PS 491: Public Defender Internship for Fall 18

Applications are now open for PS 491: Public Defender Internship for Fall of 2018 and will be due on April 5. Read on for details about the course and the application process.

Are you interested in how criminal courts work? Would you like to see an arraignment, a motion hearing or a real criminal trial? Want to meet with Public Defender clients about their cases? Would you like to help an attorney prepare cases for court? The Department of Political Science and the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office plan to offer an internship for academic credit in Fall, 2018. Jamie Thomas-Ward, the Director of Pre-Law Services, will provide academic supervision of these internships. Unlike other internships that require a substantial research project done in conjunction with the internship itself for an award of academic credit, in this internship, students will be awarded credit for their work in the Public Defender’s Office combined with a series of structured academic assignments requiring integration of internship experiences with readings on the political systems, the legal system and constitutional and human rights. This class requires one hour of class time per week, and about six hours per week of work at the internship site.

What, specifically, can you expect to be doing as part of this internship?

Watching criminal court proceedings such as arraignments, sentencing hearings, motion hearings, and trials
Reviewing criminal case files (such as police reports) with Public Defender clients both at the office and at the Champaign County Jail
Reviewing evidence and bodycam footage and organizing materials for case files
Discussing case information and strategy with the Public Defender attorneys
Contacting potential witnesses to testify at sentencing hearings; and
Other research and projects as needed.

The Public Defender’s Office is a fast-paced environment. Ideal students for this program are: interested in criminal law proceedings; willing to take a variety of assignments; able to work independently when given appropriate support; and able to devote 90 hours during the semester to the Public Defender’s Office. Admission is competitive: We expect to have five openings for Fall, 2018.

By Thursday, April 5, students seeking to participate in the Public Defender Internship Program must submit an application online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/7935624. The application consists of a cover letter, informal transcript, resume and writing sample. The cover letter needs to address each of the following elements: 1) explain your interest in and motivation for undertaking this internship, 2) share your experience in working with only a modest level of direct supervision, and 3) discuss your plans for accommodating participation in the internship in your schedule (including how many other credit hours you plan to carry, whether you will be studying for the LSAT, whether you have other significant time commitments). All of those materials will be reviewed for a decision on acceptance into the program by the departmental internship committee.

At a minimum, students seeking to participate in this program need (1) to have completed 45 credit hours by Fall, 2018 (2) with at least one year of residence on this campus and (3) to have earned a cumulative UIUC grade point average of 3.0 or higher. They must (4) have completed PS 101: U.S. Government & Politics and (5) have no arrests or criminal convictions – as an adult or juvenile – or serious campus disciplinary violations involving campus or local law enforcement. In addition to work in the courthouse, students will need to attend a class for one hour per week on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00. Submit all applications online at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/7935624.

Past students have really enjoyed this opportunity. Questions on this internship? Contact Jamie Thomas-Ward at thomas99@illinois.edu.

Course Options for Fall 2018

Still looking for some fall courses? As you know, students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. However, given an interest in law, here are some fall courses that pre-law students may find particularly helpful and interesting. These courses are only suggestions and are not requirements. Check out Course Explorer and speak to your academic advisor about the best courses for you.

For more info on building academic skills for law school, visit the March 16 blog post.

AAS 375/LLS 377: Prisons, Race and Terror. Examination of the U.S. prison regime, focusing on three dimensions of U.S. imprisonment — criminal justice, immigrant detention, and martial imprisonment, particularly under the War on Terror.

ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning–Understanding financial instruments and tax implications is critical for many lawyers

ACE 306: Food Law and ACE 406: Environmental Law

ADV 310: Intro to Public Relations: Introduces the student to the practice and profession of public relations. Course material covers topics such as the history of public relations and the role of law and ethics in public relations.

Community Health courses are helpful for people interested in healthcare law, such as

CHLH 100: Contemporary Health
CHLH 101: Intro to Public Health

Communication courses are helpful, as all lawyers must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.

CMN 101: Public Speaking (this is a prereq for most upper level CMN courses)
CMN 211: Business Communication
CMN 310: The Rhetorical Tradition
CMN 321: Strategies of Persuasion
CMN 323: Argumentation

ECON 484: Law and Economics Applications of economic theory to problems and issues in both civil and criminal law and the effect of legal rules on the allocation of resources.

EDUC 202: Social Justice, School & Society

English courses help develop writing, research, and analysis skills.

ENGL 199: Career Planning for Humanities Majors
ENGL 310: Introduction to the Study of the English Language (Unprotected Speech)
ENGL 360: Environmental Writing (same as ESE 360)

ESE 210: Social & Environmental Issues and ESE 466: Environmental Policy for those interested in environmental law

FIN 214: Fundamentals of Real Estate A survey of real estate finance, appraisal, investment, law, brokerage, management, development and economics.

Geography courses may be particularly engaging for students interested in environmental issues, global politics, and/or international legal issues

GEOG 101: Global Development & Environment
GEOG 210: Social & Environmental Issues

GLBL 100: Intro to Global Studies, GLBL 220: Governance, and GLBL 260: Global Human Rights

HIST 395: Topics in Law and Society

INFO 303: Writing Across Media, a skill that all careers integrate and value.

