Month: August 2018

September LSAT Takers – Day of Test Info and Reminders

The September LSAT is next week! Of course you have been studying diligently and are ready for what is coming on the LSAT. But don’t forget — the LSAC has a list of rules and procedures to follow for the day of the test.  Here are a few reminders and tips to help test day go smoothly.

What must you bring? 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. Remember that mechanical pencils are prohibited.

What can’t you bring? The LSAC has a list of LSAT test day prohibited items that includes cellphones, backpacks/handbags, digital watches, fitness tracking devices, headphones, hats, sunglasses, and many others.  NOTE: LSAC has adopted a no-tolerance policy with regard to the use or possession of electronic devices (including cell phones) during the administration of the LSAT.   Consequently, test takers discovered in possession of (or using) any electronic device, will be issued a Violation of Law School Admission Test Center Regulations form and will be dismissed from the test. 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. Remember to review the LSAC’s Day of Test reminders to avoid making a critical mistake! http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/day-of-test.

Test day tips and reminders
In addition to LSAC’s rules, here are some tips and reminders to help your test day go smoothly!

  1. Get several nights of good sleep. It’s normal to be anxious the night before, and having a few good nights of sleep before test day will help.
  2. Eat breakfast and bring a snack and drink even if you don’t think you’ll need it. The test is long, and your brain will want that fuel.
  3. Make sure you print out your test ticket, locate your government ID, get some non-mechanical pencils, and pack your plastic bag of allowed test items the night before.
  4. Scope out the location before test day. Drive there or take your public transportation route if you can. This way you will know where to find parking or you can estimate how long it will take to walk from a train station.
  5. Figure out what you’ll do with your backpack, handbag, and your cell phone because you cannot bring these items in with you.
  6. Dress comfortably, and in layers. Your test site may be warm or cold, and you want to limit distractions as much as possible. (Note that test takers are not allowed to wear hoods, except as religious apparel.)
  7. ARRIVE EARLY. Give yourself plenty of time to check in, use the restroom, and get settled before the test begins. Test sites do not allow late arrivals.
  8. Expect some distractions…no test site will be perfectly silent. Practice bringing your attention back to your exam after each distraction. (Law school exams and the bar exam contain plenty of distractions too, so this will be a constant.)

For more info on LSAT options, including cancelling your score after the LSAT or retaking, check out this post from earlier this summer.

A Spring/Summer 2019 Internship Plan–starting NOW!

We’ve barely kicked off fall semester and it’s time to look for 2019 summer internships? In a word…yes.

The number one mistake we see time and time again is this: Students waiting until spring break to look for summer internships. They can’t find any, or deadlines have passed on the ones they have found.

Certainly there are some companies and programs that will do their summer hiring in late spring. BUT if you wait until spring, you will be giving up MANY opportunities to participate in great internships. Some companies and government agencies plan far in advance and already have a summer hiring plan. For example, the White House Internship Program has already finished taking applicants for Spring 2019.  Many federal internships will only accept the first 100 applications–so you need to be ready to apply ASAP when it opens! What is a good plan?

Spring/Summer 2019 Internship plan

  1. Subscribe to internship websites. You can set them to email you a weekly digest, or just email you when the kinds of internships that you designate become available. Some suggested sites are listed below.
  2. Use Handshake. The Career Center uses Handshake to post jobs and internships for Illinois students and alumni. Click on the link below, log in, set up your profile, explore, and set it to contact you when internships you qualify for become available. Check back regularly.
  3. Attend Career Fairs. Did you know that most campus career fairs, like the Business Career Fair and the ACES + LAS Career Fair, are open to all students? And, many of those employers will have both job and internships available.  You can find a list of all campus career fairs on Handshake.
  4. Create or perfect your resume. The Career Center has numerous opportunities to have your resume reviewed–or attend a resume basics workshop–every week. Click here to see their events. You’ll need a resume for the rest of your life, so the sooner you start building these skills, the better! Aim to have a good quality resume by mid-September to avoid delay applying for the internships or scholarships that you find.
  5. Gcal or Ical it. NOW–right now–go to your Gcal, ical, or good old fashioned planner, and schedule an hour every other week (or every week, if you’re very ambitious) for Internships.(Use this time to check internship listings and prepare your applications.) When you find an internship listing, add that due date to your Gcal/ical/planner too. Finding and applying for internships and jobs is not done in an afternoon–it really helps to be organized and persistent.

