College of Arts and Sciences

Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education

David Nissim-Sabat — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 21:15:45 +0000

Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education

David Nissim-Sabat Wed, 11/06/2024 - 15:15

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education

The Department of Music & Dance at 91Porn in Chicago, Illinois, seeks a creative, collaborative, and dedicated pedagogue/artist/scholar to serve as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Music Education with a specialization in Instrumental Music Education.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Teach undergraduate courses in Music Education based on candidates strengths and experiences, possibilities include Orientation to Music Education, Secondary Instrumental Methods, Wind Ensemble, and other courses according to the candidate’s qualifications and needs of the NEIU Department of Music & Dance.
Supervise clinical and student teachers.
Maintain a record of scholarly activity and make professional contributions to the field of music education.
Participate in faculty meetings, committees, and service activities, including recruitment.
Other duties assigned by the Chairperson of the Department of Music and Dance.

Required Qualifications

Doctorate in Music Education or closely related field.
Evidence of excellence or potential for excellence in teaching/conducting instrumental music education courses at the collegiate level.
Scholarly activity and demonstrated potential for further professional growth.
A minimum of three years of successful secondary-level instrumental music teaching experience.
Experience working with individuals from varied backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

K-12 Music teaching experience
University teaching experience
Experience in mentorship, supervision, and recruitment of music education students
Demonstrated communication and organizational skills, and an ability to work collaboratively.

For full consideration, please submit the following by Dec. 16, 2024, to Dr. Christopher Owen, Department of Music & Dance Chair, csowen@neiu.edu:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Three (3) letters of reference and contact information (name, title, mailing address, phone number, and email address) for five (5) references
Official or unofficial transcripts of degrees earned or in progress
10-minute rehearsal video link
10- to 15-minute performance video links

About 91Porn

Founded in 1867, Northeastern has a rich tradition of educational innovation and prides itself on preparing teachers and administrators who make a difference in Chicago. That tradition continues to this day and has expanded to include an array of academic disciplines, allowing the University to embrace fully the community in which it resides. Northeastern is regarded as the one of the most diverse public comprehensive universities in the Midwest and is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Diversity is an important factor in the character of Northeastern and in the social fabric of its student body. The University has an enrollment of more than 5,700 students; African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and Hawaiian Pacific students represent about 57 percent of the student body.

With a Main Campus located on roughly 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago, the University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, sciences, education, and business. The University has additional locations in the metropolitan area: the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies and El Centro. Northeastern is also a founding member of the University Center of Lake County consortium campus in suburban Lake County.

91Porn (NEIU) is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and invites applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals.

Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies and Bilingual Writing

David Nissim-Sabat — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 21:05:39 +0000

Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies and Bilingual Writing

David Nissim-Sabat Wed, 11/06/2024 - 15:05

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Cultural Studies and Bilingual Writing

NEIU is an HSI and an MSI, serving an extremely diverse, multilingual population, and the ideal candidate will be bilingual or multilingual (Spanish fluency is a must) with a background in program administration and broad experience with first-year writing and/or creative writing. Ph.D. in Spanish or Applied Linguistics (or related field) at time of appointment.

Job Description:

This new tenure-track position beginning Fall 2025, will be shared equally between two departments: World Languages and Cultures (WLC) and English. For retention, promotion, and tenure consideration, the candidate’s home department is WLC. In WLC the candidate will teach courses in Cultural Studies and expand on the existing course offerings in those fields. The candidate will liaise with program leaders to better coordinate all of the (bilingual) writing programs/activities at the university. Additionally, in line with our HSI mission, the candidate will work with other programs to help create GEN ED/UCC content courses in Spanish or bilingual format. The hire may also assist in designing more courses for completing the Bilingual Creative Writing Minor Program, working with WLC and ENG creative writing instructors.The candidate will also play a key role in assisting with our department’s student-run literary magazine, Xochipilli, which showcases our students’ creative writing abilities in Spanish and bilingual formats.

