So you’ve passed the LSAT and have been accepted to start law school in the fall — what do you do now? If you’re feeling nervous or just want to want to prep before you step on campus, a summer program may just be what you need to keep your mind at ease between now and then.
Some programs offer you the study skills or advice you need to be successful in your first year while others provide training experiences with legal professionals. Lucky for you, there are several programs you can do this summer to help prepare for law school.
JDEdge is a free preparatory skill-building program for incoming first year law students created by the AccessLex Institute. The program aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge, resources and support before law school.
It offers 20 hours of asynchronous content, as well as opportunities for interaction with JDEdge instructors and peers, via live webinars, video lectures and interactive online lessons. Students have the opportunity to gain confidence and skills in class preparation and post-class strategies, case reading and briefing, writing for law school exams and exam preparation, critical reflection and professional expectations.
“We believe that if students develop metacognitive skills early on, they can learn more efficiently and effectively throughout law school and during bar study,” said Cynthia Cassity, senior vice President of AccessLex Institute and chief operating officer of Helix Bar Review, in a press release.
The program begins on July 1 and is offered free of charge to AccessLex member law schools and their students.
The Lex Fellowship is for students in college or recently graduated from college, who are interested in law and traveling. Students have the opportunity to study abroad while gaining firsthand legal experience while being guided through law firm visits by a legal advisor.
During the program, fellows rotate through different law firms in various practice areas under Lex’s Law Immersion model. Students are introduced to the attorneys, as well as relevant information about that practice area and real-life cases.
Many students have obtained Lex funding through their schools’ study abroad offices as well as scholarships from private law firms through their own research. Programs can span anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks, starting between May and July.
Winston & Strawn Law School Experience
The Winston & Strawn Law School Experience is a free, virtual course created to help incoming law students enhance their academic performance in law school.
The program features instructional videos on topics such as succeeding on law school exams; reading and analyzing case law; and writing a useful, thorough law school course outline.
It is a self-paced program that takes about six to seven hours to complete. Students will earn a certificate upon completion that can be added to their resumes or LinkedIn accounts.
Two-thirds of students who have taken the course felt they had a better understanding of what success in law school would require; only one-third felt that way before completing the program, according to their website.
“In providing this course, we are offering all incoming law students, including those whose lives have presented obstacles, an equal opportunity to learn and excel,” said Winston Chairman Tom Fitzgerald in a press release. “We encourage students to take advantage of this resource, and we look forward to engaging participants from all backgrounds as they pursue their legal education and their promising careers.”
Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 16 offices located throughout North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
