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Table of Contents 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS 3. CONSIDERING LAW SCHOOL 4-5. INTERVIEWING THE PROFESSIONALS 6. APPLYING TO LAW SCHOOL 7. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 8. PROFESSIONALISM 9. WHERE SHOULD YOU APPLY? 10. THE LAW SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT 11. UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER LAW DAY 12-13. LAW DAY PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS 14. UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER’S CLOTHES CLOSET 15-16. FALL PROGRAMS
PRODUCED BY
PUBLICATION DESIGN
BRI HEMPHILL
COVER PHOTO
EMMA RICHTER
Considering Law School?
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IS LAW SCHOOL RIGHT FOR ME? • How deep is my interest in the law? Why am I thinking about becoming a lawyer? • What does it mean to “practice law”? • Is a legal education necessary for my professional ambitions? • How are my writing and analytical skills? Do I like to read, write, and research? • Is it worth it to me to take on a sizeable amount of financial debt?
REASONS NOT TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL: You like to argue, you love TV shows and movies about the legal field, you want to make a lot of money, you just want job security, you don’t know what else to do, someone else wants you to.
WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING AS A FRESHMAN OR SOPHOMORE?
⁕ FOCUS ON DOING WELL IN YOUR CLASSES.
GPA is an important part of your law school application, so striving to perform well in challenging coursework is essential.
⁕ BUILD RAPPORT WITH YOUR PROFESSORS AND INSTRUCTORS. Establishing close relationships with faculty is important, as you will be turning to them for letters of recommendation for your law school applications. REMEMBER: name-recognition is only impressive if the writer knows you well.
⁕ EXPLORE MAJORS AND SUBJECTS THAT INTEREST YOU; PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS. There is no magical “pre-law” major that law school admissions officers look for; students with fine arts, drama, engineering, and classics backgrounds are just as qualified to go to law school as English and political science majors. However, reading, writing, and analytical thinking are core skills required to succeed in the legal field – make sure you are taking courses that will foster these skills.
⁕ EXPLORE THE LEGAL FIELD: THINK ABOUT WHY YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER. Conduct informational interviews and shadow attorneys and law students where possible; volunteer or intern in legal settings (don’t limit yourself to law firms); talk to attorneys and other non-practicing professionals with J.D.’s about their background and the necessity of a law degree in their profession; visit a law school campus and contact the admissions office about sitting in on a law class.
⁕ TAKE A PRACTICE LSAT to get a sense of the skills you will need to hone for the test.
⁕ VISIT LIVE COURT PROCEEDINGS at your local courthouse.
⁕ ATTEND PRE-LAW EVENTS sponsored by the University Career Center, by the Newnan Advising Office, and the LSA Honors program.
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Interviewing the Professionals HOW DO YOU KNOW IF LAW IS THE RIGHT PATH FOR YOU? Informational interviewing is an informal conversation with a professional working in an area that is of interest to you, and enables you to gain more information about what the field entails, and whether it would be a good fit for you. Informational interviewing can be useful in exploring any professional area, but is especially helpful in better understanding the vast areas of legal practice.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND A LAWYER TO INTERVIEW? Utilize any and all personal connections: family members; colleagues of family members; friends’ parents; connections you make through clubs, religious affiliations, an internship etc. Reach out to professors and university faculty who hold JDs, and research members of your local Bar Association.
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You can also check out the University Career Alumni Network (UCAN) also supported by the Career Center: https://umich.peoplegrove.com/page/students
steps to preparing interview questions
1. GET TO KNOW YOUR INTERVIEWEE
2. GET TO KNOW THEIR WORK 3. GET TO KNOW THEIR LIFE IN PRACTICE
5 GET TO KNOW YOUR INTERVIEWEE • How did you gain an interest in pursuing a career in law? • What did you study in undergrad? Do you have any additional graduate level or professional training/certification(s)? • Were there any particular courses or internship experiences that inspired your pursuit of this area of law? • What types of work/practice experience did you have prior to your current position? • Was your path typical of those in your field? How diverse are the backgrounds of those in your field?