In the department of English, the candidate will work with Composition faculty to revise and assist with updating the first-year writing program, which serves virtually all first-year students and is critical for academic success, and to train current faculty in contemporary digital literacies, community literacies, assessment practices, etc. The candidate will assist in renovating first-year writing to address the challenges ELLs have in succeeding in ENG 101/102, bringing attention to ESL issues in ENG 101 and ELP 098 courses to create more effective first-year writing practices. The candidate will explore possibilities for specially-created ENG 101 sections with an intentional bilingual component, classes designed specifically for students whose L1 is not English with a concentrated effort placed on student retention and success in subsequent courses.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. at time of appointment in Spanish/Bilingual Creative Writing; Comp/Rhetoric or
related field
Advanced High+ Proficiency in Spanish and English
Experience in teaching in bilingual format: Spanish and English
Ability to help design and teach bilingual creative writing courses and/or ability to help
design and teach bilingual creative writing and bilingual composition courses.
Ability to liaise with other programs to create GENED/UCC courses (natural sciences,
social sciences) in Spanish or bilingual formats.

To apply, please send the following materials in one PDF file to Jeanette Hernández, j-hernandez-kalin@neiu.edu

Cover Letter
CV
Copy of unofficial transcripts
Names and contact information for three references

Deadline for application materials: December 1, 2024.

About 91Porn

91Porn (NEIU) is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and invites applications from women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals.

CUSP (College Undergraduate Scholars Program)

David Nissim-Sabat — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:43:24 +0000

CUSP (College Undergraduate Scholars Program)

David Nissim-Sabat Wed, 04/17/2024 - 14:43

Express your pride in our students and faculty by showing your support ...

of the success of our students
the research they do
and our accomplished and committed faculty who guide them.

Express your pride in our students and faculty this Proud to Be NEIU Day by showing your support as we launch our $150,000 campaign to support our students on the CUSP of success.

DONATE

The CAS Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP) supports student research opportunities we know prepare our students for success after graduation.

Here’s just one example:

Learn more about our campaign

All aboard!

Join the College of Arts and Sciences' (CAS) Mission of Supporting Students on the CUSP (College Undergraduate Scholars Program) of Success

$150,000 campaign to support student success

DONATE

COMMUNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Empowering Students and Transforming Lives

Each year the CAS funds dozens of student-faculty research projects and sends our students to national conferences to present their research, experiencing achievements that in many cases they never thought possible. Not only do these opportunities build confidence and capacity in our students, they help them realize they can positively impact the world through the learning and research they are doing with CAS faculty — and they routinely win awards at these conferences, receiving recognition for their work and standing out from students from all over the nation!

The CAS wants not just to sustain but expand these opportunities which are so central to the development of our students on the CUSP of success. A defining opportunity our undergraduate students enjoy in the CAS at Northeastern, distinguishing us from many other universities, is the ability to work with our world-class faculty on high-level research projects with real-world impact.

We know these research opportunities are high-impact experiences that transform our students from consumers of knowledge into producers of knowledge, preparing them for post-graduate pursuits that position them to take part in developing solutions to the challenges we face as a world, uniting their personal success with vital social purpose.

Engaging in research with our faculty enables our students to attend top graduate schools and pursue meaningful careers.

Our students dream big, so we’re dreaming big too. We are working to raise funds at a level not attempted or realized in the past. You are invited to join us in the mission of realizing these dreams! We plan to raise $150,000 by Dec. 31, 2024, to help create a sustainable funding stream to support student research projects, student conference travel and more!

Thanks to our Donors!

Alumni
Emanuel (Manny) Cruz
Robert Levendosky
Patti and James Elliott
Nichole Soto
Martii Kuznicki
Keith Arntson
Valerie Olson
Chris Corso
Sonia McCallum
Terrie Albano
Reginald Grigsby
Dina Barsotti
Dragana Vasic
Shannon Glass
Martin Davis
Amanda Smith
Lia Brilando
Clifton Frei
Andrew Poppe
Cathy Colton
Jeremy C. Herriges
Elena Mora
Heath Davis
Bradley Tengler
Claudia Barlea
Aimee Guldin
Liz Kirby
Aimee Guldin
Noa Padowitz
Voytek Wloch
Becky Sarwate
Brendan Dabkowski
Leslie Lettiere
Amanda Richio
Cassie Accardo
Lakeesha Harris
Elena Mora
Nancy Underwood
Songlee Hyun
M.K. Davis

