jargenti@illinois.edu – Pre-Law Advising Services Blog

Attention June LSAT Registrants: In-Person LSAT Cancelled; June Test to be Administered in LSAT-Flex Format

Here is today’s announcement from the LSAC:

The well-being of our candidates remains a top priority for us. Given the continued severe impact of the COVID-19 emergency in many areas and the uncertainty over how the situation will evolve over the next six weeks, we have made the decision to cancel the in-person June LSAT that was scheduled for June 8 in the U.S. and Canada.

All test takers who were currently registered for the June 8 test in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to take the online, remotely proctored LSAT-Flex, which we have created to provide candidates the opportunity to earn an LSAT score even though in-person testing is not possible due to the pandemic.

The June LSAT-Flex will be administered during the week of June 14. Most test takers will test on either Sunday, June 14, or Monday, June 15, with a small number of tests occurring later in the week based on specific remote proctoring requirements.

Currently, we are targeting Tuesday, June 30, as the score release date for all test takers, regardless of when they test during the week of June 14. We will update the score release date as needed. June test registrants have been instructed to visit their LSAC accounts and submit the online form to confirm their interest in taking the June LSAT-Flex or to receive a coupon for any future test between July 2020 and April 2021. Any affected registrants that we do not hear from will be automatically registered for the June LSAT-Flex.

Since announcing LSAT-Flex earlier this month, we have received a lot of support from both candidates and schools. If you would like to learn more about the LSAT-Flex, please visit our LSAT-Flex Frequently-Asked-Questions page.

LSAC is committed to helping every test taker have the equipment and other resources they need to take the LSAT-Flex. We are asking any candidates who do not have the necessary equipment or an appropriate place to test to let us know, and we will work with them to try to address their needs. If your institution is in the position to offer a test taker a private room with internet access in which to test for either the May LSAT-Flex or the June LSAT-Flex, please let me know and we will add you to our roster of potential locations for test takers who need assistance.

We remain committed to doing everything we can to support candidates and provide testing opportunities, while following public health guidance to help protect the safety of test takers and the broader community.

FREE LSAC Webinar – Law School Admission in the Time of COVID-19 – THIS Wednesday, April 29

Attention All Law School Applicants – FREE LSAC Webinar: Law School Admission in the Time of COVID-19

On Wednesday, April 29, from 1-2 p.m. (ET)/Noon-1p.m. Central, LSAC will be hosting another live stream discussion for candidates featuring a panel of law school deans and admission leaders, who will provide updates on the evolving COVID-19 situation and answer as many questions as possible from potential law school students. This is a great opportunity for you to get answers from the folks who will be making the decisions on your applications!

Pre-Law Advising Services – Important Updates for Spring and Summer

Hello Pre-Law Students!

As most of you know, there are big changes coming for the PLAS Office. Alex Gil, our Graduate Assistant, who is a 3L at the UIUC College of Law, will be graduating in May. Jamie Thomas-Ward, our long-time Director of Pre-Law Advising Services, took a new position in the LAS Department of Economics in January. Judy Argentieri, Pre-Law Advisor, is retiring on April 30. There is a search underway for a new Director of Pre-Law Services, but that person will not be “here” on May 1, when we are all gone. So what are you going to do?

Appointments – Alex will be accepting appointments through this Thursday, April 23, then will be focusing on his law school final exams. Judy will be taking student appointments through next Wednesday, April 29. Please go to our online scheduling portal to make appointments.

New Team – As mentioned above, the search for a new Director of Pre-Law Services is ongoing. The hope/plan is to have that person on board soon, possibly by June 1. In any event, there will be a new director in place before classes resume in the fall.

In the meantime, when you have pre-law questions….

