Author: kstaubi2@illinois.edu

So You are Going to Law School…

The hard work of the application process is behind you and the hard work of 1L year is ahead. It may seem like now is the perfect time to take a break and relax, but not so fast. Before you begin your summer, you should finish a few important pre-law school tasks:

  • Living arrangements – Whether you are living in an apartment or staying in on-campus housing, you should be figuring out where you will live as soon as possible. Additionally, you should be trying to locate a roommate if you plan on renting an apartment with someone else. Join social media groups for your law school class or speak directly with your school to see if they have a roommate matching system.
  • Applications at other schools– If you know with certainty where you will be next fall, you should have already removed your applications from the other places where you have been accepted. Students on wait-lists may be waiting for you to remove your name from an institution’s list so they can attend their school of choice.
  • Save money – Make sure you save some money over the summer for when school begins, especially if you will be waiting for student loans to finance your education. School books will need to be purchased before classes begin and school loans may not be available until weeks into your first semester. Save money now so you have some cash on hand to deal with rent deposits, books, food and any other needs that come up along the way.
  • Final decisions and second seat deposits –Now is the time to make your final decisions and submit your second seat deposit at your school of choice. This choice can be a daunting one, but by this point you should have done your research and you should have a good idea of what you are looking for in a law school. Make your decision and do not look back. You will be much more at ease once you know where you will be next fall.

This is an exciting time in your life. You are about to set off on a new adventure that will be difficult, but it will also be fun. Accomplish the above tasks as soon as possible because once you enter your 1L year you will be very busy. If you finish everything now, you can enjoy your summer and relax – law school will be here before you know it!

Mark Your Calendars — Week of April 25

PLAS Events and Opportunities

Perfecting Your Personal Statement and Resume: Wednesday, April 27, 4-5pm, 514 IUB

Not sure what to write in your law school application? Students who plan to apply for law school this fall can get a head start by working on your personal statement and resume this summer! This workshop will cover: What the personal statement and law school resume are; how they complement each other; a plan for how to write the personal statement; tips and suggestions for how to maximize the personal statement and the resume as well as how to make them stand out. Bring your questions! Please register by going to our Events Calendar  and clicking on the registration link so that we can ensure enough seating and materials for everyone.

June 2016 LSAT Study groups – Taking the June LSAT? Think about joining a study group.  PLAS is helping to coordinate the creation of study groups for the June LSAT.  The process is simple. Students fill out the requested information in the Google form here: http://goo.gl/forms/UxIjxoxpG2.  We will create study groups based on your responses and email each student so that the group can coordinate study times.

 

Upcoming Campus Events

The Career Center spring workshop calendar is posted on their website at: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/. If you have not done so already, update your resume, plan your job search or summer internship, and get to know their office and resources. All sessions will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street, unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming workshops include:

  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters, Tuesday, April 26 at 5:00 pm

Schwarzman Scholarship

The Schwarzman provides a year of study leading to a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. All courses are taught in English. Juniors, seniors, graduate or professional students, and alumni under the age of 28 are eligible to begin their applications NOW. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens in all academic disciplines are welcome.

Two-day informational event will be held this week on April 28 and 29, which will include:

Info Session – Thursday, April 28, 3:30-4:30pm: Program overview, including selection criteria, application process, and benefits of the award

Application Workshop – Friday, April 29, 3:30-4:30pm: Writing strategies & help in getting your application started!

**Both events will be held in room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building**

The priority deadline for the Schwarzman Scholarship is June 1, 2016, and the required campus deadline is August 23, 2016, so now is the time to learn about the program and get answers to your questions!

 

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

Summer Law and Leadership Academy – Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Summer Law and Leadership Academy is a one-week program designed to foster diversity in the legal profession. The program aims to introduce undergraduate students to the study of the law and expose students to a sampling of potential career paths available with a law degree. Students who attend will gain an understanding of what it’s like to study law at the graduate level. Current undergraduate students who have completed at least 50 credits and possess a 2.7 or above cumulative GPA are eligible to apply for the program.  Interested students should complete the online application form by today, April 25, 2016.

Apply here: http://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/jd/diversity/summer-program/index.html. Remember to include a letter of recommendation from your college professor or advisor. Questions? Contact Assistant Dean for Professional Development Chasity Thompson, ’02; Phone: (317) 278-3001; E-Mail: chasthom@iupui.edu.

Legal Internship Opportunity — Steigmann Law LLP

Steigmann Law, P.C., 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. Steigmann Law, PC engages in personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, civil litigation, real estate, criminal, DUI and wills and estate work. Attorneys at Steigmann Law, PC 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. Please email resumes and cover letters to bholder@steigmannlaw.com.