Faculty
Jennifer Slate
Kim Ambriz
Aneta Galary
Laurie Fuller
Jon Hageman
Denana Miodragovic
Linda Rueckert
Lidia Filus
Tim Barnett
Shayne Pepper
Nancy Wrinkle
Pam Geddes
Andrew Brake
Jeanine Ntihirageza
Cynthia (Cyndi) Moran
Sue Mungre
Huu Nguyen
Ryan Poll
Tracy Luedke
Stacey Goguen
Masami Takahashi
Dennis Grammenos
Juan Martinez
Jorge Cantu
Adrian Castrejon
Nancy Matthews
Rose Sperraza
Michael Tuck
Brain White
Mindy Storie
Lesa Davis
Sarah Fabian
Shannon Saszik
Robin Heggum
Maureen Erber
Brad Greenburg
Sangmin Bae
Cheryl Park
Dilusha Harischandra
Scott Hegerty
Sophia Mihic
Brooke Johnson
Timothy Scherman
Christopher Owen

Staff
Kip Conwell
Lori Cuevas
Dorina Bizhga
Kenny Beyer
Jeff Wade
Cassie Martinez
Niroshi Meegoda
Sandy Vue
Rona Castaneda
Jannica Henry
Bruce Alan Mace
Brennan Keefe
David Nissim-Sabat
Robin Wagner
Kate Hahn
MiMi Crespo
Hector Hernandez
Rachel Burkner
Mary Serio
Amanda McGlade
Melanie Del Real
Jeanette Hernandez
Leah Lewis
Peter Goldman
Uma Patel

Admin
Sandra Beyda-Lorie
Shayne Cofer
Sudha Srinivas

Current Students
David Farmlant

Retirees (faculty and staff)
John Al Bazi
Charlie Shabica
David Leaman
Laura Sanders
Saba Ayman-Nolley
Melba Rodriguez
Maureen Gillette
Sydney Hart
Wamucci Njogu
Toni K. Scott
David Leaman
Allen Shub

Friends of the CAS
David Engblade
Joy Engblade
Karen Wood
Nick Kosiek
David Van Zytveld
Liz Johnson
Gregg Rojewski
Elizabeth Johnson
Stephanie Masi
Darren DeMatoff
Jamil Khoury (Silk Road Cultural Center)
Kosiek Insurance Agency
Ray and Helen Johnson
Nancy Easton
Manish Kumar
Erika Edmondson
Dolores Voglesonger
Katie Nelson
Gary Engblade
Hamid Akbari
Richard Baumgarten
Jodi Libretti
Joseph Libretti
Terrie Albano
Bank of America
Timothy Sheard
Sydney Hart
Illinois State Representative Lindsay LaPointe
Liz Kirby
Ken Anderson
Lana Gelzin
Gerald Bjurman
Jennifer Kennedy
Rafael Frumkin
Tresa Toscano
Brett Geshke
Chris and Don Dykema
Shanna Griffus

Trustees
Paula Wolff
Marvin Garcia
Betty Fleurimond

CAS Leadership Team
Tim Libretti
Ken Voglesonger
Amanda Dykema-Engblade

Matching Donation
The Chicago Community Trust

Volunteer Payment
Bank of America/Chicago Half Volunteer

(and those who wish to remain anonymous)

DONATE

Shanna Griffus

David Nissim-Sabat — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:23:44 +0000

Shanna Griffus

David Nissim-Sabat Thu, 12/14/2023 - 11:23

Shanna

Griffus

Program Assistant

Expertise

-Program Assistant for the College of Arts and Sciences
-Key support to the CAS Dean
-Coordinating logistics and activities for college initiatives and programs

Education

MS - Buffalo State University

BFAAE in Art Education - School of the Art Institute of Chicago

s-griffus@neiu.edu

Office Hours

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

College of Arts and Sciences

(773) 442-5703

CAS Alumni-Owned Businesses

David Nissim-Sabat — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:32:56 +0000

CAS Alumni-Owned Businesses

David Nissim-Sabat Tue, 09/19/2023 - 14:32

We are proud of our alumni who have gone on to open their own businesses. If you are an alumnus of NEIU's College of Arts and Sciences and a business owner, let us know and submit your business to be added! Please provide your name, NEIU major, graduation year, business name, website, and a brief description of your business.

