The Pre-Law Society, which has been on campus for more than 25 years, is applying to become a chapter of a national pre-law organization, Phi Alpha Delta.
Charles Nicholls, Pre-Law Society president, said after he became president the organization decided to apply for a Phi Alpha Delta charter.
“They’re reviewing our application now,” Nicholls said. “After they approve it, we’ve set an initiation date for Nov. 25.”
Nicholls said the benefits of becoming a Phi Alpha Delta chapter are the additional services and recognition associated with the name.
“Phi Alpha Delta is a national organization that people at law schools out of state will have heard of,” Nicholls said. “People may not know about the Pre-Law Society of LSU.”
Laura Caviness, a business administration senior and vice president of the Pre-Law Society, said the organization exists to help potential law students with their questions about law school.
“We can help with filling out law school applications,” Caviness said. “It just gives you everything you need to know about law school.”
Caviness also said members receive discounts on LSAT preparation courses.
“It can be really confusing when you’re trying to apply to law school,” Caviness said. “Little things like discounts on prep courses help a lot.”
Nicholls said the organization will continue its traditions of having prominent politicians, law professors, law school admissions counselors and lawyers speak at its meetings.
“We like to show what you can do with a law degree besides just being a courtroom lawyer,” Nicholls said.
Jeff Renton, a mass communication junior, said he joined the Pre-Law Society because he is thinking about applying to law school.
“I’ve learned a lot of good information about law school,” Renton said. “Last week we had people come in and help with applications – they told us exactly what law schools were looking for.”
Lauren Landry, a public relations junior, said the Pre-Law Society’s conversion to a Phi Alpha Delta chapter will help tremendously on her law school applications.
“It’s a good résume builder,” Landry said. “Plus there are a lot of real active alumni. When you go to law school you can meet people who were a part of the same club.”
Nicholls said becoming a Phi Alpha Delta chapter would be better for the strength and stability of the organization.
“Student organizations tend to go through slumps,” Nicholls said. “When you have a foundation and rituals it’s easy to continue and grow.”
Nicholls said the fraternity has rituals and recruitment rules much like the current Greek organizations on campus, and the biggest challenge will be upholding the standards Phi Alpha Delta requires of its members.
“Living up to the standards Phi Alpha Delta has put before us will be a challenge,” Nicholls said. “There are required community service hours and academic standards; they have a long history of excellence.”
Nicholls said the fraternity will “rush” in the spring.
“One of our biggest problems before was we were just an assembly of people who would sit down and not talk to each other,” Nicholls said. “We have tried to make it a more comfortable, more social atmosphere.”
The group meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Red River Room of the Union. Non-members are welcome to attend any meeting or event. Students interested in Phi Alpha Delta can check out its Web site at http://www.lsu.edu/student_organizations/prelawsociety/.
Pre-Law Society seeks national recognition
November 12, 2003