Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series that aims to provide prospective law students with helpful insights about attending law school and pursuing a legal career. This series features interviews with University of Illinois alumni working in a variety of diverse settings within the legal profession.
JANICE FARRELL PEA
Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PROFESSOR PEA
Law School: University of Illinois College of Law
Undergraduate Major: Health Information Management
Professor Pea’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:
Serendipitous| Varied |Satisfying
Professor Pea pursued a successful career in the health industry, including earning an MBA, prior to attending law school. Following graduation, she became a law clerk with the Illinois Supreme Court while also beginning her teaching career at the University of Illinois College of Law.Learn more about Professor Pea online, click the link below to view our interview with Professor Pea!
The upcoming Fall Break is a welcome change as we head into the final weeks of the semester and year. For students, it’s a time to step away from the day-to-day demands of academic life and for alumni, there is often a bit more time to disconnect from work and the everyday demands. To help make sure you’re maximizing your time before the end of the semester! Read our tips below on way to fully utilize this unique time!
1. Reconnect with your family and include them in your pre-law journey at the Pre-Law for Parents and Families event!
Whether it is your first fall break or last, take this time to reconnect with family and friends. Have a conversation and let them know how you have been doing and include them in your pre-law journey by inviting them to Pre-Law for Parents and Families on November 21 at 6:30 pm! For more information and to register, click here.
2. Relax and Rejuvenate
The end of the semester is always a busy, and often stressful, time. Make time for yourself over break to rest and rejuvenate prior to the end of the semester. UIUC also provides a wide variety of services and resources to help make the end of the semester as manageable as possible!
Here are some upcoming workshops that may interest you:
December 6 | 7:00 pm: Mangoes and Mental Health: Join Campus Recreation while we make delicious mango smoothies, dialogue, and skill-build healthy ways to manage our stress
Being productive is great, but overworking yourself may not be. Your efforts to be successful are more effective when you’re not exhausted. Many people find mindfulness apps like InsightTimer, Calm, or Headspace useful in bringing the focus back to the present moment.
3. Make a Plan to Finalize Applications
Applying this year? Set a goal date for application submission and stick to it!
We highly recommend trying to apply during the first half of the admissions cycle, if possible. Use Thanksgiving break as an opportunity to finalize your applications and submit them to schools. If you will be applying later than early December, use Thanksgiving break to complete as many of the application components as you can and identify the earliest date you feel you can apply.
Planning to apply in the spring of 2023? Plan and strategize to maximize success!
TIP: Make an appointment with a pre-law Advisor to discuss your spring 2023 application strategies.
TIP: Attend the “Strategies for Spring Application Success” workshop on December 1, 2022. To learn more and register, click here.
Regardless of when you apply, here is a brief checklist of essential items you will need to complete. If any of this feels overwhelming, don’t worry! Meet with a pre-law advisor and we’ll walk through it together):
CAS, LOR, Transcripts: Make sure you are familiar with the LSAC Credential Assembly Services (CAS) and stay current on the status of your materials and application components. Request transcripts NOW, these will take several weeks to process. Be sure you have submitted ALL required transcripts. Follow up with recommenders, be sure they are aware of your goal timeline, and be sure to check CAS to confirm when your letters of recommendation are uploaded.
LSAT and LSAT Writing: You will need your final score to apply. If you don’t have your score, confirm when it will be available and plan your goal submission date accordingly. Have you completed the LSAT Writing? You must complete the Writing portion to receive your score (you must only do this once – if you previously completed this step you are done!). Be sure to do that prior to the score release date of November 30, 2022. The LSAT Writing must be completed before your score is released.
Application Documents: Don’t quite have a final draft of your personal statement, resume, or addendums but want to save your spot on our advising calendar? No worries! You can book your appointment with an existing draft and then email your advisor a more complete draft of your document prior to your appointment – documents must be received at least one business day prior to your scheduled meeting time to ensure it is reviewed!
Personal Statement – Fall break is a great time to draft and hopefully finalize your statement! Make sure to follow your specific schools’ prompts. Don’t forget to edit, edit, edit! Don’t know how to get started? Check out our Personal Statement resource on Canvas.
Resume – Make sure it is current and ready to apply! Make sure it is well-formatted, free of typos and mistakes, and easy to read. Don’t know how to get started? Check out our Resume resource on Canvas.
Addendums – Are there addendums required by your schools? Are there optional addendums? Be sure you have confirmed what addendums you will be submitting and begin writing.
School-specific requirementsand questions: Make sure you have reviewed the specific application requirements for the schools you will be applying to, and create a checklist for each school. Questions? If you have questions about an individual school’s application requirements or process ask NOW! Don’t wait until your goal submission date to confirm details. Reach out directly or send emails over Thanksgiving break!
Remember…
We are here to help! PLAS is here to review documents, discuss strategies, and answer questions. We highly encourage you to book your appointment soon, this time of year gets really busy!
