V&E Diversity Scholarship
Vinson & Elkins
Created by Vinson & Elkins, the V&E Diversity Scholarship Program supports historically underrepresented high school students interested in the legal profession by awarding financial aid for college.
Applicants are required to have a minimum of 1100 SAT combined score or a minimum of 22 ACT score; be from a historically underrepresented group; be in the top 20% of their class; require financial aid; and must have lived in Houston, Dallas, Austin or surrounding areas for seven years.
The application process involves submitting an online form, your transcript, your resume, an essay, and two recommendation letters. The program award is worth $10,000 awarded to seven deserving students each.
Scholarship Summary
Created by Vinson & Elkins, the V&E Diversity Scholarship Program supports historically underrepresented high school students interested in the legal profession by awarding financial aid for college.
Applicants are required to have a minimum of 1100 SAT combined score or a minimum of 22 ACT score; be from a historically underrepresented group; be in the top 20% of their class; require financial aid; and must have lived in Houston, Dallas, Austin or surrounding areas for seven years.
The application process involves submitting an online form, your transcript, your resume, an essay, and two recommendation letters. The program award is worth $10,000 awarded to seven deserving students each.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: High School Senior – High School Graduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: Texas, United States
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Alaskan Native, Asian, Asian American, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander
Key Information of V&E Diversity Scholarship
Study Details
Area of Study
Law
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Grade transcript
- Essay
- Present Work Experiences
- Financial Information
- Recommendation letters
- Standardized Test Scores
V&E Diversity Scholarship Timeline
December 2024
Applications Opening Date
Applications open on December 1.
April 2025
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is on April 1.
May 30, 2025
Awards Announcement Date
Winners are announced on May 30.
How to ace the V&E Diversity Scholarship
Start the application process right away
You should start the application process as soon as possible. This will allow you enough time to acquire all necessary documents, contact your referees or recommenders, complete all forms and work on your essay. Have everything organized and planned to avoid any last-minute complications.
Get a stellar recommendation
Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. The letters are to be written by a teacher who taught you within the past year in high school, a guidance counselor, or a coach. Choose those who know you well to speak to your abilities.
Provide a strong résumé
A great way to build your résumé is by volunteering, interning, or holding leadership roles at school or an organization. Before applying, try to gain some experience that shows your interest in a career in law.
Review your essay
Essays are required to be between 500-1500 words on who you are, your interest in law, extracurricular activities you’ve been involved in, and your career goals. Ensure that a teacher, sibling, friend, or guardian reviews your essay before submitting it.
How the V&E Diversity Scholarship is Judged
Applicants to the Vinson & Elkins Diversity Scholarship are judged based on the strengths of their applications and how well they meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
Why We Love the V&E Diversity Scholarship
Chance at summer internships
Applicants selected as V&E Scholars are often offered a summer internship at Vinson & Elkins. Interns get to be mentored by V&E attorneys and reimbursed for an LSAT preparatory course.
Supports underrepresented communities
The scholarship provides financial aid to racial, ethnic, or sexual groups/communities that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession.
V&E Scholars
V&E Scholars have attended some of the most prestigious universities and top law schools in the U.S. and have worked for the state department and major corporations.
5 Facts About Vinson & Elkins Diversity Scholarship
Geographic eligibility
Applicants must have U.S. Citizenship or Residency in Houston, Dallas or Austin, or surrounding areas for continuous seven years.
Over 180 scholarships
Since its founding, the V&E Diversity Scholarship has awarded 182 diversity scholarships to high school seniors.
Founded in 1990
The V&E Scholars Program was founded in 1990 by Vinson & Elkins to support high school students from underrepresented communities seeking to pursue a legal career.
Vinson & Elkins’ Women’s Initiative
Launched in 2000, Vinson & Elkins’ Women’s Initiative supports female lawyers in building path-breaking legal careers by recruiting, developing, and promoting women at different levels in the firm.
30,000 pro bono hours
Each year, lawyers from Vinson & Elkins devote 30,000 hours or more to helping lives in their communities by providing free legal representation.