Pre-Law Briefs
2/1/08
Welcome to the SU Pre-Law Listserv! Please make note of upcoming events and workshops. We hope that you can join us for one or more of these workshops!
~Announcements~
- REMINDER: File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) early. DO NOT WAIT until you receive an acceptance! Many law schools have financial aid application deadlines in mid-February to early March! (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov).
- ATTENTION SENIORS AND ALUMNI LOOKING TO APPLY TO LAW SCHOOL FOR FALL 2008 ADMISSION:
Be sure to submit your Dean's Certification forms to our office as soon as possible! Remember, it can take up to 3 weeks for our office to process these forms. DO NOT wait until the last minute, especially if you are applying for early admission. For more information, see the Dean's Certification Requests section below.
~Law School Announcements~
- FLORIDA STATE LAW: SUMMER FOR UNDERGRADUATES PROGRAM
Florida State Law School is currently accepting applications from undergraduate students for its 2008 Summer for Undergraduates Program, which provides select students with an inside look at law school and the legal profession. The 2008 program will be held from May 19th through June 13th, and applictions must be postmarked by March 28th. Students from all backgrounds and majors are invited. For more information, please visit: http://www.law.fsu.edu/summer_undergraduates/index.html.
~Upcoming Pre-Law Events (2/1/08-2/8/08)~
- SPRING CAREER EXPOThursday, February 7th from 10:30 am-3:30 pm in the Schine Student Center
The Spring Career Expo combines two major events into one career extravaganza. The Spring Career Expo provides the opportunity for 120+ employers from all industries to meet with 1000+ talented and diverse students from all majors to discuss both full-time and internship career opportunities available in their organizations.
~Events To Look Forward To~
February:
- TO DO LIST FOR JUNIOR PRE-LAW STUDENTS
Monday, February 11th from 4:00-5:00 pm in 320 Hall of Languages
This workshop is designed specifically for juniors wanting to attend law school. Topics include: LSAC, LSAT, LSDAS, personal statements, recommendation letters, and dean's certifications. Bring your questions and we'll give you answers!
- CLEO (COUNCIL ON LEGAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY)
Wednesday, February 13th from 5:00-6:00 pm in 320 Hall of Languages
CLEO is committed to diversifying the legal profession by expanding legal education opportunities to minority, low-income and disadvantaged groups. Over the past 37 years, more than 7,500 students have participated in CLEO's pre-law and law school academic support programs, successfully matriculated through law school, passed the bar exam, and joined the legal profession. SU has a current student who is a CLEO alumnae. She will lead the presentation, answer questions, and give you the inside scoop on CLEO.
- WHAT DOES BEING A PROFESSIONAL MEAN?
Thursday, February 21st from 5:30-6:30 pm in 500 Hall of Languages
What does a professional look like? How does a professional behave? We'll not only answer these two questions, but also talk about how to present yourself as a professional in an interview setting. This seminar is for pre-law and pre-health students.
- KAPLAN TEST DRIVE FOR DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, AND MCAT (CO-SPONSORED BY KAPLAN TEST PREP)
Saturday, February 23rd at 12:00 pm, sign-in and room assignments in the Hall of Languages lobby
Experience a graduate or professional school admissions test under simulated test conditions. Kaplan will provide, free of charge, the materials and the test-taking conditions to give you a sense of the "real thing". You may register on the Kaplan Web site or by calling the Syracuse Kaplan office at 315-472-3702.
- COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: NON-PROFIT AND GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES FAIR
Wednesday, February 27th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm in Schine Student Center
Community Connections is an information fair geared toward students interested in full-time, internship, and volunteer opportunities with non-profit and government organizations.
- SUNY-ESF ENVIRONMENTAL CAREER FAIR
Wednesday, February 27th from 10:30 am-3:00 pm in the Nifkin Lounge and 110 Moon Library, ESF Campus
SUNY-ESF is seeking to bring together students and employers so that they may explore common interests related to permanent employment, summer jobs, and internships associated with the environment. Invited employers will include corporate, government, and non-for-profit agencies. This Career Fair will allow students from ESF and SU to explore the great variety of environment-related career opportunities available to them. Employers will take advantage of this time to describe their potential career paths and recruit candidates. Visit http://www.esf.edu/students/career/ecf.htm to see a list of employers who will be attending the Environmental Career Fair.
