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BUSINESS MANAGER Kirby Voigtman

DESIGNER Nolan Loh

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jason AnterasianACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jessica HahnACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Colin KingACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Maddie LaceyACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ailie Steir

Table of ContentsThe John Marshall Law School

Table of Contents /

The Career Center’s Law Day

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Pre-Law Fall 2013 Programs

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Applying to Law School

Law Day Participating Schools

Law School Personal Statement

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What should you major in?

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“Talk to people who have been to law school, and who are in law school now. Talk to lawyers, talk to people who earned a JD but don’t practice. Really vet your decision to do this, but if it’s something you know you want, and you can make a strong case for why, don’t be dissuaded by naysayers.”

Peter Calloway, UM class of 2013(International Studies)

admitted to law school Fall 2013

Content on pages 3, 4, 6, 7, 9-12, 14 provided by The Career Center and the Newnan Academic Advising Center.

To schedule a pre law advising appointment with the Career Center, call (734) 764-7460. To make a pre-law advising appointment at the Newnan Ad-vising Center, call 734-764-0332. Students and al-ums from all UM Schools or Colleges are welcome.

William & MaryLaw School

Washington and Lee University School of Law

Appalachian School of Law

Duquesne University School of Law

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law

Wake Forest University School of Law

University of Nebraska College of Law

University of Wisconsin Law School

Savannah Law School

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September 24, 20133pm-6pm Michigan Union 2nd floor

Law Day is a great way to connect with a large num-ber of law schools right here on campus! Typically, 100+ schools and over 300+ students participate in

the event. Law Day offers something for everyone:

JUNIORS / SENIORS• Learn about specific programs from law school representatives• Collect application and financial aid information• Get tips on personal statements, applications and reference letters

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS / SOPHOMORES• Ask questions about undergrad coursework and extra-curricular activities• Explore law school options• Build networks for the future

Come! Law Day is a fun event and a great place for chatting with law schools!

Prioritize your list of schools in advance to make effective use of your time at Law Day.

No need for a suit, however, give some thought to what you wear. Business casual works; keep in mind though “business casual” doesn’t mean “classroom casual”.

The Career Center’s Law Day

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tips for making the most of law day

Bring your questions about the schools and be prepared to answer questions about yourself. No need to bring a resume.

Look beyond the rankings and visit with familiar and new schools… Multiple per-spectives are always helpful and you may find new possibilities!

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The events listed below are designed to help students prepare a successful application to law school. We encourage all interested students to attend as many

events as possible.

Double Wolverine Michigan Law Panel & ReceptionCome hear from current Michigan Law students (who were UM undergrads) about ap-plying to law school, being in a law school and…. what made them choose to stay for three more years in Ann Arbor! Please RSVP to law.jd.admissions@umich.edu by September 18.

Sponsored by UM Law School Admissions Office.Monday, September 23, at 7:00 PM, 1225 South Hall, with reception to follow

Law School Personal Statement DiscussionsInteract with a small group of your peers and a Career Center staff member to learn how to make your law school personal statement stand out from the comfort of your home using a Google+ account or in a small group setting. Space is limited and pre-registration required.

Details at: http://careercenter.umich.edu/article/hangout-career-center.Google+ Hangout - Tuesday, September 17, 7:30 PM-8:10 PM (Virtual)Small Group Setting - Thursday, September 19, 12:00 PM-12:40 PMGoogle+ Hangout - Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 PM-7:40 PM (Virtual)Google+ Hangout - Monday, November 18, 7:00 PM-7:40 PM (Virtual)Small Group Setting - Thursday, November 21, 3:30 PM-4:10 PM

LAW DAY!Meet with representatives from ~130 law schools.

Sponsored by the Career Center.Tuesday, September 24, 3:00 PM-6:00 PM, 2nd Floor Michigan Union (multiple rooms)

Law School Application DiscussionsInteract with a small group of your peers and a Career Center staff member about law school application questions and issues from the comfort of your home using a Google+ account or in a small group setting. Bring your questions! Space is limited and pre-registration required.

Details at: http://careercenter.umich.edu/article/hangout-career-center.Google+ Hangout - Monday, September 9, 8:00 PM-8:40 PM (Virtual)Small Group Setting - Friday, September 13, 2:00 PM-2:40 PM, The Career Center Program RoomSmall Group Setting - Monday, October 21, 12:00 PM-12:40 PM, The Career Center Program Room

Pre-Law Fall 2013 Programs

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Visiting School Information SessionsAn opportunity to learn about this particular law school and gauge your candidacy there. See individual events for pre-registration details.

Sponsored by the Career Center and the Newnan Advising Center.

One-on-One Pre-Law Consultations with MSU Law Admissions DeanWednesday, September 18, The Career Center

Pre-registration required. Sign up at: http://careercenter.umich.edu/article/career-center-connector.

