Why University of Washington?
The University of Washington School of Law is distinctive for its interdisciplinary programs, global impact, and commitment to training lawyer-leaders, particularly in areas like technology, health, and Native American law.
University of Washington is a selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 30.3%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.76 GPA and 164 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.60–3.86 GPA and 160–166 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 181 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Washington, Alaska, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Washington admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #52
- Median GPA
- 3.76
- 25th–75th: 3.60–3.86
- Median LSAT
- 164
- 25th–75th: 160–166
- Acceptance rate
- 30.3%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 181
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 1
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Washington 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 University of Washington in the same cycle — context for how portable University of Washington's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Washington
- 2Alaska
- 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 University of Washington's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Washington" essay where they align with your interests.
- Tribal Court ClinicThis clinic provides tribal public defender services and is a national model.
- Technology Law and Public Policy ClinicStudents work on emerging issues at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy.
- Civil Rights and Justice ClinicStudents engage in litigation and advocacy to advance civil rights and justice.
- Entrepreneurial Law ClinicStudents advise entrepreneurs and companies on legal matters.
- Regulatory Environmental Law & Policy ClinicStudents work on environmental law and policy development.
- Immigration Law ClinicThis clinic offers legal support to immigrants and provides practical social justice experience.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Washington Law Review— Washington state's flagship legal publication, covering diverse legal and geographical terrain.
- Washington International Law Journal— Publishes global perspectives on international legal issues, with a particular focus on the Pacific Rim.
- Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts— Publishes concise legal analysis for practicing attorneys on emerging issues in business and technology.
- Washington Journal of Social & Environmental Justice— Examines how communities interact with each other and the environment to highlight injustice.
- Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy— Focuses on environmental law and policy.
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.
Emerging Technology
- Ryan Calo· also Privacy, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence
AI and Machine Learning Ethics
- Jevan Hutson· also Law and Policy, Privacy, Security, Data Ethics
Disability Law
- Elizabeth Pendo· also Health Law and Policy, Bioethics and the Law, Americans with Disabilities Act
Environmental Law
- Sanne H. Knudsen
Race
- Jeremiah Chin· also Law, Indigeneity, Constitutional Law, Children's Rights
Legal Research
- Alena Wolotira· also U.S. Law Journal Practices, Legislative History
Estate Planning and Taxes
- Karen Boxx· also Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Law and Economics
- Steve Calandrillo· also Torts, Intellectual Property
What makes University of Washington distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Distinctive interdisciplinary programs such as the Tech Policy Lab, Center for an Informed Public, and Health Law & Policy Program.
- ·Guaranteed live-client learning experience for all J.D. students through clinics or externships.
- ·Strong global legal impact amplified by institutes like the Global Business Law Institute, Barer Institute, Native American Law Center, and Asian Law Center.
- ·Nationally recognized Law Librarianship Program, rated #1 in the nation.
- ·The William H. Gates Public Service Law Program serves as a central hub for public service and public interest law.
- ·Location in Seattle, enabling unique partnerships with the innovation sector and offering immersive learning opportunities.
Using this for your "Why University of Washington" 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 Washington
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Washington?▾
University of Washington's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.76 and a median LSAT of 164. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.60–3.86 GPA and 160–166 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Washington's acceptance rate?▾
University of Washington's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 30.3%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Washington offer?▾
University of Washington's notable clinical programs include: Tribal Court Clinic, Technology Law and Public Policy Clinic, Civil Rights and Justice Clinic, Entrepreneurial Law Clinic, Regulatory Environmental Law & Policy Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Washington publish?▾
University of Washington's notable student-edited journals include: Washington Law Review, Washington International Law Journal, Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts, Washington Journal of Social & Environmental Justice, Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy.
Where do University of Washington graduates work?▾
University of Washington graduates concentrate employment in Washington, Alaska, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Washington admit?▾
University of Washington admitted 1 transfer student into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle.
Schools similar to University of Washington
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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