March:
- PRE-LAW INFORMATION SESSION FOR FIRST-YEAR AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS
Monday, March 3rd from 4:00-5:00 pm in 320 Hall of Languages
This workshop is designed specifically for first- and second-year SU students who are considering law school as an option. We will provide a brief overview of the law school application process and the legal profession, but the focus of the seminar will be on ways that you can improve your academic transcript and your resume so that you will be in the best, most competitive position to gain admission into the law school(s) of your choice. Topics covered will include: recommended courses and extracurricular activities, suggested work experiences, and strategies to prepare for the application process.
- LSAT 10-QUESTION CHALLENGE (CO-SPONSORED BY KAPLAN TEST PREP)
Wednesday, March 5th from 6:00-7:00 pm in 320 Hall of Languages
What is the LSAT like, and how should you best prepare for this critically important test? Find out at the Kaplan LSAT 10-Question Challenge seminar. During the seminar, students will learn about the test's structure, types of questions, and several test-taking strategies. Students will complete ten actual LSAT questions which will then be explained by a Kaplan instructor. You may register on the Kaplan Web site or by calling the Syracuse Kaplan office at 315-472-3702.
- LSAT TEST DRIVE(CO-SPONSORED BY KAPLAN TEST PREP)
Monday, March 24th from 6:00-7:00 pm in 320 Hall of Languages
Experience an LSAT test under simulated test conditions. Kaplan will provide, free of charge, the materials and the test-taking conditions to give you a sense of the "real thing." You may register on the Kaplan Web site or by calling the Syracuse Kaplan office at 315-472-3702.
~Upcoming LSAT Dates~
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, February 2nd, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, February 4th, 2008 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, June 16th, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, October 4th, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, October 6th, 2008 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, December 6th, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, December 8th, 2008 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
About the LSAT - http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=lsac/about-the-lsat.aspDates and Deadlines - http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=lsac/test-dates-deadlines.asp
~LSAT Info~
- New LSAT Regulations Take Effect - http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=/lsac/changing-news.asp#new_lsat_regulations
- Notice of Changes to the LSAT - http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=/lsac/changing-news.asp#lsat_changes
~What Should I Be Doing Now?~
1st Year:
- Keep it simple.
- Focus on your GPA.
- Keep your nose clean.
- Develop a relationship with your professors.
- Think about getting involved in internships, extracurriculars, community service, and other activities.
Sophomore Year:- Keep the GPA up.
- Consider a study abroad experience.
- Gain internship experience and participate in extracurricular activities (pursue leadership roles).
- Investigate classes that teach you "law school skills."
- Network with professors.
- Continue to stay out of trouble.
Junior Year:- Keep the GPA up.
- Use the Pre-Law office.
- Begin researching law schools.
- Continue outside experiences and pursue leadership positions.
- Keep February in mind for the application process.
- Network with professors.
- Continue to stay out of trouble.
Senior Year:What should be done?
- View your Lowdown on Law School "Law School Application Checklist..." http://prelaw.syr.edu/handbook.pdf (pg. 48-52).
What should I be working on now?
- Carefully examine the Master Law School Report from LSDAS to ensure that all the information provided is accurate and complete.- Write your personal statement.
- Meet with a Pre-Law Advisor to discuss your progress in the application process and to ask any questions you may have.
- Remind your recommenders of deadlines for submission of their letters to LSDAS (most schools require 2-4 letters).- If you have any Dean's Certifications which need to be completed, then get them into the Pre-Law office. They take, on average, 3 weeks to process. (The Dean's Certification process is explained below.)
- If you are going abroad or taking time off before law school, then set up a Credentials File of recommendation letters at the Center for Career Services in 235 Schine Student Center.
