Month: February 2020

Wait listed or just waiting? Some tips about what law school applicants can do.

We’re hearing from a lot of law school applicants who have submitted their applications and now find themselves either wait listed or still waiting to hear back. Here are some helpful tips and pointers to help you position yourself in the best manner for admission and aid!

If you’re still waiting for an admission decision…
You are NOT alone! Many applicants tell us they have been waiting weeks or months. What is going on? It could mean:

  • The school is essentially “wait listing” you, but not calling it that, by waiting to respond to you until they see the rest of the applicant pool.
  • The admissions office is understaffed or inundated with applications.
  • You applied later in the cycle and a backlog of applications must be reviewed before yours.

What can you do if you are still waiting on an answer?

  • IF it has been at least 4-6 weeks or whatever time frame the school has indicated for your file to be reviewed, reach out and politely inquire about anticipated time frames for a decision. Reiterate your interest in the school.
  • Review your status checker in your CAS/LSAC account.
  • Follow the law school on Twitter – many deans have taken to updating applicants about expected decisions there.
  • Don’t:
    • Complain about their slowness or criticize the school’s process
    • Tell them you’ve already heard back from everywhere else or from “better” schools
    • Give the school a deadline.

Sometimes patience is key!

If you’ve been wait listed…Understand what this means: that you are an admittable candidate but the school needs to hit its institutional goals before they can admit you. Institutional goals could be LSAT/GPA related but could also be related to balancing the class with regard to gender, diversity, in state/out of state, age, etc. Very few schools can accurately predict how many applicants–and with what qualities–they will be pulling from a wait list. When the school tells you they don’t know your odds, it is very likely true.

What can you do if you are wait listed?

  • Follow the school’s directions carefully. Do not email to ask them what to do after the school sends very specific instructions. Some law schools will ask you to confirm that you want to be on their wait list–if you don’t do so, you will not be considered. Pay attention to these details and instructions and follow them carefully.
  • Visit the school if you haven’t already. Making a strong impression on an admissions professional can go a long way toward being selected when it’s time for them to pull from the wait list. Just make sure that your visit is welcome or appropriate as a wait list candidate.
  • Update your application by sending an updated resume, a new recommendation, or a letter or email expressing continued interest in that school (sometimes called a LOCI, or letter of continued interest).
  • Stay in touch–no more than once every couple of weeks–to demonstrate your interest in the school. Keep them updated on your plans. IF the school is your top choice, then say so.
  • Continue to make other plans. No one should proceed by “expecting” to be pulled from a wait list…even if this does happen, it can be anytime up to the day classes begin. You need to start making concrete plans in early April. Decide which law school you will attend out of those who accepted you. Make plans for putting down your deposit(s).
  • Don’t demand a decision right now…you may get one but it will not be the one you want.

Be “pleasantly persistent” as we move through March and into April and May, which are prime decision-making times for schools as their deposit deadlines pass. And always remember that professionalism and good manners go a long way in this business!

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 24

Don’t forget about TODAY’s presentation on law school scholarships by Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law, 5pm, Room 514 IUB.  Your should also scroll down for information on: internships, scholarships, a summer job opportunity and more!

PLAS PROGRAMS

Law School Scholarships and Negotiating Aid, featuring Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law – TODAY Monday, February 24, 5:00 pm, Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Law school financial aid works differently from undergraduate scholarships. Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at University of Illinois College of Law, will be here to share insights into how scholarships are allocated and how to request additional scholarship opportunities. You’ll find out what to ask for, how to phrase these conversations, and what strategies are successful to achieving additional scholarships. Bring your questions and learn how to maximize financial aid for law school!
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

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

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due NEXT MONDAY, March 2, 2020!

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

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2020-2021. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor A. Naomi Paik, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply,  go here.  Remember: The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, March 2! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

CAREER CENTER

The Career Center offers regular opportunities for resume, cover letter and Linked In reviews. In addition, here is one workshop that might be of interest to those of you considering international law.

Global Careers: Internships at UN Agencies – Thursday, February 27, 6-7pm, The Career Center Interview Suite, Room 213, 616 East Green Street

For a complete list of upcoming Career Center events, go here.

OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is THIS Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here. 

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26-May 2, 2020), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as corporate partners and sponsors, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Students are encouraged to apply even if titles or abstracts have not yet been finalized – they can be edited.  Need help?  Attend the workshop on “Proposal Writing in Undergraduate Research” this Thursday, February 20, 3-4:30pm, Lincoln Hall Room 1002, described above.  Just make sure the application is successfully submitted by March 1!

