More graduates from Cornell Law School passed New York state's rigorous bar exam last year than graduates from any other law school in the state except New York University School of Law, which tied with Cornell for first place. Cornell and NYU edged out Columbia and Fordham law schools for top honors, said New York Law Journal reporter John Woods.
"Improved performances by most New York law schools helped raise the statewide pass rate for first-time takers of the July [2001] bar exam to 79 percent," up from 75 percent in July 2000, Woods wrote Jan. 16 in the journal. Cornell and NYU law schools led the way, with pass rates of 96 percent for first-time takers, he said later in the month. Columbia was at 94 and Fordham at 93 percent. Cornell tied with NYU for the highest honors in 2000 as well.
"We have very smart, hard-working students," said John Siliciano, vice dean and professor at Cornell Law School. "We take law education seriously here, and that gives students a good fundamental footing to take a test like the New York bar and do well."
Traditionally, law students take the exam shortly after earning their J.D. (doctor of law) degree following three years of study. Those who pass may then apply to be licensed to practice law in New York state.
All 15 of the state's law schools reported results to the journal for its annual assessment. Cornell was one of 12 reporting improved results from the previous year's exam. In total, 9,194 applicants took the July 2001 bar exam, the journal reported, with 6,664 passing. Of the 7,602 applicants taking the exam for the first time, 6,030 passed.
| Cornell Chronicle Front Page | | Table of Contents | | Cornell News Service Home Page |