How does Texas Law evaluate candidates with military service?
Many applicants who serve or have served in the military already come with a strong foundation in leadership and commitment to service that would be a natural fit at Texas Law in their preparation for a professional career in law. Each year we aim to admit a class of academically talented, high-spirited, and diverse students from all backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated their potential to be leaders in the legal profession, and military service would be one factor among the many factors we take into consideration when evaluating an applicant’s candidacy.
What is the veteran demographic among the student body?
Each year we welcome a number of current and former members of the military to Texas Law in every incoming cohort. For the most recent class, 2.1% of the incoming students served in US armed forces.
I am considering some of the top law schools in the country. Why should I consider Texas Law?
At Texas Law, we pride ourselves for our special community of students who are collaborative, supportive, and respectful of one another. We are committed to fostering an academic and professional community that values diversity in its most broadest terms that underscore the Law School’s identity and mission as one of the premier, public law schools in the country. Combined with our competitive funding opportunities, overall affordability, and strong placement rates, we make a compelling case that three years at Texas Law is one of the best return on investments to begin a career in law.
How do I apply to Texas Law?
Our Office of Admissions & Financial Aid have put together an informative website that delineates the entire application process. Check it out at: https://law.utexas.edu/admissions/apply/ and do not hesitate to contact them directly at admissions@law.utexas.edu or 512-232-1200 with any questions.
What can I do to increase my chances for success?
The best advice we can offer is to put together a strong application that showcases your academic talent, leadership potential, and the qualities you believe that will enrich Texas Law’s learning environment. Many universities and colleges offer prelaw advising services and your prelaw advisor will be your greatest resource in helping you put together an application that suits you best.
Will I qualify for in-state tuition?
If you are a military veteran, you may qualify for in-state tuition. Please visit Collegeforalltexans.com for more information. If you are still on active duty or serving with a reserve unit, you may also qualify for in-state tuition.
- If Texas is your legal state of residence (regardless of duty station), you can expect to pay in-state tuition.
- If Texas is not your legal state of residence, but are stationed in Texas, fill out a residency questionnaire through GIAC (The Texas Graduate Admissions office). This will qualify you for in-state tuition. This applies to active duty, reserves, and National Guard. If you are no longer on active duty, you may qualify for the Hazelwood Act. This provides free education for Texas veterans at Texas schools. It is serviced through the Veteran Affairs Office. In order to qualify, you must have been a Texas Resident prior to entering the military and returned to Texas after leaving the military.
Yes, you should apply. What do you have to lose? Texas Law will waive the application fee for current and former service-members. The Texas Law LSAT and GPA median can be intimidating if you scored well below the two medians. These two data points are important to Texas Law for applicants those who go straight from undergrad to law school.
You have life experience your peers do not. You have already demonstrated selfless service in a noble profession. You are a part of the 1% that serve(d) this country. This is a very strong soft factor that Texas Law will take into account when considering your application.
Why should I apply to Texas Law under FLEP?
First, Texas Law offers an unmatched balance of educational rigor and quality, affordability, and quality of life. This includes a stunning array of hands-on-practice clinics, far more than most can offer.
Second, Texas Law have an exceedingly-positive environment for servicemembers (and veterans). In part, it’s the larger university’s intensive focus on education, research, and events that relate to U.S. National Security.
Third, Austin is now home to Army Futures Command (AFC). AFC, in fact, is in a UT building downtown, just minutes away from the law school. You can intern there, earning 4 credits working directly with an amazing cohort of JAG Officers and Civilian DOD attorneys.
Fourth, we have a particular strength in national security law and related topics. Key faculty including Associate Dean Bobby Chesney, Professor(s) Steve Vladeck, Derek Jinks, Michael Schmitt, Michelle Malvesti, and others.
Fourth, we have a particular strength in national security law and related topics. Key faculty including Associate Dean Bobby Chesney, Professor(s) Steve Vladeck, Derek Jinks, Michael Schmitt, Michelle Malvesti, and others.
At Texas Law you can count up to 12 credits from other parts of UT towards their degree, and we offer a first-class slate of security-related policy and history courses just a short walk outside our building.
Interested in cyber domain law, policy, and institutions? We’ve got an incredible and growing program along those lines. And, yes, we do offer Military Law and Courts (Professor Vladeck frequently argues before CAAF, notably). I’d be remiss, too, if I did not point to LTC (ret.) Casey Thomas, a beloved adjunct faculty member who is a retired JAG Officer with incredible experience in his service years, and whose course on “The Lawyer as Advisor” is particularly relevant for future JAG Officers.
The presence on campus of distinguished retired officers is notable including former JSOC Commander Admiral (ret.) William McRaven, Admiral (ret.), former Chair of the President’s Intelligence GEN (ret.) Bob Inman, former Marine Corps Commandant GEN (ret.) Bob Neller, and former U.S. Korea Commander and UN Commander GEN (ret.) Vince Brooks. And in part it’s the general congeniality of Texas.
I am concerned my LSAT and/or GPA is too low and that I will not be a competitive applicant. Should I apply?
Texas Law application has a “box check” for FLEP status. The admissions team is actively looking for you in the application process. FLEP Officer applicants with LSAT/GPA scores in the bottom 25% of the average Texas Law accepted applicant have been accepted without being waitlisted.
Just like the FLEP board that selected you, the Texas Law admissions team takes into account the applicant in his or her entirety. The LSAT and GPA are just two data points. FLEP Officers routinely exhibit ‘soft-factors’ that are superior to non-military peer applicants.
My service-branch will only pay up to a certain amount for my education, will Texas Law work within these limits?
Texas Law recognizes that the government will only pay up to a certain amount for your education. Worth noting, Texas Law is the highest U.S. News ranked law school that offers in-state tuition within these parameters. If accepted and are unsure if you qualify for in-state tuition, reach out to the Texas Law Admissions Office. It is likely that you will qualify.
Can I get involved with Army Futures Command?
The Army Futures Command (AFC) is the new four-star command located in downtown Austin, Texas. In fact, it is headquartered at the University of Texas System building. Standing up this command was the most significant branch restructuring of the United States Army since 1973. AFC exists to modernize the Army. The modernization effort prior to AFC was too slow to meet the need of technological advancement in the information-age. The University of Texas School of Law permits second and third-year students to intern at AFC for four hours of law school course credit. At AFC interning law students will learn how multi-billion-dollar military research, development, and acquisitions work. This opportunity is invaluable regardless of career choice after law school.
