DePaul University - College of Law

DePaul University College of Law makes great uses of its bustling urban location, near major courthouses and law offices, and students laud their “access to the Chicago legal community, number of alumni in the judiciary, business, and private practice in the Chicagoland area.” Current students note that there are some changes afoot, reflected both administratively and academically. Faculty-wise there have been “lots of retirements and also new hires” which have “changed up the look of the faculty but the core, which was great, [has] remained.” Also, students say, “The administration, while in a transition period, still runs the school pretty smoothly.” One student sums up: “I feel that the school is still working to keep up with a changing legal atmosphere. Before, students would go through three years of school with very little writing or practical experience under their belts, with the understanding that they would be trained to do the writing and client work at whatever firm they were hired by. Today, however, firms are demanding that students come to them with those skills already in place. That meant that most law schools had to re-tool, revamp, and re-energize their legal writing programs. DePaul is no different, and puts a great deal of emphasis on the importance of legal research and writing.” Still, this student says, the writing classes at DePaul “only meet once per week, instead of twice as doctrinal classes do. Not that it is bad, but that it can be far better than it is.” This sentiment, that the legal writing program could, students admit, be “tweaked,” is echoed throughout the students we surveyed.
Regardless of these criticisms, students have found the professors here to be “generally outstanding”: “Whether they are part of the older faculty who have been specializing in their fields for a long time, part of the younger faculty who know their subjects and are passionate about becoming leaders in the administration, or the adjuncts who are practicing in their fields and can give a new perspective on their subjects, with few exceptions, the faculty have been incredibly good at teaching their subjects, and being available outside of class as well as in to contact, ask questions of, and ask for help with non-academic issues (such as letters of recommendation).” DePaul has “a strong staff, which does a good job of making sure that we are prepared outside the classroom, and tries to guide students in such a way that they are prepared to get jobs during or immediately after school.” Students feel that “the tax program is great,” and that there is a “strong family law center.” “The law school has a very strong alumni network,” with students noting that DePaul graduates “are willing to go above and beyond to help you find a job or practice in an area that they are familiar with.” Overall, “the greatest strength of the law school is the faculty, and both their skill at teaching, and willingness to try new ideas. The fact that the faculty and administration allow themselves to be in a constant state of small improvements is a welcome relief from schools which have found their one way to do things, and stick with it no matter what.”

In addition to its wonderful location in downtown Chicago, DePaul boasts a “robust and diverse set of student organizations, covering nearly any topic.” Students feel that the “overall academic experience at DePaul has been fantastic.” The tuition is “very affordable, and I feel like I’m getting a ton for my money.” One students cites access to “opportunities” as an example, “i.e. service immersion trips to two different parts of the country, study abroad programs to nine different countries, covering different fields of study, clinics to learn direct client work, massive volunteer and outreach programs to get students into the community using their legal skills, and the list goes on and on.” Some students note that “elevator service in the building is inadequate, but elevator improvements seem to be on the horizon in the near future.” One student states that “the students, myself included, often complain about the physical condition of the school and the classrooms,” although this sentiment is not necessarily universal.