Texas Tech University School of Law
Application requirements
The personal statement gives the Admissions Committee an opportunity to evaluate your writing abilities and learn more about you beyond your academic achievements and resume. While there is not a specific prompt or question to address, it is highly encouraged that you briefly mention your desire to pursue law. Feel free to discuss any special conditions you believe relevant in evaluating your application.
The submission may be no more than two, double-spaced pages, size 12 font, 1-inch margins.
This section is optional.
Texas Tech University School of Law's mission is to prepare individuals for the effective and ethical practice of law in a rapidly changing, dynamic, and interconnected world; to engage in meaningful scholarship; and to foster a culture of public service. Consistent with this mission, Texas Tech Law seeks to enhance the educational experience of all students by admitting talented applicants who bring a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives to the Law School and the legal profession.
Applicants may use this space to describe experiences or unique perspectives that you reasonably believe would contribute to the community at Texas Tech Law. This statement may include, but is not limited to: experience as a first-generation college graduate or adult learner; demonstrated commitment to community and public service; experience with limited or non-traditional educational opportunities; experience with homelessness; experience with an incarcerated parent; or any other unique personal or family circumstances.
This section is optional.
You may use this section to upload any other additional information you would like us to consider. This may include, but is not limited to, writing about socioeconomic status and how that may have affected your academics or testing opportunities, a period of poor grades, historically poor standardized test performance, discrepancies in GPA, LSAT score(s), etc., or any other information you believe would be relevant to the Committee's decision. If you are submitting more than one addendum, you must combine them in a single electronic document.
Please attach your current resume highlighting any post-high school achievements or experiences, including but not limited to, education, honors & awards, employment history, extracurricular activities, community service activities, any military service, honor societies, etc.
Please read carefully. In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.
Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, failing to disclose an act or event such as the ones described below is often more significant and leads to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failing to provide truthful answers or to inform the Admissions Office of any changes to your answers may result in the revocation of admission or disciplinary action by Texas Tech Law or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission.
Although affirmative answers to the questions below may not necessarily preclude admission to Texas Tech Law, persons who have been convicted of more serious criminal offenses may have difficulty in gaining admission to the bar. State licensing agencies often require you to include your law school application as part of your application for admission to the bar, and the bar admissions process often includes a full criminal background check. Any discrepancies between your law school application and the results of that check could jeopardize your ability to be admitted to practice law.
1. Have you ever been disciplined in any way for any matter by any college, university, law school, or other institution of higher learning, or by any professor, administrator, employee or entity representing any college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning, or have you been allowed to withdraw from such an institution to avoid such discipline, whether or not the record of such action was retained in your file? (Please note even if an action/warning/violation/fine/sanction/etc. was dismissed, it still needs to be disclosed.)(Discipline includes, without limitation, a letter or other written notice of reprimand or warning, suspension, expulsion, adjustment of grade, assignment of community service, any form of probation, or any other adverse action).(Entity includes, without limitation, residential facilities or other facilities owned or managed by a college, university, law school or other institution of higher learning.) If so, please explain below. If additional space is required, please provide a separate attachment.
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Are you currently under investigation or subject to pending disciplinary action at any postsecondary institution for conduct involving violence, sexual assault or sexual misconduct, including but not limited to harassment, stalking, or relationship violence? If so, please explain below. If additional space is required, please provide a separate attachment.
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Have you ever been: arrested, cited or ticketed, charged with any violation of the law; or have you ever been convicted of an offense, placed on probation, granted deferred adjudication or any type of pretrial diversion? Even if a ticket/arrest/violation/citation/charge/etc. is dismissed, it still needs to be disclosed
You must report:
- Any such offenses involving alcohol or drugs.
- Any failure to appear conviction resulting from any offense.
- Any conviction for failure to maintain financial responsibility (legally required auto insurance).
An applicant does not need to disclose information about a juvenile or criminal record that has been sealed or expunged; however, it is up to each applicant to ensure that their offense is in fact expunged and sealed under the relevant state law. It is recommended that you obtain a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question. If an applicant fails to disclose information that is not in fact expunged or sealed, the applicant may be subject to disciplinary action. If so, please explain below. If additional space is required, please provide a separate attachment.
You may exclude only Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.
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Are there any charges pending against you which, if you were convicted, would require you to answer "yes" to the previous question? If so, please explain below. If additional space is required, please provide a separate attachment.
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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. If, after submitting this application, you are disciplined by a postsecondary institution described above or convicted of an offense, placed on probation, or granted deferred adjudication or any type of pretrial diversion that would require you to answer 'Yes' to the previous questions, you must inform Texas Tech Law immediately. You must also attach a statement providing complete details. Answering 'Yes' to this item indicates you acknowledge this obligation and agree to comply with it.
This section is optional.
If you answered "Yes" to the question 'Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions', please attach a statement explaining any disciplinary proceedings (Article 15 or court-martial) and any type of discharge other than "Honorable."
This section is optional.
If you have ever attended another law school, attach a statement that includes the name(s) of the institution(s), dates of attendance, the number of credit hours earned, and reason(s) for leaving. You must submit a copy of your law school transcript(s) to LSAC. We must also receive, directly from your other law school(s), a letter of good standing indicating whether you are still eligible to return.