LAW SCHOOL IN TEXAS

Introduction

Texas is a great state to study law. With a robust economy and diverse pool of legal markets, the state provides several career outlets for prospective lawyers. Graduates can seek employment in many fields, from corporate law to public service.

If you’re focusing on law schools in Texas, there are many great options. These schools offer excellent education, concentrations, and alumni networks. In this guide, we will discuss a list of law schools in Texas. We will give you helpful insight into the school admission standards and provide tips on how to make a decision that helps align with your career goals, learning style, and budget.

2023-2024 Top Law Schools in Texas

There are many factors to consider when deciding which of the law schools in Texas you should attend. You should check out how each school ranks, what they require from applicants, and their cost. Also, it is a wise decision to overview how easily their graduates find employment once they graduate. After all, you are trying to gain an education that will help bring you positive results in your future legal careers.

Here are the list of best law schools in Texas to help lessen your confusion:

No.	Law School	U.S. News Ranking	Acceptance Rate	Average LSAT	Average GPA	First-time Bar Passage
1	University of Texas – Austin School of Law	16th in Best Law Schools	14.9%	171	3.86	90.4%
2	Texas A&M University School of Law	26th in Best Law Schools	14.6%	166	3.97	89.4%
3	SMU (Dedman) Law School	42nd in Best Law Schools	32.7%	164	3.83	85.3%
4	Baylor University	46th in Best Law Schools	17.8%	164	3.73	92%
5	University of Houston Law Center	68th in Best Law Schools	32.3%	161	3.72	83.9%
6	Texas Tech University	82nd in Best Law Schools	38.1%	158	3.63	79.5%
7	South Texas College of Law Houston	160th in Best Law Schools	44%	153	3.36	77.8%

1. University of Texas – Austin School of Law

Austin School of Law ranks at #16 nationally and holds the first spot for best law schools in Texas. The school has a 14.6% acceptance rate. It represents the high admission standard of the school. It also ranked #11 in Constitutional Law, and #15 in Contracts/Commercial Law. The tuition for residents is $36,429 and $54,096 for non-residents. The return on this investment is good because, within 10 months of graduation, 95.2% of students have secure employment.

2. Texas A&M University School of Law

The next best law school to mention is Texas A&M University. They come in at #5 in Conflict Resolution and #6 in Intellectual Property Law. It offers a broad-based curriculum and very competitive Texas AM Law School rankings. The annual tuition for residents is $32,634 and non-residents is $49,002. Incredibly, 99.4% of its law grads are employed within the first ten months after graduation—quite an attractive statistic for any future law students considering enrolling here.

3. Southern Methodist University (Dedman) Law School

This is another great school for law students and is ranked as the third-best law school in Texas. Notably, it also ranks #33 in Criminal Law. Sure, it will cost you about $63,502/year for tuition, but 97.8% of their students find jobs within ten months, so, it is still a good investment. SMU Law School is highly competitive, and a good LSAT score can be the difference between admission and rejection. 

4. Baylor University Law School

While Baylor Law School comes in at No. 46 in the Best Law School in the US, it is known especially for its trial advocacy program that secured the 3rd spot ranking nationally. The $61,877 tuition annually is expensive. Nevertheless, it is worth it due to its excellent Baylor Law School rankings and 91.7% employment success after graduation.

5. University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law School, ranking 68th in the nation, offers an excellent balance for those who need to juggle work and study, especially notable for its #8 rank in part-time programs. This law school in Texas is highly recommended for students interested in specialties like Health Care and Intellectual Property Law, ranking 7th and 8th respectively in these fields. 

With tuition fees of $34,942 for in-state students and $50,132 for out-of-state students, it provides a more affordable option compared to similar institutions. A significant 86.3% of its graduates find employment within ten months of completing their studies, underlining its value as a wise choice for legal education.

6. Texas Tech University School of Law

Texas Tech Law School is a great option for students looking for value and accessibility. The acceptance rate is 38.1%, and you’ll need a median GPA of 3.63 and an LSAT score of 158 to be admitted. The affordability is a big plus, with in-state tuition at $27,532 and out-of-state tuition at $39,232. Nearly 90% of graduates find jobs shortly after graduating, making Texas Tech a nice choice for those seeking an affordable school that delivers results.

7. South Texas College of Law Houston

The school may not be highly ranked, but it shines in Trial Advocacy securing the 3rd spot in this specific field. The full-time tuition is $41,110 and $27,740 for the part-time program. Despite its national ranking of 150th, more than 83.1% of graduates secure jobs within ten months. This shows the school does a good job of preparing students for their legal careers, making it a worthy consideration for prospective law students.

How Does the Law School Application Process Work?

Using this list of law schools in Texas above, you can find the best law school for your learning style, budget, as well as your career goals. You’re either interested in the University of Texas for its prestige or Texas Tech for its affordability or other law schools in Texas. No matter which you prefer, there are good law schools in Texas that suit your tastes. 

After you have chosen some schools that you are interested in, begin preparing your application. Be sure to do this as soon as possible. Expect this in the admissions process:

Taking the LSAT

The LSAT is an important part of your application. Aside from its a reliable indicator of how well you will perform in law school, it also opens up scholarship opportunities especially if you have a high score. To start, check out the admission stats of your chosen school to see what LSAT score you should aim for. The median LSAT score provided in the table above should be your target score or higher to boost your application. As a result, you should aim for the highest LSAT score possible to get admitted to the best law schools in Texas.

