Law School, Philosophy, and Clarke College

Spring 2010Philosophy Department Luncheon

Why Clarke College?

Law schools emphasize the importance of a strong liberal arts education.

The breadth and depth of the general education program and the wide range of liberal arts majors makes Clarke a solid choice for law school preparation.

Clarke’s advising system helps students choose the courses best suited to help them prepare for law school.

Why Philosophy?

Philosophy helps students develop a wide range of skills essential for a successful legal career or graduate education.

Critical and logical reasoning

Problem solving

Oral and written communication

An ability to assess pro and con

Organization of ideas

Boiling down complex ideas.

GRE Scores (2005-2006)

GRE Sections Score Rank

Verbal Reasoning 589 1

Quantitative Reasoning 636 15

Analytical Reasoning 5.1 1

This study evaluated the top 50 intended graduate

majors of those who took the Graduate Record Exam.

Why philosophy at Clarke?

PHIL 290: Symbolic Logic

PHIL 280: LSAT Preparation

PHIL 395: Internship/Cooperative Ed

PHIL 290: Symbolic Logic

This course helps to prepare students for the difficult logic games on the LSAT.

It is not offered at any other area colleges.

Example Problem

PHIL 280: LSAT Preparation

The Philosophy Department at Clarke began offering this course in the summer of 2008.

All students have reported an increase in their test scores due to taking this course.

Average LSAT Scores

Rank Major Average Score

Number of Students

1 Physics/Math 157.6 689

2 Philosophy/Religion 156.0 1,884

3 Economics 155.3 2,916

4 International Relations 155.1 1,546

5 Chemistry 154.5 8,93

Approximately half of the Clarke philosophy majors

who have taken the LSAT have scored at or above

the national average score for philosophy majors.

PHIL 395: Internship

Clarke philosophy majors have been able to secure paid law internships for academic credit.

They participate in witness reports, mock trials, transcription, focus groups, and discovery work.

Reynolds & Kenline

… so, how successful have Clarke philosophy majors been

at getting into law school?

… so, how successful have Clarke philosophy majors been

at getting into law school?

Answer

All Philosophy majors who have applied to law school have been accepted into law school.

Acceptance at Law Schools

Creighton

Drake University

Loyola University

Marquette University

St. Louis University

University of Iowa

University of Oklahoma

University of St. Thomas

Valparaiso University

William Mitchell

Current Clarke Graduates