News

Dean David Van Zandt and the faculty, staff, and returning students welcomed the class of 2003 to Northwestern University School of Law during orientation in late August.

In his opening remarks, Dean Van Zandt described what makes Northwestern Law unique.

• A student body with impressive academic credentials, significant work experience, and the interpersonal and team skills needed to succeed.
• A faculty made up of nationally recognized scholars who impact significant academic and public policy issues.
• A curriculum that focuses on team and presentation skills and on preparing students for a changing and competitive world.
• A collaborative and supportive, not competitive, culture in which students learn from faculty and each other.

Entering Class General Statistics
		1998	1999	2000
Enrolled students		205	206	205
Applicants interviewed		1,185	1,701	2,070
LSAT distribution
	Middle 50%	162–167	164–168	163–168
	Median	166	167	167
GPA distribution
	Middle 50%	3.28–3.67	3.25–3.71	3.3–3.7
	Median	3.52	3.53	3.6
Students with graduate degrees		7%	8%	8%
Female		51%	50%	50%
Minority		30%	31%	33%
Average age at matriculation		24.2	24.5	25
Age range		20–35	20–35	21–40
Financial aid recipients		70%	70%	70%
Number of states represented		36	36	34
Lived abroad 3 months or more		46%	40%	45%
Colleges/universities represented		96	100	100
Work experience
	0 years	26%	24%	22%
	1-2 years	40%	39%	36%
	3 + years	34%	37%	42%

During the week of orientation, members of the class of 2003 had the opportunity to meet one another in a variety of team building sessions. The new students participated in a diversity workshop, worked as a group to clean up one of Chicago's parks, and sampled many of Chicago's numerous sights, sounds and tastes. They also attended a mock classroom led by Professor Stephen Presser.

A highlight of the week was a speech by Professor Steve Drizin, class of '86, who works with second and third year law students in the legal clinic representing children and families in child welfare, juvenile justice, and immigration/political asylum proceedings.

The speech was followed by a community dinner in which faculty members and staff rotated to different tables throughout the evening to become better acquainted with students.

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