GET TO KNOW THEIR WORK • What is your official title? • What are the duties/responsibilities of your position? • Who are your clients? • What does your typical day look like? Typical week/month/year? • How much does your work vary from day-to-day/issue-to-issue? • Do you feel your practice allows for work-life balance? • What drew you to this area of practice? How did you get started? • What educational programs/backgrounds are preferable or required for your area of practice (e.g. undergraduate major, undergraduate or graduate courses, internships, extracurricular experiences)? • What skills do you use most in the course of your work, and what types of skills are most prized by employers? • Is a law degree necessary for what you do? Is bar certification a requirement? • Is this an entry level or advanced position? • What are the opportunities for advancement in your field? • What do you see as the future of your field? What types of interesting
GET TO KNOW THEIR LIFE IN PRACTICE • What past jobs/experience have been most helpful in getting to this point in your career? • Do you enjoy your job? What do you find most satisfying/rewarding? Most challenging? • Considering the transferable skills you have gained: what other careers/fields value professionals with your background? • What do you like most about working in the legal field? What do you dislike most? • What do you know now that you wish you’d known before you entered the field? • If you could go back in time, would you do this all over again? What would you change? • What would you do the same? • Are there any other questions you feel I should have asked or things I should know about about your profession? • Do you know of any other attorneys/professionals who might be willing to allow me to interview them?
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Applying to Law School SUGGESTED APPLICATION TIMELINE This timeline is available on the University Career Center’s website
(Resources tab > Pre-Law Resources) and includes links to the highlighted text. You may also find helpful to peruse the LSAC application checklist.
SUMMER OF APPLICATION CYCLE • Decide when to apply (this year vs. in the future) • Look into fee waivers if applicable • Register for/take the LSAT • Register with the Law School Admission Council's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) • Approach your writers to discuss and obtain letters of reference • Investigate schools and decide where to apply • Consult with a pre-law advisor in LSA and/or your school or college • Start working on your main application essay and schedule a review • Plan to attend the UM Law Day on October 10, 2018 or the closest Law School Forum
SEPTEMBER - JANUARY OF APPLICATION CYCLE • Register for/take the LSAT if applicable • Send your official transcripts to CAS • Gather and send reference letters • Fine-tune your list of schools based on your GPA, LSAT scores and other factors important to you • Write multiple, tailored application essays • Have your essays reviewed by multiple parties for feedback • Complete and submit law school applications • Monitor your applications after submission for completeness • File your FAFSA
JANUARY AND BEYOND OF APPLICATION CYCLE • Await results • If waitlisted, consider sending an application update • Manage admission offers • Pay deposit and send final transcript
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Letters of Recommendation Letters of recommendation (LORs) can be quite influential in admissions’ decisions. We encourage you to consider the following:
WHOM SHOULD YOU ASK TO WRITE YOUR LORS? • Request a minimum of two academic references from instructors or GSIs.
• Choose someone who knows you well. The prestige of the letter writer will have little influence if the letter is superficial. • Additional letters of reference from employers/supervisors will help to round out your application (check with each school to verify the number of letters accepted)
HOW SHOULD YOU ASK?
• If possible, ask to meet with the letter writer in person. • Bring relevant materials such as a resume, brief statement explaining why you are interested in law school and a writing sample, if available. • Politely ask if he/she is able to write a strong recommendation for you. • Be sure to discuss a specific deadline for submitting the letter.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A “GOOD” LOR
• The letter should assess the student’s academic achievement and potential, particularly research skills, capacity for analytical thinking and effective written and oral communication. Additional comments that reflect on the candidate’s maturity, insight, organization etc. are also valuable. • Whenever possible, the letter should include concrete examples.
HOW SHOULD THE LETTERS BE SENT?
• Most law schools require that applicants use the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to process all aspects of the application.
This information is available in greater detail on The Newnan Academic Advising Center’s website (http://tinyurl.com/PreLawLOR)
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Professionalism The core competencies expected of all lawyers include essential qualities associated with professionalism. Keep the following characteristics of a mature professional in mind as you prepare your application and interact with law school representatives.