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for THIS Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here.  Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

  • an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
  • breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
  • law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country.  Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Applications Due March 6!

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

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

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams. Some daytime events such as law firm visits will also be offered. Three (3) excused absences will be allowed during the summer session.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.  The program will run from June to mid-August 2020.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

Harvard Law School Junior Deferral Program – Webinar THIS Thursday, February 27, 5-6pm CST (6-7pm EST)

As an undergraduate student thinking about what comes after graduation, you may find yourself ready to apply to law school and also excited to explore other professional, educational, or service opportunities. You may know you want to go to law school and also want to teach for a few years, garner business or legal skills in the workforce, pursue a master’s degree, or embark on a mission trip. Harvard Law School’s Junior Deferral Program offers you that flexibility and breadth of opportunity. Apply to HLS when you are a college junior scheduled to complete coursework and graduate in spring 2021, and, if admitted, commit to defer that offer of admission for a minimum of two years after completing your undergraduate degree. You may use the deferral period to explore your broad interests before returning to the classroom.  Join us, as well as students who participated in this program, for a webinar this THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, about this exciting application pathway.

Please register for this online information session at:

https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gx3ct3UBRWyfDHvXicEweg

Note: This session will be hosted on Zoom. Full instructions on how to access the session will be sent to you after you have registered for the event.

For more information about the HLS Junior Deferral Program, go here.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fred S. Bailey International Service Travel Scholarship for Cause-Driven Leaders — DUE TODAY!!

This program offers scholarships of $600-1800 dollars to University of Illinois undergraduate and Master’s level graduate students leading international service projects who plan to travel within the specified period.  Recipients will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to the project/program, long-term career goals in international development or related fields, the trip’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development, potential for positive impact on the host community and financial need. If selected, all recipients must participate in a 7-week online pre-departure course.  (For trips that occur between May 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021)

Application Deadline: TODAY, February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship Program – Applications Due April 7

The University YMCA’s Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship program provides scholarship funding to students who accept unpaid internships with public service agencies and not for profit organizations.  These internships provide an opportunity for students to complement their academic preparation with direct practical experience. The effort to combine a productive work experience with an intentional learning component is a proven method for promoting the academic, personal, and career development of students.

Students will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to community development, service, and activism and the internship’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development as well as financial need.

Award Amount: The University YMCA’s Fred S. Bailey Unpaid Internship Scholarship program provides $1000 scholarships for part-time unpaid internships and $2500 for full-time unpaid internships.  A full-time internship shall be defined as any internship that requires 30 or more work hours/week on average. A part-time internship shall be defined as an internship that requires less than 30 work hours/week on average but a minimum of 125 total work hours over the course of the internship.  The minimum length of both part-time and full-time internships to be funded is 8 weeks.  Awards are made directly to the student, not the organization sponsoring the internship.

Eligibility/Qualifications: The internship must meet certain criteria as listed below.

Internship activities that are eligible for funding: program development; fundraising; projects; generating marketing plans; designing posters; conducting studies and surveys; developing presentations; creating social media sites; preparing budgets and financial reports & more!

Internship activities that are ineligible for funding: primarily administrative responsibilities such as mailings, data entry, etc.; internships at for-profit businesses (except where exemptions are granted by the Bailey Scholarship committee); internships without clear learning opportunities; internships without supervision/mentorship; student teaching, internships, and other activities that are required for graduation.

For more information and to apply, go here.

La Casa Cultural Latina Scholarship – Application Now Open!  All applications due by 5pm on Friday, March 20!

 

AccessLex Institute – LexScholars Applications Due April 1!

AccessLex Institute is accepting applications for LexScholars by AccessLex℠, an innovative new diversity pipeline initiative focused on developing sustainable models for improving access to law school.

LexScholars is for prospective law students from underrepresented racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who possess the potential for law school success but may be unlikely to gain admission due to unfavorable LSAT scores and/or undergraduate grades.

Participants will benefit from access to various resources, including LSAT preparation, law school admissions counseling, financial education, writing skills development and wellness training. And there are no costs associated with the program for participants.

There are eligibility requirements, and students will need two recommender assessments to apply.

Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, April 1.  Click on this link for more information and to apply!

