Starting law school this fall? What to know, do, and buy this summer!

Congratulations to all Illini who are completing the law school application cycle! It feels like it’s over, but actually, a whole new stage is just beginning. What should you do now and throughout the summer to make sure you are ready to enter the legal profession?

First Things First: Final Application Tasks

Seat deposits. Now is the time for making those final seat deposits to save your seat. While some people will submit multiple seat deposits, if you’ve done your research and completed your visits, you need to only place one seat deposit at your selected school. Remember that starting May 15, every law school can see each deposit that applicants have made–meaning that they will know if you’ve put down multiple deposits.
Follow up on wait lists. It is very common to be on one (or more) wait lists. Revisit this blog post for tips on what to do.
Withdraw your other applications. By this point, applicants have narrowed down their law school to one or two top choices. Contact the schools you know you won’t be attending to formally withdraw. This allows those law schools to offer your seat/scholarship to someone else. Some law schools will have a webform to do this, whereas at others, a simple email like this will do. Dear Dean of Admissions, Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend Your Law School. However, after careful consideration I have decided to attend X Law School (or, I’ve decided to attend law school in the midwest/east coast/elsewhere), so I will not be placing a deposit. I very much appreciate your time and consideration of my application. Best wishes, Applicant.
Send a final transcript. After graduation, you must provide a final transcript to the law school you are attending.

Professional details–You are taking an important step toward beginning your professional life. Start off on the right foot.

Get online.
- Clean up your social media presence like your Facebook and Twitter sites. Would you want an employer or law school representative to see every picture or post of yours? If not, take them down, and set privacy restrictions.
- Set up a new, professional-sounding gmail account (not cubbies14 or hotty100). Learn how to use google calendar–if you haven’t been much of a planner until now, this is a good time to start getting in the habit of planning your days/weeks. Here’s a good video to learn some starter tips and tricks.
- Create a Linked In profile or update your profile.
- Update your resume. Keep it simple and classic–legal employers tend toward the traditional, so focus artistic creativity elsewhere and make this resume succinct and clear.
- Subscribe to online news and legal resources such as the New York Times and the National Law Journal to get into the practice of keeping up to date on legal issues.
Follow up with your professors/recommenders. You will continue to need recommendations for scholarships and for applying to jobs at the end of 1L year and beyond. Plus, it is simply good practice to begin developing long term connections. At minimum you should:
- Send a thank you note to your law school recommenders and let them know where you’ve decided to attend law school.
- Provide your gmail or other non-Illinois email so that they can stay in touch with you after you graduate.
- Ask if you can connect with them on LinkedIn.
- Extra credit for delivering an inexpensive token gift such as a coffee gift card or chocolates. You don’t have to spend a lot of money–and shouldn’t–to express your appreciation.
Network. Ask lawyers you or your parents know if you can take them to coffee and learn about their practice area. You can use the Illinois Lawyer Finder here to locate lawyers near you (if you live in Illinois) by practice area. Use your networking skills and begin reaching out to any contacts in legal fields that interest you. Remember, everyone needs a lawyer eventually, and most people know or have hired a lawyer. Plus lawyers know lots of other lawyers and can introduce or recommend you. You can already start thinking about what kind of 1L summer job you’d like and start building your network for that.
Create a Google Doc to help with your bar exam application. List every address you’ve ever had, every landlord you’ve ever had, and every speeding and parking ticket you’ve ever received. Get all the records you can for these and for any academic or disciplinary action against you during your undergraduate years. You’ll be applying during your 2L or 3L year to sit for the bar in your chosen state and you will not remember these old details! If you’d like to know what details you’ll be obligated to report on your Illinois Character & Fitness application, visit the Illinois Board of Admission to the Bar application here–be sure to click on the drop down menu to see all the questions in Sections A through J. Click here to explore other states’ bar application requirements.

Financial considerations

Follow up with the financial aid office of your law school to make sure they have all the documents they need, such as your FAFSA, and that you haven’t missed any opportunities to apply for school-specific scholarships.
Apply for scholarships this summer! We posted a Scholarships Spreadsheet over on Compass listing over 200 scholarships for incoming law students (and many which are available to undergrads also).
Most federal loans will not be disbursed until AFTER classes begin, so you will need to pay security deposits and the first month of rent as well as buy books and necessary items (below) all before getting your loans. Save up this summer!
Buy some important items if you do not already own them.
- You will need a suit and dress shoes the very first week of class. To get the most bang for your buck, your suit should be classic business formal: gray, black, or navy blue in a conservative cut and year-round fabric.
- You should also bring at least 2-3 business casual outfits that you can wear to networking events.
- You may need a new or upgraded laptop–check with your law school to see what technology they recommend and what is compatible with their IT systems. Your law school may also offer discounts. A printer is very helpful but you could speak to your roommate(s) to see if they have one before purchasing.
Make a budget. Each law school is required to provide a budget in your financial aid package, or you can find it online. You are not required to take the full loan amount; remember that your loans start accruing interest from Day 1 so any amount you do not borrow will save you the interest too. Sit down and carefully consider your living expenses so you can budget accordingly. Remember that your loan disbursement is only designed to pay for tuition/fees and 9 months of living expenses, and it is not designed to cover costs like car payment/insurance, credit card debt, or travel (for example, if you need to fly to your new law school or ship your belongings there).

