Pre-Law Advising Services Blog – Publishing pre-law news, events & opportunities every Monday and Wednesday!

Spring Break Plans For Pre-Law Students!!

How can you maximize your spring break? First things first: Get some sleep, watch Netflix, visit your family and friends. Then take a look at these lists to be super productive and make the rest of your semester SO much easier.

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

Registration Advice: For help on selecting pre-law courses, check out our blog post Guide to selecting pre-law coursework for Illinois students! Also, keep a look out for our blog post about our suggested courses for the fall!

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 2^nd, 8^th, 10^th, and 11^th. 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.

Freshmen and Sophomores:

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

Pre-Law Students and Alumni Applying This Fall:

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

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

It’s still a good idea to decide who on campus can write your recommendations, and approach them by the end of this semester. If you wait a year or more the professor is sometimes gone, on sabbatical, retired, etc., so it’s better to get them now. Register for the Credential Assembly Service as listed above so that you can send the letters into your account.
We will have a special workshop about Taking a Gap Year Before Law School on April 10th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm at Gregory Hall Room 319. This workshop will cover how you can maximize your postgraduate time to make yourself an even better law school candidate, and we will share a timeline and game plan for applying to law school as a working professional. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from current law students who worked prior to law school.

Seniors and alumni headed to law school this fall:

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

Mark Your Calendars: Week of March 11

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

Finding & Applying to Federal Government Jobs

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.

LAw SChool Events:

The 16th Annual Illinois Latinx Law Forum: DePaul University College of Law

All Illini are invited to the Illinois Latinx Law Forum, a free event featuring law school admission panels, networking, a mock law class, and a law school fair, on March 16 from 8:30-4:30 at DePaul University College of Law. Check out their website for more details and free registration (breakfast and lunch included). This event is free to attend but advanced registration is required!

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.

Scholarship:

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!

Summer 2019 Course Options

Many summer classes are offered either in person or online through the University of Illinois. Take a look at Course Explorer (available here) and you’ll see lots of great options for pre-law students, like these that we’ve highlighted below. CLICK THIS LINK for a handy chart version of summer course options: Summer Classes for Pre-Law 2019.

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.

Law 199: The Best of American Case Law (in person)

This is a 10-day summer course designed to introduce undergrads to some of the most important and exciting law school cases. Students will come to understand how the law school classroom works, experience a broad range of different areas of the law, and engage with nationally renowned law faculty as they present some of the most important legal cases. Following class, students will have the opportunity to eat lunch with the professor and learn more about the class and/or law school. Afternoons will be spent engaged in a focused study and briefing of the next day’s cases, optional social outings, and informational sessions. All students will receive a certificate for successful completion of the course. Current University of Illinois students will also receive 3 credit hours.

SCHEDULE: July 23 – August 2, 2019; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. daily.

PS 100: Introduction to Political Science (online)

Surveys the major concepts and approaches employed in the study of politics. Note: Credit is not given for both PS 100 and PS 200.

PS 224: Politics of the National Parks (both in person and online)

Credit: 2 or 3 hours. This class surveys the major concepts and approaches employed in the study of politics. Class meets online. Class meets June 11 to August 2. This course takes a two-week field trip to the Greater Yellowstone Area to study the politics of wildlife, wilderness, natural resources, and tourism, among other topics. Students will learn about sustainability in the region, the effect of stakeholders on national parks policies, and the legal and administrative environment of the National Park Service. There is a course fee of $800 to cover all transportation, lodging, and meals. For more information, see https://publish.illinois.edu/pahre/study-in-yellowstone-this-summer/

Political Science 280: Intro to Intl Relations (online)

3 credit hours; Structure and processes of international relations, trends in international politics, and the future of the international system.

CMN 101: Public Speaking (in person)

Credit: 3 hours. Preparation and presentation of short informative and persuasive speeches; emphasis on the selection and organization of material, methods of securing interest and attention, and the elements of delivery.

CMN 210: Public Comm in Everyday Life (online)

Credit: 3 Hours. Introduces concepts useful for the critical analysis of public communication in everyday life. Drawing on communication theory and practice, especially theories of rhetoric, the course investigates techniques of persuasion, offers tools for critical analysis of public discourse, and considers the political and ethical implications of various forms of public communication.