Vanderbilt Law Interviews @ MichiganMonday, September 23, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, The Career Center

Pre-registration required. Sign up at: admissions@law.vanderbilt.edu.

Harvard Law School Information SessionWednesday, October 30, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Newnan Advising Center, 1255 Angell Hall

Pre-registration required. Sign up at: dguillot@umich.edu.

University of Detroit Mercy Law Luncheon and Information SessionWednesday, November 6, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, Michigan Union Welker Room

No pre-registration required.

LSAT Familiarization CourseNine sessions designed to familiarize participants with the LSAT content and basic test strategies. The course culminates with a practice LSAT administration under timed con-ditions.

Pre-registration required: http://careercenter.umich.edu/article/lsat-familiarization-course-details.September 20 - November 8 (Fridays, 12:00 PM-2:00 PM), Location TBD

Pre-Law Quick Question HoursNo appointment is needed to drop in and ask a quick question about the admission process. This group-advising environment offers a great opportunity to learn from oth-er students’ questions.

Sponsored by LSA Academic Advising Center.Wednesday, September 11, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1255 Angell Hall, Advising LibraryThursday, September 19, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM, 1255 Angell Hall, Advising LibraryFriday, November 8, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM, 1255 Angell Hall, Advising Library

Personal Statement Workshops — Getting StartedLearn what law schools are looking for in your personal statement and participate in writing exercises designed to help you write a strong and inspired essay.

Sponsored by LSA Academic Advising Center.Monday, September 30, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM, G243 Angell HallTuesday, October 8, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM, G243 Angell HallFriday, October 18, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM, G243 Angell HallWednesday, October 30, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM, G255 Angell Hall in the Smart Room

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Applying to Law SchoolSummer of your application cycle• Decide when to apply (this year vs. in the future)• Look into fee waivers if applicable• Register for/take the LSAT as applicable• Register with the Law School Admission Council’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS)• Approach your writers to discuss and obtain your letters of reference• Investigate schools and decide where to apply• Consult with a pre-law counselor in the Career Center and/or a pre-law advisor in LSA• Start working on your main application essay and schedule a review if you wish

• Mark your calendar now for the UM Law Day September 24, 2013 (3pm-6pm)

September through December of your application cycle• Register for/take the LSAT if applicable• Have your official transcripts sent 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 January and beyond of your application cycle• Await results• File your FAFSA• If waitlisted, consider sending an application update• Manage admission offers• Pay deposit and send final transcript

January and beyond of your application cycle• Await results• File your FAFSA• If waitlisted, consider sending an application update• Manage admission offers• Pay deposit and send final transcript

You may also find it helpful to peruse the LSAC application checklist.

* This timeline is available on The Ca-reer Center’s website (Pursue Grad-Prof School/Law School) and includes links to the highlighted text *

Suggested Application Timeline

“The best tip I can offer is to really plan out your application cycle - dis-cover what you will need to do to complete your ap-plications”

Sarah Youngblood, UM class of 2013 (Political Science & Psychology)admitted to law school Fall 2013

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American University Washington College of LawAppalachian School of LawArizona State University - Sandra Day O’Connor College of LawAtlanta’s John Marshall Law SchoolAve Maria School of LawBaylor Law SchoolBoston College Law SchoolBoston University School of LawBrooklyn Law SchoolCapital University Law SchoolCardozo School of LawCase Western Reserve University School of LawChapman University School of LawCleveland-Marshall College of LawColumbia Law SchoolCornell Law SchoolCUNY School of LawDePaul University College of LawDuke University School of LawEarle Mack School of Law at Drexel UniversityElon University School of LawEmory University School of LawFlorida Coastal School of LawFlorida State UniversityFordham Law SchoolGeorge Mason University School of LawGeorge Washington University Law SchoolGonzaga University School of LawHoward University School of LawIHL Test Prep and AdmissionsIIT Chicago-Kent College of LawIndiana University Maurer School of LawIndiana University Robert H. McKinney School of LawJohn Marshall Law School, TheKaplan Test PrepLiberty University School of lawLouisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law CenterLoyola Law School | Los AngelesLoyola University Chicago School of LawLoyola University New Orleans College of LawMarquette University Law SchoolMaurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra UniversityMichigan State University College of LawNew England Law | BostonNew York Law SchoolNew York University School of LawNortheastern University School of LawNorthern Illinois University College of LawNorthwestern University School of LawNotre Dame Law SchoolNova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law CenterOhio Northern University College of LawOhio State University Moritz College of Law, ThePenn State LawQuinnipiac Univesity School of LawRegent University School of LawRoger Williams University School of LawSaint Louis University School of Law

Law Day Participating SchoolsSeptember 24, 20133pm-6pm Michigan Union 2nd floor

For everything you need to know about Law Day 2013

It is really important to research each school to learn about its courses, clinics/internships, in-ternational opportuni-ties, professors and em-ployment opportunities.”

