Pre-Law Briefs
12/7/07
(After this week, Pre-Law Briefs will resume
again on
January 18th, 2008)
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~
- 3RD ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION PANEL
Thursday, January 31st, 2008, 5:30 pm, Drexel University College of Law, Philadelphia, PA
RSVP no later than Monday, January 28th, 2008 to Grant Keener at gkeener@drexel.edu.
(In the e-mail, include your full name and the undergraduate institution you currently attend or from which you graduated).
This panel provides a unique opportunity for prospective law students to receive admission advice directly from those who read law school applications and make admission decisions. Following the panel, the participating law schools will host a reception where prospective students and pre-law advisors can chat informally with the admission representatives. The following law schools will be represented and are co-hosting the reception: Drexel University College of Law, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Temple University School of Law, Villanova University School of Law, Widener University School of Law.
- 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 will take approximately 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.
- You can now view the Previous Issues of Pre-Law Briefs below!
- 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.
~Law School Announcements~
- Northeastern University School of Law is offering a scholarship opportunity for students interested in public interest law. If you have a passion for public interest, a background in social justice and a strong LSAT and GPA, please look into this scholarship. Applicants do not need to be admitted in order to apply. Criteria: background in social justice/public interest, LSAT: 161, GPA: 3.4. The application deadline is January 2nd, 2008. For more information and to download an application, go to http://www.slaw.neu.edu/admiss/pilsapp.htm.
- 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.
- Are you interested in applying to Tulane University Law School? 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 (12/7/07-Winter Break)~
Good luck with finals! Enjoy your break!
~Events To Look Forward To~
Continue to look at this section for future events in upcoming weeks!
~Upcoming LSAT Dates~
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, February 2, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, February 4, 2008 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, June 16, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, October 4, 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, October 6, 2008 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, December 6 , 2008
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, December 8, 2008 (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.
- 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
~ Previous Issues of Pre-Law Briefs~
You may wish to browse our Pre-Law Briefs archive, especially the Announcements sections:
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
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)