The 2015 LSAT Prep Fair has ended. Let the decisions and preparation begin!

The 2015 LSAT Prep Fair has concluded, but the decisions for those interested in taking the LSAT have only just begun. If you attended the Fair, use this time to determine which company, if any, stood out to you. If you have further questions, contact companies directly. Each will have slightly different course offerings, teaching styles and costs. So make sure you do your research and find the right fit!

For those of you who were not able to attend the Prep Fair, please visit the websites below for additional resources.

Blueprint LSAT – blueprintlsat.com
Kaplan Test Prep – kaptest.com/lsat
LSATMax LSAT Prep – lsatmax.com
Next Step Test Prep – nextsteptestprep.com
PowerScore Inc. – powerscore.com/lsat
TestMasters – testmasters.net

For those students planning on taking the LSAT in future years, we will be doing this again next year. So be on the lookout for information on the 2016 LSAT Prep Fair!

*Please note that the above listing is comprised of those companies that participated in the 2015 LSAT Prep Fair and is not exhaustive.

Mark Your Calendars — Week of February 23

Pre-Law Events

The University of Chicago Law School Presents “After the Application: Scholarships, Wait Lists and Interviews” — Wednesday, February 25, 5-6pm, 514 IUB

Ann Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions at the University of Chicago Law School, will share the inside view of what happens in law school admissions after you submit your application. What are they looking for in an interview, and how to they decide whom to invite to interview? How does the wait list work? Is there anything applicants can do to improve their wait list chances? Bring your questions for Dean Perry about what’s really going on in the admissions office after your applications are submitted!

Campus Events

“Reimagining Law” – Professor Gillian Hadfield, the Richard L. and Antoinette Kirtland professor of law and professor of economics at the University of Southern California will be visiting the College of Law to give the 2015 Paul M. Van Arsdell, Jr. Memorial Lecture on Litigation and the Legal Profession. The talk will focus on the many challenges facing the legal profession and legal markets. The event will take place at the College of Law on Tuesday, February 24, 2014 at 12:00 in the Auditorium. Lunch will be provided to all attendees.

The College of Law’s Bankruptcy Law Society, Corporate & Business Law Association and the Real Estate Law Society Present Guest Speakers: Stephen P. Harbeck & Jill Nicholson. Stephen P. Harbeck, President and CEO of Securities Investor Protection Corporation, will present his role in the Lehman Brothers and Madoff bankruptcy cases. Ms. Jill Nicholson, Foley & Lardner’s National Bankruptcy & Business Reorganization Practice Chair and Alumna will moderate. This event will take place at the College of Law on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 12:00 in Room D. Lunch will be provided to all attendees.

Career Center Workshops. Unless otherwise indicated, all Career Center events will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street. For more information or to register for any of these programs, go here.

Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips, 4-5 pm.
Best Job Search Resources for International Students, 4-5:30 pm, The Interview Suite, 616 E. Green
Coffee Chat at the Career Center, 4:30-5:30 pm
Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters, 5-6 pm

Want more from your summer? Get a part-time internship with a local non-profit organization through UIntern! Check out UIntern, a Career Center-led program that facilitates summer internships at local nonprofit organizations for students interested in helping their community while also developing useful career skills. Over 25 internships have already been identified for UIntern participants with leading area nonprofits like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Champaign County Regional Commission, Courage Connection, CU at Home, CU Schools Foundation, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Institute 4 Creativity, Mahomet Area Youth Club, United Way, Clark-Lindsey, Wesley Food Pantry, YWCA, Youth & Family Peer Support Alliance, and more.

Candidates must be freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. All majors are welcome. Learn more about the requirements for UIntern and how to get a chance to apply to these internships at one of our information sessions on either Monday, February 23 at 4 pm or Tuesday, February 24 at 12 pm. Both sessions will be held at The Interview Suite 213, 616 E. Green St. (Enter Kaplan Building between McDonald’s and Subway). Interested students MUST attend one of the information sessions. For more information please visit: go.illinois.edu/uintern.

Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad

Are you interested in study abroad but concerned that it is not financially feasible? Are you a recipient of the Federal Pell Grant?

If you answered ‘yes’ to the above questions, there is a study abroad scholarship just for you! The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship aims to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad by offering awards to U.S. undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.

Eligibility: U.S. citizen undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grant funding

Timeline: The Gilman Scholarship is available for semester-long, year-long, and summer programs (must be at least 4 consecutive weeks in a country). The next deadline is March 3, 2015 for Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Academic year 2015-2016 study abroad programs.

