THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW

Introduction

Thurgood Marshall School of Law is a public, historically Black law school located in Houston, Texas. The school aims to provide an inclusive legal education to talented students from all backgrounds. 

This article provides an in-depth overview of Thurgood Marshall School of Law, covering key facts and statistics prospective students should know. You will learn about Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s current admission requirements, acceptance rates, cost of attendance, post-grad employment outcomes, bar passage rates, Thurgood Marshall School of Law ranking, and other crucial information. 

History and Legacy of Thurgood Marshall School of Law

The Thurgood Marshall Law School was established in 1947. Its goal is to empower overlooked individuals. This Texas Southern Law School pays tribute to Justice Thurgood Marshall, a renowned champion against racial discrimination who played a pivotal role in advancing civil rights despite encountering significant challenges.

Thurgood Marshall Law School continues its impactful legacy by empowering minorities and preparing them for law, business, and government leadership roles. With an annual enrollment of around 180 full-time Juris Doctor candidates and full accreditation from the American Bar Association, this institution has been a pioneer for almost 70 years in facilitating important discussions surrounding equality, diversity, and social justice. 

Is Thurgood Marshall a Good Law School?

There are several factors to consider when assessing the quality and reputation of Thurgood Marshall Law at Texas Southern University:

Bar Passage Rates

Thurgood Marshall has somewhat lower bar exam pass rates compared to other schools. The first-time bar pass rate is 53.4%, below the 77.5% state average. 

Employment Outcomes

Around 57% of Thurgood Law School graduates secure full-time, long-term JD-required or JD-advantaged jobs within 10 months of graduation. While not elite, this suggests solid career preparation.

While not top-tier, Marshall School Law provides accredited legal education with a decent bar and employment outcomes. If you want to know how you compare to other law school applicants, Law School Numbers is a useful site. Post your own information and see where you stand among your peers.

Thurgood Marshall Law School Ranking

Thurgood Marshall is ranked #180-196 by US News for overall score, a composite statistic based on quality assessment, selectivity, placement success, and faculty resources. While not ranked among the top law schools, Thurgood Marshall Law School ranking still indicates an accredited program that has met certain standards of quality. However, its lower ranking suggests it is less selective or prestigious than higher-ranked schools.

Applicants should take law school rankings with a grain of salt and consider other factors like affordability, location, and program offerings. Thurgood Marshall provides an accessible legal education that may be a good fit for many prospective students’ needs and goals.

Programs Offered at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Thurgood Marshall at Texas Southern University Law School offers two main degree programs:

J.D. Program

The Juris Doctor (J.D.) program is Thurgood Marshall’s foundational 3-year law program required to sit for the bar exam. Students take required courses in areas like constitutional law, torts, civil procedure, and evidence. Electives allow focusing on interests like litigation or corporate law. The J.D. provides a comprehensive legal education.

LL.M. in Immigration and Naturalization Law

In 2016, Thurgood Marshall launched a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program specialized in immigration and naturalization law, the first of its kind nationally. This 1-year graduate degree provides advanced academic and practical training for lawyers seeking immigration law expertise. With the school’s reputation in this field, the program complements its J.D. offerings. The LL.M. equips graduates to address complex immigration issues and shape related policies.

If you want to go deep into statistics and facts concerning law school admissions, Law School Data is the place to go. The site offers comprehensive data sets such as rankings, acceptance, and other statistics that help you understand the landscape of law school applications.

How Hard Is It To Get Into Thurgood Marshall Law School?

Thurgood Marshall School of Law acceptance rate of 38.2% shows that the institution accepts just over one-third of applicants, making Thurgood Marshall moderately competitive. With an acceptance rate of nearly 40%, applicants with LSAT scores and GPAs near or above the school’s median have a decent chance of admission. However, those below the medians face a tougher challenge.

To determine your chances of getting into your dream law school, try Law School Predictor. It uses your grades and test scores to estimate your likelihood of admission, providing valuable insight into your application process.

Thurgood Marshall School of Law Admission Process

Law school requirements can be overwhelming for aspiring students. However, knowing the Thurgood Marshall Law requirements might help you gain admission to this prominent institution. The admissions process is outlined in detail below.

1. Complete the Online Application at LSAC

First, complete your application online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website. This report should include transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended, a current resume, and your letters of recommendation. Although you can submit your application before receiving your LSAT score, no review or decision will be made until your CAS report is complete.

2. Personal Statement

A well-written law school personal statement should be included with your application. This document is your chance to stand out from the other applicants by including facts that you may not have included elsewhere in your application. 