SEARCH THE PLAS BLOG!! Do not forget to search this blog for any topic related to pre-law. For example, as you all begin Fall 2020 course registration, you can use our March 30 blog post “Suggestions for Fall 2020 Courses” to assist you. Even some of our older posts, covering a wide variety of topics, can be helpful!
USE THE PRE-LAW HANDBOOK!! As we have mentioned many, many times, the PLAS Handbook, accessible on our webpage, has answers to a lot of your questions with embedded links to help with your research on a host of issues. Spend some time reading through it.
USE THE PLAS COMPASS PAGE!! Our Compass page contains a lot of good information, such as: info on UIUC law school applicants; Pre-Law 101 and Personal Statement short videos; the Jobs/Internship Newsletter; and more! Not sure how to access it? Go to the Resources tab on our PLAS webpage, and then scroll all the way to the bottom for instructions on how to add the PLAS Compass page.
KEEP CHECKING THE PLAS FACEBOOK PAGE!! As updates are available concerning the new PLAS team, this will be the best place for up-to-the-minute information. Haven’t joined our Facebook page yet? Ask to join Pre-Law Advising Services at Illinois ASAP!
KEEP CHECKING LSAC.ORG!! LSAT registrants and law school applicants – make sure you check www.lsac.org for announcements about LSAT cancellations, LSAT Flex (registration OPENS THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 – TEST TO BE ADMINISTERED MONDAY, MAY 18 OR TUESDAY, MAY 19), law school application changes, etc. And do not forget that you can access the LSAC’s FREE LSAT Test Prep Class, developed in partnership with Khan Academy, on LSAC’s website.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!! Now is not the time to be passive. You must be proactive to stay on top of the constant changes happening here and elsewhere. Put reminders in your mobile phones to check each of the above resources for important updates and changes!! Here are a few other areas of interest that most pre-law students want/need to learn more about:
1. Financing Law School: AccessLex (https://www.accesslex.org/) Law School Transparency (https://www.lawschooltransparency.com/ Our PLAS resources, including our Handbook, list these and other good sources for information on how to manage the cost of a law school education.
2. Employment Information: ABA’s website http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/MainHome.aspx. You can also check each individual law school website – this data MUST be published on their websites by ALL ABA-accredited law schools. Articles featured in the Law.com and NationalJurist.com publications, as well as data compiled by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) are also helpful. https://www.nalp.org/
3. LSAT and GPA Medians ABA 509 Report data – ABA’s website here http://www.abarequireddisclosures.org/MainHome.aspx. You can also check each individual law school website – this data MUST be published on their websites by ALL ABA-accredited law schools.

Refer back to this post or the PLAS Handbook as questions arise during this transition period. And stay tuned for announcements and updates related to the new Director of Pre-Law Advising Services!

Suggestions for Fall 2020 Courses

Per the Office of the Registrar, the Fall 2020 time ticket release and registration schedule is as follows:

Summer/Fall 2020 registration has been delayed by two weeks. Time tickets will be available to be viewed on April 6.

Priority registration begins April 20. Initial registration dates/times for fall will approximate what was previously in place in terms of spacing, with dates moved back by two weeks.

Registration is almost here, which means pre-law students are asking: What courses should I take? As you know, students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. Law schools do not require any particular major or coursework. 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. For some additional information about course planning, go here to check out an earlier blog post with some good tips about planning your schedule.

CHART FORMAT: Want to see these suggestions in a handy chart format? Click here: Fall 2020 Class Chart

Some of these courses have prerequisites; check Course Explorer and speak to your academic advisor about the best courses for you.

ACE 240: Personal Financial Planning. Understanding financial instruments, records, and tax implications is critical for nearly all lawyers.

ACE 306: Food Law. Explores the legal and political dimensions of food law, policy and trad in the United States and major trading partners.

ACE 406: Environmental Law. Examination of environmental law issues, including pollution control, the role of administrative agencies and courts, and federal and state power.

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, the role of law and ethics in public relations, and theories that guide public relations research and practice.

AIS 214/PS 214: American Indian Law and Politics. Examines the role of American Indians and Indian law in the US political system.

ANTH 246: Forensic Science. History and theory underlying methods used in forensic science. Topics include the courtroom, the units of a crime laboratory and the analysis of evidence collected from a crime scene, such as blood, fibers, hair and fingerprints.

BTW 263: Writing in the Disciplines teaches very practical writing skills for aspiring professionals. This spring’s topic is Cross-Cultural Communication.

BTW 271: Persuasive Writing examines persuasive writing in a variety of contexts including ads, argumentative essays, proposals, and campaigns.

CHLH Community Health 101: Introduction to Public Health and 210: Community Health Organizations are both good options for those interested in pursuing healthcare law.

Communication courses are helpful, as all lawyers must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills. Here are some examples of helpful courses:

CMN 101: Public Speaking (this is a prereq for most upper level CMN courses)
CMN 211: Business Communication
CMN 220: Communicating Public Policy
CMN 230: Intro to Interpersonal Communication
CMN 232: Intro to Intercultural Communication
CMN 260: Intro to Health Communication (for those interested in healthcare law)
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; includes property rights, liability and negligence assignment, the use of administrative and common law to mitigate market failure, and the logic of private versus public law enforcement.

EDUC 202: Social Justice, School, and Society Examines the nature of justice and the dynamics of a pluralistic society to derive a conception of social justice.

ENGL 360: Environmental Writing for students interested in environmental law. Write about food, water, and energy resource systems. Students will also have the opportunity to meet working journalists and to practice professional skills like interviewing, conducting historical research, and drafting pitch letters.

