Pre-Law Briefs
11/2/07
Joke of the Week:
(These statements were actually transcribed
word for word from a court room.)
Attorney: Sir, what is your IQ?
Witness: Well, I think I can see pretty good.
from Court Room Humor @ gravel2gravel.com
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~
- Are you curious about the classroom experience in law school? If you answered yes, then you want to RSVP for and attend this program:
PRE-LAW ADVISING VISIT TO SU COLLEGE OF LAW
Wednesday, November 14th
3:30 pm: tour of law school by real, SU College of Law students
4:00 pm: attend a law class (Torts or Civil Procedure)
RSVP to Amy at afriers@syr.edu by Wednesday, November 7th
SEATS ARE LIMITED, SO CONTACT AMY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
- NOTICE: We have added a new section to Pre-Law Briefs which provides links for internship opportunities. Also, there have been a few new and useful links added to the Helpful Links section!
- Princeton Review has offered $200 off the cost of their Hyperlearning LSAT course for SU students. The Hyperlearning LSAT course is an intensive classroom experience with 60 hours of instruction. It features 6 full-length, proctored practice LSATs. The course will be led by a team of instructors, each an expert in his/her specific field.
- 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
~Law School Announcements~
- Are you interested in applying to Stetson University's College of Law? Do you have financial concerns in paying the application fee? If you answered yes to BOTH questions, then please contact the Pre-Law Advising Office for help.
- The George Washington University Law School announces a new binding Early Decision/Presidential Merit Scholarship Program. Early decision applications are due by December 15th. Early decision applicants must agree to attend GW Law if admitted. Early decision admits will receive a three- or four-year, full-tuition scholarship. For more information, visit www.law.gwu.edu/admissions/default.htm or contact the GW Law Admissions Office at jdadmit@law.gwu.edu or 202-994-7230.
- The University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is waiving the $50 application fee for every applicant who applies electronically before December 31st. Students can access the electronic application at www.stthomas.edu/law or via the LSAC Web site at www.lsac.org.
- The Valparaiso University School of Law in Valparaiso, Indiana (one hour outside of Chicago) is willing to waive the $60 application fee for students who apply by January 1st, 2008. However, you must have a copy of a specific letter attached to your application. To obtain a copy of this letter, make an appointment with one of our Pre-Law Advisors.
~Upcoming Pre-Law Events (11/2/07-11/9/07)~
- WHAT DOES BEING A PROFESSIONAL MEAN?
Thursday, November 8th from 4:00–5:30 pm in 320 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 LSAT 10-QUESTION CHALLENGE (free seminar co-sponsored by Kaplan Test Prep, http://www.kaptest.com)
Thursday, November 8th from 5:30–6:30 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 10 actual LSAT questions which will then be explained by a Kaplan instructor. There is no cost to participate.
~Events To Look Forward To~
November:
- PRE-LAW ADVISING VISIT TO SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Wednesday, November 14th, 3:30 pm - tour of law school, 4:00 pm - attend a law class
Are you curious about the classroom experience in law school? If you answered yes, then you want to RSVP for and attend this program. It will begin with a tour of the law school by SU College of Law students at 3:30 pm. This will be followed by an opportunity to attend a law class (Torts or Civil Procedure) at 4:00 pm.
RSVP to Amy at afriers@syr.edu by Wednesday, November 7th
SEATS ARE LIMITED, SO CONTACT AMY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
~Upcoming LSAT Dates~
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, December 1st
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, December 3rd (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, February 2nd
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, February 4th (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
About the LSAT - http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=lsac/about-the-lsat.asp
Dates 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 possible future extracurricular activities and internships.
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. Attend the Personal Statement Workshop (October 26th)
- 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.- If you haven't pursued your Letters of Recommendation (most schools require 2-4), then you need to pursue them NOW!
- 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.
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
~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
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)