Student Intern: Bruce D. Nesbitt African-American Cultural Center

Applications are now being accepted for the Student Intern position for the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC). BNAACC Student Interns are responsible for a variety of tasks that promote the mission of the Center including, but not limited to, clerical duties, programming planning and implementation, and assistance with BNAACC-sponsored events.  This position will assist the staff in the office and will be given responsibilities based on the student’s knowledge and experience level. Responsibilities can include a variety of tasks such as independently planning and implementing programs, assisting in cultural center historical archiving, maintenance of marketing materials, management of social media accounts, working with the WBML radio station, assisting the Artistic Director of the Academy for African American Arts, and working with the University of Illinois Black Chorus. Applicants should possess excellent organizational skills, maturity, initiative, a spirit of collaboration, and a desire to learn.

Please visit: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/9001261 to upload an application, resume, cover letter, and class schedule. Applications will close on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 and staff members will schedule interviews the following week. Federal work study is required to be eligible for this position.

For any additional information, please contact Ms. Tekita Bankhead, Assistant Director, at tbankhea@illinois.edu or 217-265-0409.

 

Have a great week!

Taking a “Gap Year”

A “gap year” is a year (or more) between finishing your undergraduate degree and beginning law school. Typically, students take a gap year for one of a few reasons: financial considerations, retaking the LSAT, or determining whether law school is the correct choice. Beginning law school is a huge commitment so it is understandable that a student may just want some time off as well.

Whatever your reason is for considering taking a gap year, you should not worry that you will be left behind or that you will be the oldest person in school if and when you decide to return. The average age of 1Ls has been increasing across the board. Many schools look at work experience as an asset to an application. The average age of 1Ls at Northwestern Law School is 25. The Harvard Crimson recently wrote an article about Harvard Law School’s preference for students who have gained real world experience after college. Taking a gap year may soon be the new normal.

Some students are worried that taking a gap year will put them at a disadvantage academically. As if taking some time off may inhibit their ability to retain information or to study like they had in the past. This fear is overblown. Working actually makes studying more manageable. Many students who have worked before law school find that the work is not as demanding because they know how to manage their time more effectively.

Obviously, taking a gap year is not for everyone. Students who go straight through have also been very successful. No approach is better, but one may a better fit for some individuals. Transfer students, for example, may be stressed about trying to send in applications after only a couple of semesters under their belts at their new school. Perhaps a gap year would be a great way to spread the work out over a more manageable period of time. For more information on navigating the application cycle for transfer students, check out our video on the topic.

If you think taking a gap year may be right for you, please join us this coming Tuesday, April 12 in 1092 Lincoln Hall from 4:00 – 5:00 pm for “Making the Most of Your Gap Year (or Two).” We will have a current 3L and a 2014 graduate of the College of Law, who each worked 3+ years before attending law school, speaking about the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gap year. Bring your questions and we look forward to seeing you there!

Mark Your Calendars — Week of April 4

PLAS Events and Opportunities

June 2016 LSAT Study groups – Taking the June LSAT? Think about joining a study group.  PLAS is helping to coordinate the creation of study groups for the June LSAT.  The process is simple. Students fill out the requested information in the Google form here: http://goo.gl/forms/UxIjxoxpG2.  We will create study groups based on your responses and email each student so that the group can coordinate study times.

Loan Repayment: Road to Zero, a Webinar for Pre-Law Students – Part 2 in our Financing Law School series, this workshop focuses on the MANY law school loan repayment options so that pre-law students can consider what options will work best. This webinar is hosted by Joni Bradley-Scott from Access Group, a nonprofit dedicated to educating graduate students on how to finance their education. This webinar will help students understand the choices they can make now and throughout law school to reduce their debt. This is the second in a two-part series on financial aid for pre-law students. Please register at the link provided here. Find additional financial aid resources at www.accessgroup.org.

Making the Most of Your Gap Year (or Two) – Join us on Tuesday, April 12 at 4:00 pm in 1092 Lincoln Hall for our event on taking a gap year between undergrad and law school. If you are planning to take a gap year (or more), you are not alone – currently more students are working prior to law school than going straight through from undergrad. How can you maximize your time, plan ahead, and use your year + to make yourself into an even better law school candidate? Find out as we provide a game plan for how to continue community involvement, how to gain relevant skills no matter what industry you work in, and how to plan ahead to create a timeline that works for a working professional to apply to law school. Hear from a current third-year law student, Keith St. Aubin, and a current attorney, Donna Davis, each of whom worked for 3+ years prior to law school. Bring your questions about how they each transitioned back into the classroom from the working world. A must-see for anyone planning to apply to law school one or more years after graduation.