The New Americans Initiative (NAI) is a non-profit partnership between The State of Illinois and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to help permanent residents in the state of Illinois take the next step towards U.S. Citizenship. NAI is in great need of volunteers who are committed to building a strong and empowered constituency. Pre-law students can make a big difference in the lives of immigrant individuals and families by assisting them through the process of naturalization, while working alongside experienced immigration lawyers.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen is an important decision in a person’s life, but can also be a daunting task. Reducing the barriers and complications to citizenship will allow more individuals to complete this process and have a voice in our nation. The University YMCA of the University of Illinois is a participating organization in the New Americans Initiative (NAI), reaching out to campus and community members about the application process, the requirements, legal referrals and other helpful community resources. An information session about the New Americans Initiative at the University YMCA will be held on February 26 at 6pm. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved, please fill out this volunteer interest form.

Off Campus Events

Trials is a partnership between NYU School of Law, Harvard Law School, and the Advantage Testing Foundation. The program is fully subsidized and intended for students of modest means from backgrounds typically underrepresented at the nation’s top law schools. Student will study for five weeks at either Harvard or New York University. The deadline to apply is this Saturday, February 28, 2015. The application process is quite involved, so if you have any interest in applying begin the process immediately. For more information, please visit: http://trials.atfoundation.org/program/index

Looking for an alternative to studying abroad or an additional experience? Then Illinois in Washington (IIW) may be right for you. IIW allows Illinois students to study in Washington, D.C., during either the fall, spring or summer, while earning up to 12 credits. Additionally, IIW will help students in the program find an internship in Washington. Please note, that the program itself is not an internship and you must apply to internships yourself, but IIW will provide resources to help in the process. No student that has participated in IIW has failed to obtain an internship. IIW is a great opportunity for students from all majors. The experiences gained from IIW will help in all facets of professional life. For more information, please visit: http://www.washington.illinois.edu/

Interested in Law, Business, and Technology? Consider a Master of Science in Law at Northwestern Law. The Master of Science in Law (“MSL”) is a degree program for STEM-trained individuals offered by the Northwestern University School of Law. Designed especially for students with engineering, science, technology, mathematics, and medical backgrounds, the one-year MSL provides focused business-centered legal training in the areas of intellectual property, entrepreneurship/business law, and regulation. MSL students learn how to navigate the legal issues they will confront as scientists, engineers, doctors, and technologists; the MSL is not a traditional JD program to train lawyers. If you are interested in acquiring skills that will help you expand your professional options, please consider an MSL degree at Northwestern University School of Law. We offer full- and part-time options. It is free to apply and we are currently accepting applications for the fall 2015 semester. Join one of three webinars to learn more about the MSL on February 27 at 12 pm, April 6 at 5 pm or June 4 at 4 pm. We will provide an overview of the program and answer questions from the audience. For more information on our program and instructions on how to join the webinar, visit: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/academics/degree-programs/msl/.

Have a great week!

Summer 2015 Pre-Law Programs

Still trying to figure out what to do this summer to either make yourself a better applicant or prepare for law school? Several law schools have summer pre-law programs with deadlines approaching. We have provided information for some of these below. For more info about other summer pre-law programs, go to the PLAS Compass page and click on “Summer Pre-Law Programs.”

Harvard/NYU Trials Program: Harvard Law School – June 28-August 7, 2015 Applications DUE NEXT FRIDAY, February 27, 2015

Trials is a unique partnership of NYU School of Law, Harvard Law School, and the Advantage Testing Foundation. It is a fully subsidized/full scholarship summer study program for students of modest means whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented at the nation’s top law schools. Students are not responsible for any tuition, fees, or related expenses. In addition, each Trials student also receives a $3,000 stipend to replace or supplement summer employment income.

In addition to the academic curriculum of the program, every Trials student will receive:

Transportation to and from the host university campus (Harvard Law School in 2015)
Campus housing for the duration of the five-week program
Three daily meals at the campus dining hall
Access to the host university’s library, computer centers, and gym

Each week, senior instructors from Advantage Testing prepare Trials students for the LSAT by deconstructing the test and presenting a step-by-step approach to each question type. Students maintain a rigorous practice testing schedule, frequently sitting for full-length official LSATs under simulated testing conditions. Working closely with their instructors, students learn to develop an individualized study plan, focus their preparation, and apply the core principles they master.

Trials students also attend lectures presented by prominent lawyers, public figures, and legal scholars, including distinguished faculty from both NYU Law and Harvard Law School. These lectures provide a wide-ranging introduction to the study and practice of the law while giving students the opportunity to ask specific questions related to their particular fields of interest.

