LAW SCHOOL PROFILE

1. 800. 973.1177

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law

[by Christina Poon] Texas Wesleyans law school is less than fteen years old, but it has already proven several things about itself: it offers students an excellent education, it boasts a fun atmosphere, and, most importantly, it is a school on the rise.

Founded in 1890 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Texas Wesleyan University established its school of law just 14 years ago, later earning American Bar Association accreditation in 1992. While the law school may seem to be a fledgling institution, it continues to grow every year, boasting a bar passage rate that exceeds the average statewide scores. The Wesleyan Law School is known for attracting career-experienced students, many of whom have pursued other professional careers before beginning their legal education. With backgrounds in finance, education, real estate, business, and other fields, the incoming classes give both experience and professional edge to the student body. Due to the relative youth of this law school, admission may not be as competitive as some of the top private schools, but its getting more difficult, and the median LSAT scores and GPAs rise with each entering class. As of 2003, the average LSAT score was 152; the average GPA was 3.19. Tuition is based on its block tuition policy, in which tuition and fees depend on the individual course load: $9,480 for 12-16 hours, $6,765 for 9-11 hours, and $640 for 8 hours or less (as of 2004). For a first-year full-time student, tuition and fees average around $19,520; for a first-year part-time student, the average is $14,090. Unlike many of the average private schools, Wesleyans tuition is significantly lower, and yet it still offers all the benefits of a private school-a low student-to-faculty ratio and better response

to class demands. The schedules at Wesleyan are flexible. The school offers both daytime and evening classes, giving students the choice of attending either part-time or full-time-an option not many private law institutions often allow. The student body is a cozy 710, with 470 fulltime and 240 part-time students. Like many private schools, the small classes are definite advantages of Wesleyans School of Law. The school retains a 28-member full-time faculty and a number of adjunct professors. The faculty is highly qualified, experienced in a variety of professional backgrounds, and has graduated from some of the most prestigious institutions nationwide, including George Washington, Columbia, Harvard, Texas, and Yale. Yet, the student population is growing rapidly, and the continued expansion may soon pose problems for Wesleyan, as its population rapidly outgrows its allotted space. With the need for a larger campus and more classrooms, Wesleyan is currently planning to expand to the top floor of its location, adding an extra 40,000 square feet. The additional space will allow for extra classroom and office space, in addition to an auditorium. The school also plans to add space to the bottom floor, expanding the library and allowing further space for any additional classrooms or offices. Construction is underway, and the school is hopeful that it will be finished by the Spring of 2005. Still young and growing, Wesleyans alumni base is a small 1,800. Graduates of Wesleyan

enter an extensive range of legal practices, from private practice to corporate or government law, and even to the field of academia. In 2003, more than half of the graduating body entered private practices. Staying loyal to their community, many of the Wesleyan graduates actually find themselves practicing within the Fort Worth and Dallas areas. Students will find a very pleasant but energetic atmosphere here. Located in downtown Fort Worth, TX,, only a train-stop away from well-known Dallas, students can get a real feel of the culture and history of the city as they walk down Fort Worths center of business and life. Art museums dot the streets of this busy city with some of the most famous artwork. Here you can visit the historic Stockyards District and, of course, the picturesque natural-environment zoo that every resident of Texas should visit. Students will also find easy access to the bustling Metroplex of Dallas-the center of many of the states major national and international businesses. Here youll find an amalgam of art museums, dance theaters, musical theaters, and botanical gardens. You can also visit the symphony center and the 66-acre arboretum. The busy city maintains a modern, cosmopolitan feel with its wide variety of attractions, and yet, much like Fort Worth, the city preserves its warm and friendly Southern quality. Texas Wesleyan Universitys School of Law may be young, but its growth is developing at a rapid pace. Entrance at Wesleyans School of Law is not too competitive, but it offers the

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LAW SCHOOL PROFILE

1.800. 973. 1177

highly qualified faculty, small student-to-faculty ration, and a friendly, energetic atmosphere that many students demand. Texas Wesleyan is in its 14th year and will soon make its mark as a well-known law school nationwide.

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