Pre-Law Newsletter: Scholarships, Organizations, Opportunities and more!

January 18, 2012

Ready for Week 2, Trojans? We hope your Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend was restful and productive. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our blog for the latest opportunities and news at uscprelaw.wordpress.com. We’ll be having lots of events this semester for seniors preparing to go to law school next year, juniors getting ready for the LSAT and the application process, as well as informational brown bags useful for freshmen, sophomores, and up!

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CA JusticeCorps Summer 2012 Program

JusticeCorps will be ON-CAMPUS Tuesday, January 24th @ 4 P.M. Location TBD! Details will be announced via twitter and the blog!

California JusticeCorps Program
Applications can be found here:
Summer Application: https://sites.google.com/site/justicecorpssummerapplication/
Part Time Application: https://sites.google.com/site/justicecorpsapplication1/
Graduate Fellows Application: https://sites.google.com/site/losangelesfellowapp/
*Deadline for Full Time/Summer Application: February 10th
*Deadline for Minimum Time Applications for USC: February 27th
Please fax or mail ONLY TYPED applications to the LA JusticeCorps Program
Fax: (213)633-5057
Address: 111 N. Hill Street, Room 428J
Los Angeles, CA 90012
** Please note: February 10th and February 27th are PRIORITY deadlines; we will continue to accept applications after these dates have passed.

For more info, visit: http://www.courts.ca.gov/3107.htm

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Apply to join Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Legal Fraternity!

Join Phi Alpha Delta, USC’s professional pre-law fraternity for a reception downtown this Wednesday, January 18th, and Thursday, January 19th, at 5:15 PM, meeting at GFS lobby. Professional attire and RSVP is required. Sign up and learn more at uscpad.org. Drivers welcomed!

Please RSVP to ONE of the above Meet the Chapter Nights by either filling out the form on the website or emailing your name, major/minor, and one interesting fact about yourself to our Secretary, Mr. Jerry Ting at  secretary@uscpad.org.

Founded in 1902, Phi Alpha Delta is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States. Approximately 1 of 6 attorneys, 1 of 5 federal judges, and 3 of 10 state judges are members of Phi Alpha Delta. Members also include 6 former presidents and 5 sitting Supreme Court justices. The fraternity is designed to help members explore potential careers in law and meet other students with similar academic interests. In addition to weekly presentations by professional speakers ranging from lawyers to law school admissions officers, members enjoy numerous networking opportunities, great advice from older students and alumni, and large discounts from LSAT instruction companies such as TestMasters, Blueprint and Kaplan.

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Apply for membership to the Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society!

Blackstonians is a pre-law honor society that recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate students and strives to expand their knowledge and perceptions of the legal profession.  Students have access to a variety of events, speakers and resources that will enable them to focus on using law and the legal system for the moral improvement of society as a whole. 

We will be hosting a number of great events this year for our members, and an upcoming info session (with snacks!) for those interested in applying!  Our first meeting/info session will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 5:00pm in VKC300A.

You can find the membership application attached to this email, at our website ( uscblackstonians.weebly.com) or pick up a paper application in VKC 327.  Applications are due in the Blackstonians mailbox in VKC 327 by Wednesday, February 1 at 5:00pm.  For questions, you can fill out the contact form on our website or email Alex Fullman at  fullman@usc.edu.

In accordance with Blackstonians bylaws, membership is restricted to those who have completed at least 32 USC units, but not more than 118 units. An overall USC grade point average of 3.5 is required as well. However, if you are close to these requirements, we encourage you to apply.

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ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund for 2012-2013 Academic School Year

Application can be found on http://www.ambar.org/DiversityScholarship

Completed applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2012

Purpose: To encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school & provide them with financial assistance

Award:

·       $5,000 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school

·       Award made to entering first-year student may be renewable for 2 additional years ($15,000 award to attend law school)

Recipients will be selected based on qualifications for scholarship and NOT on the law school they plan  to attend; therefore, law students applying to ANY ABA-accredited law schools may benefit from the scholarships.

For further questions, please call (312)988-5642

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Summer Research Diversity Fellowships:

The 2012 Summer Research Diversity Fellowships in Law and Social Science for Undergraduate Students:

Application deadline is February 15, 2012 (with transcripts and Letters of Recommendation)
To access materials, go online to http://www.americanbarfoundation.org/fellowships/index.html
Purpose:
to introduce students to the rewards and demands of a research-oriented career in the field of law and social science, to become more familiar with the American Bar Foundation
Eligibility:
American citizens and lawful permanent residents
Must be an undergraduate sophomore or junior
At least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Must be moving toward an academic major in the social sciences or humanities
Program, Tenure, & Stipend:
4 summer research fellowships will be awarded each year
Each student will be assigned to an ABF Research professor who will act as a mentor and involve the student in his or her current research project
Students will participate in seminars and field visits to become familiar with the facets of sociolegal research and the legal system
Student will work in Chicago, Illinois for 35 hours a week for a period of 8 weeks
Each student will receive a stipend of $3,600
Application Procedure:
Applicants must provide the following:
Brief essays on topics indicated in application form
Official transcripts of all academic courses completed at time of application
One letter of recommendation from faculty member familiar with student’s work
Awards will be announced by April 1, 2012
For further questions, please call (312)988-6515 or refer to the flyer and FAQ sheet.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: ABF Summer Diversity Fellowship

I will not have completed my sophomore year by the application deadline, but I will by the time the fellowship begins. Can I still apply? Yes; to meet the application requirements you must have completed either your sophomore or junior year of undergraduate studies at the time the fellowship begins.
What is considered a complete application?
Actual application form + 2 essays
Official transcripts of all courses completed at time of application (transcripts must come directly from registrar and remain sealed if sent with the application packet by the applicant)
Letter of recommendation from faculty member familiar with student’s work (must either be sent directly by recommender or recommender must seal and sign flap of envelope if applicant sends letter with application)
Is this an annual opportunity? Yes; all application information, materials, and due dates are updated in fall and can be accessed at http://www.americanbarfoundation.org.
Do you have to be from Chicago to apply? No; if you are not from Chicago transportation to and from Chicago will be provided
Is housing provided? Yes; housing is provided by the ABF. Other living expenses aren’t provided, but students receive a stipend.
What is the stipend payment schedule? The stipend is split into 2 payments (beginning and halfway point)
What are the dates of the fellowship? Dates are not set until the fellowship selections are made. Generally, it begins in early to mid-June and lasts 8 weeks.
How many are chosen each year? How many usually apply? Four students are chosen annually; the number of applicants varies every year. Last year, there were about 100 completed applications
What does the fellowship entail?
Research assistance & other work summer fellows do with assigned mentors
Field visits and seminars that expose summer fellows to career options in the fields of law and social science

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Sponsors for Educational Opportunity
Career Program Overview

Recruits and trains outstanding underrepresented college students and recent graduates of color
Internships that lead to careers in the most competitive industries, including Corporate Law
Provides entry into high-profile careers
Use financial resources and influence to serve communities
Each intern is supported by an extensive mentoring program and is welcomed into a powerful alumni network (5,000 alumni, 43 states, 30 countries)

SEO Corporate Law Program Overview

Since 1986, the SEO Corporate Law Program has recruited highly talented law students to intern at the most prestigious law firms in New York City and has recently expanded to Washington D.C.,  Houston, San Francisco, and Palo Alto
Interns have the opportunity to observe and experience the daily duties of attorneys at some of the nation’s most prestigious law firms
Interns are introduced to accomplished members of the BAR
Interns participate in the SEO Corporate Law Institute, an exclusive 2-week law  school preparatory program
Practicing attorneys introduce interns to legal topics including International Law, Torts in Practice, and Public Interest into Private Law Practice
Eligibility:

3.0 cumulative G.P.A
Must have  taken or be registered to take the LSAT
No specific major required
Must have U.S. Citizenship or residency
Must be in the process of applying to law school

Paid Legal Internships

Experience: Gains substantive legal experience at a major law firm before entering law school, opportunity for a 10-week paid internship
Training: Attend the Corporate Law Institute, a 2-week intensive law school prep program designed to maximize your academic performance during 1L year
Networking: Build your network through seminars and receptions with all our corporate Law partner firms
Who: College seniors and Graduates planning to enroll in law school fall 2012
Minimum Undergraduate G.P.A of 3.0, U.S citizens and permanent residents
Apply online: www.seo-usa.org/career

The Cornell University Prelaw Program in New York City

June 4-July 13, 2012
Program Overview:

4-credit course, “Introduction  to the American Legal System”
selective internships at law firms or in legal departments
explore law and culture in New York City

Internships:

complete list at www.sce.cornell.edu/prelaw

Program Director:

C.  Even Stewart, senior partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP’s New York office and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations

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The Ultimate Preparation to Help You Become a More Competitive Law School Applicant!

Designed to identify, motivate and prepare students for a career in the legal profession. Committed students can learn how to successfully navigate the law school admission process and underwrite their success in law school by participating in the College Scholars program.

·         When: Saturday, January 28, 2012 – 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

·         Where: UC Hastings College of the Law.  Click here for directions. 

·         200 McAllister, San Francisco, CA 94102

·         How: Register online at CLEO College Scholars.

·         Who: All college students

For Freshmen:  The Road To Law School seminar aims to provide Freshmen an overview of the key components of the law school application process.