Personal details

Make living arrangements. Whether you are living in an apartment, with parents, 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.
Take care of anything and everything in your personal life that you can. Get your car serviced, change your cell phone plan, go to the dentist, book necessary travel arrangements, open a bank account in your new city…do anything that you can take care of now. You will not want to spend precious free time on these things later.
Go to the doctor and update your vaccinations–law schools will require it. Start or maintain good exercise and eating habits–it’s easier to maintain these than to start them during the semester!
Embrace starting over. You have been given a clean slate, so use it wisely. Don’t start law school by being the person who brags about their big scholarship/LSAT score/undergrad accomplishments. Conversely, don’t be intimidated by people in your class with a higher LSAT score/scholarship–frequently the people who will end up at the top of the law school class are not who you would have predicted. You have made it here, you deserve to be here, now embrace the opportunity to start with a clean slate!
Finally, WORK HARD from Day 1! 1L grades and class rank are VERY important and will determine things like: whether you can write for a law journal, whether you can participate in moot court, and whether you can interview with law firms before your 2L year in On Campus Interviews (OCI). Start developing a consistent study schedule and the discipline to stick to it. 1L year is not the time to sit back and coast while you adjust to a new life. Remember that law school classes are curved, so by design, everyone will NOT get an A. It is critical not to fall behind on your coursework during the first semester.

Mark Your Calendars: Week of April 22

PRE-LAW EVENTS

Our pre-law programming is complete for the semester. We will have appointments available until May 16, so feel free to make an appointment (by calling 333-9669) to discuss how to maximize your summer!

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND INFO FOR PRE-LAW STUDENTS

NOW is the time for July LSAT Registration–Planning to take the July LSAT? Demand is high, so click here to register now to get a seat.

Fall 2019 Course Suggestions: Still looking for some fall courses? As you know, students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. However, given an interest in law, click on the link here for some fall courses that pre-law students may find particularly helpful and interesting.

THIS SATURDAY: Law School is for Diverse People Too: How To Prepare for the Law School Admissions Process–Sat, April 27 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at University of Chicago Law School (1111 E 60th St, Chicago IL).

Sessions include:

The Secrets to a Successful Law School Application
Mastering the Law School Admissions Council’s Website and Other Resources for Diverse Applicants
Securing a Solid Letter of Recommendation
Strategically Financing Law School
How to Write a Persuasive Personal Statement

All students attending this year’s free sessions will receive information on how to obtain feedback on their personal statements from members of the University of Chicago Law School’s BLSA. The link to register is available here: https://www.law.uchicago.edu/lawschooldiversity

Writer’s Workshop is hosting these upcoming workshops. Visit their website here for more details.

Developing Arguments and Revising for the Big Picture–Tues, 4/23, 1-2 pm, 1060 Lincoln Hall. This presentation will review the basic principles for creating effective thesis statements. It will also help students review common essay structures and strategies. You will have the opportunity to put these principles into practice, so bring a current assignment to work on.
Avoiding Plagiarism: Using Sources Effectively–Wed, 4/24, 12-1 pm, 1057 Lincoln Hall. Worried about accidental plagiarism? This presentation reviews basic techniques for effectively incorporating sources through summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting.
The Final Check: Proofreading and Editing Strategies–Thur, 4/25, 4:30-5:30 pm, 1057 Lincoln Hall. Worried about your editing and proofreading skills? In this workshop, we will help writers develop and practice effective strategies for both. Bring a paper to practice with, or use the exercises provided at the workshop.

Still looking for a summer job? Check out the University of Illinois Virtual Job Board for paid summer positions right here on campus.

fulbright scholarship information and workshop sessions

Are you looking for an exciting way to spend a year abroad starting in the Fall of 2020? If so, it’s time to think seriously about submitting an application for a Fulbright Scholarship! Join us for an informational session and on-campus workshops to learn more.

Fulbright Information Session Tuesday, April 23^rd, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST. Hosted by the National and International Scholarship Program. This is an informational webinar (open to all, but particularly useful for Illinois alumni and students abroad):

Link to attend the webinar: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/7e732c00eb1f4a0baeada1df96a2083d

Wednesday, May 1^st, 8:30-9:30 a.m. CST

Link to attend the webinar on Wednesday, May 1^st:

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/2085a821f124472baf44446a33d22579

On-Campus Fulbright Workshops – All Hosted by the National and International Scholarships Program:

Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop: Friday, April 26^th, 3:30-5:00pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

English Teaching Assistant Application Workshop: Thursday, May 2^nd, 11:00 am -12:00 pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

Designing a Fulbright Research Proposal Workshop: Thursday, May 2^nd, 4:00-5:00 pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

Sessions are targeted to juniors, seniors, and recent alumni who wish to apply for the Fulbright Priority Deadline of June 17, 2019.

PAID SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP IN CHICAGO: Deadline April 30

Elise Harmening is the Owner and Principal Attorney for Harmening Law, LLC. Elise began Harmening Law, LLC as part of the Justice Entrepreneur’s Project through the Chicago Bar Foundation. Harmening Law, LLC is committed to providing legal services for clients who do not fit into the traditional legal services model or qualify for legal aid. Throughout her life, Elise has found a real connection with working with families and youth. She has personal experience working through the school system to advocate for accommodations and understands, intensely, what it feels like on both sides of the table. Harmening Law only deals with family and education law. Interns will be able to learn the ins and outs of family and education law. Harmening Law is offering a paid summer internship of $13 an hour for 10-30 hours a week to one intern.

Qualifications:

– Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree.
– Preferably majoring in Political Science, International Relations, Criminal Justice, Philosophy and other related fields of study
– Strong writing skills
– Ability to analyze information
– Ability to quickly learn new tasks
– Ability to do projects independently with deadlines
– Passion in law

Responsibilities:

– Filing and making copies
– Writing responses
– Organizing schedule
– Take notes for meetings
– Go to the courthouse at least once a week
– Organizing evidence
– Assist with fillings
– Assisting with client intakes

To apply, send a cover letter (include availability), resume and sample paper to
elise@harmeninglaw.com. Deadline is April 30, 2019.

career center events

Drop-in Career Advising:
The Career Center, 715 S. Wright, offers drop-in service Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for students with quick career-related questions.

