Overview
The Cohort Program is a year-long test preparation and admissions support program designed for current-cycle law school applicants. Through its law school faculty and staff, law student and alumni mentors, and organizational partners, the Texas Law community will walk alongside cohort members through LSAT preparation and the entire law school admissions process. Cohort programming will include LSAT instruction, admissions coaching, law student and alumni mentoring, workshops presented by law school faculty and staff, and networking opportunities with practicing attorneys. There is no cost to apply or to participate in the Cohort Program if selected.
January 11–February 28, 2025
Applications for the Pipeline Program’s Delta Cohort will open on January 11, 2025 and close on February 28, 2025. Applications must be received in its entirety by the deadline in order to be eligible. No late applications will be accepted.
Benefits of Participating in the Cohort Program
- Financial Support
- LSAT Preparation
- Comprehensive Application Support
- Engaging Workshops
- Community Connection
- Financial Aid Guidance
- Skills Development
- National Exposure
Eligibility
During the upcoming 2025-2026 cycle, the Cohort Program will enroll 30 participants. To be eligible, an applicant must:
- Be a first-generation college student and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged;
- Be a college student who will receive a bachelor’s degree by August 2026 or a recent college graduate;
- Plans to seek law school admission for the Fall 2026 entering class;
- Possess a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0;
- Have not previously enrolled in a J.D. program at an ABA-approved law school; and
- Reside in Texas for the duration of the cohort year (May – April).
Definitions
First-Generation: A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree. Many students whose parents have degrees from outside of the United States also identify as first-gen.
Recent college graduate: A recent college graduate is an individual who has completed their undergraduate degree within three (3) to five (5) years of their intended enrollment year of law school.
Application Requirements
Applications for the 2025-2026 Cohort will open January 11, 2025 and will close on February 28, 2025.
1. Submit online application form, one (1) PDF file containing answers to five (5) essay questions*, one (1) PDF file containing your resume, and one (1) PDF file containing your undergraduate transcript.
- Short Essay Questions: Each response is limited to 200-words per question.
- Use the following convention to name your file: LastName_FirstName_Short Essay
- What inspired your interest in law and pursuing a legal career?
- Why are you interested in Texas Law’s Pipeline Cohort Program?
- How will participation in this program help you achieve your goals and how do you plan to make the most of it?
- Have you encountered any significant academic or personal challenges on your path to pursuing law? If so, please describe them
- Are there any specific obstacles (financial, logistical, or academic) that might affect your ability to participate in the program fully?
- Use the following convention to name your file: LastName_FirstName_Short Essay
- Resume: Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages.
- Use the following convention to name your resume file: LastName_FirstName_Resume
- Undergraduate Transcript: You may submit an unofficial transcript.
- Use the following convention to name your transcript file: LastName_FirstName_Transcript
2. Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation (LOR) is required to complete your application. Recommendations from professors or work supervisors are preferred. Please instruct your recommender to email the LOR directly to pipeline@law.utexas.edu before the application deadline.
*We have removed the requirement to submit a personal statement with your application and have replaced this with five (5) short essay questions that can be found in the application.
Full-Tuition Scholarships and Fee Waivers
All cohort members will receive application and CAS Report fee waivers to apply to Texas Law. Individuals who successfully complete the Cohort Program and are admitted to Texas Law will be eligible for full-tuition scholarships designated specifically for Cohort participants. Up to five full-tuition scholarships will be awarded to cohort members who join Texas Law’s upcoming entering class.
Schedule
The Cohort Program consists of four (4) weekend academies that take place in-person at Texas Law over the course of the one-year program and an LSAT preparation course that will take place online over the summer. The weekend academies and LSAT preparation course are a mandatory component of the program.
Additional services and opportunities may be available including: virtual academies, virtual drop-in hours, mentor program, 1L class observation, and virtual coaching appointments.
LSAT Prep Course Schedule
The online LSAT preparation course will include 72 hours of live instruction, three proctored practice exams, instructor-facilitated study groups, office hours, and more. The instruction sessions are tentatively scheduled to run from May to August on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The proctored exams, study group sessions, and office hours will take place on select Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The course will prepare cohort participants for the September LSAT administration.
Weekend Academy Schedule
The in-person weekend academies will include community building, mentoring, networking, admissions coaching, and presentations and workshops on law school admissions and the law school experience. Weekend academies will also provide an opportunity for Cohort members to reflect on the admissions cycle and develop relationships with one another.
The weekend academies are tentatively set to take place on one Saturday during the following months: May, September, January, and April. Cohort participants must be available to attend all weekend academies. Travel stipends to attend the weekend academies will be available to cohort members who reside more than 100 miles (one way) from the UT Austin campus.
Sample Cohort Schedule
The following schedule is an example of requirements and expectations of Cohort participants. The schedule and content are subject to change.
All accepted participants are required to fully participate in the year-long program. In addition to the dates listed below, participants will have assignments to submit including, but may not be limited to: Law School Inventory; Summer, Fall, and Spring Action Plans; Essay Outlines; and Admissions Updates. Participants will have Coaching Appointments available to further assist them in their law school application journey. These appointments will take place in the Summer, Fall, and Spring.
- January: Cohort Program application window opens
- February: Cohort Program application window closes
- March: Applicants will be notified of application status
- March/April: Deadline for awardees to accept a seat in the Cohort Program
- Saturday in mid-late May (IN-PERSON): First Cohort Academy (Focus: Orientation; LSAT Preparation; Networking; Mindset; Kickoff Reception)
- May-August (VIRTUAL): LSAT Preparation Course Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. 7Sage Office hours on Thursdays.
- Friday in September (IN-PERSON, Optional): 1L Class Observation Day. All participants will be required to attend a 1L Class Observation at a school of their choice. This date will be the one offered by the Pipeline Program at Texas Law.
- Saturday in September (IN-PERSON): Second Cohort Academy (Focus: Application Materials; Selecting Schools; Mentoring; Admissions Coaching)
- October (VIRTUAL): Virtual Cohort Academy (Focus: TBA)
- Saturday in January (IN-PERSON): Third Cohort Academy (Focus: Career Exploration; Law School Preparation; Mentoring; Admissions Coaching)
- February (VIRTUAL): Virtual Cohort Academy (Focus: TBA)
- Saturday in April (IN-PERSON): Fourth Cohort Academy & Cohort Graduation (Focus: Law School Preparation; Belonging; Mentoring; Cohort Graduation; Closing Reception)