ESE 210: Social & Environmental Issues for those interested in environmental law. Same as GEOG 210.

FIN 241: Fundamentals of Real Estate. A survey of real estate finance, appraisal, investment, law, brokerage, management, development and economics. Special attention is given to the analysis of aggregate real estate and mortgage markets, to the individual transactions within these markets, and to the legal and institutional factors which affect these markets.

FSHN 101: Intro to Food Science & Human Nutrition for those interested in food regulation or public policy related to food or nutrition. Discusses the evolution of the food system to meet the needs and desires of a complex, heterogeneous society. Provides an overview of food in relation to nutrition and health, composition and chemistry, microbiology, safety, processing, preservation, laws and regulations, quality, and the consumer.

GEOG 101: Global Development & Environment and GEOG 210: Social & Environmental Issues for those interested in international or environmental law and public policy.

GLBL 260: Global Human Rights Examines how ideas about human rights are defined and how they are differentially deployed. Looks at human rights claims and crises, and examines how governmental and non-governmental individuals and organizations have sought to deal with human rights violations in order to address problems of justice, retribution, and reconciliation at personal, national, and international levels.

HDFS 120: Intro to Family Studies and SOCW 200: Intro to Social Work. Both of these courses may be of interest to students who want to be advocates for families, juveniles, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations.

HIST 281: Constructing Race in America. Interdisciplinary examination of the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of race and ethnicity in the United States. Explores the complex and intricate pursuit of multiracial and multicultural democracy.

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

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.

LER 100: Intro to Labor Studies for those interested in corporate or employment law. Looks at economic, political, and workplace issues facing working people, why and how workers join unions, how unions are structured and function, and how unions and management bargain a contract. Provides a historical overview of the American labor movement, and discusses the contemporary struggles workers and unions face in a rapidly changing global economy.

LER 120: Contemporary Labor Problems for those interested in corporate or employment law. Focuses on problems and challenges facing American workers and the U.S. labor movement. Topics include the deterioration of the labor-management “social contract” in recent decades; a review of labor and employment law; the health care crisis; globalization and cross-border union alliances; and union democracy.

LER 320: Gender, Race, Class and Work. Provides a historical and contemporary overview of the impact and interplay of gender, race, class and other issues of identity in the workplace. Topics include: pay gap, workplace harassment and employment discrimination laws.

LLS 468: Latinas/os & the Law. Examines the Latina/Latino experience in the U.S. Students will come to understand that the law is a deeply contested social space that is central to U.S. hierarchies based upon race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, class, immigration status, and religion.

NRES courses that can be helpful for students interested in pursuing environmental law include:

NRES 102: Intro to Natural Resources and Environmental Science

NRES 224: Social Justice and Environment and Society

PHIL 102/103: Logic & Reasoning. Especially helpful for students who have yet to take the LSAT, as two sections of the LSAT are based on logical and analytical reasoning.

PHIL 104/105: Intro to Ethics. Basic exploration of ethics, including the relationship between social morality and the law.

PHIL 107: Intro to Political Philosophy. Introduction to core ideas in political and legal philosophy, for example, rights, equality, political obligations, legitimacy of states, nationalism, and oppression.

PHIL 436: Philosophy of Law and of the State. Examination of issues in the philosophy of law, such as the nature of law, law and morality, justice, liberty and authority, punishment, and legal responsibility. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy.

Political Science options to gain a foundational understanding of our legal system and its role within broader political structures include the following. Review course restrictions for prerequisites.

PS 220: Intro to Public Policy
PS 280: Intro to International Relations
PS 301: US Constitution I
PS 313: Congress and Foreign Policy
PS 329: Immigration & Citizenship

PS 491: Internship with the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office. Note: Due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and the policy of social distancing, the plan is to go through the selection process for this internship in mid May, after students have completed their registration, in the event that the internship is not available next semester.

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 and help an attorney prepare cases for court? The Department of Political Science and the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office will offer an internship for academic credit in Spring, 2020. In this internship, students will earn 3 hours of 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. Admission is competitive: We expect to have five openings for Fall of 2020.

To apply: No date has been set but will be after students have completed their Fall 2020 registration. Please keep checking back for information. Students seeking to participate in the Public Defender Internship Program must submit an application online. The online link to the application will be available in early May. PLAS will update students with that info as it is made available. The application consists of a cover letter, informal transcript, resume and writing sample. 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, 2020 (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.

