University of Texas, Austin

The University of Texas School of Law, or UT Law, is popular, in part, because of the young and diverse population in Austin. There are many opportunities to explore the city and the country when students are in need of a break from studying. Students also appreciate that the school has often been ranked high for return on investment. The class sizes remain relatively small.

New students at the University of Texas School of Law are placed into one of eight campus societies. These groups are named after people closely associated with the school and help organize all first-year orientation activities and social functions. Students are also separated into small groups of about 20 individuals that share class schedules. First-year students are required to take courses such as a legal writing class. During their second and third years, they must take legal ethics, a writing seminar, and advanced constitutional law. There are plenty of courses to choose from though, with more than 300 classes available to students in the traditional J.D. program. Two of the most popular areas for study are Environmental Law and International Law.

UT Law students can participate in one of 17 clinics in order to receive real-life training. They can take part in a wide variety of topics such as the Transnational Worker Rights Clinic or the Criminal Defense Clinic. Many students also choose to work in the popular Supreme Court Clinic. Students can choose to be involved in internships with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, court systems, or law firms. Outside of the classroom, there are also many opportunities for students to add to their law school experience. Students can choose from nearly 40 organizations on campus to join. Because more than 95% of the University of Texas School of Law students live off-campus, these social groups help students remain connected. Additionally, many students write or edit one of the seven law journals including “Texas Law Review” and “Texas International Law Journal.” Individuals who want to gain a quality education without taking on soaring debts should see if UT Law fits their needs.