3. Plan the End of Your Semester
Make a strategic plan for the end of the semester to help make things manageable.Think backward from deadlines and due dates to ensure you have enough time to prepare for each end-of-semester item. Take into account:
Final academic obligations (papers, projects, final exams, and study time). Mark deadlines and dates on your calendar.
Upcoming deadlines for internships or other special programs.
Admissions events and programs you may wish to attend (The last LSAC Forum is on February 3rd, 2023!).
Time for life logistics – plan around busy times and deadlines for things like groceries/bills, exercise, family, and friends.
4. Taking the LSAT in 2023?
Consider using some of your fall break to explore LSAT prep resources and start developing a study plan. Here are some links to get you started:
Save the Date!February 2023:LSATJumpstart hosted by PLAS, is a four-session mini-camp to help you prepare for the LSAT. To learn more and register, click here.
LSAC’s Khan Academy: explore what LSAT prep looks like through this free program.
LSAT Preparation Resources on Canvas: Head over to the PLAS Canvas page and scroll to the LSAT Preparation module. Here you will find many resources and tips to help you prepare for the LSAT.
5. Finally, start thinking ahead…
Make efforts to finalize important spring plans including course selections, extracurricular involvements, and goals for internships and other opportunities.
Unfortunately, the time between graduation and law school is often referred to as “gap years”. This term often invites an impression that this time lacks substance, is unintentional or is void of value. Perhaps, as a result, many students have an inaccurate impression that taking time prior to law school is inherently negative or a disadvantage to their ultimate goal of attending law school. The reality is that taking time to pursue opportunities prior to law school can contribute significantly to an applicant’s success, and can ultimately offer an individual tremendous benefits personally, academically, and professionally.
Whether you ultimately decide to pursue an opportunity prior to law or go “straight through”, every future applicant should consider how a timeline that includes a “gap year(s)” might enhance their application and contribute to their ultimate success as a law student!
Below is a collection of resources to assist in your decision-making!
View this brief virtual workshop discussing Gap Years!
Learn more about the many benefits of taking a gap year and possible opportunities to pursue!
Watch!Gap Year PerspectivesPanel
PLAS welcomed a panel of UIUC pre-law alumni to share perspectives and insights about their experiences taking time to pursue opportunities prior to law school. The Gap Year Perspectives Panel was hosted on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 5:30 pm via Zoom. To register for this event, please click here. Learn more about our accomplished groups of panelists below!
“By taking these gap years and finding what makes me happy in life, I was able to figure out how to intertwine that with my passion for the law, (hopefully) setting me up to have a career after law school that I can be proud and happy with.”
Haydn Lambert ’19
“I wanted to get a better sense of what the world was like outside of school so that my time in law school would be more informed by experience.”
Skylar Rolle ’20
“I wanted to make sure that law school was the right choice for me. In addition, I wanted to take the chance to work in politics so that I could go into law school with some real-world experiences.”
Matthew Krauter ’22
“I wanted to have the opportunity to make a real impact with my undergraduate education and be able to navigate law school admissions better and position myself for success.”
November 1:Drafting Your Application | 4:00 pm Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 1:APPtitude Pre-Law Program Applications Now Open!For students with anticipated graduation dates of December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025. To learn more and apply, click here.
November 1: NYU Law Online Information Session | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
November 1: AccessLex Webinar: Applying to Law School | 5:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
November 1: Mental Playground: Coping with Childhood Trauma | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 1: DEADLINE! Lavent Law Immigrant Scholarship | For more information, click here.
November 1:DEADLINE!Hallie Gay Walden Bagley Scholarship | For more information, click here.
November 1:DEADLINE!Neal Davis Law Scholarship | For more information, click here.
November 1: DEADLINE! Good Lawyers/Good People Scholarship | For more information, click here.
November 2: LSAT score release date via LSAC account.
November 2:APPtitude Pre-law Program Information Session| 4:00 pm via Zoom. Pre-registration is not required, click here for additional information. For students with anticipated graduation dates of December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025.
November 2: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 3:Pre-Law 101 Session One | 4:00 pm – In Person – Everitt Lab #2310. For more information and to register, click here.
November 3: Law Student Panel: If I Knew Then What I Know Now, presented by Kaplan | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. For more information, click here.
November 4:DEADLINE!Apply to become a Mock Interview Coach with The Career Center | Mock Interview Coaches have flexible hours (up to 10 hours/week) and are compensated $15/hour | To learn more and apply, click here.
November 4: UChicago Law Admissions On-Campus Visit | 9:15 am – 1:00 pm – To learn more, click here.
November 4: Northwestern Law First-Generation Prelaw Conference: Navigating Law School Admissions for First-Generation and Underrepresented Students | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 4: Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 5:Fall Open House: Experiential Learning at Chicago-Kent College of Law | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Virtual and In-Person. To learn more and register, click here.
November 7: DEADLINE! Truman Scholarship Campus Deadline | 12:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 7: Creating a Powerful Resume | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm in Career Center Conference Room 143. For more information, click here.