In order to achieve a high LSAT score, it is best to have a reliable LSAT prep strategy. Our LSAT Prep Course in Dallas offers extensive training with thousands of practice tests to ensure you’re well-prepared on the test day. We go through each type of LSAT question and provide strategies and explanations behind every answer as this helps you retain information effectively. All preparation for this test would include LSAT registration, and studying up until you take the test. The LSAT can be administered in person at a Prometric center or from home. You can have it any way you want because both versions are digital.

Application Materials

Aside from your LSAT score, schools also evaluate other law school requirements like a bachelor’s degree, GPA, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The personal statement provides an opportunity for you to share your unique experiences and perspectives. Why pursue law? What experiences have motivated you? 

Also, you need to submit a letter of recommendation from a professor or employer who can attest to your academic potential and work ethic. You should notify them in advance that you chose them as one of the recommenders to give them time to write and be specific in creating these letters.

Make an admissions roadmap to keep everything in one place. This helps you keep track of deadlines and hand in everything on time. Another helpful tool is the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service, especially if you are applying to multiple schools since this collects and sends your transcripts and LORs directly to each school.

Preparing for Interviews

Some schools might invite you for an interview. If that happens, you should be prepared to talk about your passion for law, how you deal with stress, and any relevant experience that has gotten you this far. It is even a great opportunity to ask questions about the school and program itself.

Post-Application

After you’ve submitted your applications, the waiting game starts. Keep an eye on your application status and start thinking about financial aid options. Law school is expensive, so it’s smart to plan ahead.

Navigate the complexities of law school admissions in Texas with our experienced consultants guiding your path to success. This process might seem overwhelming, but our admission consultants can help you simplify everything. We assist in essay polishing, interview preparation, advice on how to secure scholarships, and many more. Before you know it, you’ll be starting your first year of law school in Texas!

Effective LSAT Preparation Strategies

The LSAT can be challenging especially if you are under-prepared. Let’s break down some key strategies to help you succeed:

Understand the LSAT Format

Given the significance of the LSAT, becoming proficient in it is among the finest ways to obtain a high score. The greatest strategy to ace the LSAT is to understand its format. The old LSAT includes the following sections:

• Logical Reasoning 
• Analytical Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing Sample (administered separately)

However, starting this August 2024, the Analytical Reasoning will be replaced with another Logical Reasoning section. Don’t panic because we will help you master the new format. All our LSAT prep materials are updated from the theories to practice tests. We also offer both in-person and online sessions, so you can choose what fits your schedule. Ace the LSAT with our comprehensive prep course tailored to maximize your score potential!

Develop a Study Schedule

When preparing for the LSAT, you must consistently show up on your set schedule. This exam cannot be crammed for as the development of necessary skills takes time. Unlock your full potential with personalized LSAT tutoring from expert instructors and get admitted to your dream law school in Texas. Our LSAT tutors, all of whom scored 170+ on the official test, offer personalized help as they know what it takes to excel.

We begin with a diagnostic test to evaluate your current standing. This helps identify areas for improvement and allows us to track your progress. Based on the results, we then create a customized study plan and adjust it as you advance. We will craft the best strategy that is perfectly tailored to your needs and goals.

Take Timed Practice Tests

Practice, practice, practice! Our materials include past official LSATs, so you’re getting the most realistic practice possible. We’ll help you set aside regular time each week for LSAT study.

But it’s not just about doing practice questions. We simulate actual test conditions. That means timing yourself and sitting for long periods. We will also have strategies on how to answer each type of LSAT question effectively, even when you’re under time pressure. 

Practice Active Reading

LSAT reading isn’t like normal reading. You need to think hard about what you’re reading. We’ll teach you how to spot important info quickly and understand arguments better. This helps with Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning.

Review and Reflect

After each practice test, don’t just look at your score and proceed to another test. That’s a missed opportunity! Make sure to review your answers, especially the ones you missed. You must understand why an answer is correct or incorrect and how you really learn and improve. You can keep a list of questions you miss or write out explanations in your own words. The goal is to learn something from every question.

Prepare for the Writing Sample

Even though it’s unscored, don’t ignore the Writing Sample. Law schools still see it, and it can impact their decision. We’ll help you practice writing clear, strong arguments. You will learn how to analyze the prompt, choose a position, and support it effectively.

Final Thoughts- Law School in Texas

You’ve got some great options if you’re aiming to study law school in Texas. When you make that decision, go for a school that best matches your long-term objectives and effective learning. The admissions process for these good law schools in Texas is competitive and requires strong applications to even gain admittance. Scoring high on the LSAT, writing a unique personal statement, and gaining strong letters of recommendation are some of the important components you must achieve.

We offer a 3-week LSAT Free Class to help you get started. You will get to experience our program firsthand, see how we break down tough concepts, and get a feel for our teaching style. Plus, you can always book an LSAT Free Consultation with us to talk strategy, ask questions, or just get some advice on your law school journey.

Your journey to getting admitted to your dream law school in Texas starts here!