CMN 340: Visual Politics (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Explores the role of visual images in U.S. culture, paying special attention to the ways that images function persuasively as political communication. Provides tools for analyzing historical and contemporary images and artifacts, such as photographs, prints, paintings, advertisements, and memorials. Emphasis on how visual images are used for remembering and memorializing; confronting and resisting; consuming and commodifying; governing and authorizing; and visualizing and informing.

BADM 300: The Legal Environment of Business (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Introduction to law and the legal system, litigation, contracts, business organizations, intellectual property, employment law and governmental regulation of business.

EPS 310/AAS 310/AFRO 310/LLS 310: Race and Cultural Diversity (online)

Credit: 4 hours. Note: This is an Advanced Comp. Study of race and cultural diversity from Colonial era to present; the evolution of racial ideology in an ethnically heterogeneous society; the impact of race on the structures and operations of fundamental social institutions; the role of race in contemporary politics and popular culture.

ESE 360/ENGL 360: Environmental Writing (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Note: This is an Advanced Comp that may be a good choice for students interested in environmental law. Equips students to write about the environment for various audiences, with a focus on specific current efforts to promote sustainability on the Urbana-Champaign campus. We will practice effective techniques for each stage of the writing process-from defining topics, to gathering information, to crafting active, engaging prose. Readings will include models of effective environmental writing and “how to” pieces by experts. Research will include visits to campus sites and student-conducted interviews with subjects.

GEOG 210/ESE 210: Social & Environmental Issues (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Introduction to the complex relationship between people and the natural environment from a social science perspective. Explores different approaches to environmental issues, and examines the role of population change, political economy, technologies, environmental policymaking, and social institutions in causing and resolving contemporary social and environmental global issues.

GWS 100/HDFS 140/SOC 130: Intro Gender & Women’s Studies (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Interdisciplinary introduction to the study of gender, women, and sexuality. Addresses issues such as social experience, representation and popular culture, femininities and masculinities, family structure, education, employment, economics, literature and the arts, religion, history, and technology. Explores interrelationships of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, ability, and age from a transnational perspective.

GLBL 100: Intro to Global Studies (online)

Credit: 3 hours. Foundation course for understanding a range of contemporary issues and learning to analyze them from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students consider globalizing trends within themes of wealth and poverty; population, cultures, and human rights; environment and sustainability; and governance, conflict, and cooperation. Course objectives are to enhance knowledge of human cultures, their interactions and impacts on the world; develop skills for successfully negotiating realities of contemporary societies; and promote values for global learning, diversity, and sustainable futures.

HIST 100: Global History (in person)

Credit: 3 hours. Broad introduction to global history, by exploring the global structures and transnational forces that have shaped human history, from the emergence of agriculture and urban centers to our contemporary global village. Note: Summer Sessions 1 and 2 cover different topics and eras.

INFO 303: Writing Across Media (in person)

Credit: 3 hours. The ability to communicate effectively in multiple types of media is a crucial part of literacy in our society. In this course, students will explore the intersections of various media: print, film, images, sound, etc. Students will consider the ways in which writing–as an object and as a practice–is shaped by multimodal interactions. Also integrates practical activities with broader theoretical issues in order to provide effective strategies for designing multimedia presentations, projects, and texts that integrate photography, video, and sound.

Summer Institute for Languages in the Muslim World – SILMW is an annual intensive language institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that focuses specifically on teaching critical languages spoken in the Muslim World. SILMW is 8 weeks long. It runs during Summer II Session. Students can earn anywhere from 3 to 10 credits for these courses.

SILMW offers the following languages:

Arabic
Persian
Swahili
Turkish
Wolof

Click here for course descriptions and additional details on the Summer Institute.

Mark Your Calendars: Week of March 4

PLAS events

Our upcoming Practice LSAT on Friday March 8 is currently full. If you’d like to be added to our wait list, email ccaas-prelaw@illinois.edu and you will be contacted if a seat becomes available.

Just added to our calendar: Taking a Gap Year Before Law School on April 10 at 6:00 pm in 319 Greg Hall. 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. What do people do during their gap years? How does taking a gap year or going straight through influence your law school experience? 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–as well as how you can maximize each option–to help you decide the path you want to take to get to law school. Bring your questions for the panelists!

law school events–you are invited to attend!

