火爆社区

The University of St. Thomas Law School is a private Catholic university in Minneapolis known for 鈥渋nstilling ethical values鈥� and its 鈥渇ocus on practical work experience.鈥� Students at the law school 鈥渢hink deeply about who they are and what their duties as a lawyer will look like.鈥� One student describes the program鈥檚 approach: 鈥淲e are expected to use our morals to guide us throughout our practice, and always keep service to others at the forefront.鈥� Students appreciate that UST 鈥渟trongly emphasizes experiential learning.鈥� The standout feature of the law school is the Mentor Externship Program, which students say is 鈥渋nvaluable and allows for real-world connections and experiences.鈥� The program, which pairs students with legal professionals for hands-on experience, is required for all three years. As one student explains, 鈥淔rom day one of school, you get meaningful exposure to actual practice, and your network expands instantly.鈥�
The school fosters a close-knit academic environment. Professors here 鈥渆njoy getting to know students鈥� and 鈥渃lass sizes are kept small.鈥� The professors are 鈥渧ery insightful鈥� and 鈥渨illing to go out of their way to help students.鈥� Students appreciate the practical nature of the curriculum, saying that the 鈥渃ourse material is purposeful.鈥� Beyond the classroom, 鈥渕any of the professors at the school are very forthcoming about wanting to help us professionally as well.鈥� Some students would like to see more diverse faculty members and for the school to place more emphasis on faculty DEI training. There's a mix of political viewpoints among students and faculty, though some students feel that the faculty tends to 鈥渓ean conservative鈥� while 鈥渕ost students are on the liberal side.鈥� However, regardless of differences in ideology, 鈥渟tudents are friendly with each other, and cross-aisle conversation is encouraged.鈥�

There is a 鈥渧ery strong sense of community鈥� at UST. The environment is 鈥渋ncredibly collegial, polite, and professional鈥� and 鈥渧ery cooperative.鈥� One student describes the atmosphere, saying, 鈥淚t has been a very nurturing experience.鈥� The 鈥渞esearch facilities and resources are phenomenal.鈥� The library has 鈥渁mple private study rooms,鈥� and the librarians are 鈥渇riendly and incredibly helpful when students have research or writing questions.鈥� The law school gets 鈥渁 ton of natural light鈥� and the 鈥渃lassrooms are designed in a way that encourages student engagement.鈥� The school creates many opportunities to socialize. As one student explains, 鈥淪t. Thomas has a firm 90-minute lunch window that allows students of all classes to mingle at club meetings and events.鈥� There are 鈥済reat lunchtime presentations鈥� that cover 鈥渁 wide variety of legal practices,鈥� as well as social events including 鈥淟aw Prom, kickball tournaments, [and] game nights.鈥� The location in downtown Minneapolis makes it 鈥渆asy to work at a firm part-time while in school,鈥� and the Skyway System鈥攁 series of enclosed pedestrian bridges 鈥攈elps make the city walkable even in Minnesota winters.