Want to get into UT Austin Law School?
Then this guide is for you.
By the end, you’ll know how to create an application that stands out and earns you that all-important acceptance letter.
Want to learn more? Let’s dive in!
What programs does UT Austin Law School offer?
UT Austin Law School offers two degree paths:
Alternatively, you can choose one of their dual and combined degrees in areas like:
- J.D./Master of Business Administration
- J.D./Master of Public Affairs
- J.D./Ph.D. in Philosophy
The school is also known for its academic programs and legal education centers.
Today, we’re going to focus specifically on how to get into UT Austin Law School’s JD program. Keep reading to find out more!
UT Austin Law School admissions statistics
You’re probably wondering, what does it take to get into UT Austin Law School? Let’s talk about it.
Who gets into UT Austin Law School
There are 282 students in the Class of 2027.
Of these students:
- The average age is 24
- 12% have STEM degrees
- 12% have graduate degrees
- 13% are first-generation college graduates
- 74% are first-generation law students
What GPA do you need to get into UT Austin Law School?
Now, let’s cover their test scores.
The average GPA of students who get into UT Austin Law School is 3.89.
Here’s the entire range:
- 75th percentile: 3.97
- 50th percentile: 3.89
- 25th percentile: 3.74
What LSAT score do you need to get into UT Austin Law?
When it comes to LSAT scores, those who get into UT Austin Law School score from 167 to 172:
- 75th percentile: 172
- 50th percentile: 171
- 25th percentile: 167
Acceptance rate
The current acceptance rate at the school is 15.6%. This is higher than in recent years, as shown below:
Rankings
Now, although UT Austin Law is not a T-14 law school, it is one of the best law schools in America.
In fact, the US News and World Report ranked it #16.
So, those are all the statistics you need to know. Ready to find out how to get into UT Austin Law School? I’ll tell you next.
How do you get into UT Austin Law School with lower GPA or LSAT scores?
First off, you can ABSOLUTELY get into UT Austin Law School with a lower LSAT score or GPA.
Ultimately, there’s always some breathing room in terms of scores, even at highly selective schools!
With that in mind, let’s take another look at those UT Austin Law statistics.
The Class of 2027 had GPAs ranging from 3.74 to 3.97 – an almost two-point difference.
And LSAT scores fell between 167 and 172 – a five-point difference!
It just goes to show that not everyone who gets in has a perfect score.
So, the key to being accepted?
Getting a score that’s within reach of the average.
You’ll probably be okay if your GPA or LSAT is slightly below the median.
And I know this firsthand.
My client, T., got into two T-14 schools despite having a lower GPA and LSAT score than the median.
If you are faced with lower scores, don’t panic. You have options..
Retake the LSAT
There’s NO shame in retaking the LSAT.
Especially if improving your score by just a few points could make all the difference.
You can take it as many as five times in five years – but you do need to be strategic.
What do I mean by that?
Well, I don’t recommend taking it more than three times. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your chances.
I’ll explain when and why to retake the LSAT in this guide.
Take the GRE
Now, some people would rather not retake the LSAT (I get it).
If that’s you, you don’t need to worry!
That’s because UT Austin is among the law schools that don’t require the LSAT.
So, if you have LSAT anxiety or just think you could do better, you might consider taking the GRE.
UT Austin has no preference for which score you submit, so choosing this option won’t harm your chances of admission.
Create a strong application
Here’s the good news:
The UT Austin admissions team takes a holistic approach to JD admissions.
That means they consider ALL aspects of your application, not just your scores.
This includes your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume.
So, if your scores aren’t as high as you’d hoped, you’ll just need to make sure the rest of your application really shines.
One of my clients, R., had an LSAT score 9 points below the median.
But we worked together to create an incredible application – and she got into Georgetown Law with a significant merit scholarship!
Now, some of my clients ask if they should include an addendum to explain their scores.
But unless you have a genuine reason to include one, I’d avoid it.
Want to know more? I’ll explain in this guide.
So, that’s how you get into UT Austin Law School with lower scores.
Next, let’s talk about how to apply.
Application requirements for UT Austin Law School
To get into UT Austin Law School, you’ll need to submit:
- Application fee
- CAS report
- Personal statement
- Law school resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Interview
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Bachelor’s degree
First and foremost, you’ll need to have earned a bachelor’s degree before the fall semester starts.
While there is a minimum GPA requirement (2.20), the average GPA of admitted students is 3.89.
Application and transcript
In addition to your completed application, you’ll submit a $70 application fee and official transcripts for any undergraduate and graduate coursework you’ve completed.
These are submitted through the LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), which we’ll talk about next.
Credential Assembly Service Law School report
UT Austin Law requires a CAS report from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
This includes everything the admissions team needs to evaluate your academic background and qualifications, including your:
- LSAT score
- LSAT writing samples
- Transcripts
- Undergraduate academic summary
Standardized test scores
When it comes to your test scores, UT Austin Law accepts approved LSAT and GRE scores received in the last five years.
So, if you want to get into UT Austin Law in the fall of 2025, you can submit scores from June 2019 to February 2025.
Every LSAT score will be considered, but the highest will be reported to the ABA.
Likewise, they’ll consider the highest cumulative GRE score based on verbal and quantitative scores.
Personal statement
Now, your personal statement is one of the most powerful parts of your application.
It’s your chance to go beyond your GPA and LSAT score and show UT Austin Law who you really are.
And I know firsthand it can make all the difference. In fact, my personal statement was my saving grace when I applied to UPenn with low scores.
So, what does UT Austin want in a personal statement?
The only requirement for your personal statement is that it’s limited to two pages and double-spaced.
That means you can write about ANYTHING.
The thing is, deciding on a topic can be challenging.
So, my advice?
Keep it focused and personal.
The admission team wants to read a statement that speaks to who you are, why you want to study law, and what you can offer.
That means choosing a story that’s clear, compelling, and connected to your dreams – not generic, cliche, or over the top.
Here are some brainstorming questions to get the ball rolling:
- Character traits that set you apart
- Something the admissions team wouldn’t know about you
- Why you want to get into UT Austin Law School
- What you want to accomplish in law
Want to see the personal statement that got my client, Emily, accepted into her dream school? Read it here.
And to find out what NOT to do, check out these resources I’ve put together:
Letters of recommendation
To get into UT Austin Law, you also need to submit two letters of recommendation.
These letters help the admissions team see beyond your application and get a feel for your work ethic, intelligence, and potential as a student.
In other words, they’re a critical part of your application. And that means they can’t just come from anyone.
The best letters will come from people who know you well enough to offer specific examples of your strengths.
In an ideal world, at least one of your letters will come from a professor who can speak to your academic performance.
But if you’ve been out of school for a while and can’t get a letter from a professor, that’s okay!
You can also ask for professional letters from an employer or supervisor who can vouch for things like your leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, and overall readiness for law school.
The only people you DON’T want to ask are friends or family members, since they can’t offer meaningful insight into your abilities.
Once you’ve decided who you want to ask, make sure you give them plenty of time to write your letter.
And when it comes to what you’d like them to say, don’t be shy!
Offer both recommenders a short outline of the character traits and examples you’d like them to highlight.
Want to know exactly what to say when you ask for your letters of recommendation? I’ll show you here.
Law school resume
Another thing you’ll need to submit is a law school resume.
But remember, this isn’t a professional resume, so you’ll need to approach it differently.
A good law school resume helps tell your story and reinforce the themes you’ve touched on in the rest of your application.
Typically, they contain some combination of the following headers (but it will vary depending on your background):
- Education
- Professional Experience and/or Employment
- Activities
- Community Engagement
- Publications
- Accomplishments
- Skills/Interests
You’ll also want to showcase things like your work ethic, analytical and writing abilities, creativity, and volunteer experience.
It’s a lot to think about, I know – that’s why I’ve put together a complete guide to creating a highly effective resume.
Interview
After you’ve submitted all of your application materials, you’ll be invited to complete a virtual interview.
You’ll receive more details on this via email once your application has been processed.
So, that’s what you need to get into UT Austin Law School.
Next up: tuition fees.
UT Austin Law School tuition fee and financial aid
Here’s a quick breakdown of tuition for in- and out-of-state students:
| Resident | Non-resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $38, 236 | $56,822 |
| Expenses | $25,174 | $25,174 |
| Total | $63,410 | $81,996 |
There are various types of aid available – which you can learn about here.
Still have questions about how to get into UT Austin Law School? Let’s answer them now.
FAQs: How to get into UT Austin Law School
Is it hard to get into UT Austin Law School?
With an average GPA of 3.89, an average LSAT score of 171, and a 15.6% acceptance rate, it’s certainly not easy to get into UT Austin Law School.
But, with the right strategy, it is possible.
What are the application deadlines for UT Austin Law School?
Here are the dates to mark on your calendar when you apply to get into UT Austin Law School:
| September 1 | Applications open |
| November 1 | Deadline for early decision applicants |
| March 1 | Deadline for regular decision applicants |
Next steps
There you have it! Exactly how to get into UT Austin Law School.
It’s competitive, but there ARE ways to create an application that grabs the admission committee’s attention.
And I can help you do it – in fact, I’ve helped dozens of my clients get into their dream law school.
Learn more about working with me here.
Read more:
The Full Guide to Law School Requirements & Prerequisites
What Law School Can You Get Into?
How to Get Off Law School Waitlists & Sample Letters of Continued Interest
