One of the most active law school admissions seasons in memory culminated this week with the arrival of the 373 members of the Class of 2028.
Hailing from 33 states, as well as the District of Columbia, and six foreign countries, this is a class that holds degrees from more than 140 different institutions across the globe.
This year’s class arrives at Townes Hall following one of the most competitive admissions cycles we’ve ever experienced.
Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Mathiew Le
“This year’s class arrives at Townes Hall following one of the most competitive admissions cycles we’ve ever experienced,” says Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Mathiew Le. “With increased applicants at law schools nationwide, it is clear that the benefits of pursuing a legal education at Texas Law resonate with prospective students.”
One reason the competition for a seat at Texas Law was so hectic was the sheer number of applicants. Le’s team reviewed more than 6,300 applications between the opening of the admissions season last September and the close of the application window in March, meaning that fewer than 6% of those who applied ended up attending Texas Law.
In addition to extraordinary credentials—the class’s median LSAT and GPA are the highest in the school’s history, though final numbers will not be reported until later—it’s a remarkably varied group. As always, 65% of the class are Texas residents, coming from every corner of the state, from the biggest cities to the tiniest communities, from Amarillo in the panhandle, to Texarkana in the east, to the southernmost town of Brownsville, all the way west to El Paso, and all points in between.
Students got their undergraduate degrees from big state schools, such as UT and A&M, and Florida and Georgia and Alabama, and a range of UC schools, as well as Ivies including Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, and Penn. There are graduates of small liberal arts colleges such as Pitzer, Colorado College, Wesleyan, and Williams. There are those who went to schools such as Biola University and Dallas Baptist, and those who went to the University of Chicago and Stanford.
One tenth of the class holds a graduate degree and 12% have their degree in a STEM discipline.
Class of 2028 Stats
Beyond academic excellence, the class brings a wealth of world experience, both substantive and whimsical. Several students have military experience. More than 10% were the first in their families to attend college. A whopping 77% are the first in their families to study law. The class’s average age is 24, but 6% of the class is 30 or older.
There are plenty of athletes, including those who have competed in Olympic trials or achieved an individual national championship. We’re welcoming skiers, scuba divers, snowboarders, marathon runners, golfers, dancers, weightlifters, swimmers, kayakers, and boxers, among others.
They have worked in a variety of jobs, including teacher, choreographer, basketball coach, farmhand, meat cutter, lifeguard, victim advocate, and dog trainer. A handful have started their own businesses. There’s a professional piano player and traditional Gujarati dancer. They have volunteered for non-profit organizations.
To give you a sense of the personality and passion this new class is bringing to Townes Hall, we’re pleased to introduce you to six of the newest Texas Law lawyers.
Madison Brown
Hometown: Texarkana, Texas
Education: The University of Texas at Austin—bachelor’s degree in public relations
What made you decide to pursue law school?
In my public relations coursework, I enjoyed analyzing how organizations navigated communications crises, but I felt that focusing solely on public perception offered a limited perspective. I found myself equally drawn to developing an effective communications strategy and considering the legal implications behind each potential course of action. Seeing how the law shapes every major decision reinforced the value of a legal education and solidified my choice to pursue law school.
After completing your undergraduate degree, you interned for a summer in the Law School’s Marketing and Communications Office. How was that experience?
During my internship, I helped transition the Texas Law website to its current platform. As I moved pages, I took the opportunity to read about the school’s academic programs and faculty, which gave me a deeper understanding of the many paths a law degree can lead to. Learning about the professors’ impressive careers was both inspiring and affirming in my decision to pursue law. Just as important, the warmth and support I received from everyone I met at Texas Law made me certain that this was the school I wanted to attend.
Who inspires you?
My father. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him serve our hometown community as a legal aid attorney, specializing in family law and domestic violence. From a young age, I came to respect the power and responsibility that attorneys hold in guiding and positively impacting people’s lives, which inspired my own pursuit of a legal career.
