Frequently Asked Questions

The Pipeline Cohort Program is designed for individuals who plan to apply to law school in the upcoming cycle and are ready to fully engage in the application process. While we support students who are still exploring their interest in law, this particular program focuses on preparing committed applicants to submit strong, competitive materials.

If you’re still weighing your options, we encourage you to attend our informational sessions or community events to learn more about law school and determine if it’s the right next step for you.

No. The Cohort Program is designed for first-time law school applicants.

Yes. Applicants who will take the LSAT between August 1 and December 31, 2026, are eligible for the Program, regardless of whether they have previously taken the LSAT or GRE.

Yes. Applicants who will take the LSAT between August 1 and December 31, 2026 are eligible for the Program, regardless of whether they have previously taken an LSAT preparation course.

If you have completed your undergraduate degree within three (3) to five (5) years of intended enrollment year of law school, you are still eligible to participate.

This description does fall into some definitions of being a “First-Generation” student. However, for the purposes of our program, having one parent who completed a bachelor’s degree, does not classify you as a first-generation student.

The Cohort Program is limited to 35 participants, and priority is given to those who fall into one or both of the target categories—first-generation or low socioeconomic status.

The Cohort Program requires all participants to reside in the state of Texas for the duration of the program. This is to ensure full participation and maximize potential for success.

If you still wish to apply, the short essay section asks what actions you will take to manage this commitment alongside your other responsibilities. You may utilize this section to discuss your opportunity. The review committee will take everything into consideration.

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 experiences or influences have shaped your interest in law and motivated you to pursue a legal career?
    • Why are you interested in Texas Law’s Pipeline Program, and which aspects of the program resonate with you most?
    • How do you believe participation in this program will help you achieve your academic and professional goals? In what ways do you plan to contribute and actively make the most of this opportunity?
    • Describe an academic or personal challenge you encountered while working toward a career in law. How did you handle it, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?
    • This program requires sustained commitment, including participating in the summer LSAT prep course, attending in-person academies, and submitting application materials. What actions will you take to manage this commitment alongside your other responsibilities (school, work, family, travel, etc.)?
• 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.

The personal statement has been replaced with five (5) short essay questions that are now included in the application form. The short essays have a 200-word limit per question.

Due to limited staff capacity, we cannot notify applicants when their letter of recommendation is received. If you’d like confirmation of submission, please contact your recommender.

Decisions will be made when the application window closes and applicants will be notified of their application status in March.

There is no cost to participate in the Cohort Program. 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. Additionally, cohort members will receive application and CAS Report fee waivers to apply to Texas Law.

The time commitment will vary throughout the cohort year, with the heaviest time commitment expected in the summer and early fall. During the summer, cohort members should expect to spend at least 12-15 hours per week preparing for the LSAT. Please Note: Cohort participants must be available to attend all weekend academies and LSAT instruction sessions.

Participation in the Cohort Program does not commit an individual to Texas Law and does not guarantee admission. We fully support and encourage Cohort participants to apply to a variety of different schools.