Month: March 2016

Update for June LSAT Takers

First — if you are planning on taking the June 6, 2016 LSAT and haven’t signed up yet, you should register ASAP!  Even though the regular registration deadline isn’t until April 20, June is a very popular LSAT option and spaces fill up quickly.  If you want to ensure that you get your preferred LSAT Test Center REGISTER NOW!  Click on this link to register. http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines.

Second — the LSAC recently announced changes to their test day security procedures. Beginning with the June 2016 LSAT: To be eligible to take the LSAT, you will be required to have with you at the test center the printout of your admission ticket that includes the photo that you uploaded through your LSAC online account. Admission tickets that do not display the required uploaded photo will not be accepted on test day. You must also bring a valid, government issued photo ID and 3-4 sharpened sharpened No. 2 or HB wooden pencils with good erasers. Mechanical pencils are prohibited.

Finally — the LSAC has a list of LSAT test day prohibited items that includes cellphones, electronic timing devices, digital watches, fitness tracking devices, headphones and many others.  NOTE: LSAC has adopted a no-tolerance policy with regard to the use or possession of electronic devices during the administration of the LSAT.   Consequently, if you are discovered in possession of (or using) any electronic device, including cell phones, you will be issued a Violation of Law School Admission Test Center Regulations form and will be dismissed from the test center. Such violations will be grounds for score cancellation, and you may be subject to an LSAC investigation. This policy will be enforced from the time test takers arrive at the test center until they leave at the conclusion of the test—including the break. We strongly urge you to review the LSAC’s rules for the day of the test, to avoid making a critical mistake.  The LSAC’s test day rules can be accessed by clicking on this link. http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/day-of-test.

 

Mark Your Calendars – Week of March 28

Welcome back!  We hope you had a restful break.  Scroll down for info on a legal internship, upcoming PLAS events, including a financial aid webinar, this Friday, April 1, and summer prelaw programs.

PLAS Events and Opportunities

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

Financing Law School: A Webinar – Friday, April 1, 12-1pm

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

Upcoming Campus Events

Minority Association for Future Attorneys (MAFA) Meeting – Tuesday, March 29

MAFA is having a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 29th at 6PM in the Florida Avenue Residence Hall, Oglesby Lounge.  The topic is “Student Legal Service Program.”  All are welcome!

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

  • “Peace Corps and the University” Panel Discussion, Wed, March 30, 3-4:30pm, Room 106, Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana IL 61801
  • Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips – Wed, March 30, 6-7pm
  • Finding an Internship – Thurs, March 31, 5-6pm

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

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

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

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

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

Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Program (PLUS) – May 30-June 24, 2016

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

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

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

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

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

Legal Internship Opportunity — Steigmann Law LLP

Steigmann Law, P.C., a young law firm in Champaign-Urbana, is looking for interns who want to be involved in a fast paced, high-tech, multi-area, legal environment. Steigmann Law, PC engages in personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, civil litigation, real estate, criminal, DUI and wills and estate work. Attorneys at Steigmann Law, PC have had experience in both public and private sectors of work, including small and large law firms and are happy to share their knowledge and experience. Interns jobs will vary, and be assigned based on capabilities, but may include medical record organization, filing, abstracting depositions, assisting in trial preparations, Court filings, and attending depositions and Court hearings and legal marketing. Work times are flexible and we are willing to work around your academic schedule. Please email resumes and cover letters to bholder@steigmannlaw.com.

Have a great week!

What to do with your spring break: Internships, Jobs, Summer Programs, LSAT Prep

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.

Freshmen and Sophomores:

  • 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 many internships on our Facebook page and on our blog–including the brand new listing below!  Use the search box on either of these to find internships. You should also be checking I-Link regularly (or set it to email you when new listings appear).

NEW Internship opportunity:

Pre-Law Advising Services works with local law firms to establish internship opportunities for Illinois pre-law students. We are happy to announce a NEW internship opportunity! We post opportunities like this one over on our Facebook page too.

Steigmann Law, P.C., a young law firm in Champaign-Urbana, is looking for interns who want to be involved in a fast paced, high-tech, multi-area, legal environment. Steigmann Law, PC engages in personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, civil litigation, real estate, criminal, DUI and wills and estate work. Attorneys at Steigmann Law, PC have had experience in both public and private sectors of work, including small and large law firms and are happy to share their knowledge and experience. Interns jobs will vary, and be assigned based on capabilities, but may include medical record organization, filing, abstracting depositions, assisting in trial preparations, Court filings, and attending depositions and Court hearings and legal marketing. Work times are flexible and we are willing to work around your academic schedule. Please email resumes and cover letters to bholder@steigmannlaw.com.

  • Summer Pre-Law Programs. Apply for summer pre-law programs. These are typically 4 week residential programs to teach basics of law and how to prepare for law school, and most are free and come with a stipend for selected students. We have posted several in our blog and on our Facebook page, including those at University of Wisconsin and in Maine. 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.

Juniors and Seniors 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. We are still matching June LSAT Study Groups–you can complete the form here. Tip: REGISTER FOR THE JUNE LSAT NOW, because the popular test sites do 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, including discounts they are offering to Illinois students.
  • Decide who will be your recommendation writers. You will want to approach them by this May/June so that they have plenty of time to write the letter and your performance is still fresh in their mind.
  • 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.
    • April 1: Financing Law School: A Webinar
    • April 8: Loan Repayment: Road to Zero, a Webinar for Pre-Law Students
    • April 18: Applying to Law School
    • April 27: Perfecting Your Personal Statement & Resume

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 the school year. If you wait a year or more the professor is sometimes gone, on sabbatical, retired, etc., so it’s still a good idea to get them now. Register for the Credential Assembly Service as listed above so that you can send the letters in to your account.
  • We will have a special workshop on Making the Most of Your Gap Year on April 12 at 4:00. 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 a current law student who worked for 3 years prior to law school and ask him any questions.

