Month: August 2014

Fall 2014: Important Dates and Deadlines

Below is an abbreviated list of dates, deadlines and events for Fall 2014 that may be of interest to pre-law students. These dates do not include all PLAS programs.Visit our online Event Calendar to view all upcoming workshops at http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/2508. 

Date                             Event                                                        

September 3               Study Abroad Fair, 11am-2pm, Illini Union Room C & South Lounge   www.studyabroad.illinois.edu

September 8               Deadline to add a semester course

September 9               Illinois in Washington Info Session, 6-7pm, 119 David Kinley Hall

www.washington.illinois.edu

September 17              Law School Fair, 10am-2pm, Illini Union Rooms A, B & C

 We’re kicking Fall off with the biggest pre-law event of the year! Join us as over 100 law schools visit campus to meet with all interested pre-law students. Visit with law school representatives and find out all about their schools. Discover new schools and scholarship opportunities! Pick up some fun freebies and application fee waivers! No registration necessary. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Business casual dress is recommended. For more information on the fair–including who is coming, what to bring, and what to expect–please visit our website at http://www.prelaw.illinois.edu/law-school-fair. See you at the fair!

September 22              First Pre-Law 101 Workshop

Visit our online calendar, http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/2508, to view all workshops and to register

September 27              LSAT

September 29              First Personal Statement & Resume Workshop

Visit our online calendar, http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/2508, to view all workshops and to register

October 1                   Mock Admissions with Drexel Law School Dean DiSciullo

October 7                   Pre-Law 101 Workshop

October 13                 Applying to Law School Workshop

October 16                 Perfecting Your Personal Statement and Resume for Law School

October 18                 Deadline to drop a semester class or to elect credit/no credit

October 27                 Pre-Law 101

November 1 -15         Early Decision Applications due

This is also a good target date to complete your law school applications.

November 4               Deadline to Register for December 6th LSAT

Register online at www.lsac.org

We will be adding events for November, including more presentations by law schools, so keep checking in!

 

 

Mark Your Calendars – Week of August 25

Happy First Day of Classes!  Here is a list of this week’s events.

Campus Events

Minority Association for Future Attorneys: On Tuesday, August 26th, 2014, at 6 p.m. in Noyes Lab 163, the Minority Association for Future Attorneys will have their first meeting of the 2014-2015 school year.

National Center for Supercomputing Students Pushing Innovation (NCSA SPIN) Program Internships — Open House Thursday, August 28

The University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing (NCSA) is looking for highly motivated, creative Illinois undergraduate students to participate in hands-on research fellowships during the 2014-2015 academic year. The NCSA SPIN (Students Pushing Innovation) program offers paid internships to Illinois students who can contribute to challenging projects alongside the center’s expert staff, or who would like to pursue their own innovative projects with support from NCSA colleagues and mentors.

To learn more about SPIN and collaborative opportunities at NCSA, attend the SPIN Open House from 3-5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 28 in the first floor atrium of the NCSA Building (1205 W. Clark St., Urbana). Then formulate a project or define an area of exploration and submit your proposal by Sept. 4.

For more information, go to http://spin.ncsa.illinois.edu/ or contact spin@ncsa.illinois.edu.

Luce Scholars Program — Information Sessions August 28 and 29

The National and International Scholarships Program (NISP) is offering a two-day informational event about the Luce Scholars Program.  The Luce is a one-year internship in East or Southeast-Asia, and designed specifically for students who do not have much prior experience in that region.  Starting August 28th, NISP will offer an informational overview session, featuring an informal discussion with a previous Luce Scholars. On August 29th, NISP will host a workshop designed to help students begin to craft their personal statements.

The dates and times are as follows. All events will be held in 514 IUB.

August 28th, 3:30-4:30pm – Informational session and discussion with former Luce Scholars.

August 29th 3:30-4:30pm – Workshop on how to craft a Personal Statement.

More information about the Luce can be found here: http://www.topscholars.illinois.edu/luce.

Illinois Trial Team: Information Sessions August 27 and 28th

Thinking about law school and intrigued by the idea of being a trial attorney? Then this opportunity might be just what you are looking for! The Illinois Trial Team allows undergrads to prepare and perform real trials in real courtrooms in front of real judges and attorneys. This organization serves as a combination for those interested in going to law school, those interested in debate, those interested in theater, and those interested in speech team. No experience is necessary, and all majors are welcome. The team recruits new members each Fall!  The team will be holding informational meetings on Wednesday August 27th and Thursday August 28th at 6:30pm at the UIUC College of Law (504 E. Pennsylvania Avenue). For more information, go to www.IllinoisTrialTeam.com; Facebook: “Illinois Trial Team”; Twitter:@ILTrialTeam.  Questions? Send your emails to Illinoistrialteam@gmail.com.

