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
- Blended learning community of ACC, HT, and UT-Austin students
- Open primarily to rising sophomores and juniors, though other students are welcome to apply
- Open to students at least 18 years old, with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
- 4-week summer program | 20 July – 11 August 2023
- Additional opportunities in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
- We are planning for an entirely in-person experience this summer.
- Participants will need to commit to living in Austin for the duration of the program. Participants who are able to do so are encouraged to remain in their own off-campus housing. For those who will not have access to summer housing, on-campus residence hall housing is available, at no cost, upon request; please see application for details. Rooms are double occupancy.
- We will continue to follow advice from healthcare professionals and institution officials concerning public health best practices.
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 Literacy
Professional Development & Social Justice
- First-Year Law Classes (e.g., constitutional, contracts, criminal)
- Law School Applications
- Law School Admissions
- Experiential Learning
- Soft and Hard Skills Practice (e.g., resumes, interviews, etiquette, dress, etc.)
- Professional Networking
LSAT Overview
Although Explore Law is not an LSAT prep program, participants will learn about the format, skills tested, purpose and use of the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) as one part of law school application process. Participants who successfully complete the entire summer experience are eligible for enrollment in a Kaplan LSAT prep course during the subsequent academic year. This live, online course (a $1,200.00 value) is offered by the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity’s Strive Grad Prep Academy, and is provided at no cost to participants.
Learning Community Highlights
- Form small, supportive learning community with fellow participants and program staff
- Receive teaching and mentoring from law faculty, legal professionals, and college-to-career staff
- Integrate time management, financial management, wellness management, and community building sessions into law exposure curriculum
- Texas Law Admissions Office will coordinate a “mock admissions panel” for students to learn how applications are reviewed
- Participants prepare and deliver an oral argument in front of a panel of judges
- Participants who successful complete the entire summer experience are eligible for one-on-one mentorship from a current Texas Law student throughout the academic year
Eligibility
- Applicants must be currently enrolled 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 2023 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 (i.e., 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 and Pell-eligible college students.
- Applicants are selected based on indicators of strong academic performance, including recommendations and writing samples.
- Applicants must articulate and/or demonstrate their interest in studying the law and pursuing legal careers.
- Applicants are encouraged to highlight their service to community, demonstrated leadership, and other extracurricular activities evincing the potential to be a serious law school applicants.
- Applicants will be selected based on the overall quality of their application package, including their writing sample, resume, and personal statement. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Other Notes
- Applicants must commit to residing in Austin for the program’s duration.
- Applicants must also 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.
- Participants are asked to sign a release form permitting recording and photography.
- Stipend payments are yoked to active participation and completion of expectations.
- Applicants must agree to maintain a standard of respectful conduct.
Apply
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
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. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
*** 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 advice and templates, 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.
*** 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.
