Celebrating 25 Years of the
Law School Preparation Institute
Celebrating 25 Years of the Law School Preparation Institute
The Law School Preparation Institute at 25 Years
UTEP's Law School Preparation Institute (LSPI) has prepared more than 700 Miners for law school and careers in the legal field. This initiative of the Patti and Paul Yetter Center for Law includes a summer program with rigorous courses and training for undergraduates to develop critical thinking skills, build strong study habits and prepare for the law school application process. By all measures, the program has been successful. Ninety percent of LSPI graduates who completed the program were admitted to ABA-accredited law schools, including each of the Top 50 law schools.
LSPI By the Numbers
700+ students have completed the LSPI College Summer Program
80% of LSPI students apply to law school; 94% of admitted applicants enroll
90% of applicants are admitted to ABA-accredited law schools
LSPI graduates have been admitted to over 185 law programs, including each of the Top 50 law schools
Hear from LSPI alum Sydney Lopez
Sydney joined UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute with the aim of learning how to navigate the law school application process. In addition to the critical thinking skills and study habits formed by the program, Sydney graduated from LSPI with an abundance of self-belief thanks in large part to the professors who never ceased to encourage her.
Student Spotlight
Ian Valdez
B.A. in Political Science and Linguistics (UTEP, 2023)
Career Highlights: Currently in Washington, D.C. as an Archer Fellow
“Participating in the Law School Preparation Institute has been an amazing experience. As I have gotten to meet other prospective law students from around the county, I have realized how unique this program is. Sure, most students have [access to] pre-law student organizations, but they do not have a program like this one at their respective universities.”
Ian Valdez
B.A. in Political Science and Linguistics (UTEP, 2023)
Career Highlights: Currently in Washington, D.C. as an Archer Fellow
“Participating in the Law School Preparation Institute has been an amazing experience. As I have gotten to meet other prospective law students from around the county, I have realized how unique this program is. Sure, most students have [access to] pre-law student organizations, but they do not have a program like this one at their respective universities.”
Emilia Tapia Jimenez
B.A. in Political Science (UTEP, 2023)
Career Highlights: Chief Justice for the Student Government Association Traffic Court and research assistant for Dr. Boehmer.
“As an international student, law school seemed like an impossible dream. LSPI helped me turn that dream into reality. The program offers one-of-a-kind courses that prepared me for the LSAT. Although it was challenging figuring out how to stand out as a candidate for law school, I never felt alone during the admission process. The LSPI’s amazing faculty and staff were there to guide and advise me in every step of the process. Not only were the courses in the program outstanding, but meeting fellow pre-law students inspired me to become a better student. I was not the smartest person in the classroom during my time in LSPI, but I certainly grew immensely because of that. Without doubt, LSPI impacted my time at UTEP; I will be forever grateful to have been given the opportunity of being part of the program.”
Emilia Tapia Jimenez
B.A. in Political Science (UTEP, 2023)
Career Highlights: Chief Justice for the Student Government Association Traffic Court and research assistant for Dr. Boehmer.
“As an international student, law school seemed like an impossible dream. LSPI helped me turn that dream into reality. The program offers one-of-a-kind courses that prepared me for the LSAT. Although it was challenging figuring out how to stand out as a candidate for law school, I never felt alone during the admission process. The LSPI’s amazing faculty and staff were there to guide and advise me in every step of the process. Not only were the courses in the program outstanding, but meeting fellow pre-law students inspired me to become a better student. I was not the smartest person in the classroom during my time in LSPI, but I certainly grew immensely because of that. Without doubt, LSPI impacted my time at UTEP; I will be forever grateful to have been given the opportunity of being part of the program.”
Alum Spotlight
Judge Margaret I. Strickland
B.A. in Economics (UTEP, 2003) | J.D. (NYU School of Law, 2006)
“Over the past 25 years, the LSPI has done excellent work preparing UTEP students for law school and legal careers. As a proud UTEP and LSPI graduate, I am excited to see the program continue to guide UTEP students to successful legal careers.”
Judge Margaret I. Strickland
B.A. in Economics (UTEP, 2003) | J.D. (NYU School of Law, 2006)
“Over the past 25 years, the LSPI has done excellent work preparing UTEP students for law school and legal careers. As a proud UTEP and LSPI graduate, I am excited to see the program continue to guide UTEP students to successful legal careers.”
Judge Robert Lara
B.A. in political Science (UTEP, 2004) | (New Mexico School of Law, 2007)
“The Law School Preparation Institute’s (LSPI) impact on the legal profession cannot be overstated. Each graduate of the LSPI is a tiny ripple of hope for the legal profession, with each of us crossing each other from different parts of the country and practice areas, building a wave of positive change to the justice system and our communities. The Law School Preparation Institute, and the professors and staff who support its mission, are the sole reason I have a J.D. behind my name and a Hon. in front of my name. The LSPI gave me the tools, values, knowledge, and confidence to be successful not only in law school but in the practice of law. Without their support, I would not have the privilege to serve my community as an attorney and now as a Judge.”
Judge Robert Lara
B.A. in political Science (UTEP, 2004) | (New Mexico School of Law, 2007)
“The Law School Preparation Institute’s (LSPI) impact on the legal profession cannot be overstated. Each graduate of the LSPI is a tiny ripple of hope for the legal profession, with each of us crossing each other from different parts of the country and practice areas, building a wave of positive change to the justice system and our communities. The Law School Preparation Institute, and the professors and staff who support its mission, are the sole reason I have a J.D. behind my name and a Hon. in front of my name. The LSPI gave me the tools, values, knowledge, and confidence to be successful not only in law school but in the practice of law. Without their support, I would not have the privilege to serve my community as an attorney and now as a Judge.”
Sophia Andritsos
B.A. in Business Administration (UTEP, 2022) | Law Student at UCLA School of Law
“I would not be where I am today without UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute. The program provided me with the essential structure, resources, and mentors that gave me every opportunity to succeed on my path to law school. Thanks to the program, I was able to navigate the challenging process of applying to and getting accepted into excellent law schools across the country. This program is essential to providing UTEP students and the greater El Paso community with access to a legal education.”
Sophia Andritsos
B.A. in Business Administration (UTEP, 2022) | Law Student at UCLA School of Law
“I would not be where I am today without UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute. The program provided me with the essential structure, resources, and mentors that gave me every opportunity to succeed on my path to law school. Thanks to the program, I was able to navigate the challenging process of applying to and getting accepted into excellent law schools across the country. This program is essential to providing UTEP students and the greater El Paso community with access to a legal education.”
Bernadette Segura
B.A. in Political Science (UTEP, 2001) | J.D. (The University of Texas School of Law, 2005)
“The LSPI helped me in several ways. I was able to increase my LSAT score to open the doors to a top tier law school. Second, I was empowered with self-confidence. The LSPI gave me confidence to rely on in my first semester. I felt out of place and like I didn’t belong in the very “big firm,” conservative world of law school. The two summers of LSPI made me feel like I had a head start and had a chance at finding my own way.”
Bernadette Segura
B.A. in Political Science (UTEP, 2001) | J.D. (The University of Texas School of Law, 2005)
“The LSPI helped me in several ways. I was able to increase my LSAT score to open the doors to a top tier law school. Second, I was empowered with self-confidence. The LSPI gave me confidence to rely on in my first semester. I felt out of place and like I didn’t belong in the very “big firm,” conservative world of law school. The two summers of LSPI made me feel like I had a head start and had a chance at finding my own way.”
LSPI Class Photos
