Explore Law’s goal is to increase the numbers of high-priority undergraduate students from the University of Texas at Austin, Huston-Tillotson University, and Austin Community College who apply to and are accepted into law school. Additional goals focus on increasing the college persistence and success rates of students at these three institutions.
About the Program
- Free for students selected to participate
- Selected students will receive a stipend for participating
- Representation from ACC, HT, and UT-Austin students
- Open primarily to rising sophomores and juniors (at least 24 hours but no more than 60 hours of in-residence college credit by the end of Spring 2021)
- Open to students with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
- 4-week virtual summer program | 19 July – 13 August 2021
- Additional programming in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
- Due to ongoing uncertainty with the pandemic, please note that the summer 2021 experience will be entirely virtual, but will meet synchronously.
Legal Curriculum Highlights
- Analytical Thinking
- Rhetoric and Logic
- Legal Research and Writing
- Oral Advocacy (with capstone event in front of a panel of legal professionals)
- Law School 101 Highlights
Law and Social Justice
- First-Year Law Classes (e.g., constitutional, contracts, criminal)
- Law School Applications
- Law School Admissions
- Service Learning (via clinic experience and mentoring)
- Soft and Hard Skills Practice (e.g., resumes, interviews, appropriate dress)
- Networking and Etiquette
LSAT Overview
Although Explore Law is not a LSAT prep program, students undertake a series of workshops that teach about the format, skills tested, purpose and use of the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) as one part of law school application process. Students will learn about some methods of preparation, resources available, and have the opportunity to practice some LSAT items.
Learning Community Highlights
- Form small, supportive learning community with fellow participants and program staff
- Receive mentoring throughout college from law students, law faculty, and legal professionals
- Provide mentoring to younger students learning about the law in action
- Integrate time management, financial management, study skills, and test-anxiety management classes into the curriculum
- Texas Law Admissions Office will coordinate a “mock admissions panel” for students to learn how applications are reviewed
Eligibility
Due to ongoing uncertainty with the pandemic, please note that the summer 2021 experience will be entirely virtual, but will meet synchronously.
- Applicants must be current students at either the University of Texas at Austin, Huston-Tillotson University, or Austin Community College.
- Preferred applicants are either rising college sophomores or juniors, meaning at least 24 hours but no more than 60 hours in residence as of the end of the Spring 2021 semester. Students with less than 24 and more than 60 hours are considered on a space available basis.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Applicants must be at least eighteen years old (18+)
Additional Selection Criteria
Although students may be eligible for the program, that does not guarantee selection.
Students will be selected based on the following additional criteria:
- Students who are members of groups historically underrepresented in law school education (African American/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Asian American, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) are encouraged to apply, as are first-generation college students.
- Applicants are selected based on indicators of academic talent such as recommendations and writing samples.
- Applicants must articulated and/or demonstrated their interest in studying the law.
- Applicants are encouraged to highlight their service to communities, demonstrated leadership, and other extracurricular activities evincing the potential to be strong law school applicants.
- Applicants will be selected based on the overall quality of their application package, including their writing sample, resume, and personal statement.
Applicants must commit to participating in all seminars, workshops, activities, and assignments during the summer experience, as well as the enrichment, mentoring and related activities during the subsequent academic year. Stipend payments are yoked to active participation and completion of expectations. Applicants must agree to live on campus during the summer experience. Applicants must agree to maintain a standard of conduct.
PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY
Applications are now closed for ACC and UT applicants.
Selections for Summer 2021 have been made. The application for Summer 2022 will open late Fall 2021 or early Spring 2022. Check back here for updated details.
As an applicant to Explore Law, you are responsible for completing and submitting all the required application materials by the deadline. You will not be able to submit your application unless you check the boxes in the application form stating that you have uploaded all required attachments. Please see “Selection Criteria” above for details. Due to ongoing uncertainty with the pandemic, please note that the summer 2021 experience will be entirely virtual, but will meet synchronously.
*** STEP ONE ***
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND FOUR (4) SUPPORTING MATERIALS (LISTED BELOW) VIA THE ONLINE APPLICATION. Click here to open application in a new tab.
Supporting Material 1 | Certification and Release of Information Form
Download and print the Certification, Release, Consent Form, scan and upload to the online application as a pdf. Do not upload form as a jpg. When you submit, please name your file Last Name – release. Click here to download form.
Supporting Material 2 | Analytic Writing Sample
Please respond to the following prompt:
Companies should not be able to sue individuals for copyright infringement because it is important that ideas flow freely in a democratic society.
- Your response should be no more than five hundred (500) words.
- Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In explaining your reasoning, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and examples that would challenge your position.
- Remember that there is no “right” answer. The point is for you to take a position and argue for that position. We are looking at your ability to communicate clearly and think analytically.
- Please upload your writing sample in pdf format.
- When you submit, please name your file Last Name – writing.
Supporting Material 3 | Resume
- Please upload your resume in pdf format.
- When you submit, please name your file Last Name – resume.
- For resume template, please visit here.
Supporting Material 4 | Personal Statement
Please submit a personal statement that addresses all five of the following:
- Academic interests
- Career goals
- How your participation Explore Law will impact your academic and career goals
- Why you’re interested in the law and the study of the law
- Any additional information you believe pertinent to your participation
- Please upload your resume in pdf format.
- When you submit, please name your file Last Name – statement.
- Your response should be no more than five hundred (500) words.
Note on Transcripts: Applicants selected to participate will be asked to submit copies of college transcripts from all institutions they have attended. Program participation is contingent on timely submission. There is no need to submit a transcript with your application.
*** STEP TWO ***
Please provide this link —tinyurl.com/yy67zo2b — to your recommenders. Recommenders should submit directly via this form. YOU NEED TWO (2) RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE.
- Additional recommendations do not increase chances of selection.
- At least one recommendation must come from an academic source, such as a college professor who can speak to your analytic, speaking, and writing skills.
All requirements must be completed and submitted by the deadline.