	Tom Grom Psychology Shelter in the Storm
	Angela Howard Psychology Call for Culture
	Adee Reeb Psychology Adee Reeb Photography
	Daniela Vitale Communication (2006) Sfera Sicilian Street Food
	Chris Thomas Psychology YourPassion1st
	Brad Hough Philosophy Oko Salon
	Taylor (Simpson) Becker Psychology (2015) Becker Baking Company Based out of Omaha, Nebraska, Becker Baking Co. offers gourmet cookies with classic favorites and unique, stuffed flavors.
	Alla Blan Mathematics (2002) Salam Restaurant
	Daniel Schmitt English (M.A. - 2011) Blue River Trading Company Blue River Trading Company is an independent export sales and marketing business focused on promoting U.S. agricultural products made by small and medium manufacturers with strong local brands.
	Hannah Kabat Art Education (B.A. 2020) Hannah and Jakub Creations Glass, wood, and metal art made by an art teacher and engineer couple from Chicago!
	Lisa Harriman Communication, Media and Theatre (B.A., 2020) Loaves & Witches Coffee shop and bakery in the heart of Edgewater, Chicago.
	Claudia Flores Communication, Media and Theatre Graze by Mona's Sweet Spots Custom savory and sweet catering for every occasion! monasweetspot@gmail.com

Pre-Law Course Suggestions

David Nissim-Sabat — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:02:00 +0000

Pre-Law Course Suggestions

David Nissim-Sabat Mon, 03/13/2023 - 14:02

While there are no specific majors or prerequisites required for law school, there are many courses to choose from at NEIU that may help prepare students prior to attending.

Child Advocacy Studies

CAST 301: Introduction to Child Advocacy Studies

Communication, Media and Theatre

CMTC 101: Public Speaking
CMTC 202: Voice and Diction
CMTC 210: Advanced Public Speaking
CMTC 214: Business and Professional Comm.
CMTC 310: Persuasion
CMTC 313: Communication, Gender and Identity
CMTC 317: Intercultural Communication
CMTC 319: Conflict Communication
CMTM 265: Mass Media & Society
CMTM 365: Contemporary Issues in Mass Media
CMTM 379: Media Law and Ethics
CMTT 203: Voice for the Performer
CMTT 221: Acting 1

English

ENGL 377: Argumentative Prose

Geography and Environmental Studies

GES 319: Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
GES 321: Environmental Impact Assessment
GES 329: Sustainable Energy Policy
GES 350: Climate Change: International Policy and Politics
GES 360: Environmental Justice and Activism

History

HIST 308: Human Rights in History, Literature and Law
HIST 309: History of Disability
HIST 329B: African American History and Race Relations since 1865
HIST 329C: Documenting the “Long” Civil Rights Movement
HIST 335: History of Crime and Violence in America
HIST 346: Environmental History

Justice Studies

JUST 201: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (highly recommended)
JUST 301: Theories of Justice and Social Change
JUST 319: Latinos and the Criminal Justice System
JUST 322: Women, Justice and the Law
JUST 323: Introduction to Child Advocacy Studies
JUST 328: Social Justice and LGBTQ Issues
JUST 330: Legal Research and Bibliography in Criminal Law
JUST 331: Law and Racism in America
JUST 333: Community Law
JUST 334: Criminal Law and Procedure
JUST 335: Legal Process I
JUST 336: Postmodern Law and Criminology
JUST 338: Introduction to Human Rights
JUST 340: Sociology of Law
JUST 371: U.S. Immigration Policy and Human Rights in the Americas

Philosophy

PHIL 201: Logic (highly recommended)
PHIL 213: Business Ethics
PHIL 215: Ethics
PHIL 303: Logic II
PHIL 313: Ethical Theory
PHIL 315: Medical Ethics
PHIL 348: Computer Ethics and Public Policy
PHIL 362: Philosophy of Law
PHIL 364: Critical Race Theory
PHIL 365: Environmental Ethics
PHIL 366: Feminist Ethics

