Why Dickinson Law

Choosing a law school is a big decision. Here’s why Dickinson Law should be your choice.

Two locations — perfectly situated.
In both Carlisle and University Park, you will be close to all kinds of opportunities. Carlisle is just a train or car ride away from four major legal markets — New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore — and nearby you’ll find our capital, Harrisburg, and Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey. Plus, you’ll find balance here in Carlisle, where the slower pace of life moves in counter-rhythm to the intensity of your studies. In our University Park location, you’ll attend law school on Penn State’s largest campus with a diverse population of about 46,000 graduate, undergraduate, and professional students, including about 7,500 international students. 

We make law school accessible.
Affording law school isn’t easy, but we make it as seamless as possible. We’ve committed significant resources to ensure our students have access to both merit and need-based scholarships — and we have advisors ready to help you with your financial plan.

Your niche will never be your pigeonhole.
“Profession-ready” isn’t idle talk. It’s our philosophy. We are committed to graduating practice-ready lawyers, which we do by immersing you right away in a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning. By the time you graduate, you will have had the opportunity to go deep in public interest, health law, international law, child advocacy, cyber law, or any number of disciplines. And you’ll be ready for anything.

A rich tradition of serving our community.
Practice your skills while giving back to the Carlisle and University Park communities through our in-house legal clinics. Our students volunteer at homeless shelters, serve on local boards, engage in pro bono work through our Miller Center Pro Bono Program, and advocate for clients across a number of complex legal issues.

The Penn State effect.
Dickinson Law offers all the resources of a world-class, public research institution while also featuring a student-centered academic environment. The classmates you study alongside will become your professional network, and you’ll get to see just how powerful community can be. Be part of a historic network of over 8,000 living law school alumni respected by the best legal minds in the world. With the Penn State Dickinson Law name, you will carry the respect of those who know that you have received a high-quality legal education. You’ll also have access to over half a million Penn State graduates who comprise the largest dues-paying alumni network in the world with chapters across the U.S. and abroad.

We bring the world to you.
The Dickinson Law curriculum ensures that you’ll master national law and have a firm grasp of international principles. You can take your studies global with an externship in The Hague or spend a semester abroad as part of our exchange programs with Radboud University in the Netherlands, Hanoi Law School in Vietnam, and more.

Some of the best legal minds in the country.
Our professors are lawyers and judges active in the legal community — and they have been for decades. They channel everything they know directly into the classroom, where they shape the lawyers of tomorrow. They’ll not only know your name, but they’ll also know where you shine and where you can grow. They’ll be your biggest supporters — and be the mentors you’ll have long after you graduate.

A long history of legal excellence.
It says something that we’re one of the oldest law schools in the country. And though we were founded in 1834, ours is a history of constantly evolving for the modern lawyer and ensuring the voice of progress is heard. You’ll be part of a historic alumni network where respect runs deep and affiliations last long.