2024 Welcome Book by Chicago-Kent College of Law

Welcome to the 2024 Entering Class

Congratulations.

You’re on your way to an exciting and rewarding future. A legal education offers a rich variety of professional opportunities—in private practice, business, government, public interest organizations, start-ups, and more. Leading the way in teaching and practice innovation, Chicago-Kent will offer you committed mentoring and support and a wide choice of courses, including ones that provide practical skills training, to help you take the best advantage of the many career paths available to you as a future lawyer. The following pages will give you more information about the Chicago-Kent experience and making the most of your first year and beyond. Welcome to our community of highly motivated students, prestigious faculty, and engaged alumni. We look forward to having you join us! Anita K. Krug Dean and Professor

“Chicago-Kent’s staff and faculty have a full understanding of what’s out there in the world, and they work very hard to make sure that we’re aware of and actively competitive in those opportunities. Additionally, there is full involvement from alumni across the spectrum: a broad network of people that are happy to speak with students.” JAYLIN D. MCCLINTON ’22

“The stereotypical law school experience is super competitive, but Chicago-Kent instead promotes collegiality. Our faculty prepare students extremely well for the reality of law practice, where collegiality with one’s coworkers is important. And the writing program is really stellar. After the first year, you already have writing experience and samples to help you apply for a summer job.” KATHERINE HANSON ’22

Who:

Our community You feel it from the minute you walk through the doors at Chicago-Kent—the intellectual energy and personal connections between our students and faculty. This is a place where you’ll form life-changing relationships and develop skills that will prepare you to excel in the legal profession not just now, but 20 years from now. Chicago-Kent students are a diverse, eclectic group—hardworking, adept, selfmotivated, and creative. They come from 40 states and are citizens of 17 countries. Fifty-seven percent of our students are women, and 31 percent are students of color. They represent diverse backgrounds and interests, which is reflected in the more than 40 student organizations that are active on campus. Our world-class faculty are recognized not just for their scholarship and achievements, but also for their compassion for and mentorship of our students. Our faculty have deep connections to Chicago’s dynamic legal community, providing you with access to its extensive externship and employment pipeline. We are also proud of the more than 15,000 alumni who are shaping the legal profession in all 50 states and around the world. Many of them work within walking distance of the school and can assist you in gaining access to a wealth of additional networking and practice opportunities. Discover more at: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/student-experience Read about our alumni at: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/alumni

“I came to Chicago-Kent for a cutting-edge legal education and will be leaving with a network that will last a lifetime. When faced with a global pandemic, Chicago-Kent faculty and staff delivered immense empathy and compassion; our community grew stronger and never skipped a beat. Chicago-Kent allows for experiences that foster relationships that last well beyond graduation and produce incredible advocates.” DYLAN SACENTI ’22

What:

The Chicago-Kent experience At Chicago-Kent you’ll be part of a culture that combines the rigorous teaching of foundational legal skills with extensive opportunities for hands-on practice. Our ambitious, curious students thrive on intellectual challenges while studying and gaining experience in the third-largest legal market in the country. Chicago-Kent prides itself on allowing students to get practical experience early and often—so that when you graduate you can hit the ground running. Our unique clinical model allows you to work at our in-house law firm on the same types of cases as you would in a thriving private practice, alongside some of the best practitioners in the Chicago market. Our trial advocacy program—consistently ranked in the nation’s top 10—and award-winning moot court teams will allow you to test your rhetorical and courtroom skills against the best competitors in the United States. In the classroom, you’ll study and collaborate with one of the most influential groups of legal scholars in the country. Our intensive legal research and writing program, used as a model by countless other institutions, will serve as a cornerstone for your career. Additionally, as one of the few U.S. law schools that is part of a tech university, Chicago-Kent will allow you to familiarize yourself with the technological advancements that are constantly altering the practice of law—helping you to both thrive and innovate in the rapidly changing legal industry. Most importantly, we take a personal approach to your legal education and provide the one-on-one guidance you need to tailor your coursework and experience to your specific career goals. Our connections in Chicago’s dynamic legal community extend to the city’s numerous courts, banks, financial markets, businesses, government agencies, public interest organizations, and law firms. You’ll graduate with a strong skills-based foundation, significant practical experience, and extensive connections to Chicago’s competitive legal market—all of which will prepare you to be distinctively practice ready upon graduation. Learn more about the J.D. program at: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/academics/jd-program

What:

