New England School of Law
General Info
The New England School of Law (NESL) is located in Boston, Massachusetts in the theater district. NESL is characterized by substantive instruction with a strong foundation in ethics. The academic program emphasizes extensive preparation in practical skills, including instruction in legal writing and clinical work. It was founded in 1908 as Portia Law School, the only law school established exclusively for the education of women. NESL has been coeducational since 1938, being renamed New England School of Law in 1969. New England School of Law is ABA (American Bar Association) accredited and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. With four other independent law schools, NESL is also a founding member of the Consortium for Innovative Legal Education.
Contact information
- (Website) https://www.nesl.edu/
- (Admissions Dean) admit@nesl.edu
- (Location) Boston, MA
NESL Admissions
NESL is considered a Somewhat Competitive law school, which accepts only 81% of its applicants. Comparatively, Newengland is Significantly Lower than the average cost for law school.
| Applications | Offers | Matriculated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2028 | 1472 | 1179 (80.10%) | 198 (13.5%) |
| 25% | Median | 75% | |
| GPA | 2.78 | 3.14 | 3.47 |
| LSAT | 144 | 147 | 151 |
Tuition And Financial Aid
| In-State Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | N/A | $45,606 |
| Part Time | N/A | $34,204 |
Living Expenses
- Living on-campus: N/A
- Living off-campus: $22,105
- Living at home: $13,775
Important Dates
- Early Decision 1: N/A
- Early Decision 2: N/A
- Regular Decision: 03/15
- Application Fee: $65
NESL Admissions Predictor Tool
NESL COMPARISON TOOL
NESL
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NESL Community
NESL is considered to have a Somewhat Favorable student to faculty ratio. The average class size for 1L sections is approximately Above Average compared to other law schools. Student diversity at Newengland is Below Average.
Student body
Faculty Statistics
- Full Time: 23
- Part Time: 60
Faculty
- # Female Faculty: 39
- # Minority Faculty: 5
Ratio
29.9 Students
1 Faculty
Housing Options
- On Campus Housing: No
- Graduate Housing: No
- Law Specific Housing: No
NESL Curriculum
The size of 1L sections affects the quality and consistency of teaching in law schools. Generally with smaller 1L section sizes, students receive more individualized attention. NESL 1L section size is 47% smaller than law schools in Massachusetts and 28% smaller than all PRIVATE law schools.
1L Section Size Comparison
Positions Available in Advanced Courses
- Simulation Courses: 1023
- Faculty Supervised Clinics: 60
Students Involved in Advanced Activities
- Field Placements: 230
- Law Journals: 85
- Moot Court/Mock Trials: 0
Attrition Rates
- First Year: 17.3%
- Second Year: 2.6%
- Third Year: 0.0%
- Fourth Year: 1.6%
NESL Employment
Deciding to attend law school requires a large financial investment with the goal of securing employment upon graduation. The NESL class of 2023 had an employment rate of 83% with 4% pursuing an additional degree.
Employment Comparison
In 2023, 80.8%% of students reported their employment status 9-months after graduation.
Type of Employment
- Law Firms: 41.0%
- Business: 29.0%
- Government: 13.0%
- Public Interest: 8.0%
- Academia: 4.0%
- Massachusetts: 65%
- New York: 7%
- New Jersey: 4%
Bar Passage Rates
- Reporting: 80.8%
- First Time Takers: 291
- Average School: 77.0%
- Average State: 82.1%
- Pass Difference: -5.1%
Top Bar Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts: 83.2%
- Passed: 147 of 181 (81.2%)
- State Average: 82.1%
- Difference: -1.9%