Challenges to Democracy at Home and Abroad–Mar 5, 12:00 -1:15 pm at the Law Building, Room D (504 E Pennsylvania Ave). Pizza will be served during this panel discussion. Click here for more details.

Happy 200th Birthday McCulloch v. Maryland–Mar 6, 12:00-1:15 pm at the Law Building, Max Rowe Auditorium (504 E Pennsylvania Ave). Read by every law student, McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) is among the Supreme Court’s most important decisions ever. On the 200th anniversary of McCulloch, hear faculty experts discuss the case and its ongoing significance for federal-state relations – as well as whether its principles can and should last another two centuries. Birthday cake will be served! Click here for more details.

Other Opportunities and Info for Pre-Law Students

Drop deadline reminder: The deadline to drop a full semester course is March 8. Not sure whether to drop? Talk to your academic advisor!

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.

scholarships

Juniors–The Class of 1941 Scholarship recognizes at least one man and one woman from the junior class who has excelled academically, and has volunteered as leaders of extracurricular activities sanctioned by the University. The application deadline is Friday, March 8. Click the following link to access the application: 1920_Class_of_1941_Scholarship_Application.

The Anne Elizabeth Suratt Memorial Scholarship Fund is designated for juniors, seniors or fifth year undergraduates. Applicants must be of junior, senior or fifth year status in the Fall 2018 semester. The recipient must have a B average (3.0 GPA). Preference will be given to a student who is interested in space studies and/or earth sciences, and whose major field of study includes at least one of these areas. Preference is also given to students with demonstrated financial need. In addition, students must demonstrate vision, perseverance and enthusiasm for his/her chosen field. This application and all supporting materials must be received or postmarked by the EXTENDED deadline of March 8, 2019. 1920_Suratt_Scholarship_Application

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

PAid campus summer positions

division of general studies peer advisors–information session on march 5

The Division of General Studies (DGS) is seeking undergraduate student leaders, who are interested in being a positive influence on the DGS campus community, to assist with our New Student Registration program. The summer peer advisors will work closely with DGS advisors and administrators to gain necessary knowledge to assist incoming freshman in planning for their first semester of college.

DGS Summer Peer Advisors will:

• Learn about the academic advising profession by being an integral part of New Student Registration.
• Collaborate with DGS academic advisors, administrators, and other campus partners
• Serve as a point person for roughly 1,700 new students
• Facilitate morning small group meetings for DGS students during New Student Registration
• Assist new students with registration of courses for the fall semester

Candidates must be available for full day training May 13-16, 2019. Peer advisors will be responsible for working approximately 25 hours per week from May 28-July 2.

The pay for this position is $10 per hour.

Required qualifications:

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

Preferred qualifications:

• Former DGS student
• Familiarity of ICT process
• Knowledge of Illinois general education requirements
• Junior or Senior class standing for Fall 2018
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• GPA of 2.5 or above
• Attend a peer advisor informational session

Application: Email a cover letter, resume and three references to Jessica Arnold, jarnold7@illinois.edu by 5pm on March 25, 2019. Applications received after 5pm will not be considered.

Informational Sessions:

Interested Candidates should attend an informational session to learn more about the program and this position. It is not required to apply but encouraged.

• March 5: 3-4pm in IUB 514

las summer interns

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is accepting applications for five internship positions. Interns will support faculty and LAS International Programs staff working with a group of university students from China who will be on campus for a 4-week summer academic program: Economics and Accounting for the Global Market.

Note: All applicants are strongly encouraged to enroll in Econ 199: Econ Instruction for Int’l Audiences with Professor Isaac DiIanni. (CRN 68511, meets 2nd 8 weeks spring semester, Mondays 4-4:50pm in Lincoln Hall 1062.)

Interns will:

attend economics and accounting courses with the Chinese students and assist them with their coursework
work with the Chinese students to improve their academic communication skills in English
accompany the group on site visits and excursions in the local area
organize social activities for the group on campus
2 interns will also serve as RAs and live in the dorms with the group.

Dates + Hours

Interns will work approximately 20-25 hours a week between July 16 and August 16. Hours will vary based on the group’s schedule and will include some evenings and weekends.

Salary: $10/hour (interns serving as RAs will also receive free housing and some meals for the duration of the program.)