 

Upcoming Campus Events

The Career Center spring workshop calendar is posted on their website at: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/. If you have not done so already, update your resume, plan your job search or summer internship, and get to know their office and resources. All sessions will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street, unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming workshops include:

  • Finding and Applying to Government Careers, Tuesday, April 5 at 4:00 pm
  • Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips, Tuesday, April 5 at 5:00 pm
  • Making a Major Decision, Wednesday, April 6 at 4:00 pm
  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters, Thursday, April 7 at 4:00 pm

 

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law — Master of Science in Law Webinar Info Session — Thursday, April 7

Interested in Law, Business, and Technology?
The one-year Master of Science in Law (MSL) program at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law prepares students for careers at the intersection of law, business, and technology. Designed especially for students with engineering, science, technology, mathematics, and medical backgrounds, the MSL provides practical, focused, business-centered legal training that enables students to communicate across disciplines; develop, protect, and manage intellectual property; bring ideas to market; and navigate the legal and regulatory structures that exist in STEM settings. MSL graduates are well positions for careers as: patent agents; IP/patent portfolio managers; scientific and/or technical consultants; business developers; regulatory strategists; compliance officers; patent coordinators; entrepreneurs; and more. Scholarships are available.

Learn more by joining us for our upcoming webinar. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the MSL program, including curriculum, full-time and part-time scheduling, career opportunities, and more. We will also take questions from the audience.

Anyone interested in the Master of Science in Law program is welcome to contact Susan Dennehy, Administrative Director, at susan.dennehy@law.northwestern.edu.

Summer Law and Leadership Academy – Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Summer Law and Leadership Academy is a one-week program designed to foster diversity in the legal profession. The program aims to introduce undergraduate students to the study of the law and expose students to a sampling of potential career paths available with a law degree. Students who attend will gain an understanding of what it’s like to study law at the graduate level. Current undergraduate students who have completed at least 50 credits and possess a 2.7 or above cumulative GPA are eligible to apply for the program.  Interested students should complete the online application form prior to April 25, 2016.

Apply here: http://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/jd/diversity/summer-program/index.html.Remember to include a letter of recommendation from your college professor or advisor.Questions? Contact Assistant Dean for Professional Development Chasity Thompson, ’02; Phone: (317) 278-3001; E-Mail: chasthom@iupui.edu.

Legal Internship Opportunity — Steigmann Law LLP

Steigmann Law, P.C., 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. Steigmann Law, PC engages in personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, civil litigation, real estate, criminal, DUI and wills and estate work. Attorneys at Steigmann Law, PC 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. Please email resumes and cover letters to bholder@steigmannlaw.com.

Have a great week!

Summer Internships

Summer break is only a couple months away. If you have not done so already, now is the time to secure your summer internship. Below you will find a list of resources that will help you lock down the summer experience you need.

  • The 2015 Internship Newsletter – The 2015 version of our annual newsletter has been posted since December. The newsletter contains 20 pages of opportunities in Illinois and across the U.S. Take some time to review the newsletter as soon as you can. The newsletter can be found on our Compass page, https://compass2g.illinois.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&mode=designer&content_id=_1248852_1&course_id=_13908_1.
  • Illini Career and Internship Fair – Wednesday, March 9, ARC, 12-4pm. You should attend the Illini Career and Internship FairTHIS Wednesday, March 9, at the ARC, 12-4pm!  This is a great opportunity for Illinois students to find jobs and internships.  Scroll down for information on upcoming Career Center workshops to help you prepare for the fair!
  • Career Center Programming – Check out the Career Center’s website to take advantage of their weekly programming. If you want to secure an internship, you better have a stellar resume and cover letter. The career center offers weekly help on creating the best resumes, cover letters, and more. Check out their website here: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/.
  • Sign up for I-Link – Tens of thousands of jobs and internships are posted annually on I-Link, Illinois’ campus-wide recruiting platform. Employers post their opportunities and many who recruit on campus schedule interviews and information sessions in I-Link. Students and recent alumni can search for internships, employment opportunities, as well as sign-up for interviews, and view a full calendar of career programs and events. For more information on I-Link visit https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/about/services/ilink.

The above list is not exhaustive. Use the internet to learn more and tolocate more opportunities. Summer will be here before you know it so there is no time to waste!

Mark Your Calendars — Week of March 7

PLAS Opportunities

An Insider’s Guide to Law School Admissions with Janet L. Hein, Director of Admissions at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Join us on Thursday, March 10 from 4:00-5:00 pm in IUB 504. Find out what it takes to get into law school, from the LSAT to personal statements.  Hear from an expert with more than 30 years of law school admissions experience, and discover the opportunities available to you at a top public law school. Bring your questions about how law school admissions really works–from the insider’s perspective! No registration necessary.

June 2016 LSAT Study groups – Taking the June LSAT? Think about joining a study group.  PLAS is helping to coordinate the creation of study groups for the June LSAT.  The process is simple. Students fill out the requested information in the Google form here: http://goo.gl/forms/UxIjxoxpG2.  We will create study groups based on your responses and email each student so that the group can coordinate study times.