PSYCH 144: Stereotypes, Prejudice & Discrimination

Sociology has a Criminology, Law and Society minor. These courses may be helpful for students exploring criminal legal issues and the criminal justice system on a societal level, such as:

SOC 275: Criminology
SOC 378: Sociology of Law
SOC 479: Law and Society

UP 160: Race, Social Justice, and Cities. Explore everyday racial conflicts in selected cities as expressions of historical struggles for social and spatial justice, across multiple scales. Focus on the governance of routine social practices ranging from policing, to education, to gentrification and memorialization in public places.

More courses to explore different areas of law include the following. Some have restrictions; check Course Explorer.

ACE 403: Agricultural Law
GEOG 210: Social & Environmental Issues
RST 354: Legal Aspects of Sport
SE 400 Engineering Law (only pre-req is RHET 105 but preference is given to students in the College of Engineering with leftover seats released after a restricted period)

Business classes can provide a helpful foundation for those interested in corporate careers, however, most are restricted to College of Business majors or minors. Some courses will release any leftover seats after a restricted period; check Course Explorer for more details.

BADM 300 Legal Environment of Business
BADM 314 Leading Negotiations
BADM 340: Ethical Dilemmas of Business
BADM 380: International Business
BADM 403: Corporate & Commercial Law

Remember that these are only suggestions and that people come to law school from a variety of academic disciplines. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Courses get added all the time, and many are added after we publish this list. Many other great courses can be found in Course Explorer, some of which have prerequisites. Do additional research and talk with your academic advisor to identify other good options for you.

Mark Your Calendars – Updates for March 23

Hello Pre-Law Students! Obviously, as we continue to navigate this new world of physical distancing, and given Governor Pritzker’s “Stay-At-Home” Order, there will be no on campus activities or programs for the rest of this semester. However, various campus offices, like PLAS, will be providing additional and expanded online resources for students. Below are a few we know about. PLEASE check the websites of all campus offices of interest to you to see what these offices are offering. Also – our “Suggestions for Fall 2020 Courses” blog will be posted next Monday, March 30, so don’t forget to check it out!!

National and International Scholarship Program

In late March and early April, the National and International Scholarship Program will be hosting information sessions for undergraduate students across colleges and fields to learn about some nationally competitive scholarship opportunities. All information sessions will be held online. We hope you will share this with your students!

Information Sessions for juniors and seniors (students graduating before August 2021) will be held the week of March 23rd. For juniors and seniors, or any students graduating before August 2021, information sessions will focus on how to apply for June priority application deadlines, including many scholarships for study or research beginning in the fall of 2021.

Monday, March 23rd: 2:30-3:00, 3:00-3:30 or 4:00-4:30 pm

Tuesday, March 24th: 3:00-3:30 or 3:30-4:00 pm

Thursday, March 26th: 8:30-9:00 am

Friday, March 27th: 1:30-2:00 or 2:00-2:30 or 4:00-4:30 pm

Juniors and seniors can access webinars at the above times using this link.

<https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/745216c357eb4cb7968973c622cd2b6e>

Information Sessions for freshmen and sophomores (students graduating after August 2021) will be held the week of March 30th. For first and second year undergraduates, or any students graduating after August 2021, sessions will focus on what students should be doing to strengthen their candidacy for various awards.

Monday, March 30th: 1:30-2:00, 2:00-2:30 or 3:00-3:30 pm

Wednesday, April 1st: 1:00-1:30 or 1:30-2:00 pm

Thursday, April 2nd: 3:00-3:30 or 3:30-4:00 pm

Friday, April 3rd: 2:30-3:00, 3:00-3:30 or 4:00-4:30 pm

Freshmen and sophomores can access webinars at the above times using this link.

<https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/932618c51d9540218ce80ab9bb68ac6c>

Writers Workshop

The Writers Workshop will continue to support your students. We have online consultations available to provide writing feedback; we have a number of useful resources on our website; and we are available for virtual class presentations and collaborations by request through Zoom or other interfaces.

Career Center

The Career Center continues to offer services to students, including online resume and cover letter reviews. Go here to learn more and to schedule an appointment.

Pre-Law Advising Services – COVID-19 Update

As I posted earlier today on Facebook, given all of the concerns over the Coronavirus/COVID-19, and the University’s commitment to practicing social distancing, effective immediately, all appointments with our office will be conducted via the telephone and all scheduling should be through our online scheduling portal here: https://prelaw.illinois.edu/appointments. Once you have scheduled an appointment, you will receive an email with instructions and call in information. This policy includes appointments that have already been scheduled. Note – although we will have a few more blog posts, including our highly anticipated “Suggested Courses for Fall 2020”, Facebook will serve as our primary form of group communication from this point forward so please keep checking back here for updates. All students are, of course, welcome to email an advisor with questions. Judy Argentieri’s email is jargenti@illinois.edu; Alex Gil’s email is agil6@illinois.edu. And finally, do not forget to use our main website, www.prelaw.illinois.edu, and particularly our “Pre-Law Handbook,” as a starting point for a quick answer to your question(s).

