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The University of Texas School of Law
Admissions and Tuition: Though the University of Texas School of Law has more seats to fill in its entering classes than most other law schools, applicants should nonetheless be prepared to face a fairly selective admissions process. Statistics for the 2007 application cycle show that of nearly 5,000 applicants, approximately 1,000 were accepted, and nearly 450 enrolled. This entering class of 2006-2007 boasted a median GPA of 3.60, and a median LSAT score of 166. Applicants whose numbers are not quite up to par with the those of this entering class could see their chances at acceptance improved if they are able to highlight ways in which they could bring diversity to the school, as the University of Texas, like most other top law schools, aims to form entering classes diverse in ethnicity, nationality and experience. Usually, the personal statement is seen as the best opportunity to highlight diverse backgrounds or experiences, and those accepted to the University of Texas in recent years opine that the personal statement holds much value in the school’s admissions process. Non-residents would be wise to submit their applications as early as possible, as the school cannot legally matriculate more than 35% non-resident students. Applicants with their heart set on the University of Texas should take advantage of the school’s Early Decision option, in which a rejection is not a fatal blow to an application, as, unlike other top schools, applications rejected in the Early Decision cycle are reconsidered in the general admission period. Applicants wishing to apply Early Decision should take the LSAT no later than the September/October testing, and should apply by November 1st. Although the University of Texas Law School does not require applicants to provide recommendation letters, most would be well advised to utilize letters of recommendation to provide insight otherwise not provided in the application package. For the 2007-2008 entering class, yearly tuition will be $20,632 for Texas residents and $35,130 for non-residents (it is hard for non-residents to gain residency status and its beneficial lower tuition). Aside from the tuition figures, the school figures an extra $14,000 for other expenses, including room and board, and books and supplies. Because Texas residents benefit from lower tuition and favorable admission standards, the University of Texas Law School is a great option for Texas residents and still a good option for non-residents.
For the University of Texas School of Law and other similarly ranked law schools, academic excellence is the norm. Although solid in all areas of its curriculum, the school boasts especially reputable programs in the fields of environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, and tax law. Many leaders of various fields of the law teach at the University of Texas, and student and alumni have continuously expressed their admiration for the school’s esteemed, yet accessible, faculty. During the first year, students are placed in 15-person groups, and will share course schedules with their group-mates throughout the year. Like most law school, University of Texas requires these first-year students to enroll in standard courses, such as legal writing. After this first year, and three more course requirements, students are free to choose from among 138 courses to round out JD degrees. Among these choices are several clinics on interesting topics, such as criminal punishment, transnational worker’s rights, and mental health. According to recent graduates, the school’s grade curve, which has a fixed mean, keeps professors from rewarding too many students with high grades, because they would have to give out an equal number of low grades. Some graduates have complained about the school’s refusal to place emphasis on class rank, while others have expressed concerns that the size of the law school can keep many students from having a chance to meet. Nonetheless, most recent graduates and current students who have expressed opinions about the school seem to be extremely pleased with their education. Quality of Life: Many students cite Austin’s recent ranking as the ‘best city for singles’, and generally seem very pleased to have a chance to study law in Austin. One recent graduate described the city as having ‘a mentality that encourages a positive quality of life.’ Activities seem endless in the city, with its plentiful outdoor areas alongside its many bars, clubs, and restaurants. On Austin’s famous 6th Street, live music flows out of the innumerable bars that line both sides of the festive street. It’s seems likely that law students wishing to unwind will have plenty of opportunities to do so. The University of Texas Law School also hosts its own social events, including the famous Halloween party and weekly bar reviews. Further, many students have noted that the school’s placement of students into 15-member groups gives them great opportunity to befriend and socialize with their group-mates. Though the law school building is a bit aged, major renovations have been completed, and most students commend the school’s facilities. Overall, the quality of life at the University of Texas may be hard to beat, especially for singles. Employment Prospects and Bar Passage: Most graduates of the University of Texas Law School seem fully satisfied with the job opportunities provided by the school. Each year approximately 400 law firms, most located outside of Texas, come to interview law students. The school’s national reach is also commended by graduates, many of whom accepted jobs on the West and East coasts. Some graduates have pointed out that the school’s large size is helpful in the job search, as there are many alumni across the nation to assist students as they seek employment. Nine months after the graduation of a recent class, 95% of graduates had found employment. Judicial clerkship offers are not uncommon, as 10-15% of graduating students typically accept such offers. Of those who enter the private sector after graduation, the median first-year salary is $110,000. Compared to Texas’s overall bar passage rate of 80%, the University of Texas boasts an impressive 90% passage rate for graduates who take the exam for the first-time.
For the many that have an affinity for Texas and the Southwest, there may be no better place than the University of Texas School of law to study law. To all applicants, the school offers an excellent legal education with esteemed professors, and a chance to live in Austin for at least three years. Austin offers the best of both worlds, with its famed live music scene in a city that is also a state capital and technology hub. For both Texas residents benefiting from low tuition or for anyone hoping to practice law in Texas, the University of Texas is an excellent choice and illustrates that at times “Bigger is Better”. Contact Information: The University of Texas School of Law
Quick Reference: U.S. News Ranking: 18th |
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The slogan ‘Everything is bigger in Texas’ certainly holds true in the case of the University of Texas School of Law, which ranks among the largest law schools in the nation with over 1400 students. Its size aside, the University of Texas is the most prestigious law school in the Southwestern region of the United States and has long been considered amongst the top twenty best law schools in America. For qualified applicants, especially those wishing to attend law school and secure employment in the Southwest, the University of Texas is an excellent option.
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