Financing Law School: A Webinar – Wondering how to pay for a legal education? Join us for this webinar hosted by Joni Bradley-Scott from Access Group, a nonprofit dedicated to educating graduate students on how to finance their education. This webinar will provide details about how financial aid works at the law school level, including what steps students can take now and during law school to reduce law school debt. This is the first in a two-part series on financial aid for pre-law students. Please register at the link provided here. Find additional financial aid resources at www.accessgroup.org.

Upcoming Campus Events

Diversity & Inclusion Networking Event (D.I.N.E.) – Tuesday, March 8

Registration for the 3rd annual Diversity & Inclusion Networking Exchange (D.I.N.E.) is open. This is a great opportunity to engage with employers who value diversity in the workplace and practice your networking skills with company representatives in a casual setting. Network with 40 employers such as Facebook, FBI, Rolls-Royce, Cargill, Cisco, Carle Foundation Hospital and many more!
This event will be held on March 8th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Illini Union Ballroom.
We will have food, beverages and prizes. Join by RSVP’ing athttps://illinois.edu/fb/sec/9294325. 
This is event is sponsored by: Career Services Network, Office of Minority Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations. It is co-sponsored by: Alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi), Illini Veterans, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Association of Minorities in Political Science (AMPS), Gamma Phi Omega Lambda Chapter and Minority Association for Future Attorneys (MAFA).

Illini Career and Internship Fair – Wednesday, March 9, ARC, 12-4pm

Seniors — still not sure what is next for you?  Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors — still searching for something to do this summer? Then you should attend the Illini Career and Internship Fair THIS Wednesday, March 9, at the ARC, 12-4pm!  This is a great opportunity for Illinois students to find jobs and internships.  Scroll down for information on upcoming Career Center workshops to help you prepare for the fair!

Want to do some additional research on internships?  Check out our Internship Newsletteron our Compass page.  In addition, click on this link for some recently published internship listings on Fastweb.
The Career Center’s workshop calendar is on its website at:https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/.  Now is a great time to update your resume, plan your job search or summer internship, and get to know their office and resources. All sessions will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street, unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming workshops include:

  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters – Today, Mon., March 7, 5-6pm
  • Career Fair Prep – Today, Mon., March 7, 6-7pm
  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters – Tues., March 8, 4-5pm
  • Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips – Thurs, March 10, 5-6pm
  • Finding an Internship – Thurs., March 10, 6-7pm

UIUC College of Law:  Volunteer Jurors Needed March 11 and 16!

If you always wanted to be a juror, now is your chance. Jurors are needed March 11 and 16 at the College of Law from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Parking and continental breakfast provided. Jurors sit on a jury trial presented by law students with an Illinois judge and deliberate to a verdict in a criminal or civil case. Contact Julie Campbell, jjhill@illinois.edu, or Steve Beckett, becketts@illinois.edu.

Feminist Activist Academy – Saturday, Mar. 12th from 9am-5pm
Women’s Resources Center | 703 S. Wright St. 2nd Fl. Champaign

The Feminist Activist Academy is an annual free activist training for UIUC undergraduate students focusing on understanding feminist theory and practice! We’ll explore contemporary feminist issues and offer attendees practical skills for engaging in feminist activism. This year’s Academy is specifically focused on the intersection of feminism and racial justice! Join us for a fantastic day full of fascinating speakers, workshops, and training. All meals are included! The Feminist Activist Academy is sponsored by the Strategic Initiatives Grant (SIG) at the University of Illinois. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.  Click on this link to access the registration form.

 

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law — Master of Science in Law Webinar Info Sessions — March 9 and April 7

Interested in Law, Business, and Technology?
The one-year Master of Science in Law (MSL) program at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law prepares students for careers at the intersection of law, business, and technology. Designed especially for students with engineering, science, technology, mathematics, and medical backgrounds, the MSL provides practical, focused, business-centered legal training that enables students to communicate across disciplines; develop, protect, and manage intellectual property; bring ideas to market; and navigate the legal and regulatory structures that exist in STEM settings. MSL graduates are well positions for careers as: patent agents; IP/patent portfolio managers; scientific and/or technical consultants; business developers; regulatory strategists; compliance officers; patent coordinators; entrepreneurs; and more. Scholarships are available.

Learn more by joining us for our upcoming webinar. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the MSL program, including curriculum, full-time and part-time scheduling, career opportunities, and more. We will also take questions from the audience.

Anyone interested in the Master of Science in Law program is welcome to contact Susan Dennehy, Administrative Director, at susan.dennehy@law.northwestern.edu.

Maine Law is pleased to announce that they will be hosting a DiscoverLaw.org Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Program (PLUS) this year. Through a four-week summer immersion program, college students will develop the skills to succeed in life and also learn about the legal profession. This program is targeted, but not limited to, college students from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and first generation college students.

The PLUS program will run from May 30 – June 24, 2016 in Portland, Maine. Students will receive housing, meals and a stipend of $1000 for the four week program. Applications are due by April 1st. Learn more about this exciting opportunity for students.