• Read instructions and school websites carefully before contacting law schools with questions. • Write clearly and concisely and carefully edit all materials submitted. • Do not use a placeholder in your essays or written correspondence (e.g a blank space or phrase like blah, blah, blah). You may forget to replace it. • Avoid cute or off-color comments even if you feel you are on friendly terms with a law school representative. • All written and verbal communication with admission staff should be respectful and use the appropriate titles of the person you are addressing (e.g. Dear Ms. or Mr. or Dean etc.). If you are emailing a generic admissions email address you could address your message to “Dear Admission Officer”. • Correspondence should include your full name and contact information. • Use a business appropriate email address (usually some abbreviation of your name). • If you meet a law school representative in person, make eye contact and introduce yourself. Be prepared with informed and thoughtful questions. • When visiting schools or attending information sessions, completely silence your cell phone and avoid texting or other signs of inattentiveness during meetings. • Maintain a mature and professional attitude even if you receive disappointing news. Law school admissions staff members know each other and you do not want to make a negative impression on anyone. • Dress in business appropriate attire. The University Career Center Clothes Closet provides business professional and business casual clothing for FREE!
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Where Should You Apply? A QUICK LIST OF THINGS TO CONSIDER The application process and law school are costly so take the time to carefully research schools. Create a table to help you evaluate all of the information you gather. * For greater detail, visit The Newnan Academic Advising Center’s website https://lsa.umich. edu/advising/plan-your-path/pre-law/ During the 2016-2017 application cycle, the average number of applications per applicant was ~9. Do not apply to a school unless you would be happy to attend. Create your initial list by considering multiple criteria: availability of specific programs, student run publications and organizations, career services, employment statistics, location etc. Narrow the list by considering GPA and LSAT score data reported for each school. The American Bar Association (ABA) provides this data in their online Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools. Your edited list should include: 1. Target schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the middle 50% of LSAT and GPA scores reported for the school. 2. Reach schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the bottom 25% of LSAT and GPA scores reported for the school. 3. Safety schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the upper 25% of LSAT and GPA scores Three key sources of data for researching law schools: 1. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) - lists ABA approved schools by state and region and links to the online application known as the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). 2. Law school websites. 3. The ABA provides admission statistics (mean GPA/LSAT scores), bar passage Before accepting an offer of admission, we strongly encourage you to visit the school. Make a pre-law advising appointment by calling the Newnan Advising Center (734-764-0332) to help you further evaluate your choices. LSA Honors students may call Honors Advising to make a pre-law advising appointment (734-764-6274).
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The Law School Personal Statement
A SELF REFLECTION GUIDE An effective personal statement is based on sound self-assessment. To help you reflect on some of your accomplishments, interests, personal traits and goals, ask yourself:
YOU
• What’s your background, your values? (First generation college student, parents, occupation, role models, spirituality, social justice, etc.) • If applicable, reflect on the diversity/uniqueness that you bring (culture, age, major, special life experiences and perspectives.) • How would you describe yourself? How would your professors, employers, family members, classmates and friends describe you? • What are you passionate about? • What kind of learner are you? • What do you want the law schools to know about you?
YOUR EXPERIENCES
• Think of your proudest moment. Why was that accomplishment particularly meaningful to you? • What skills are you learning in your classes, research experiences and other academic endeavors that are relevant to the legal profession? • What are you learning about yourself through your experiences inside and outside of the classroom? • Reflect on your experiences: remember critical incidents, “ah-ha” (i.e., discovery) moments, episodes that altered your pre-existing views, etc. • What kind of hurdles did you have to overcome in your life? • What experiences have enabled you to interact with people of different backgrounds and cultures?
YOUR PLAN
• How have you formed your own opinion/perception of the nature of legal practice and the daily demands placed upon lawyers and their families? • What kind of lawyer would you like to be and why? • What impact do you want to have on your community? In what ways have you already started this process? • What are your goals for the future, both personally and professionally?
BOTTOM - LINE POINTS
• Why do you want to become a lawyer? Be as sincere as you can • What experiences have confirmed your career choice? Be as specific as you can • What do you want law schools to know about you beyond what is stated in your application?
FIVE TIPS FOR WRITING A LAW SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT 1. Follow the prompts provided by each school. Make sure your statement addresses the question(s). 2. Don’t repeat your resume. Focus on the “why” of the experience(s) rather than the “what” 3. Start by recording your thoughts rather than trying to write THE statement 4. Write the stories you want to tell rather than second-guessing what the admissions committee wants to hear. 5. Seek feedback from multiple people; however, make sure the final draft is your statement.