Conflict Resolution Training Program — Applications Due September 1

Mediation Services in the Office for Student Conflict Resolution is currently accepting Fall 2014 applications for the Conflict Resolution Training Program, and this year we are offering an additional two-day advanced training opportunity for students in the class!

The program introduces the participants to mediation and other alternative conflict resolution concepts and is focused on developing conflict resolution skills to help them address conflict they may encounter in the future. It can be particularly helpful to students in leadership positions! Practice scenarios include a variety of situations, including roommate, personal, organizational, and work conflict. Students who complete this program will receive a certificate of completion and gain a skill to share on their resume.

Applications are being accepted now and must be in by September 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. for full consideration. Apply online now! Visit http://www.conflictresolution.illinois.edu/crt/default.asp for the application and for more information.

Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. from September 9 to November 4, 2014. The advanced training will be offered on November 11 and November 18.

Career Center

Unless otherwise indicated, Career Center events will be held at 715 S. Wright Street.

Finding An Internship: Wednesday, August 27, 5-6pm

Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters: Thursday, August 28, 4-5pm

For more information and to register for these workshops, go here: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/.

 

Other Events

Michigan State University College of Law Webinar: Tips for Assembling a Competitive Law School Application, Wednesday, August 27, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This webinar will offer a wide-ranging series of recommendations for individuals who plan to applying for fall 2015 admission, as well as for college freshmen and sophomores who are giving thought to law school. Topics to be covered in this webinar include:

  • Recommendations for when to apply and where to apply for admission
  • Suggestions for writing an effective personal statement and securing letters of recommendation
  • How to tailor your resume for law school admission committees
  • Tips for what to include in a supplemental statement(s)
  • Factors relied upon by admission committees

Following presenters’ remarks will be a 10-minute Q and A segment during which participants will be able to ask questions via the chat function.

For more information and to register, go here: http://www.law.msu.edu/admissions/webinars/Tips-Competitive-application.html.

Welcome Back Edition!

Welcome Class of 2018 and Welcome Back Pre-Law Students!

Hello students!  Our first blog posting of the 2014-2015 school year features a quick overview of a few events happening on campus in the next week and a brief update on PLAS.  We will resume our regular blogging schedule next week.  Our postings will include updates on PLAS programs, campus events, internships, and information on a variety of pre-law topics and items of interest so keep checking in!!

Upcoming Campus Events

Quad Day Events: Sunday, August 24!

The semester kicks off this weekend with Quad Day, Sunday, August 24, Noon-4pm.  Quad Day will introduce you to over 500 registered student organizations (RSOs)! Go and learn more about how you can make the most of your time at the University of Illinois and join an organization! Remember — law schools like to see applicants who are both good students and who are involved in their community.  Note: the Illinois Trial Team is one RSO that will have a booth to answer questions and to sign up interested students.  Scroll down for more information about the Illinois Trial Team.

Also on Quad Day….The Career Center will be hosting its annual Quad Day Open House on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 1-3 p.m. Students are encouraged to stop by and learn about Career Center programming and services for the fall semester. The Career Center will be offering ice cream, prizes and a chance to win will an iPad Mini!  The Career Center is located at 715 S. Wright Street, next to Cocomero.

After you have visited the Quad and the Career Center, head to Nevada Street to experience the Taste of Nevada, starting at 4pm after the Quad events are over. The Taste will feature food samples and live cultural music and dancing.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy the music, grab a bite to eat and learn about programs offered at UIUC cultural centers and other departments.

National Center for Supercomputing Students Pushing Innovation (NCSA SPIN) Program Internships — Open House Thursday, August 28

The University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing (NCSA) is looking for highly motivated, creative Illinois undergraduate students to participate in hands-on research fellowships during the 2014-2015 academic year. The NCSA SPIN (Students Pushing Innovation) program offers paid internships to Illinois students who can contribute to challenging projects alongside the center’s expert staff, or who would like to pursue their own innovative projects with support from NCSA colleagues and mentors.

To learn more about SPIN and collaborative opportunities at NCSA, attend the SPIN Open House from 3-5 p.m. Thursday Aug. 28 in the first floor atrium of the NCSA Building (1205 W. Clark St., Urbana). Then formulate a project or define an area of exploration and submit your proposal by Sept. 4.

For more information, go to http://spin.ncsa.illinois.edu/ or contact spin@ncsa.illinois.edu.

