In This Issue
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About Us  

 Pre-Law Advising Office
Dr. Joseph E. Devine
U
niversity Pre-Law Advisor (Baker Hall 154; for an appt.ΒΈ stop in or call 412-268-2831; fax: 412-268-5288; e-mail: [email protected])
  
  Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society
Irene Sun
senior, Music Performance (Violin) major and President, Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society
      
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The Newsletter of the Carnegie Mellon University
Pre-Law Program
Volume 8, Issue 17
February 2018
 
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Articles

The myth of law school prestige
According to the prestige myth, the only thing that distinguishes you from other applicants is the name of the institution on your diploma. When choosing a school, five key factors are more important than its rank and reputation.
 
How to get an excellent recommendation letter
The people writing your letters of recommendation are the only people who get to speak in your application other than you. This is the chance for someone to discuss your skills and accomplishments in a way that you cannot without sounding arrogant.
 
Law school application trends you need to know about
There have been some major changes to law school applications this admissions season. These changes began when Harvard Law School announced that they would begin accepting the GRE in lieu of the LSAT. Over the course of a few months, the number of law schools accepting the GRE snowballed to 15. That's 5 percent of all law schools, and the numbers continue to grow.
 
How much law schools are discounting tuition
The median tuition discount is 28.3% for private law schools. We identify the discount for every private school and median grant for public schools.
 
Should you take a year off before law school?
Should you go straight to law school or take some time off? Many law school applicants are picking the latter option these days. Why is this so common?
 
Your next buddy could be a machine.
Artificial intelligence promises greater efficiency for lawyers, and some new products are already showing up on law school campuses.
 
Law Students of the Year
Great law students do more than study. They speak up for the voiceless, protect the innocent, push their school's to do more, and serve the needy.
 
How to get the best financial aid package
It's no secret that law school is expensive and that most students graduate with significant student loan debt. But there are things you can do to try to optimize your financial aid package. If you're still in the planning stages of the law school application process, it is never too early to think about financial aid.
 

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LSAT/PreLaw 
 
How to start studying for the LSAT
Beginning your LSAT studies is a daunting proposition. For those still in school, it's yet another task on top of everything else. For those who have been out of school, it's a nerve-wracking jump back into academics. For anyone, it'll be among the most important tests you take, given how heavily admissions officers weigh your score when appraising your application.
 
Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program for College Students
The Law School Admissions Council just awarded the Ronald H. Brown Law School Prep Program for College Students a $300,000 grant to fund the all-new https://www.discoverlaw.org/ Plus Program/Ron Brown Prep Program Foundations at St. John's Law. Open to male students of color who have finished one year of college.
 
University of Houston Pre-law Pipeline Program
The award winning UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline Program is designed to increase the diversity of law school applicants by providing law school preparatory resources - LSAT preparation, introductory law school classes, internships, and professional development sessions - for undergraduate students who are first generation, low income, or members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession.
 
Duke Law D.C. Summer Institute on Law and Policy
This is a great way to try it out and a chance to learn from premier Duke Law faculty - without ever leaving Washington.
 
Widener University Delaware Law School pre-law immersion program: JURIST Academy
Students will experience the dynamics of a law school classroom, meet lawyers and judges in fieldtrips and on-campus, and have many opportunities to learn about the law school admissions process. The 2018 Jurist Academy will be held Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm beginning June 4, 2018 and ending on June 14, 2018.
 
Fordham Pre-Law Institute
You can experience what it takes to succeed in law school. Participants may earn undergraduate credits while spending the summer in New York City. Classes are taught by Fordham Law School faculty, who will introduce the Socratic method of teaching that is common in legal education. July 5 - August 6, 2018.
 
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Events for Prospective Students
There will be several opportunities and events this semester, including but not limited to open houses, law preview days and nights, information sessions, class visits, tours, and webinars.
Learn more.  
 
How to prepare for the LSAT Logic Games and Reading
Two sections on the LSAT pose major, seemingly contradictory obstacles to those beginning their LSAT studies. One, colloquially known as logic games but called analytical reasoning by the makers of the test. The other, reading comprehension, is so familiar to test takers and tests a skill so ingrained that it's tough to figure out whether or how to even study.
Read more.  
 
Updated LSAT Dates for 2018-2019
June 11, 2018
July 23, 2018 (new date)
September 8, 2018
November 17, 2018
January 26, 2019
March 30, 2019
June 3, 2019
 
Limited number of application fee vouchers from Marquette University Law School
Please stop in at the Dietrich College Dean's Office (Baker Hall 154) if you would like one of these vouchers.
 
Penn State Law: Explore Law Program
Explore Law is a free, three-day residency program (May 14-16) at Penn State Law in University Park, Pa., available to undergraduates who are interested in learning more about law school. The program includes information on law school admissions, application tips, LSAT prep, and sessions by law school faculty, practicing attorneys and judges. The deadline to apply is April 2.

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Events / Seminars

NBLSA Pre-Law Oral Advocacy Competition
The NBLSA Pre-Law Oral Advocacy Competition take place exclusively at the national level consisting of up to 24 teams of two students. Pre-law students will have the opportunity to debate a given legal or policy issue and advocate for a particular position or outcome. It will be held on March 17, 2018 during the 50th National Convention of the National Black Students Association at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.
Financing Your Legal Education Webinars
Financing Your Legal Education webinars will review cost of attendance, financing options, the financial aid application process and more.
 
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Law School

Best Law Schools for Diversity
Diversity has long been a buzzword in education. Just check out most law school websites. We identify the best schools based on student enrollment, faculty and student services.
Read more.
 
Best Schools for Public Service
More than one-fourth of law school graduates land their first job in public service. But which schools are best to help law students pursue such careers? We identify the best schools for public interest and government. Including prosecutors and public defenders.
Read more.
 
How Suffolk Law is redefining practice-ready
Suffolk Law boasts a long-standing tradition of producing practice-ready lawyers. Now, the law school is updating that term for the 21st century.
Read more.
 
Arizona Summit, NC Central receive warnings
The American Bar Association has warned two more law schools that are not in compliance with accreditation standards. Arizona Summit Law School, which is already on probation, and North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Read more.
 
UMass School of Law Dartmouth
After receiving full ABA accreditation in December 2016, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law is already cultivating a strong reputation for producing lawyers committed to public service.
Read more.
 
Best study abroad programs
With 108 programs in 28 countries, law students can choose from a wide assortment of study abroad experiences. We provide details and highlight some of the best ones.
Read more.
 
Southeast law school profiles
Law schools in the Southeast offer some of the best values for students, as well as top-notch educational opportunities.
Read more.

Syracuse "Live Online" J.D. Program
After several years of "intense scrutiny and review by education experts," Syracuse University College of Law received a variance from the American Bar Association to offer an online juris doctor program. The online program is described as "extraordinarily interactive."
Read more. 

Berkeley Launches New Consumer Law Center
The University of California Berkeley School of Law is launching the Berkeley Center for Consumer Law and Economic Justice, a new center that will position the school as a leader in the study, research and practice of consumer law.
Read more.
 
Cleveland-Marshall new Legal Tech Lab
Cleveland State University's Cleveland-Marshall College of Law announced a partnership with Technology Concept and Design, Inc. to create a new legal technology lab and training program.
Read more.
 
Hofstra University, Maurice A. Deane School of Law
Hofstra University School of Law, located in Hempstead, N.Y. 20 miles outside of New York City, has been a pioneer in integrating clinical education into a law school curriculum. "Our number one goal is to get our students practice-ready from the day of graduation," said Dean Gail Prudenti, who was a judge for 24 years before joining the school.
Read more.
 

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