- Work towards application completion. Keep copies of everything you send.
- File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) early (by January 1st). DO NOT WAIT until you receive an acceptance! (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Alumni: We didn't forget about you!
- If you are looking to apply for Fall 2008, then follow the Seniors timeline closely. Again, the pre-law handbook (The Lowdown on Law School) is online with a checklist.
- Set up an appointment with a Pre-Law Advisor--in person or by phone--to discuss where you are in the process.
~Dean's Certification Requests~
Some law schools require that applicants obtain a signed form or letter from the Dean of all schools or colleges which they have attended to certify that the student is in good standing with the school. If a law school requires a Dean's Certification form, it will be listed with that school's application for admission under "Supplemental Forms" on the LSAC/LSDAS Web site. All current and former SU students should submit their requests for Dean's Certification to Lynn Fall in the office of Pre-Law Advising Services, either via mail (329 HL, Syracuse, NY 13244-1170) or fax (315-443-9397). If you have questions regarding the process, please contact Lynn at 315-443-6228 or via e-mail (lfall@syr.edu). When submitting your request(s), please include a signed release form which can be downloaded here.
~Internship Links~
OrangeLink, SU's Internship Database:
http://students.syr.edu/careerservices/undergrad/orangelinkintro.htm (OrangeLink intro/quick start guide)
https://syr-csm.symplicity.com/students (log-in)
External Internship Links:
~Helpful Links~
Pre-Law Handbook "Preparing For The Study of Law: The Lowdown on Law School"
http://prelaw.syr.edu/handbook.pdf
Syracuse University Pre-Law Advising Services
Graduate Record Examinations - GRE
Law School Admissions Council - LSAC (refer to this site for the LSAT and LSDAS as well)
Career Exploration Services - CES (for Arts and Sciences students)
Major Insights (guide to choosing a major for Arts and Sciences students)
http://ces.syr.edu/majorinsights.pdf
Health Professions Advisory Program - HPAP
50 FREE Pre-Law and Law School Preparation Articles
http://www.legalwritingprep.com/articles
Boston College Law School Locator (25th to 75th percentile LSAT scores and GPA ranges)
http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/gradschool/law/lawlocator.html#the25
Personal Statement Advice
http://www.accepted.com/law/default.aspx
DeLoggio Admissions Achievement Program
http://deloggio.com/newweb/home.htm
Other Web Sites with General Info on Graduate and Professional Studies
Here is an article related to opportunities which combine law and technology. Read this feature from Bridges:
http://careerpronews.bridges.com/explorer/browse/op/lglminds/main.htm
Here is an article related to choosing among the many available legal specialties. How do you decide which specialty is right for you? Read this feature from Bridges:
http://careerpronews.bridges.com/explorer/browse/et/legalspty/main.htm
ABAJournal.com is the Web site of the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association:
An article addressing generation gap and racial disparity concerns in law schools:
http://chronicle.com/daily/2008/01/1106n.htm
~Previous Issues of Pre-Law Briefs~
You may wish to browse our Pre-Law Briefs archive, especially the Announcements sections:
January 25, 2008
November 30, 2007
November 16, 2007
November 9, 2007
November 2, 2007
~Pre-Law Advising Services~
Stay in Touch: Our Contact Info
If you are considering law school, or have already decided that you intend to apply to law school, we encourage you to stop by our office located in 329 Hall of Languages and introduce yourselves, set up a meeting with one of our Pre-Law Advisors, attend our Pre-Law Events, and to stay in touch with us frequently throughout your undergraduate career. To make this easier for you, here are the names and contact information for our office staff:
M. Kristine Waldron, Director
Amy Friers, Pre-Law Advisor
Lynn Fall, Office Coordinator
Mike White, Graduate Assistant
Caitlin Horgan, Student Assistant
329 Hall of Languages
Syracuse, NY 13244-1170 (office hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm)
(315) 443-6228
(315) 443-9397 (fax)
http://prelaw.syr.edu/casnet.htm (online version of Pre-Law Briefs)