Class of 2012 Among the Best Ever

Left to right: Tamara S. Wright, Erica C. Smith, Marcus T. Smith, Shatorah N. Roberson,
and Monique A. Tronchin.

The University at Buffalo Law School this semester welcomes one of its most accomplished and selective classes in its 122-year history, a group of students that Law School Dean Makau W. Mutua called "a singular accomplishment" for UB Law and the foundation on which to make UB one of the finest law schools in the country.

The school's Class of 2012 was chosen from a national application pool of over 2, 104. Only 31 percent of the applicants were admitted, making this year's class one of the most highly selective in recent years.

"It is undoubtedly one of our strongest classes ever, "according to Mutua. "It raises our selectivity and places UB Law in a strong position to further enhance our reputation in the profession, in the legal academy and among prospective applicants."

The 208 first-year law students had a median LSAT score of 157, with 25 percent of those enrolled scoring 159 or better. The class earned a median grade-point average of 3.52, an increase from last year's GPA of a 3.48; however, 25 percent of the class earned a 3.73 GPA or better.

The National Jurist Magazine ranked UB Law the 29th "best value" in the nation looking at law school tuitions, employment rates and bar passage rates.

"Recently, the National Jurist ranked UB Law the 29th 'best value' in the nation looking at law school tuitions, employment rates and bar passage rates. These students recognized this value and made a great decision. In turn, we were able to land a very accomplished and impressive class, "said James R. Newton, vice dean for administration.

Mutua praised the law school's admissions office for doing an excellent job and attracting a class with "character, talent and top credentials. "The students come from some of the top universities and colleges in the nation, including Brown University, New York University, Boston University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, University of Maryland, Spelman College, Georgetown University and Cornell University.

Their average age is 25, with 35 percent over age 25 – the oldest class to date. Eleven percent hold advanced academic degrees. Fourteen percent come from out of state, and 49 percent are females.

According to Lillie V. Wiley- Upshaw, vice dean for admissions and financial aid, "The Class of 2012 is impressive. Their previous fields of study include film production, accounting, foreign languages, journalism, theology, mathematics and biochemistry. Many of the students have either lived or worked abroad in such places as Australia, Africa and Korea. "Our students made a smart choice.

They will be surrounded by other exceptional students and will earn a law degree that will allow them to fulfill their professional dreams - without having to mortgage their future."

Mutua said, "An accomplished and selective law class is central to the academic excellence and overall reputation of any law school, and is particularly crucial to UB at this point in its development. An aggressive campaign for recruitment scholarships among alumni helped the Law School enroll this fantastic class."