Eligibility

All Illinois undergraduates are welcome to apply
Native or near-native English language skills (Chinese language skills are a plus)
Preference will be given to students enrolled in Econ 199

To apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to Elly Hanauer (ehanauer@illinois.edu) by March 30.

For more information on the program visit: https://publish.illinois.edu/jesie-lasprogram/

Campus Events

Career Center–Visit their website here for more information

Creating Your Powerful Resume-Mar 5, 6-7 pm, Career Center Conference Room

Immigration Attorney Presentation (for international students)–Mar 8, 3-5 pm, Career Center Interview Suite, Room 213. Immigration attorneys will speak on immigration and employment options after OPT and can answer questions about what options are available after the completion of F-1 or J-1 status in the U.S. This presentation will also include information about current immigration law issues including potential changes in H1B sponsorships.

Global Careers–Resumes and Interviews for Jobs in China–Mar 8, 6-8 pm, Greg Hall Room 213. Come and learn about how to prepare for resumes and interviews for jobs in China. This workshop targets Chinese students and Chinese speaking students who are interested in the job market in China. The presenter is Mr. Haozhuan LI, CEO of Liepin Overseas that is a recruitment consulting firm for Chinese students. This workshop is co-hosted by Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at Illinois.

Resume/Cover Letter/Linked In Reviews

Mar 4, 2-4:30 pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm Ikenberry Commons
Mar 5, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Mar 6, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center, 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Mar 7, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center
Mar 8, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center

Career Fairs. Mark your calendars for spring career fairs, which are open to all Illinois students and present both job and internship opportunities. Find these and other fair opportunities .

Illini Career & Internship Fair–April 11, 1-5pm, 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. Visit their website here.

Go to the Career Center website to find other programs!

Application Cycle: The Countdown Is On!

Well folks – with deadlines looming, this application cycle is coming to a close. If you still haven’t filed your applications, here are some things for your “to do” list!

Get your applications in ASAP! As you know, this is a rolling application process which opened in September. Now the final/priority deadlines for many schools — March 1, March 15, and April 1 — are fast approaching!
It’s important to understand what’s happening on the law school’s end as you complete your side of the application. Applying at this point in the cycle means that many seats in the class are already spoken for– one school described it as very similar to playing the lottery. As a result, it is difficult to predict admission results at this point.
Financial aid may also be more restricted at this point in the cycle, depending on the school. If you haven’t already done so, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid/FAFSA ASAP! Even though the federal deadline is in June, both the law schools and the individual states have varying deadlines. Go here for more information: https://fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm#.
Plan your VISITS to law schools if you haven’t already. Many law schools have finished their Open Houses, but you can still arrange a one-on-one visit…just call ahead to make sure that an admissions staff person can meet with you and to make sure the school isn’t closed for spring break.
Are you thinking that maybe you are too late this cycle to get the kind of admissions and scholarship results you want? Are you possibly considering taking a gap year? Then mark your calendars for the PLAS event, “Taking a Gap Year Before Law School”, Wednesday, April 10, 6pm, Room 319 Gregory Hall. This panel will feature current law students who took a gap year or more before law school. They will share the pros and cons of their decisions and be available to answer your questions. Go here for more information.

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 25

Hello Pre-Law Students! Don’t forget tomorrow‘s PLAS “Negotiating Scholarships Workshop!” Also — at least two summer pre-law programs have application deadlines of THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 1. Scroll down for info on these items as well as other opportunities!

PLAS events

Our next event, “Negotiating Scholarships Workshop” is TOMORROW, Tuesday February 26! The event will be held at 1002 Lincoln Hall starting at 6PM.

Law school financial aid is very different from the undergrad aid process. Join us as we host Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, and Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Illinois College of Law.

The deans will share their expertise on law school financial aid and scholarships, including:

Understanding your financial aid offer;
How to go about requesting reconsideration of your scholarship package;
What elements are effective for increasing aid offers;
Tips and suggestions for respectful and effective collaborations with financial aid staff.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask these experts any and all law school admissions and financial aid questions. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in law school to understand the process of admission and awarding financial aid to law school applicants.

