Pre-Law Briefs
11/11/09

Welcome to Pre-Law Briefs, the bi-weekly SU Pre-Law newsletter. Please make note of upcoming events and workshops. We hope that you can join us for one or more of these events/workshops.

~Announcements~
Attention Seniors and Alums: Reminder Regarding Dean's Certification Forms
It's law school application season, which means that our office is busy processing your Dean's Certification forms. If you are submitting your applications electronically on the LSAC Web site, remember to check each school to which you apply to determine if they require a Dean's Certification form. These forms are typically found in the "Supplemental Forms" section of the individual law schools. Not all of the law schools require this form, but many of them do. If your application requires a Dean's Certification form, bring the signed form to 329 Hall of Languages and submit it to our Student Services Coordinator, Lynn Fall. Our office will complete your forms, and mail them directly to the admissions offices at the law schools. Please allow 10 business days for our office to process and mail your Dean's Certifications forms. It is important that you plan ahead—your application is not considered complete without these forms. Also, remember to follow-up with each school to confirm that your forms have been received. If you have any questions, contact our office at 315-443-6228, or e-mail Lynn Fall at lfall@syr.edu.

Syracuse University—Engagement Fellows Program
What follows graduation from Syracuse University? You're finally a Senior, but your Syracuse University experience doesn't have to end at graduation. You may be eligible to become a prestigious Engagement Fellow—and make a smooth transition from academic study to meaningful employment. It's an opportunity to make a positive difference in Central New York—and in your life. Five information sessions are being held:

Wednesday, November 11th, 12:00 pm, Room 003, The Warehouse
Tuesday, December 1st, 3:00 pm, 347 Hinds Hall
Thursday, December 3rd, 11:30 am, 347 Hinds Hall

If you plan to attend one of these info sessions, RSVP to Christine Praino at cmpraino@syr.edu. To learn more about the Engagement Fellows program click here.

Pre-Law Books for Loan
Did you know that the Pre-Law Advising office owns a collection of books which talk about topics such as:  law school, the law school application process, preparing for the LSAT exam, and pursuing law as a career? These books are available to our Pre-Law students for loan on a short-term basis. Feel free to stop by our office in Room 329 Hall of Languages and browse our collection. If you see a book that you wish to borrow, see Amy Friers, Marcia Rutledge or Lynn Fall to sign out the book.

Undergraduate Law Journal
The Pre-Law Society's undergraduate journal—PLS Journal—at UCLA is a publication of student-written essays on law-related topics. In the past, students have submitted essays covering a wide range of subjects, not only dealing with recent cases and legislation, but also delving into such topics as legal philosophy, legal history, and public policy. While modeled after the law review publications found at law schools, this journal is unique in the field of legal scholarship in that it is comprised entirely of undergraduate entries. The journal is comprised of articles equivalent in length to approximately 10 to 15 double-spaced 8.5" by 11" pages. Previously, participation was limited to UCLA undergraduates and recent graduates, but, in the spirit of increasing the diversity of viewpoints and positions represented, the journal has been opened to undergraduates from across the country.

Why write for the PLS Journal?
There are relatively few opportunities for students to explore many of the issues relating to the law in an in-depth way. The journal offers students a unique outlet to get their feet wet in the analysis and discussion of past, present, and future law and policy that interest them. The PLS Journal is distributed to the top 50 U.S. law schools and to the admission directors who attend UCLA's Annual Law Forum. The deans and assistant deans of admission have been consistently impressed by the articles that they read each year in this unique publication. Finally, this is a wonderful way to learn about legal writing and research—a skill that will certainly be beneficial in both the admissions process as well as in law school itself, whether or not you opt to participate in a review once you get there.

To apply:
• Fill out an application. (Applications are available from Amy Friers in 329 Hall of Languages);
• Attach the necessary documents (academic writing samples and article proposal).

All paper work is due no later than Monday, January 4th, 2010. Applications must be sent to the Editor-in-Chief, Juliana Gabrovsky at juliana.gabrovsky@gmail.com.

Family Law
This article addresses what family lawyers do and how "in demand" they are right now. They draw up agreements, are in the court room fighting for their clients' rights, assist clients with custody issues, and also work on collaborative and mediation efforts for the families they work with. Read this article for more information about this type of law.

