Summer Legal Scholars Program
A Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity through
The University of MN, University of St. Thomas, William Mitchell Law School,
and Drake University Law Schools
St. Olaf College’s Undergraduate Summer Legal Scholars Program offers an opportunity for a
select group of undergraduate students to perform intensive legal research and serve in a legal support role to social impact oriented clinics at the University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, William Mitchell College of Law, and Drake University Law School. Selected students will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of the clinic under the direction of the clinic director/law school faculty member. Through involvement in this program, students will become more knowledgeable about the field of law and legal services while providing valuable contributions to legal clinics serving diverse, under-resourced populations. This program is an initiative between St. Olaf College’s Pre-Law Advising Committee and the Piper Center for Vocation and Career.
St. Olaf College has been selected for participation in a range of projects and clinics for a six to eight week program over the summer of 2013. Students will be drawn from a variety of academic disciplines, and must demonstrate strong analytical, writing and communication skills and success as an effective team member. Doug Casson, Political Science, and Kirsten Cahoon, the Piper Center will serve in a support capacity for the program; each student will be directly mentored and supervised by a clinic director/law school faculty member.
Selected students will be expected to meet before the end of the semester to receive training in legal terminology, research and writing; 1-2 additional cohort meetings throughout the experience will be required. Upon return to campus in the fall, students will share the activities and outcomes of their project with a wider audience, which may include their academic department or program, one or more of the college Faculties, the campus community more generally, and/or with undergraduate research students at other institutions. To learn more about the original proposal, click here to read the article featured on the St. Olaf homepage.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:
Students’ clinical experiences may include: civil practice, criminal law, child advocacy, juvenile law, community justice, community development, immigration law, elder law, legal assistance for prisoners/re-entry work, and/or academic research assistant work.
COMPENSATION:
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a $2,500 scholarship in recognition for their endeavors in the 2013 summer program; funds will be deposited in their student account. Students must cover their own housing and transportation expenses.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Juniors (rising seniors) from any academic background
- Strong academic record
- Ability to extend one’s knowledge base to the topic at hand and to conceptualize and frame relevant questions
- Previous experience in research preferred but not required
- Evidence of effectiveness of working independently and as part of a team
- Understanding and respect for confidentiality
- Willingness to commit time and energy to the project
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
All application materials are due: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
- Resume/CV*
- Unofficial transcript* (save as a .pdf)
- Personal statement that addresses the following question:*
In what way does your uniqueness of character, abilities, background, or experiences contribute to your capacity to pursue a career in law? - Two faculty/academic recommendations**
* Resume, unofficial transcript & personal statement should be uploaded to Ole Career Central.
- Login to Ole Career Central via the directions next to the login fields (St. Olaf as the employer, Undergraduate Summer Legal Scholars Program as the position)
- Save all three documents to a common location.
- Upload your resume "under resume", your transcript under "unofficial transcript", and your personal statement under "writing sample" (all under the "Documents" tab on the blue menu bar).
- Apply for the opportunity by searching for St. Olaf College as the "employer". Once you select the employer, click on the "Available Positions" tab. Select Undergraduate Summer Legal Scholars Program as the "position".
- On the right hand panel, select your resume, transcript & personal statement - click "Submit".
** Faculty Recommendation Forms should be emailed to Andrea Kubinski <kubinski@stolaf.edu> by Thursday, February 21, 2013.
Review of applications – completed by Monday, March 4, 2013.
Law School/Clinic Placements – completed by Wednesday, April 17, 2013.
Final selection will be based on academic background, demonstrated commitment to social impact and related experience with care taken to create the appropriate fit for each institution and clinic environment.
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