Penn Carey Law
Lawzee EliteOverview
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School ('Penn Carey Law' or simply 'Penn') is an Ivy League institution located in Philadelphia. It is consistently ranked within the Top 5-7 law schools nationally. Penn defines itself by its cross-disciplinary approach; it is the only top-tier law school that allows students to take up to four classes in any other graduate department (like the Wharton School or Perelman School of Medicine) without a separate application. This integration makes it the ultimate choice for students seeking a modern, multi-faceted legal education.
Academic Environment
Penn Law is famous for being 'The Best of Both Worlds': it combines the intellectual rigor of the University of Chicago with the social collegiality of UVA. The Wharton Connection: This is Penn’s 'Killer Feature.' Every law student has the opportunity to earn a Wharton Business and Law Certificate (WBLC) alongside their JD. This gives graduates a massive advantage in corporate interviews, as they speak the language of finance and management.
Career Outcomes
Penn Carey Law is statistically the #1 Law School for 'BigLaw' Placement. Year after year, it places a higher percentage of its class into large firms (500+ lawyers) than any other school, including Harvard or Yale. It is the dominant feeder school for the prestigious New York City legal market (Cravath, Wachtell, Skadden). If your goal is to work in elite Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) or Corporate Finance, Penn Law provides the surest path in the nation.
Insider Perspective
Penn Carey Law has perhaps the clearest value proposition of any T14: it is the most interdisciplinary and the most corporate-focused. The culture is notoriously collegial (often called the 'Social Ivy'), and because the class size is relatively small, everyone knows everyone. The 'Wharton Certificate' is the golden ticket here—most students graduate with some rigorous business training, which gives them a distinct edge in corporate interviews over liberal arts majors from other schools. Philadelphia is also a hidden gem; it's an affordable, food-obsessed city that allows for a much higher quality of life on a student budget than NYC or Boston. Academically, Penn is unique for its strict dedication to cross-disciplinary study; you can take classes in almost any graduate department without red tape. Admissions advice: Penn loves 'Core Values' essays and wants to see how you will contribute to their specific collegial environment. They are also very stats-conscious, so high numbers help, but they protect their yield fiercely, so 'Why Penn' must be specific.
Areas of Study
Top Clinics
Journals
LSAT Score Distribution
A median LSAT of 173 places Penn Law among the most competitive law schools. Applicants below 167 should consider retaking the exam or emphasizing other strong application components.
Undergraduate GPA Distribution
Application Components
- ✓Personal Statement
- ✓CAS Report (LSAT & Transcripts)
- ✓2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- ✓Resume
- ?Diversity Statement (Optional)
- ?Interview (By Invitation)
Frequently Asked Questions about Penn Law
Is it hard to get into Penn Carey Law?
Yes, Penn Law is extremely competitive with an acceptance rate of 10%. Successful applicants typically have LSAT scores above 167 and GPAs above 3.77.
What is the lowest LSAT accepted?
While there is no strict minimum, the 25th percentile LSAT score is 167. Applicants scoring below this number face significant challenges but may be considered if they have exceptionally strong soft factors or work experience.
Does Penn Law require an interview?
Interview policies vary by year, but top-tier schools like Penn Law often use interviews (by invitation) to evaluate candidates holistically. Check the specific requirements in the Admissions section above.
What is the employment rate for graduates?
93.9% of graduates are employed 10 months after graduation. A significant portion (68.42%) go into BigLaw firms, while 9.3% secure federal clerkships.