Perhaps most important, Trials allows students to experience communities similar to those they will encounter in law school. Students form study groups to challenge, motivate, and inspire one another. In lunches with instructors and speakers, students can take part in informal discussions to learn more about the law, their peers, and themselves.

Finally, Trials is committed to taking full advantage of the resources of its host locations. Students enter the field in Boston and New York City to meet with and observe lawyers at work, garnering practical experience that complements the academic curriculum. This year’s program will be held at Harvard Law School June 28- August 2, 2015. Applications are due February 27, 2015. Click here for more information or to apply.

ITT Chicago-Kent College of Law PLUS Program: May 31-June 19, 2015. Applications due March 2, 2015

The IIT Chicago-Kent Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars program (“PLUS”) offers a unique and unforgettable experience for college students who are interested in the legal profession. This rigorous three-week program is designed to provide students with a “taste” of the law school experience. The program is primarily directed at undergraduate college students from disadvantaged groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession.

The PLUS program is a three-week summer institute which will: (1) introduce participants to law school and the legal profession; (2) provide participants with substantive skills to strengthen their preparation for law school; and (3) educate and prepare participants for the law school application and admission process. Students must attend all classes and participate in all program activities to receive a stipend. Because this is a full-time commitment, students must agree not to have any outside commitments that would prevent them from giving the program their full attention.

The PLUS program targets college students who have just completed either their first, second or third year in college. All students are encouraged to apply who will not have received their bachelor degree by the start of the program, but preference will be given to those who will have completed their first and second years of college by the start of the program. Students who have already completed a bachelor degree are not eligible for the program. For additional information, please download the application packet or contact Theda Mickey, Administrative Director-PLUS Program, at plus@kentlaw.iit.edu if you have any questions. Applicants must submit a $30 application fee. In addition, accepted applicants will be required to submit a $70 seat deposit. Both of these fees are non-refundable. Download PLUS Application

Download PLUS Brochure

2014 PLUS Program Schedule

CLEO Achieving Success in the Application Process (ASAP) Prelaw Seminar:

John Marshall Law School, July 11-12, 2015

Applications Due: April 1, 2015

Goal: To prepare talented, motivated, yet under-represented students to successfully gain admission to and succeed in law school.

Overview: The ASAP program curriculum will focus on aspects of the law school application process that are commonly overlooked or undervalued by students when applying to law school.

The ASAP curriculum seminar includes the following sessions:

Selecting a law school
Drafting an effective personal statement
Choosing sources for letters of recommendations
Preparation strategies for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The impact of LSAT scores and Grade Point Averages (GPA) in the selection process
The significance of the early application process offered by many law schools
Debt management and developing credit worthiness
Common errors committed by law school applicants

Advantages of being an ASAP participant include:

Provides a head start on the law school admissions process
Establishes mentoring relationships with CLEO students in law school
Nominal fee
Meals provided
Opportunity to network with Attitude Is Essential (AIE) participants from around the country
An opportunity you don’t want to miss

Targeted Students:

ASAP is open to college juniors and seniors, as well as post-graduates.

Click here to Register online for the ASAP program.

CLEO Attitude Is Essential Seminar

John Marshall Law School — July 11 & 12, 2015

The first year of law school is the most important year. Employers hire second year law students primarily based on their first year GPA. If you want to hear them say “You’re Hired,” and you want to be more than a law school survivor, then you need the right attitude to take control of your legal education.

At the “Attitude is Essential” (AIE) seminar, you will:

Develop the skills you need to take control over your own law school learning process
Learn how to:
- Read and brief opinions
- Prepare for law school exams, including the best practices for memorizing all the law you need for your exams
- Write exams using the IRAC form
- Conquer your workload, time, and stress in law school
Experience the Socratic Method by participating in a Mock Law School Class
Write a contracts essay exam and debrief the experience
Discover the benefits of study groups and how to make sure your groups are productive and not dysfunctional
Begin to build a network of other successful law students

Who should attend? All students who intend to begin law school in the fall of 2015.

What is required? Applicants must have been admitted to a law school, submit an online application, and pay a $200 registration fee.

Click here for more information or to register online for the AIE Seminar.

Mark Your Calendars — Week of February 16

Pre-Law Events

Penn State Law Presents: Law School Admissions & Employment Webinar Illinois students and alumni are invited to participate in a free, interactive webinar at 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. CST) this Wednesday, February 18 to learn more about law school admissions and potential career opportunities that await after graduation. Hosted by Penn State Law and the University of Illinois’ Pre-Law Advising Services, the live webinar will feature presentations by two Penn State Law deans and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

Amanda DiPolvere, Penn State Law’s assistant dean for admissions and financial aid, will walk participants through the law school admissions process and discuss some of the new academic programs at Penn State Law.