Political Science

PSCI 216: American National Government
PSCI 309A: Moot Court and Appellate Advocacy (highly recommended)
PSCI 311: The American Judiciary and the Judicial Process in American Government
PSCI 319: Politics of Law
PSCI 320: Constitutional Law (highly recommended)
PSCI 332: Latinos and the Law
PSCI 333: Immigration, Ethnicity and Citizenship
PSCI 341: Public Administration
PSCI 380: International Law

Sociology

SOC 250: Sociology of Deviance
SOC 304: Sociology of Law
SOC 309: Sociology of Racism
SOC 316: Race and Ethnic Relations
SOC 338: Environmental Sociology
SOC 344: African America Women: Feminism, Race and Resistance
SOC 362: Identity and Social Policy

Women's, Gender and sexuality Studies

WGS 312: Women and Global Human Rights

Interviewing for Professional Health Programs

David Nissim-Sabat — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:39:41 +0000

Interviewing for Professional Health Programs

David Nissim-Sabat Fri, 03/10/2023 - 11:39

The goal of the interview

Professional health program interviews are designed to assess your communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and personal qualities, all of which are essential for success in the medical field. Here are some common things you can expect to be asked about and evaluated on in a medical school interview:

Behavioral and situational questions: You may be asked about how you have handled difficult situations in the past or how you would handle certain scenarios that could occur in medical practice.
Personal questions: You may be asked about your motivations for pursuing a career in medicine, your personal values and ethics, and your interests outside of medicine.
Academic questions: You may be asked about your academic achievements, study habits, and how you have prepared for medical school.
Clinical questions: You may be asked about your understanding of medical conditions, how you would diagnose and treat them, and how you would interact with patients.
Communication skills: You will be evaluated on your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly, listen actively, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Professionalism: You will be evaluated on your demeanor, professionalism, and respect for others.
Current events: You may be asked about recent healthcare policy changes or medical breakthroughs.

Interview Formats

Interviews for professional health programs can be conducted in several formats, including traditional one-on-one interviews, panel interviews, Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), virtual interviews, and hybrid interviews.

Traditional one-on-one interviews: These are the most common types of interviews used by professional health programs. In this format, you will meet with a single interviewer who will ask you questions about your personal and academic background, your motivation for pursuing medicine or dentistry, etc., and your interest in the specific school.
Panel interviews: In this format, you will be interviewed by a panel of two or more interviewers who will ask you similar questions as in the one-on-one format. The panel may consist of faculty members, practicing healthcare professionals, and even current students.
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs): This is a newer interview format that is becoming increasingly popular in medical and dental schools. In MMIs, you will rotate through several stations, each with a different scenario or task that you must complete within a short period of time. The stations may include ethical dilemmas, communication exercises, and problem-solving tasks. You could also be asked to role-play with an actor pretending to be a patient, or work on a project with other students. MMIs often allow two minutes to review a question, and five minutes to respond.
Virtual interviews: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many professional health programs began conducting interviews virtually and have continued to do so. In this format, you will use video conferencing software to connect with your interviewer(s). The format of the interview is similar to the traditional one-on-one or panel format, but you will need to ensure that you have a quiet and professional environment for the interview as well as good lighting and still dressing for the interview.
Hybrid interviews: Many programs are combining traditional, panel, and MMI formats for the interview process. This could include in-person interviews as well as virtual interviews.

In all formats, the interviewers are looking for candidates who demonstrate strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and personal qualities such as empathy, professionalism, and leadership. It is important to prepare thoroughly for your interview by researching the school, practicing your responses to common interview questions, and dressing professionally.

How to prepare

Research the school: Do your homework on the school you are interviewing for. Familiarize yourself with the school's mission, curriculum, and values. This will help you to answer questions more confidently during your interview.
Review your application: Take some time to go over your application materials, including your personal statement, activities list, and letters of recommendation. Be prepared to answer questions about your experiences, motivations, and achievements.
Practice, practice, practice: Practice answering common interview questions with friends, family members, or a career counselor. Consider recording yourself and reviewing your performance. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve, such as body language, tone of voice, and clarity of expression.
Dress appropriately: Choose professional attire that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Avoid wearing anything that is distracting or revealing.
Be punctual: Arrive early to your interview, so you have time to check in and settle down. Being late can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact your interview performance.
Be yourself: During your interview, be genuine and authentic. Share your passions, interests, and experiences. Don't try to be someone you are not, and avoid giving answers that you think the interviewer wants to hear.
Be respectful: Show respect and appreciation for the interviewer's time and attention. Listen carefully to their questions, and respond thoughtfully and honestly.

