The second tier includes law schools of various sizes from across the United States. For the 2010 rankings, Pepperdine University, Yeshiva University, Florida State University, the University of Connecticut, Case Western Reserve University, Loyola Marymount University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of San Diego start the second tier in ranks numbered 52 to 56. Five law schools tied for the 98th rank to complete the second tier for the 2010 rankings. The schools with the 98th rank include the Catholic University of America (Columbus School of Law), DePaul University, University of San Francisco, University of the Pacific (McGeorge School of Law) and William Mitchell School of Law.
While Tier 2 law schools do not impose a minimum LSAT score for admission, future applicants can look at each school's median Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score and score range to assess their prospects. Prospective applicants can request admissions data from each law school directly or review admissions data through "U.S. News and World Report." For example, Pepperdine University School of Law, which starts the second tier in the 2010 rankings, publishes the LSAT range for its 2009 entering class as 159 for the 25th percentile and 165 for the 75th percentile. The Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, ranked 98th, had a lower LSAT score range at 156 for the 25th percentile and 161 for the 75th percentile.
Prospective law students can also review the grade-point average ranges of students admitted to second-tier law schools. Pepperdine, for example, reports 3.62 as the median GPA for its 2009 entering class, with 3.31 as the 25th percentile and 3.75 as the 75th percentile. In contrast, the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America reports a lower GPA range of 3.08 at the 25th percentile and 3.53 at the 75th percentile for its 2010 entering class.
According to "American Lawyer" magazine, second-tier law schools often compete with first-tier law schools for attention from top-ranked, national law firms during recruitment of new associates. Law firms offering the highest starting salaries for new associates often choose from students at Tier 1 schools through established, on-campus recruiting programs, while students from Tier 2 schools may need to submit their applications independently. While graduates of second-tier law schools can apply for associate programs, they may need to meet stringent GPA minimum requirements or class-ranking percentiles and participate in their schools' law review journals in order to receive consideration from the most competitive law firms. In addition to positions with national law firms, graduates of Tier 2 can apply for employment with regional law firms, smaller law practices, government agencies or non-profit organizations.