LAW 301: Introduction to Law

Serves as a general foundation course for those interested in applying to law school.

Labor & Employment Relations offers multiple courses for undergraduates on labor law and employment law issues, including:

LER 100: Introduction to Labor Studies
LER 290: Introduction to Employment Law
LER 320: Gender, Race, Class, and Work

LLS 468: Latinas/os & the Law

Examines the Latina/Latino experience in the U.S. how and when the law, through the courts, has most often operated as an instrument of subordination and oppression, but has also at times been leveraged for positive social transformation. Students will come to understand that the law is a deeply contested social space that is central to U.S. social hierarchies based upon race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, class, immigration status, and religion.

Philosophy options include:

PHIL 102: Logic & Reasoning This course is particularly helpful for students who have yet to take the LSAT, as two sections of the LSAT are based on Logical Reasoning.
PHIL 104/105: Intro to Ethics This course includes some basic exploration of ethics, including looking at the relationship between social morality and the law.
PHIL 436: Philosophy of Law and of the State

Political Science options to explore specific legal areas include:

PS 225: Environmental Politics & Policy
PS 280: Intro to International Relations
PS 301/302: US Constitution I &II are helpful primers for law school
PS 312: Politics and the Media
PS 313: Congress and Foreign Policy
PS 322: Law and Public Policy or PS 220: Intro to Public Policy
PS 323: Law & Representation
PS 491: Internship with the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office Unlike other internships that require a substantial research project completed in conjunction with the internship itself for academic credit, credit in this program is based on class meetings and structured assignments that integrate readings on political systems, the legal system, and constitutional and human rights, with on-the-job experience summarizing case files, witnessing trials and colloquies, and interviewing witnesses and clients. Students are supervised by the Champaign County Public Defender or attorneys in the office. Stay tuned for updates regarding the application process for this exciting opportunity. For more information, go here: https://pol.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/internships.

Note – beginning in the Fall of 2018, the Political Science Department will be introducing a new curriculum, featuring concentrations in the following areas: General Political Science; Citizen Politics; Civic Leadership; International Relations; Law & Power; Public Policy & Democratic Institutions; and World Politics. For more information on these changes, go here.

PSYC 468: Psych and Law

Examines relationship of the administrative, civil, and criminal justice systems to educational and mental health institutions; individual rights, social issues, and psychological well being.

Sociology introduced its Criminology, Law and Society Minor last fall. Some interesting class offerings there include:

SOC 275: Criminology
SOC 477/479: Law and Society

SOCW 200: Intro to Social Work studies systemic social issues and resources, working with vulnerable populations

Other courses to explore different areas of law include:

JOUR 311: Media Law Detailed analysis of the theories of freedom of expression, the legal doctrines of greatest concern to mass communicators, and contemporary issues related to free speech and press, including libel, copyright, and news-gathering in a digital age.
RST 225: Environmental Politics & Policy (cross listed as PS 225) Examinations of the political, economic, ecological, and cultural trade-offs between the use and the preservation of the environment, with particular emphasis on the preservation of land and water resources in national parks, forests, and other reserved lands.
RST 354: Legal Aspects of Sport A study of legal principles and their impact on the sport industry; the course examines the application of different areas of law including tort, contract, constitutional, anti-trust, and intellectual property law to professional, amateur and recreational sport.
SE 400: Engineering Law – note – only prerequisite is Rhet 105. Course covers: nature and development of the legal system; legal rights and duties important to engineers in their professions; contracts, uniform commercial code and sales of goods, torts, agency, worker’s compensation, labor law, property, environmental law, intellectual property.
TE 450: Startups: Incorporate, Fund, Contracts, Intellectual Property Explore legal tools used in constructing and operating companies. Topics include: issues with business formation, intellectual property, NDA, contracts, and other corporate legal issues impacting startups.
UP 211: Local Planning, Government and Law Provides students with a basic understanding of the governmental structure, legal aspects, and practice of local municipal planning, with special emphasis on case law, constitutional principles, zoning, subdivision regulations and comprehensive planning. Gives an introduction for students interested in pursuing more advanced studies in land use law and local government planning.

Remember that these are only suggestions and that none of these courses is required for law school. Further, this is not intended to be an exhaustive list. There are many other great courses described in the Course Explorer, some of which have prerequisites but are still open to undergrads. Do your own research and talk with your academic advisor to identify courses that are the best fit for you.

Mark Your Calendars – March 26, 2018

Welcome back! We hope you all had a relaxing and fun spring break. Keep reading to find out about some interesting programs, including PLAS’ “Taking a Gap Year…Or Two” set for THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 5-6:15PM, ROOM 514 ILLINI BOOKSTORE BUILDING. Scroll down for info on this, summer pre-law programs and internships with deadlines approaching (including one TODAY), the Illini Career and Internship Fair and more!

