Overview

Applicants
1,519
Acceptance Rate
63%
Median Undergrad GPA
3.10
Accepted Applicants Who Attend
307

Test Scores

LSAT
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
147 - 153

Deadlines

Application Deadlines
March 15

Application Process

Rolling Admissions
No

Application Fee
$55

CAS Service Used
Yes

Applicants accepted in terms other than fall
Yes

Transfer Applicants Accepted
Yes

Deferred Admission
No

Other Admission Factors

Academic

LSAT Score
Undergraduate GPA
Letters of Recommendation
Essay / Personal Statement
Non-Academic

Extracurricular Activities
Work Experience

Selectivity Rating

Faculty Information

Student/Faculty
20:1
Total Faculty
71

35
Female
14
Underrepresented Minorities


Students Say

South Texas College of Law 鈥渋s a school for litigators.鈥 Arming students with the tools they need to succeed in the courtroom, 鈥渢he school has great advocacy programs in several different fields of law,鈥 with a mock trial program that is considered 鈥渙ne of the best in the nation.鈥 The regular JD program incorporates intensive training in trial and appellate advocacy, and the school additionally operates a 鈥淪ummer Trial Academy, as an additional option for practical preparation for those not able to compete or who don鈥檛 have time in their schedule to do the regular advocacy courses.鈥 In addition, 鈥渢here are a lot of clinics that will place you in a firm or court to gain experience鈥 in the real world. The lively, litigious environment is a huge draw for many STCL students, who warn that quieter types 鈥渨ill be eaten alive鈥 at this competitive school. But do not be startled, as one current student reassures, 鈥淢any come to the school for its mock and moot programs, but as a member of the law review鈥檚 editorial board, I can assure you that opportunities exist in all areas of practice and academia.鈥
As 鈥渁 down and dirty trade school rather than a school for philosophers,鈥 South Texas鈥檚 academic curriculum 鈥減rovides a well-reasoned balance between theoretical and practical education,鈥 emphasizing critical thinking skills as well as hands-on applications. Through discussion, Socratic questioning, and assignments, 鈥渢he professors truly try to get you to start thinking like a lawyer from day one. They ask you the right questions to lead you down the path to the answer on your own, without giving you the answer.鈥 A cadre of accomplished attorneys, 鈥渢he professors are all extremely qualified, and only a few are purely academic.鈥 They will also give you a broad understanding of the law, as 鈥渢he school has strategically sought out professors from a wide range of backgrounds: some the typical academics (Harvard-educated, brilliant r茅sum茅 of publications), some working for the Government (such as the SEC or the EPA), and some as experts of their fields in Private Practice (such as the oil and gas fields, and the energy transactional fields).鈥 Law school is a challenge anywhere, but South Texas students tell us that those that apply must be prepared to work especially hard at their school. A current student recounts, 鈥淵ou have God awful amounts of reading to do all day and all night, you learn more material in the first six months than entire undergrad experience.鈥 For anyone who is struggling to keep up, 鈥渢he professors are, for the most part, extremely accessible and ready to help with clarifications or advice on how to study or understand the material.鈥
When it comes to the nuts and bolts, the program runs smoothly, especially when you consider that it鈥檚 split between the daytime and evening divisions. Evening students, who attend part-time, are pleased to report, 鈥淎lmost every class is offered during the day and at night using the same professors.鈥 Attentive to students鈥 needs, 鈥渢he Dean and Associate Deans are accessible and work diligently to ensure we receive a first-rate legal education.鈥 Plus, 鈥渨hen some offices/groups within the administration do not uphold their responsibilities, the leadership has made great strides in correcting any problem areas swiftly.鈥 After graduation, South Texas students say it鈥檚 best to look for a job locally. 鈥淪outh Texas is well respected in the Houston community,鈥 and 鈥渢he networking availability is unparalleled鈥 in the region. On the flip side, many students complain that the national rankings do not reflect the true quality of the law school, and that these rankings can have a negative influence on employment opportunities. When looking for a job outside Houston, students admit that, 鈥淚n other cities, competition is harder.鈥 They further note, 鈥淭he prestigious firms which recruit tier 1 students also recruit at STCL. The big firms may not take as many first year associates, but every firm still appears at on campus interviews.鈥

Career overview

Pass Rate for First-Time Bar Exam
71%
Median Starting Salary
$74,000
% of graduates who are employed within ten months of graduation
78%
% of job accepting graduates providing useable salary information
35%

Career Services

On campus summer employment recruitment for first year JD students
Yes

On campus summer employment recruitment for second year JD students
Yes

# of Employers that Recruit on Campus Each Year
55

Employers who most frequently hire graduates
Large to mid-sized law firms, corporations, and state and federal government entities.

Graduates Employed by Area

39%
Private Practice
10%
Government
8%
Business/Industry
2%
Judicial Clerkships
2%
Academic
1%
Public Interes

Graduates Employed by Region

95%
South West
2%
South
1%
International
1%
Mountain
1%
Pacific

Prominent Alumni

Richard H. Anderson
CEO and Chairman, Delta Airlines

Eva M. Guzman
Justice, Texas Supreme Court

Azam Khan Swati
Senior VP of the Pakistan Movement of Justice

Reed C. O'Connor
Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

John A. Culberson
Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives

Dates

Financial Aid Rating
May 1
Application Deadlines
Jun 1

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Annual Total Aid Package Awarded
$36,566

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition
$29,490
Estimated Off-Campus Room and Board
$13,770
Estimated Cost for Books / Academic Expense
$8,130
Fees
$600

Student Body Profile

Total Enrollment
1,051

Average Age at Entry
27

% International
1%

Demographics

37.80%
% Under-represented Minorities

76% are full time
25% are part time
48% female
52% male

Campus Life

Students Say

Despite the fact that South Texas has produced more championship advocacy teams than any other law school in the United States, students reported that they do not feel like minnows in a tank of trial sharks at South Texas College of Law. 鈥淪tudents at this college are extremely competitive,鈥 yet most agree that, 鈥淭he student body is very friendly鈥he students help each other out and want to see each other succeed.鈥 With its dual daytime and evening programs, 鈥淥ne of the greatest strengths of this school is the diversity of experience in its student body, especially the part-time students. You have people from many different walks of life and careers. People with families. Single people. People in their 40s and 50s. People in their 20s.鈥
Regular full-time students will get the full law school experience at South Texas College of Law. From Amnesty International to the Environmental Law Society, the student body maintains a range of 鈥渃lubs and organizations that are either fun, competitive, or fun and competitive.鈥 Socially, students further benefit from an active community, where 鈥渢here is always some group throwing a party during lunch or happy hour and plenty of students show up to enjoy good food, cheap drinks, and good company.鈥 On the flip side, evening students lament the fact that most 鈥淪ocials and activities are scheduled during our class times or are scheduled so that we will get out 15 minutes before the social ends.鈥

More Information

% of Classrooms with Internet Access
100%

Admissions Office Contact

Contact
Alicia K. Cramer
Assistant Dean of Admissions

Address
1303 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77002

Phone
713-646-1810

Email
admissions@stcl.edu


Articles & Advice