Cooley Law School is an independent law school with campuses in Lansing, Michigan, and Tampa, Florida. It offers full-time, evening, and weekend options, with required clinical or externship work and strengths in wrongful convictions and estate planning.
This guide walks you through how to get into Cooley Law.
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1. Cooley Law Admissions Numbers and Statistics
Cooley Law Class of 2028:
- LSAT: 75th: 151 | Median: 147 | 25th: 145
- GPA: 75th: 3.47 | Median: 3.14 | 25th: 2.72
Cooley Law Class of 2027:
- LSAT: 75th: 151 | Median: 147 | 25th: 146
- GPA: 75th: 3.34 | Median: 3.03 | 25th: 2.76
These are the full-time entering populations in the 2025 and 2024 ABA reports. Cooley's annual reporting includes multiple entry terms, rather than only a fall class. The full-time LSAT median held at 147 while the GPA median rose 0.11. Full-time enrollment increased from 60 to 147; total entering enrollment across divisions grew from 139 to 237. The newer class also included six JD-Next entrants across both divisions.
For the full-time program, aim to be at or above at least one median to be competitive. Above both puts you in a stronger position. Below both medians, this is a prayer, not a reach.
For context on how medians affect your strategy, see How to Build a Smart Law School List.
2. Cooley Law Application Essays
Personal Statement (Required)
Cooley requires a personal statement. Its application checklist specifies two to four double-spaced pages with one-inch margins and permits any topic relevant to the admission decision.
For more on how to write a personal statement, see my Personal Statement Examples and Personal Statement Guide.
Impact Statement (Optional)
Cooley invites an optional Impact Statement and recommends two to four double-spaced pages with one-inch margins. The suggested subjects include experiences or aspects of your background that would enrich the legal community, how law shaped your decision to pursue the degree, and the contribution you hope to make as a lawyer.
For more on how to write a diversity or perspective statement, see my Diversity Statement Examples and Diversity Statement Guide.
For more on making all of these essays work together, see my Cohesive Narrative Guide.
Addenda and Character & Fitness (if applicable)
Cooley requires detailed explanations and official disposition documents for affirmative character-and-fitness answers, except the specified minor-traffic category. Include your age at the incident and documentation that imposed fines or penalties were satisfied.
I'll be publishing a guide to addenda and character and fitness.
3. Cooley Law Resume Requirements
Cooley's application checklist calls for a current resume, and admissions considers it alongside the statements. Present education, employment, service, and activities with clear dates and concrete responsibilities.
For more on preparing your resume, see my Resume Examples and Resume Guide.
4. Cooley Law Letters of Recommendation
Cooley does not require letters of recommendation as part of its admissions process.
For more on recommendations, see my LOR Guide (Applicants) and LOR Guide (Writers).
5. Cooley Law Interview Process
Cooley reviews applications as they become complete. Admitted students can arrange campus visits through the Admissions Office.
6. Cooley Law Deadlines and Decision Options
Testing Policy
Cooley uses the highest LSAT score earned within five years. Its school-supplied admissions profile also identifies JD-Next scores for consideration. Applicants with coursework in the United States, its territories, or Canada use LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. Foreign-educated applicants have separate transcript-evaluation options.
Application Dates and Fees
- Application Review: Rolling, with applications accepted throughout the year.
- Entering Terms: September and January.
- Application Fee: None; LSAC charges are separate.
- Enrollment Deposit: $525, including a $25 nonrefundable fee and $500 credited toward tuition.
- January 2027 Orientation: The mandatory online session is December 14, 2026; in-person sessions are January 4-5 in Florida and January 6 in Michigan.
Program Formats
Fall entrants can enroll in full-time daytime study at either campus. Spring options include part-time evenings in Tampa and the weekend hybrid program in Lansing. Deferrals require a written request and are decided individually. Admission requires completion of the bachelor's degree before law school begins.
The September class attracts more applications and can reach capacity in spring. Rolling review makes a complete file important: a submitted form without the supporting materials is not ready for a decision.
7. Cooley Law Scholarships and Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships
Applicants receive automatic consideration for scholarships covering 10%-100% of tuition across the 90-credit JD. Renewal requires good academic standing rather than a separate scholarship GPA above good standing. The ABA report identifies no conditional scholarships beyond that standard.
Students with awards below 50% can qualify for a higher class-rank award. The higher award replaces the lower one and remains subject to academic and disciplinary conditions. Incoming scholarships are merit-based; separate alumni-funded awards may consider need, career focus, or background. Federal and private financing are separate from institutional scholarships.
Cost of Attendance
For 2026-2027, tuition is $1,740 per credit. The two-semester, eight-month budget for 30 credits is $80,814 in Lansing and $83,294 in Tampa, including $52,200 in tuition and $700 in fees. Housing, food, books, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees are included.
At 24 credits, the corresponding budgets are $67,690 and $70,170; at 18 credits, they are $54,670 and $57,150. These are eight-month budgets, not the total cost of completing the degree. A longer schedule changes living costs as well as each term's tuition bill.
For more on scholarship strategy, see How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships.
8. Cooley Law JD Curriculum and Program Formats
Cooley's 90-credit JD is available through different schedules at its Lansing and Tampa campuses. Full-time daytime, part-time evening, and weekend blended study are formats of the same degree. The weekend blended program combines classroom and online study; it does not itself confer a second graduate credential.