Pre-Law Advising Services

“Taking a Gap Year…Or Two” — Thursday, March 29, 5-6:00pm, Room 514 Illini Bookstore Building

Are you considering working, volunteering, traveling, or doing something else before attending law school? If so, how can you use that time effectively to improve your applicant profile? Do you want to know more about going straight through to law school after undergrad? This event helps students explore different paths to law school. The panel will feature three current law students–two with work experience and one who went directly from undergrad to law school–to answer your questions and discuss the pros and cons of going straight to law school versus taking a gap year (or more) and working. We will also discuss our overall applicant data and share more details about other paths our students and alumni have taken to law school. Whether you are planning to take time off or going straight through, this is a great event to clarify what to expect on your path to law school. Go here for more information on this event, as well as our upcoming PLAS workshops for Fall 2018 law school applicants!

Campus Events

UIUC College of Law — Seeking Pre-Law Students to Serve as Mock Jurors!

The College of Law invites pre-law students to serve as mock jurors for law students. Advanced Trial Advocacy trials will be held April 4,10,11, and 19 starting at 5 pm each night and lasting about 3 hours. Refreshments will be served. This is a great way to experience what it’s like to be on a jury, see what law students are doing, and get a taste of what trials are really like! Please email Thanin Stewart at tostewa2@illinois.edu indicating what day(s) you’d like to serve as a mock juror, or if you have any questions.

Career Center

The Career Center is excited to host State Department Midwest Diplomat-in-Residence (DIR) Melissa Martinez on March 26 & 27. Martinez is a media and communications professional with over 15 years of international and domestic experience in the U.S. diplomatic service. During her visit, she will provide guidance and advice on careers, internships, and fellowships in both the Foreign and Civil Service. The following events will all take place at The Career Center Interview Suite, Room 213, 616 E. Green St.

Demystifying Diplomacy Information Session: Career and Student Opportunities in Public Service – Monday, March 26 @ 7pm

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a U.S. Diplomat and represent the United States? Do you have a passion to serve your country? Join U.S. Department of State Diplomat-in-Residence Melissa Martinez to learn what steps you need to take to work on the forefront of diplomacy.

Coffee with a Diplomat Roundtable – Tuesday, March 27 @ 9am

Join us for a roundtable discussion with State Department Diplomat-in-Residence Melissa Martinez. Martinez will talk about the amazing experiences she has had with the State Department and offer advice on how students can pursue their own paths in foreign or civil service. Pastries will be provided!

One-on-One Office Hours/Resume Reviews with the State Department Diplomat-in-Residence – Tuesday, March 27 from 10am – 12pm

Sign up for a 10 minute one-on-one slot with Diplomat-in-Residence Melissa Martinez. These sessions are for students to ask specific questions about their interest in and application to the State Department. Office hours will be on a first-come first-serve basis; any remaining slots will be offered as drop-ins on the day of the event. Please arrive early to ensure your spot. Sign up here.

General Information Session on Careers and Student Opportunities – Tuesday, March 27 @ 1pm

State Department Diplomat-in-Residence Melissa Martinez will conduct a one-hour general information session to discuss internship and career opportunities including the Pathways Program, State Department Internships, and other opportunities to help you reach your foreign and civil service goals.

More offerings by the Career Center

Still trying to find an internship or a job? Scroll down to find out about some of the opportunities listed on this week’s schedule of events at the Career Center.

Resume, Cover Letter and Linked In Reviews – Several times this week, beginning TODAY, March 26, 2-4:30pm, Career Services Center; 7-9pm, Undergrad Library, Consultation Corner.

Creating Your Powerful Resume – Tuesday, March 27, 4-5pm, Career Conference Center Room 143

Finding An Internship – Tuesday, March 27, 5-6pm, Career Conference Center Room 143

Finding and Applying to Federal Government Jobs – Wednesday, March 28, 4-5pm, Career Conference Center Room 143

Global Careers: Stay or Return – Wednesday, March 28, 4-5:30pm, The Career Center Interview Suite Room 213

Acing Your Interview – Wednesday, March 28, 5-6pm, Career Conference Center Room 143

International Student Career Meet Up – Thursday, March 29, 4-5:30pm, The Career Center Interview Suite Room 213

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Illini Career and Internship Fair, Tuesday April 10, 1pm-6pm, Illini Union Rooms A, B, and C! This career fair is open to all disciplines and is designed to serve as a “just-in-time” fair for students that have yet to secure a summer internship or full-time job after graduation.

Classes for Fall 2018 – Registration Begins Soon!

This Wednesday’s blog will feature a list of suggested classes for pre-law students. In the meantime, you might want to consider applying to take…

PS 491 — Internship with the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office

Unlike other internships that require a substantial research project completed in conjunction with the internship itself for academic credit, credit in this program is based on class meetings and structured assignments that integrate readings on political systems, the legal system, and constitutional and human rights, with on-the-job experience summarizing case files, witnessing trials and colloquies, and interviewing witnesses and clients. Students are supervised by the Champaign County Public Defender or attorneys in the office. Stay tuned for updates regarding the application process for this exciting opportunity. For more information, go here: https://pol.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/internships.

National and International Scholarships Program – Introductory Sessions THIS WEEK!