International Student Career Meetup: Enhancing Networking and Communication Skills–April 26, 4-5:30 pm, Career Center Interview Suite Room 213.

Work-It Wednesday: Connect with Representatives from The Children’s Home–April 24 (various times). Are you still looking for an internship or full-time opportunity? Are you interested in social services, counseling, or working with children?

Join the Childrens Home Association of Illinois on Wednesday, April 24th at The Career Center for the last Work-It-Wednesday of the spring semester! The Childrens Home is committed to community-based, family focused programs that provide counseling, education and support to more than 1,700 children and families each month. They are currently hiring for numerous internships and full-time positionsmany which only require a bachelors degree.

Check out the schedule below and attend when and where you can!

1:00 – 2:00 pm Informal Coffee and Cookies Chats with the Childrens Home. Stop in to learn more about the Childrens Home or ask any questions you might have about your internship/job search – how to stand out for social service jobs, application and resume tips, or anything that interests you! Located at The Career Center Resource Center (715 S. Wright Street).

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Resume Reviews with the Childrens Home. Get your resume reviewed by a Childrens Home representative who specifically hires for social service-focused work. Located at The Career Center (715 S. Wright Street).

4:00 – 5:00 pm Childrens Home Information Session. Attend an informal information session to learn more about the numerous internship and full-time opportunities with the Childrens Home and how you can be a good fit for them! Located at The Career Center Interview Suite, 616 E. Green Street, Suite 213.

For questions, please email Tori Spring at vspring@illinois.edu.

Details can also be found on Handshake at: https://illinois.joinhandshake.com/events/240535/share_preview

SCHOLARSHIPS

American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship–Applications due May 1. The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund will award $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. An award made to an entering first-year student may be renewable for two additional years, resulting in financial assistance totaling $15,000 during his or her time in law school. In addition to whether the applicant is a member of a racial and/or ethnic minority that has been underrepresented in the legal profession, the applicant’s financial need; personal, family, and educational background; personal statement; and participation in community service activities will be considered in selecting the recipients. For more information and to apply visit their website here.

And check out the PLAS Facebook page for NEW internship opportunities, summer programs and more!

Email Etiquette — “Hey” Doesn’t Cut It!

Note – we originally published a version of this blog in 2014. Since we continue to experience and hear about email etiquette gaffes (from law school admissions deans – yikes!), we thought we would run an updated post on this topic.

Email etiquette is a critical skill whether you are communicating with law school admissions officers, potential employers, professors or your pre-law advisors! Remember: these contacts are formal and therefore VERY different from emails sent to friends or family members. A lack of professionalism and/or respect can create very negative impressions, which then likely lead to unhappy admissions or employment outcomes. Want to avoid common email pitfalls? Read on for some practical and easy tips.

1. Salutation: DO NOT begin your email with “Hey” or “Joe”. You should ALWAYS err on the side of being more formal: “Dear Dean Jones” or “Dear Ms. Smith.” First names or casual openings are for friends and family only. NEVER address individuals you encounter in a professional setting by their first names until you have been invited to do so!

2. Subject Line: Never leave this blank. Instead write a brief but accurate description of the content of the email. Examples: “Application Status Inquiry” or “Interview Follow Up.”

3. Organization: Collect your thoughts (what are you trying to say?) and then organize your email into an introduction, body and closing. The introduction states your reason for contacting the person. The body details the information you are trying to convey. The closing wraps up your email, including whether you will be contacting them in the future or if you would like them to contact you.

4. Proofread: Nothing leaves a bad impression like a careless typo or typos. Draft your email and reread it, checking it several times for any spelling or grammatical errors.

5. Manners: Say “please,” “thank you,” and sign your emails with a courteous sign off, such as “sincerely” or “best.” Remember: anything you put in writing is there forever. Do you want to be remembered as the polite, interested candidate or the clueless jerk?! And, by the way, if you receive a reply to your inquiry, always write a quick thank you for that response!

For more info on these suggestions and for other tips about composing professional emails, read “10 Professional Email Tips” by Elizabeth Hoyt, May 8, 2018, at fastweb.com.

https://www.fastweb.com/career-planning/articles/the-10-professional-email-tips

Mark Your Calendars – Week of April 15, 2019

Hello Pre-Law Students! Scroll down for info on our Personal Statement Workshop, Fulbright Scholarships and more. Also – the July LSAT will be administered exactly 3 months from today! There are some unique aspects to the July 2019 LSAT, including the fact that you will be able to see your score BEFORE you decide whether to submit it to the law schools. For more information about the July 2019 LSAT, click on this link. You might also want to review our blog post “A Guide to ALL of the 2019 LSAT Options.”