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
The food! Austin is known for its incredible food scene, and I didn’t branch out enough during my undergraduate years. I’m excited to be back and plan to really take advantage of it this time.
Ashley Manning
Hometown: Rye, New York
Education: University of Pennsylvania—bachelor’s degree in communications
You were a member of Penn’s nationally ranked squash team. How did being a student-athlete help prepare you for the challenges of law school?
Being a student-athlete taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of continuous improvement from a young age. Competing on Penn’s squash team required balancing intense practices, travel, and competition with a demanding academic schedule, which forced me to develop strong time management skills and the ability to meet competing deadlines. I also feel that the endurance and focus I gained through training prepared me well for the long hours of studying and reading that law school will demand. Later in my career, I served as team captain, allowing me to further strengthen my collaboration and leadership skills—qualities that are essential in both law school and the legal profession.
Why did you select Texas Law?
Texas Law stood out to me because of its Mithoff Pro Bono Program and the Pro Bono Pledge that students are asked to sign; to me, this reflects a genuine dedication of graduating lawyers who are committed to service. That mission aligns closely with my own values, especially after working on several pro bono projects in my previous job as a junior litigation paralegal at Kirkland & Ellis in New York City. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when the law is used to serve others.
Who inspires you?
My biggest inspiration is my mom. She moved frequently throughout her childhood yet always approached new places and people with energy and optimism. Her experience in the first Peace Corps group sent to Mongolia speaks to her adventurous spirit and commitment to service—values that have shaped the way I view the world. She builds connections effortlessly and brings a sense of positivity to every space she’s in, and I hope to do the same.
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
Because I focused most of my energy as an undergraduate on academics and my team, I am excited to use any free time to explore more of campus life outside the classroom. I am especially looking forward to supporting teams and organizations at UT. My dad and older brother both went here, so I have had the privilege of experiencing the energy and camaraderie of Longhorn football games growing up. I cannot wait to be part of that tradition as a student!
Graeme Mullen
Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe
Education: Stanford University—bachelor’s degree in psychology; Texas State University—master’s degree in creative writing
You’re starting law school after a teaching career. What did that path look like?
I didn’t set out to become an educator. I started teaching Freshman Composition at Texas State while working on an MFA in fiction writing, thinking the job would be a short detour. But the students—with all their curiosity, energy, and goofy antics—hooked me from my first day. After grad school, I stayed on as a lecturer until 2021, when I moved to a small Austin high school as an English teacher and administrator. Law school has been on my bucket list for years, and after more than a decade of coaching students to chase big, scary goals, I figured it was time to take my own advice.
What lessons did your students teach you?
My No. 1 lesson was to talk less and listen more. In my first semester, I tended to launch into labyrinthine monologues that were all too often met with distant stares from my students. I soon learned the importance of checking in, asking questions, and meeting them where they were. That shift made me a much more effective teacher, and it’s a lesson I plan to apply to future relationships with legal clients.
Why did you select Texas Law?
Aside from the obvious allure of the Townes Hall pool table? I’ve been orbiting UT ever since I first subjected audiences to my songwriting at the Cactus Café open mic back in grad school. Plus, in recent years I’ve been chaperoning my high school students on an annual field trip to tour campus, and their excitement at the prospect of becoming Longhorns was too contagious to resist.
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
I’m looking forward to the Law School’s clinics and the chance to turn classroom knowledge into tangible help for people who need it.
Trajan Schmidt
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Education: The University of Texas at Austin—bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
You’re a registered patent agent. What led you to pursue that status?
I chose my undergraduate major because of my love for engineering, but I always had a lingering interest in law. My role as a patent agent allows me to marry my technical and legal interests in a challenging and rewarding way. I use my engineering knowledge in a legal setting to secure intellectual property rights and encourage future innovation.
Why did you select Texas Law?
After attending UT as an undergraduate, Texas Law was an obvious choice. Austin is the best place in the world to be a college student, and I knew it would be the best place in the world to be a law student. The career outcomes, notable faculty and alumni in the field of patent law, and welcoming environment also made Texas Law an easy decision.