What internship websites should you use? Here are the Top 5 Internship Sites that we have found to be helpful.

Handshake–Here is where companies post their opportunities for Illinois students. You can also find out about upcoming company info sessions and career/internship fairs.

Internships.com–Continuously updated nationwide internship listings

Idealist.com–Nonprofit internship offerings

Fastweb–Extensive internship listings (click on “Career Planning”)

USAJobs.gov–for federal government jobs and internships. Tip: The website gogovernment.org has a nice overview explaining how to get started and what to look for.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Back Pre-Law Students – Fall of 2018

Welcome Class of 2022 and Welcome Back Pre-Law Students!

Hello students!  Our first blog post of the 2018-2019 school year features an overview of many of the events happening on campus in the next week. We have also included a brief update on Pre-Law Advising Services (PLAS), including information about our FREE practice LSAT being offered on Friday, October 5, as well as our first Pre-Law 101 Workshop set for Monday, September 10, 4-5pm.  Scroll down for more on that.  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

Welcome Days/Welcome Week 2018 — August 25 – September 1, 2018

Quad Day: Sunday, August 26

The fall semester kicks off this weekend with Quad Day, Sunday, August 26, Noon-4pm! Come out for a day of learning about any and every Registered Student Organization on the Illinois campus. Campus offices and local organizations will also be lining the Main Quad for you to get a taste of how diverse the university is and what it has to offer. The Illini Union vendors will be there, along with the Rec Room, so you can see what we are all about! Special performances by the Marching Illini and other RSOs will take place. With over 600 RSOs present, you are bound to find something you are interested in. Remember — law schools like to see applicants who are both good students and who are involved in their community.

And speaking of RSOs… Are you interested in joining the soon to be launched Pre-Law Club?  Keep checking the blog for information about the planned September organizational meeting!

For more info about Quad Day and other Welcome Week Events, check out the Illini Union webpage: https://union.illinois.edu/see-and-do/events/welcomeweek

 

Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations

Wake Up Call – Saturday, August 25, 4–6 pm
Foellinger Auditorium
Sponsored by the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

Women’s Resources Center Open House | Aug 27, 2018   4:30 – 6:30 pm  

Check out the Women’s Resources Center and meet the staff while playing games and sipping “mocktails”! Join us in celebrating the beginning of a new year. The Women’s Resources Center is located at 616 E Green St, Suite 202 in Champaign. The front door is located next to the McDonalds on Green St. The office is on the second floor.

Any questions or requests for accommodation can be sent to Sylwia Dutka at dutka2@illinois.edu

Paleta Social – Monday August 27th, 5:30–8:30pm
La Casa Cultural Latina, 1203 W. Nevada St., Urbana

After the first day of classes, La Casa holds a social for new students to come and meet other new and returning students, while returning students can catch up with fellow classmates, all while enjoying a paleta/ice cream. It is also an introduction of La Casa to new students in an informal manner.

LGBT Resource Center Welcome Back Event – Tuesday August 28th, 4:00–6:00pm
Illini Union 314

Celebrate the start of a new year with food, music, and opportunities to meet LGBT Resource Center staff, LGBT RSOs, campus partners, and more! Come find out how to get involved with and stay connected to LGBTQ life at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign! All students, staff, faculty, and community members including partners are invited.

Asiantation – Tuesday, September 4, 3–8 pm
SDRP Multipurpose Rooms
301 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign

Feminism Al Fresco – Tuesday, September 4, 4–6 pm
Engineering Hall Patio
next to Bardeen Quad
Sponsored by the Women’s Resources Center

Asian American Cultural Center and International Education Open House —Thursday, September 6, 3:30–6:30 pm
1210 W. Nevada St., Urbana

Native American House and American Indian Studies Open House – Thursday, September 6, 4–7 pm
1206 W. Nevada St., Urbana

For more information on these and other OIIR happenings, go here for the full OIIR calendar of events.https://oiir.illinois.edu/events. To access the UIUC calendar for campus-wide events and holidays, go here: https://calendars.illinois.edu/list/7 For information about add/drop deadlines for classes and other information, check out the calendar for the Office of the Registrar here: http://illinois.edu/calendar/list/4175.