The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Summer Law and Leadership Academy is a one-week program designed to foster diversity in the legal profession. The program aims to introduce undergraduate students to the study of the law and expose students to a sampling of potential career paths available with a law degree. Students who attend will gain an understanding of what it’s like to study law at the graduate level. Current undergraduate students who have completed at least 50 credits and possess a 2.7 or above cumulative GPA are eligible to apply for the program.  Interested students should complete the online application form prior to April 25, 2016.

Apply here: http://mckinneylaw.iu.edu/admissions/jd/diversity/summer-program/index.html. (Remember to include a letter of recommendation from your college professor or advisor.)Questions? Contact Assistant Dean for Professional Development Chasity Thompson, ’02; Phone: (317) 278-3001; E-Mail: chasthom@iupui.edu.

Have a great week!

Next Steps in the 2015-16 Application Cycle

  • Learn as much as you can about the finances involved in pursuing a legal education. Each law school will have a different cost of attendance so be sure to check out their specific websites for more information. Understand the various costs that you will need to account for such as tuition, books, and housing.
  • If you have not done so already, complete your FAFSA. For information on deadlines and answers to other questions, visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/.
  • Review scholarship offers, weigh your options and take the time to learn how to negotiate with law schools. Join us on Wednesday, February 24 at 5:00 pm in IUB 514 for “Negotiating Law School Scholarships” with Deans of Admission – Rebecca Ray from the University of Illinois College of Law and Ann Perry from University of Chicago Law School.
  • Look for scholarship opportunities outside of the law school. Many bar associations, religious groups, business entities, social groups and others organizations offer scholarships. Putting in some work now could save you money in the long run.
  • Start thinking about where you will submit your seat deposits. Seat deposit deadlines vary from school to school, but most are due in April or May. Make sure that you have these deadlines in mind because you do not want to lose the spot you earned. Also, if you know you will not attend a specific school, send them an email and let them know. Then they can offer your spot to someone else.
  • If you do not know anyone with whom you will be attending school, take the time to sign up for a roommate matching program. Alternatively, you can begin searching around your new campus for available apartments. Students often sign leases for apartments early and you will not want to live somewhere that is either far away from the school or not as nice as you would like it to be.

Keep up the hard work!

Mark Your Calendars — Week of February 15

PLAS Events

Pre-Law Advising Services Workshops and Programs

Check out our Spring Semester calendar of events here!

 

Join us for Negotiating Law School Scholarships on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at 5:00 pm in IUB 514. Negotiating law school scholarships has become quite common in the last few years. While many students have successfully bargained for additional scholarship dollars, the process of negotiating can be risky and stressful. Join us as two Deans of Admission–Rebecca Ray from the University of Illinois College of Law and Ann Perry from University of Chicago Law School–share their insight into negotiating financial aid packages with law schools. Under what circumstances should students negotiate? How can they successfully engage with law schools? What would make a law school deny a request to renegotiate? This is invaluable advice, including tips for success that could save pre-law students thousands of dollars on a legal education! All pre-law students should attend. No registration necessary.

June 2016 LSAT Study groups – Taking the June LSAT? Think about joining a study group.  PLAS is helping to coordinate the creation of study groups for the June LSAT.  The process is simple. Students fill out the requested information in the Google form here: http://goo.gl/forms/UxIjxoxpG2.  We will create study groups based on your responses and email each student so that the group can coordinate study times.

 

Upcoming Law School Events–OPEN TO ALL PRE-LAW STUDENTS

Diversity Law Day at Indiana University, Mauer School of Law, Bloomington, Saturday, February 20, 9am – 2:30pm

Diversity Law Day gives curious, ambitious high school and college students an inside look at law school. You’ll meet with professors, students, and practicing lawyers and have a chance to ask them about student life and career choices. Plus you’ll experience a class in how to think critically followed by a mock law class, taught by one of our professors. Diversity Law Day will help you decide whether law school is the right choice for you. Join us this February at Indiana University Maurer School of Law to experience what a legal education has to offer. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.  For more information and to register, go here.

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, March 4, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here. Cosponsored by Marquette University Law School and University of Wisconsin Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

  • an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette Law Schools;
  • an overview of the Law School Admission Test with practice questions;
  • breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students; and
  • law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country. Over 20 law schools have already registered for this event!Click here for a list.

 

Upcoming Campus Events

The Career Center has posted its spring workshop calendar on their website at:https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/. Now is a great time to update your resume, plan your job search or summer internship, and get to know their office and resources. All sessions will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street, unless otherwise indicated. Upcoming workshops include:

  • Finding an Internship, Feb 17, 5-6:00pm
  • Career Fair Prep: Maximize Your Experience, Feb 17, 6-7:00pm
  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters, Feb 18, 4-5:00 pm

Ilinois Leadership Center will host the Imprint  I-Program on Saturday, February 27. For more information and to register, visit their website here.