November 8: U.S. LL.M. Legal Education Conference: A Day in the Life – Current Students | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. For more information, click here.
November 8: Feeling the Burn? Let’s Talk about Burnout | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 9: Creating a Powerful Cover Letter | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm in Career Center Conference Room 143. For more information, click here.
November 9: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 6:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 9: St. Louis University School of Law | Virtual Sample Class with Professor Christine Rollins and Admissions Q & A | 6:00 pm ONLINE. For more information, click here.
November 9: U.S. LL.M. Legal Education Conference: A Day in the Life – Current Students | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. For more information, click here.
November 10:APPtitude Pre-Law Program Information Session| 12:00 pm via Zoom. Pre-registration is not required, click here for additional information. For students with anticipated graduation dates of December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025.
November 10: Pre-Law 101 Session Two| 4:00 pm – In Person – Everitt Lab #2310. For more information and to register, click here.
November 10: Northwestern Law’s “Ask me Anything” with Dean Lee |12:00 pm – 1:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 10: Udall Scholarship Info Session | 3:30 pm in 514 IUB. For more information, click here.
November 10: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 11:DEADLINE! Last day to apply for the Internship with the Office of Congressman Sean Casten in Washington D.C. and Glen Ellyn, IL | For more information and to apply, click here.
November 11: ONLINE Udall Scholarship Info Session | 9:00 am on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 11: UChicago Law Admissions On-Campus Visit | 9:15 am – 1:00 pm. For more information and to register, click here.
November 11: University of Houston Law Center Pre-Law Pipeline Program | 12:00 pm on Zoom. To attend, click here.
November 11:Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 11: Udall Scholarship Workshop | 3:00 pm in 514 IUB. For more information, click here.
November 12: Northwestern Law First-Generation Prelaw Conference: Navigating Law School Admissions for First-Generation and Underrepresented Students | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Click here to register.
November 11-12: November LSAT – Best wishes to everyone taking the LSAT this weekend!
November 13:DEADLINE! Last day to sign-up for LSAT study groups! | Click here for additional details and to sign-up.
November 14: St. Louis University School of Law #MotivationalMondays Virtual Series: Intellectual Property | 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm. For more information, click here.
November 14: UChicago Law Admissions Monthly Webinar | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
November 15:Gap Year Presentation and Panel | 5:30 pm via Zoom. For more information and to register, click here.
November 15: Test Anxiety Program | 1:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 15:Loyola Chicago JD Information Session | 3:30 pm on Zoom. For more details and to attend, click here.
November 15: You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Supporting a Friend Who’s Struggling | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 15: AccessLex Webinar: Law Student Panel: The Inside Scoop | 7:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
November 16: Behind the Scenes: The B1G Law School Experience | 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm ONLINE. Join the Big Ten Law Schools for a virtual admissions panel. For more information and to attend, click here.
November 16: AccessLex Webinar: Choosing a Law School | 4:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here.
November 16: Mythbusting the LSAT with Kaplan | 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 16: Test Masters – Logic Games Workshop (FREE) | 7:30 pm ONLINE – Register online to attend!
November 17: DEADLINE! Last day to register for the LSAC Digital Law School Forum | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 17:Special Event! University of Illinois College of Law: Meet the Admissions Team | 4pm at Peer and Sarah Pedersen Pavilion. For more information, click here.
November 17: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 18: DEADLINE!Last day to apply to the APPtitude Pre-Law Program | For students with anticipated graduation dates of December 2024, May 2025, or August 2025. For more information and to apply, click here.
November 18: In-Person St. Louis University School of Law Pre-Law Day | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 19: CLEO CONNECTION: Juniors Jumpstart the LSAT | Time provided upon registration. For more information, click here.
November 19: CLEO CONNECTION: Road to Law School Workshop | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information and to register, click here.
November 19:CLEO CONNECTION: Sophomore Super Saturdays | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. For more information and to register, click here.
November 19: DePaul College of Law Open House | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in-person. For more information and to register, click here.
November 19: LSAC Digital Law School Forum | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to attend, click here. Deadline to register is November 17!
November 19:Counseling Center’s Perfectionism Series | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 21: Pre-Law for Parents and Families | 6:30 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
November 21: Georgetown Law Virtual JD Information Session | 10:30 am ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
November 22: AccessLex Webinar: Paying for Law School | 3:00 pm ONLINE. For more information and to register, click here.
November 28:DEADLINE! Goldwater Campus Deadline | 12:00 pm. For more information, click here.
November 28: St. Louis University School of Law #MotivationalMondays Virtual Series: Health Law | 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm. For more information, click here.
November 28: Recognition, Insight, and Openness (RIO) series | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 29: Got the Blues? Slaying Seasonal Depression | 7:00 pm on Zoom. For more information, click here.
November 30: DEADLINE! Value of Mentorship Scholarship | For more information, and to apply, click here.
November 30: LSAT score release date via LSAC account.
November 30: AccessLex Webinar: Your Law School Investment | 2:00 pm ONLINE | For more information and to register, click here.