Shira Sandler, UM class of 2013

(International Studies & Psychology)admitted to law school Fall 2013

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Santa Clara LawSeattle University School of LawSMU Dedman School of LawSouth Texas College of LawSouthwestern Law SchoolStanford Law SchoolSuffolk University Law SchoolSUNY Buffalo Law SchoolSyracuse University College of LawCatholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, The University of Pittsburgh School of Law, TheThomas Jefferson School of LawTulane University Law SchoolU.C. Berkeley Law SchoolUC Hastings College of the LawUCLA School of LawUniversity of Alabama School of Law, TheUniversity of Baltimore School of LawUniversity of California, Irvine School of LawUniversity of Chicago Law School, TheUniversity of Cincinnati College of LawUniversity of Colorado School of LawUniversity of Dayton School of LawUniversity of Denver Sturm College of LawUniversity of Detroit Mercy School of LawUniversity of Florida, Levin College of LawUniversity of Illinois College of LawUniversity of Iowa College of LawUniversity of Kansas School of LawUniversity of Maryland Carey School of LawUniversity of Miami School of LawUniversity of Michigan Law SchoolUniversity of Minnesota Law SchoolUniversity of Missouri School of LawUniversity of Nebraska College of LawUniversity of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill, TheUniversity of Pennsylvania Law SchoolUniversity of Richmond School of LawUniversity of San Diego School of LawUniversity of San Francisco School of LawUniversity of South Carolina School of LawUniversity of Southern California, Gould School of LawUniversity of Tennessee College of LawUniversity of Texas School of Law, TheUniversity of the Pacific McGeorge School of LawUniversity of Toledo College of LawUniversity of Utah SJ Quinney College of LawUniversity of Washington School of LawUniversity of Wisconsin Law SchoolValparaiso University Law SchoolVanderbilt Law SchoolVermont Law SchoolVillanova University School of LawWake Forest University School of LawWashington and Lee University School of LawWashington University School of LawWestern New England University School of LawWhittier Law SchoolWillamette University College of LawWilliam & Mary Law SchoolList compiled 8/26/2013

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YouWhat’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 is it that you would like for a law school to really know about you?

Your ExperiencesThink 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 extracurricular experiences: remember critical incident moments, “revelations” 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 PlanHow 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 PointsWhy do you want to become a lawyer? Be as sincere as you canWhat experiences have confirmed your career choice? Be as specific as you canWhat 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!Follow the prompts provided by each school. Make sure your statement addresses the question(s).Don’t repeat your resume. Focus on the “why” of the experience(s) rather than the “what”Start by recording or blogging your thoughts rather than trying to write THE statementWrite the stories you want to tell rather than second-guessing what the admissions committee wants to hear.

Seek feedback from multiple people; however, make sure the final draft is your statement.

The Law School Personal StatementA Self-Reflection Excercise

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A n effective personal statement is based on sound self-assessment. To help you reflect on some of your accomplishments, interests, personal traits and characteristics, ask yourself:

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A quick list of things to consider

Where should you apply?The application process and law school are costly so take the time to carefully research

schools. Create a table or spreadsheet to help you evaluate all of the information you gather.

Three key sources of data for researching law schools:1. The Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) - lists American Bar Association (ABA) ap-

proved schools by state and region: https://officialguide.lsac.org

2. The Book of Law School Lists - an online resource that lists law schools according to pro-grams, journal opportunities, areas of emphasis, student organizations etc.: http://www.bu.edu/cas/files/2011/12/NAPLA_Lists2011_Book_v2.pdf

3. The ABA provides employment statistics: http://employmentsummary.abaquestionnaire.org/

Narrow the list by considering GPA and LSAT score data reported for each school. This information can be found on the LSAC website (link #1). Your edited list should include:

1. Target schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the middle 50% of LSAT and GPA scores re-ported for the school.

2. Reach schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the bottom 25% of LSAT and GPA scores re-ported for the school.

3. Safety schools: your LSAT & GPA overlap the upper 25% of LSAT and GPA scores reported for the school.

Create your initial list by considering multiple criteria: location, availability of specific programs, employment statistics and/or rank etc.

Make a pre-law advising appointment either through The Career Center or the Newnan Advising Center (or both) to help you further evaluate your list.

Roughly 73% of applicants apply to 9 or fewer schools. Do not apply to a school unless you would be happy to attend.

Before accepting an offer of admission, we strongly encourage you to visit the school.

“Treat this process similarly to how you han-dled the college application process. Make sure you have reach schools, targets and safeties, but also make sure your safeties are schools you would still be excited about going to —es-pecially given the current economic climate”

Darryn Fitzgerald, UM class of 2010 (Communication Studies & Spanish)

admitted to law school Fall 2013

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