Villanova University - School of Law

At Villanova University School of Law, students find “a good balance in an interactive and educational atmosphere” through a blend of lecture, discussion, and serious hands-on experience. Students say the “absolutely wonderful” professors are the heart and soul of the program. “Instructors are all extremely intelligent and have a wealth of real-world experience, yet remain in touch with students,” says a 1L. In fact, he tells us, “My law school professors are much more helpful and approachable than my undergrad professors were.” Another student agrees that the “professors’ knowledge and experience is fundamental to the Villanova experience.” Many here happily report a lack of the “heavy competitive atmosphere that you hear about at other schools,” noting, “We all encourage each other to do well.”
Villanova takes a fairly traditional approach to introductory course work, and students say, “There is still a heavy reliance on the Socratic Method and many classes use a lecture format (especially in the first year).” In the next two years, students continue studying the basic principals of law, while adding elective courses to their schedule. Experiential learning is emphasized throughout the curriculum, and students dole out praise for the school’s strong legal writing and research courses, simulation programs, clinics, and externships. The school has a “clear emphasis” on “solidifying students’ legal writing skills.” In addition, students take on real legal work thanks to the school’s “strong commitment to community service and pro bono work.”
For a Catholic institution, it should come as no surprise that a “Catholic identity” reigns supreme. However, some students wish opportunities for service were not restricted by the administration’s commitment to Catholic values. (“No ‘regular hours’ in the forty-hour work week can be spent helping efforts to litigate for women’s reproductive freedom, and the participating organization must be aware of the policy.”) Ultimately, many wonder “how the administration will balance the school’s Catholic mission with its mission as a legal institution.”
Villanova’s eagerly anticipated, state-of-the-art law school facility opened in August 2009 on a site adjacent to the university’s suburban Philadelphia campus. Law students no longer have cause to bemoan the “severe lack of classrooms, computers, parking spots, hallways, lockers, and space in general” that they complained about in years prior as the new facility offers twice as much space as the old building and a new 500-car parking garage, to boot. While they may complain that the campus has a “high school atmosphere,” students also say they leave Villanova well-prepared for their professional career in the adult world. Students insist that “opportunities for practical experience are abundant,” and the “Career Services Department works really hard to help students find jobs in the private and public sectors.” They note that the school has “strong professional contacts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware” and that “major firms routinely interview on campus and hire many Villanova graduates.”

When they are not hitting the books, Villanova students live the high life at the many bars, clubs, and restaurants in Philadelphia, as well as at campus events. A student assures us, “The Student Bar Association spends a lot of time planning activities to students. There are many active students groups as well.” According to another, “Students get along well and the ones that choose to socialize together have a great time.”
Still, many students choose to maintain a life outside of school, living off-campus with their friends or spouses. Getting to campus is easy since “the train runs literally out the front door of the law school.” One student advises, “there is a bar that students usually hang out at which can be fun, but sometimes after seeing these people all day and every day, it’s good to do something away from the law school crowd.” Luckily, that is easy to accomplish at Villanova thanks to the school’s “amazing” location. One student enthuses, “It is twenty-five minutes from Philadelphia, as well as a short drive to New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, the beaches, and skiing!”
Most students say that they get along with their classmates, though some say the student body is pretty “homogenous” and “not exactly diverse.” However, “Villanova has openly stated that they feel that diversity is a compelling interest at the institution” and many believe that “in time, Villanova will be one of the more diverse legal institutions.”