This excellent list was found at the Pre-Law Dean’s Certification page at Cornell, and appears to be an up-to-date and comprehensive list of schools that require a Dean’s Certification. Keep in mind that these thing change often enough, and you should read the applications carefully to ensure no supplementary form like a Dean’s Certification is required even if it isn’t on this list. (Thanks Heather Struck for this great list!)
To learn more about how UB and the Pre-Law office processes your Dean’s Certification request, please go here.
Schools Requiring Dean’s certification for all First Year JD applicants:
Brigham Young University
Brooklyn Law School
University of Connecticut
Howard University
University of Richmond (admission decision can be made prior to receipt of dean’s certification)
Stanford University
University of Washington
Schools Requiring Dean’s certification/ letter for First Year JD applicants who answer “Yes” to academic/disciplinary action questions on the law school application:
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Columbia University
Cornell University
Duke University
New York University
University of Southern California
Southern Illinois University
Schools Requiring Dean’s certification for accepted First Year JD applicants who send a seat deposit:
Boston University
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Columbia (see also above)
Cornell University (see also above)
Georgetown University
Harvard University
New York University (see also above)
University of Pennsylvania
Stetson University
Suffolk University
University of Richmond (see also above)
Wake Forest
Want to learn more about the different areas of law and the responsibilities lawyers have in various careers within the legal field? This is a good place to start: http://lsac.org/AboutLawSchool/Fields-of-Law.asp
There’s also a video link leading from that article (Fields of Law) from a law forum consisting of panelists that are discussing careers and opportunities within the field of law. Check it out!
This is an interesting overview from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Keep in mind that the OOH is an excellent resource for any career that you would like to find more information about.
The Lawyer entry: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm
Have a look at Nature of Work and Job Outlook, among other areas. Might give you a better overall understanding and appreciation of the work and qualifications involved!
Referencing the American Bar Association’s Pre-Law website, LSAC has some excellent advice for students preparing for a law school education. It’s a good idea for anyone to receive this summary of the “path” to law school, and the best ways to prioritize your time; not just to get into law school, but also to do well once you’re there.
The 9th Annual Statewide Student Graduate Awareness Conference is Saturday, October 11th 2008. There will be several events that will be of interest to Pre-Law students, including:
* Law Panel (comprised of admissions staff, faculty and judges)
* Preparing for Graduate School Workshop
* Financing Graduate School Workshop
* Preparing for Standardized Exams
* Graduate Student Perspectives Panel
The conference is free and provides breakfast and lunch. I highly encourage you to attend this highly informative event! For more information and registration info, please visit http://www.ubetc.org/GAC
I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. Mentioned below are some important resources to be aware of as well as information about workshops and other events. The Pre-Law Web site at http://prelaw.buffalo.edu will have additional info regarding Pre-Law events happening in-or-around campus. The front page of the Web site is in Web log format so be sure to check back regularly to get the most up-to-date information regarding everything Pre-Law at UB.
Attention New Students!
Be sure to carefully review the Pre-Law Student Handbook contained in the right margins of the Web site. Here you will find an overview of how to prepare from the very beginning to be a solid applicant to law schools, with an overview, a timeline, a detailed overview of the application process, financial aid, how to get involved, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and Law School Admission Council, frequently-asked-questions, and additional resources. I recommend all students with an interest in Pre-Law to tackle these pages to get a solid overview of what it takes to pursue a degree in law.
Fall 2008 Workshops
Please review the available list of Workshops by clicking on the Workshops tab at the top of the page.
Scheduling Pre-Law Appointments
You can make an appointment by calling 645-6013 or stopping by 109 Norton Hall on North Campus. The main office staff will be happy to setup a time that will be convenient for us. I encourage new students to come in to introduce themselves and get an overview of Pre-law services at UB.
The week of August 25-August 29 is WALK-IN ONLY. No appointments can be scheduled for the first week of classes. Please sign up in 109 Norton Hall and wait there for the advisor. Please consider reserving detailed questions for a scheduled appointment the second week of classes.
Pre-Law Student Clubs
Information regarding Pre-Law clubs will be posted in the Pre-Law Blog as they update their meeting schedules and times.
Phi Alpha Delta University at Buffalo Pre-Law Chapter (http://ubpad.org)
University at Buffalo Mock Trial – email Ryan Flaherty at rmf22@buffalo.edu
Pre-Law Student Association – to be updated
Remember to check the Pre-Law Web log at http://prelaw.buffalo.edu for future announcements regarding meeting dates and times. All students with an interest in Pre-law are welcome at all UB Pre-Law organizations.
Join or Leave the Pre-Law-Updates-List Listserv
Go to the UB Listserv Web site and type in: PRE-LAW-UPDATES-LIST.
Submit, then complete the personal information and you’re all set.
Harris Beach Attorneys at Law are offering a Senior College Scholarship viewable on their Web site. You can find additional information about the scholarship on “Senior College Scholarship” link found under “Scholarship Opportunities”. The scholarship has some requirements: “You must be a high school graduate of the Rochester City School District, or the Urban-Suburban Interdistrict Transfer Program, and attend law school in fall 2008. Students must be members of
groups traditionally underrepresented in large law firms. Applicants may not be the recipient of a
similar award from another law firm.”
Link. (Opens up a PDF file)
The Law School Application Process Session I
Wednesday, February 20th, 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. 145 D Student Union.
We will comprehensively discuss the entire application process: timelines, academics, extracurricular activities, the online application materials, financial aid, the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the Law School Database Assembly Service (LSDAS), researching schools (The Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools, the Boston College Law School Locater), recommended courses, majors, a reading list, and will answer any specific questions you may have.
If you haven’t done so already, send and updated transcript to the Law School Admission Council which includes your Fall semester grades. Go into your LSAC account, print out and complete the transcript request form, and drop it off at our registrar’s office (the Student Response Center in 232 Capen Hall). Once the LSAC receives the updated transcript, they will pass that along to the schools that you have applied.
Also, LOR ’s can still “trickle” in and will be send along to the law schools you’ve applied to as well.
You can pick up the new information book (which includes the test date information for 2008 and the February 2009 LSAT) along with sample questions and an explanation of the LSAC process at 108 Norton Hall.