3. Optional Addenda

You can add a brief addendum to your application if you have any special circumstances you think the admissions team should know about, like a low GPA or varied LSAT scores.

4. Submitting a Current Resume

You must send a recent resume as part of your application package. This should include your educational history, employment experience, abilities, and other activities that may qualify you for Thurgood Marshall Law School admission.

5. Letters of Recommendation

You should obtain at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on your academic abilities and potential for success in challenging environments. These letters are highly encouraged to be obtained from sources other than relatives and family.

6. Pay the Application Fee

A $55 application fee will be charged, and you must pay this online via LSAC.

7.  LSAT Scores

You are required to complete the LSAT within three years before submitting your application and ensure that your scores are sent to Thurgood Marshall.

8. Character and Fitness Examination

Applicants should know that practicing law involves a stringent character and fitness assessment. Information about these requirements can be found on the National Conference of Bar Examiners website.

9. Seat Deposits

Upon receiving an admission offer, applicants must make two non-refundable deposits totaling $500 to secure their seat. The deadlines for these deposits will be outlined in the admission letter.

10. Awaiting Your Admission Decision

Note that all admission decisions will be conveyed in writing. The time frame for these decisions can vary depending on several factors, including the volume of applications received.

The Thurgood Marshall School of Law LSAT Score Requirements

For students admitted to Thurgood Marshall Law, the LSAT scores usually fall between the 25th and 75th percentiles, which specifically means scores ranging from 149 to 153. The median LSAT score for all incoming students is 151.

If you aspire to stand out in the application process, target an LSAT score within the range of 149 to 153. Consider enrolling in an LSAT Prep Course to improve your score. The course provides specific practice and strategies to boost confidence on test day.

Thurgood Marshall School of Law GPA Requirements

Accepted students at Thurgood Marshall had GPAs ranging between the 25th and 75th percentiles or 2.77 to 3.52. This indicates that 25% of accepted students had GPAs less than 2.77, and 25% had GPAs more than 3.52. All accepted students have a median GPA of 3.1.

Applicants whose undergraduate GPAs fall below the school’s median 3.1 face a greater admissions challenge. Boosting other aspects of your application is advised.

The Thurgood Marshall Law School Cost and Financial Aid

Attending the Marshall School of Law is a significant financial investment. Full-time tuition for Texas residents is $21,038 per year, while non-residents pay $28,261 per year. However, Thurgood Marshall provides various forms of financial aid and law school scholarships to make legal education accessible. Aid may include federal loans, institutional and private scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. While loans make up a portion of law school funding, students should minimize debt through scholarships. Applying early maximizes options.

Secure Your Admission to Thurgood Law School with Expert Guidance

Odyssey Test Prep is committed to providing effective strategies for law school admission, specifically aimed at helping you secure a seat at Thurgood Law School. We offer various services covering every aspect of the admission process, from initial test preparation to the final steps of application submission. Professionals in the industry developed our programs to provide the best learning and guidance possible.

LSAT Prep Course

Master the LSAT and get admitted to Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Our comprehensive course covers all test sections, from logical reasoning and analytical thinking to reading comprehension and writing. You will not only obtain a thorough comprehension of the test subject, but you will also have access to practice examinations that mirror the LSAT experience. Our instructors provide real-time feedback, assisting you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses and suggesting methods for growth.

LSAT Tutoring

Conquer the LSAT with the right guidance from our LSAT tutors, trained to provide specialized techniques to improve your score. Our service offers personalized instruction for those who prefer one-on-one guidance that targets your unique challenges and strengths. Sessions are flexible and can be scheduled at your convenience, making balancing test preparation with other commitments easier.  

Law School Admission Consulting

Achieve a successful law school admission with trusted professionals. Our consulting service is designed to make your application stand out. We offer personalized advice on crucial elements like your personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation. Our consultants have an in-depth understanding of what Thurgood Law School’s admissions committee is looking for and can offer invaluable insights that give you a competitive edge.

Conclusion

The Thurgood Marshall Law provides an accredited legal education with a noble mission of opening doors for minority and underserved students. Thurgood Marshall delivers an inclusive and supportive academic environment as a historically Black law school. 

While not ranked among the elite law schools, the school delivers quality at an affordable price. For applicants aligned with its values of diversity, social justice, and service, Thurgood Marshall Law could be the right choice for you.

Take advantage of our Free LSAT Consultation and get expert advice on presenting the strongest application. You can put yourself on the path to success with proper planning and preparation.