PRE-LAW EVENTS

Personal Statement and Resume Workshop for Fall 2019 Applicants – NEXT Monday, April 22, 4-5pm, Room 514 IUB

Planning to apply to law school in the fall? Not sure what to write in your law school application? Applicants 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! For more information and to register please click on this link so that we can ensure enough seating and materials for everyone.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND INFO FOR PRE-LAW STUDENTS

NOW is the time for July LSAT Registration–Planning to take the July LSAT? Demand is high, so click here to register now to get a seat.

fulbright scholarship information and workshop sessions

Informational Sessions:

Fulbright Information Session: Tuesday, April 16^th, 3:30-5:00 pm, 180 Bevier Hall

Hosted by the National and International Scholarship Program with recent Fulbright grantee speakers

Can’t make the on-campus session? Please plan to attend an informational webinar (open to all, but particularly useful for Illinois alumni and students abroad):

Tuesday, April 23^rd, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST

Link to attend the webinar on Tuesday, April 23^rd: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/7e732c00eb1f4a0baeada1df96a2083d

Wednesday, May 1^st, 8:30-9:30 a.m. CST

Link to attend the webinar on Wednesday, May 1^st:

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/2085a821f124472baf44446a33d22579

On-Campus Fulbright Workshops – All Hosted by the National and International Scholarships Program:

Fulbright Personal Statement Workshop: Friday, April 26^th, 3:30-5:00pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

English Teaching Assistant Application Workshop: Thursday, May 2^nd, 11:00 am -12:00 pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

Designing a Fulbright Research Proposal Workshop: Thursday, May 2^nd, 4:00-5:00 pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore

Sessions are targeted to juniors, seniors, and recent alumni who wish to apply for the Fulbright Priority Deadline of June 17, 2019.

PAID SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP IN CHICAGO

Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

To apply, send a cover letter (include availability), resume and sample paper to
elise@harmeninglaw.com. Deadline is April 30, 2019.

career center events

Finding and Applying to Federal Government Jobs – Wednesday, April 17, 3-4pm, The Career Center, Conference Room 143

This workshop will give you tips on how to make yourself competitive for federal government opportunities as well as discuss the benefits of working for the government and how to best navigate USAJOBS.gov and other government resources.

You can find information on other upcoming Career Center Events here: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/events

Drop-in Career Advising:
The Career Center, 715 S. Wright, offers drop-in service Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for students with quick career-related questions.

Resume/Cover Letter/ LinkedIn Review Hours: The Career Center offers resume and cover letter reviews at various places and times throughout the week:
· Monday-Friday, 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at The Career Center, 715 S. Wright
· Monday 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Ikenberry Commons
· Tuesday 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Brewlab
· Wednesday 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Brewlab
· Sunday 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Ikenberry Commons

SCHOLARSHIPS

And check out the PLAS Facebook page for NEW internship opportunities, summer programs and more!

Job & Internship Roundup

Job & Internship Opportunities for Pre-Law Students

For those of you who have not yet secured a job or internship this summer, do not fret, there are still opportunities available! But now is the time to secure those summer jobs and internship positions. For some tips on applications, interviews, and other important things to do to make sure you land the perfect summer internship check out our blog post.

llini Career and Internship Fair, Thursday, April 11, 12pm-5pm, at the ARC!!

This career fair is open to all disciplines and is designed to serve as a “just-in-time” fair for students that have yet to secure a summer internship or full-time job after graduation.

DINE: Diversity and Inclusion Networking Exchange, April 10, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Illini Union Room 314

Engage with employers who value diversity in the workplace. Practice networking with company representatives in a casual setting. Register at go.illinois.edu/dine2019

Utilize campus resources!

The Career Center hosts great events for finding an internship. Click Here!
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers a Virtual Job Board intended to assist you in finding part-time employment. Click Here!
Make sure you are registered to use Handshake@Illinois. This resource helps connect you with employers looking for interns and other full time jobs. To register, Click here.
Get resume tips and get your resume reviewed. The Career Center offers tips for writing a resume. The Career Center also offers resume reviews.

PAID SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIP IN CHICAGO

To apply, send a cover letter (include availability), resume and sample paper to
elise@harmeninglaw.com. Deadline is April 30, 2019.

And check out the PLAS Facebook page and Compass Page for NEW internship opportunities, summer programs and more!

Where do Illini attend law school? 2018 applicant data revealed!

We have just received data about our 2018 law school applicants (including both students and alumni). Where do Illini attend law school? What does our applicant data (GPA/LSAT profiles) look like for the law schools to which Illini students and alumni apply? We have some brand new data to share about the applicants who started law school in Fall 2018 (this academic year).

Highlights of 2018 Illini law school applicant data

This data includes all Illini–both seniors and alumni–who applied to law school during the 2017-2018 application cycle.

First, it is notable that 71% of Illini law school applicants in 2018 were alumni and only 29% of Illini applicants were seniors. This is consistent with nationwide trends reflecting that the average law school applicant has 1 or more years of post-undergraduate experience prior to beginning law school.

86% of all Illini law school applicants were accepted to law school in 2018. Our acceptance rate was significantly higher than the national average of 72%.

Where did Illini apply to law school? Everywhere! In 2018, Illini applied to 165 different law schools in nearly every state. From Hawaii to Florida, California to Massachusetts, Illini applied to law schools across the United States.

What were the most popular law schools for Illini applicants?

Law school # of Illini applicants

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF LAW	130
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW	117
CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW	107
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO SCHOOL OF LAW	106
THE JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL	85

Where were Illini accepted to law school in 2018? Again, nearly everywhere! Illini were accepted to 138 different law schools across the country in 2018.

What were the academic profiles of admitted Illini? This information can be found on our Compass page, where we have posted the top 20 law schools (by volume of Illini applicants), along with accepted Illini GPA/LSAT profiles in the aggregate.

Head over to our Compass page to view the 2018 Illini applicant data and see the full report. Not part of the OPEN LEARNING: Pre-Law Advising Compass page yet? Click here for simple instructions to add yourself! Any Illinois student can do so.

Law School Seat Deposits: Advice & What To Do Now

The deadlines for seat deposits at law schools are rapidly approaching (around April 15). It’s time to decide where to attend law school! In many cases, these decisions prove difficult. Scholarships, living expenses, geographic locations and other considerations all play a part in the decision process. Here are some tips and suggestions to help applicants through the seat deposit process.

