New England School of Law

General Info

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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

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

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NESL COMPARISON TOOL

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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

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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

NESL: 114
Massachusetts Average: 168
PRIVATE School Average: 146

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

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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%