The summer is an excellent time to reconnect, gain new experiences, move forward with your academic progress, or simply relax and rejuvenate.  With the summer officially underway, this is an excellent time to evaluate your goals for the summer and set some priorities as they relate to your prelaw plans.

You have completed another academic year and it is something to be celebrated.  This summer spend some time planning and considering the following:

• • Is your academic curriculum set (major/minors)? Do some research as there is an incredibly diverse set of programs to choose from at Illinois!

• • How will you engage with the campus and the community? If you were involved, did you enjoy your experiences?  How can you gain additional leadership and volunteer experiences next year?
    • • Student Engagement at the University of Illinois

• • How is your academic performance? Now is the time to evaluate and reflect.  What worked and helped you succeed? If you experienced challenges, what were they and why?  Use the summer to identify what practices you will continue into next year to contribute to your success and where adjustments are necessary.  Research resources to assist in the areas where you would like to improve.
    • • Tutoring and Academic Support – Office of the Provost (illinois.edu)

• • Use the summer to research. What type of internships might you be interested in next year?  Are you interested in study abroad, Illinois in Washington, or other unique learning opportunities?  Learn more about internship opportunities with the PLAS Internship Newsletter!
    • • Stay Tuned!  Check back later this summer for our post on unique and prestigious opportunities at UIUC, perfect for prelaw students!

• • Network! Talk to individuals in the legal profession or to upper level peers who have pursued opportunities that you would be interested in.  Use these conversations to gain insights and perspectives about your future goals.
    • • Alumni Attorney Talks – catch up on our Alumni Attorney Talk series featuring practicing attorneys and judges.  The series can be found on this blog!  Just search on “Alumni Attorney Talks” or visit our Canvas page for a comprehensive list.

• • Think ahead.  Planning ahead is key for prelaw students.  It allows you to monitor progress and seek resources if necessary; manage competing obligations with success; and pursue unique opportunities that will benefit your goals for law school. If you will be applying during your senior year, you will likely begin your LSAT prep no later than the spring of your junior year.  How does that semester look in terms of course load?  What will your academic progress/achievements be at the beginning of your senior year (if this is the year you will apply to law school)?
    • • For those applying to law school during senior year, you will ideally be submitting applications during the Fall semester (approximately 1 year prior to when you would like to begin law school).  It is important to evaluate what achievements, academic work, and other opportunities will be included in your resume for consideration by law schools.

• • Take time to rejuvenate!  The summer should be utilized to take some time for yourself, tending to your wellness and recharging for the upcoming year.  Keep reading for some fun summer suggestions!

Just for Fun…

As mentioned summer should be utilized as a time to enjoy and relax.  

Here are some suggestions on some fun law-related books, movies, podcasts, and TV shows to check out!

Books:

• • The Color of Law
  • Thieves of Book Row
  • Crime and Punishment
  • The Rainmaker
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • In Cold Blood
  • I’ll Be Gone In the Dark
  • Radium Girls
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  • Becoming

Check out this list of recommended books for more options!

Movies/Documentaries:

• • The Staircase (documentary)
  • Find Me Guilty
  • Marshall
  • RBG
  • Erin Brockovich
  • On the Basis of Sex
  • Philadelphia
  • Legally Blonde
  • The Firm

Check out this list of recommended movies for more options!

TV Shows:

• • How to Get Away With Murder
  • Damages
  • Bull
  • Better Call Saul
  • The Good Wife
  • Law and Order

Check out this list of recommended shows for more options!

Want to share your favorites?

Visit us on Instagram to share your top picks!

 

“Everyone has some gift, some one thing he can do better than anything else, whether it is teaching, dancing, dramatics, cooking, or some other skill. Find that one thing and give of it to humanity if you want a well-rounded happy life.”

~ Maudelle Tanner Brown Bousfield | Class of 1906

We would like to offer our congratulations to graduating members of the Class of 2022.  Whether you are continuing your education in law school next year or planning to start your professional work after graduation, we congratulate you on the hard work, perseverance, and determination it has taken to realize this milestone in your life.

Congratulations graduates! We wish you all the best!

Warmly,

Pre-Law Advising Services

Don’t lose touch!

Don’t forget, PLAS is here to support you and your law school goals once you graduate.  Whether next year or several years from now, we are here to help!

• • Want to stay connected? Follow us on Instagram @uiucprelaw and join our listserv by emailing prelaw@illinois.edu, subject line “Listserv”.
  • Interested in hearing from pre-law students? We invite you to check out our two-part series: Reflections from a Law Student and Reflections from Senior Pre-Law Students on our blog!

Part II: Reflections from Senior Pre-Law Students

We hope that you enjoyed Part I of our two-part Reflections series with graduating law student, Courtney Koenig. If you missed it, you can access it here. In Part II, we hope you will enjoy reading and hearing reflections from three May 2022 graduating pre-law students!

Peer Perspectives:

Student peers can be some of the best resources for students to turn to while being pre-law students. Because everyone has their own, unique journey, it can be beneficial to gain different ideas and perspectives.

Three of our undergraduate senior pre-law students, Alice, Meera and Stella, share their personal experiences while being students here at UIUC and offer insights and advice about being pre-law, student organizations and activities, internships and externships, and more!

Are you interested in pre-law? We invite you to get curious and explore! Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

• • Interested in taking classes that will help build essential skills for law school? Check out our Course Recommendation Charts for Summer and Fall 2022. There are classes from a variety of majors.
  • Have you joined pre-law student organizations? Click here to learn more about the pre-law student organizations.
  • Do you want to gain invaluable experience before attending law school? Check out our internship document for endless opportunities including pre-law ones.
  • Join our Canvas page to have access to all things Pre-Law. Click here for instructions on how to self-enroll.
  • Explore our Alumni Attorney Talk series on our blog and in Canvas!

As another academic year comes to a close, we encourage you to reflect back on your own journey this year. Be proud of your accomplishments, learn from your experiences, and apply your wisdom to your future endeavors!  Have a wonderful summer and congratulations to the Class of 2022!

 

Each year, May brings important endings and new beginnings.  It also presents a perfect opportunity to reflect back and gain insights from past accomplishments, challenges, and experiences.  As we celebrate our Class of 2022 graduates we took the opportunity to gain some valuable insights from our graduating students.

Part I: Reflections from a Law Student

Courtney Koenig

Courtney has served as the Pre-Law Advising Services Graduate Assistant since Fall 2020.  Following graduation from the University of Illinois College of Law in May 2022, she will begin work at Thompson Coburn, LLP in St. Louis focusing her practice in Corporate and  Business Law topics.

A conversation with a law student…

Check out the video below to hear insights from Courtney about her pre-law journey, law school experience, professional opportunities, and her advice for pre-law students and alumni, including tips for individuals beginning their law school journey in Fall 2022!

 

Stay Tuned! Part II – Reflections from Pre-Law Seniors!