A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Monday, March 07, 2016
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
7:00 PM–8:00 PM

The University of Illinois will host “A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor,” a public event on Monday, March 7. Justice Sotomayor will discuss a wide range of topics with College of Law Professor Robin B. Kar.

The event is sponsored by the University of Illinois College of Law and is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning TODAY, February 15 at 10 a.m. via phone at (217) 333-6280, in person at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Office counter, or online at KrannertCenter.com.

Justice Sotomayor, who has served on the U.S. Supreme Court since 2009, was born in the Bronx, New York, and is a 1976 summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University. She earned her juris doctor degree in 1979 from Yale Law School, where she served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. She was an assistant district attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office from 1979 to 1984. From 1984 to 1992 she litigated international commercial matters in New York City as an associate and partner with the firm Pavia & Harcourt.

Nominated by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, in 1991, she served in that role from 1992 to 1998 and as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1998 to 2009. President Barack Obama nominated her as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 26, 2009.  For more information, go here.
 

Internship, Scholarship and Summer Pre-Law Program Opportunities

We hope you have been utilizing our 20 page Internship Newsletter over on our Pre-Law Compass page that we posted in December! (Click here for instructions on how to access our Compass page.) It’s got lots of job and internship listings for spring, summer and long-term opportunities from Champaign to D.C. and beyond.  In addition, a few more summer internships have been posted on I-Link so keep checking there to see what has been added!
University of Wisconsin Law School-James E. Jones Jr. Pre-Law Scholars Program

The University of Wisconsin Law School is now accepting applications for the James E. Jones Jr. Pre-Law Scholars Program. This four-week summer immersion program is designed to improve access to legal education for undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as those with other significant barriers to entering the legal profession.

The program is open to students who have completed their freshman or sophomore years in college, and is designed to help students explore legal education and careers, and to help them succeed in applying to, enrolling in, and graduating from law school.
Students will spend four weeks living on the beautiful University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. All program materials, and room and board, will be provided FREE of cost. Students will also receive a $1,000 stipend for participating in the program. For more information or to apply, go here.  Applications are due April 1!

The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division is currently accepting applications for student volunteers. See their description here.

Scholarship opportunity for those entering law school this fall

The ABA Diversity Scholarship is designed for underrepresented students who demonstrate financial need and community involvement. Awards will be $15,000 for entering law students, which is renewable for years 2 and 3 of law school.  Applicants must be entering law school in 2016 and submit an application, personal statement, and statement of financial need by March 2. Find the application and more details here.

 

Have a great week!

Freshmen and Sophomores – It’s Time to Start Thinking Long-Term

With last semester’s grades in the books, it is time to begin thinking about longer term strategy for law school admission. It may seem like applying to law school is a long way off, but you would be amazed at how fast time flies. Below you will find a list of important topics you should begin considering as soon as possible.

  • Résumé – A résumé is an important aspect of your application package, but you will need one long before you begin sending applications to your prospective law schools. If you plan on applying to jobs, internships, or scholarships a résumé will likely be required. Begin working on your résumé now and then you will only have to update it instead of creating one when you actually need it. A tremendous resource for creating an excellent résumé it the Writers Workshop. For more information, check out their website http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/.
  • Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) – Often times freshmen and sophomores believe they do not have enough experience to fill up a résumé. One way to fill space and show prospective employers and admissions departments what you are interested in and how you spend your time is by getting involved in an RSO. The University of Illinois boasts more than 1,400 RSOs so take advantage! For more information about RSOs visit the Office of Registered Organizations website, http://union.illinois.edu/get-involved/office-of-registered-organizations.
  • Major(s) and Minor(s) – Whether you have declared your major or not, it is time to think critically about that decision. If you have not declared your major, start thinking about what you would like to focus on now. If you have declared your major but you are thinking about changing it, make your decision as soon as possible. The same thought processes will apply to a minor, if you choose to complete one. Lists of majors and minors along with other useful links can be found here: http://provost.illinois.edu/ProgramsOfStudy/2013/fall/programs/.
  • Internships – Internships provide valuable work experience that can make a résumé shine. We hope you have been utilizing our 20 page Internship Newsletter over on our Pre-Law Compass page that we posted in December! (Click here for instructions on how to access our Compass page.) The newsletter has plenty of job and internship listings for spring, summer and long-term opportunities from Champaign to D.C. and beyond. If you have not done so yet, also sign up for I-Link where you can find more opportunities. For information on I-Link registration and more visit: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/about/services/ilink/faq.
  • Pre-Law 101 – Students new to the university or to pre-law should plan on attending a Pre-Law 101 Workshop. Attending a Pre-Law 101 Workshop is a prerequisite to meeting with a Pre-Law advisor. Pre-Law Advising Services only offers one Pre-Law 101 Workshop during the spring semester so register as soon as possible for the March 8 workshop. For registration and more information, click here.
  • LSAT Prep Fair – The 2016 LSAT Prep Fair will take place in Illini Union Room B on Monday, February 1. While freshmen and sophomore will not be taking the LSAT this year, attending the event is still a great idea because it provides an introduction to the LSAT and the various paths to preparing for it. To find out more about the event visit: http://www.prelaw.illinois.edu/lsat-prep-fair.
  • “Becoming a 21st Century Lawyer” – Take advantage of Pre-Law Advising Services’ programming. Join us TODAY, Wednesday, January 27 in 1064 Lincoln Hall at 5:00 pm where students will hear from Dan Katz, Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Law Lab at Illinois Tech–Chicago Kent College of Law. Professor Katz will share his unique insights into today’s legal market, including cutting-edge technological legal skills that 21st century lawyers need. He will outline steps that today’s pre-law students can use to begin building the skills of a 21st century lawyer, and he will demonstrate how he is changing legal services by launching The Law Lab.