Pre-Law Society
The Pre-Law Society is a student organization whose members focus on all aspects of law and law school. The organization is dedicated to introducing students to different specialties within the field of law. They also discuss internships, LSAT preparation, schedule law school visits and host guest speakers and social events. All Pre-Law students are invited to join the Pre-Law Society. For more information about the organization and to join, e-mail Gina D'Angiolillo, President, at gmdangio@syr.edu.

Would you do it all over again?
This past summer, the American Bar Association's ABA Journal posed the following question to its readership: "If you could start from scratch, would you opt to take the LSAT and go to law school? If not, what else do you see yourself doing?" If you read the reader comments, you will see that a recurring theme is the realization of the unpleasant realities of having incurred high student loan debt when, as applicants, the respondents were sometimes blinded by the perceived prestige of certain schools. A number of these comments also suggest that the readers felt they had been oblivious to the potential economic impact of this debt on their ultimate career choice. Click here to read the comments.

~Upcoming Pre-Law Events~

Free Webinar: Getting the Financial Aid You Need

Thursday, November 12th, 7:00 pm EST

This 1-hour long free Webinar is hosted by Access Group. The presenter is Jeff Hanson, Access Group's Director of Borrower Education. He will talk about the fact that, if you plan to go to law school, it's never too early to begin planning financially. For over 25 years, Access Group has helped students to navigate through the student loan process, with the goal of making the lives of prospective graduate and professional students easier. To register for the Webinar, click here.

More events for the Spring 2010 semester are being planned right now. Keep reading this newsletter for updates!

~Upcoming LSAT Dates~
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, December 5th, 2009
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, December 7th, 2009 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Saturday, February 6th, 2010
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, February 8th, 2010 (for Saturday Sabbath Observers only)
- LSAT EXAM - Monday, June 7th, 2010

About the LSAT - http://www.lsac.org/lsat/about-the-lsat.asp

Dates and Deadlines - http://www.lsac.org/lsat/test-dates-deadlines.asp

1st Year:

- Keep it simple.

- Focus on your GPA

- Stay out of trouble; keep your nose clean.

- Develop a relationship with your professors.

- Pursue possible internships, extracurriculars, community service, and other activities.

- Attend Pre-Law events and workshops.

- Keep the GPA up.

- Consider a study abroad experience.

- Use the Pre-Law office.

- Gain internship experience and participate in extracurricular activities (pursue leadership roles).

- Investigate classes that teach you "law school skills."

- Network with professors.

- Attend Pre-Law events and workshops.

- Continue to stay out of trouble.

- Keep the GPA up.

- Use the Pre-Law office.

- Begin researching and visiting law schools.

- Continue outside experiences and pursue leadership positions.

- Look for/think about summer employment in the legal field.

- Participate in outside law related activities and fairs, such as law fairs and CLEO programs.

- Explore the application process.
- Look at the June LSAT dates and deadlines!

- Become familiar with http://prelaw.syr.edu and http://lsac.org.

- Attend Pre-Law events and workshops.

- 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.

- 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, 2 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 Career Services located in 235 Schine Student Center or send them to LSDAS now. Remember your LSDAS subscription is valid for 5 years.

- Work towards application completion. Keep copies of everything you send.

- Inform the pre-law office of your law school decisions.

- Fill out your FAFSA for federal financial aid after January 1st. Also, fill out financial aid forms for each school that you are applying. Do NOT wait until you get an acceptance letter!
Alumni:
We didn't forget about you!
- If you are looking to apply for Fall 2010, then follow the Seniors timeline closely.  Again, the pre-law handbook (The Lowdown on Law School) is online with a checklist: http://prelaw.syr.edu/handbook.pdf.
- 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 Student 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)
The Internship Services component of SU's Career Services (in 235 Schine) has a new designated e-mail address:
ccsintps@syr.edu

External Internship Links:

http://www.monstertrak.com

http://www.internships.com

http://www.internweb.com

http://alpha.fdu.edu/~scorza/internships.html
[The link above provides a list of links related to internship opportunities in the areas of political science, public administration, government, law, and public service. One or more internship experiences could potentially strengthen your law school application. Some internships provide pay and others do not. Pre-Law students are encouraged to use their own judgment in evaluating specific internship opportunities. These organizations are not endorsed by Syracuse University or Student Services. Please be sure to read over the listings carefully to ensure they meet your needs.]

