The University of Texas at Austin, School of Law Forum

[Apple Tree]

Does anyone know how the legal market at Austin is? I like Austin and would like to stay there after I graduate, but I fear it has a small legal market.

Your fears are justified. The Austin legal market is small, at least as far as private firms go. A handful of Biglaw firms have offices in Austin (Baker Botts, Vinson & Elkins, Fulbright, etc) but most of these offices are small (10-30 attorneys) and there aren't many of them. Especially in this economy, most graduates w/ Biglaw/market jobs end up working in Houston or Dallas.

However, Austin does have a good number of Texas government and PI jobs that provide options for those who aren't interested in private firms. All the state agencies are based here, including the fairly large Texas AG's office, and there are a lot of PI groups of all shapes and sizes.

This is really informative. Thanks!!

[aetennis17]

*bump


I'm an east-coaster looking to attend UT-Austin but not sure that I want to stay out there to practice. How national do you consider UT to be? If I would like to practice in LA, NY, or DC....should I opt for another school?

THANKS!

[FunkyJD]

*bump


I'm an east-coaster looking to attend UT-Austin but not sure that I want to stay out there to practice. How national do you consider UT to be? If I would like to practice in LA, NY, or DC....should I opt for another school?

THANKS!

FWIW ... from my experience living in Los Angeles, there are many Longhorns out there. A friend of a friend is a Texas JD who works for a fairly prominent firm out there.

[de5igual]

*bump


I'm an east-coaster looking to attend UT-Austin but not sure that I want to stay out there to practice. How national do you consider UT to be? If I would like to practice in LA, NY, or DC....should I opt for another school?

THANKS!

If you're not sure which of those cities you prefer, then a T14 would be more portable in those markets (or T10, really). Obv, UCLA >> Texas (or lower T14) in LA, T14 > Texas in NYC and DC

[Snooker]

I've talked to east coast students with fairly average grades, and they report getting about the same response from east coast firms as Texas students get from Texas firms.

[reallycreativename]

Hi. I'm a freshman in college and I want to transfer to the school that has the best chance at getting into University of Texas at Austin, School of Law. I know the best school would probably be UT, but I can't afford that at this point. Maybe later, if things change. So far my options are Texas Tech, UTSA, Texas State, U of Houston or any other school around those tuition costs. I won't have any problem getting into these schools; I have sufficient transfer credentials.

My question is, out of all the schools in Texas, which ones would look best on the application. I know LSAT is above anything else, but being in Texas, I know people here have a regional mentality. Therefore, I know there has to be some schools that make a slight difference.

From what I've been told so far, Texas Tech would be the best because it ranks in the top 10 in Texas but no reasons other than rank.

Advice please?

Thanks!

[4910]

They really don't give a damn about your undergrad, go to whichever one you like the most.

[vanwinkle]

They really don't give a damn about your undergrad, go to whichever one you like the most.

I'll just add a caveat here, so the previous poster doesn't get the wrong impression: It doesn't matter where you go as long as you stay in-state. Don't see this comment and go to Louisiana Tech. Being in-state matters.

Otherwise, though, the only thing that matters are your GPA in undergrad, and your LSAT. Go to a school where you feel you can get good grades, and then study study study for the LSAT when it's time to take it. That's all that matters.

But stay in-state. That's the only way it matters which school you go to.

[yournamehere]

imo, Your priorities should be:

1. In-state
2. Ability to get a high undergrad GPA
3. Least amount of Debt
4. School ranking

[4910]

yeah thats what i meant, thanks for specifying

[Apple Tree]

Does anyone know if government agencies (ie SEC/IRS/FBI) come to recruit at UT?

[Esc]

Does anyone know if government agencies (ie SEC/IRS/FBI) come to recruit at UT?

DOJ, IRS, FBI, and I think DOL were at the Public Service Table Talk the other day. I don't think government agencies usually have any sort of on-campus recruiting similar to OCI, as their slots are usually filled through the honor programs, but yes, they do come to campus to answer questions and the like.

[Apple Tree]

Does anyone know if government agencies (ie SEC/IRS/FBI) come to recruit at UT?

DOJ, IRS, FBI, and I think DOL were at the Public Service Table Talk the other day. I don't think government agencies usually have any sort of on-campus recruiting similar to OCI, as their slots are usually filled through the honor programs, but yes, they do come to campus to answer questions and the like.

Thank you! Could you please elaborate on the honor programs a little bit? Are they national programs or just programs at UT? How does one get into such programs?

[adrib]

I don't have a question right now; I just want to thank Esc for all the info he has provided in this thread and in others. I've been pretty certain about UT this whole time, but thinking that I'll hopefully see a lot of people like Esc at Texas gets me even more excited about the school.