OFF CAMPUS EVENTS

The 17th Annual Illinois Latino Law Forum – NEXT Saturday, March 7, 2020, DePaul University College of Law

The Illinois Latino Law Student Association (ILLSA) is a coalition of Latinx law students dedicated to increasing diversity in law school. ILLSA takes great pleasure in announcing the 17th Annual Illinois Latino Law Forum that will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at DePaul University College of Law in downtown Chicago.

We cordially invite high school and college students to participate in this pipeline program – offered at no cost – designed to encourage more Latino/as to consider the field of law as a profession by exposing them to the value of a legal education and a career in the field of law.

Guest speakers include: judges; practicing attorneys; law school administrators, including one of only a very small number of Latina law school Deans in the country; government lawyers, and many other inspiring professionals.

This event is free to attend but advanced registration is required!

In conjunction with the Law School Admission Council’s DiscoverLaw Program, we are pleased to offer the following highlights for the ILLSA Forum:

Illinois Latino Law Forum Highlights

·         Breakfast and lunch

·         Introduction to the study of law from the perspective of Latino/a judges and attorneys

·         Mock law school class taught by a DePaul Law professor

·         Tips and advice from law school admission professionals about the law school applicatoin and financial aid process

·         Opportunity to meet with members of the current Illinois Latino/a legal community, from judges and professors, to lawyers and current law students;

·         Law school information fair with various law schools present and the chance to obtain materials and ask further questions about the law school admissions process

·         Opportunity for college students to sign-up for a mentorship program and meet their law student mentor

·         Opportunity for college juniors, senior and recent graduates to apply for scholarships

Register today to meet some of the most influential Latinx attorneys in our country and be encouraged to become a part of the legal profession.

For directions to DePaul College of Law, visit our website.  There is ample parking at a number of public parking lots in the vicinity of the law school and multiple forms of public transportation.

For questions or require additional information, please contact depaul.illsa@gmail.com.

DGS Summer Peer Advisors – Information Session TOMORROW, Tuesday, February 25, 9-10 am Room 504 Illini Union Bookstore Building

The Division of General Studies (DGS) is seeking undergraduate student leaders interested in serving as DGS Summer Peer Advisors.  Candidates must be available for full day training May 18-21, 2020.  Peer advisors will be responsible for working approximately 20-25 hours per week from June 1-July 9, 2020.  The pay for this position is $10 per hour.

In addition to the information session listed above, there will be another information session on Wednesday, March 4, 3:30pm-4:30pm in IUB 504.

Required qualifications:

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

Preferred qualifications:

  • Former DGS student
  • Familiarity of ICT process
  • Knowledge of Illinois general education requirements
  • Junior or Senior class standing for Fall 2020
  • Demonstrated leadership experience
  • GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Attend a peer advisor informational session

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume and three reference to Jessica Arnold, jarnold7@illinois.edu by 5pm on March 23, 2020.  Applications received after 5pm will not be considered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Pre-Law Programs

Summer Pre-Law Programs

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

Some universities offer pre-law programs on their campuses. This is a way for you to learn more about law school, visit a law school and campus, and learn more about law school in a structured setting. If you are considering attending law school at any of the schools below, these summer pre-law programs are an excellent way to get your foot in the door and experience what your life could be like there throughout law school. In addition, some schools (a few are listed in this blog post) partner with LSAC to offer Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) programs.  Click here to learn more!

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

IIT Chicago-Kent

Program: Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Program

Dates: Sunday, May 31, to Friday, June 19, 2020

Cost: FREE

Location: Chicago, IL

Application Deadline: February 28, 2020 — Click here to access

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

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

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

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

Dates:  June 1-6, 2020 (Sunday May 31 – Move In Day)

Cost:  FREE

Location: Indiana University – Robert H. McKinney School of Law – Indianapolis

Application Deadline: April 3, 2020 — Click here to access

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

University of Minnesota Law School

Program: Minnesota Pre Law Scholars Program (MPLS)

Dates:  Early June – Mid August 2020

Cost:  Participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.

Location: University of Minnesota

Application Deadline: March 6th, 2020 — Click here to access

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

Cornell University Summer Pre-Law Program and Internship

Dates: June 8 – July 17, 2020

Cost: $6,830 (Participants will receive 4 course credits)

Location: New York City

Application Deadline: April 1, 2020

Program Information: During the first three weeks of the program, you’ll be enrolled in the four-credit course The American Legal System, taught by  attorney C. Evan Stewart using the Socratic method practiced at most U.S. law schools.