Your first year Your first year at Chicago-Kent provides you with both the academic foundation and realworld experience that will benefit the second and third years of your education, as well as your future legal career: › During your first semester, you can meet with your assigned career counselor to start discussing your goals both during law school and after graduation. › You will immediately begin developing the writing skills that distinguish Chicago-Kent graduates through our comprehensive three-year Legal Research and Writing Program. › You will receive mentoring and support to help you adjust to the rigors of the 1L year through the student peer adviser program. In addition, our 40+ student organizations provide a way to connect with other students and explore your career interests. › Through our innovative 1L Your Way program, you can customize your first-year of coursework. You can get a jumpstart on your law school studies by taking Criminal Law through the optional early summer start available to both full-time and part-time students. As a full-time student, you also have the option to take an elective course in a specialized practice area during the spring semester or participate in an innovative first-year clinical course where you will participate along with upper-level students as a member of a clinic section working on real-world cases in the C-K Law Group, ChicagoKent’s in-house law firm. › In the summer after your first year, you can put your classroom learning into practice through our externship program or by enrolling in one of 11 legal clinics offered through the C-K Law Group: The Law Offices of Chicago-Kent. You can also take advantage of our summer elective course offerings. See the full curriculum at: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/academics/jd-program-required-curriculum Find more details on 1L Your Way: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/academics/1L-your-way

First-year curriculum

SUMMER 2024

at a glance FULL-TIME DAY

PART-TIME DAY

PART-TIME EVENING

Optional summer start

Criminal Law

Contracts

Torts

Legal Writing 1

Civil Procedure

Contracts

Property

Legal Writing 2

Legislation

Professional Development and Identity

FALL 2024

(fall start only)

SPRING 2025

Legal Writing 1

1L Your Way course selection (elective course or clinical course)

Professional Development and Identity

(fall start only)

When:

Meet us in person We have a number of admitted student visit opportunities this spring and we encourage you to join us for one of these events. You will receive additional information about admitted student events in early 2024. ADMITTED STUDENTS WEEKEND Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, 2024 Join us for two days of programming to learn more about the Chicago-Kent law school experience from faculty and current students. DEAN’S WELCOME PROGRAM FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS Friday, May 17, 2024 Join us for a panel discussion with Chicago-Kent alumni to learn more about their law school experiences and careers since graduation. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a networking reception with alumni, faculty, and current students. ADMITTED STUDENT VISIT DAYS Meet with current students, faculty, and staff in an informal, small group setting. Visit Days will take place on select Fridays in March and April. Please see the Admitted Students website for details and available dates. CONNECT WITH STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND ALUMNI Do you have questions that you would like to ask a member of our community oneon-one? The Office of Admissions is happy to put you in touch with current students, faculty, and alumni. Just let us know how we can assist you. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Admitted Students website at kentlaw.iit.edu/law/admitted-jd-students.

Where:

The vibrant Chicago Loop As a student at Chicago-Kent, you will live and study in one of America’s great cities and a top legal market. Chicago is home to major law firms, corporations, governmental agencies, advocacy organizations, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Chicago is located in Cook County, home to one of the largest unified court systems in the U.S. You will have access to a wide variety of professional and networking opportunities that can enhance your legal education and help launch your legal career. Chicago-Kent is located downtown in the West Loop, putting some of the city’s best apartment buildings, restaurants, food stores, athletic facilities, entertainment, and public transportation nearby. You’ll be located near two major train stations—one block west of Union Station and three blocks south of the Ogilvie Transportation Center. This makes it easy to catch a cab, train, or bus to anywhere in the city, suburbs, and Chicago’s two major airports—O’Hare and Midway. Students are also eligible to receive a Chicago Transit Authority pass, so getting around is affordable, too. Other popular neighborhoods where students reside include Lakeview, Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Streeterville, University Village, and the South Loop. Discover which neighborhood and housing options work for you: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/student-experience/housing

How:

Paying for law school TUITION AND FEES We understand that law school is a major investment. To help you manage your tuition costs, we are pleased to offer you a guaranteed tuition rate during your legal education. Your tuition rate is contingent upon your enrollment in the 2024 entering class and will not increase for the duration of your J.D. program. Tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year are typically available after January 1, and will be posted online at kentlaw.iit.edu/law/admissions/tuition-fees. SCHOLARSHIPS Chicago-Kent commits significant resources to scholarship funding for students each year. All applicants are automatically reviewed for available merit scholarships as part of the admissions process and all renewable awards are guaranteed each year regardless of GPA. Award notifications are typically announced in the acceptance letter. If you have questions about scholarship awards, you may contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@kentlaw.iit.edu. Chicago-Kent also has a generous scholarship policy to reward rising second-year law students without renewable awards who demonstrate outstanding academic performance. If you rank in the top 5 percent or 10 percent of your class at the end of your first academic year, you may be eligible for a class rank merit scholarship. Learn more about scholarship opportunities and requirements: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/admissions/scholarships

