Published: Aug. 29, 2018

Colorado Law welcomes JD, LLM, and Master of Studies in Law students

As the fall semester begins this week at the University of Colorado Law School, first-year JD, LLM, and Master of Studies in Law (MSL) students will attend classes and familiarize themselves with campus. This year’s incoming JD class of 172 students follows upward trends of the past several years, with the highest median GPA (3.71) in the school’s history and another diverse student body.

Colorado Law received a record 3,588 applications for the Class of 2021—a 17 percent increase from last year and more than double the national increase of applicants to ABA-approved law schools (up 8.1 percent from this time last year).

The larger applicant pool allowed for greater selectivity, which boosted the median GPA to the highest in the school’s history (3.71). The median LSAT score (162) for the Class of 2021 is also on par with that of previous classes.

Sixty-one percent of incoming JD students are from outside of Colorado and represent 38 different states plus D.C. and 107 undergraduate institutions. Of the nine incoming LLM students, seven are from countries outside of the United States, including Brazil, China, Ghana, and Iran. Colorado Law also welcomed 13 MSL students from two different states in the Ethics and Compliance track and three MSL students from three states pursuing the International Human Rights track.

At 28 percent racially or ethnically diverse, this year’s incoming JD class is among Colorado Law’s most diverse classes ever and reflects the school’s continued commitment to inclusiveness and diversity. Last year’s incoming class comprised 29.4 percent diverse students.

“Numbers can't tell you all you need to know about the students at Colorado Law, but they can at least give you some insight into their outstanding qualifications, rich background experiences, and strong potential for success in law school and beyond,” said Dean S. James Anaya. “I am thrilled to welcome this group of highly qualified 1Ls and MSL students from across the country, and LLM students from around the world, who collectively enrich the Colorado Law community.”

This year’s 1L class includes the second cohort of Leaders in Law and Community (LILAC) Fellowship recipients. The program aims to address diversity in legal education by recruiting and developing students from backgrounds underrepresented in law schools and the legal profession.

Last spring, Colorado Law reported its best employment figures in a decade, with more graduates working in full-time, long-term law- or law-related jobs 10 months after graduation than any other class over the last decade. Ten months after graduation, 85 percent of 2017 graduates were working in full-time, long-term jobs for which bar passage was required or a JD degree was an advantage and 77 percent of graduates were working in full-time, long-term jobs for which bar passage was required.