Reconsider the Right School/Wrong School Mentality. Many applicants see their choice of law school as a Right/Wrong dichotomy. They feel pressure to pick the “Right” law school so that everything will be wonderful and life will be perfect. They worry that if they pick the “Wrong” law school, life will be miserable and they will spend their days regretting it. It is more accurate and helpful to approach this decision by acknowledging that there is no one perfect law school for everyone.

A better focus than Right/Wrong is: What is the best law school to help YOU achieve YOUR GOALS? Every law school will have strengths and weaknesses. Your job should be to consider what your priorities are in a legal education, and to choose a school that matches those priorities. Note that it is important to focus on YOU and not what Mom/Dad, significant others, family, friends, etc. think. You are the only person who can decide which law school is right for YOU.

Reconsider your priorities. When considering schools to apply to, we asked: What are your priorities in a legal education? Think back on that pre-application priority or ranking. Some priorities to consider or reconsider include:

Where do you want to live and practice after law school?
What are the employment outcomes of this school?
What specialty programs does this school offer?
Did the law school seem like a good fit for you when you visited?
What would your overall investment cost (see more on that below) to attend this school?

Carefully consider scholarships. It is critical that law students know and understand exactly how much of an investment their legal education will be. Make sure that when you consider scholarships:

You have carefully calculated the cost of attendance (your actual, out of pocket costs to attend 3 years of school with the scholarship). Do NOT just compare two scholarship amounts!
IF considering an out of state public school, you should know whether you can become an in-state resident for tuition purposes during your 2L and 3L years. (Not sure? Ask the admissions or financial aid office…they will know.)
Does the law school freeze tuition? If not, factor in a 3-5% increase in tuition each year.
Cost of living in the law school’s city must be factored in.

Still having trouble deciding? Get back to basics. If you’re truly feeling stuck and can’t decide between two schools, getting back to basics can be surprisingly helpful. Ask yourself:

What would make me feel confident with my decision? What would tip the scales in one direction or another?
Looking again at the actual data–your cost of attendance, employment reports, bar passage rates, etc.–is helpful if you want to remove some of the uncertainty or emotional overwhelm. Review this blog post for a helpful resource.
What is holding me back from choosing X School over Y School? (Have you asked the law school if they can address that concern? If not, do so!)
What were my observations/thoughts/feelings when I visited each school?
How would you describe each law school in one sentence? (This can help to clarify what your primary observations are of each one.)
What is your gut telling you?

Note deadlines and follow the directions. If you’re this far into the law school application process then you already know that following directions is critical! Make sure that you are clear on all of the seat deposit deadlines for schools you are considering, and that you understand how they want you to submit your deposit–and what happens if you don’t do so on time.

In extenuating circumstances, ask for an extension. Did you just get another admission or scholarship offer and need time to consider it in light of other options? You can request a seat deposit extension. Contact the law school and formally (politely) request a seat deposit extension of a few days to a week. Use this judiciously! It’s important to actually use the extended time to make a decision–what is realistically going to change your mind in 3 days or a week? Ask yourself: What can I do with this time to help me feel confident in my decision?

If you are wait listed–deposit somewhere or decide to reapply next year. If you are wait listed at Dream School and hoping that comes through, you must make a careful decision about where else you will deposit. OR you can decide to take your chances with Dream School and reapply to law school next year if you don’t get in from the wait list. However, don’t decide to put no deposits down and expect to attend law school this fall–being wait listed is no guarantee of admission and once the seat deposit deadlines have passed you have forfeited your seat even where you were admitted. If you are still undecided, it’s better to put down a seat deposit and lose that money (if you decide not to attend or get into Dream Law School off the wait list) than have no seat in any law school class this fall.

Be very careful with multiple deposits. Sometimes applicants will decide to put down multiple seat deposits if they still aren’t sure where to attend law school. Here’s what the LSAC has to say about this:

“Applicants should be aware that a law school is not required to maintain an offer of admission if it discovers that the applicant has accepted an offer at another institution. Beginning on May 15 of each year, law schools may be provided with information concerning all enrollment commitments to any law school made by those applicants who have indicated an intention to enroll in that school’s entering class. Applicants should be sure that they understand policies on multiple commitment deposits set by schools to which they have applied.” (http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/misconduct-and-irregularities/what-to-expect?sfvrsn=2).

Submitting multiple seat deposits is a tricky business. Law schools will see all of your seat deposits as of May 15, some schools can retract your offer of admission, the practice is costly and borderline unethical, and it only prolongs the decision process. You have done all the hard work to receive these offers, so take the last step and make your choice.

Withdraw from other law schools. Once you’ve decided where to deposit and followed the directions to do so, you can withdraw from the other law schools where you were accepted. Usually they have a link or webform for this. If not, it’s perfectly acceptable to send a brief, polite email: Dear Law School, Thank you very much for your offer of admission. However, I have decided to attend X Law School and I have submitted a seat deposit there. Sincerely, Applicant

Embrace your choice. You visited, you calculated all the data, you weighed all of your priorities, you thought it over, you talked to law school professionals and students. You made the decision that you decided best suits your priorities. Once you have made that decision, it is time to embrace it and to let go of the “what ifs” to focus on your next steps. You’ll want to take advantage of every opportunity, program, and connection your law school offers to maximize your law school experience. Enter law school with an open mind and embrace all of the opportunities wherever you decide to attend. Remember that this is not really a Right versus Wrong decision…it is a “what is best for YOU” decision.

Mark Your Calendars: Week of April 1

Happy April! This week we have a lot to share: meet public interest lawyers, learn about international scholarships, apply for a paid summer internship, serve as a juror, and more!

