Why University of Utah?
The S.J. Quinney College of Law is distinguished by its commitment to public service, environmental stewardship, and a student-centric approach, offering robust interdisciplinary programs and experiential learning in a unique location with access to both urban and outdoor environments.
University of Utah is a selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 31.9%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.87 GPA and 163 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.62–3.94 GPA and 158–164 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 96 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Utah, California, and Virginia — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Utah admitted 3 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #44
- Median GPA
- 3.87
- 25th–75th: 3.62–3.94
- Median LSAT
- 163
- 25th–75th: 158–164
- Acceptance rate
- 31.9%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 96
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 3
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Utah admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- —
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
Top employment markets
- 1Utah
- 2California
- 3Virginia
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 Utah's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Utah" essay where they align with your interests.
- Environmental Justice ClinicPartners with Indigenous and other communities in Utah and the southwest to advance environmental justice.
- Intellectual Property ClinicAssists entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and small businesses with trademark and patent applications.
- Refugee Law ClinicOffers students the opportunity to represent refugees and other immigrants seeking protection.
- Post-Conviction ClinicStudents investigate and litigate cases where clients claim innocence or constitutional rights violations after conviction.
- Mental Health Legal ClinicProvides legal assistance related to mental health issues.
- International Law ClinicEngages students in various international legal projects and advocacy.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Utah Law Review— Publishes scholarly articles on legal issues of national and international importance, including environmental and social justice 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.
- Elizabeth Kronk WarnerNative American Law, Environmental Law
- Brigham DanielsEnvironmental Law, Climate Change
- Daniel AaronHealth Law, Food and Drug Law, Administrative Law
- Teneille BrownLaw and Biosciences, Mental Health, Evidence
- Leslie FrancisBioethics, Health Law, Disability Law, Privacy
- Jorge ContrerasIntellectual Property, Technology Law, Genetics and Law
- Nancy McLaughlinProperty Law, Conservation Easements
- Paul CassellCriminal Law, Victims' Rights
- RonNell Andersen JonesConstitutional Law, First Amendment, Media Law
- Jonas AndersonIntellectual Property, Patent Law
What makes University of Utah distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Home to the Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources, and the Environment, a nationally recognized environmental law program.
- ·Offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree specializing in Environmental and Natural Resources Law.
- ·Provides a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree, available in both on-campus and online formats, for professionals without a prior legal degree.
- ·The law school building is LEED Platinum certified, featuring sustainable design elements like a greywater reuse system and a rooftop terrace with solar panels.
- ·Offers several JD Certificates of Specialization, including Business Law, Criminal Law, Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Intellectual Property, International Law, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Public Interest Law and Policy.
- ·Maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio, fostering a tight-knit and supportive community.
Using this for your "Why University of Utah" 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 Utah
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Utah?▾
University of Utah's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.87 and a median LSAT of 163. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.62–3.94 GPA and 158–164 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Utah's acceptance rate?▾
University of Utah's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 31.9%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Utah offer?▾
University of Utah's notable clinical programs include: Environmental Justice Clinic, Intellectual Property Clinic, Refugee Law Clinic, Post-Conviction Clinic, Mental Health Legal Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Utah publish?▾
University of Utah's notable student-edited journals include: Utah Law Review.
Where do University of Utah graduates work?▾
University of Utah graduates concentrate employment in Utah, California, Virginia, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Utah admit?▾
University of Utah admitted 3 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to University of Utah
Other schools at a comparable rank tier — useful for building a transfer list, balanced 0L application list, or essay-research shortlist.
About to start at University of Utah?
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Try Case Cub free →Sources (11) — verify any fact above
- https://www.law.utah.edu/clinics/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/faculty/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/research-centers-and-programs/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/degree-programs/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/jd-certificates-of-specialization/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/about-our-building/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/news/college-of-law-to-open-ip-clinic-in-spring-2026/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/research/faculty-highlights/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/faculty-directory/
- https://www.law.utah.edu/journals/utah-law-review/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.J._Quinney_College_of_Law
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.