Students guided at Law Day

Questions about GPAs, the LSAT and the law school experience were discussed yesterday as about 600 students attended Law Day events held in the Michigan Union.

"My main concern is just getting into the schools that I want to go to," said Business senior Jared Stadlin.

Representatives from about 100 law schools across the country attended to address the questions and concerns of prospective students. The information fair was followed by a law school admissions panel discussion. Law Day was sponsored by the Office of Career Planning and Placement.

"It's important because it provides general information, so that students can make more informed choices," said Cornell University Financial Aid Director Jane Deathe. "We make it a point of being here every year."

PAUL TALANIAN /Daily Students collect information and ask questions of various law school representatives yesterday during Law Day in the Michigan Union. Law Day was sponsored by the Office of Career Planning and Placement.

LSA senior Lisa Wilson said she appreciated the chance to speak one-on-one with officials.

"I'm already involved in the application process, but it's always helpful to talk to more people," Wilson said.

LSA senior Laura Biancke said she felt less nervous after attending Law Day.

"It was really helpful. It made me feel better about applying to law school," Biancke said.

At Law Day, students had an easy opportunity to obtain law school applications and brochures, and to get information from schools they may not have previously considered.

"It was very useful. I don't have to hassle the law schools about getting the application," said Social Work student Laura Rojo.

Law Day also allowed admissions directors and representatives to meet prospective applicants and students.

"It's an opportunity for us to talk to the students and get an idea of what the student body is like," said American University representative Brooke Sandoval.

"Most of the questions I've been asked have been geared towards what it's like to be a law student," said Fordham University Law School student Jennifer Gaylord, a University alumnae who attended the fair.

Law fairs are assets in the recruiting process, Sandoval said.

"A lot of the students that I met at the fair last year are enrolled in the school now," Sandoval said.

Nancy Ramsayer, an assistant dean of admissions at California Western University, said law fairs are "a good idea on a big campus."

The fair was followed by an information panel, featuring representatives from law schools from Indiana University, Emory University, Santa Clara University and Boston University.

"We discussed what students and members of the University should do to apply and eventually attend law school," said Emory representative David Patton. "It was a chance for them to hear from people in law schools, and what we look for in the application process."

Law Day was part of the Midwest Association of Prelaw Advisers law school tour. MAPLA provided students with profiles and listings of about 170 law schools.

"I definitely think it was informative. It was an easy and effective way to get a feel of the process," Stadlin said.

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