William & Mary School of Education Reviews of Doctorates in Law

"I absolutely love the College of William & Mary School of Law. The faculty is brilliant, the course work challenging and the student body is amazing."

"The William & Mary School of Law is a wonderful place. You will find a cohesive network of classmates and professors and administrators who genuinely care about your well-being as a student."

"The law school is an excellent value for a world class education."

"Pros: Affordability! This was the main reason I came to W&M and I haven't been let down. The law school's public price in addition to scholarships were a great value for me initially, and remain so. I also didn't have the strongest LSAT score, and I think Admissions' scholarships are especially friendly to "reverse splitters" in the law school admissions game (I was one of these people). The cost of living here is also relatively cheap, not compared to say, a completely rural college town, but certainly in comparison to going to law school in any major city. The professors are also by and large good. I've been especially impressed with some of the new tenure-track hires. I've been unimpressed with adjuncts, almost across-the-board, but have learned not to take classes with such professors if I can help it. The good professors, however, are really, really good-- smart lecturers, open-door office hours, and interesting people to talk to. Cons: -It can feel like a "hamster wheel" living here, especially if you live close to the law school, as we are in a very small community and environment. -Racial diversity seems to me (as someone who isn't a racial minority) to be an improvement from other settings I've been. Socio-economic diversity, religious diversity, and LGBT people though are, in my eye, few & far between. This isn't (Williamsburg) Brooklyn. -1L year felt very competitive. 2L has been better, but 1L year I was surprised by how hostile some of my classes felt. All in all, I'm glad with the choice I've made and the quality of my education so far. The school has its flaws--our career services office is constantly getting criticized--but all in all I think it's a good place and certainly a great ($) value."

"Our school has an excellent faculty, but is somewhat limited in diversity of students as many similar schools are throughout the country. Our school is a very safe, student-friendly environment that offers a great education to students."

"W&M is a great combination of affordability and quality!"

"The teachers are excellent. They really value student feedback about teaching styles. Being in a small town makes the student work together and get along more. The cost is okay for a public school."

"People are friendly and the alumni network is the best."

"For the rank, WM is definitely a great school for your money. It's cheaper than most schools, has a great alumni network, wonderful and helpful professors, and interesting classes, clinics, and externship opportunities. They also emphasize participation in school teams, extracurriculars, clubs, and volunteering. However, the career services office is only helpful with resumes and cover letters, and a very specific set of career interests and locations. Beyond that, you are on your own. Also, it's in Williamsburg, VA which is little more than a tourist attraction and a time warp back to colonial days. This is helpful because there isn't anything to distract you from studying, but can make you go stir-crazy."

"William and Mary is a well established and reputable school, and my legal education has been consistent with those facts. I have been impressed and pleased with the administration, faculty and staff and although every school has its kinks overall I am extremely happy with my decision and would make it again."

"Administration is a bit stodgy and the legal practice program needs more work. But a great value and a well-regarded school."

"I think law school generally is a drag, but W&M is a good enough place to go if you can be self-directed and work towards what you want."

"William and Mary Law offers an unparalleled value for a law school. The cheap in-state tuition, low cost of living, and strong school reputation are all incentives to attend. The atmosphere is collegial, and the professors are motivated teachers who are accessible outside the classroom. The town itself is fantastic, but students from larger cities may find it lacks an equivalent social scene."

"William & Mary School of Law is a great program, in general. It challenges students and offers a diverse environment."

"I think that my graduate program is fairly diverse. It is definitely more diverse than I had anticipated. When I say diversity, I do not just mean in terms of race or national origin. I mean that there are people of various ages that go to school with me; people that come from all different types of backgrounds; people that have their own families / children; people that have worked in the real world. I think this helps contribute to class discussions and fosters precise thinking in class. I think this helps all of us learn from each other. People are very driven and hard-working, so competition is fierce! Sometimes that can be frustrating and intimidating, but ultimately, it forces all of us to push ourselves to excel."