In a few short weeks our most recent Illini applicants will begin their law school journey. We wish all Illini beginning their legal studies this fall good luck! We know that you will succeed and make immeasurable contributions to your new academic communities.
To help in preparing during these final days before the semester, we asked past Illini currently attending law school to share their reflections on their first year of law school and advice for new Illini joining law school across the country this fall. These reflections share helpful insights for all Illini planning for their future legal education. Thanks to all our alumni for taking the time to share their thoughts!
In April, the American Bar Association (ABA) President, Mary Smith, will visit campus. This is an exciting and unique opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to connect with a national leader in the legal profession. In honor of Ms. Smith’s visit let’s take some time to learn more about the American Bar Association and why it is important to the U.S. legal system and the legal profession!
To learn more about unique opportunities for pre-law students to engage with Ms. Smith during her visit, click here!
Constitution Day is an annual celebration of the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. Read below to learn some fun facts about the Constitution!
In honor of our newest U.S. federal holiday, Juneteenth, we’d like to recognize some of the immeasurable contributions of African American lawyers, judges, and lawmakers.
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.”
We are reaching that point in the cycle where many applicants are moving into the final stages of preparing their applications. Whether you are looking to apply in a few weeks, or later this application cycle, below are some helpful tips based on actual applicant experiences to assist in your final preparations!
DO:
1. Follow all directions closely!When asked for their best advice, we routinely hear law admissions deans say “follow the application directions” as their #1 tip. Follow the application directions as written and provided – full stop!
Example: if the personal statement page limit is 2, don’t submit a 2.5 page document and assume they won’t mind – even if it is well written.
Each application may have slightly different criteria or directions, it is important to confirm specifics for each school.
2.Triple-checkmentioned school names in essays to match the school you’re submitting the individual application to.If you choose/are required to individualize documents for each individual school based on their directions (see above) – be sure to confirm you have submitted the right draft to the right school. This mistake really happens…every year.
3. Choose recommenders wisely.Those with whom you have a strong relationship and will write about specific experiences and qualities will be most effective.
4. Use your resources! There are many resources to help you succeed in this process. Be sure to utilize the PLAS Office! Whether we help you directly or connect you with the necessary resources – we are here to help!
5. Explore a wide variety of schools. You may be surprised at what you find! Be sure to check out the Researching Law Schools blog post for tips on identifying schools!
Be sure to attend a law fair and meetings with schools – there is an LSAC Digital Forum occurring on November 19!
6. Get Organized! Create a spreadsheet, google doc, or other means to organize your information and track your application tasks. PLAS has put together an Excel spreadsheet that you can use to get started. To see the example, click here.
Don’t forget about your email! Set up folders to organize communications as you receive them!
7. Apply to a range of schools where you feel your LSAT/GPA are very competitive, competitive, and less competitive (some may refer to this as safety, target, and reach schools). This will open up the most opportunities for admission and potential scholarships, it will also help provide as much choice in the admission process as possible.
DON’T:
1. Forget to proofread all your application materials. Be sure to plan time to give every application a comprehensive and thorough review before submitting.
2. Skip directions.Yes – it’s so important we’ve included it on our list twice!
3. Submit applicationsto law schools that you do not see yourself attending. Every school you apply to will not necessarily satisfy your goals/wish list to equal measure as another. However, don’t waste your energy or time with options that you know you will not pursue. Instead, look for a better-fitting option that meets at least some of your most important goals and that you could see yourself attending.
4. Write optional statements/addendums that 1. don’t apply to your personal situation; or, 2. that you feel compelled to write simply to “add more” to your application. Only include addendums where required, relevant, and that add new, substantive information. Doing “more” can take away from your application if it doesn’t contribute something relevant, meaningful, or helpful!
5. Apply late without a strategy. Most law schools admit students on a rolling basis with final deadlines in the spring semester. You should balance carefully having a strong application with the submission timing of your application. Sometimes applying a bit later in the cycle can result in submitting a superior application overall, however, if you will be submitting after December you do want to take timing into account and adjust your strategy.
Be sure to attend the PLAS “Strategies for Spring Application Success” workshop which provides helpful information and strategies for submitting applications from January to spring.
6. Put all your eggs in one, super competitive, basket! In other words, don’t apply only to schools where acceptance rates are low or where you are at the low end of their GPA and LSAT ranges.
7. Lose touch! You should be making connections with schools throughout the application process, both before and after you apply. This will help you gather important information and perspectives to assist you with final decisions and also in creating more opportunities for you to leave a positive impression with schools. Be sure to make time for programs, events, and visits (virtual and in-person) at the schools you are applying to!
Stay Tuned! We will have great programming upcoming this winter and spring to help you navigate the post-application process!
Meet with a pre-law advisor…
The Pre-Law Advising Office is designed to help you achieve success in your goal of attending law school (seriously – it’s kind of the reason for our existence…). Whether you are a senior Illini or an alum planning to continue your education in law school, we are anxious to meet with you!
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?
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.
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!
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!
Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which 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.
Bianca B. Brown
Chicago transit authority- Chief Attorney, Torts Litigation
QUICK FACTS ABOUT Bianca Brown:
Law School: Thomas M. Cooley Law School
UIUC Undergraduate Major: Political Science and Government
Bianca’s Three Words to Describe an Attorney:
Advocate|Insightful |Innovative
CHECK OUT Part 1 and 2 of THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW BELOW!
Part 1
Part I features a discussion on Ms. Brown’s educational and career background.
Looking for an internship? Read and listen below in Part 2 for more information on the CTA and their internship program!
Part 2
Part II features Ms. Brown’s role in the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), internship information at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and more!
The Chicago Transit Authority has a variety of paid internships available for college and graduate students! This is a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience from the nation’s second largest public transportation system. Internships are available during the summer and school year. There are internship opportunities for students majoring in a variety of majors from engineering to media communications to law to human resources and many more!
Click here for more information about Chicago Transit Authority Internships!
Alumni Attorney Talks is a virtual series which 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.
Featuring: Aja Carr-Favors
Associate General Counsel for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