This week the UIUC National and International Scholarships Program office is holding scholarship meetings for juniors, seniors, and graduates students on campus. If you are a recent UIUC alumnus, or currently overseas on a semester abroad program and are interested in learning more about one of these scholarships, please visit our website, contact our office, or email Jeff Yockey, yockey@illinois.edu, directly in the next two weeks. (Do not wait until Summer or next Fall, it will be too late.)

http://www.topscholars.illinois.edu/administered-scholarships

These short meetings are introductory sessions focused on how to apply for the national and internationally competitive scholarships listed below and briefly described on the attached handout. The application process for these awards begins over a year ahead of time, most starting this summer. We are offering this session eight times to accommodate your schedule. Come learn what you need to know about how to apply.

Fulbright (130 countries), Rhodes (Oxford), Marshall (any UK University), Gates (Cambridge), Schwarzman (Tsinghua Uni. China), Knight-Hennessy (Stanford), Luce (SE Asia), Mitchell (Ireland), and Churchill (Cambridge).

Tuesday, March 27: 3:30-4:00 & 4:00-4:30. Rm 514, Illini Union Bookstore Building, 5th Floor.

Wednesday, March 28: 1:30-2:00, 2:00-2:30, 3:00-3:30 and 4:00-4:30. Rm 514, Illini Union Bookstore Building, 5th Floor.

Thursday, March 29: 1:30-2:00, 2:00-2:30. Rm 514, Illini Union Bookstore Building, 5th Floor.

https://www.facebook.com/events/167959760529978/

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Still looking for summer opportunities? We’ve posted lots of internships and jobs over on our Facebook page, like these.

Summer 2018 LegalTrek Program — Applications due THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 30!

Do you have dreams of being a lawyer? Are you interested in attending law school? If so, consider applying to LegalTrek. LegalTrek is a summer program designed to provide a hands-on, comprehensive overview of the legal profession to diverse college students. LegalTrek meshes traditional legal learning with opportunities to build legal skills.

LegalTrek’s mission is to diversify the legal profession by encouraging and supporting college students from historically underrepresented groups to attend law school. We are seeking diverse applicants from racial/ethnic minority groups, as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged students, LGBT students and disabled students. LegalTrek 2018 is collaboration between the Chicago Committee for Minorities in Law Firms (Chicago Committee) and DePaul University College of Law. For more information and to apply, go here.

The Division of General Studies is hiring PAID summer peer advisors to assist with summer registration. Visit our Facebook page for the full job description.

The Career Center is hiring PAID summer interns to work 20-25 hrs/week May 14-Aug 3. Great opportunity for a student prepping for the LSAT this summer! Applications due TODAY, March 26. Visit our Facebook page for the full job description.

Guide to selecting pre-law coursework for Illinois students

Each semester, we post a list of upcoming courses that will help pre-law students develop relevant skills for law school and get a taste of what studying law is like. What else should you know about building your pre-law schedule? This Guide provides several tips and suggestions to help pre-law students make the most of your upcoming semesters.

Pre-Law students really can major in ANYTHING and be successful in law school, but you must be a strong student in whatever you choose. Therefore, carefully consider what major(s) and minor(s) will challenge you but also allow you to demonstrate your academic strengths. Explore all majors and minors on campus here.

What academic skills should you build? Pre-law students must demonstrate strong research, writing, reading, and speaking skills, which can be accomplished both in and out of the classroom. These are the core skills that law schools truly care about, so take a look at your DARS and ask yourself: How many courses have you taken that develop and reflect these skills? Take courses that demonstrate those skills–they can be in any discipline. Popular options include English, History, Political Science, Philosophy, or Communication courses, but don’t feel limited to only those.

Balance academic challenge with success. Law schools want to see students who demonstrate academic success while taking a challenging courseload. Ideally, pre-law students would take an academic course load that is challenging both in terms of rigor and credits while still doing performing well. What does this mean, and how can you achieve it?

A challenging but not overwhelming course load suggestion is 15-17 credit hours. (This can vary due to individual factors, and is only a general guideline, not a mandate. Think carefully about the right course load for you.)
Be strategic in your course selection. Don’t take your 5 hardest classes in the same semester to get them out of the way. Work with your major advisor to determine how you can distribute those courses throughout your remaining semesters. Likewise, don’t take your 5 easiest classes at the same time–use those to give you some relief from the harder classes each semester.
For juniors and seniors–Move up from 1 and 200 level courses to 3 and 400 levels in order to demonstrate an appropriate level of challenge. A good general rule is no more than one 1 or 200 level course per semester for juniors and seniors (unless you must do so to graduate on time). Taking easy classes to pad a GPA is obvious to law school admissions, who know what a challenging semester looks like.

Use your major(s) and minor(s) to complement each other. If you have a major that does not necessarily demonstrate lots of writing or research skills, then selecting a minor or secondary major that does is a smart balance. Unusual combinations of majors/minors can also show a law school someone who is intellectually curious and able to succeed in a wide variety of coursework.

Consider changing majors, especially if you are not able to achieve mostly As and some Bs in your coursework. This is especially important if you struggle academically for more than one semester–it is very challenging to fix a low GPA once obtained.

We recommend that you avoid making course selections for these reasons:

A friend/roommate/sibling/parent said the class was easy;
I only wanted classes in the afternoons/on Tu/Th/to complement my work schedule so I just picked what I could get into on those days;
I just wanted to hurry up and graduate so I took a very demanding overload each semester.