Pre-Law Club Event: UIUC Law School Student Panel

Wednesday, February 27th in Greg Hall Room 223 at 5 PM. Join the Pre-Law Club and hear from current law students about some of their experiences applying to and attending law school. This is a great event if you are planning to apply to law school next year or if you just want to know more about what law school is really like.

other opportunities

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

Chicago-Kent PLUS program. Applications due THIS FRIDAY, March 1.
University of Wisconsin PLUS program. Applications due April 12.
Indiana ICLEO Summer Institute. Applications due THIS FRIDAY, March 1.
Saint Louis University School of Law PLUS program. Application priority deadline March 31; regular deadline April 14.

June and July LSAT Registration–Planning to take the June or July LSAT? Now is also a good time to apply for a fee waiver. For more on LSAC fee waivers revisit this blog post.

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

University of Illinois’ Office for Student Conflict and Resolution Subcommittee Applications Now Open!

The University of Illinois’ Office for Student Conflict and Resolution has opened up their applications for their two subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Student Conduct and the Subcommittee on Sexual Misconduct. Student applicants must be:

Enrolled full-time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
At least two full semesters from graduation; and
In good academic standing with at least a 2.5 grade point average.

It is encouraged that students have Friday afternoon availability for the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters. For more information and to apply, visit their website here.

dgs summer peer advisor – information session tomorrow, february 26, 9-10am, 514 iub!

DGS is the starting point for the University of Illinois students who wish to explore their options before declaring a major. We also serve students in transition between colleges or majors. The DGS student body is approximately 3,000 students. The summer peer advisors will work closely with DGS
advisors and administrators to gain necessary knowledge to assist incoming freshman in planning for their first semester of college.

DGS Summer Peer Advisors will:

• Learn about the academic advising profession by being an integral part of New Student Registration.

• Collaborate with DGS academic advisors, administrators, and other campus partners

• Serve as a point person for roughly 1,700 new students

• Facilitate morning small group meetings for DGS students during New Student Registration.

• Assist new students with registration of courses for the fall semester

Candidates must be available for full day training May 13-16, 2019. Peer advisors will be responsible for working approximately 25 hours per week from May 28-July 2.

The pay for this position is $10 per hour. Required qualifications:

• Strong communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to work well with others

• Knowledge of the Course Explorer website

• Knowledge of UI Integrate Self Service

• Successfully pass a background check

• Minimum GPA of 2.0 or above

Preferred qualifications:

• Former DGS student

• Familiarity of ICT process

• Knowledge of Illinois general education requirements

• Junior or Senior class standing for Fall 2018

• Demonstrated leadership experience

• GPA of 2.5 or above

• Attend a peer advisor informational session

Application: Email a cover letter, resume and three references to Jessica Arnold, jarnold7@illinois.edu by 5pm on March 25, 2019. Applications received after 5pm will not be considered.

Informational Sessions:

Interested Candidates should attend an informational session to learn more about the program and this position. It is not required to apply but encouraged.

• February 26: 9-10am in IUB 514

• March 5: 3-4pm in IUB 514

Campus Events

Career Center

Global Careers: Germany – Friday, March 1, 2-3:30pm, Career Center Conference Room 143

Are you interested in the job market of Germany that is the most friendly to international job seekers out of the EU countries? Professionals and alumni who are working in Germany are virtually invited.

Resume/Cover Letter/Linked In Reviews

Feb. 25, 2-4:30 pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm Ikenberry Commons
Feb. 26, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 27, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center, 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 28, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center
March 1, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center

Career Fairs. Mark your calendars for spring career fairs, which are open to all Illinois students and present both job and internship opportunities. Find these and other fair opportunities .

Illini Career & Internship Fair–April 11, 1-5pm, 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. Visit their website here.

Go to the Career Center website to find other programs!

Midwest Pre-Law Summer Programs

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

Some universities offer pre-law programs on their campuses. This is a way for you to learn more about law school, visit a law school and campus, and learn more about law school in a structured setting. If you are considering attending law school at any of the schools below, these summer pre-law programs are an excellent way to get your foot in the door and experience what your life could be like there throughout law school.

