The DePaul University College of Law’s highly respected faculty members and congenial student body placed it among the nation’s most outstanding law schools, according to a recent survey by the Princeton Review.  The findings were based on student responses to survey questions posed by the New York-based education services company for the 2010 edition of its guidebook  “The Best 172 Law Schools,” which is currently on newsstands.

Princeton Review’s ratings were based on a survey of more than 18,000 students attending 172 American Bar Association-approved law schools that were profiled in the book, and on institutional data provided by the schools.  The primarily online surveys were conducted during the course of the 2008-09, 2007-08 and 2006-07 academic years.

Students reported that DePaul’s “highly respected” faculty with its “global viewpoint” was one of the law school’s fine points.  In the survey, students also reported that DePaul, which is one of six law schools located in Chicago, had strong alumni connections that were helpful for securing summer and permanent employment.

Additionally, students praised the College of Law’s administration, distinguishing it as being “extremely helpful and always available.”  Specifically, students touted the admissions office for being “very hands-on.” 

Students said that the College of Law’s faculty and administration seem to value their input, pointing to the professor review conducted at the end of each semester as a tool that is taken very seriously and that helps keep faculty at the top of their game.

The College of Law was described in the survey as a place where students are helpful and polite to their classmates.  Though there is “a helpful, polite competitiveness” among the student body, it is “more of a fun competition between classmates,” said one respondent.  

While the Princeton Review survey helps illustrate the law school experience at DePaul, it is just one device that students should employ when deciding on a law school that will best suit their needs, according to Warren Wolfson, dean of the College of Law. “This survey is especially valuable and satisfying,” said Wolfson. “ It tells us we are doing a good job of serving the people who matter most – our students.  It is good to know the lessons of civility and mutual respect we seek to teach are well-received.  Our goal is to prepare students for the rigors of our profession.  This survey lets us know we are meeting that goal.”

Established in 1912, the College of Law enrolled 1,078 students for the fall 2009-10 academic year.  The law faculty consists of 59 full-time educators as well as adjuncts. All are lawyers who are scholars, international affairs experts or accomplished corporate, civil or public interest attorneys.

The College of Law has more than 12,000 living alumni. Graduates include the current and two former mayors of Chicago; more than 250 state and federal judges; and some of the nation’s top trial lawyers, corporate executives, public officials at all levels of government and nationally recognized advocates for social and human rights.