What, then, are good reasons to take a course?

It demonstrates the skills that law schools prefer to see;
I like the topic and find it interesting or it is required for my major/minor;
It fits in well with my remaining coursework in terms of balancing rigor and the ability to do well; and
I talked with my academic advisor who agreed it is a good fit for me.

You must prioritize academics if law school is your goal. Don’t get distracted from your goal of law school admission. If being president of a social organization or volunteering too much affects your grades, it’s time to dial back your extracurriculars and rededicate yourself to your role as a student. Law schools will not care that the reason your grades suffered is because you were planning a big fundraiser…that shows them a lack of prioritizing and time management skills.

Build important academic skills. Right now you are building academic skills and habits which you will rely on when you transition to law school, where the work is much harder and infinitely more time consuming than your undergraduate studies. Now is the time to master discipline (not procrastinating), effective note taking, reading comprehension and speed, attention to detail in your writing, citing your work appropriately, giving an effective speech, and managing your time. All of these are skills that you will be expected to bring with you into your law school classroom.

Plan far in advance for study abroad, Illinois in Washington, and taking the LSAT. Most students try to lighten their academic load during the spring of Junior year or during the fall of Senior year while they prep for the LSAT. Studying for the LSAT will take about 10-15 hours per week for 4-6 months. Review upcoming LSAT dates and deadlines here. If you are planning to study abroad or do Illinois in Washington, talk to a pre-law advisor about planning your LSAT options around those.

Monitor your academic performance and seek help. Don’t wait until the last week of class to discover that you are actually not earning an A. Seek help when you need it–this University abounds with programs and services to support your academic endeavors! Start by talking to your TA/Professor and your academic advisor about academic support and tutoring options.

Remember that grade replacement will not help for law school (click here for a refresher), so take the time to carefully consider your best course options and seek help when you need it.

Make the most of your spring/spring break!

Here are suggestions for pre-law students and alumni to maximize your spring and/or your spring break.

For all current pre-law students or those entering law school this fall:

Complete your FAFSA if you haven’t already. This is how financial aid for federal loans for summer/fall will be determined, whether you are an undergrad or an incoming law student.

Freshmen and Sophomores:

Apply for Summer Jobs and Internships. Do you have summer plans locked down? If not, apply for jobs and internships. Check out our internship newsletter over on our Compass page. We’ve also listed LOTS of internships on our Facebook page and on our blog! Use the search box on either of these to find internships. You should also be checking Handshake regularly (or set it to email you when new listings appear).
Apply to Summer Pre-Law Programs. These are typically 4 week residential programs to teach basics of law and how to prepare for law school, and most are free and come with a stipend for selected students. We have been posting these all spring on our blog and Facebook page. Take a look at the Summer Pre-Law Programs spreadsheet on our Compass page, listing over 40 summer programs, for even more opportunities. Note: Some deadlines have passed and others are April 1, so apply SOON.
Take a practice LSAT. Not ready to take the real LSAT yet but wondering what it’s all about? Go to this website to download a free practice test. When you’re done, you can score it and watch videos there with explanations of the answers. Want to take more practice LSATs? You can purchase books of 10 previously administered LSATs like this one at Amazon or another bookseller, or used on ebay.
Job shadow, or ask a lawyer to spend 30 minutes doing an informational interview with you. Don’t be intimidated; this is an opportunity for you to buy him/her coffee and ask about their professional life. Here’s a resource for planning your informational interview.
Get caught up. Use this time to catch up on studying and prepare for finals–those grades are very important to law schools!

Pre-Law Students and Alumni Applying This Fall:

Make your LSAT plans.
- Taking the June LSAT? You should already have selected your prep option and started studying. Spring break is a great time to crank up your LSAT studying.Tip: REGISTER FOR THE JUNE LSAT NOW, because the popular test sites fill up around spring break each year.
- Taking the September LSAT? Now is the time to research LSAT prep options. Check out the LSAT Preparation folder over on our Compass page for information on free LSAT resources as well as listings of popular LSAT prep companies, including discounts they are offering to Illinois students.
Decide who will be your recommendation writers. You will want to approach them by this May/June (at the end of THIS semester) so that they have plenty of time to write the letter and your performance is still fresh in their mind. If you are an alum, reach out ASAP because the longer you wait the more difficult it is to track people down and for them to remember you.
Register for the Credential Assembly Service. This is the account you will need to open in order to have your recommendation letters processed. Once you set it up, your account is good for five years. You can read all about it here.
Mark your calendars. We have upcoming workshops just for you that you should plan to attend. Find them all on our Event Calendar.

Seniors taking a gap year (or two) prior to law school:

It’s still a good idea to decide who on campus can write your recommendations, and approach them by the end of this semester. If you wait a year or more the professor is sometimes gone, on sabbatical, retired, etc., so it’s better to get them now. Register for the Credential Assembly Service as listed above so that you can send the letters in to your account.
We will have a special workshop about Taking a Gap Year Before Law School on March 29 at 5 pm in 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building. This workshop will cover how you can maximize your postgraduate time to make yourself an even better law school candidate, and we will share a timeline and game plan for applying to law school as a working professional. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from current law students who worked prior to law school.