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

IIT Chicago-Kent

Program: Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program

Dates: Sunday, June 4, to Friday, June 23, 2017

Cost: Free

Location: Chicago, IL

Application Deadline: March 1, 2017 — Click here to access

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

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

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

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

Dates: June 16-22, 2019

Location: Indiana University

Application Deadline: April 5th, 2019 — Click here to access

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

University of Minnesota Law School

Program: Minnesota Pre Law Scholars Program (MPLS)

Dates: Early June – Mid August 2019

Location: University of Minnesota

Application Deadline: March 1st, 2019 — Click here to access

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

Mark Your Calendar – Week of February 18

PRE-LAW ADVISING SERVICES WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

Negotiating Law School Scholarships

Lincoln Hall, February 26, 2019 at 6:00 pm: Law school financial aid is very different from the undergrad aid process. Join us as we host Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, and Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Illinois College of Law. The deans will share their expertise on law school financial aid and scholarships, including:

Understanding your financial aid offer;
How to go about requesting reconsideration of your scholarship package;
What elements are effective for increasing aid offers;
Tips and suggestions for respectful and effective collaborations with financial aid staff

Pre-Law Club Event: UIUC Law School Student Panel

Wednesday, February 27th in Greg Hall Room 223 at 5 PM. Join the Pre-law club and hear from current law students speak about some of their experiences applying to and attending law school. This is a great event if you are planning to apply to law school next year or if you just want to know more about what law school is really like.

Practice LSAT Opportunity

March 8, 2019 at 8:30 – 11:30 am. Pre-Law Advising Services is offering this opportunity to take a full, previously administered LSAT under timed, proctored, testlike conditions.

Please click the link to register. Registrants will be emailed additional details (including location and day of test guidelines). Seating is limited and a wait list will be kept in case of cancellations. https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/2482982

Campus Events and Opportunities

Senate Committee on Student Discipline Vacant Seats--The Senate Committee on Student Discipline and the Office for Student Conflict Resolution are now seeking to fill vacant student and faculty seats on the Subcommittee on Undergraduate Student Conduct and the Subcommittee on Graduate Student Conduct, and vacant faculty, student and staff seats on the Subcommittee on Sexual Misconduct. Applications are due on Feb. 28, 2019. For more information contact January Boten at botenja@illinois.edu. Apply at: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/774201

Career Center

For information about events and workshops at The Career Center, check out their spring calendar at: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/events.

Resume/Cover Letter/Linked In Reviews

Feb. 18, 2-4:30 pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm Ikenberry Commons
Feb. 19, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 20, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center, 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 21, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center
Feb. 22, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center

Scholarship Opportunity ILACHE-Scholarship Application 2019

The Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education is accepting applications for the ILACHE Scholarship, due March 8. Applicants must be new or continuing Latino/a students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 who will be enrolled as a full time student in Fall 2019. Click on the link above to access the application.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PAID Undergraduate Summer 2019 Internship in New York and in Washington, D.C.!

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

We are seeking interns to provide research and administrative support for staff in our New York and Washington, DC offices. Only undergraduate students may apply for this internship.

Responsibilities: Interns assist with general administrative and clerical work for the Brennan Center, including filing, photocopying, answering phones, shipping and mailing, coordinating meetings, and drafting routine correspondence. In addition to administrative work, interns conduct research on a wide range of issues in both our Democracy and Justice programs; assist with legislative tracking; accompany staff to meetings on the Hill; and complete special projects for the Washington Office Director as needed.

Qualifications: Interns must have a passion for social justice and excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ideal candidates are independent, detail-oriented self-starters that are energetic and highly organized. Experience with Windows 2000/XP, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word is a must. Interns must be open to evolving responsibilities.

Hours: 40 hours per week.
Pay: $15.00 per hour.
Applications due: Thursday, February 28, 2019 by 5pm!!

Duration: May – August 2019. To apply, please upload (preferably in pdf) your cover letter, resume, and a list of contact details for three references. In your cover letter, please specify the department that most interests you. No phone calls, please.

Click here to apply for the New York internship: https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/1FGSjcvlId/Summer-2019-Undergraduate-Internship-NYC

Click here to apply for the DC internship:
https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/3bdNRckypt/Summer-2019-Undergraduate-Internship-DC

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

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

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2019-2020 — Applications due March 1, 2019!

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

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2019-2020. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor Bob Morrissey, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply, go here. Remember: The application deadline is by 5:00pm on Friday, March 1! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, February 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here. Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

–an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;

–breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and

–law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country. Click here for a list of law schools that have registered for this year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 1!

