PLUS Teaching Assistant Byron Ceasar and PLUS Scholar Rayyan Umrani celebrate during the PLUS Graduation Reception.
After a month of learning about the legal profession and the path to get there, the PLUS program students headed out into the Kansas City community for internship experiences.
The Plus Program for undergraduate students, co-sponsored by the Law School Admissions Council, gives students first-hand experience with the power of law. The month of June was spent in community activities and classroom instruction followed by an internship in a business or legal setting for the month of July.
Andre Tinoco, Jr., a student from University of Central Missouri, said his fellow students as well as the sample law school courses were both rewarding and challenging.
“What I liked most was the challenge it was and the people I was with,” he said. “It was unlike any academic experience I’ve ever received.”
The PLUS program is open to students who have completed at least 24 college credit hours and are currently enrolled at a college or university. This year’s class has students from 16 different colleges and universities.
Students participated in a mock trial course that cumulated with a performance during graduation ceremonies. Students also toured courthouses and law firms, giving them the opportunity to speak with attorneys and judges about what the legal profession is really like.
“This program showed me that it was not what they show on television,” William Aleks Holiman, a student from Samford University, said. “They do a lot more work for little glory. It’s a public service job.”
Danielle Binion, program coordinator and law school admissions representative, said the PLUS program is a great way for aspiring law students to try on law school for size.
“Not only do PLUS scholars get inside information from law school admissions and faculty but they get fitted with the tools to succeed,” she said. “Our PLUS scholars have remarkable success stories of grade point average increases, internship offers and mentoring relationships with professionals they have met during their summer experience.”
Students also learned the ins and outs of applying to law school including taking a mock LSAT exam.
“I cannot stress enough how helpful this program was in helping me prepare – from taking the LSAT all the way to becoming a law student,” Sabrin Qadi, student transferring to UMKC this fall from Metropolitan Community College-Longview, said.
For more information about the PLUS program or to apply for next year’s program, visit us online. It’s never too early to apply!