The Law School Preparation Institute is a rigorous, intensive course of study designed to prepare students for the academic environment found in law schools. Through persuasive writing, critical textual analysis, training in logic, preparation for the Law School Admissions Test, and familiarization with the law school application process, LSPI students are given the tools to gain admission to law school and to succeed once they get there.
The LSPI is open to UTEP undergraduate students of any major. It is a myth that law schools prefer certain majors over others. Any major that requires rigorous training and thought is acceptable to law schools. Perhaps the worst misconception in this matter is that the students majoring in sciences are not favored by law school admissions committees. Law schools are keen to admit students with backgrounds in math and sciences.
The LSPI extends across two phases with an academic year sandwiched in between. Phase I is held in June of each year and Phase II in July. While some students take both phases in the same summer, it is advisable to apply to the LSPI after your sophomore year so you can get the full benefit of the Institute across two summers and two academic years. Although the summer phases are the central feature of the LSPI, there are many activities and opportunities for LSPI students during the academic year. These activities and opportunities include speakers, field trips, clerkships and internships, travel to law forums, and observation of trials.
Minimum Requirements for Application:
- Must be a current UTEP undergraduate student who has not already received a BA degree
- 3.0 or higher GPA (including all work taken at other universities or colleges)
- At least 24 semester credit hours at UTEP and no less than 50 semester credit hours overall
Admissions Process:
Admission to the law School Preparation Institute is competitive and undertaken through a committee process. The admissions committee is composed of Mr. Brent McCune, Ms. Lisa Soto-Hernandez, Ms. Rachel Serrano, and Dr. William Weaver. Each member of the committee makes an independent judgment concerning each applicant and the committee then meets to discuss each applicant's record and to reach consensus about admissions decisions. The acceptance rate for applicants to the LSPI for the admissions cycle in Spring 2008 was 54%.
Admissions Process:
Admission to the law School Preparation Institute is competitive and undertaken through a committee process. The admissions committee is composed of Mr. Brent McCune, Ms. Lisa Soto Hernandez, Ms. Rachel Serrano, and Dr. William Weaver. Each member of the committee makes an independent judgment concerning each applicant and the committee then meets to discuss each applicant's record and to reach consensus about admissions decisions. The acceptance rate for applicants to the LSPI for the admissions cycle in Spring 2008 was 54%.
APPLY for 2009 LSPI (Application link is now available). Application deadline is March 20, 2009.
LSPI Phase I
Institute Phase I classes meet each weekday from June 8 to July 3, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mornings:
8:00-11:30 a.m. Law and Justice
Students undertake intensive analysis of philosophical and legal texts focusing on two concepts central to legal theory: law and justice. Textual arguments are probed through in-class discussion and carefully crafted, complex multiple-choice questions. The course emphasizes close textual analysis, analytical skills, logical argumentation, and critical thinking.
Afternoons:
12:45-2:30 p.m. Writing
This course introduces students to legal analysis and legal writing while emphasizing strong writing and grammar fundamentals. In addition to daily assignments, students will undertake a major legal writing project in this course.
2:45-5:00 p.m. Torts
The torts course is modeled after a first year torts law class. Students analyze selected cases to develop analytical and argumentative skills, and to develop an appreciation for the kind of work that will be expected of them in law school.
LSPI Phase II
Institute Phase II classes meet each weekday from July 6 to July 31, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mornings:
LSAT Preparation 8:00-11:30 a.m.
Students undertake intensive LSAT preparation emphasizing the key reasoning skills measured by the test. Students work with faculty individually and in groups.
Afternoons:
Legal Writing 12:45-2:30 p.m.
An extension of the Phase I Writing course, students will develop their legal analysis and writing skills and exemplify those skills in the major writing project for the month, a legal memorandum.
Application Instruction 2:45-3:30 p.m.
Students receive guidance on the law school application process and the preparation of statements required for the application. Drafts of the personal statement and diversity statement are required toward the end of the month. One full afternoon will be dedicated to presentations by law school admissions representatives from law schools throughout the country.
Legal Research and Advocacy 3:45-5:00 p.m.
Students will learn on-line research skills through the Westlaw and Lexis Nexis legal research systems. As the course progresses, students will use this time to engage in research and writing for the major writing project in the legal writing course. Finally, students work in teams to prepare their oral advocacy presentations, which will be argued before the justices of the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