Take advantage of the many resources you have at your disposal before it’s too late!

Mark Your Calendars — Week of January 25

Pre-Law Events

IIT Chicago-Kent Open House with Professor Dan Katz: Wednesday, January 27, 4:00 – 4:45 pm in IUB 504.

Professor Dan Katz from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law will be here to meet pre-law students and chat about Chicago-Kent’s programs and people. Have a question for Professor Katz about his work with Law Lab? Want to chat about being a 21st century lawyer? Want to know more about Chicago-Kent or law school generally? Stop by and talk with Professor Katz before his workshop!

 “Becoming a 21st Century Lawyer” with IIT-Chicago Kent Professor Dan Katz: Wednesday January 27, 5:00 – 6:00 pm in 1064 Lincoln Hall.

What does it take to be a successful 21st century lawyer? The legal market has experienced drastic changes as technology has disrupted traditional legal services. What are current trends in the legal market, and how will it change in the future? Join us as we host Dan Katz, Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Law Lab at Illinois Tech–Chicago Kent College of Law. Professor Katz will share his unique insights into today’s legal market, including cutting-edge technological legal skills that 21st century lawyers need. He will outline steps that today’s pre-law students can use to begin building the skills of a 21st century lawyer, and he will demonstrate how he is changing legal services by launching The Law Lab.

Students will learn about the current legal market and cutting edge new legal service delivery, understand what skills future legal employers are seeking, and know how to begin developing those skills NOW.

Read more about Professor Katz here: http://www.chicagolawyermagazine.com/Archives/2015/05/Dan-Katz-IIT-Chicago-Kent.aspx

 LSAT Prep Fair – If you plan on taking the LSAT at any time in the future, you should also plan on attending the 2016 LSAT Prep Fair. Join us on Monday, February 1, in Illini Union Room B from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. The fair will have six LSAT prep companies in attendance with whom you may speak to learn what options and services they offer to prospective LSAT-takers. Four of the companies will also have mini-workshops where you can experience their teaching styles and methods firsthand. The prep companies will be offering BIG discounts to students who attend – so make sure you’re there! Snacks and beverages will be served and you can enter for a chance to win an LSAT prep course scholarship!

LSAT Prep Course Scholarship Contest – DEADLINE February 5 at 5:00 pm.

Illinois students: Are you taking the June LSAT but not sure you can afford a full LSAT test prep course? Thanks to the generous donation of Kaplan Test Prep, Pre-Law Advising Services is pleased to announce the availability of two full LSAT prep course scholarships courtesy of Kaplan Test Prep. The recipients will be able to use the scholarships on Kaplan’s LSAT In-Person, Live Online or Self-Paced Courses. To learn more about Kaplan, go here:http://www.kaptest.com/LSAT/Home/index.html.

If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships, please submit the following: 1) Your resume, AND
2) A short essay (no more than 600 words) that addresses each of the following:

  • Have you taken an LSAT prep class before?
  • What is your financial need? It is not necessary to provide exact numbers, just give us a sense of your financial situation and why a scholarship is necessary.
  • How can this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

Email your resume and essay to Judy Argentieri at jargenti@illinois.edu by February 5, 2016 at 5pm.  Winners will be announced the week of February 8!

Note: Pre-Law Advising Services has no formal affiliation with any test prep company and does not endorse any particular LSAT prep method. 

 

Campus Events

Illinois in Washington summer semester applications are due Feb. 1. For more information check out the Illinois in Washington website.

Career Center Opportunities Fair – Tuesday, January 26, 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Career Center (715 S. Wright St.)

Learn more about the Career Center enhance your Illinois experience and build your resume. This open house will include food and prizes

Career Center Workshops – Unless otherwise indicated, all workshops are held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street. For more information or to register for an event, click here.

  • Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips, Wednesday, January 27, 6-7 pm.
  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters, Thursday, January 28, 5-6 pm.

