Last modified: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
IU Bloomington Law Day Fair scheduled for Oct. 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 14, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Students considering a career in law can learn first-hand exactly who and what law schools are looking for at the Indiana University Law School Fair, Tuesday (Oct. 20), in Bloomington.
The fair, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union's (IMU) Alumni Hall, will feature representatives from more than 111 institutions -- over half of the nation's total law schools -- on hand to meet one-on-one with students.They will address a range of questions commonly asked by potential students about topics ranging from grades needed to be considered for admission, to the personal statements required on most admission forms, to financial aid needs. The fair is free and open to the general public.
It is anticipated that 600-800 students will attend the fair, a learning opportunity that most students in the country simply cannot experience anywhere else. Attendance makes the IU event consistently one of the largest law fairs in the country.
"The 111 law schools constitute not only a record number for IU, but for any university in the country. The reason so many top law schools are willing to send their admissions officials to south-central Indiana is that we get such a large student turnout, and our students have the reputation of being extremely well prepared with great questions," said Mac Francis, director of the IU Bloomington Health Professions and Prelaw Center.
"The fair puts the student and law school together," he continued. "Students have a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives from several schools who can often influence admission decisions at their institutions. Those who participate learn first-hand that law schools are truly interested in more than just a GPA and LSAT score. Students typically leave encouraged and optimistic. It's a great chance for them to expand their horizons and learn about wonderful schools that they may not even have heard of before."
Students also are advised to attend the panel discussion earlier in the day, from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. in Whittenberger Auditorium at the Indiana Memorial Union. Law school admission deans from IU Bloomington, the University of Dayton, the University of Iowa and Santa Clara University will discuss "What REALLY WORKS in a Law School Application." The session will cover applicants' common mistakes, what works and what is found annoying -- offering unique, practical insights into the admission process. The event is as entertaining as it is informative.
Since competition for admission to law school remains extreme, attendance at Law Day events can give students a competitive edge and can provide an eye-opening experience to admission realities.
The Law Day events are sponsored by the IU Bloomington Health Professions and Prelaw Center, which is part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and the Midwest Association of Prelaw Advisors (MAPLA). Also participating in Law Day events will be the two prelaw clubs, Phi Alpha Delta and the Legal Studies Club.
Taking advantage of the presence of more than 130 representatives in the Midwest to attend the Law School Admission Council's Law School Forum in Chicago the previous week, the MAPLA organizes a Law School Caravan to Big Ten schools. Indiana University is a sought-after location due to its outstanding prelaw culture. The Law School Admission Council estimates that there are about 3,000 prelaw students at IU Bloomington, from more than 53 majors.
For a complete list of all law school's represented at the fair or more information, go to https://www.hpplc.indiana.edu/law/law-lawday.shtml. For questions, contact Health Professions and Prelaw Center at 812-855-1873 or hpplc@indiana.edu.
