Why Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt Law is known for its rigorous academic programs in a collaborative and supportive environment, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and interdisciplinary study.
Vanderbilt University is a highly selective JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 14.5%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.91 GPA and 170 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 3.77–3.97 GPA and 163–170 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 155 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in New York, Washington, DC, and Texas — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, Vanderbilt University admitted 13 transfer students into the 2L class, with a median 1L GPA of 3.43 (25th–75th percentile: 3.31–3.49). 2 1Ls transferred out.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- #12
- Median GPA
- 3.91
- 25th–75th: 3.77–3.97
- Median LSAT
- 170
- 25th–75th: 163–170
- Acceptance rate
- 14.5%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 155
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 13
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
2025 transfer admit profile
Actual GPAs of students Vanderbilt University admitted as transfers in the 2025 ABA cycle.
- 25th percentile
- 3.31
- Bottom quartile
- Median
- 3.43
- 50th percentile
- 75th percentile
- 3.49
- Top quartile
2 1Ls transferred out of Vanderbilt University in the same cycle — context for how portable Vanderbilt University's 1L credit is among admissions committees elsewhere.
Top employment markets
- 1New York
- 2Washington, DC
- 3Texas
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 Vanderbilt University's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Vanderbilt University" essay where they align with your interests.
- Criminal Practice ClinicStudents represent clients in criminal cases, gaining hands-on litigation experience.
- Stanton Foundation First Amendment ClinicStudents work on cases involving freedom of speech, press, and religion.
- Housing Law ClinicStudents provide legal assistance to individuals facing housing challenges.
- Immigration Practice ClinicStudents represent immigrants in various legal proceedings.
- Intellectual Property & the Arts ClinicStudents assist clients with intellectual property and arts-related legal matters.
- Turner Family Community Enterprise ClinicStudents provide transactional legal services to small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Vanderbilt Law Review— Flagship academic journal publishing general legal scholarship.
- Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law— Focuses on current and emerging issues in comparative and international law.
- Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law (JETLaw)— Explores the intersection of entertainment, technology, and law.
- Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter— Dedicated to social justice issues and legal scholarship with a social equity mission.
- Environmental Law Policy Annual Review— Reviews and analyzes developments in 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.
- Chris GuthrieBehavioral Law and Economics, Dispute Resolution, Judicial Decision-Making
- Christopher SloboginCriminal Procedure, Mental Health Law, Evidence
- Michael NewtonTerrorism, Accountability, Transnational Justice
- Brian BroughmanCorporate Governance, Financial Contracting, Venture Capital
- Amanda RoseCorporate and Securities Law, Enforcement Regimes
- Ganesh SitaramanConstitutional Law, Public Law, Political Economy
- Daniel J. GervaisIntellectual Property Law
- Owen D. JonesLaw, Brain, and Behavior
- Terry A. MaroneyJudicial Decision-Making, Emotion and Law, Mental Health Law
- Robert MikosFederalism, Drug Law, Health Law
What makes Vanderbilt University distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·A deliberately small class size fostering a close-knit, collaborative community and exceptional faculty access.
- ·Extensive experiential learning opportunities through eight legal clinics, externships, and pro bono programs.
- ·A wide array of interdisciplinary programs and dual degrees, including J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.S. Finance, J.D./M.D., and a Ph.D. in Law & Economics.
- ·The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, focusing on cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation.
- ·The Weaver Program in Law, Brain Sciences, and Behavior, exploring the intersection of law and neuroscience.
Using this for your "Why Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt University
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Vanderbilt University?▾
Vanderbilt University's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.91 and a median LSAT of 170. The 25th–75th percentile range was 3.77–3.97 GPA and 163–170 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Vanderbilt University's acceptance rate?▾
Vanderbilt University's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 14.5%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Vanderbilt University offer?▾
Vanderbilt University's notable clinical programs include: Criminal Practice Clinic, Stanton Foundation First Amendment Clinic, Housing Law Clinic, Immigration Practice Clinic, Intellectual Property & the Arts Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Vanderbilt University publish?▾
Vanderbilt University's notable student-edited journals include: Vanderbilt Law Review, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law (JETLaw), Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter, Environmental Law Policy Annual Review.
Where do Vanderbilt University graduates work?▾
Vanderbilt University graduates concentrate employment in New York, Washington, DC, Texas, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
How many transfer students does Vanderbilt University admit?▾
Vanderbilt University admitted 13 transfer students into the 2L class in the 2025 ABA reporting cycle, with a median 1L GPA of 3.43.
Schools similar to Vanderbilt 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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Try Case Cub free →Sources (3) — verify any fact above
- https://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/programs/
- https://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/experiential-learning/clinics/
- https://law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/publications/
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.