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

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

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided. The program will run from early June to mid-August 2019.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:
https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

Harvard Law School Junior Deferral Program Details

Now in its second year, Harvard Law School (HLS) offers a unique opportunity for JUNIORS to apply to Harvard Law and, if admitted, defer for 2 years after graduating with a bachelor’s degree and then start law school.

For this year’s applicants the timeline would look like this:

Apply Spring 2019
Graduate by Spring 2020
Work/go to graduate school/Fulbright, etc. until Fall 2022
Start Harvard Law School in Fall 2022
Graduate from law school in Spring 2025

Admitted applicants in this program must defer for 2 years after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. However, they can essentially do anything they wish during the 2 year deferral. For example, some will work in the private or public sector, some will secure academic fellowships such as Fulbright opportunities, and others will complete different graduate degree programs. (We’ve included some examples below of what Illini have done prior to entering law school–not necessarily Harvard, although we do have several students/alumni admitted there each year.)

Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled at a college or university and set to graduate in Spring 2020 with a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be committed to deferring law school for 2 years, as this is a requirement and this program does not allow starting law school sooner.

Application Process: Applications open March 1, 2019 and are due by May 1, 2019.

Steps to apply:

Register for the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) account. Click here to learn more about the CAS.
Applicants must submit EITHER a valid GRE or LSAT score.

The LSAT is offered on March 30, 2019. Registration is open here until February 20, although some sites are already full.Applicants taking the GRE are strongly advised to take it prior to April 15 so that results can arrive by the May 1 deadline. The GRE is offered more often in specialized computer labs; find locations and registration here.
Obtain 2-3 letters of recommendation. Have your recommenders upload their letters to your CAS account.
Order a transcript and submit it to your CAS account.
Draft a personal statement and resume. It’s a good idea to make an appointment with a pre-law advisor to get feedback on your statement and resume.
Complete the application (uploading your personal statement and resume) online through your CAS account, and pay the $85 application fee.

Selected applicants will then be invited to interview. If accepted into this program, you would complete your senior year as usual. Then you would have your 2 years of deferral to work, etc. before starting law school.

Who is a good candidate for this program? According to HLS Admissions, applicants accepted through this program submitted applications demonstrating a clear sense of purpose with internships or other elements supporting their stated path. An example of an applicant admitted last year: An environmental science student with internships and research in that area who wants to practice environmental law.

HLS also says that good candidates answer an emphatic YES to the following 3 questions:

Do I want to attend law school?
Do I want to attend Harvard Law School?
Do I want to do something else prior to law school?

We strongly advise interested applicants to participate in an online info session like the one listed below to learn more about what HLS seeks in its candidates.

Where can you find out more information?

On Harvard’s website here
Through Harvard’s Online Info Session on the Junior Deferral Program on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 6:00pm Eastern (5:00 Central). Click here for registration details.

What kinds of things have Illini done after undergrad and prior to entering law school? Almost everything. Some examples include:

Any and all kinds of work experience, including:
- Sales
- Work for a nonprofit or state or federal government
- Financial consulting
- Teach for America
- Work as a Project Assistant at a law firm
- Teach English abroad
- Retail jobs
- Nanny
- Work as a bank teller
- Restaurant or hotel jobs
- Advertising or marketing
- Journalism–tv, online, and print formats
Travel
Complete a fellowship such as a Fulbright or Rhodes scholarship. For more details visit the National & International Scholarships Program.
Complete another graduate program, such as an MSW, MFA, MBA, or MS/MA.
Make a 1-2 year commitment to AmeriCorps or Peace Corps.
Serve the state legislature through the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program
Serve the Illinois Governor through the Dunn Fellows program

Mark Your Calendars: Week of February 11

Pre-Law Advising Services Workshops and Programs

We have updated our Spring Semester calendar of events on our website here.

LSAT Bootcamp—Join us TODAY, Monday, Feb. 11 at 4:00 pm in 514 Illini Union Bookstore. What’s covered on the LSAT? What is it really like? How can test takers best prepare? Which LSAT should you take, and how can you plan ahead for a retake? All of this will be covered at LSAT Bootcamp!