During the second three weeks of the program, if you’ve received an internship placement*, you’ll devote full days to your internship, which may be at a law firm or in the legal department of a corporation, government agency, or nonprofit organization. A final exam will take place during the week of June 29, 2020, exact date is TBD.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Duke University School of Law

D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy

Dates: July 6-16 or July 20-30, 2020

Cost: $600 for a single course; $400 for each additional course

Enrollment Deadline: Enrollment is now open!

Program Information: Classes will be limited in size in order to facilitate interaction between faculty members and students. Registration and tuition will include weekly special events for program participants and written and other course materials. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a certificate endorsed by the Dean of Duke Law School, Kerry Abrams, and Faculty Director of the Institute, Neil Siegel.

The 2020 program will take place over the weeknights of two, two-week sessions: July 6-16, 2020, and July 20-July 30, 2020; classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, with Wednesday evenings reserved for special programs. D.C. Institute classes will be held at Duke in DC, located at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Courses will introduce participants to legal reasoning, US constitutional law, with a focus on timely subjects such as the constitutionality of affirmative action programs, current topics in race, elections, and politics. Click here for more information and to enroll.

LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) at Duke Law School

Dates: May 31-June 26, 2020

Cost: FREE

Application Deadline: March 16, 2020

Program Information: The PLUS Program enrolls 20 to 40 students per year with the ideal candidate being a strong student who is ready to work hard, engage in coursework, and is interested in the access this program provides toward preparing for a legal education.

The PLUS Program is open to students who have completed their freshman or sophomore years at four-year colleges and universities, technical colleges and community colleges. Eligible students will have completed between 24 and 60 credits by the start of the PLUS Program. The program focuses on attracting promising students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession, first generation college students and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as students facing other significant barriers to entering the legal profession. For more information and to apply, click on this link.

 

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 17, 2020

Scroll down for information on: internships; writing cover letters and resumes; how to craft a research proposal; how to negotiate law school scholarships and more!

PLAS PROGRAMS

Law School Scholarships and Negotiating Aid, featuring Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Illinois College of Law – NEXT Monday, February 24, 5:00 pm, Room 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building

Law school financial aid works differently from undergraduate scholarships. Rebecca Ray, Assistant Dean of Admissions at University of Illinois College of Law, will be here to share insights into how scholarships are allocated and how to request additional scholarship opportunities. You’ll find out what to ask for, how to phrase these conversations, and what strategies are successful to achieving additional scholarships. Bring your questions and learn how to maximize financial aid for law school!

Off Campus Events

The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Office of Admissions & Financial Aid, The Office of Inclusion & Engagement, the Black Students Initiative, the Black Law Students Association, and the Latino Law Students Association cordially invite you to attend the Pathway to the Legal Profession Law School Admissions Conference. Saturday, March 7, 2020, 9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611

The goal of this conference is to increase diversity in law school and ultimately in the legal profession. This conference will offer prospective law school applicants a comprehensive overview of the law school application process and provide advice on how to successfully navigate from applicant to law student. Current law students from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds, including first generation students and students with limited financial means, will be available to discuss their personal journeys. The conference will include a workshop on mastering the LSAT, a mock law school class, mentorship opportunities, and various panels consisting of law professors, lawyers, and law students.

This event is FREE. Please help us spread the word about this event to your constituents.

Those interested in attending should RSVP by Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. by using the form at this link: https://forms.gle/SCda1kX3wJwoVr436

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

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

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due March 2, 2020!

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

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2020-2021. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor A. Naomi Paik, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply,  go here.  Remember: The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, March 2! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

Writer’s Workshop

Preparing for the Job Search: Cover Letters and Resumes – Tuesday, February 18, 4-5pm, Gregory Hall Room 113

This workshop will help you prepare two documents that you will use frequently during your job search: the cover letter and resume.  Learn basic formatting, effective work choice, and tips for tailoring your documents to specific employers.

Proposal Writing in Undergraduate Research – Thursday, February 20, 3-4:30pm, Lincoln Hall Room 1002

This workshop, offered in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research, will guide students to explain their research in a concise and compelling manner.  Students will leave with basic knowledge about research proposals and their structure, tactics and tools to write successful research statements, and resources for assistance in the writing process.

Career Center

The Career Center offers regular opportunities for resume, cover letter and Linked In reviews.  Here are some other programs offered this week.