Thank you for your patience and cooperation and please stay safe!

Wait listed or just waiting? Some tips about what law school applicants can do.

We’re hearing from a lot of law school applicants who have submitted their applications and now find themselves either wait listed 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.
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 in your CAS/LSAC account.
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 wait listed…Understand what this means: that you are an admittable 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 wait listed?

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. Just make sure that your visit is welcome or appropriate as a wait list candidate.
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 through March and 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!

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 24

Don’t forget about TODAY’s presentation on law school scholarships by Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law, 5pm, Room 514 IUB. Your should also scroll down for information on: internships, scholarships, a summer job opportunity and more!

PLAS PROGRAMS

Law School Scholarships and Negotiating Aid, featuring Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law – TODAY Monday, February 24, 5:00 pm, Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Law school financial aid works differently from undergraduate scholarships. Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at University of Illinois College of Law, will be here to share insights into how scholarships are allocated and how to request additional scholarship opportunities. You’ll find out what to ask for, how to phrase these conversations, and what strategies are successful to achieving additional scholarships. Bring your questions and learn how to maximize financial aid for law school!

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

Holder Law Group, LLP, a young law firm in Champaign-Urbana, is looking for interns who want to be involved in a fast paced, high-tech, multi-area, legal environment. Holder Law Group engages in personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil litigation. Attorneys at Holder Law Group have had experience in both public and private sectors of work, including small and large law firms and are happy to share their knowledge and experience. Interns jobs will vary, and be assigned based on capabilities, but may include medical record organization, filing, abstracting depositions, assisting in trial preparations, Court filings, and attending depositions and Court hearings and legal marketing. Work times are flexible and we are willing to work around your academic schedule. Positions are available for fall, spring, and summer semesters as well as during breaks. Please email resumes and cover letters to Ms. Betsy Holder: Betsy@holderlawllp.com

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due NEXT MONDAY, March 2, 2020!

Environmental Humanities is environmental studies from a humanistic standpoint. Envrionmental Humanities pulls from different movements (environmental philosophy, environmental history, ecocriticism, cultural geography, anthropology, and others) to study the relationship between humans and non-human nature, past and present. The IPRH-Mellon Environmental Humanities Research Group is composed of professors, post-doctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduates from different disciplines who are united by their desire to understand the human place in nature, as well as to examine critically the way people make meaning of it.

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2020-2021. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor A. Naomi Paik, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply, go here. Remember: The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, March 2! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

CAREER CENTER

The Career Center offers regular opportunities for resume, cover letter and Linked In reviews. In addition, here is one workshop that might be of interest to those of you considering international law.

Global Careers: Internships at UN Agencies – Thursday, February 27, 6-7pm, The Career Center Interview Suite, Room 213, 616 East Green Street

For a complete list of upcoming Career Center events, go here.

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is THIS Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here.

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26-May 2, 2020), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as corporate partners and sponsors, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Students are encouraged to apply even if titles or abstracts have not yet been finalized – they can be edited. Need help? Attend the workshop on “Proposal Writing in Undergraduate Research” this Thursday, February 20, 3-4:30pm, Lincoln Hall Room 1002, described above. Just make sure the application is successfully submitted by March 1!

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for THIS Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here. Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country. Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Applications Due March 6!

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars (MPLS) is a program that offers a select number of students a free LSAT prep class each summer at the University of Minnesota Law School. Admission is highly selective and based on a holistic review of the MPLS application material.

College students considering law school, especially rising seniors and those from groups historically underrepresented in law school, are encouraged to apply. The program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates from any undergraduate institution.

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams. Some daytime events such as law firm visits will also be offered. Three (3) excused absences will be allowed during the summer session.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided. The program will run from June to mid-August 2020.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

Harvard Law School Junior Deferral Program – Webinar THIS Thursday, February 27, 5-6pm CST (6-7pm EST)

As an undergraduate student thinking about what comes after graduation, you may find yourself ready to apply to law school and also excited to explore other professional, educational, or service opportunities. You may know you want to go to law school and also want to teach for a few years, garner business or legal skills in the workforce, pursue a master’s degree, or embark on a mission trip. Harvard Law School’s Junior Deferral Program offers you that flexibility and breadth of opportunity. Apply to HLS when you are a college junior scheduled to complete coursework and graduate in spring 2021, and, if admitted, commit to defer that offer of admission for a minimum of two years after completing your undergraduate degree. You may use the deferral period to explore your broad interests before returning to the classroom. Join us, as well as students who participated in this program, for a webinar this THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, about this exciting application pathway.