Remember, the interview is an opportunity for the admissions committee to get to know you better, and for you to demonstrate your potential as a future healthcare provider. Be confident, prepared, and professional, and you will do great!

Writing Personal Statements

David Nissim-Sabat — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 22:28:12 +0000

Writing Personal Statements

David Nissim-Sabat Wed, 03/08/2023 - 16:28

Writing Personal Statements for Professional Graduate Programs

Writing a personal statement for a professional school is an important part of the application process. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, experiences and motivations for pursuing a professional degree. It should demonstrate why you want to be in that particular type of profession and how you were inspired to pursue it. You should describe your passion for your chosen field with specific examples from your experiences over the years. You should also write with enthusiasm, conviction and authenticity as well as demonstrate your intellectual curiosity.

Tell Your Story - Prompts to help you reflect

Use the following prompts to help you get started. This can help you organize your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your influences, your experiences and your career goals before writing a personal statement.

What is the purpose of this statement?
- Graduate school admission?
- Scholarship?
- Internship?
- Research opportunity?
What do I want the reader to learn about me?
How do I describe myself?
How do others describe me?
What are my hopes and dreams? Why?
Who are the influential people and elements in my life?
What is specific or unique about my life story?
- What are the most important things in my life?
- What makes me happy? Sad? Mad? Satisfied? Frustrated?
- What makes me unique?
- What are my hobbies?
- What elements of my culture are most personal/influential to me?
- What groups do I belong to and how has that identity influenced me?
- What is my favorite way to communicate?
What is my motivation to go into this profession?
What events or specific experiences have influenced me?
Where (or what) have been the “forks” in my road where I had to make big decisions?
What’s the greatest hardship I’ve faced in my life?
- How did I overcome, or fail to meet, that challenge?
- How do I respond to other challenges?
- What have I learned from adversity?
What have I learned about myself?
What are my proudest moments?
What have I learned in preparing for professional school?
What are the pros/cons of this career?
What do I expect to bring to the profession that others might not?
- Communication skills
- Desire to work in underserved communities
- Love of the profession
What are my long-term career goals?
What are my aspirations if I don’t get in?

Tips to create a compelling personal statement

Overall, writing a strong personal statement for a professional school requires careful thought, planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to create a compelling personal statement that will help you stand out from other applicants.

Find a Theme: While it is not required to have a theme, having your statement revolve around a consistent theme can help your statement stand out. Common themes include overcoming adversity, your proudest personal achievement, a unique hobby or passion, a major event in your life, good or bad, and what makes you diverse. Themes can tie a personal statement together. Avoid gimmicks, hard luck stories and controversial issues. Write about what interests and excites you.
Follow directions: You will need a general personal statement for most schools. However, some programs may ask you to respond to specific questions in a secondary application. Not responding to specific questions may just give them a reason to eliminate your application. Look at the mission/vision of each school and see if you can tie it into your statement
Cover new ground: This is an opportunity to convey information that won’t be on your application or resume. You can also comment on specific fluctuations that aren’t explained anywhere else on your application like grades, standardized test scores, etc.
Reflect on experiences: Focus on actual experiences rather than speculation about future accomplishments. Take an inventory of your accomplishments before writing. Be selective and discuss the things that are the most interesting and unique. Select one or two experiences that stand out from shadowing, interning, volunteering or working in your given field that you wish to describe and reflect on more deeply. Let the reader know if you worked independently or as part of a team and how that impacted your work. Additionally, guide your readers to conclusions by providing details and examples instead of statements like “I am a leader.”
Focus on yourself: Avoid focusing too much time on writing about other people. You might have been greatly inspired by a family member’s triumph over adversity or the amazing dedication of someone you shadowed or interned with, but the admissions panel is not evaluating these other people, they want to know about you.
Know your audience: Keep in mind that your audience consists of professionals in the field you want to be in. They are smarter, have more experience and know what it is like to be a professional in their field. Don’t try to impress them with your knowledge about the field or with jargon and terminology.
Be logical, clear and concise: Avoid vague or general statements. Instead, provide specific examples and be concise in your writing. Keep in mind that admissions committees read many personal statements so it is important to make yours stand out. Make it easy to follow by keeping it in chronological order.
Show your personality: Personal statements are an opportunity to showcase your personality and voice. Let your personality shine through in your writing, but be sure to maintain a professional tone as well as use language that paints a positive picture. It should be upbeat, convincing and persuasive
Edit and proofread: Finally, make sure to edit and proofread your personal statement carefully. Read it out loud. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that your statement flows well and is easy to read. The essay is also a sample of your writing skills. It must contain NO spelling or grammar errors. Be sure the personal statement is well thought-out and executed. It should be an example of your best work.
Get feedback: Have two or three people you can trust (professor, professional, graduate student, parent, advisor, tutor, etc.) to read your essay and offer honest feedback. Give yourself enough time. The final length should be from 4,500-5,300 characters depending on the program.

