University of Minnesota - Law School

The “world class” faculty of the University of Minnesota Law School are “dedicated to the students” and tend to be “very helpful, especially the professors' assistants.” Styles vary. “Some professors prefer a more Socratic style, some a more discussion based approach,” but regardless of whether they prefer lectures, discussion, or a mixture of both, “all are available to talk to students whenever.” One 1L noted that they have “always felt completely welcome to talk to all my professors, and that has continued on as a 2L.”
In part because “the professors are experts and heavily published in their fields,” the program here is “very research driven.” However, the professors having successful outside-of-school pursuits causes some students to complain that “professors care more about their research than their teaching.” By and large, however, they are “well-respected in their fields and usually great teachers to boot.” Their real-world experience means for many, “they've been very helpful in learning the nuts and bolts of the profession.” Regardless of what other distractions they have, professors are “universally welcoming and eager to work with students.”
That said, the “dated” facilities can be “gloomy and depressing.” Being educated in the basement “feels oppressive in the dead of winter,” but it’s not all bad when it comes to the facilities. “U of M takes pride in the size of the law library,” one student notes, “and I think that pride is well-earned.” The school also makes it a point to give students a sense for how their studies will apply to the real world. A mock trial competition team, for example, “is an example of how the school makes sure to promote the practical aspects of the law and integrate the scholastic elements of the education.”
Opportunities in the Twin Cities abound. From a wide range of classes to the “large number of journals” to mock courts, an “active student organization community,” and a legal community that embraces those in the U of M program, “there are more opportunities than I have time in which to partake.” Because this is a top twenty school, “there is a strong drive among students for big firm jobs.” At one time that was reflected in the curriculum, too, but these days the school “has made significant progress in recognizing and meeting the needs of students interested in public interest, government, and policy or research oriented positions.”

The city of Minneapolis is “amazing,” with a bustling nightlife–the music scene is legendary, arts and culture abound, and it’s a growing Mecca for craft beer–and “many opportunities to get out there” when it comes to networking with those in the profession. “The legal community is very approachable and welcomes 1Ls (and 2L/3Ls) to many of their events,” offering “numerous opportunities to network.” If the people and city win accolades, the facilities, which are “unfortunately located in a basement,” do not. They “are clean and well-kept, but not attractive.” Still, while the “lack of natural light in most classrooms” has resulted in the facilities being nicknamed “the dungeon,” they are still “modern” and “tech-equipped,” with “comfortable seats, and plugs for everybody's laptops.”
But it is the people who win out in the end. “People are happy to be here” for a reason. The faculty and student body alike “works hard to promote an environment of collegiality, where the students work hard with each other as colleagues instead of against each other as competitors.” In fact, “given our career choice … students are not as outwardly assertive as you'd think they'd be.” Even though everyone is working hard to succeed, “nobody will flaunt their grades or job prospects.” In addition, “diversity is truly valued,” especially when it comes to student achievement. Students here “support each other as long as the effort is honest, because it all comes out in finals.”