Why University of Arkansas, Fayetteville?
The University of Arkansas School of Law is home to the nation's first LL.M. program in agricultural and food law, offering a unique focus on the legal aspects of the food system from farm to fork.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is a moderately selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 41.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.71 GPA and 156 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.54–3.87 GPA and 153–158 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 122 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the most recent older reporting cycle, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville admitted 1 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #100
- Median GPA
- 3.71
- 25th–75th: 3.54–3.87
- Median LSAT
- 156
- 25th–75th: 153–158
- Acceptance rate
- 41.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 122
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Arkansas
- 2Texas
- 3Missouri
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 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Arkansas, Fayetteville" essay where they align with your interests.
- Civil Litigation and Advocacy ClinicRepresents low-income clients in civil matters, including unpaid wages and unemployment benefit appeals.
- Criminal Practice ClinicProvides students with hands-on experience in criminal defense.
- Human Trafficking ClinicFocuses on labor exploitation and enforcement of the rights of low-wage workers, including human trafficking matters.
- Immigration ClinicOffers pro bono representation and legal assistance to immigrants in the local community.
- Community and Rural Enterprise Development ClinicAssists non-profit organizations with organizational legal issues and business transactions.
- Bankruptcy ClinicProvides legal services in bankruptcy matters.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Arkansas Law Review— Publishes scholarly articles on state, national, and international legal issues.
- Journal of Food Law & Policy— The nation's first student-edited legal journal devoted to the study of food law and its impact on society.
- Arkansas Law Notes— An online publication featuring short essays and responses on current Arkansas and national legal 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.
- Uché Ewelukwa OfodileIntellectual Property Law, International Law, Food Law, Technology and the Law.
- Susan SchneiderAgricultural and Food Law.
- Annie SmithLabor Exploitation, Human Trafficking, Civil Litigation.
- Will FosterTax Law, Business Law, Transactional Matters, Trusts & Estates.
- Carol GoforthBusiness Associations, Securities Regulation, Cryptoasset Regulation.
- Robert AndersonCorporate and Securities Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Empirical Legal Studies.
- Carl CircoConstruction Law, Real Estate Transactions, Property.
- Sarah CravensJudicial Ethics, Professional Responsibility, Legal Ethics.
- Jordan Blair WoodsCriminal Law & Procedure, Law & Sexuality, Family Law, Legal Ethics.
- John ThorlinConstitutional Law, National Security, Antitrust, Legislation.
What makes University of Arkansas, Fayetteville distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Home to the nation's first LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law, which also offers a fully integrated distance education option.
- ·The Legal Clinic, established in 1975, was first directed by then-professor Hillary Rodham Clinton.
- ·Offers specialized certificate programs in Criminal Law and Business Law, and four dual degree programs.
- ·Consistently ranked among the 'Best Values in Legal Education' by National Jurist magazine.
- ·The Robert A. Leflar Law Center is a self-contained facility with a courtroom, classrooms, and the Young Law Library, which includes a coffee shop and computer lab.
Using this for your "Why University of Arkansas, Fayetteville" 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 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville?▾
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.71 and a median LSAT of 156. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.54–3.87 GPA and 153–158 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's acceptance rate?▾
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 41.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Arkansas, Fayetteville offer?▾
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's notable clinical programs include: Civil Litigation and Advocacy Clinic, Criminal Practice Clinic, Human Trafficking Clinic, Immigration Clinic, Community and Rural Enterprise Development Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Arkansas, Fayetteville publish?▾
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's notable student-edited journals include: Arkansas Law Review, Journal of Food Law & Policy, Arkansas Law Notes.
Where do University of Arkansas, Fayetteville graduates work?▾
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville graduates concentrate employment in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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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