More than 500 students attend nation's largest law school fair

Hundreds of aspiring law students flocked to the Indiana Memorial Union in hopes of acquiring help in applying for law school and finding the place that meets their interests and needs. \nIU's Law Day, sponsored by Health Professions and Prelaw Center, attracted representatives from more than 100 law schools across the country, making it the biggest fair of its kind in the country, Director of the IU Health Professions and Prelaw Center Mac Francis said. About 550 prelaw students from universities throughout the Midwest took part in the event, he added. \nLaw Day kicked off Wednesday morning with a panel featuring law school deans from IU, DePaul University, Saint Louis University and the University of Iowa. The panel, titled "What I Really Like in a Law Application," proved helpful to students beginning to look into law school.\nHans Van Horn, a senior majoring in English and philosophy, said the panel gave him a good outline for what to do with an application and what he needs to get noticed by the more competitive schools.\n"The deans gave me an idea of the do's and don'ts of the application process," Van Horn said. "They made it clear. With all the good applications they get it is important to be genuine and show your personality. You have to stand out."\nAfter the panel, students could wander about the fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and ask questions to individual recruiters.\nFrancis said a main reason so many schools come to Bloomington is they know students from not just IU but all over the region will be at the fair. He said this way the schools can take care of students at other universities by only making one trip to IU's campus.\nSenior Brian Kanowsky, political science major and Law Day volunteer, said students at IU are very fortunate to have the event on campus.\n"It is very beneficial to meet people from schools you otherwise may not consider. It really expands the selection," Kanowsky said. "I got to talk to schools that previously were not on my radar, and now I am really considering them."\nKanowsky said the prelaw center was very helpful in preparing him to speak with the schools that came to campus. He said the assistance is unique because it provides a personal small school service at a big school setting.\nVan Horn said money was a big reason why he came to the fair. He said not only does he now have a better idea of his options, but the day also provided him with needed help in the application process.\n"Law Day gave me a better sense that it is possible for me to go to these top law schools. I know they are within my reach," Van Horn said. "I feel now I have working knowledge of what a clear and concise application should look like. That was the most important thing for me."\nVan Horn said he will take the Law School Admission Test this summer and will begin sending out applications after he receives his test scores. He said IU School of Law is his likely choice, but Law Day opened his eyes to other options.\nVan Horn said the best advice he could give younger students thinking about law school is to take advantage of the prelaw center.