Seniors and alumni headed to law school this fall:

Complete your FAFSA! Your federal loans will not be disbursed without it.
Make final visits to law schools/attend admitted student days. If you’ve decided where to attend, then withdraw from the other schools that have admitted you so that they can offer that seat/scholarship to someone else.
Apply for scholarships. We’ve posted lots of scholarships in our blog and over on our Compass page! When you know which law school you are attending, ask your law school financial aid office about scholarship opportunities.

Mark Your Calendars: Week of March 12

Pre-Law Events

Harvard Law School Junior Deferral Program Office Hours–Thursday, March 15 5-6 pm online. Harvard Law School recently began a program in which college juniors apply, and if accepted, they then enter law school 2+ years after graduating from college. Applicants must be graduating in Spring 2019 and commit to deferring their law school admission until at least 2 years after graduating from your undergraduate program. Applications are due April 1. HLS is hosting an online Info Session on March 15 to answer questions before the upcoming application deadline. Click here to register for the info session.

The College of Law invites pre-law students to serve as mock jurors for law students. Advanced Trial Advocacy trials will be held April 4,10,11, and 19 starting at 5 pm each night and lasting about 3 hours. Refreshments will be served. This is a great way to experience what it’s like to be on a jury, see what law students are doing, and get a taste of what trials are really like! Please email Thanin Stewart at tostewa2@illinois.edu indicating what day(s) you’d like to serve as a mock juror, or if you have any questions.

Taking a Gap Year (Or More) Before Law School Workshop–Thursday, March 29 at 5:00 pm in 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Events on Campus

Virtual Career Fair for Students with Disabilities: Wednesday, March 14, 8am-5pm

Bender Consulting Services, Inc. is hosting a virtual career fair where job seekers with disabilities can meet employers from across the nation. This online recruiting event is open to students & alumni from 2-Year and 4-Year Colleges and Universities across the United States. Use the following link to review the event schedule and register: https://www.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails?fairId=4c573eb5-af3c-4ad9-855a-a831011b640e

Other Spring Career Fairs

March 13: Research Park Career Fair http://researchpark.illinois.edu/career-fair

April 10: Just-in-Time Illini Career & Internship Fair https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/just-time-illini-career-internship-fair

Career Center workshops–for more info visit www.careercenter.illinois.edu

Finding an Internship–Mar 13, 4-5 pm
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Reviews–multiple times and locations

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Still looking for summer opportunities? We’ve posted lots of internships and jobs over on our Facebook page, like these.

The Division of General Studies is hiring PAID summer peer advisors to assist with summer registration. Visit our Facebook page for the full job description.

The Office of Admissions is hiring PAID summer I-STAR (student admission representatives) to work through summer registration. Applications due March 18. Click here for more info.

The Office of Communications for Enrollment Management is hiring a PAID summer intern in the fields of writing, communication, or marketing, with the possibility of continuing through the academic year. Apply by March 19. Visit the Virtual Job Board for more info; look for Position 37333.

The Career Center is hiring PAID summer interns to work 20-25 hrs/week May 14-Aug 3. Great opportunity for a student prepping for the LSAT this summer! Applications due March 26. Visit our Facebook page for the full job description.

Waitlisted, or just waiting? What to do now!

We’re hearing from a lot of law school applicants who have submitted their applications and now find themselves either waitlisted or still waiting to hear back. Here are some helpful tips and pointers to help you position yourself in the best manner for admission and aid!

If you’re still waiting for an admission decision…
You are NOT alone! Many applicants tell us they have been waiting weeks or months. What is going on? It could mean:

The school is essentially “wait listing” you, but not calling it that, by waiting to respond to you until they see the rest of the applicant pool.
The admissions office is understaffed or inundated with applications. (Many schools are reporting an increase of applications this year, with nationwide applications up about 14% over last year.)
You applied later in the cycle and a backlog of applications must be reviewed before yours.

What can you do if you are still waiting on an answer?

IF it has been at least 4-6 weeks or whatever time frame the school has indicated for your file to be reviewed, reach out and politely inquire about anticipated time frames for a decision. Reiterate your interest in the school.
Review your status checker
Follow the law school on Twitter; many deans have taken to updating applicants about expected decisions there.
Don’t: Complain about their slowness or criticize the school’s process; tell them you’ve already heard back from everywhere else or from “better” schools; give the school a deadline. Sometimes patience is key.

If you’ve been waitlisted…Understand what this means: that you are an admissible candidate but the school needs to hit its institutional goals before they can admit you. Institutional goals could be LSAT/GPA related but could also be related to balancing the class with regard to gender, diversity, in state/out of state, age, etc. Very few schools can accurately predict how many applicants–and with what qualities–they will be pulling from a wait list. When the school tells you they don’t know your odds, it is very likely true.

What can you do if you are waitlisted?