Please register for this online information session at:

https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gx3ct3UBRWyfDHvXicEweg

Note: This session will be hosted on Zoom. Full instructions on how to access the session will be sent to you after you have registered for the event.

For more information about the HLS Junior Deferral Program, go here.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fred S. Bailey International Service Travel Scholarship for Cause-Driven Leaders — DUE TODAY!!

This program offers scholarships of $600-1800 dollars to University of Illinois undergraduate and Master’s level graduate students leading international service projects who plan to travel within the specified period. Recipients will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to the project/program, long-term career goals in international development or related fields, the trip’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development, potential for positive impact on the host community and financial need. If selected, all recipients must participate in a 7-week online pre-departure course. (For trips that occur between May 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021)

Application Deadline: TODAY, February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship Program – Applications Due April 7

The University YMCA’s Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship program provides scholarship funding to students who accept unpaid internships with public service agencies and not for profit organizations. These internships provide an opportunity for students to complement their academic preparation with direct practical experience. The effort to combine a productive work experience with an intentional learning component is a proven method for promoting the academic, personal, and career development of students.

Students will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to community development, service, and activism and the internship’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development as well as financial need.

Award Amount: The University YMCA’s Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship program provides $1000 scholarships for part-time unpaid internships and $2500 for full-time unpaid internships. A full-time internship shall be defined as any internship that requires 30 or more work hours/week on average. A part-time internship shall be defined as an internship that requires less than 30 work hours/week on average but a minimum of 125 total work hours over the course of the internship. The minimum length of both part-time and full-time internships to be funded is 8 weeks. Awards are made directly to the student, not the organization sponsoring the internship.

Eligibility/Qualifications: The internship must meet certain criteria as listed below.

Internship activities that are eligible for funding: program development; fundraising; projects; generating marketing plans; designing posters; conducting studies and surveys; developing presentations; creating social media sites; preparing budgets and financial reports & more!

Internship activities that are ineligible for funding: primarily administrative responsibilities such as mailings, data entry, etc.; internships at for-profit businesses (except where exemptions are granted by the Bailey Scholarship committee); internships without clear learning opportunities; internships without supervision/mentorship; student teaching, internships, and other activities that are required for graduation.

For more information and to apply, go here.

La Casa Cultural Latina Scholarship – Application Now Open! All applications due by 5pm on Friday, March 20!

AccessLex Institute – LexScholars Applications Due April 1!

AccessLex Institute is accepting applications for LexScholars by AccessLex℠, an innovative new diversity pipeline initiative focused on developing sustainable models for improving access to law school.

LexScholars is for prospective law students from underrepresented racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who possess the potential for law school success but may be unlikely to gain admission due to unfavorable LSAT scores and/or undergraduate grades.

Participants will benefit from access to various resources, including LSAT preparation, law school admissions counseling, financial education, writing skills development and wellness training. And there are no costs associated with the program for participants.

There are eligibility requirements, and students will need two recommender assessments to apply.

Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, April 1. Click on this link for more information and to apply!

OFF CAMPUS EVENTS

The 17th Annual Illinois Latino Law Forum – NEXT Saturday, March 7, 2020, DePaul University College of Law

The Illinois Latino Law Student Association (ILLSA) is a coalition of Latinx law students dedicated to increasing diversity in law school. ILLSA takes great pleasure in announcing the 17th Annual Illinois Latino Law Forum that will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at DePaul University College of Law in downtown Chicago.

We cordially invite high school and college students to participate in this pipeline program – offered at no cost – designed to encourage more Latino/as to consider the field of law as a profession by exposing them to the value of a legal education and a career in the field of law.

Guest speakers include: judges; practicing attorneys; law school administrators, including one of only a very small number of Latina law school Deans in the country; government lawyers, and many other inspiring professionals.

This event is free to attend but advanced registration is required!

In conjunction with the Law School Admission Council’s DiscoverLaw Program, we are pleased to offer the following highlights for the ILLSA Forum:

Illinois Latino Law Forum Highlights

· Breakfast and lunch

· Introduction to the study of law from the perspective of Latino/a judges and attorneys

· Mock law school class taught by a DePaul Law professor

· Tips and advice from law school admission professionals about the law school applicatoin and financial aid process

· Opportunity to meet with members of the current Illinois Latino/a legal community, from judges and professors, to lawyers and current law students;

· Law school information fair with various law schools present and the chance to obtain materials and ask further questions about the law school admissions process

· Opportunity for college students to sign-up for a mentorship program and meet their law student mentor

· Opportunity for college juniors, senior and recent graduates to apply for scholarships

Register today to meet some of the most influential Latinx attorneys in our country and be encouraged to become a part of the legal profession.