Pre-Law Campus Events:

Public Interest Lawyer Panel-–April 3, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (807 S Wright St) Public interest lawyers serve in a variety of positions providing legal services to the community and serving in governmental roles. Interested in becoming a public interest lawyer? Join us for this panel to learn more about public interest legal careers from multiple public interest lawyers with a variety of backgrounds. From what they do to how they got their current positions and advice for pre-law students, we’ll learn about public interest lawyers and how to prepare for this fulfilling career path.

Taking a Gap Year Before Law School–April 10, 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Gregory Hall Room 319 Nationwide, the average law student has taken one or more gap year(s) after undergrad before applying to law school. Whether you are planning to go straight through to law school after undergrad is over or looking at one or more years before law school, this workshop will help you prepare for that next step. Hear from our panel of current law students from the University of Illinois College of Law and learn more about the pros and cons of both choices.

ATTENTION SPRING 2019 GRADS – Check out our Compass page for a recently-updated listing of job opportunities in Chicago, NYC, DC and more!

LAw SChool Events:Undergraduate Jurors Wanted!

The Illinois College of Law Trial Advocacy classes are preparing to put on their final trials this April, and are looking for undergraduate students to participate as jurors.

Participants will get to hear either Powell v SuperPulper Inc, a civil suit about a workplace manufacturing death or State v Skywolf, a criminal murder trial. Trials would take place on April 2nd, 8th, 10th, and 11th. Jurors would arrive at the Anderson Courtroom at the College of Law at approximately 4:45, with an expected duration of about 2 and a half hours, and food will be served in an informal post-trial reception with jurors, student attorneys, and guest judges.

If you are interested in participating in one (or more) of these sessions, please e-mail Trial Advocacy’s Visiting Law Associate Thanin Stewart at tostewa2@illinois.edu to sign up.

Other Opportunities and Info for Pre-Law Students:

LegalTrek 2019–Applications due Friday, April 5. LegalTrek is a free summer program designed to provide a hands-on, comprehensive overview of the legal profession to diverse college students. LegalTrek meshes traditional legal learning with opportunities to build legal skills. They are seeking diverse applicants from racial/ethnic minority groups, as well as socioeconomically disadvantaged students, LGBT students, and students with disabilities. LegalTrek 2019 will take place on WEDNESDAY afternoons from 1:30 – 4:30 pm at DePaul University, College of Law’s Loop Campus beginning on Wednesday, June 12, and ending on Wednesday, August 7. For more information and application materials, please visit the LegalTrek website here.

NOW is the time for June and July LSAT Registration–Planning to take the June or July LSAT? Demand is high, so click here to register now to get a seat.

Exploring HR Dinner and Info Session–Thursday, April 4, 6-8 pm at the School of Employment Relations (504 E Armory Ave). Are you interested in a people-focused, business-driven career with global possibilities? Join current LER students to learn more about a Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations degree. Topics include: application process, curriculum, first-hand experiences with recruitment for internships and full-time employment, and “What is HR?” Dinner provided! RSVP is required via Handshake or email to Jason Boys at jboys@illinois.edu

National and International Scholarship Program Info Sessions
During the first two weeks of 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.

Information Sessions for juniors and seniors will be held the week of April 1^st: For juniors and seniors, 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 2020.

Monday, April 1st: 1:30-2:00 or 2:00-2:30
Tuesday, April 2nd: 1:30-2:00 or 2:00-2:30
Wednesday, April 3rd: 3:30-4:00 or 4:00-4:30
Thursday, April 4th: 3:00-3:30 or 3:30-4:00

Information Sessions for freshmen and sophomores will be held the week of April 8^th: For first and second year undergraduates, sessions will focus on what students should be doing to strengthen their candidacy for various awards.

Monday, April 8th: 3:30-4:00 or 4:00-4:30
Tuesday, April 9th: 11:30-Noon, 3:30-4:00 or 4:00-4:30
Wednesday, April 10th: 2:30-3:00 and 3:00-3:30
Thursday, April 11th: 2:30-3:00 or 3:00-3:30
Friday, April 12th: 1:30-2:00

All information sessions will be held in conference room 514 in the Campus Center for Advising and Academic Services at 807 South Wright Street, which is the Illini Union Bookstore building.

paid summer legal internship in chicago

Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

To apply, send a cover letter (include availability), resume and sample paper to
elise@harmeninglaw.com. Deadline is April 30, 2019.

career Center

Go here for information on cover letter, resume and LinkedIn reviews and other Career Center programming. Here are some additional events of interest.

Finding an Internship workshop–Today, April 2, 4:30-5:30 in the Career Center Conference Room.

International Student Job Search Workshop–April 5, 4-5:30 pm, Career Center Interview Suite Room 213.

And don’t forget about the Illini Career and Internship Fair, Thursday, April 11, 1pm-5pm, at the ARC!!

This career fair is open to all disciplines and is designed to serve as a “just-in-time” fair for students that have yet to secure a summer internship or full-time job after graduation.

Scholarships:

LSAT Test Prep Essay Scholarship Contest – Entries DUE TODAY, April 1, at NOON!

Are you taking the LSAT but not sure you can afford a commercial prep course? Pre-Law Advising Services is pleased to announce that Kaplan Test Prep has donated one full scholarship for one complete Kaplan LSAT prep class. Find out more about Kaplan here.

This scholarship is intended to assist a University of Illinois student who is in financial need and who will be taking the LSAT within the next year. (Please note that the Kaplan scholarship expires on September 1, 2019, and you must be enrolled in a course by that time). If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please submit the following:

1) Your resume, AND
2) A short essay (300-500 words) that addresses each of the following:

When do you plan to take the LSAT?
Have you taken an LSAT prep class before? If so, which one and when?
What is your financial need? (It is not necessary to provide exact numbers, just describe your financial situation and why a scholarship is necessary.)
How can this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

Submit your resume and essay to Judy Argentieri via email only at jargenti@illinois.edu by TODAY, April 1, at NOON.