Follow the school’s directions carefully. Do not email to ask them what to do after the school sends very specific instructions. Some law schools will ask you to confirm that you want to be on their wait list–if you don’t do so, you will not be considered. Pay attention to these details and instructions and follow them carefully.
Visit the school if you haven’t already. Making a strong impression on an admissions professional can go a long way toward being selected when it’s time for them to pull from the wait list.
Update your application by sending an updated resume, a new recommendation, or a letter or email expressing continued interest in that school (sometimes called a LOCI, or letter of continued interest).
Stay in touch–no more than once every couple of weeks–to demonstrate your interest in the school. Keep them updated on your plans. IF the school is your top choice, then say so.
Continue to make other plans. No one should proceed by “expecting” to be pulled from a wait list…even if this does happen, it can be anytime up to the day classes begin. You need to start making concrete plans in early April. Decide which law school you will attend out of those who accepted you. Make plans for putting down your deposit(s).
Don’t demand a decision right now…you may get one but it will not be the one you want.

Be “pleasantly persistent” as we move into April and May, which are prime decision-making times for schools as their deposit deadlines pass. And always remember that professionalism and good manners go a long way in this business!

Planning to take the LSAT in 2018? You need to read this.

If you are planning to take the LSAT in 2018 then you likely already know that we’ve seen some MAJOR changes recently! Here come some more. Here’s what you should know if you are planning on taking the LSAT in 2018.

Your LSAT options have changed. The LSAC is moving from a 4x/year LSAT schedule to 6x/year starting this year. The 2018 LSAT options are:

February (which already took place)
Monday, June 11
Monday, July 23 (JUST ADDED)
Saturday, September 8
Saturday, November 17

2. June or July? The LSAC very recently decided to add the July exam to the schedule and currently both the June and July registrations are open. So if you are planning to take the LSAT this summer, theoretically you now have the option of July instead of June. Note: the July LSAT is NONDISCLOSED, meaning that test takers will only receive a score and not a full score report showing answers. Although July test locations have not yet been posted to their website, we have received confirmation from the LSAC that there WILL be a July LSAT on our campus.

3. June AND July? Probably not. If you are considering taking the LSAT twice, June and July are not going to be easy to accomplish. Why? 1) You will not get your June LSAT score until after the July registration deadline has passed; 2) June LSAT takers will not have enough time after getting their June LSAT score (typically around the 4th of July) to re-prepare and be fully ready for the July exam. For a better strategy, see #5 below.

4. June and/or July LSAT takers—It’s time to register and start studying! Registration is open for both exams here, and we encourage you to register early. Typically the June exam fills by spring break, and with the increase in LSAT takers we expect this one to fill even sooner. July is brand new so we don’t know when it will fill, as locations have not yet been announced. When should you start studying? NOW. We recommend 4-6 months to fully prepare for the LSAT, so now is the time! Most LSAT prep courses for the June exam will begin in early March, so research your options and sign up for the class that suits you best. Not sure which LSAT prep course to take? We recently hosted the LSAT Prep Fair for this, and you can find links to participating LSAT prep companies here as well as a list of LSAT prep options and resources over on our Compass page in the LSAT Preparation folder.

5. Plan ahead for retake options. Basically the new LSAT schedule offers an LSAT every other month. These LSATs are not designed to be taken back-to-back, and it is unlikely that any LSAT taker would have enough time to prep for a retake by taking the very next LSAT. (For example: June and July, or July and September). Remember that every LSAT score gets sent to every law school you apply to, so it’s important that you are very prepared for each LSAT sitting. If you are considering retake options, it’s best to plan for two nonconsecutive tests: For example, June and September, or July and November.

6. What’s the latest LSAT you should take? Note that November is the latest LSAT we suggest if you plan to apply to law school in the Fall of 2018 (for entrance the fall of 2019) because your score will be released in December, which is the earliest you’ll be able to apply with that score. Law schools use rolling admission so they will begin accepting applicants in September and keep accepting people until the class is full. So you want to be in the early applicant pool.

7. If you are planning to apply to any law school this fall Early Decision, then the latest LSAT you should plan to take is September. Your November score will not be released early enough for some law schools’ Early Decision deadlines.

Internships: Applications, Interviews, and Other Tips

March is an important time for summer internships. There are many deadlines that are for March 1 and March 15. Some of the internships in our Winter Break Internship Newsletter over on Compass are still available, and we’ve been posting LOTS of internships on our Facebook page! Here are some tips on applications, subsequent interviews, and other important things to do to make sure you land the perfect summer internship.

Applications

1.Apply early! If you wait until the last minute to apply, you might be at the bottom of the resume stack.

2.Make a checklist for the required application materials. Make sure you send the employer everything they ask for. Some employers will not even consider your application unless you provide the materials they ask for. Common internship application components include:

Resumes
Cover Letters
Transcripts
Writing Samples
References

3. Be formal. Dress up for your interview–even if it’s through Skype. Iron your dress suit. Treat this interview seriously. For cover letters or emails, make sure to address employers as Mr., Ms., and Mrs. Use appropriate email subject lines if communicating via email. Examples of appropriate subject lines for internship applications and correspondence:

John Doe Application Materials for Summer 2018 Internship at XYZ Company
John Doe Resume, Cover Letter, and Writing Sample for Summer 2018 Internship
Summer 2018 Internship for XYZ Company – John Doe

4. Send a thank you note after your internship interview! Even if you think the interview did not go that well, send a thank you email and a written thank you note. You would rather be the applicant who sent the thank you note instead of the only applicant who did not send the thank you note.

