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.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Application deadline is Friday, 10 March, 11:59P

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:

1. Academic interests
2. Career goals
3. How your participation Explore Law will impact your academic and career goals
4. Why you’re interested in the law and the study of the law
5. 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.

Application deadline is Friday, 10 March, 11:59P

All requirements must be completed and submitted by the deadline.

Attend an Info Session
All sessions are via Zoom 977 4090 6226.
All times are Central.

Thursday, 2 February, 12:30 – 1:30P
Friday, 10 February, 9 – 10A
Wednesday, 15 February, 5 – 6P
Wednesday, 22 February, 9 – 10A
Monday, 27 February, 9 – 10A
Monday, 6 March, 2 – 3P