The Newsletter of the Carnegie Mellon University Pre-Law Program |
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How the Admissions System Works
After an admissions cycle like no other, when many prospective students felt duped by a system overwhelmed with demand, what comes next? Normalcy or more chaos?
Law School on Steroids
This year's entering class had some of the best LSAT scores in recent history. Will they play nice? Or will the competitive nature of law school increase even more?
Law school debt is out of order
There is manageable debt, and then there is crippling debt. It would appear that law school debt is the latter for many graduates. It’s like the proverbial albatross around their neck, a recent survey showed.
Law students are becoming more vocal about perceived racism and other bias in the classroom, and that has led to more professors facing backlash.
Yes, Harvard and Yale produce fine attorneys. But other law schools also generate many great grads, showing that a Super Lawyer can come from anywhere. So how do you know which ones are, well, super?
Best Value Law Schools
Despite initial fears, COVID-19 did not wreak havoc on the value of a legal education. Many schools saw debt drop and bar passage rates rise. In our ranking, a certain private school in Utah took tops honors, thanks to the lowest tuition in the nation.
The Scholarship Game: Who Gives the Most Money?
During the past 10 years, law schools have ramped up scholarship offers. But with the number of quality students now soaring, law schools could start reducing merit scholarships.
Starting assistant DA salaries seem criminally low
A pop song once asked, “Do you know the way to San Jose?” Well, if you want to be a highly paid deputy district attorney, learn the way. No other DA’s office pays more than the one in California’s Santa Clara County, home of San Jose.
The average tenure for a law school dean is 4.1 years
If you think the average NFL career is short — lasting only 3.3 years — there’s another profession that rivals it when it comes to brevity.That would be dean of a law school. The average tenure of a law dean is 4.1 years.
The Northeastern University School of Law has announced the launch of a new Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR). Its goal is to build from historical memory and work to address the racial injuries of the past through the use of law, teaching, techniques of restorative justice and community partnerships.
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Opportunities
Goldman Sachs Legal Analyst Recruiting
Goldman Sachs is actively recruiting for positions in the Legal Division in Dallas and hopes to include Carnegie Mellon University students in the process. Goldman Sachs is offering two programs:
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Legal New Analyst program is a two-year full-time program beginning in summer 2022; Analysts are provided the opportunity to contribute to the Legal Division, gain experience, expand their network and learn about the legal field before entering law school or pursuing alternative career opportunities at Goldman Sachs; applicants must be current undergraduate students in their final year.
Marshall-Motley Scholars Program
application opens November 1st!
Deadline to apply: February 11, 2022
The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP) a groundbreaking commitment to endow the South with the next generation of civil rights lawyers trained to provide legal advocacy of unparalleled excellence.
On Wednesday, October 27th at 7 PM (ET) there will be an Informational webinar on the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program and the upcoming application cycle.
Virtual Workshops: Guidance into the JD application Process
McGeorge School of Law is offering a myriad of virtual workshops and information sessions to provide insight and guidance into the JD application process. Learn more about financing your legal education, what to include on your resume, and how to make the best decision for yourself as it relates to finding your law school home.
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Events
CMU Pre-Law Society GBM and Info Session
Tuesday, November 9, 5 to 6 p.m. EST, Tepper 2701 or remote via Zoom
If you are a CMU student with an interest in law, please join us for the Pre-Law Society's first event of the fall! We will be chatting with a panel of CMU alumni who are both current and former law students. As they are all from different academic backgrounds, they will be sharing their unique journeys to law school and their experiences as law students. Get ready to ask any questions you may have!
Our panel will consist of the following:
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Sarah Kim graduated from CMU in May 2021, with a BS in Chemistry. She is currently a 1L at Columbia Law school in NYC. Sarah’s email address is sarahkim0810@gmail.com.
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Caroline Orrico graduated from CMU in 2019 with a BS in Psychology. Caroline went on to law school right after graduation, and is now a 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. After graduation (and passing the PA bar exam), Caroline will join the Pittsburgh-based firm of Steptoe and Johnson (where she interned in the summer of 2021), working in the specialty area of business and litigation. Caroline’s email address is caroline.orrico21@gmail.com.