Interviews

Do a mock interview before your real interview! The Career Center offers mock interviews. This is a great opportunity to practice with someone who can give you constructive feedback. For more information about the Career Center’s mock interviews, click here.
Phone interviews and Skype interviews are very common for first round or preliminary interviews. Make sure you have a quiet environment to conduct your phone interview. If your dorm or apartment is going to be distracting or loud, book a study room for your phone or Skype interview. For information about reserving a study room through the University’s library system, click here.
1. If you decide to do a Skype interview at your dorm or apartment, be careful of what is in the background of the video. Clean up your space and take a picture from your webcam to see what the interviewer will see. Do a practice interview over Skype with a friend to make sure you know how to use it and it works.
2. Dress up for your Skype interview. Treat this interview as a formal interview. Wear a suit!
Make copies of your application materials and bring the materials to your interview. Bring at least three paper copies of your resume, cover letter, and transcript to an in-person interview.

Other Tips- Utilize campus resources!

The Career Center hosts great events for finding an internship. Their next “Finding an Internship” workshop is Tuesday March 13. For more information about that event, click here.
Make sure you are registered to use Handshake@Illinois. This resource helps connect you with employers looking for interns and other full time jobs. To register, click here.
Get resume tips and get your resume reviewed. The Career Center offers tips for writing a resume. The Career Center also offers resume reviews.

Featured Internships – These have March 15 deadlines, so apply soon!

U.S. Department of Education–Washington, D.C. The Department of Education Intern Program seeks to provide students with an experience that exposes them to government and federal education policy while providing students with meaningful responsibilities. Applicants for the ED Intern program will be accepted throughout the year on a rolling application schedule. Applications need to be received at a minimum of a month before the proposed start date to be considered, however, it is highly recommended that applications
are submitted much further in advance due to high demand for spots in the program (especially during the summer season). No application will be considered complete until three items are received by ED: a cover letter; an up to date resume; and a copy of the intern application (located on the website below). For more information and to obtain a copy of the application, go to: http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html. Application Deadline:
March 15. Questions? Send an email to StudentInterns@ed.gov
Internship with Senator Tammy Duckworth. A Congressional internship offers a unique opportunity to witness and experience first-hand the legislative process as well as assist in helping your representative or senator represent the citizens of Illinois. Click here for internship information about Senator Duckworth’s internships. The application deadline is March 15.
The Wolff Internship with the Institute of Government & Public Affairs is a PAID internship starting in the summer and going through the next academic year. Applications are due March 9.

(Further Reading) Helpful Past Blogs About Internships

Mark Your Calendars – Week of March 5

Thank you to the students that attended the Negotiating Scholarships Workshop last Monday!

Save the Date for the next Pre-Law Advising Services Event!! Taking a Gap Year (Or More) Before Law School

Events on Campus

Virtual Career Fair for Students with Disabilities: Wednesday, March 14, 8am-5pm

Other Spring Career Fairs

March 1-2: Career XPO (Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning) https://arch.illinois.edu/degrees/career-xpo

March 5: Educators’ Job Fair https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/educators-job-fair

March 13: Research Park Career Fair http://researchpark.illinois.edu/career-fair

April 10: Just-in-Time Illini Career & Internship Fair https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/just-time-illini-career-internship-fair

PAID internship opportunity! Wolff Internship applications are due March 9.

OIIR’s “Lunch on Us” Program

Join OIIR every weekday for a noontime discussion, and learn something new. Featuring speakers, panels, and resources at the University of Illinois, all lunches introduce you to the cultures, histories, and societal issues that the diverse communities of our campus face.

Programs take place from noon to 1 pm. For more information, click here.

“Reforming the Supreme Court of Israel”
by Professor Amnon Reichman, University of Haifa
Friday, March 9, 2018
12-1 p.m.
Max L. Rowe Auditorium, Law Building
Professor Reichman will present “Reforming the Supreme Court of Israel.” His lecture is part of the “Distinguished International Lecture Series in Constitutional Law” sponsored by the College of Law’s Program in Constitutional Theory, History and Law; and Israel Studies Project.This event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Career Center Events

Creating Your Powerful Cover Letter, 4-5 p.m., The Career Center Conference Room 143, 715 S Wright St.

Tuesday, March 6

Finding an Internship, 5-6 p.m., The Career Center Conference Room 143, 715 S Wright St.

Wednesday, March 7

Health Professions Wednesdays: Beyond the Medical Model, 4-5 p.m., The Career Center Interview Suite 213, 616 E Green St.

Wednesday, March 7

Acing Your Interview, 4-5 p.m., The Career Center Conference Room 143, 715 S Wright St.

Wednesday, March 7

Creating Your Powerful Resume, 5-6 p.m., The Career Center Conference Room 143, 715 S Wright St.

Friday, March 9

Immigration Attorney Presentation, 4-5:30 p.m., The Career Center Interview Suite 213, 616 E Green St.