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University Career Center’s Law Day WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018 12:00 PM-3:00 PM, MICHIGAN LEAGUE 2ND FLOOR
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Law Day is a great way to connect with a large number of law schools right here on campus. Law Day offers something to everyone:
JUNIORS/SENIORS/RECENT GRADS • Learn about specific programs from law school representatives • Collect application and financial aid information • Get tips on personal statements, applications and reference letters
tips
FOR MAKING THE MOST OF LAW DAY
1. Come! Law Day is a fun event and a great place for connecting with law schools. 2. Prioritize your list of schools in FIRST YEAR STUDENTS & SOPHOMORES advance to make effective use of your time. 3. No need for a suit; however, give • Ask questions about undergraduate some thought to what you wear. coursework and co-curricular activities “Business casual” doesn’t mean • Explore law school options “classroom casual”. • Build networks for the future 4. Bring your questions about the schools and be prepared to answer questions about yourself. No need to bring a resume. REGISTRATION 5. Look beyond the rankings and visit with familiar and not-so-familiar • On-site the day of the event. schools. Multiple perspectives are • No registration fee. always helpful and you may discover • Just bring your ID. new possibilities.
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Law Day Participating Schools *Participating schools as of September 4, 2018*
American University Washington College of Law Arizona State University Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School Ave Maria School of Law Baylor Law School Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Boston College Law School Boston University School of Law Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School Brooklyn Law School Case Western Reserve University School of Law Cincinnati College of Law Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Colorado Law Columbia Law School Cornell Law School Creighton University School of Law DePaul University College of Law Duke University School of Law Emory Law School Florida State University College of Law Fordham University School of Law George Washington University Law School Georgia State University - College of Law Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law Howard University School of Law IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law Indiana University Maurer School of Law - Bloomington Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Lewis & Clark Law School Liberty University School of Law Louisiana State University - Paul M Hebert Law Center Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Loyola University Chicago School of Law Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Marquette University Law School McGeorge School of Law MSU College of Law New York Law School New York University School of Law Northeastern University School of Law Northern Illinois University College of Law Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Ohio Northern University College of Law Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Penn State Dickinson Law Penn State Law - University Park Quinnipiac University School of Law Rutgers Law School, Newark
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS CONTINUED Seattle University School of Law Seton Hall Law School SMU Dedman School of Law Southwestern Law School St. John’s University - School of Law Syracuse University College of Law Tulane University Law School UC Berkeley School of Law UC Davis Law School UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law University of Akron School of Law University of California Hastings College of the Law University of California, Irvine School of Law University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law University of Chicago Law School University of Connecticut School of Law University of Denver Sturm College of Law University of Detroit Mercy School of Law University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law University of Georgia School of Law University of Houston Law Center University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - College of Law University of Iowa - College of Law University of Louisville School of Law University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law University of Miami School of Law University of Michigan Law School University of Minnesota Law School University of Missouri School of Law University of Nebraska College of Law University of New Hampshire School of Law University of Notre Dame Law School University of Oregon School of Law University of Pennsylvania Law School University of Pittsburgh School of Law University of Richmond School of Law University of San Diego School of Law University of San Francisco School of Law University of South Carolina School of Law University of Southern California, Gould School of Law University of Texas School of Law University of Wisconsin - Madison Law School Vanderbilt University Law School Vermont Law School Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Wayne State University Law School Western Michigan University - Cooley Law School Widener University Commonwealth Law School William & Mary Law School
TEST PREPARATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AccessLex Institute, JD Advisors , TestMasters
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University Career Center
CLOTHES CLOSET
CLOTHES CLOSET EVENTS: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH , 3:30-5:00 PM & FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST , 5:30-7:00 PM HELD IN THE MAIZE AND BLUE AUDITORIUM OF THE STUDENT ACTIVITIES BUILDING
Whether you are preparing for Law Day, interviewing for an on-campus job, or building a work-appropriate wardrobe, looking and feeling your best is important. Come “shop” the University Career Center’s Clothes Closet for business professional and business casual clothing for free. Visit the “Events” tab on https://umich.joinhandshake.com/ to learn more!