Illinois Leadership Center – i-Programs

  • Ignite – Develop skills in leading change and understanding systems thinking. Will be held on Saturday, February 6. For more information on the event and to register, please visit: http://www.illinoisleadership.illinois.edu/.

Study Abroad Summer 2015 Faculty Led Programs–Applications due Feb. 1. These are 2-5 week study abroad programs over summer break with automatic Illinois credit. This could be a great way to manage both study abroad and taking the LSAT. For a list of available courses and application materials, visit the study abroad website here.

Internship and Scholarship Opportunities

We hope you have been utilizing our 20 page Internship Newsletter over on our Pre-Law Compass page that we posted in December! (Click here for instructions on how to access our Compass page.) It’s got lots of job and internship listings for spring, summer and long-term opportunities from Champaign to D.C. and beyond.  In addition, a few more summer internships have been posted on I-Link so keep checking there to seek what has been added! We have listed a couple of these new openings below.

Paid Summer Internship Program at Reproductive Rights and Social Justice Organization — Application Deadline February 1, 2016!

The Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps (RRASC) is a 10-week paid summer internship program sponsored by the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Program at Hampshire College. Undergraduate students intern at reproductive rights and social justice organizations around the country. Organizations work on a wide array of issues from reproductive health, immigrant rights, food justice, LGBTQ rights, anti-violence, prison abolition, intimate partner abuse, labor rights, and public policy.

Some of the participating organizations include: Advocates for Youth, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Amnesty International, Political Research Associates, HealthRight International, Justice Now, the Audre Lorde Project, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, Law Students for Reproductive Justice, Tewa Women United, the Prison Birth Project, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Asian Pacific American Womens Forum, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

Locations include: Washington DC, New York, NY, Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, New Orleans, LA, Montgomery, AL, Denver, CO, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco/Oakland, CA, New Orleans, LA, Santa Fe, NM, Bloomington, IN, Louisville, KY, Amherst, MA, Burlington, VT, Miami, FL, Nashville, TN.

Internship stipend is $3500.

Eligibility requirements:

-Must currently be an undergraduate student at a US college/university
-Must not be graduating in Spring/Summer 2016
-Must be able to attend the CLPP Conference in Amherst, MA, April 7-10, 2016 (CLPP will cover all travel costs for students who live outside of Western Massachusetts)

More information and an application are available at:http://clpp.hampshire.edu/internship

Application deadline: February 1, 2016. Note: This week’s highlighted internship opportunity was posted in I-Link so access it through your I-Link account:

Paid Summer Internship at the Nuclear Energy Institute – Application Deadline is January 31!

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has a number of openings for paid interns beginning in the summer of 2016. The Nuclear Energy Institute (www.nei.org) is the policy organization of the nuclear energy and technologies industry and participates in both the national and global policy-making process. NEIs mission is to ensure the implementation of policies that promote the beneficial uses of nuclear energy and technologies in the United States and around the world. To that end, NEI works to establish unified industry positions on the regulatory aspects of generic operational and technical issues. NEI’s members include all entities licensed to operate commercial nuclear power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, architect/engineering firms, fuel fabrication facilities, nuclear materials licensees, and other organizations and entities involved in the nuclear energy industry.

Interns at NEI will work with seasoned nuclear professionals in the technical, communications, policy development, government relations and legal areas on issues critical to the industry. Internships are 10 weeks and take place during the summer. All applicants must submit an application that includes a resume and a copy of their transcript. Applicants must participate in an in person interview or by phone, if requested.

For more information on NEIs internship program, please contact the NEI Human Resources Department at resumes@nei.org. Applications are being accepted for review between December 15, 2015 and January 31, 2016. Applications submitted beyond January 31, 2016 may be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis thereafter.

In addition, there are other opportunities for jobs in the nuclear industry, at nuclear facilities, law firms and consulting and lobbying organizations. For information on jobs in the nuclear industry please visit our website athttp://www.nei.org/careersandeducation/.

The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division is currently accepting applications for student volunteers. See their description here.

Scholarship opportunity for those entering law school this fall

The ABA Diversity Scholarship is designed for underrepresented students who demonstrate financial need and community involvement. Awards will be $15,000 for entering law students, which is renewable for years 2 and 3 of law school.  Applicants must be entering law school in 2016 and submit an application, personal statement, and statement of financial need by March 2. Find the application and more details here.

University of Illinois STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) students are especially invited to apply for Carlson Caspers Inclusion and Diversity Scholarship Program – Deadline March 1, 2016!.

This scholarship program is for current undergrads who will enter law school in Fall, 2016, and intend to practice intellectual property law in the Twin Cities area upon graduation. Visit their website for more information and to apply: http://carlsoncaspers.com/Firm/InclusionAndDiversity/1LDiversityScholarshipProgram

 

Have a great week!