Mark Your Calendars–Week of March 14

Pre-Law Advising Services Opportunities

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

Financing Law School: A Webinar, Friday April 1 at 12:00. Wondering how to pay for a legal education? Join us for this free webinar hosted by Joni Bradley-Scott from Access Group, a nonprofit dedicated to educating graduate students on how to finance their education. This webinar will provide details about how financial aid works at the law school level, including what steps students can take now and during law school to reduce law school debt. This is the first in a two-part series on financial aid for pre-law students. Please register at the link provided here. Find additional financial aid resources at www.accessgroup.org.

Upcoming Campus Events

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

  • Creating Powerful Resumes and Cover Letters–Tues., March 15, 5-6pm
  • Career Fair Prep–Tues., March 15, 6-7pm
  • Getting the Job: Interviewing Tips – Weds., March 16, 6-7pm

UIUC College of Law:  Volunteer Jurors Needed March 16!

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

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

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

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

Learn more by joining us for our upcoming webinar. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the MSL program, including curriculum, full-time and part-time scheduling, career opportunities, and more. We will also take questions from the audience. April 7 at 4pm. Join online: https://northwesternuniversity.adobeconnect.com/mslwebinar

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

Summer Pre-Law Programs

These are great opportunities for pre-law students to learn about legal careers. Most are free and/or come with a stipend. 

The University of Wisconsin is hosting a new summer James E. Jones Jr. Pre-Law Scholars program June 6-July 1 this year. Eligible students must have completed freshman and sophomore year. More information and a schedule have been posted here. Applications can be found here and are due April 1.

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

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

Have a great week!

Summer Internships

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

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

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

Mark Your Calendars — Week of March 7

PLAS Opportunities

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

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

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

Upcoming Campus Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Upcoming Off Campus Events and Opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great week!

Negotiating Scholarships Roundup

Negotiating law school scholarships has become quite common in the last few years. While many students have successfully bargained for additional scholarship dollars, the process of negotiating can be risky and stressful. On February 24, PLAS welcomed two Deans of Admission–Rebecca Ray from the University of Illinois College of Law and Ann Perry from University of Chicago Law School– who shared their insights into negotiating scholarships with law schools. For those of you who were unable to attend due to the blizzard, here are some of the questions they addressed.

1. Under what circumstances should students negotiate scholarships?

  • Generally speaking, it is fine to contact schools about your scholarship as long as they do not expressly indicate that they will not reconsider your scholarship.
  • Most law schools are open to renegotiating/reconsidering scholarships under certain circumstances.  Specifically, it is appropriate to request reconsideration of your scholarship if you really want to attend that law school but are facing a financial hurdle that might prohibit you matriculating there.
  • Both deans discouraged the use of scholarship reconsideration solely to leverage offers at other law schools.

2. How can students successfully engage with law schools?

  • Follow the instructions provided by the schools that outline the process and procedure for reconsideration of scholarship offers.  It the school requests a separate email, write the email.  If the school requires the submission of a special form, complete and submit it.  If the school would prefer you call them, then make the phone call.
    • Note – if a school specifically states it will not reconsider scholarship offers then respect that and do not contact the school to attempt to negotiate.
    • Also – some schools, like the University of Chicago Law School, set aside a specific time frame (mid-late April) for renegotiation.  As such, pestering them for a final decision before their designated time for reviewing scholarships is not a good strategy.
  • Be professional, courteous and prepared. Before you submit anything or make a phone call, consider your demeanor and the quality of your submission.  Professionalism is key!
  • Both deans indicated that they were not persuaded simply by arguments that they “should match” another school’s scholarship offer.
  • Manage your expectations — full tuition scholarships are very rarely awarded so do not expect that result.
  • Both deans cautioned against turning the negotiation into something resembling haggling over a purchase of a used car.
  • Visit the law school.  There is no better way to convey your sincere interest in attending a school than to schedule a visit.  Tip – all admitted students should visit any school they are considering attending before submitting a seat deposit. You never know if the atmosphere of the school is going to match how it seems to fit you “on paper.”

3. What would make a law school deny a request to renegotiate/reconsider a scholarship?

  • Lack of additional funding.  This is important to remember — however much a law school might want to provide you with additional scholarship money, there are limits to their financial resources.
  • Lack of professional behavior by the requesting student.  See number 2, above.

4. Why do law schools ask to see other scholarship offers as part of the negotiation process?

  • Schools typically ask for this to verify the conditions and amounts that the student is claiming she has received.
  • Note — there is nothing wrong with such a request.  This is simply good lawyering by the admissions office.

5. What is a “peer” institution? Why is this relevant?

  • Generally speaking, schools with similar admitted student profiles consider themselves “peer” institutions.
  • A peer institution could be a school with similar GPA and LSAT medians.
  • A peer could also be another law school in the same region or grouping of schools, e.g., Big 10 law schools, Chicago-area law schools.  The definition is subject to interpretation by each law school.
  • This designation is important because most law schools consider scholarship offers from peer institutions to be more relevant in the reconsideration process.

Final Thoughts — Dos and Don’ts for Negotiating Scholarships

Do

  • Follow each school’s directions for scholarship reconsideration
  • Decide what you are able and willing to pay for your education before you ask for reconsideration
  • Conduct yourself professionally by being prepared and courteous
  • Show your interest by visiting the school

Don’t

  • Ignore specific instructions for contacting the school about scholarships
  • Become demanding and difficult if the school cannot accommodate your request
  • Expect to get a full ride/free legal education – those situations are extremely rare

Still not sure what to do or have specific questions to discuss?  Please contact our office 333-9669 and make an appointment with an advisor.