Luce Scholars Program — Information Sessions August 28 and 29

The National and International Scholarships Program (NISP) is offering a two-day informational event about the Luce Scholars Program.  The Luce is a one-year internship in East or Southeast-Asia, and designed specifically for students who do not have much prior experience in that region.  Starting August 28th, NISP will offer an informational overview session, featuring an informal discussion with a previous Luce Scholars. On August 29th, NISP will host a workshop designed to help students begin to craft their personal statements.

The dates and times are as follows. All events will be held in 514 IUB.

August 28th, 3:30-4:30pm – Informational session and discussion with former Luce Scholars.

August 29th 3:30-4:30pm – Workshop on how to craft a Personal Statement.

More information about the Luce can be found here: http://www.topscholars.illinois.edu/luce.

Illinois Trial Team

Thinking about law school and intrigued by the idea of being a trial attorney? Then this opportunity might be just what you are looking for! The Illinois Trial Team allows undergrads to prepare and perform real trials in real courtrooms in front of real judges and attorneys. This organization serves as a combination for those interested in going to law school, those interested in debate, those interested in theater, and those interested in speech team. No experience is necessary, and all majors are welcome. The team recruits new members each Fall! Prospective members should make sure to visit the Illinois Trial Team’s booth on Quad Day, Sunday, August 24! In addition, the team will be holding informational meetings on Wednesday August 27th and Thursday August 28th at 6:30pm at the UIUC College of Law (504 E. Pennsylvania Avenue). For more information, go to www.IllinoisTrialTeam.com; Facebook: “Illinois Trial Team”; Twitter:@ILTrialTeam.  Questions? Send your emails to Illinoistrialteam@gmail.com.

Conflict Resolution Training Program — Applications Due September 1

Mediation Services in the Office for Student Conflict Resolution is currently accepting Fall 2014 applications for the Conflict Resolution Training Program, and this year we are offering an additional two-day advanced training opportunity for students in the class!

The program introduces the participants to mediation and other alternative conflict resolution concepts and is focused on developing conflict resolution skills to help them address conflict they may encounter in the future. It can be particularly helpful to students in leadership positions! Practice scenarios include a variety of situations, including roommate, personal, organizational, and work conflict. Students who complete this program will receive a certificate of completion and gain a skill to share on their resume.

Applications are being accepted now and must be in by September 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. for full consideration. Apply online now! Visit http://www.conflictresolution.illinois.edu/crt/default.asp for the application and for more information.

Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. from September 9 to November 4, 2014. The advanced training will be offered on November 11 and November 18.

 PLAS Updates for Fall 2014

1. What’s going on at PLAS? All of our events are listed in our Event Calendar here: http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/2508.  You may also look at the right side of this page for info on events coming up in the next few weeks. Note that some of our workshops have limited seating, like the Pre-Law 101 sessions, so you’ll want to register for those in advance. We will add a few programs as the semester progresses.  Be sure to check our blog next week  for an overview of the semester’s events!

2. Attend a Pre-Law 101 Workshop. If you are a new pre-law student you’ll definitely want to attend a Pre-Law 101 Workshop, which will answer most of your questions about what it means to be pre-law and how you can maximize your opportunities as an undergrad. These sessions are all listed in our Event Calendar and you can register there.

3. How do we keep in touch? Blog, Facebook group, Twitter, email
The best way to keep up with pre-law news is to read this blog and join our Facebook group or follow us on Twitter (UIUC Pre-Law). We send occasional emails but we don’t want to clog your inbox…so instead, we update this blog, Twitter and our Facebook page at least once a week.

4. Making an appointment….is easy. Call 333-9669. Except please, if you’re sick, stay home in your jammies! You can call us at the appointment time if you really need to talk. Otherwise, please reschedule.

Take a tour of our new website!

What’s that–what did we do this summer? We’re glad you asked! We just did a little project called an entire website redesign. If you’ve ever designed a website, then you know how happy we are that it’s over that we have a new, fresh look to share!

Our 5 Favorite New Parts of Our Website www.prelaw.illinois.edu

1. “EVENTS” are now centrally located as the FIRST item on the site! Go here to see all of our fall workshops and events.

2. We’ve added a link to our ALL NEW Pre-Law Compass page just for Illinois students! There you will find even more handouts, links to videos, and other goodies that were too big to fit on our website.

3. Links to all of our SOCIAL MEDIA are easy to find on the left navigation bar of each page on our website.

4. We’ve expanded our RESOURCES to include lots of new, updated links to explore.

5. We’ve added our new 2013 Applicant Data to show where UIUC grads who applied to law school last year were accepted. We’ve also included profiles of successful applicants to give you an idea of where you stand.