Whittier Law School - Doing Things A Bit Differently
Whittier Law School was established at Whittier College in 1975, and accredited by the ABA 1978. It is located in Costa Mesa, California, rather than on the main Whittier College campus in Whittier, California. They have done some things a bit differently than other law schools, including using a 100 point system for grading rather than a 4.0 system like the majority of schools, and requiring classes that are meant to prepare students better for the essay and performance test portions of the CA bar exam (which came about when they were put on probation for graduates not passing the bar exam in high enough numbers, a situation which has since been remedied). The school is now planning to change to a 4.0 system for their grading in the coming years.
Whittier Law School offers both full time and part time programs for those studying for their J.D. Part time options include either a day program or an evening program, and take an extra year to complete the degree. J.D. students the option to specialize in Business Law or Criminal Law. The school also offers an LLM in U.S. Legal Studies for foreign students. Applications can be made online through the LSAC or filled out and mailed in to the school. Two recommendations are required, as well as LSAT scores.
Due to the strict grading curve the Whittier Law School adheres to, there is a high number of first year students who do not continue on to get their degrees. Students must maintain a 77 grade point average. According to the curve that is used by Whittier Law School, only 10% of first year students can receive 'A's, and 20-35% of first year students must receive grades of D or F in any given course. An instructor can also choose not to give any 'A's.
Tuition for Whittier Law School for the Fall 2008 term came to $33,900 for students attending full time. Part time students were charged $1,130 for each credit. Students can apply for student loans, as well as scholarships from the law school and other private organizations.
A number of well known individuals have graduated from Whittier Law School. These include Mablean Ephriam, the host of Divorce Court; Christina Perez, the Judge on Christina's Court and Corte de Familia; two Superior Court of California Judges for Los Angeles County (Mildred Escobedo and Stephanie Sautner); Sandra Baldonado, a mayor of Claremont, CA; and Florence-Marie Cooper, a United States District Court for the Central District of California Judge.
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