Pre-Law Briefs
3/21/08
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~
- PRE-LAW SOCIETY MEETING
Tuesday, March 25th at 5:00 pm in the Schine Student Center, Room 228A
For more information, please contact Melissa Samuels at mesamuel@syr.edu.
- 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.
~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 applications must be postmarked by March 28th. Students from all backgrounds and majors are invited to apply. For more information, please visit: http://www.law.fsu.edu/summer_undergraduates/index.html.
~Upcoming Pre-Law Events (3/21/08-3/28/08)~
- 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.
~Events To Look Forward To~
April:
- "CURRENT SENIORS" PANEL *NEW WORKSHOP*
Tuesday, April 8th at 7:00 pm in the Schine Student Center, Room 228B
Are you a first-year, sophomore or junior who is interested in applying to law school? If so, come and learn about the entire law school application process from this panel of current SU seniors who have just successfully navigated each of the steps--from selecting their list of schools, preparing for and taking the LSAT, composing their personal statements, submitting their applications, obtaining their letters of recommendation and Dean's Certification forms, right up to the final stage of being accepted into one or more schools. These seniors have generously agreed to share their personal experiences with students who are at an earlier stage in the process, and to reveal what they wish they knew when they were just starting out. Bring your questions with you, because they will be available to answer any questions you may have.
- TESTMASTERS (LSAT PREP)
Thursday, April 10th at 5:00 pm in 107 Hall of Languages
At this free workshop, you will have an opportunity to gain some useful information about preparing for the LSAT from TestMasters, a commercial LSAT preparation service. A TestMasters representative will go over some actual sample logic questions and discuss various techniques and strategies. Information about TestMaster's services will also be provided.
~Upcoming LSAT Dates~
- 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.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 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.
- See a Pre-Law Advisor.
- Begin researching and visiting law schools.
- Continue outside experiences and pursue leadership positions.
- Look for summer employment in the legal field.
- Participate in outside law related activities and fairs, such as law fairs and CLEO programs.
- Register to take the June LSAT.
- Begin prepping for the LSAT.
- Attend Pre-Law events and workshops.
- To prepare for the financial burden of law school, check your credit history and pay off debt.
- Network with professors. Make a list of professors and other people that you would like to ask to write you a letter of recommendation.
- 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.- 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
Summer Pre-Law Programs:
http://www.prelawhandbook.com/summer_prelaw_programs
~Previous Issues of Pre-Law Briefs~
You may wish to browse our Pre-Law Briefs archive, especially the Announcements sections:
March 7, 2008
February 29, 2008
February 22, 2008
February 15, 2008
February 8, 2008
February 1, 2008
January 25, 2008
January 18, 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)