For directions to DePaul College of Law, visit our website. There is ample parking at a number of public parking lots in the vicinity of the law school and multiple forms of public transportation.

For questions or require additional information, please contact depaul.illsa@gmail.com.

DGS Summer Peer Advisors – Information Session TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 25, 9-10 am Room 504 Illini Union Bookstore Building

The Division of General Studies (DGS) is seeking undergraduate student leaders interested in serving as DGS Summer Peer Advisors. Candidates must be available for full day training May 18-21, 2020. Peer advisors will be responsible for working approximately 20-25 hours per week from June 1-July 9, 2020. The pay for this position is $10 per hour.

In addition to the information session listed above, there will be another information session on Wednesday, March 4, 3:30pm-4:30pm in IUB 504.

Required qualifications:

Strong communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work well with others
Knowledge of the Course Explorer website
Knowledge of UI Integrate Self Service
Successfully pass a background check
Minimum GPA of 2.0 or above

Preferred qualifications:

Former DGS student
Familiarity of ICT process
Knowledge of Illinois general education requirements
Junior or Senior class standing for Fall 2020
Demonstrated leadership experience
GPA of 2.5 or above
Attend a peer advisor informational session

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume and three reference to Jessica Arnold, jarnold7@illinois.edu by 5pm on March 23, 2020. Applications received after 5pm will not be considered.

Summer Pre-Law Programs

Summer pre-law programs are an excellent opportunity for undergrads to learn more about law school! Some are free and other programs have fees and a cost for students to attend. These programs are a different way to explore being pre-law during the summer months. These programs are a solid addition to a resume, but are in no way mandatory for a pre-law student.

Some universities offer pre-law programs on their campuses. This is a way for you to learn more about law school, visit a law school and campus, and learn more about law school in a structured setting. If you are considering attending law school at any of the schools below, these summer pre-law programs are an excellent way to get your foot in the door and experience what your life could be like there throughout law school. In addition, some schools (a few are listed in this blog post) partner with LSAC to offer Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) programs. Click here to learn more!

Here is information about five pre-law summer programs, three of which are FREE or low cost. There are many other programs in many other locations in addition to these five, which are provided on our Compass page. (Not a member of our Compass page? Follow these easy steps to add yourself.)

IIT Chicago-Kent

Program: Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program

Dates: Sunday, May 31, to Friday, June 19, 2020

Cost: FREE

Location: Chicago, IL

Application Deadline: February 28, 2020 — Click here to access

Program Information: The PLUS program is a free, three-week summer program that will: provide participants with a deeper understanding of legal education via the program’s rigorous doctrinal and experiential skills-based curriculum; help participants develop essential core competencies needed to succeed in the law school application and admissions process, as well as insight into navigating the process; and expose students to a wide range of career paths within the legal profession.

Students must attend all classes and participate in all program activities in order to be accepted and to receive a stipend. This is a full-time commitment. Therefore, students must be available during the day and some evenings, and have no outside commitments that would prevent them from giving the program their full attention. Students must agree to provide PLUS administrators with education and career updates after completion of the program.

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

Program: Robert H. McKinney School of Law Summer Law and Leadership Academy

Dates: June 1-6, 2020 (Sunday May 31 – Move In Day)

Cost: FREE

Location: Indiana University – Robert H. McKinney School of Law – Indianapolis

Application Deadline: April 3, 2020 — Click here to access

Program Information: The Robert H. McKinney School of Law Summer Law and Leadership Academy is a one-week experience designed to introduce undergraduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to law school and various careers that they may pursue with a law degree. If you are selected for the Law and Leadership Academy, you will learn about hot topics in the law and strengthen your academic skills.

University of Minnesota Law School

Program: Minnesota Pre Law Scholars Program (MPLS)

Dates: Early June – Mid August 2020

Cost: Participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.

Location: University of Minnesota

Application Deadline: March 6th, 2020 — Click here to access

Program Information: College students considering law school, especially rising seniors and those from groups historically underrepresented in law school are encouraged to apply. The program is open to undergraduate students (and recent alums) from any undergraduate institution.