Pre Law Fall 2018 Programs WE ENCOURAGE ALL INTERESTED STUDENTS TO ATTEND AS MANY EVENTS AS POSSIBLE. PROCTORED LSAT PRACTICE TEST
AUGUST 30TH, 4:30-8PM, 1449 MASON HALL
Participate in a FREE proctored LSAT practice exam. We will be administering past Official LSAT exams, allowing examinees to evaluate their potential performance under time-pressured conditions. All years (including alumni) are welcome. Registration Required. Link: https://myumi.ch/JmX0z HARVARD LAW SCHOOL INFORMATION SESSION
SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM, 411 WEST HALL, ANTHROPOLOGY SEMINAR ROOM
A visiting admissions representative from Harvard Law School will host an admissions information session for all University of Michigan students interested in applying to Harvard Law. The session will include a short presentation and Q&A/discussion about Harvard’s new programs, such as their acceptance of the GRE in admissions and the expansion of the Junior Deferral Program (JDP). PRE-LAW 101 WORKSHOPS G243 Angell Hall (Newnan Advising Center Conference Room) We will review the law school admission process and provide tips for submitting a strong application.
• Friday, September 14th, 3-4pm • Thursday, September 27th, 2-3pm • Tuesday, October 2nd, 4-5pm (Geared toward transfer students, but all are welcome) • Wednesday, November 7th, 11am-12pm
LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS 101
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 6:00 PM-7:30 PM, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL, 100 HUTCHINS HALL
Join the law school admission deans from the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan for a thorough look at how applications are reviewed. The panelists, with a combined four decades of law school admissions experience, will discuss every element of the application, allowing lots of time for Q&A from student participants. You’ll learn what works, and what doesn’t, in the competitive law school admissions process. LAW DAY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM, MICHIGAN LEAGUE, 2ND FLOOR
Meet with admission representatives from over 100 law schools. Students at all levels are encouraged to attend. See list of schools currently scheduled to participate at https://umich.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/5203/student_preview
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NAVIGATING THE LEGAL CAREER CLIMATE
OCTOBER (DATE/TIME TBD), MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL (ROOM TBD)
What can you do with a law degree? How secure is the legal job market? Join us for a Q&A session with Assistant Dean for Career Planning at UM Law, Ramji Kaul, as he talks us through the current legal job landscape and emerging fields within the industry. TIPS FROM THE PROS: HOW TO BE A COMPETITIVE LAW SCHOOL APPLICANT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM, LEAGUE’S MICHIGAN ROOM
Come hear from admission representatives from Northwestern, UC Berkeley, NYU, U Texas, and USC how you can best prepare for and apply to law school. After some initial remarks, there will be ample time for Q&A. Program co-sponsored with Kappa Omega Alpha. MOCK LAW SCHOOL CLASS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM, KOESSLER ROOM, MICHIGAN LEAGUE
Come get a feel for a law school class led by UDMercy Professor Richard Broughton. Pre-registration required with buslepba@udmercy.edu to receive reading materials in advance and facilitate food order. PROCTORED LSAT PRACTICE TEST
NOVEMBER (DATE/TIME TBD)
Participate in a FREE proctored LSAT practice exam. We will be administering past Official LSAT exams, allowing examinees to evaluate their potential performance under time-pressured conditions. All years (including alumni) are welcome. Registration Required. Link: https://myumi.ch/Lo1Gm DOUBLE WOLVERINE PANEL
NOVEMBER 12TH, 7:00 PM-9:00 PM, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL, 1225 SOUTH HALL, 701 SOUTH STATE STREET.
Attend a panel discussion with current Michigan Law students who were UM undergrads. Come hear about what changed and what didn’t from their undergraduate experience to being a law student, and what made them choose to stay in A2. A donut and cider reception to follow. YALE LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION PRESENTATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM, ANGELL HALL AUD. A
A representative from Yale Law will provide information about their program and admissions process. Program co-sponsored with Beta Alpha Rho. PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHOPS Unlike most graduate school statements of purpose, which primarily ask you to connect past academic experiences to future aspirations, the law school personal statement is a nebulous piece that many students find intimidating. Its open and non-specific nature is intended to allow the applicant to present an inspired and authentic portrait reflecting on past experiences that have uniquely shaped their passions, personality, goals, and character. Learn what law schools are looking for in a strong personal statement.
• Tuesday, September 11th, 6-8pm, 1330 Mason Hall (Honors Program Office) • Wednesday, October 3rd, 6-8pm G243 Angell Hall (Newnan Advising Center Conference Room) • Tuesday, November 20th, 3-4pm G243 Angell Hall (Newnan Advising Center Conference Room)