Finding An Internship – Wednesday, February 19, 5-6pm, Room 143, The Career Center, 715 South Wright Street

Snack Bite: Research Opportunities – Thursday, February 20, 4:30-5:00pm, Room 143, The Career Center, 715 South Wright Street

Pizza & Professionals: Research Park – Friday, February 21, 12:00-1:00pm, Room 407 Illini Union

For a complete list of upcoming Career Center events, go here.

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here.  Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

  • an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
  • breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
  • law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country.  Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 6!

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

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

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams. Some daytime events such as law firm visits will also be offered. Three (3) excused absences will be allowed during the summer session.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.  The program will run from June to mid-August 2020.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

FRED S. BAILEY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE-DRIVEN LEADERS

This program offers scholarships of $600-1800 dollars to University of Illinois undergraduate and Master’s level graduate students leading international service projects who plan to travel within the specified period.  Recipients will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to the project/program, long-term career goals in international development or related fields, the trip’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development, potential for positive impact on the host community and financial need. If selected, all recipients must participate in a 7-week online pre-departure course.  (For trips that occur between May 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021)

Application Deadline: February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here. 

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26-May 2, 2020), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as corporate partners and sponsors, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Students are encouraged to apply even if titles or abstracts have not yet been finalized – they can be edited.  Need help?  Attend the workshop on “Proposal Writing in Undergraduate Research” this Thursday, February 20, 3-4:30pm, Lincoln Hall Room 1002, described above.  Just make sure the application is successfully submitted by March 1!

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 10

PRE-LAW ADVISING SERVICES WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

LSAT Bootcamp  – February 10, 2020 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (807 S Wright Street)

DON’T MISS OUT! What’s covered on the LSAT? What is it really like to take it on a tablet? How can test takers best prepare? Which LSAT should you take, and how can you plan ahead for a retake? All of this will be covered at LSAT Bootcamp, which includes presentations by both the representatives from the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and Kaplan Testing Services! Visit this website for workshop schedules and more details.

This is an event for Illinois students and alumni to get to know the Law School Admission Test and how to prep for it. Join us for all or part of the event. All Illini students and alumni are welcome, whether you’re taking the LSAT next month or just considering it in your future.

Schedule of Events:

      • 4:00-5:00 Get to Know the Digital LSAT
      • 5:00-6:00 LSAT Prep Workshop

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

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

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

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due March 2, 2020!

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

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2020-2021. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor A. Naomi Paik, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply,  go here.  Remember: The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, March 2! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here.  Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

  • an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
  • breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
  • law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country.  Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 6!

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

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

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams. Some daytime events such as law firm visits will also be offered. Three (3) excused absences will be allowed during the summer session.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.  The program will run from June to mid-August 2020.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

Law School Open Houses and Admitted Students Days

As we first mentioned in several of our fall blog posts, 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. Make sure you check the law school websites to see what types of events the schools in which you have an interest are offering.

UIC John Marshall Law School Open House, Tuesday, February 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm. For more information or to register, go here.

SCHOLARSHIPS

FRED S. BAILEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE DRIVEN LEADERS

The Bailey Undergraduate awards are $3000 awards ($1500/semester) given each year to undergraduate students at the University of Illinois who have demonstrated positive impact and commitment as a result of service, community involvement, leadership, and action. Financial need and academic achievement will also be considered. University of Illinois – Urbana campus undergraduate students in all programs are eligible to apply.

For more information or to apply online, visit: www.universityymca.org/bailey

Application deadline: February 16

FRED S. BAILEY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE-DRIVEN LEADERS

This program offers scholarships of $600-1800 dollars to University of Illinois undergraduate and Master’s level graduate students leading international service projects who plan to travel within the specified period.  Recipients will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to the project/program, long-term career goals in international development or related fields, the trip’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development, potential for positive impact on the host community and financial need. If selected, all recipients must participate in a 7-week online pre-departure course.  (For trips that occur between May 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021)

Applications Open: January 21, 2020; Application Deadline: February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here. 

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26-May 2, 2020), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as corporate partners and sponsors, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Students are encouraged to apply even if titles or abstracts have not yet been finalized – they can be edited.  Just make sure the application is successfully submitted by March 1!

It’s Never Too Late to be Pre-Law!!

Good news, ANYONE can be a Pre-Law student!! That’s right, there is no pre-law major here on campus, so students can choose to designate themselves as a Pre-Law. There is no additional credits or courses required. Student simply need to  follow the steps below to in order to become a Pre-Law student!

