The University of Texas School of Law - Brief Overview

 The University of Texas School of Law

Despite its size, The University of Texas School of Law has a fairly selective admissions process. Of nearly 5,000 applicants to the school in 2007, approximately 1,000 were accepted, and nearly 450 enrolled. The entering class of 2006-7 vaunted a median GPA of 3.60 and a median LSAT score of 166. Applicants who cannot meet those numbers can improve their chances of acceptance if they are able to accentuate other ways in which they could bring diversity to the school. UT School of Law, like many other top law schools in the nation, seeks to educate students who are diverse in ethnicity, nationality and experience. Many times, the personal statement made in the application can be vital to an individual's acceptance or rejection, especially one that highlights diverse backgrounds or experiences.

Although a majority of the students at UT School of Law are Texas residents, more than one-third graduated from a college or university outside of Texas. More than 250 undergraduate institutions and 45 states are represented in the student body. The dramatic increase in the number of highly competitive applicants along with aggressive recruiting efforts has resulted in a diverse and academically distinguished student body. Non-residents, however, should submit their applications as early as possible, as the school cannot legally matriculate more than 35% of non-resident students.


Yearly tuition was $20,632 for Texas residents and $35,130 for non-residents for the 2007-2008 entering class. In addition to the tuition figures, the school estimates an extra $14,000 for other expenses, including room and board, books and supplies. Clearly, because Texas residents benefit from lower tuition and advantageous admission standards, the UT School of Law is a great option for those residing in the state.

The Law School maintains one of the richest academic programs of any law school in the nation. The school is solid in all areas of its curriculum, and offers especially notable programs in the fields of environmental law, intellectual property law, international law, and tax law. Such a wide array of courses can not be matched at schools with smaller faculties or at schools with less intellectual and philosophical diversity. The first year program is taught entirely by the regular full-time faculty of the law school, including its most distinguished members. Many leaders of various fields of the law teach at the University of Texas School of Law, and students and alumni both have invariably expressed their appreciation of the school's esteemed, yet accessible, faculty.

The University of Texas School of Law offers a tremendous quality of life and many students cite Austin's recent ranking as the 'best city for singles.'

The city teems with activity, with its plentiful array of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from. Austins's famous 6th Street is bustling with life as live music flows out of the numerous bars that line both sides of the festive street. Law students who wish to get away from their studies and unwind can certainly find plenty of opportunity to do so in the fiesta-like atmosphere of the city. Although the school of law is among the largest in the United States, many students have implied that the school's placement of students into 15-member groups offers students great opportunity to befriend and socialize with their group-mates. The University of Texas Law School also hosts its own social events, including many scheduled parties and weekly bar reviews.

Graduates of UT School of Law seem very satisfied with the job opportunities provided by the school. More than 400 law firms annually come to the school to interview law students. It has been noted 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…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.''

The University of Texas School of Law offers an excellent legal education with highly esteemed professors, and a chance to live in culturally rich Austin. The city offers the best of both worlds with its famed live music scene and state capital setting that has also become a hub of technology. The school is an excellent choice for both resident and non-resident alike and offers an exceedingly solid foundation for those seeking a career either in the field of law, or any other field. Some notable alumni are James Baker, former Secretary of State, Lloyd Bentsen, former Secretary of the Treasury and United States Senator, and John B. Connally, Jr., former Governor of Texas.

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