[Apple Tree]

I don't have a question right now; I just want to thank Esc for all the info he has provided in this thread and in others. I've been pretty certain about UT this whole time, but thinking that I'll hopefully see a lot of people like Esc at Texas gets me even more excited about the school.

+1

[Esc]

Does anyone know if government agencies (ie SEC/IRS/FBI) come to recruit at UT?

DOJ, IRS, FBI, and I think DOL were at the Public Service Table Talk the other day. I don't think government agencies usually have any sort of on-campus recruiting similar to OCI, as their slots are usually filled through the honor programs, but yes, they do come to campus to answer questions and the like.

Thank you! Could you please elaborate on the honor programs a little bit? Are they national programs or just programs at UT? How does one get into such programs?

The honor programs are the official programs by which many/most (all?) federal government agencies hire law graduates right out of law school. For at least some agencies, such as DOJ, these programs are the only way they will hire a fresh law graduate; the programs thus tend to be very, very competitive, at least for the more prestigious agencies like DOJ. From what I've heard, you need excellent grades, coupled with a demonstrated interest in public service/interest. It also helps if you are already set to clerk for a judge - many honor program hires are allowed to clerk for a judge for a year before coming to DOJ through the honor program. Check out the DOJ website for more info.

Glad to see y'all are interested in UT, and I hope to see you here in August.

[Apple Tree]

Does anyone know if government agencies (ie SEC/IRS/FBI) come to recruit at UT?

DOJ, IRS, FBI, and I think DOL were at the Public Service Table Talk the other day. I don't think government agencies usually have any sort of on-campus recruiting similar to OCI, as their slots are usually filled through the honor programs, but yes, they do come to campus to answer questions and the like.

Thank you! Could you please elaborate on the honor programs a little bit? Are they national programs or just programs at UT? How does one get into such programs?

The honor programs are the official programs by which many/most (all?) federal government agencies hire law graduates right out of law school. For at least some agencies, such as DOJ, these programs are the only way they will hire a fresh law graduate; the programs thus tend to be very, very competitive, at least for the more prestigious agencies like DOJ. From what I've heard, you need excellent grades, coupled with a demonstrated interest in public service/interest. It also helps if you are already set to clerk for a judge - many honor program hires are allowed to clerk for a judge for a year before coming to DOJ through the honor program. Check out the DOJ website for more info.

Glad to see y'all are interested in UT, and I hope to see you here in August.

Thank you so much for the information! I think Austin is my best choice right now. I'm still going to check out UMich just to see, but both my husband and I love Austin so much that I really can't see us happier at another place...Besides, the financial aid they gave me is very appealing.

[dancinginseptember]

UT people: please weigh in here!

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=107245

thanks

[goreman]

Does anybody know a good site with pictures of the UT law school facilities? I won't be able to get a chance to visit and their website/viewbook are honestly pretty lacking in the way of pictures of the library, study areas, class rooms, and so on. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[trutherd]

Hi. I'm a freshman in college and I want to transfer to the school that has the best chance at getting into University of Texas at Austin, School of Law. I know the best school would probably be UT, but I can't afford that at this point. Maybe later, if things change. So far my options are Texas Tech, UTSA, Texas State, U of Houston or any other school around those tuition costs. I won't have any problem getting into these schools; I have sufficient transfer credentials.

My question is, out of all the schools in Texas, which ones would look best on the application. I know LSAT is above anything else, but being in Texas, I know people here have a regional mentality. Therefore, I know there has to be some schools that make a slight difference.

From what I've been told so far, Texas Tech would be the best because it ranks in the top 10 in Texas but no reasons other than rank.

Advice please?

Thanks!

FYI, UTSA has the Summer Law School Preparation Academy, which has strong ties to UT Law School (Dean of Admissions always does at least one meet and greet, UT Law profs give lectures, letters of rec from profs carry higher than average weight, etc.)

http://www.utsa.edu/ilpa/?pg=SLSPAInfo

[magicdonquan]

So hopefully someone can help me out here.

UT Austin is one of my top choices, and for reasons other than ranking (interested in a particular clinic, journal and faculty members). For this reason, I have put together a "why X" statement, addressing all of these factors. I am filling out the application through LSAC's website and it doesn't really give an option for a "why x" addendum (they have options for LSAT, GPA addenda, etc.). Can anyone help me out here? Thanks!

[BuckinghamB]

Maybe just incorporate it into your personal statement in some way? Just a thought.

[vkgarrett]

Wondering if any current UT students have some updates about the school/campus/programs?

[Longhorn88]

Wondering if any current UT students have some updates about the school/campus/programs?

It's still here.

[vkgarrett]

Wondering if any current UT students have some updates about the school/campus/programs?

It's still here.

Hah well that's good to know... thanks.