Personal Statement Outline

Here is a basic outline to help you get started writing a strong personal statement:

Start with a clear introduction: Your introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide a clear idea of what your personal statement is about. It could also include a thesis statement that outlines your goals and motivations for pursuing the professional degree. Ideally, the opening should capture the reader's attention.
Highlight your experiences: Focus and reflect on experiences that influenced you and are relevant to the program you are applying for. This could include relevant work experience, volunteer work, internships or research projects.
Explain why you are a good fit: Demonstrate your understanding of the program and explain why you believe you are a good fit for it. Show how your skills, experiences, and goals align with the career or program's mission and values.
Your future contributions: Although you are writing about yourself, it is important not to make the essay all about what you want and how the professional program with help you. Focus on who you are in the context of what you can give. Demonstrate an obligation to service rather than a perspective that may come off as selfish. How will you contribute to the classroom, be of service to your clients/patients and contribute to your profession in general?

Things to avoid

Don't start your essay with "I was born in...," or "My parents came from..."
Don’t repeat what’s already on your resume
Don’t treat it like a term paper, lab report or autobiography
Don’t focus on length in the draft stage
Don’t lecture professionals on their profession
Don’t spend too much time on the first line… jump into it
Don't use statements like, I’ve always wanted to be a....” or “I want to help people”
Don’t tell the readers what this profession is… tell them what it means to you
Don’t base your personal statement on a quote; it’s an over-used device
Don’t use clichés, slang or poor English
Don’t preach
Don’t overuse “I”
Don’t talk about school rankings
Don’t focus on your childhood
Don’t say what you think they want to hear
Don’t repeat things
Don’t focus on deep personal problems or excuses for past performance
Don’t discuss politics or controversial topics
Don’t harp on negative aspects
Don’t submit a statement that is too long or too short
Don’t go overboard with the thesaurus or with your vocabulary
Don't rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling
Don't make things up
Don’t be too self-congratulatory
Don’t use this essay to create a person that doesn’t exist
Don’t be afraid to start over

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

David Nissim-Sabat — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:55:44 +0000

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

David Nissim-Sabat Wed, 03/08/2023 - 10:55

Requesting letters of recommendation for a law school or a professional health program, such as medical school, dental school, physical therapy school or similar, isn't much different from requesting letters of recommendation for other graduate programs. However, letters of recommendation are often needed for scholarships, research opportunities or internships. These letters should come from a professor, advisor or professional within a given field as part of the application package. Here are some tips on how to request strong, supportive letters of recommendation:

