Why Widener University-commonwealth?
Widener University Commonwealth Law School offers a practice-ready legal education in Pennsylvania's state capital, emphasizing experiential learning and specialized programs in areas like environmental law and government.
Widener University-commonwealth is a broadly accessible JD program with an acceptance rate of approximately 60.2%. The median entering 1L profile is a 3.33 GPA and 148 LSAT, with the 25th–75th percentile bands at 2.98–3.64 GPA and 146–152 LSAT. The full-time first-year class is approximately 142 students. Recent graduates have placed most heavily in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California — useful context if your geographic preference shapes your school list. In the most recent older reporting cycle, Widener University-commonwealth admitted 1 transfer students into the 2L class.
Specialty strengths
Class profile
- US News rank
- Unranked
- Not numerically ranked by US News
- Median GPA
- 3.33
- 25th–75th: 2.98–3.64
- Median LSAT
- 148
- 25th–75th: 146–152
- Acceptance rate
- 60.2%
- Class size (FT 1L)
- 142
- Transfers admitted (2025)
- 0
- ABA 2025 reporting cycle
Top employment markets
- 1Pennsylvania
- 2New Jersey
- 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 Widener University-commonwealth's practical training. Mention specific clinic names in your "Why Widener University-commonwealth" essay where they align with your interests.
- Administrative Law ClinicStudents represent clients in matters before administrative boards and agencies.
- Consumer Law ClinicStudents provide legal services to indigent clients with consumer-related legal problems.
- Elder Law ClinicStudents assist elderly clients with legal issues relevant to their needs.
- Family Justice ClinicStudents handle family law matters, often involving financial problems.
Notable journals
Student-edited publications you could write for or cite as a research interest.
- Widener Commonwealth Law Review— Wide range of topics including constitutional law, civil and criminal law, professional ethics, administrative law, and commercial law, with an annual survey of Pennsylvania Administrative 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.
Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Law
- andré douglas pond cummings· also Corporate Law, Entertainment Law, Race and Social Justice
Administrative Law/Regulation
- John L. Gedid· also Contract Law, Commercial Law, State Constitutional Law
Commercial Law
- Christian A. Johnson· also Bankruptcy, Secured Transactions
Business Formation
- Michael D.O. Rusco· also Sales Law & Commercial Transactions, Federal Indian Law
Administrative Law
- Jill E. Family· also Immigration Law
Legal Methods
- Rebecca Feldmann· also Legal Writing
- Anna P. Hemingway· also Legal Writing
Constitutional Law
- Michael R. Dimino, Sr.· also Election Law
Environmental Law
- John C. Dernbach· also Climate Change Law
What makes Widener University-commonwealth distinctive
Programs, history, or institutional features that set this school apart beyond rank.
- ·Located in Pennsylvania's state capital, offering unique access to government and legal institutions for externships and practical learning.
- ·Offers several certificate programs for in-depth study, including Administrative/Constitutional Law, Advocacy, Business Advising, Environmental Law, Government Contracting, and Legislation & Public Policy.
- ·Strong emphasis on practical learning through clinics, externships, and a practice-ready curriculum.
- ·Home to specialized centers of legal scholarship: the Law and Government Institute, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center, Business Advising Program, and Center for Equity and Justice.
Using this for your "Why Widener University-commonwealth" 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 Widener University-commonwealth
What is the median GPA and LSAT at Widener University-commonwealth?▾
Widener University-commonwealth's most recent entering 1L class had a median GPA of 3.33 and a median LSAT of 148. The 25th–75th percentile range was 2.98–3.64 GPA and 146–152 LSAT. Per ABA 509 disclosures.
What is Widener University-commonwealth's acceptance rate?▾
Widener University-commonwealth's most recent reported acceptance rate was approximately 60.2%, per ABA 509 disclosures.
What clinics does Widener University-commonwealth offer?▾
Widener University-commonwealth's notable clinical programs include: Administrative Law Clinic, Consumer Law Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, Family Justice Clinic. Visit the school's official clinical programs page for the full list.
What journals does Widener University-commonwealth publish?▾
Widener University-commonwealth's notable student-edited journals include: Widener Commonwealth Law Review.
Where do Widener University-commonwealth graduates work?▾
Widener University-commonwealth graduates concentrate employment in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, per the school's most recent ABA 509 employment summary.
Schools similar to Widener University-commonwealth
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://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/practical-learning-opportunities/law-clinic/
- https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/journals-and-publications/
- https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-expertise/
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.