Note: Pre-Law Advising Services does not endorse any commercial LSAT test prep company.

Did you know that you can get a scholarship for working at an unpaid internship this summer? Apply for the Fred S. Bailey scholarship here, which provides a $1000 stipend for part-time internships and a $2500 stipend for full-time summer internships. Applications due April 8.

And check out the PLAS Facebook page for NEW internship opportunities, summer programs and more!

Fall 2019 Course Suggestions

Still looking for some fall courses? As you know, students in ANY major can attend law school, and there are NO specifically required courses for pre-law undergrads. However, given an interest in law, here are some fall courses that pre-law students may find particularly helpful and interesting. CLICK ON THIS LINK for a handy chart version of Fall 2019 course options. These courses are only suggestions and are not requirements. Check out Course Explorer and speak to your academic advisor about the best courses for you.

NONE of these classes is REQUIRED for law school. How did we pick them? We’ve simply chosen courses that build skills law schools like to see and/or cover topics of interest to many pre-law students. Please be aware that some of these classes listed and other summer classes have prerequisites. Check Course Explorer for details.

For more info on selecting courses that build academic skills for law school, visit this blog post.

AAS 370/LLS 372: Immigration, Law, and Rights. Exploration of the histories, cultures and experiences of immigration to the US by examining cultural production (literary and visual narratives and texts) alongside legal discourses (legislation, federal court cases).

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

ACE 306: Food Law and ACE 406: Environmental Law

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

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

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

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

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

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

EDUC 202: Social Justice, School & Society

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

ENGL 199: Career Planning for Humanities Majors
ENGL 360: Environmental Writing (same as ESE 360)

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

FIN 241: Fundamentals of Real Estate A survey of real estate finance, appraisal, investment, law, brokerage, management, development and economics.

FSHN 101: Intro to Food Science & 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.

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

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

GLBL 100: Intro to Global Studies; GLBL 260: Global Human Rights; GLBL 340: Policy & Governance

GWS 387/HIST 387: History of Sexuality in the U.S. Explores a wide variety of sources to understand how notions of sexuality have emerged and been contested at key moments in U.S. history. Our guiding questions include: How have “official” or governing discourses of sexuality (in law, medicine, religions, science) been formulated? In turn, how have “ordinary” people understood and practiced their sexuality? How has the meaning of particular sexual practices changed over time?

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

LAW 301: Introduction to Law
Serves as a general foundation course for those interested in applying to law school.

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

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

Philosophy options include:

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

Political Science options to explore specific legal areas include:

PS 101: Intro to US Government & Politics
PS 199: Politics, Power and Protest
PS 220: Intro to Public Policy
PS 225: Environmental Politics & Policy
PS 280: Intro to International Relations
PS 301/302: US Constitution I &II are helpful primers for law school
PS 306: Judicial Politics
PS 313: Congress and Foreign Policy
PS 329: Immigration & Citizenship
PS 491: Internship with the Champaign County Public Defender’s Office Unlike other internships that require a substantial research project completed in conjunction with the internship itself for academic credit, credit in this program is based on class meetings and structured assignments that integrate readings on political systems, the legal system, and constitutional and human rights, with on-the-job experience summarizing case files, witnessing trials and colloquies, and interviewing witnesses and clients. Students are supervised by the Champaign County Public Defender or attorneys in the office. Applications are due Thursday, April 4, by Noon. To apply, click on this link: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/7215596 . For more information, go here: https://pol.illinois.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/internships.

PSYC 468: Psych and Law
Examines relationship of the administrative, civil, and criminal justice systems to educational and mental health institutions; individual rights, social issues, and psychological well being.

SOC 275: Criminology
SOC 373: Social Inequality
SOC 378: Sociology of Law

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

Other courses to explore different areas of law include:

JOUR 199: Free Speech & the Right to Offend (2nd 8 weeks) What is the law of Hate Speech? Cross Burning? Flag burning? Can you say the F-word? The N-word? Can a judge or the government do anything about it? This course separates the law from the B.S. and informs you in clear terms what you do and do not have a Constitutional right to say and do in America.
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.
REL 214: Introduction to Islam History of Islamic thought from the time of Muhammad to the present, including the prophethood of Muhammad, the Qur’an, theology and law, mysticism and philosophy, sectarian movements, modernism and legal reform, and contemporary resurgence.
RST 225: Environmental Politics & Policy (cross listed as PS 225) Examinations of the political, economic, ecological, and cultural trade-offs between the use and the preservation of the environment, with particular emphasis on the preservation of land and water resources in national parks, forests, and other reserved lands.
RST 354: Legal Aspects of Sport A study of legal principles and their impact on the sport industry; the course examines the application of different areas of law including tort, contract, constitutional, anti-trust, and intellectual property law to professional, amateur and recreational sport.
SE 400: Engineering Law – note – only prerequisite is Rhet 105. Course covers: nature and development of the legal system; legal rights and duties important to engineers in their professions; contracts, uniform commercial code and sales of goods, torts, agency, worker’s compensation, labor law, property, environmental law, intellectual property.
TE 450: Startups: Incorporate, Fund, Contracts, Intellectual Property Explore legal tools used in constructing and operating companies. Topics include: issues with business formation, intellectual property, NDA, contracts, and other corporate legal issues impacting startups.
UP 211: Local Planning, Government and Law Provides students with a basic understanding of the governmental structure, legal aspects, and practice of local municipal planning, with special emphasis on case law, constitutional principles, zoning, subdivision regulations and comprehensive planning. Gives an introduction for students interested in pursuing more advanced studies in land use law and local government planning.

