Why University of Wisconsin?
The University of Wisconsin Law School is distinguished by its 'law-in-action' philosophy, emphasizing the practical application of legal rules and their societal impact.
University of Wisconsin is a very selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 35.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.81 GPA and 165 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.61–3.93 GPA and 157–167 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 242 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Washington, DC — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, University of Wisconsin admitted 9 transfer students into the 2L class, with a median 1L GPA of 3.37. 5 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- Unranked
- Not numerically ranked by US News
- Median GPA
- 3.81
- 25th–75th: 3.61–3.93
- Median LSAT
- 165
- 25th–75th: 157–167
- Acceptance rate
- 35.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 242
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 9
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students University of Wisconsin admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
- Median
- 3.37
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- —
- Suppressed (small cohort)
5 1Ls transferred out of University of Wisconsin in the same cycle — context for how portable University of Wisconsin's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1Wisconsin
- 2Illinois
- 3Washington, DC
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 Wisconsin's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why University of Wisconsin" essay where they align with your interests.
- Frank J. Remington CenterHouses several prison-based clinics and public defender/prosecution externships, focusing on criminal law practice.
- Law & Entrepreneurship ClinicProvides free legal services to nascent entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through student work.
- Neighborhood Law ClinicOffers legal services in rental housing, public benefits, unpaid worker, and discrimination cases.
- Center for Patient PartnershipsAn interdisciplinary clinic where students advocate for people with life-threatening illnesses navigating the healthcare system.
- Immigrant Justice CenterFocuses on providing legal assistance and advocacy for immigrant communities.
- Family Court ClinicProvides legal services to clients in family court matters.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Wisconsin Law Review— Student-run journal of legal analysis and commentary on contemporary legal topics.
- Wisconsin International Law Journal— Publishes scholarly and practical articles in various areas of international law.
- Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society— Examines the intersection of law and gender with issues of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
- Wisconsin Journal of Environmental Law— Focuses on scholarship and developments in environmental law.
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.
- Anuj DesaiConstitutional Law, First Amendment
- Asifa Quraishi-LandesConstitutional Law, Islamic Law
- Heinz KlugComparative Law, Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, International Law
- Mitra SharafiLegal History, Forensic Science and Law
- Kate FinleyCriminal Law, Prison Law, Second Look Laws
- Sumudu AtapattuInternational Environmental Law, Climate Change, Human Rights
- Jason YackeeInternational Law, Administrative Law
- Erin M. BarbatoImmigrant Justice
- Ion MeynCriminal Justice
- Emily CaubleTax Law
What makes University of Wisconsin distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Diploma Privilege, allowing graduates to be admitted to the Wisconsin bar without taking the bar examination upon meeting certain requirements.
- ·A foundational 'Law in Action' philosophy that emphasizes the practical operation of law in society.
- ·One of the largest clinical programs in the country, offering extensive hands-on experience.
- ·Interdisciplinary certificate programs in areas like Entrepreneurship, Strategic Innovation, and Business, Environment & Social Responsibility.
- ·Robust dual degree opportunities with various departments across the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
- ·Location in Madison, the state capital, providing unique access to state government, courts, and non-profit organizations.
Using this for your "Why University of Wisconsin" 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 Wisconsin
What is the median GPA and LSAT at University of Wisconsin?▾
University of Wisconsin's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.81 and a median LSAT of 165. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.61–3.93 GPA and 157–167 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is University of Wisconsin's acceptance rate?▾
University of Wisconsin's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 35.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does University of Wisconsin offer?▾
University of Wisconsin's notable clinical programs include: Frank J. Remington Center, Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, Neighborhood Law Clinic, Center for Patient Partnerships, Immigrant Justice Center. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does University of Wisconsin publish?▾
University of Wisconsin's notable student-edited journals include: Wisconsin Law Review, Wisconsin International Law Journal, Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society, Wisconsin Journal of Environmental Law.
Where do University of Wisconsin graduates work?▾
University of Wisconsin graduates concentrate employment in Wisconsin, Illinois, Washington, DC, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does University of Wisconsin admit?▾
University of Wisconsin admitted 9 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, with a median 1L GPA of 3.37.
Schools similar to University of Wisconsin
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 (6) — verify any fact above
- https://law.wisc.edu/clinics/
- https://law.wisc.edu/journals/
- https://law.wisc.edu/faculty/
- https://law.wisc.edu/academics/curriculum/jd/certificates-concentrations.html
- https://law.wisc.edu/admissions/why-wisconsin.html
- https://law.wisc.edu/academics/curriculum/jd/dual-degrees.html
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.