4:05-4:45 LSAT Workshop 1: Logic Games with TestMasters LSAT Preparation
4:55-5:35 LSAT Workshop 2: Analytical Reasoning with Blueprint LSAT Prep
5:40-6:00 Making Your Best LSAT Prep Plan with Pre-Law Advising Services

The workshops will give you a taste of actual LSAT problems and how to go about solving them for a real understanding of what’s covered on the test. Then, we’ll talk about how to create your best LSAT prep plan. Have some snacks and settle in for the whole time or just stop by! Bring your I-card to check in. Alumni are also welcome.

Pre-Law 101 — Thursday, February 14, 4:00pm, 514 IUB (NEW Date – Originally Scheduled for January 30)

Are you new to pre-law at Illinois? Then this event is a great opportunity for you! This workshop will cover: What it means to be pre-law at Illinois; what law schools are really looking for; what pre-law students can do to maximize their undergraduate years; how to build a strong pre-law resume; what resources are available to assist pre-law students at Illinois. For more details and to register, click here.

Campus Events and Opportunities

The Illinois Leadership Center is hiring. Applications are now being accepted for student employment for the 2019-2020 Academic Year for both the Leadership Paraprofessional and Graf Intern positions. Students may apply online through February 11, at http://tinyurl.com/ILCApply.

Lessons from Great Conservationists of the Past–Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 4:00 pm in Room 149, National Soybean Research Center Auditorium, 1101 W Peabody Drive. These seem like stressful times for the environment. But fear not! Our world is better today than in the past, and it will be even better in the future. How can I be so sure? This seminar will tell the story of inspirational conservationists of the past—people like Rachel Carson, Chico Mendes, Billy Frank Jr. and Wangari Maathai.

Career Center

For information about events and workshops at The Career Center, check out their spring calendar at: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/events.

The Career Center is hiring two paid summer interns and several paraprofessionals. Applications due Feb. 14. For more details and to apply visit their website here.

Finding and Applying to Federal Government Jobs – Monday, Feb. 11, 3-4pm, 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.

Research Park/Enterprise Works Work-It Wednesday–Wed, Feb. 13th. This is a great opportunity to learn more about internships and full-time opportunities at Research Park/Enterprise Works and how you can be competitive for them. For more details and to RSVP for any of the events, visit Handshake: https://illinois.joinhandshake.com/events/240361/share_preview

10:00 – 11:30 am – “Ask Me Anything” Coffee Chats with Research Park/Enterprise Works. Drop into The Career Center at 715 S. Wright St. to “ask anything” that might be on your mind like how Research Park works, how to find an internship, how to stand out in an interview, or how to be competitive in your job search. Free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be provided.

2:00 – 4:30 pm – Resume Reviews with Research Park/Enterprise Works. Bring a copy of your resume to The Career Center at 715 S. Wright St. to get it reviewed by representatives from Research Park/Enterprise Works. Learn what they are looking for and how to make your resume stand out!

5:00 – 6:00 pm – “Internships and Opportunities in Research Park” Presentation. What is Research Park and why should I care? Attend this presentation to learn about the Research Park, the types of internship and full-time opportunities that are available, and what Research Park employers look for in competitive candidates. Presentation will be held at The Career Center Interview Suite, Room 213, 616 E. Green St.

Resume/Cover Letter/Linked In Reviews

Feb. 11, 2-4:30 pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm Ikenberry Commons
Feb. 12, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center; 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 13, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center, 5-7:30pm BrewLab Coffee Shop
Feb. 14, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center
Feb. 15, 2-4:30pm TCC Resource Center

Scholarship Opportunity ILACHE-Scholarship Application 2019

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PAID Undergraduate Summer 2019 Internship in New York and in Washington, D.C.!

We are seeking interns to provide research and administrative support for staff in our New York and Washington, DC offices. Only undergraduate students may apply for this internship.

Hours: 40 hours per week.
Pay: $15.00 per hour.
Applications due: Thursday, February 28, 2019 by 5pm!!

Click here to apply for the New York internship: https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/1FGSjcvlId/Summer-2019-Undergraduate-Internship-NYC

Click here to apply for the DC internship:
https://brennancenter.applytojob.com/apply/3bdNRckypt/Summer-2019-Undergraduate-Internship-DC

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2019-2020 — Applications due March 1, 2019!

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

–an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;

–breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and

–law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country. Click here for a list of law schools that have registered for this year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 1!

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:
https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program