Neil Sirota, Penn State Law’s assistant dean for career services, will describe how his office works with students and employers to help students secure internships and full-time employment around the country, including in markets like Chicago.

The event is open to anyone who is considering law school. To participate, please register here: https://fap.lsac.org/prospect.aspx?data=MjIwMgEBOA%3d%3d-NCmEJfHhQ7M%3d

The University of Chicago Law School Presents After the Application: Scholarships, Wait Lists and Interviews — NEXT Wednesday, February 25, 5-6pm, 514 IUB

Campus Events

Career Center Workshops Unless otherwise indicated, all Career Center events will be held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street. For more information or to register for any of these programs, go here.

Careers in the Federal Government: TODAY, Monday, Feb 16, 4-5pm
Finding An Internship: Tuesday, Feb 17, 5-6pm
Career Fair Prep: Maximize Your Experience: Tuesday, Feb 17, 6-7pm
Creating Powerful Resumes & Cover Letters: Wednesday, Feb 18, 5-6pm
UIntern Information Session: Monday, Feb 23, 4-5pm, The Interview Suite, 616 E Green Street

Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad: Info Session & Workshop

Are you interested in study abroad but concerned that it is not financially feasible? Are you a recipient of the Federal Pell Grant?

Eligibility: U.S. citizen undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grant funding

2-Day Info Event in Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore:
• Tuesday, February 17, 2:00-3:00pm – Info session: Get an overview of the scholarship and hear from Illinois Gilman Scholars
• Friday, February 20, 3:30-4:30pm– Workshop: How to craft a competitive Gilman application
For more information, please contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu.

Off Campus Events

Midwest Law School Virtual Fair: February 18, 2015, Co-Sponsored by the Midwest Alliance for Law School Admissions and the Midwest Association for Prelaw Advisors. Attention students! Whether you are looking at attending law school this fall or in a couple of years, this online law fair is a free and convenient way to interact with law school representatives right from your computer. Please click here to register to chat with Midwest law schools on February 18 (available chat times for each school are located on the fair website). Here is a list of the schools attending:

Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Creighton University
Drake Law School
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Marquette University Law School
Michigan State University College of Law
Ohio Northern University College of Law
Saint Louis University School of Law
Southern Illinois University School of Law
University of Dayton School of Law
University of Illinois College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
University of Kansas School of Law
University of Minnesota Law School
University of Missouri School of Law
University of Nebraska College of Law
University of St. Thomas School of Law – Minneapolis
University of Wisconsin Law School
Valparaiso University Law School
William Mitchell College of Law

Have a great week!

Mark Your Calendars: Week of Feb. 9

Pre-Law Events

Penn State Law Presents: Law School Admissions & Employment Webinar Illinois students and alumni are invited to participate in a free, interactive webinar at 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. CST) on February 18 to learn more about law school admissions and potential career opportunities that await after graduation. Hosted by Penn State Law and the University of Illinois’ Pre-Law Advising Services, the live webinar will feature presentations by two Penn State Law deans and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

The event is open to anyone who is considering law school. To participate, please register here: https://fap.lsac.org/prospect.aspx?data=MjIwMgEBOA%3d%3d-NCmEJfHhQ7M%3d

Campus Events

Career Center Workshops For more information or to register, go here.

Finding an Internship,Tues, Feb. 10, 6 – 7 PM
Career Fair Prep: Maximize Your Experience, Weds, Feb. 11, 4–5 PM
Pizza and a Professional: Green Careers, Fri, Feb. 13 12-1 pm

Off Campus Events

2015 LSAT Prep Fair

The 2015 LSAT Prep Fair is right around the corner. If you are thinking about attending law school, come and learn what the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is all about, find the perfect prep course, and enter our raffle for your chance to win one of the prizes or scholarships being given away! Join us Thursday, February 5 in Illini Union Rooms A & B from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Representatives from Kaplan, LSATMax, NextStepTestPrep, Powerscore,TestMasters, and Blueprint are scheduled to attend. All students are welcome!

Don’t forget to stop by for the 15 minute mini workshops some companies will be providing to showcase their teaching methods. Each teaching session will be followed by a brief Q&A.

LSAT Prep Fair Workshop Schedule

Time	Topic	Test Prep Company	Presenter
4:10-4:30	Logical Reasoning	Kaplan	TBA
4:40-5:00	Analytical Reasoning	NextStep	John Rood
5:10-5:30	Reading Comprehension	LSATMax	Naz Akbari
5:40-6:00	Test Tips	Blueprint	Patrick Moore

Refreshments will be provided! We look forward to seeing you there!

