Stetson Law Admissions Blog

By Molly Kaelin, Candidate for Juris Doctor, 2020, Stetson University College of Law

When you first research Stetson Law you are no doubt looking at the academic accolades, stunning list of world-renowned professors, and exceptional program options Stetson Law has to offer.

By Molly Kaelin, Candidate for Juris Doctor, 2020, Stetson University College of Law

Becoming a lawyer is a noble pursuit. You will invest time and money in law school, so deciding where to go is crucial. You may be deciding between a public and private school. Perhaps you are looking at the differences in tuition. Don’t let that influence your decision too much. You have all heard the age-old truth: you get what you pay for.

This is one of the most important investments of your life. Here are some other differences between public and private schools that have nothing to do with tuition and everything to do with your law school experience.

The LSAT is required for any student considering studying at one of the over 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, but other standardized tests are now under consideration, too. The LSAT, an acronym for the Law School Admission Test, is currently offered four times per year, but starting June 2018 the schedule will increase to six times per year. The change will allow students to prepare and take the LSAT at a time most convenient for their schedule.

One of our most significant roles as lawyers is to serve our communities in meaningful ways, often by providing “pro bono” services to those in need. Pro bono is short for pro bono publico, and generally means “for the public good.” The goal is to help meet the continued need for a more accessible legal system by providing free legal services to those who could not otherwise afford it.

Those who aspire to work in law often want to give back to their community. You don’t have to put off service until graduation. Engage in pro bono work and make a difference while you’re still learning.

One of my most memorable experiences with Stetson stems from our Constitutional Law and the Civil Rights Movement course. We traveled to Birmingham, Alabama as part of the summer travel portion of the course and visited multiple historic sites, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park as well as the 16th Street Baptist Church where the 1963 bombing that killed four young girls occurred.

Have you ever been introduced to someone in an informal way only to later find out they were a judge? You had been calling him Robert, when you should have been calling him Judge Jones!

That will likely happen often when you go to law school. The person you’re meeting might be the dean, a visiting faculty member, or a sitting judge on campus to speak with a student group or class.  In fact, many adjunct professors are actually sitting or retired judges – you never know who you might be interacting with!

Relocating your family to attend law school might seem daunting, but if you’re moving to Tampa Bay, there's plenty to be excited about. Tampa Bay is a popular place for families, with charming neighborhoods, great schools, tons of things to do and a fun, community-based vibe. Check out just a few reasons why Tampa Bay is the perfect place to earn your law degree and raise your family.

Law students know the importance of finding a good place to sit down, pull out the books or a laptop, and focus on their studies. The right place to study can make studying easier and more enjoyable. Here are our top picks for places to study near our campus, plus a few places that are simply worth the trip.

You've spent so much time studying and working towards your degree, but what happens after you graduate from Stetson University College of Law?

Watch as our students share what makes their education from Stetson Law valuable and how it prepared them for life after law school.