FINANCIAL AID The Office of Financial Aid coordinates the awarding and disbursement of federal loan funds. Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at 312.906.5180 or finaid@kentlaw.iit.edu. Here is an overview of the financial aid process: 1. FAFSA—Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa when it becomes available in December 2023 and list the Chicago-Kent College of Law FAFSA school code E00773. 2. FAFSA SUBMISSION SUMMARY (FSS)—After completing the FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) via email or mail. Review the FSS and any comments noted by the Department of Education. Make any necessary corrections with the Department of Education and make sure that the Chicago-Kent school code is on your FSS. If not, we will not receive your FAFSA. 3. FINANCIAL AID AWARD NOTIFICATION—Admitted students who have submitted their FAFSA with the Chicago-Kent school code should start receiving their financial aid notification by email beginning in March. 4. AWARD REVIEW AND ACCEPTANCE—Log into your Financial Aid Dashboard by visiting your Access Illinois Tech account at access.iit.edu and click on the “Award Offer” tab to view and accept, modify, or decline the award(s) offered to you. If you are borrowing federal student loans, it is to your advantage to accept the Federal Unsubsidized Loan before the Federal Graduate Plus Loan. 5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS—Complete a Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) for each Federal Direct loan type you accept and complete the required Loan Entrance Counseling session on the Department of Education’s website at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling. 6. FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT—Financial aid (scholarships and student loans) is disbursed in equal installments each semester. If all requirements are complete, student loan funds and scholarships should be disbursed directly to your student account prior to the start of each semester. The Student Accounting Office processes refunds. If you are expecting a refund after your financial aid is disbursed, please contact their office at sa@iit.edu or 312.567.3794. Full details on the financial aid process are available at: kentlaw.iit.edu/law/admissions/financing-your-education

Where:

Resources and support Preparing to begin law school requires a significant amount of planning and organization of your life and finances. The staff at Chicago-Kent is committed to making itself available to you at each step of the process. Feel free to contact any of the offices below with any questions or concerns. If you’re not sure who to speak with, the Office of Admissions is the first place to start—we will put you in touch with the right person to assist you. OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS 312.906.5020 admissions@kentlaw.iit.edu OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID 312.906.5180 finaid@kentlaw.iit.edu OFFICE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONALISM 312.906.5200 kentCDP@kentlaw.iit.edu

STUDENT SERVICES Jenna Abhijeet Assistant Dean for Student Affairs 312.906.5005 studentservices@kentlaw.iit.edu Marsha Ross-Jackson Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Student Professional Development 312.906.5346 mrossjac@kentlaw.iit.edu

DISABILITY RESOURCES Chicago-Kent ensures equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities. The law school building is fully accessible and on an individual basis we provide reasonable accommodations to all students with permanent or temporary disabilities. Students are encouraged to consult with the Illinois Tech Center for Disability Resources at 312.567.5744 or by email at disabilities@iit.edu if they have a disability that may require accommodation. All information will be treated as confidential. For additional information, please visit iit.edu/cdr.

When:

Key dates and deadlines Ready to join the Chicago-Kent community? Please keep these dates and deadlines in mind as you prepare for the start of classes. TUITION DEPOSIT Your non-refundable tuition deposit is due by the dates specified in your letter of acceptance and should be paid online through your Access Illinois Tech account. Learn more: kentlaw.iit.edu/admitted-jd-students/accept-or-decline-admission EARLY SUMMER START OPTION If you would like to begin your law school studies early, you may opt to take Criminal Law during the summer term. The class contains a mixed enrollment of both day and evening division students, and typically meets two evenings per week beginning in late May. The priority registration deadline for the early summer start option is typically in early April. You can find more information at: kentlaw.iit.edu/registration-and-enrollment/summer-start FALL COURSE REGISTRATION Registration information for the fall term will be sent to you in late June. At that time, you will receive your section assignment and fall course schedule. You will register online for your assigned classes through the MyIIT portal. The fall registration deadline is July 15, 2024. Learn more at: kentlaw.iit.edu/registration-and-enrollment ORIENTATION WEEK The academic year for new students starts with Orientation Week, which begins in mid-August (date TBA). Orientation Week is not optional and some classes for first-year students will begin during that week. Use this online academic calendar to outline your general schedule for your first year: kentlaw.iit.edu/academics/academic-calendar

Chicago-Kent Innovative curriculum. Gifted scholars. Passionate students. Dynamic community. We’re excited about the prospect of your joining our community. If you have any questions about your future at Chicago-Kent, please feel free to contact the admissions staff anytime at: 312.906.5020 (phone) 312.906.5274 (fax) admissions@kentlaw.iit.edu

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS 565 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60661-3691