Our Culture Shapes Excellence
Students share their personal experiences at Vanderbilt Law and what it feels like to go through school with a built-in community of cheerleaders.
Student Experience
Our Commitment
Law school can be intense, with rigorous classwork, career-searching, and other demands on your time. Resulting pressures can unintentionally foster unhealthy cultures and behaviors that lead to a less-than-ideal experience. Prospective J.D. students should consider how their prospective law schools deliver on promises of community-building and culture-setting as they decide where to spend the next three years of their lives.
At Vanderbilt, we have taken an intentional approach to creating an exceptional student experience, without sacrificing the top-tier education and career outcomes you expect.
Small by Design
Practically speaking, our small class sizes offer substantial benefits. A smaller community makes it easier to meet fellow students and faculty. Upper-level classes and experiential learning opportunities are readily accessible.
Nationwide Placement
Students seek careers across the country in a variety of firms and organizations, naturally reducing the level of competitiveness amongst students relative to a school where the majority of students might be trying to place in large firms within a single city or state.
Collaborative Community
The Office of Student Life mission is to facilitate learning and support the success and wellbeing of every student by developing a culture of accountability, responsibility, inclusion, and respect for our colleagues and ourselves.
A Focus on Culture
Class sizes and career services contribute to a positive student experience, but our culture ultimately defines it. We recruit students who we expect will invest in, and benefit from, our community. A spirit of collaboration and collegiality extends through the faculty, who co-author scholarship and work individually with students to help them meet their academic and professional goals. Through our Office of Student Life, social events, student houses, speaker series, Thursday Blackacres, and student organizations, we foster an environment where you will make connections and friendships that last a lifetime.
Last, but not least, we provide the support that students need to meet the challenges of a rigorous, top-tier legal education. Classes are held Monday - Thursday, allowing you extra time to catchup with the demands of school and life.
As Told by Students
-
Meet Our Social Ambassadors
Our Instagram account is managed by current students, who answer your questions and share each step of their law school journeys.
-
Day in the Life of a J.D. Student
Social ambassador Olivia takes you through a day in her life as a 3L (it definitely looks a lot different than it did as a 1L). Follow along to see what she gets up to in a normal day!
-
Blackacre Thursdays
Every Thursday, the law school community comes together for food + drinks. During our first Blackacre of the year, we asked everyone’s favorite part of this tradition.
-
Vanderbilt Law House Cup
Catch up with House Chambers Co-VP Rachel Fuzaylov '27 as she breaks down the House Cup competition and how Houses can climb the leaderboard!
Collaborative Faculty Support
We encourage healthy debate and discourse, providing students and faculty with a safe space to express their beliefs and viewpoints in an increasingly polarized world. Through initiatives such as the "Respectfully Dissent" faculty debate series and Professors in Conversation, we foster an environment where intellectual engagement and mutual respect go hand in hand. Our community examines challenging legal and societal issues with openness and civility, reflecting our dedication to thoughtful, inclusive discourse.
Respectfully Dissent
This series brings together experts in various fields of law to debate relevant issues in today’s legal climate. Previous installments have focused on topics such as antitrust law and originalism.
Professors in Conversation
Professors in Conversation: Lauren Sudeall on Justice Citizenship
Professors in Conversation: Rebecca Haw Allensworth on Professional Licensing in the U.S.
Professors in Conversation: Lisa Bressman on Administrative Law
Make an Impact
You should be able to look back on your legal education as a transformative and enjoyable time in your life. At Vanderbilt, we will ensure your days are spent both productively and happily as you invest in your future.
As you weigh the academics, extracurriculars, and professional opportunities that all top-tier law schools offer, we suggest factoring the student experience into your decision as well. At Vanderbilt, it is the foundation of a rewarding and memorable legal education.
Student Voices
-
Summer Jobs
Current students discuss their summer work and internships. From pro bono to big law to Venice, Vanderbilt Law students can be found around the world!
-
Moot Court vs. Mock Trial
Learn about the differences between Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions and how they each prepare law students for different types of legal advocacy.
-
What is a Journal?
Journals can be a huge part of the law school experience; our social ambassadors discuss the ins and outs of student publications, from timelines to responsibilities and more.
-
Pro Bono Experiences
Vanderbilt Law students dedicated thousands of hours each year to serving the community through pro bono work. Students explain their pro bono opportunities.