Other Campus Events and Opportunities

Illinois Trial Team — Info Nights August 30 and 31, 6pm and 7pm, College of Law, Room A, 504 E Pennsylvania Ave, Champaign

Are you thinking about law school? Want to learn about the judicial system or improve your public speaking skills? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

The Illinois Trial Team represents the University of Illinois in intercollegiate mock trial tournaments which span the country — competing at schools like Yale, Duke, UMichigan, and many more. Through preparing and competing in these tournaments, you will build your knowledge of the law, trial advocacy, and general presentation skills. As a member of the team, you will be a part of a tight-knit, highly motivated group of pre-law students. The team provides various pre-law opportunities to its members, such as internships, campus visits, and LSAT resources.

We highly recommend that prospective members attend one of our information sessions. If you are unable to attend, please e-mail  illinoistrialteam.vpe@gmail.com as soon as possible. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please see the following google form: https://goo.gl/forms/MWVMsSdH7ZMq8qu12

Information Sessions will be held at the College of Law Room A at the following times:

6:00 p.m. August 30th

7:00 p.m. August 30th

6:00 p.m. August 31st

7:00 p.m. August 31st

Career Center

The Career Center offers a variety of programs to help you identify career paths through workshops, career fairs and individual meetings. They will have a table at Quad Day, Sunday, August 26 from 12-4pm, as well as an Open House on Quad Day from 1-3pm at their office at 715 S. Wright Street.  The Career Center schedule resumes next week.  Here are some of their upcoming events:

Resume, Cover Letter and LinkedIn Reviews: August 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31

2:00-4:30pm, Career Center Resource Center, 715 S. Wright Street

CC-I Info Sessions – Monday, August 27, 4-5pm; Tuesday August 28, 4-5pm; Tuesday, September 4, 4-5pm; Monday, September 10, 4-5pm.

If you want to join the Career Certificate – International Students(CC-I) program, it is mandatory to attend one of the four CC-I information sessions. CC-I is the signature program of the Career Center for international undergraduate and masters students who want to be more competitive in the internship/full-time job market. The actual deadline for the CC-I application is September 11. CC-I runs for 9 weeks.

All CC-I info sessions will be held at the Career Center Interview Suite, 616 E. Green Street, Room 213

Illinois Part-time Job Fair 2018 – Tuesday, September 4, 10am-2pm, Illini Union Room B

Looking for a part-time job on campus or in the Champaign-Urbana community? This is the event for you! The Illinois Part-Time Job Fair is open to all students on campus seeking opportunities to make some extra money while completing their academics. Opportunities at this fair are paid positions. Check out the event in Handshake to view a full list of employers attending!

To learn more about the Career Center’s schedule of events, go here: https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/events

Luce Scholars Program — Information Sessions August 30 and 31

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 30th, NISP will offer an informational overview session, featuring an informal discussion with previous Luce Scholars. On August 31st, NISP will host a workshop designed to help students begin to craft their personal statement.

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

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

August 31st 3:00-4:00pm – Workshop on how to craft a Luce personal statement.

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

For more information about other NISP events and scholarship deadlines, go here: https://calendars.illinois.edu/list/1826

PLAS Updates for Fall 2018

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, which include a FREE practice LSAT on Friday, October 5! Note that some of our workshops have limited seating, like the Pre-Law 101 sessions, the first of which is set for Monday, September 10, and the practice LSAT, so you’ll want to register for those in advance. Note: registration for the FREE Practice LSAT will open on Tuesday, September 4.  We will add a few programs as the semester progresses.  Be sure to check our blog September 3  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. Note: the first Pre-Law 101 session is set for Monday, September 10. 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.

Save the date for the Law School Fair! On Sept. 26 from 10 am – 2 pm at the ARC  Over 100 law school reps will be here to meet YOU! Click here for more details, including a list of who’s coming.