THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRAND VALLEY

Pre-Law Information Sheet

Welcome to UTRGV’s pre-law program. The goal of the program is quite simple: to

facilitate your entrance into law school. To this end, several of the most common questions

concerning the law school admissions process are listed below. I have also listed a number of

point average (GPA), the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and such additional factors

as extra-curricular activities and work experiences.

Virtually all law schools begin with the numbers: the LSAT and the GPA. If you make a

perfect score (180) on the LSAT and have a 4.0 GPA, then unless you're an ax murderer, you will

be admitted to a law school. On the other hand, if you make 130 on the LSAT and have a 1.5 GPA,

then, unless your folks own a law school, you don't want to give up your day job. Most of us fall

somewhere in between, at which point the law school admissions committees pay closer attention to

the other factors (particularly the personal statement) mentioned above.

The UTRGV pre-law society is an important part of our program. The student organization

meets every other week during the fall and spring semesters. Typical programs include guest

speakers from the local bar, speakers from different law schools and various films.

Another important component of the pre-law program is the UTRGV Law School

Preparation Institute (LSPI), a five-week summer institute that offers selected students intensive

analytical training as well as LSAT preparation. Admission to the institute is by invitation only and

is based primarily on academic ability. The LSPI is open only to full-time UTRGV undergraduates.

The LSPI is a) arguably the most rigorous academic program on campus and b) one of the most

successful programs on campus (over 90% of the LSPI students who have applied to law school

catalogue under the Political Science department.

I have listed below a group of frequently asked questions. The questions are not meant to be

exclusive. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact me, or, if you need the questions

below clarified, don't hesitate to ask. Most importantly, understand that the application process to

law school is highly individualized: one size does not fit all.

Dr. Jerry Polinard, UTRGV Pre-Law Advisor

SBSC 217

665-3342

In general, law school admissions officers don't care what your undergraduate major is.

Law school emphasizes reading, writing and thinking, so courses that focus on those skills

are important. There is, however, no particular major that prepares you for law school.

Consequently, you should major in something you enjoy...for a couple of reasons. First, you

may end up changing your mind about pursuing a legal career and you don't want to have

spent time majoring in something just to go to law school. Second, if you enjoy what you're

studying, you are likely to make better grades, which will help in the admissions process.

That being said, as noted above, practicing law involves a lot of reading, writing and

thinking. Therefore, those majors that emphasize these skills are going to give you a solid

is administered in late September) and December. I recommend taking either the June

LSAT in the summer between your junior and senior years or the October test in the fall of

your senior year. If you are a full-time student, you usually are less busy in June and

October. In addition, if you don't do as well as you hoped, you can retake the test later in the

fall. Remember, however, the December test usually comes near the end of the semester

when you're preparing for finals, so avoid taking the test at that time.

There also is a February test, but be aware that the February LSAT score is announced after

some application deadlines have passed and, consequently, some law schools may not

accept the February score for the fall class. If you're not sure when the application deadline

December test, you are competing for fewer seats.

3. What happens if I retake the LSAT?

The ABA allows the schools to use your highest score. Although there is no penalty for

retaking the test, you should prepare for the test with the intent of taking it one time only.

4. What is the personal statement?

Virtually every law school will ask you to submit a personal statement as part of your

you from the rest of the applicant pool. For example, these include such factors as being

bilingual or the first in one's family to graduate from college.

The personal statement may also be used to explain anything unusual about your transcript

(e. g., why your grades one semester are so much lower-or higher-than those of the other

semesters). However, most schools allow you to do this in separate “addendums,” which

also can be used to explain any “disadvantages” you have overcome.

Some schools may ask for something more creative (e.g., an essay on the most unusual

person you have ever met or the most unusual experience you have had). Your personal

it a lot of attention. Remember, it is a personal statement.

5. Who should I ask to write letters of recommendation?

Law schools primarily want to know if you can handle the intellectual rigors of a legal

education, so rely on your professors for the letters. If you are applying to a law school with

a religious affiliation, character references from your minister, rabbi or priest may be

helpful. A letter from an employer attesting to your being a responsible employee also will

not harm you. Fundamentally, however, what the admissions committee is looking for is

evidence they will not be giving a seat to someone who is brain dead. Avoid letters from

recommendation should address. Make a copy of the handout and give to the person writing

on your behalf.

6. How many law schools should I apply to?

I recommend applying to several schools. One rule of thumb would be to apply to two

schools where you have an outside chance of being admitted, two where you believe you

will be competitive, and two “safe” schools where you might prefer not to go if you have a

choice.

better reputations than others, but that doesn't mean they are the best school for you. Some

students prefer small classes and this can influence your decision. Some law schools spend

more time on courtroom training (this is called advocacy training in law school), so if this is,

or is not, your interest, you may choose a law school on this basis. Others may offer more

courses in particular areas, e. g., tax law, environmental law, immigration law, and again,

this may be a consideration. Private schools cost more than state schools, and this may be

an important factor in your choice.

Consequently, be careful not to fall prey to all those lists purporting to rank the law schools.

Rather, examine a school's curriculum, size, location, etc. when deciding where you would

school will have a financial aid office to help you explore your options. Most law students

borrow money to go to school; there are several loan programs. Although money generally

is tight, it is still true that, assuming you have a good credit rating, you will be able to obtain

a loan if you are admitted to an ABA-approved law school. Again, each school has a

financial aid office to help you, and Law Services also has a publication concerning

financing your legal education.

You should realize the amount of money you owe when you leave law school may influence

your employment decision. That is, public interest jobs as well as government jobs (e.g.,

working in a District Attorney’s office) pay less than corporate jobs. If you have a very

called LRAP programs.

Plan for financing ahead of time by making sure your credit rating is ok.

9. How does the law school curriculum differ from undergraduate school?

There are many differences. You do not "major" in law school. Law school is a three-year

program. Your first-year curriculum is the same in virtually every ABA-approved law

school in the nation. And, during your first year, you have virtually no choice concerning

which courses to take, which teachers to take and which times to take. In other words, the

multiple tests in classes.

10. What is the UTRGV Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI)?

UTRGV’s LSPI is conducted during the second summer session; participation is by

invitation only. Applications to the LSPI are emailed to every UTRGV undergraduate

student with a 3.0 GPA and a minimum of 45 hours. No more than twenty students are

selected, on a competitive basis, to participate.

campus. Ninety percent of the LSPI students who have applied to law school have been

accepted (the national average is 60%). If you have a chance, check out the LSPI bulletin

board next to SBS 208 (the Department of Political Science office) that includes copies of

the acceptance letters received by LSPI students.

11. The Legal Studies minor.

UTRGV offers a Minor in Legal Studies. The minor is located in the Department of

Political Science. Students selecting the minor must take 18 hours from the following

courses:

12. The Guerra Honors Program

Almost every applicant to law school has a decent GPA. Consequently, I strongly

The UTRGV Honors Program is located in the STACs building (665-3461).

13. Recommended Courses Beyond the Core Curriculum:

These courses are in addition to the courses identified above as part of the Legal Studies

minor. Some of these courses will count toward your major and minor; the others should be

selected as electives.