We at the Pre-Law Advising Services  help Illini students and alumni explore legal careers, build academic skills for law school, and prepare their most successful law school applications, maximizing admission and financial aid.

Students interested in Pre-Law should email ccaas-prelaw@illinois.edu. Once, you have sent the email, add yourself to our Compass 2g page by following the steps below.

Pre-Law Compass Page

Have you explored our Pre-Law Compass page? There we share videos (including our Pre-Law 101 video), handouts, Illinois law school applicant profiles, and helpful handouts.

It’s easy to add yourself to our Compass page–just follow these simple steps.

      1. Login to Compass
      2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Browse Course Catalog”
      3. Type Pre-Law into the search box and click “Go”
      4. Go to the right of the course ID and click on the drop down menu (the circle with the downward arrow) that appears
      5. Select Enroll (after clicking on the drop down menu arrow)
      6. The Pre-Law Advising page will appear in the “My Courses” section of your Compass homepage.

*Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for a newly enrolled course to appear in your My Courses menu

Mark Your Calendars – Week of February 3

PRE-LAW ADVISING SERVICES WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

LSAT Bootcamp  – February 10, 2020 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Location: 514 Illini Union Bookstore Building (807 S Wright Street)

DON’T MISS OUT! What’s covered on the LSAT? What is it really like to take it on a tablet? How can test takers best prepare? Which LSAT should you take, and how can you plan ahead for a retake? All of this will be covered at LSAT Bootcamp, which includes presentations by both the representatives from the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and Kaplan Testing Services! Visit this website for workshop schedules and more details.

This is an event for Illinois students and alumni to get to know the Law School Admission Test and how to prep for it. Join us for all or part of the event. All Illini students and alumni are welcome, whether you’re taking the LSAT next month or just considering it in your future.

Schedule of Events:

      • 4:00-5:00 Get to Know the Digital LSAT
      • 5:00-6:00 LSAT Prep Workshop

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

Pre-Law Honors Society – Testmasters LSAT prep workshop

Tuesday, February 4th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Lincoln Hall room 1060. Join the Pre-Law Honors Society and Testmasters LSAT Prep in an LSAT workshop to learn skills and insight for the exam. Open to all students.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

REVISED – Legal Administrative Intern Opportunity –  UIUC Office of University Counsel

The Office of University Counsel seeks 1-2 undergraduate student interns for 2020-2021. This PAID position will provide administrative support to the office, with specific duties outlined below. Hours per week will depend upon intern availability. Interns will gain experience working in a legal environment and will also be introduced to legal procedures with the possibility of increased responsibilities over time.

Required: Sophomore, junior, or senior standing; minimum 3.0 GPA; consistent weekly availability. Preference will be given to candidates with availability over breaks.

About the office: The Office of University Counsel (OUC) provides legal advice and representation to the university, its administrators/employees, University Related Organizations and others who seek legal advice arising from their official university responsibilities. OUC attorneys provide advice on an extremely wide variety of subjects. The office staff consists of attorneys and staff with unique skills and specialized training, as well as generalists who are well versed in multiple areas of law and policy. For more information, please visit: legal.uillinois.edu

Specific intern duties will include:

  • Responsible for review of legal invoices to verify compliance with contract requirements
  • Maintains electronic files of invoices, approvals and any supporting documentation.  Record must be accurate and complete for auditing and reporting purposes
  • Completes data entry and ensures the data integrity of legal services invoices in OUC systems (Legal Files eBill)
  • Provide backup support for answering main phone line and directing calls to appropriate personnel (attorneys, support staff and business staff)
  • Copying/scanning/shredding projects as needed including highly confidential legal documents
  • Assisting with legal and business document compilation, organization and delivery
  • Other duties as assigned

To apply: Submit a resume and cover letter to Ms. Karen Quinlan at kquinlan@uillinois.edu.  NOTE: the earlier version of this post listed the incorrect contact person.  Please direct your resume and cover letter to Ms. Karen Quinlan.  Cover letters should include: 1) Relevant experience; 2) Weekly availability; 3) GPA and class standing; and 4) Availability over breaks.

Deadline to submit applications is 5:00pm February 7.

Legal Internship Opportunity — Holder Law Group, LLP

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

Undergrad PAID Internship at UIUC in Environmental Humanities for 2020 — 2021 Applications due March 2, 2020!