Cornell University Summer Pre-Law Program and Internship

Dates: June 8 – July 17, 2020

Cost: $6,830 (Participants will receive 4 course credits)

Location: New York City

Application Deadline: April 1, 2020

Program Information: During the first three weeks of the program, you’ll be enrolled in the four-credit course The American Legal System, taught by attorney C. Evan Stewart using the Socratic method practiced at most U.S. law schools.

During the second three weeks of the program, if you’ve received an internship placement*, you’ll devote full days to your internship, which may be at a law firm or in the legal department of a corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization. A final exam will take place during the week of June 29, 2020, exact date is TBD.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Duke University School of Law

D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy

Dates: July 6-16 or July 20-30, 2020

Cost: $600 for a single course; $400 for each additional course

Enrollment Deadline: Enrollment is now open!

Program Information: Classes will be limited in size in order to facilitate interaction between faculty members and students. Registration and tuition will include weekly special events for program participants and written and other course materials. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a certificate endorsed by the Dean of Duke Law School, Kerry Abrams, and Faculty Director of the Institute, Neil Siegel.

The 2020 program will take place over the weeknights of two, two-week sessions: July 6-16, 2020, and July 20-July 30, 2020; classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, with Wednesday evenings reserved for special programs. D.C. Institute classes will be held at Duke in DC, located at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Courses will introduce participants to legal reasoning, US constitutional law, with a focus on timely subjects such as the constitutionality of affirmative action programs, current topics in race, elections, and politics. Click here for more information and to enroll.

LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at Duke Law School

Dates: May 31-June 26, 2020

Cost: FREE

Application Deadline: March 16, 2020

Program Information: The PLUS Program enrolls 20 to 40 students per year with the ideal candidate being a strong student who is ready to work hard, engage in coursework, and is interested in the access this program provides toward preparing for a legal education.

The PLUS Program is open to students who have completed their freshman or sophomore years at four-year colleges and universities, technical colleges and community colleges. Eligible students will have completed between 24 and 60 credits by the start of the PLUS Program. The program focuses on attracting promising students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession, first generation college students and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as students facing other significant barriers to entering the legal profession. For more information and to apply, click on this link.

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 17, 2020

Scroll down for information on: internships; writing cover letters and resumes; how to craft a research proposal; how to negotiate law school scholarships and more!

PLAS PROGRAMS

Law School Scholarships and Negotiating Aid, featuring Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law – NEXT Monday, February 24, 5:00 pm, Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Off Campus Events

The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Office of Admissions & Financial Aid, The Office of Inclusion & Engagement, the Black Students Initiative, the Black Law Students Association, and the Latino Law Students Association cordially invite you to attend the Pathway to the Legal Profession Law School Admissions Conference. Saturday, March 7, 2020, 9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611

The goal of this conference is to increase diversity in law school and ultimately in the legal profession. This conference will offer prospective law school applicants a comprehensive overview of the law school application process and provide advice on how to successfully navigate from applicant to law student. Current law students from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds, including first generation students and students with limited financial means, will be available to discuss their personal journeys. The conference will include a workshop on mastering the LSAT, a mock law school class, mentorship opportunities, and various panels consisting of law professors, lawyers, and law students.

This event is FREE. Please help us spread the word about this event to your constituents.

Those interested in attending should RSVP by Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. by using the form at this link: https://forms.gle/SCda1kX3wJwoVr436

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due March 2, 2020!

Writer’s Workshop

Preparing for the Job Search: Cover Letters and Resumes – Tuesday, February 18, 4-5pm, Gregory Hall Room 113

This workshop will help you prepare two documents that you will use frequently during your job search: the cover letter and resume. Learn basic formatting, effective work choice, and tips for tailoring your documents to specific employers.

Proposal Writing in Undergraduate Research – Thursday, February 20, 3-4:30pm, Lincoln Hall Room 1002

This workshop, offered in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research, will guide students to explain their research in a concise and compelling manner. Students will leave with basic knowledge about research proposals and their structure, tactics and tools to write successful research statements, and resources for assistance in the writing process.

Career Center

The Career Center offers regular opportunities for resume, cover letter and Linked In reviews. Here are some other programs offered this week.

Finding An Internship – Wednesday, February 19, 5-6pm, Room 143, The Career Center, 715 South Wright Street

Snack Bite: Research Opportunities – Thursday, February 20, 4:30-5:00pm, Room 143, The Career Center, 715 South Wright Street

Pizza & Professionals: Research Park – Friday, February 21, 12:00-1:00pm, Room 407 Illini Union

For a complete list of upcoming Career Center events, go here.

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here. Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country. Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 6!

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

FRED S. BAILEY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE-DRIVEN LEADERS

Application Deadline: February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here.