Finalize your fall schedule before classes start. Pay attention to the Add/Drop period.
Ensure that you have enrolled in a course or independent study that will fulfill the Substantial Upper-Level Writing Requirement. (If you already satisfied this requirement, make sure you plan to fulfill the Additional Upper-Level Writing Requirement this year.) Reach out to faculty who could serve as an independent study advisor.
Check to comply with other graduation requirements -- Professional Responsibility course, 6 experiential credits, 1 clinic – and also focus on courses that will help prepare you for the bar exam.
Purchase your books and review the syllabus for each class so you can start fall assignments.
Fall externship enrollment forms are due in early August.
Arrange the start date of your externship placement.
Register by August 27, if you want to take the September 26, 2019 New York Law Exam (NYLE).
If due to graduate in October, check for an email from the Dean of Students about the deadline for applying for the October degree.
Careers and Professional Development
Determine hiring deadlines and requirements for those government offices and public interest organizations that are not participating in OCI, including opportunities contained n the Federal Government Honors and Internship Handbook. The link to the website and the user ID and password information are available on your Symplicity announcements.
As you consider writing an independent study or writing competition paper, select a subject matter relevant to your job search so your resume demonstrates your practice area interest.
If interested in public sector positions, register for the Equal Justice Works Conference and Career Fair held in DC in November.
If you are a Student Leader, watch for emails from our Director of Student Life to get information about the Student Organization Fair, submitting budget requests and training dates.
Consider your study strategies for this year. Do you want to try a different approach or a different study group?
Register by September 19 if you plan to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in November 2019.
Careers and Professional Development
Update your resume to finalize the description of your summer employment and fall externship, submit to your counselor for review, upload to Symplicity, and indicate your areas of interest.
Start looking for a spring externship, clinic, or paid legal position by consulting Symplicity and your career counselor.
Look for the Career Center announcement about the Brooklyn Law School Mentoring Program and sign up for an alumni mentor in your practice area of interest before the deadline.
Student Life
Now that your schedule is finalized, make sure you carve out time each week for self-care.
October
Academics
Attend faculty-led sessions on course selection for spring registration
Attend Clinical Program Information sessions and apply for spring semester clinics and specialized externships. Then submit your clinic application by the deadline.
Be on the lookout for email from the Registrar with information about exam conflicts.
If due to graduate in February, check for an email from the Dean of Students about the deadline for applying for the February degree.
Careers and Professional Development
Connect with alumni and other professionals doing the work that you want to do. Contact your mentor, attend the Career Center and Public Service Law Center programs, and ask your counselor for names of alumni who practice in areas of law that interest you to schedule informational interviews.
Create a profile on LinkedIn if you have not done so already, or be sure to update the one you already have! Join Brooklyn Law School’s ACES (Alumni Committed to Employing Students) Program.
Student Life
Start to think about your plans post-graduation.
November
Academics
Register for spring classes. Make sure you have arranged to satisfy both Upper-Level Writing Requirements and all the other graduation requirements.
Register by November 19 if you plan to take the December 19, 2019 New York Law Exam (NYLE).
If you plan to take the New York Bar Exam (NYBE) in February, you should:
Register during the November 1-30 registration period.
Sign up for a commercial bar review preparation course.
Consult with Academic Success to evaluate your overall plan for bar exam readiness.
Careers and Professional Development
Meet with your career counselor to review job search strategies and update application materials.
Student Life
Attend Wellness Week programs sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs.
December
Academics
Focus on your papers and exams.
If due to graduate in May, check for an email from the Dean of Students about the deadline for applying for the May degree.
Careers and Professional Development
Register for the Public Interest Legal Career Fair held annually in early February at NYU. The PILC Fair is open to all students and includes both government and public interest employers. Online student registration usually begins around December 1st.
If considering a move out of state after graduation and you will visit that area during winter break, contact your career counselor to identify alumni you can meet for informational interviews, recommendations, and advice. Consider joining a bar association in that area.
Student Life
Attend Study Break programs sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs.
January
Academics
Finalize your spring schedule. Make sure you have arranged to satisfy both Upper-Level Writing Requirements and all the other graduation requirements.
Review your fall papers and exams with your professors.
If you plan to take the New York Bar Exam (NYBE) in July and receive testing accommodations, you should be prepared to submit these requests to the New York Board of Law Examiners by this month.
Register by January deadline if you plan to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in March 2020.
Careers and Professional Development
If you have not secured a spring clinic or externship for credit, consider working for one of the law school’s pro bono projects or check Symplicity for a part-time paid position.
Student Life
Start making a plan for your transition out of law school. Where will you live? What will your budget be? If you are relocating out of state, decide when and where you will move.
Be on the lookout for email from the Registrar with information about exam conflicts.
If due to graduate in May, check for an email from the Dean of Students about the deadline for applying for the May degree.
Careers and Professional Development
Attend the Career Center’s Annual Career Conversations program where you can speak with more than 50 alumni representing approximately 25 practice areas.
Take stock of each of your academic requirements for the semester and develop a timeline for completing writing projects, externship requirements, and final exam preparation.
Careers and Professional Development
Continue to check Symplicity, PSJD, and other resources for job postings. Consider a targeted mailing to small firms that practice in an area in which you are interested. Your career counselor can identify effective strategies, employers and the appropriate timing for these applications.
Student Life
Attend some of your final Student Organization programs.
Check out the BLSPI auction.
Attend the Barrister’s Ball.
Utilize Spring Break to finalize your post-graduation plans.
April
Academics
Start preparing for exams and planning time to finish research papers.
If you plan to take the New York Bar Exam (NYBE) in July, you should:
Register during the April 1-30 registration period.
Attend a Handwriting Sample Session.
Sign up for a commercial bar review preparation course, if you have not done so already.
Consult with Academic Success to evaluate your overall plan for bar exam readiness.
Careers and Professional Development
Are you getting interviews but no offers? Are you sending out numerous applications and not getting interviews? Make an appointment with your career counselor.
Reach out to former supervisors, family, and friends for leads on jobs.
Schedule exit interview with your career counselor.