University of South Carolina School of Law

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Student Says - Academics
In terms of location, the University of South Carolina School of Law features something of a trifecta. It's situated on the campus of the state's flagship university, in the state's largest city, and in the state capital "near the state house and all of the courts." Academic highlights here include a "plethora of journals and extracurricular activities," a smorgasbord of joint-degree options, and an extensive pro bono program that provides "a great way to make contacts." Five clinics cover criminal practice, consumer bankruptcy, federal litigation, nonprofit organizations, and veterans' rights. Children's law externships allow students to represent litigants in family court and work on various child welfare and juvenile matters. There's also a very cool study abroad program in London that takes place for three weeks in May, as well as a separate foreign practice externship that allows students to work for three weeks at a law firm in London. Students at USC generally rave about their "all-star faculty." There are a few older professors who are just "going through the motions" at this point but most faculty members are "enthusiastic about teaching and very knowledgeable about the course material." They are "excellent teachers who take their teaching duties very seriously." "The school's faculty is its biggest asset," beams a 3L. "Professors truly care for students" and they are "willing to move mountains for you." Student views concerning the administration clash pretty dramatically. According to one faction of students, management is "horrible." There's "a lack of communication," they say. Registration can be "an absolute madhouse." They could go on and on. Others tell us that the deans are "accommodating" and the staff is "very approachable and eager to assist students." The attitude of the administration is very hands off," explains a 2L, "which I mean as a compliment. The students are treated like professionals and expected to take care of themselves." Without question, the facilities are the biggest source of dissatisfaction among students at USC Law. Technology really isn't that bad and the "very respectable" library houses one of the largest collections of legal information in the Southeast. However, virtually everything else is reportedly "old and deteriorating." The school "keeps saying it's going to get a new building" but nothing has materialized to supplant the "dark, windowless, ugly place" where students currently must spend their semesters. Classrooms "were modernized in the 1970s." "There are gaping holes in the ceiling." "The building is absolutely disgusting," assesses a 2L. "At this very moment, I am sitting below a ceiling tile that is covered in mold and dripping." Career-wise, "USC is the law school in South Carolina." If you want to practice in the Palmetto State, there's really no better place to be. "Ties with alumni" and firms of all sizes around the state are strong. At the same time, this school is not necessarily the place to be if you want to practice somewhere else. "Almost everything taught-or provided via Career Services-is exclusive for South Carolina," counsels a 3L. Upon graduation, about two-thirds of the students here take jobs in the private sector. Also, a very large chunk takes the judicial clerkship route.

Students Say - Campus Life
Students are "very driven to do well and work very hard." Most of them hail from South Carolina. Most out-of-state students are from nearby Southern states. Ethnic minorities make up about 12 percent of the population. "While generally the students are conservative, there is enough diversity of political beliefs and backgrounds for almost anyone to find their niche," promises a 1L. "There are lots of liberals in the student body" and Columbia is, "almost without question, the most liberal place in South Carolina (for whatever that's worth)." Students "get along very well" and "camaraderie is great." The academic atmosphere is "collegial." "The students treat each other with kindness and respect no matter where they stand on the law school hierarchy." "We all help each other out and share notes," adds a 1L. The "stellar" social environment "can be characterized as open-armed Southern hospitality in an academic setting." "The students are, without a doubt, the best thing about this law school," proclaims a 3L. "I was afraid when I came to law school I would run into some ultra-competitive, private-school-since-first-grade, never-been-to-a- real-party group of students but that has not been my experience at all," agrees a relieved 1L. "We go out on the weekends, go to sporting events, study together-things that I was terrified wouldn't happen." Beyond the law school orbit, hometown Columbia is temperate and very affordable. It's also very much a college town with a "big university feel" and "a number of bars."