Minnesota, the state of 10,000 lakes, has many unique historical and cultural sites. It is the 12th largest state in the United States and is home to the largest shopping mall in the country. Minnesota has many scenic vistas making it a perfect place for students who love to destress in nature after a particularly hectic semester.
Our guide to the top law schools in Minnesota explains why Minnesota can be the ultimate destination for aspiring lawyers.
Top Law Schools in Minnesota
- University of Minnesota Law School
U.S. News Best Law School Ranking: #21
Tuition: $46,641 (in-state, full-time)
Average GPA: 3.79
Average LSAT Score: 164
Acceptance Rate: 30-44%
Bar Passage Rate: 96%
University of Minnesota
According to US News, the University of Minnesota Law School ranks #21 among the best law schools in the United States.
The University of Minnesota Law School gives a lot of importance to experiential learning. It has rigorous courses, externships, clinics, and residency programs. These opportunities enable students to interview clients, negotiate, prepare arguments for court cases, and sharpen their skills through immersive experiences.
Students at the University of Minnesota Law School are given the opportunity to interact with clients and solve real-world problems. A wide range of clinics provides a supportive setting for aspiring lawyers. In addition, the Minnesota Supreme Court has adopted the Student Practice Rule, where students can represent their clients in court and undertake the proceedings under the supervision of the faculty.
The University of Minnesota has 25+ legal clinics, which are divided into five categories:
- Business and Nonprofit Clinics
- Economic Justice Clinics
- Family and Community Clinics
- Human Rights and Immigration Clinics
- Rights and Liberties Clinics
More than half of the University of Minnesota Law School’s students work in at least one of the legal clinics on campus.
The law school at the University of Minnesota has an extensive Corporate Externship Field Program. During this course, students are placed in a company’s legal department. As a result, they get to witness firsthand the working of an in-house counsel. Students earn one credit for every 50 hours completed during the semester.
Students at the University of Minnesota Law School can be part of different projects focusing on various law principles. These could include intellectual property, SEC filings, finance, codes of conduct, and more.
With these corporate world opportunities, students can attend meetings and events with top executives in the company. They can network and build life-long professional relationships.
In the first academic year, the different learning modules at the University of Minnesota build the students’ litigation skills. The module develops several skills, like Alternative Dispute Resolution, which focuses on negotiation, mediation, and arbitration through mock exercises.
The Civil Litigation course develops the students’ tactics and strategies needed to work a case. Through Evidence Drafting, students learn to write advocacy. They are taught how to draft effective motions and advocate them in court when the admissibility of evidence is contested.
If you’re intent on becoming a trial attorney, the Intercollegiate Mock Trial Team is the place for you. You will be given a simulated case file to make arguments and enhance your skills by making opening and closing statements, cross-examining, and directing the witnesses.
The Trial Practice is a more personalized course taught by trial court judges and expert lawyers. Students learn different tactics and methods of persuasion. At the end of the course, law students will be in a simulated trial before a real judge.
The University of Minnesota Law School also has Moot Court Courses and Moot Court Team Competitions.
Finally, all courses aim to improve students’ transactional skills like drafting and writing agreements.
Depending on your course, you must fulfill specific admission requirements before applying to the University of Minnesota.
How do I get accepted to the University of Minnesota?
When applying to a law school, you must have a solid GPA, complete pre-law classes, and have internship experience. In addition to these criteria, you also need to take the Law School Admission Test and get a high LSAT score to apply to many of the country’s best law schools. So, research on more LSAT tips to get the 170 LSAT score.
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