General Pre-Law Information:

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, Student Services, The College of Arts and Sciences (open to all SU students)

http://prelaw.syr.edu

Law School Admissions Council - LSAC (refer to this site for the LSAT and LSDAS as well)

http://www.lsac.org

Additional Syracuse University Resources:

Major Insights (guide to choosing a major for students in The College of Arts and Sciences)

http://ces.syr.edu/majorinsights.pdf

Health Professions Advising

http://hpap.syr.edu

Law School Selection Resources:

ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools

http://officialguide.lsac.org

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

U.S. News and World Report Best Law Schools List

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/law/search

Internet Legal Research Group

http://www.ilrg.com/rankings

LSAT Preparation:

The Student Services office and Syracuse University do not endorse any specific commercial test preparation courses. The following information has been received by our office and we are using our listserv simply to pass along information that may be relevant to students/alumni. Applicants need to use their own independent judgment in assessing the utility and value of any specific test prep course.
Kaplan Test Preparation and Admissions
http://www.kaptest.com/lsat

Free Online Practice LSAT - Kaplan

http://www.kaptest.com/law/lsat/practice-lsat/free-lsat-practice/ls_lsat_practicelsat.html

The Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/law/lsat-test-preparation.aspx
TestMasters
http://www.testmasters.net

LSAT Prep Materials - LSAC
http://www.lsac.org/lsat/lsat-prep-materials.asp
Power Score Test Preparation
http://www.powerscore.com

Get Prepped
http://www.getprepped.com
Aristotle
http://www.lawschoolcompanion.com/index.html

General Info on Graduate Studies and Graduate Entrance Exams:

Law School Admission Test - LSAT

http://www.lsac.org/lsat/about-the-lsat.asp

Graduate Record Examinations - GRE

http://www.ets.org/gre

Other Web Sites with General Info on Graduate and Professional Studies

http://www.gradschool.com

http://www.petersons.com

Personal Statements:

Personal Statement Advice

http://www.accepted.com/law/default.aspx

http://www.admissionsessays.com

http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/law/lawschoolessaysecrets.html

http://lawboost.com/resources/articles/personalstatement-deansview.htm

Law School and Diversity:

LSAC Diversity Initiatives

http://www.lsac.org/specialinterests/minorities-in-legal-education.asp
Council on Legal Education Opportunity
http://cleoscholars.com

NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

http://www.naacpldf.org

Hispanic College Fund

http://www.hispanicfund.org

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

http://www.napaba.org

The Puerto Rican Bar Association

http://www.prba.net

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association

http://www.mcca.com

LSAC LGBT Information

http://www.lsac.org/specialinterests/information-lesbian-gay-bisexual-applicants.asp

The National LGBT Bar Association

http://www.lgbtbar.org

The National Bar Association

http://www.nationalbar.org/index2.shtml

State, Local, and Specialty Bar Associations

http://www.abanet.org/careercounsel/statebar.html

The Association for Legal Career Professionals

http://www.nalp.org
The JD Project
http:// thejdproject.org

Journals and Articles:

ABAJournal.com is the Web site of the flagship magazine of the American Bar Association

http://www.abajournal.com

50 FREE Pre-Law and Law School Preparation Articles

http://www.legalwritingprep.com/articles

An article addressing generation gap and racial disparity concerns in law schools:

http://chronicle.com/daily/2008/01/1106n.htm

2008 Salary Distribution for Law School Grads

http://nalp.org/08saldistribution

Summer Pre-Law Programs:

Summer Pre-Law Programs
http://www.prelawhandbook.com/summer_prelaw_programs

Council on Legal Education Opportunity

http://cleoscholars.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=531&parentID=483&nodeID=2

Florida State Law’s 2010 Summer for Undergraduates Program

http://www.law.fsu.edu/summer_undergraduates/index.html

Additional Information

For Recent Grads, Graduate Students, and Alumni seeking paralegal/administrative assistant opportunities

http://www.ourlegaljobs.com

~Previous Issues of Pre-Law Briefs~
You may wish to browse our Pre-Law Briefs archive, especially the Announcements sections:

~Pre-Law Advising~

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 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:

Shruti Viswanathan, Director

Amy Friers, Pre-Law Advisor

Marcia Rutledge, Pre-Law Advisor

Lynn Fall, Student Services Coordinator

Scarlett Lu, 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)

prelaw@syr.edu

http://prelaw.syr.edu

http://prelaw.syr.edu/casnet.htm (online version of Pre-Law Briefs)