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

The research group seeks three undergraduate interns who will work with the group on their seminars, workshops, and programs for the academic year 2020-2021. Interns will also work with the research group director, Professor A. Naomi Paik, to develop their own research projects as well as a research symposium for undergraduates at the end of the spring semester.

Interns will work approximately 10-11 hours per week, paid at the rate of $15.75 per hours, and will have up to $600 to support their research. Applicants must be juniors or seniors the year of the internship. For more information and to apply,  go here.  Remember: The application deadline is 5:00pm on Monday, March 2! Please address questions to: Dr. Nancy Castro, at ncastro@illinois.edu.

LAW SCHOOL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Diversity Law Day – Indiana University Maurer School of Law – February 8, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Diversity Law Day is dedicated to the idea that the legal profession must reflect the expanding diversity of our society. Joining efforts with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), we hope that this day will encourage student from underrepresented and underserved communities to discover career opportunities in law. This day is particularly tailored towards high school juniors and seniors, as well college freshman and sophomores.

Diversity Law Day is free to attend, but registration is required for planning purposes. To attend, simply complete the registration form at www.law.indiana.edu/diversity-day

Contact Kendra Abercrombie, Assistant Director of Admissions and Diversity Initiatives, at klabercr@indiana.edu or 812-855-2704 if you have any questions.

The Wisconsin Statewide Pre-Law Diversity Day is set for Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event is open to all students. For more information and to register, visit their website here.  Cosponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School, this FREE event includes lunch and:

  • an update on law school admissions in Wisconsin featuring the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University Law Schools;
  • breakout workshops featuring a mock class for students ; and
  • law school fair featuring admissions representatives from law schools around the country.  Click here for a list of law schools that participated in last year’s event.

Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Summer Program – Application Due March 6!

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

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

Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class, taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams. Some daytime events such as law firm visits will also be offered. Three (3) excused absences will be allowed during the summer session.

There is no cost to participate in MPLS. However, participants must submit a $100 seat deposit which is fully refundable upon successful completion of the program. All books and study materials will be provided.  The program will run from June to mid-August 2020.

To learn more about MPLS or to apply, click on this link:

https://www.law.umn.edu/admissions/minnesota-pre-law-scholars-mpls-program

Law School Open Houses and Admitted Students Days

As we first mentioned in several of our fall blog posts, 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. Make sure you check the law school websites to see what types of events the schools in which you have an interest are offering.

UIC John Marshall Law School Open House, Tuesday, February 11, 5:30pm-8:30pm. For more information or to register, go here.

OTHER CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES

​Career Center

The Career Certificate – International Students (CC-I) program is a nationally awarded career program designed to help international students be more competitive job/internship candidates.

SCHOLARSHIPS

FRED S. BAILEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE DRIVEN LEADERS

The Bailey Undergraduate awards are $3000 awards ($1500/semester) given each year to undergraduate students at the University of Illinois who have demonstrated positive impact and commitment as a result of service, community involvement, leadership, and action. Financial need and academic achievement will also be considered. University of Illinois – Urbana campus undergraduate students in all programs are eligible to apply.

For more information or to apply online, visit: www.universityymca.org/bailey

Application deadline: February 16

FRED S. BAILEY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR CAUSE-DRIVEN LEADERS

This program offers scholarships of $600-1800 dollars to University of Illinois undergraduate and Master’s level graduate students leading international service projects who plan to travel within the specified period.  Recipients will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to the project/program, long-term career goals in international development or related fields, the trip’s potential impact on the student’s learning and professional development, potential for positive impact on the host community and financial need. If selected, all recipients must participate in a 7-week online pre-departure course.  (For trips that occur between May 1, 2020 – January 17, 2021)

Applications Open: January 21, 2020; Application Deadline: February 24, 2020

To learn more and apply, visit: universityymca.org/bailey/travel-scholarship/

Contact: Kasey Umland

Director, Bailey Scholarship Program, University YMCA

217.337.1514; bailey@universityymca.org

Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is now accepting submissions for the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set for Thursday, April 30. Deadline for submitting an application to the URS is Sunday, March 1, 2020, at 11:59 pm. The application can be found here. 

The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 26-May 2, 2020), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, as well as corporate partners and sponsors, to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. Students are encouraged to apply even if titles or abstracts have not yet been finalized – they can be edited.  Just make sure the application is successfully submitted by March 1!