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 2

Are you planning on taking the LSAT within the next year? If so, don’t miss the LSAT Test Prep Company Fair THIS Thursday, February 5. Several LSAT prep companies will be there and attendees will have the opportunity to win test prep discounts and scholarships! Also — are you thinking about working before law school or looking for internships? Scroll down for information about Career Center programming that could help you get moving on your job search! Keep reading for more information on these programs and other events!

PLAS Events

LSAT Test Prep Company Fair — THIS Thursday, February 5, 4-6pm, Illini Union Rooms A&B

Learn about the LSAT. Maximize your LSAT performance. Get big discounts. Win a scholarship. These are all reasons to join us for the LSAT prep fair! Representatives from the following LSAT test prep companies are planning to attend: Kaplan, LSATMax, NextStepTestPrep, Powerscore,TestMasters, and Blueprint. Additionally, some companies will be providing 15 minute mini workshops to showcase their respective teaching methods. Each teaching session will be followed by a brief Q&A. Come for deep discounts and a chance to WIN SCHOLARSHIPS TO LSAT PREP PROGRAMS! Refreshments provided!

Pre-Law 101 — Next Monday, February 9, 2015, 4-5pm, 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (807 S Wright St)

Are you new to being pre-law, or new to Illinois? 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. Please register at the link above so that we have enough materials and seating for everyone. All students are welcome. For more information and to register, go here.

For more info about these and other PLAS Events, go here.

Campus Events

Career Center Workshops

Unless otherwise indicated, all workshops are held at the Career Center, 715 S. Wright Street. For more information or to register, go here.

Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters: Monday, February 2, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM or Thursday, February 4, 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

Career Fair Prep, Monday, February 2, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM,

Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips – Thursday, February 5, 4:00 – 5:00 PM

Business Career Fair, February 4 & 5, 12-4pm, Activities & Recreation Center (ARC)

Writers Workshop Programming

Navigating Academic Writing: Writing Group for International Undergraduate Students – Would you like to talk about US academic writing? Do you sometimes wonder what your writing assignments mean? Do you struggle to talk with your professors and classmates about writing? Would you like to practice US conventions of using sources?

Then you would want to join the FREE writing groups for multilingual students hosted by the Writers Workshop. These groups are specifically for writers whose first language is not English and will meet in a 4-week session. Topics will be tailored to your needs but may include organizing ideas, understanding different kinds of writing tasks, understanding instructors’ responses, and using sources. The sessions will be led by an experienced Writers Workshop consultant who understands struggles with writing in English.

In order to participate, you must attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 3:00PM in Room 251 of the Undergraduate Library to sign up. If you are selected, you must attend all four sessions offered. Students who have participated in Navigating Academic Writing in the past are not eligible. Email keitges2@illinois.edu with any questions.

National & International Scholarships Program

An info session to learn more about the UK Fulbright Summer Institutes for freshmen and sophomores will be held on Thursday, February 5, 3:30-4:30pm in Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (entrance near Coble Hall). A program overview, tips for successful applications and a Q&A session will be provided. Applicants must be freshmen or sophomores with a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers special Summer Institutes for US citizens to come to the UK. These programs provide the opportunity for undergraduates (aged over 18), with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete, to come to the UK on a three, four, five or six week academic and cultural program.

There are nine Summer Programs available for US students in 2015. The Summer Institute will cover the majority of the participant costs: round-trip airfare from the US to the UK, tuition and fees at the University, social programs, and room and board.

The application deadline is 26 February or 5 March 2015. More information, including descriptions of the nine institutes, can be found on the program website.

Off Campus Events

Law School Open Houses and Admitted Students Days

As we mentioned in our blog last week, many law schools host open houses for prospective applicants and all law schools strongly encourage students to visit their campuses. Note: spring semester is a time when many law schools will host events specifically for admitted students. Listed below are a couple of Midwest focused events, but make sure you also check the law school websites to see what types of events the schools in which you have an interest are offering.

Northern Illinois University Law School, Information Session, Friday, February 13, Noon-1:30pm. For more information or to register, go here:http://www.niu.edu/law/admission/chicago_events.shtml

Midwest Law School Virtual Fair: February 18, 2015, Co-Sponsored by the Midwest Alliance for Law School Admissions and the Midwest Association for Prelaw Advisors

Attention students! Whether you are looking at attending law school this fall or in a couple of years, this online law fair is a free and convenient way to interact with law school representatives right from your computer. Please click here to register to chat with Midwest law schools on February 18 (available chat times for each school are located on the fair website). Here is a list of the schools attending: