This Veterans Day, Texas Law is proud to spotlight two of our remarkable students who have served in America’s military.
“Veterans bring a sense of duty, confidence, and extraordinary work ethic into a learning environment,” says Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Mathiew Le. “Their experience solving problems creatively and working as a team—even under great pressure—is an incredible foundation for success in law school and after graduation.”
The University of Texas strives to be a great place for veterans. This year UT was ranked the best school in Texas for veterans and won the gold award from the Texas Veterans Commission. Here at Texas Law, we welcome applications from those who have served in the military and are glad to offer application fee waivers to them.
We invite you to meet two of our student veterans, Jay Geyer and Daniel Ludmir.
Jay Geyer ’23, Sergeant, United States Army
Jay Geyer ’23 and his family
Jay, thanks so much for speaking with us. When you arrived at Texas Law, you had already earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. What inspired you to pursue a legal education?
I wanted a career that was challenging, made use of my abilities, and provided good financial support for my family. The law was all of those things.
Looking back, would you say your experience in the Army prepared you for law school?
Absolutely. My experience as a veteran has made it easier to deal with the stress and uncertainty of law school. One thing the military teaches well is how to manage your time and accomplish tasks under pressure.
What advice would you offer to other vets considering applying to law school?
I’d encourage them to go for it if they’re interested! The transition from military to student life can be a bit of an adjustment, but there’s a community of other veterans in law school who can help, including the Texas Law Veterans Association here at UT.
Daniel Ludmir ’22, Captain, United States Marine Corps
Daniel Ludmir ’22
Hi Daniel, we’re so grateful to chat with you.
I’m happy to help!
Could you tell us a little bit about what brought you to Texas Law?
Sure. Before I applied to law school, I served on a court-martial jury. That experience made me want to go into criminal law.
How did your time with the Marine Corps influence your approach to law school?
It taught me to seize the training opportunity. The Marine Corps prepares you to make decisions with incomplete information. So I enjoy answering questions in class where I’m not sure of the answer—or even how to articulate an answer. That’s the best way to learn this new legal language. The safety net of a classroom environment does not exist in front of a judge or jury.
Do you have any words of wisdom for other veterans considering a legal education?
If you enjoy doing command investigations or sitting on separation boards, consider going to law school. If you cannot answer the “why law school” question, consider something else. Lastly, take the professor and not the class.