceptance rate?▾
Seattle University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 54.9%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Seattle University offer?▾
Seattle University's notable clinical programs include: Civil Rights Clinic, Defender Clinic, Immigrant Justice Clinic, Federal Tax Clinic, Housing Justice Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Seattle University publish?▾
Seattle University's notable student-edited journals include: Seattle University Law Review, American Indian Law Journal, Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental & Innovation Law, Seattle Journal for Social Justice.
Where do Seattle University graduates work?▾
Seattle University graduates concentrate employment in Washington, Oregon, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Seattle University admit?▾
Seattle University admitted 4 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to Seattle 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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