Fordham University - School of Law

Fordham University's School of Law is a service-oriented institution that stresses academic excellence and “expects professionalism and collegiality from the get-go.” The school offers the option of five concentrations along with the guaranteed opportunity to participate in either an in-house clinic or externship prior to graduation, so there is a “heavy emphasis on practical skills and work experience.” With 18 clinics, including Corporate Social Responsibility, Presidential Succession, and Securities Litigation and Arbitration, students have access to seminars and realistic casework for academic credit. Externships are both plentiful and available to all, and students can either find their own placements based upon interests, or they can apply to one of the school's three Focused Externship programs, which place students in settings involving the New York City Council, Housing Litigation, or Government Civil Litigation. Situated in a locale with such strong city ties, Fordham Law “is extremely busy with events,” including “multiple journals wanting to run symposia and colloquia, a competitive mock trial team and an active trial advocacy team.” Rest assured that the school “is large enough that you can find a niche whether that be the federalist society or public interest.” As far as professional connections go, the school's 21,000-strong alumni network hold positions in top law firms, DA's offices, and corporate law departments around the country, so it's one of the school's greatest strengths: “I can't stress how much it has already helped me meet individuals that I likely would not have had an opportunity to meet prior to enrolling,” says a student.

Professors at Fordham Law are “extremely impressive and come from a wide array of backgrounds.” Additionally, “many of them wrote the casebooks” used in class, so they are “invaluable in gaining insight, advice, and [thinking] through opportunities as they come along,” including choosing between job opportunities and internship positions. With their presence on campus, the faculty ensure “there is always someone to turn to if you have a question or are anxious about school, life, or have any other issues.” Plus, they “are very accommodating to working students in the evening program.” One student shares, “I was blown away by how engaged and involved my professors have been.” The school is housed in a new state-of-the-art building which has a “productive and inviting” environment, and the school's online resources are “easy … to utilize and take advantage of.” The library “is bright with many windows and views of Lincoln Center,” and the school “is great at communicating about resources available to students with respect to academics, career counseling, [and] internship/externship opportunities.” Additionally, Student Affairs “does a great job with putting 1Ls in touch with 2 and 3Ls who have gone through the rigors of law school already and can offer advice and answer questions.”

“There is a large pool of talented, smart, passionate, and socially intelligent people at Fordham,” all of whom “generally respect each other and are friendly regardless of gender, religion, race, or political leanings.” Since people here “genuinely care about each other and want each other to succeed,” they “all help each other out” by sharing notes and outlines. Overall, there is “a sense of mutual motivation amongst the student body.” They “bring an incredible range of professional and personal backgrounds, which makes for engaging and insightful classroom discussions.” Though some students comment on the “weak racial diversity,” the school is “a very politically conscious and active campus that fights internally and externally for social justice.” That might be thanks to the fact that “Fordham's location is excellent,” which also means you have “all the resources of New York City at your fingertips.” The central location is also a draw for commuters: It's “very easy to get to for students who commute to the City from New Jersey or the New York suburbs.” But even those who travel are sure to make good use of their time on campus, as there are “plenty of opportunities for social activities and special interest clubs.”