Portfolio Two

Applying to Law School

Portfolio Requirements

• Introduction memo
• Strategy memo
• Research on Programs and field
• Personal Statement
• Resume
• If the Program Application Process asked for these items, do include them in your Portfolio:
  • Official Application
  • Recommendation Letters
  • LSAT Scores
  • Grade Transcripts

Objectives

• To use multiple sources to find information about law programs
• To become familiar with the writing styles of resume
• To become more aware of audience needs
• To analyze design and layout elements
• To practice communicating in a variety of ways with a variety of audiences
• To understand audience expectations within a writing community
• To present information in a concise manner in a professional format

Information Gathering

Using multiple sources, such as TAMUCC Pre-Law Society Home Page, Career Services, law school guides, university websites, etc, find three (3) graduate programs in your field that require you to write a resume and personal statement.

Once you have found the programs, research information about the programs and the university and how to write effective personal statements and resumes for law school. Look at: 1) specific program & university information, 2) websites with sample personal statements/resumes, and 3) general information about expectations for law school. Find at least three (3) sources, at least one from each category. Note: the bare minimum is three. Anyone serious about going to law school will do much more in-depth research.

Strategy Memorandum

Write a memo in which you explain in detail how you will prepare the documents. Include the following:

• Analyze the audience for your resume & personal statement
• Description of the choices and decisions you made to construct the resume
• Description of the strategy used to write the personal statement
• Discuss how you will use the research you did on the university and law school expectations

Resume

• Select the program that most interests you from your research
• Create a resume that you would use to apply for that school

Personal Statement

Write a personal statement according to the requirements of the program.

Other Materials

• Letters of Recommendation
  • Include only if the program does not require them to be secure (that is, if you are allowed to see them)
• Applications
  • Some programs have Applications as PDF files online that you can download and fill out with a word processor
  • Do so and make two copies (one for the REAL application and one for your Portfolio Two)

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