Establish good relationships and choose the right people: Consider asking professionals, professors, academic advisors or employers who know you well and can speak to your strengths and qualifications. Make sure to choose individuals who are relevant to your field of study or career goals. Build relationships by:
1. Choosing professors based on shared academic interests
2. Asking thoughtful questions in class
3. Delving deeper into concepts presented in lectures
4. Sitting up front
5. Visiting office hours (in moderation)
6. Asking for recommendations for additional reading
7. Inquiring about their areas of interest and research
Ask politely: Ask in person or write a polite and professional email or letter asking for if they feel capable of writing a strong, supportive recommendation. Explain why you chose them, and thank them for their time and consideration. If they seem hesitant or are unable to write a strong, supportive recommendation, then you should probably try someone else. Be sure to give them the option to decline if they are not comfortable writing a strong, supportive recommendation.
Ask in advance: It is essential to give your recommenders plenty of notice. Request letters of recommendation at least a month or two before the deadline, if possible. This will give your recommenders sufficient time to write a thoughtful and detailed letter as well as get to know you better if necessary.
Provide relevant information: Give your recommenders information about the scholarship/internship/research opportunity or application service you are applying to. Provide a copy of your resume, personal statement and any other application materials that can help them write a more personalized letter. You could include a brief biography, your interests and activities, career goals and motivation toward your intended profession. You could also include a photo to help them remember you if needed, a copy of a paper or assignment from their class or even a transcript. If they don't know you as well as you would like them to, request a meeting with them so you can share more details about your personal, educational and professional journey.
Tell them what you're looking for: Remind them that you need a strong, supportive letter on letterhead stationery that reflects:
1. How long and in what capacity they have known you
2. Any character and personality traits observed
3. Interpersonal and communication skills
4. Intellectual traits
5. Distinguishing characteristics
6. Evaluation of your classroom or work performance
7. An opinion of the likelihood of your success
Deadline/Follow-up: After you have requested a letter of recommendation, follow up with your recommenders to make sure they have received the request and to confirm the deadline. Do NOT give them the last day that the letter can be submitted. Give them a deadline of two weeks prior to the actual deadline to provide a cushion. Send them a friendly reminder a week or two before the deadline to ensure they have ample time to submit their letter.
Show gratitude: After your recommenders have submitted their letters, be sure to thank them for their time and effort. Send them a personalized thank you note or email and let them know how much you appreciate their support.

Remember, letters of recommendation can play a significant role in your application so make sure to choose the right people and give them enough time to write a compelling letter that highlights your strengths and qualifications.

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Pre-Law Alumni

David Nissim-Sabat — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:55:04 +0000

Pre-Law Alumni

David Nissim-Sabat Fri, 02/17/2023 - 11:55

Meet some of our alumni in Law

NEIU alumni: If you are currently in law school or have earned a J.D. and would like to be featured here, please reach out to David Nissim-Sabat to be added. We would love to share your success! Also, join our NEIU Alumni - Law group on LinkedIn.

	Wendy R. Jeter NEIU 2022 B.A. in Justice Studies, minor in Criminology Mitchell Hamline School of Law Class of 2026
	Idea Mombe NEIU 2019 B.A. Political Science/Minor Communication DePaul University, School of Law Class of 2024 Law Clerk at Cook County State's Attorney's Office LinkedIn
	Alejandra Escobar, J.D. NEIU 2017 B.A. Political Science and Justice Studies UIC Law School (John Marshall Law School) 2020 Associate Attorney LinkedIn
	Kenya K. Barbara, J.D. NEIU 2016 B.A. Justice Studies and Political Science Loyola University Chicago, School of Law 2020 Housing Test Coordinator, Open Communities LinkedIn
	Nadir Chaouni, J.D. NEIU 2015 B.A. History Northern Illinois University, College of Law 2020 Regulatory Compliance Analyst LinkedIn
	Ricardo Santiago, J.D. NEIU 2014 B.A. in Communication, Media, and Theatre Chicago-Kent College of Law 2022 Associate Attorney at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LinkedIn
	Matt Reardon, J.D. NEIU 2012 B.A. Philosophy & Economics (Double Major) Harvard Law School 2018 Growth & Product Manager, 80,000 Hours LinkedIn
	Jason Diaz, J.D. NEIU 2012 B.A. Justice Studies/Minor Sociology UIC Law/John Marshall Law School 2016 Attorney LinkedIn
	Eron McCormick, J.D. NEIU 2009 B.A. Political Science Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2014 Owner, McCormick Law Firm LLC
	Fernando Hernandez Paredes, J.D. NEIU 2007 B.A. Justice Studies/Minor History Loyola University Chicago School of Law 2021 Staff Attorney, National Immigrant Justice Center LinkedIn
	Sir Williams, J.D. NEIU 2005 B.A. in Criminal Justice University of Wisconsin Law School 2011 Consultant, The Spivey Consulting Group; Owner, SWJD Consulting LinkedIn

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