For Sophomores: The Sophomore Super Saturdays seminar aims to help students further develop logical reasoning, reading comprehension and writing skills – the skills needed to become a competitive law school applicant.

For Juniors, Seniors/Post Graduates: Juniors Jumpstart the LSAT seminar aims to help participants understand the importance of systematic and timely preparation for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Accordingly, juniors will be granted priority enrollment for the seminar

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Filed under Events, Free Food, Pre-Law, Scholarships, Student Orgs, Volunteer, Workshops

Reminder – Important OAT Policy Updates and Notice about Interruption of Testing Services in January 2012

January 18, 2012

Important Optometry Admission Test (OAT) Policy Updates and Notice about Interruption of Testing Services in January 2012

The Optometry Admission Testing Program is engaged in a major technology project to update the software systems that support the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). These changes will impact the testing program during the month of January 2012. These changes will allow us to better serve you; we appreciate your patience and apologize for any potential inconvenience.

The services that will be affected and corresponding dates are listed below:

OAT Application Processing
§ January 3, 2012 to January 19, 2012 (5 p.m. CST) – Normal application processing
§ January 20, 2012 to January 30, 2012 – No applications will be accepted or processed
§ January 31, 2012 – Normal application processing resumes

OAT Score Processing:
§ Examinations taken January 3, 2012 to January 29, 2012 – No official score processing will occur
§ January 30, 2012 – Score processing resumes; however, there may be a delay in mailing/ transmission of score reports due to volume

OAT Score Report Requests:
§ January 3, 2012 to January 19, 2012 (5 p.m. CST) – Normal score report request processing for individuals who tested prior to January 1, 2012
§ January 20, 2012 to January 30, 2012 – No score report requests will be accepted or processed
§ January 31, 2012 – Normal score report request processing resumes

OAT Testing:
§ Testing at Prometric Test Centers will be operational during January 2012, per normal test center schedules, for individuals who have received an eligibility letter prior to January 3, 2012 and scheduled a testing appointment.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THIS SCHEDULE AND SHARE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITH STUDENTS, COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS WHO MAY BE IMPACTED!

Visit the OAT website at http://www.opted.org for periodic updates to this information.

Please also share the important information below regarding recent policy changes for the OAT. These changes will become effective January 1, 2012.

OAT Examination Policy Changes Effective January 2012
Ø Shorter Application Eligibility Period

Effective January 1, 2012, the application eligibility period for the OAT will change from 12 months to 6 months.

Applicants will be eligible to schedule a testing appointment for a six month period. If an applicant does not schedule a testing appointment and take the examination within six months, a new application and fee must be submitted.
Ø Information About Examination Irregularities May Accompany Score Reports

If it is determined that an examinee engaged in irregular behavior, information regarding this determination becomes a part of the examinee’s OAT record. In its sole discretion, the Optometry Admission Testing Program may elect to send a summary report documenting the incident, with a brief statement provided by the examinee immediately following the decision by the Optometry Admission Testing Program to report, to legitimately interested parties, including all persons or agencies to which the examinee has instructed that scores be sent, both presently and in the future.

Questions?
Contact the Optometry Admission Testing Program by telephone at 800.232.2159 or by email at oatexam@ada.org.

Filed under Pre-Health, Workshops

Summer Opportunity for Premeds: 2012 Stanford

January 18, 2012

The Stanford School of Medicine is pleased to announce that the application for the 2012 Summer Health Careers Opportunity Program is now open. HCOP is a six-week academically rigorous residential experience that exposes participants to the field of medicine through research, scholarship, and community. Participants receive advising during and beyond the program to help them prepare for the medical school application process.

Ideal applicants are college sophomores and juniors who:
- Are considering careers in medicine;
- Plan to serve in the Bay Area as physicians;
- Are US citizens or permanent residents (green card) of the US;
- Have experienced academic or economic barriers to pursuing postsecondary education or a career in medicine.

To apply, view eligibility criteria, or learn more about the program, please visit the Stanford Summer HCOP website: http://coe.stanford.edu/pre-med/sshcop.html

The application deadline is Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:59pm PST.

Filed under Pre-Health, Research, Summer

Volunteer in Tanzania!

January 18, 2012

Support for International Change is a non-profit based in Arusha, Tanzania and recruits American + Tanzanian volunteers who work with the rural villages to increase health education, specifically concerning sexual health, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as care for the individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the communities.

SIC @ USC is recruiting new volunteers for a program that begins in May, 2012. There are other volunteer programs that are beginning at later times, or if you are interested in taking a semester off, there is the option to go for the Fall semester of 2012. *Note that SIC volunteers live in Tanzania for 3-5 months.