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

Mark Your Calendars – Week of March 25

Welcome back! We hope that you had a nice and relaxing Spring Break! Scroll down for information about a Kaplan LSAT prep scholarship, panels on public interest law and taking a gap year, an opportunity to serve as a juror at the UIUC College of Law, gap year job opportunities for spring grads and more! And make sure you check the blog this Wednesday, for our post containing suggestions for Fall 2019 courses.

Pre-Law Campus Events:

Public Interest Lawyer Panel

514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (807 S Wright St) April 3, 2019, 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Public interest lawyers serve in a variety of positions providing legal services to the community and serving in governmental roles. Interested in becoming a public interest lawyer? Join us for this panel to learn more about public interest legal careers from multiple public interest lawyers with a variety of backgrounds. From what they do to how they got their current positions and advice for pre-law students, we’ll learn about public interest lawyers and how to prepare for this fulfilling career path

Taking a Gap Year Before Law School

Gregory Hall Room 319 April 10, 20, 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Nationwide, the average law student has taken one or more gap year(s) after undergrad before applying to law school. Whether you are planning to go straight through to law school after undergrad is over or looking at one or more years before law school, this workshop will help you prepare for that next step. Hear from our panel of current law students from the University of Illinois College of Law and learn more about the pros and cons of both choices.

ATTENTION SPRING 2019 GRADS – Check out our Compass page for a recently-updated listing of job opportunities in Chicago, NYC, DC and more!

LAw SChool Events:

Undergraduate Jurors Wanted!

The Illinois College of Law Trial Advocacy classes are preparing to put on their final trials this April, and are looking for undergraduate students to participate as jurors.

If you are interested in participating in one (or more) of these sessions, please e-mail Trial Advocacy’s Visiting Law Associate Thanin Stewart at tostewa2@illinois.edu to sign up.

Other Opportunities and Info for Pre-Law Students:

NOW is the time for June and July LSAT Registration–Planning to take the June or July LSAT? Demand is high, so click here to register now to get a seat. Now is also a good time to apply for a fee waiver. For more on LSAC fee waivers revisit this blog post.

Summer pre-law programs. We posted a spreadsheet full of pre-law undergraduate summer programs over on our Compass page! For example:

University of Wisconsin PLUS program. Applications due April 12.
Saint Louis University School of Law PLUS program. Application priority deadline March 31; regular deadline April 14.

summer internship in chicago

Qualifications:

Responsibilities

To apply, send a cover letter (include availability), resume and sample paper to
elise@harmeninglaw.com. Deadline is April 30, 2019.

Elise L. Harmening Harmening Law, LLC 208 S Jefferson, Suite 204 Chicago, IL 60661; harmeninglaw.com

career Center

Go here for information on cover letter, resume and LinkedIn reviews and other Career Center programming. Here are some additional events of interest.

Global Careers – Peace Corps General Information Meeting – Tuesday, March 26, 5-6pm, Career Center Conference Room 143

Interested in serving in the United States Peace Corps? Learn about the details of Peace Corps during this monthly session led by the University of Illinois campus recruiter.

Work-It-Wednesday: Connect with Recruiters – Wednesday, March 27, 9am-5pm, The Career Center

Work-It-Wednesday is your chance to interact directly with employers. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about professional development, get tips and suggestions for your internship/job search, and have your resume reviewed during a full day of events. Check Handshake @ Illinois for updated information.

Suit Up Event – Sunday March 31, 5-9pm, at JCPenney at Market Place Mall

Join us at JCPenney where you will receive an additional 40% off all suits, professional attire, and accessories! Get measured for a suit, and get tips and advice on putting together business professional attire. Transportation provided.

And don’t forget about the Illini Career and Internship Fair, Thursday, April 11, 1pm-5pm, at the ARC!!

This career fair is open to all disciplines and is designed to serve as a “just-in-time” fair for students that have yet to secure a summer internship or full-time job after graduation.

Scholarships:

LSAT Test Prep Essay Scholarship Contest – Entries DUE April 1, 2019, at NOON!

1) Your resume, AND
2) A short essay (300-500 words) that addresses each of the following:

When do you plan to take the LSAT?
Have you taken an LSAT prep class before? If so, which one and when?
What is your financial need? (It is not necessary to provide exact numbers, just describe your financial situation and why a scholarship is necessary.)
How can this scholarship help you achieve your goals?

Submit your resume and essay to Judy Argentieri via email only at jargenti@illinois.edu by NEXT MONDAY, April 1, at NOON.

Note: Pre-Law Advising Services does not endorse any commercial LSAT test prep company.

Leading IP Firm Carlson Caspers offers 1L Law School Scholarships—April 20, 2019 Deadline

Carlson Caspers, a top-ranking intellectual property law firm in Minneapolis, MN, offers scholarships for diverse students with technical backgrounds who are interested in going to law school.

The Carlson Caspers Diversity and Inclusion 1L Law School Scholarships provide up to two $5,000 scholarships and possible internships and clerkships to prospective law students who will be starting their first year of law school in 2019.

We encourage applicants who are pursuing or have obtained a degree in chemistry, physics, life sciences, pharmacy, engineering, or computer science and intend to practice IP law in the Twin Cities upon graduation from law school.

These scholarships exist because of the firm’s recognition that diversity and inclusion require ongoing and active engagement within our firm and the broader community. We encourage future advocates for justice to apply. Click on the link below to apply.

The application deadline is April 20, 2019.

http://www.carlsoncaspers.com/diversity-scholarship-program/

And check out the PLAS Facebook page for NEW internship opportunities, summer programs and more!