Recently Graduated UT Law Student taking questions Forum

[n1o2c3a4c5h6e7t]

Are positions on journals or clinics paid? Are clinics semester- or year-long? What is the university rate of compensation for paid jobs?

What is the journal participation rate (roughly is fine)?

[de5igual]

Are positions on journals or clinics paid? Are clinics semester- or year-long? What is the university rate of compensation for paid jobs?

What is the journal participation rate (roughly is fine)?

1. No, you generally pay dues (the value of journals aside, generally it's a good deal because journals are a source of free breakfast and you more than make up for the dues)
2. Clinics last 1 semester, but you can opt to do the clinic for a second semester but at half the amount of credits but the same amount of work (absolutely not worth doing imo, unless you particularly like that line of work or are committed to PI)
3. Rate of compensation for RAs is ~11-12/hr

I have no idea what the journal participation rate is, but it seemed like almost everyone was part of some journal

[nonprofit-prophet]

Are positions on journals or clinics paid? Are clinics semester- or year-long? What is the university rate of compensation for paid jobs?

What is the journal participation rate (roughly is fine)?

1. No, you generally pay dues (the value of journals aside, generally it's a good deal because journals are a source of free breakfast and you more than make up for the dues)
2. Clinics last 1 semester, but you can opt to do the clinic for a second semester but at half the amount of credits but the same amount of work (absolutely not worth doing imo, unless you particularly like that line of work or are committed to PI)
3. Rate of compensation for RAs is ~11-12/hr

I have no idea what the journal participation rate is, but it seemed like almost everyone was part of some journal

TLR ed board gets paid.

[AnonymousAlterEgoC]

Does anyone have experience with using apartment locators? If so, can you provide some detail including whether you'd recommend them?

[Attax]

Does anyone have experience with using apartment locators? If so, can you provide some detail including whether you'd recommend them?

I have used them for 3 years as an undergrad and wouldn't look without them. A lot of the properties around campus are managed by property management companies, so just casually searching for apartments may not find all available in the general area. Many of the companies collaborate together, so they will show each other's properties that may not be listed/are hard to find on their shitty web sites. Despite the web site, they're wonderful for finding places. I spent about 1 month searching on my own and not finding any place I really liked, then 1 week with an apartment locator and I found a place close to campus, under my budget, that I really am pleased with.

[timmyd]

Does anyone know where a 3.69-3.72 would place one after 2l year in terms of rankings????

[nonprofit-prophet]

Does anyone know where a 3.69-3.72 would place one after 2l year in terms of rankings????

15-20%

[timmyd]

Does anyone know if transfer students are eligible for honors upon graduation...

[McAvoy]

So traditionally UT hardly took transfers, but now they take a ton, right? What happened to cause the shift?

Is it a response to shrinking 1L class sizes?

[WokeUpInACar]

So traditionally UT hardly took transfers, but now they take a ton, right? What happened to cause the shift?

Is it a response to shrinking 1L class sizes?

Yep. Keeps the ranking/medians while not giving up too much revenue.

[Attax]

Don't transfers typically have a rough time at OCI and stuff since they have no grades/should they be a huge concern for employment?

[nonprofit-prophet]

Don't transfers typically have a rough time at OCI and stuff since they have no grades/should they be a huge concern for employment?

I only know three transfers, but they ended up at market paying Texas firms.

[timeandspace11]

Does anybody know how PD gunners do at UT? Austin doesn't have an actual PD office, only juvenile and mental, so there aren't many internship opportunities throughout the year. In addition, afaik Houston PD doesn't hire fresh grads. Dallas does, but that is only one city. Do people who want this route go for a state trial/appellate clerkship to build experience and then try to go to Dallas/Houston? I also noticed that of the current Harris County (Houston) PDs, there are zero people who went to UT, which I found surprising. Nearly everybody went to UH/STCL, which probably implies that they favor people who intern there over the year. Afaik, however, UT students can't do that. Further, the only PD organization that comes to the public interest fair is the Dallas one, so not even small cities look like reasonable options (and I have no interest in small TX cities).

