University of Virginia Library

Entering Law Class 'Most Selective,'
Applications Increase 21 Per Cent

By SAM BARNES

Typically having a 3.33
college grade point average and
a 660 average score on the Law
School Aptitude Test, the
first-year law class comprises
the "most selective" in the
school's history, according to
Assistant Law Admissions and
Placement Dean Albert R.
Turnbull.

Applicants for the 1972
class numbered 4,262,
representing a 21 per cent
increase over last year and a 55
per cent increase over 1970.

The entering class
includes 169 Virginia residents
of 890 who applied,
representing a one to five ratio.
Out-of-state students number
141 from 3,372 applicants,
representing a one to 24 ratio
of acceptance.

The 3.33 college grade point
average compares with averages
of 3.196 for last year's class
and 3.15 for the 1970 class.
The LSAT average score of 660
compares with 644 for last
year's class and 650 for the
1970 class.

On the Law School
Aptitude Test (LSAT), 71
students scored between 600
and 649, 118 students scored
between 650 and 699 and 60
students scored over 700 on
the 800-point test.

The 310 entering students
bring "extraordinary
intellectual and leadership
potential" to the law school's
program, Mr. Turnbull said.

The present total
enrollment marks a 13 per cent
increase over last year's total.
The number of Virginia
students enrolled has also
increased by 13 per cent.

"The composition of the
class is quite diverse,
containing representatives from
varied geographic, economic,
educational and work
backgrounds," Mr. Turnbull
said.

About one third of the
out-of-state students come
from southern states.

Students gaining admission
came predominantly from the
University (61), Yale (19),
Princeton (22) and Harvard
(11).

Men comprise 87 per cent
of the class and slightly less
than 20 per cent have had
previous military service.

"This group should
contribute significantly to the
life of the law school and to
the Charlottesville community
during its three-year stay
here," he said.