Who inspires you?
My grandmother—whom we called “Mojo”—was an exceptionally brilliant lawyer, a Texas Ex, and an all-around wonderful person. When I was studying for the patent bar, she reminded me that she passed the Texas bar exam while raising three kids as a single mom. She would put the kids to bed and sneak into the office to study. I hope to show half of her grit and determination in becoming a lawyer!
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
I’m excited to develop my legal skills while making lifelong connections and friendships. I’m looking forward to long nights studying and long Saturdays of football!
Addie Mae Villas
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Education: New York University Abu Dhabi—bachelor’s degree in political science; Tsinghua University in Beijing—master’s degree in global affairs
How has your international education expanded your horizons?
Being able to live abroad in several different places allowed me to think about the world through many different lenses. My time studying abroad in Morocco and Germany during high school gave me the confidence to attend NYU Abu Dhabi, where I spent my undergraduate days living in the United Arab Emirates. This experience culminated in my move to Beijing, China, to pursue my master’s degree at Tsinghua University. Each experience built upon the other and taught me a great deal about myself and the world. Above all else, I learned that every experience is a chance to learn and grow.
What influenced your decision to go to law school?
As an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to take several classes on international law, and I fell in love with the puzzle that it offers. After taking more legal studies classes, I realized I enjoyed legal research and analysis, so I decided to give law school a shot. I planned to apply during my senior year but was presented with the opportunity to study in China as a Schwarzman Scholar. My time in China only furthered my interest in the law and its potential as a tool of foreign policy and diplomacy.
Why did you select Texas Law?
I loved growing up in the Austin area, and over the last six years of life abroad, I always felt the call to return home. Texas Law also has exceptional opportunities at an affordable cost, which was a major factor when deciding where to go to school. Lastly, as someone who is interested in international law, Texas Law offers so many chances to be in the field, whether it is the Texas International Law Journal, various centers that focus on international legal issues, or study abroad opportunities.
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
Definitely football season! I am a huge college football fan, and being in international time zones made keeping up with games a bit tough, so I am very excited to watch some of the best football in the country live!
Nathan Wang
Hometown: San Diego, California
Education: UCLA—bachelor’s degree in cognitive science
You are in the National Guard and previously worked as a firefighter/EMT. What beneficial skills did you develop from those experiences?
My experiences in these jobs have not always—if ever—been as fast-paced and adrenaline-inducing as they are portrayed on TV! However, these roles have all uniquely instilled a sense of professional pride, discipline, and patience that I can now apply to whatever task is at hand. I also can say that interfacing with patients on a bad—sometimes their worst—day has greatly developed my communication skills, empathy, and understanding of people. And I’m pretty much Max Verstappen when it comes to driving gurneys inside a hospital!
What made you decide to pursue law school?
I’ve always desired to lead a life of service. As an EMT, I realized that I was usually dealing with downstream effects of decisions made at a societal level that often spoke a language of contracts, statutes, and rules. I also realized that service is defined by your attitude and not by the shirt you wear to work. A legal career matched my interests and represented an opportunity to help solve some of the most complex problems in our society.
Why did you select Texas Law?
Texas Law was in my sights as soon as I decided to sign up for the LSAT. I was intrigued by the burnt orange legacy of a great American institution and my interactions with lawyers who spoke very highly of Texas Law. When I was accepted by Texas Law, the leadership here interacted warmly with me. I also saw how the school clearly fosters a tight-knit environment, and I experienced a very genuine and informative conversation with Megan Ezekannagha ’26, who reached out on behalf of the Texas Law Veterans Association. That all made my choice a no-brainer.
What are you most looking forward to over the next three years?
Seeing Arch Manning in action, nights at the Comedy Mothership, and having world-class barbecue; but above all, I look forward to getting introduced to and involved with the Austin community and state of Texas at large. Hook ’em!