Baylor Law School operates on a true quarter system and enrolls entering students in three of its four quarters: spring, summer, and fall. This calendar allows students to take time off from class to pursue clerkships, externships, or other programs through the year. It also allows students to graduate in 27 months. Regardless of when a student starts, the program of study is exactly the same.
6. What do you look for in recommendation letters? How important is it that the letter's writer has worked regular with the candidate in an office or school setting?
Baylor Law School requires one letter of recommendation. We prefer this letter be from someone who can attest to the applicant's ability to enter a competitive professional program. We recommend that applicants strategically select someone who is familiar with them in either an academic or a work environment to write a letter for them.
7. Can you give a brief description of the life cycle of an application? What's the timeline applicants should expect?
Baylor Law School has three entering classes—spring, summer and fall. The application deadlines dates are November 1, February 1, and March 1, respectively. We recommend that applicants submit their application as early as possible. Applications are reviewed in their entirety as soon as they are completed. Most decisions can be made within two to three weeks from the time the application file is complete; some decisions can take several months. Admission decisions are communicated by both E-mail and regular mail.
8. What firms/organizations recruit heavily from your school. Which ones hire the highest percentage of your graduates?
A wide variety of legal employers, representing every area of practice, recruit Baylor law students. The employers include small, medium, and large law firms; corporations and other private business entities; federal, state, and local government agencies; nonprofit groups; and public interest organizations. A significant number of our students also obtain judicial clerkships following graduation. In 2009, the highest percentage of our graduates were employed by private law firms. No particular law firm employer predominates in recruiting. In 2009, the next highest number of our graduates were employed in government positions, including criminal prosecution.
9. What are some of the most common mistakes that applicants make that hurt their chances of being accepted?
The most common mistakes applicants make are failing to proofread their personal statement for grammatical and typographical errors, referencing the wrong law school in the personal statement, hastily preparing a personal statement, and preparing a personal statement that is contrived and unauthentic. The personal statement is one component of the admissions process that is completely under the applicant's control, and every effort should be made to ensure that the personal statement is professional. Other common mistakes that applicants make are omitting answers to questions asked on the application form, and failing to follow the instructions. Suffice it to say the application is oftentimes that first opportunity applicants have to make a positive impression with the Admissions Committee. Applicants need to ensure that they present themselves in a professional manner when they submit applications.
10. Can you describe the archetypal student for your school?
The archetypal Baylor Law student thrives on being challenged, is not afraid of hard work, has strong academic credentials and leadership skills and, oftentimes, elects to take the more difficult path rather than the easiest one. That being said, Baylor Law attracts students from throughout the United States and who come from a variety of backgrounds, have an array of life experiences, and have different religious and political leanings.
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