9. Cooley Law Employment Outcomes (Class of 2025)
Cooley Class of 2025 employment outcomes (reported to the ABA, measured 10 months after graduation):
- Full-time, long-term bar-passage-required employment (ABA): 58.7%
- BigLaw (firms with 101+ attorneys): 2.1%
- Federal clerkships: 0.0%
- Public service (including government): 34.3%
Michigan and Florida were the leading employment destinations, followed by Indiana. Government, public-interest organizations, and smaller firms were important parts of the placement pattern. Large-firm employment was uncommon. A campus choice tied to Michigan or Florida practice fits these outcomes more directly than a plan dependent on national large-firm recruiting. Keep the total borrowing attached to that comparison.
10. Cooley Law Areas of Study and Specializations
Wrongful Convictions and Criminal Defense: The Cooley Innocence Project focuses on post-conviction DNA testing and disputed forensic evidence. The Public Defender Clinic adds experience representing clients earlier in the criminal process, connecting investigation, evidence, and advocacy.
Legal Writing and Drafting: The Kimble Center for Legal Drafting develops understandable documents for lawyers and the public. Mark Cooney's Research & Writing, Advocacy, Scholarly Writing, and Drafting courses provide a faculty connection to clear legal communication.
Estate Planning and Elder Law: Sixty Plus, Inc., Estate Planning Clinic connects interviewing and counseling with wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives. Patrick Tolan's teaching in wills, trusts, estates, and federal taxation adds related substantive study at Tampa.
Consumer Debt: Tampa's Debt Relief Clinic addresses unpaid medical bills, lending disputes, and collection practices. Students work on negotiated and transactional solutions alongside pre-litigation matters, making the program relevant beyond courtroom advocacy.
Constitutional Law: Brendan Beery teaches Constitutional Law and a related seminar. His scholarship on constitutional doctrine and legal reasoning complements a professional background that includes research work for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
11. Cooley Law Clinics and Experiential Learning
Clinics
Every student completes a clinic or externship as part of the JD.
- Cooley Innocence Project: Selected second- and third-year students screen requests, investigate facts, conduct interviews, analyze records, prepare pleadings, and represent clients under attorney supervision.
- Public Defender Clinic: Students interview, counsel, and represent indigent defendants through the Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office. Work includes negotiations and supervised court appearances in misdemeanor, felony, and juvenile matters.
- Sixty Plus, Inc., Estate Planning Clinic: Lansing students interview and counsel clients and draft estate-planning documents. The one-term clinic is available to evening and weekend students.
- Debt Relief Clinic: Tampa students assist underserved Hillsborough County residents with debt disputes, transactions, alternative dispute resolution, and pre-litigation negotiations under practicing attorneys.
The Washtenaw clinic requires at least 40 completed credits, a 2.0 GPA, and specified criminal-law and Evidence courses. Court participation remains subject to supervision and judicial approval.
Pro Bono and Experiential Learning
Cooley's public-defender opportunities also include the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office. Externships pair attorney supervision with faculty instruction, reflective writing, and feedback. Eligibility begins after 45 credits in good academic standing. Students can earn up to ten externship credits overall, with an eight-credit term limit. Judicial placements involve research and draft opinions; prosecutor and defender placements can include motions and trials under applicable student-practice rules. Community-service opportunities also include disaster relief, mentoring, literacy, and assistance to veterans.
12. Cooley Law Notable Faculty and Journals
Faculty
- Tracey Brame: Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Practice Preparation, Professor, and Co-Director of the Cooley Innocence Project. Her professional experience includes Legal Aid of Western Michigan and public-defense work.
- Mark Cooney: Professor teaching legal writing and advocacy. He is a Senior Editor of The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing and a recipient of a ClearMark Award for plain-language work.
- Patrick E. Tolan Jr.: Professor whose fields include federal taxation, estates, environmental law, and government contracts. He served 21 years in the Air Force and retired as a staff judge advocate.
- Brendan Beery: Professor of constitutional law. A former Michigan Court of Appeals research attorney, he has received the Stanley E. Beattie Teaching Award from five graduating classes.
Journals
- Cooley Law Review: Student-edited scholarship combining theoretical and practice-focused articles and notes. Editors work with authors to prepare manuscripts for publication.
13. Cooley Law Culture and Student Life
Cooley's campuses serve full-time and part-time students, including people balancing legal education with existing careers. The Student Bar Association, Black Law Students Association, and subject-focused organizations provide settings for leadership and professional connections. The Academic Resource Center's Dean's Fellows offer peer-led academic support.
Lansing places students near Michigan's state-government institutions and legal community. Tampa connects the Florida campus with Hillsborough County courts, public-defense work, and consumer practice. The two locations share the JD curriculum but have different nearby clinics and living-cost budgets. Those differences matter to daily life and professional development.
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Related Reading
→ How to Build a Smart Law School List
→ Should You Apply Early Decision to Law School?
→ How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships
→ 6 Proven Steps to Get Off a Law School Waitlist
→ How to Get Into Law School Below Both Medians
→ What Holistic Law School Admissions Really Means
→ Blog Directory
Note: While I try to keep this guide up to date, always verify deadlines, requirements, and policies at the Cooley Law website before applying.
Think you spotted an outdated requirement or something that doesn't look right? Email moshe@sharperstatements.com with the school and a link to the current information.