If you are interested email usc@sichange.org or check out sichange.org!

Info Sessions Coming Soon!

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Filed under Cultural, Student Orgs, Summer, Volunteer

Volunteer Research Assistant Opportunities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

January 18, 2012

The University of Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) located at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is seeking individuals who are interested in serving as volunteers with several research projects involving children and youth who have chronic conditions. The schedule and time commitment are flexible, although we are seeking at least 5 hours per week. The volunteer tasks vary according to the needs of the project. The volunteer may be asked to conduct literature reviews using electronic databases, compile mailings for research surveys, and input data into databases; other tasks will be dependent on the volunteer’s skill level and experience—so please feel free to apply! Even if you don’t have a lot of experience but are willing to learn, please apply. The benefits for! volunteers are many, including the opportunity to work in a stimulating environment, involvement in a worthy cause, contact with professors and experienced directors, and the learning of new practical skills. A volunteer effort at our esteemed research center is a very favorable addition to a resume: individuals seeking employment in the future will gain useful work experience, and participation in respected projects that serve a noble cause is viewed very favorably by potential employers and admission committees.

If you are interested you can contact either Cecily Betz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director of Research at cbetz@chla.usc.edu or Kathryn Smith, DrPH, RN, Director kasmith@chla.usc.edu.

Filed under Pre-Health, Research, Volunteer

USC Journal of Law and Society Call for Submissions

January 18, 2012

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Filed under Pre-Law, Research, Student Orgs

Work Study Opportunity – USC Memory and Aging Center

January 18, 2012

The USC Memory and Aging Center at the Health Sciences Campus currently has a position available for any students that would be interested in clinical research. This clinic specializes in Alzheimer’s disease, and they have a number of ongoing clinical trials with a diverse patient population.

They would prefer work-study students, but we will also consider those without it. Spanish speaking applicants are also of particular interest.

Please feel free to contact Maya Slowinska at mslowins@usc.edu for more details.

Filed under Jobs, Pre-Health

2012 Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society Opportunity

January 18, 2012

Interested in Law School and/or a Career in Law?

Apply for membership to the Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society!

Blackstonians is a pre-law honor society that recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate students and strives to expand their knowledge and perceptions of the legal profession. Students have access to a variety of events, speakers and resources that will enable them to focus on using law and the legal system for the moral improvement of society as a whole.

We will be hosting a number of great events this year for our members, and an upcoming info session (with snacks!) for those interested in applying! Our first meeting/info-session will be held on Thursday, January 19 at 5:00pm in VKC300A.

You can find the membership application attached to this email, at our website (uscblackstonians.weebly.com) or pick up a paper application in VKC 327. Applications are due in the Blackstonians mailbox in VKC 327 by Friday, February 1 at 5:00pm. For questions, you can fill out the contact form on our website or email Alex Fullman at fullman@usc.edu.

In accordance with Blackstonians bylaws, membership is restricted to those who have completed at least 32 USC units, but not more than 118 units. An overall USC grade point average of 3.5 is required as well. However, if you are close to these requirements, we encourage you to apply.

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Filed under Events, Free Food, Pre-Law, Student Orgs

Interaxon Introductory Meeting for New Members

January 18, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012. 6:00- 7:00 pm  @ HNB 100

Are you new to Interaxon? Are you interested in giving mind-blowing presentations to under-served students in the Compton and LA Unified school districts? Do you like making jell-o brains, giant felt neurons, and other science-related props? Are you passionate about getting K-12 students excited about science and the brain?

Come see what we’re all about! Our introductory meeting will tell you everything you need to know to get involved with the club, including a sample presentation and free pizza! Returning members are welcome, but you’ll already know everything! Our next general meeting will be Thursday, January 26 at 6pm.

All majors and years are welcome. To join our mailing list, fill out a membership form, and learn more, please visit usc.edu/interaxon.

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Filed under Events, Free Food, Neuroscience, Student Orgs

USC PREMED APAMSA’s 1st General Meeting

January 18, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012. 6:00- 7:00 pm @ WPH B28

Pre-med? Looking for a pre-med organization to be apart of?
(you do not need to be Asian to be part of our organization, we’re open to everyone!!)

Come check out our first general meeting and learn more about what we have in store for this semester and how to join!

We’ll have FREE FOOD! Hope to see you there!

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Filed under Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biophysics, Chemistry, Events, Free Food, Health and Humanity, Human Performance, Neuroscience, Physics, Pre-Health, Psychology, Student Orgs

USC Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society Info Session

January 18, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012. 5:00- 5:30 pm @ VKC 300A

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Filed under Events, Free Food, Pre-Law, Student Orgs

Diversity Networking Mixer

January 18, 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm @ USC Career Center, STU 101

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Filed under Events, Jobs