TL;DR: Is it realistically possible to gun for PD from UT?

Im doing my summer internship at a PD office right now (out of state). There is at least 1 person i know that works here that is a UT grad. Though there is no PD office, which does suck, it does seem like there is a lot you can do to build a resume and gain great experience. The criminal defense clinic and volunteering at organizations like Texas Defender Services come to mind. I want to do PD work so I will probably take advantage of these options.

[timeandspace11]

Has anybody ever taken both crim pro classes (prosecution and investigation) the same semester? I want to take them as soon as possible, but I dont want to do so if it would be too difficult or if I would mix the material up (the latter I doubt is a problem).

[timmyd]

Is a 3.69 high enough to apply to firms posting a top 15% preference?

[TexasNexis]

I noticed some people asking about housing in this thread. I am a 3L at UT looking for a roommate for at least the upcoming school year. It's a little less than 20 minutes to walk to the law school and two minutes from a bus stop that goes through West Campus and then does a look starting with the south of campus. The location is in northwest West Campus, with very easy access (sometimes good short cuts) to Lamar, Mo-Pac, I-35, the Triangle, and downtown (great for getting to downtown fast for law firm receptions or bar reviews, even during rush hour). Generally very quiet area despite frats/sororities in the area (they don't make much noise, and are located at least a block away each).

The apartment comes fully furnished and includes a parking spot, washer/drier, washing machine, and a separate bathroom. The room itself comes with some minimal furniture. Whole apartment has wooden shutters on the windows, great at keeping out sun and heat if desired. Rent is $750/month and includes Internet and all utilities and water and etc. (excepting an excessive electricity use beyond $90/mo which we would split, which is rare). My parents are the landlords and are very easy to deal with. Security deposit is $500.

Of course, the best part is getting a 3L roommate who can give you good advice about law school and who has an outline library right in the living room for you to use at your leisure If interested, please PM me for pictures. No pets, no smoking, no people that want to throw a wild party in the apartment every week, no people that are unable to clean up after themselves. Can be male or female (I am male).

[MtnGinger]

I've posted other places but without luck so I will try here. I am in love with Texas but a major concern for me is the opportunity to spend a semester in London. Do any current students or graduates know how competitive the London program is at UT? I know that anywhere I go grades will be a major factor but I would like to have the best shot possible wherever I go so the less competitive the better.

[philosoraptor]

a major concern for me is the opportunity to spend a semester in London.

Um, why?

[McAvoy]

Nobody has responded cause it's a little weird . Why don't you go chill in London before law school, instead?

[WokeUpInACar]

Studying abroad is for undergrads. The only time you should consider it is 3L year if you already have a job.

[Attax]

Studying abroad is for undergrads. The only time you should consider it is 3L year if you already have a job.

Yeah, I asked my guide about it at ASW and this is exactly what she said. I think it would be fun: if I have a job, study abroad! I've never been abroad.

But, I'm not picking a school on a dumb reason.

[McAvoy]

I love how Vanderbilt used that as a marketing tactic. "Take Classes in Venice 1L Summer and Don't Get a Job!"

[Attax]

I love how Vanderbilt used that as a marketing tactic. "Take Classes in Venice 1L Summer and Don't Get a Job!"

LOL oh Vanderbilt. Although I still wonder why I didn't apply there. But seriously, I'm going to law school to be a lawyer, I'll vacation after that/3L year or when I retire.

[McAvoy]

Plus I'm sure I'll get to spend plenty of time in Europe once I'm a superstar Comparative International Human Rights attorney.

[MtnGinger]

I want to do it because of my career goals. I'm interested in doing international law, I will have undergrad degrees in both accounting and finance because my ultimate goal is working abroad for a large international company. Columbia has a 3 yr JD LLM in london where you can take the bar in both countries. But I hate NEw York I would much rather spend my time in the south and preferably Texas if I know I can get the international experience I need.