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Carrie Rote graduated from Marshall University in 2010, with a BS in Psychology. She enrolled in law school at the University of Pittsburgh in 2010, graduating in 2013. Since graduating from law school, Carrie has worked for Pitt Law Admissions, Purple Land Management Landman, Chatham University Graduate Admissions, and is now Assistant Director of Admissions at CMU’s Heinz College. Carrie’s email address is crote@cmu.edu
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Soniya Shah graduated from CMU in 2015, with a BS in Technical Writing and Communication. After graduation, Soniya worked for three years for Hewlett Packard as an Information Developer. In Fall 2018 Soniya enrolled at the Washington College of Law at American University, graduating in May 2021. Beginning in January 2022, Soniya will join the Washington DC firm of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP, where she will be doing mostly patent work with perhaps some licensing work, concentrating in the electrical and software space. Soniya’s email address is soniyadshah@gmail.com.
We are meeting in person (with food!), but there is a zoom link available! See you soon!
Student Prelaw Society President
LSAC Panel: Application Nuts & Bolts
Friday, November 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, Remote
Get all your questions answered at this free virtual event.
LSAC’s mission is to advance law and justice by encouraging diverse, talented individuals to study law and by supporting their enrollment and learning journeys from prelaw through practice.
Penn Law State "WeAre" Student Panel Series
Penn State Law's "WeAre" Student Panel series will feature several virtual conversations with Penn State Law students highlighting their diverse student community. You are invited to join this engaging dialogue, get your questions answered, and hear directly from students on why they chose Penn State Law
Admissions Events with St. John’s Law
Law school is an investment and you want to find the perfect fit for you. So, take some time to test out the culture as part of your search and application process.
To do that, you’ll need to talk to alumni, students, and professors and visit either virtually or in person!
Admissions Events with St. John’s Law
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Monday, November 8, 7:00 pm ET - Virtual Current Student Panel
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Wednesday, November 17, 7:00 pm ET – What's new in '22! Webinar from law school deans of admissions
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Thursday, November 18, 11:00 am ET – In-Person Open House
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Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 pm ET - Meet the Dean and St. John's Law Alumni Virtually
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Tuesday, January 11, 6:00 pm ET – Future Lawyers of Color Virtual Open House
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Ongoing – Both in-person and virtual tours. Zoom sessions with Student Ambassadors & Admissions Counselors
Pre-Law Day at Gonzaga University School of Law
Friday, November 12, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sessions include:
- Navigating the law school application process
- Understanding your J.D. career options
- Finding a school/life balance in law school
Plus, hear from current students, sit in on a class, take a tour of the law school, and more.
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New York Law School
New York Law School, located in historic TriBeCa district in Lower Manhattan, is in the heart of New York City’s legal, government, financial, and emerging tech centers. Its faculty has built the school’s strength in key areas of the law, including business and finance, government and public interest, intellectual property, media, technology and applied sciences, and government and public interest.
Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law
The stated mission of Penn State Law is to educate a diverse student body in the intellectual foundations, ethical principles, and practical skills necessary for success in today’s legal professions; to produce scholarship responsive to legal and social needs and foster a culture of service within the legal profession and society; and to contribute to the intellectual life and mission of The Pennsylvania State University.
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The best strategies for taking notes in law school
When it comes to studying for your law school exams, your class notes are by far your best resource. Why? Your professors write their own exams -- and they’ll test what they teach in class! If you’re wondering about the best strategies for taking notes in law school, you’ve come to the right place!
Musings from a new attorney: what I wish I had learned in law school
Law school teaches you the importance of Civil Procedure and Real Estate Law but tends to ignore the actual subjects future lawyers are likely to face on a day to day basis: from money management, to CLEs, to lawyer social conventions, if it’s not an archaic case or legal definition, you’re on your own. So much time was spent teaching students how to become litigators that they neglected to teach us some of the lawyer life skills that really matter.
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Pre-Law Advising Office
Dr. Joseph E. Devine
University Pre-Law Advisor
Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society
Mahima Aggarwal
Senior, Ethics, History & Public Policy
President, Thomas M. Kerr, Jr. Student Pre-Law Society
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