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3/27/2009 12:33:14 AM
Well some good news: I got wait listed at William and Mary I see that as a good sign and I'm still trying to stay positive. I'd really like to go there if I can get in. Hopefully people will withdraw/decline enough that I'll get a spot. Gives me a bit of hope for Wake and Tulane as well, though that may be a bit much.
3/27/2009 5:07:41 PM
^ I was accepted off the wait-list, so certainly stay optimistic.
3/27/2009 8:42:38 PM
^^We're having our admitted students weekend right now. They get a lot of people making up their mind shortly after that, so they might start looking to the wait list shortly. Also, it's usually not an actual ranked list, but more of a pool of people. If you're looking to get out of the pool, you can improve your chances by calling the Dean for Admissions Faye Shealey and let her know you want to come. Sending a letter expressing your interest is also a good idea. Best of luck getting off the wait list.
3/27/2009 11:29:51 PM
that's a really good idea, maybe writing something thanking her/them for even a spot on wait-list and expressing my interest. I'll send that out on Monday. W&M is definitely one of my top picks, I was surprised to even be wait listed with my 150...Do you like W&M? How is living in Williamsburg (cost of living/night life)? I read a post somewhere that said W&M has a bunch of really "boring people" or attracts the "nerdy type" I believe this was actually on urbandictionary.com. How does the law school compare with undergrad?
3/28/2009 1:47:33 PM
Law school in general attracts nerdy people, but that'll be true of anywhere. Williamsburg overall is nice. It's obviously not a large city, but I like having a 4 minute commute to the law school. All the students are pretty cooperative, and we pride ourselves on not being cut throat. We're always bringing incredibly interesting speakers to speak at the law school as well. Just in the last few weeks we've had a federal appeals judge, Obama's campaign attorney, the Chairman of the FEC, a former solicitor general, and a US Senator. The law school is pretty independent from the undergrad campus. Our only interaction with them is when we lay the smack down on them in IM sports. They resent us for that. Cost of living I've found is pretty similar to Raleigh. The night life is inferior to Raleigh, but not terrible. We've got a couple of go to places where you'll always be able to find someone you know. The law school also picks a different bar each Thursday for what we call "bar review". Usually they get some decent specials negotiated. People also host a lot of house parties. I've enjoyed my 3 years here, so I can't complain.
3/28/2009 3:49:32 PM
I read in the Princeton review book on law schools that there is a strong "gossip mill" that runs in W&M, is that anything that you've found disruptive or causes social drama for you? I've also heard that tourists really "suck" and cause a lot of problems. Don't get me wrong though, W&M has the oldest college building in the country, is the second oldest college, and oldest still running law school. Not to mention Phi Beta Kappa and all of the Presidents that have made their way through there, definitely looks great to me.
3/28/2009 5:13:12 PM
The gossip mill is nothing I've found to be a problem, but it does exist though. I'm not sure exactly how our gossip mill compares with other law schools, but I think it's just a function of having a relatively small population of people in close quarters. As for tourists, I don't mind them. Everyone learns quickly where the local holes in the wall are and what's a tourist trap. Occasionally you get stuck behind a car going 10mph under the speed limit, that's about the worst thing I've experienced with them. On the plus side with tourists is that the city has more than it's share of good restaurants and golf courses.If you get off the wait list, be sure to come take a visit.
3/29/2009 9:37:44 AM
Anyone going to the UVA law school softball tournament this weekend?
3/31/2009 3:13:55 PM
Also, is anyone going to the Annual ABA Meeting in Chicago? They always send our SBA president and I just got elected vice president. I am requesting to tag along, but we'll see.
4/1/2009 7:26:47 PM
^^ Won the Co-Rec Bracket!
4/6/2009 10:10:19 AM
Anyone taking barbri in Charlotte this summer?
4/15/2009 9:14:30 AM
i've talked to a couple of you about visiting student options and gotten some good advice. has anyone here ever transferred or had to withdraw from school? has anyone taken longer than 3 years to finish? or if you know someone who has, that would be helpful too. i'm sure these stories are rare but i had to withdraw from school this semester with only about 2.5 weeks left of class, and it sucks so much. now i don't really know what i'm doing next year.
4/15/2009 2:11:03 PM
I've withdrawn, transferred, and I took longer than 5 years, but it wasn't Law School. I was undergrad.[Edited on April 15, 2009 at 5:14 PM. Reason : .]
4/15/2009 5:13:52 PM
^how is that at all helpfulyou are one of the worst old school posters ever
4/15/2009 9:59:11 PM
Based on the questions, she did not ask for advice or what to do with any of the mentioned situations, nor did she give any background info...she merely asked if any of us had experienced any of them. Based on the topic, I figured she was talking about Law school, but I have a feeling that these situations carry a common thread, no matter what stage you are in your education. I am not going to air my experiences without being solicited first. If she wanted more detail, she would have asked for it, probably via PM.Who pissed in your cornflakes?[Edited on April 15, 2009 at 10:19 PM. Reason : /]
4/15/2009 10:16:01 PM
while i appreciate your comments, law school is different from undergrad. the thing about law school that is different from undergrad is that you only have 5 years to finish (per the ABA...before you lose what you've done) it is harder to start and stop because there are certain courses that have to be taken, some in sequence, etc and you usually can't pick up in any given semester like you can in most undergraduate institutions. i transferred and changed my major in undergrad too--but it is a lot easier to do then.like i can't graduate in the fall from law school so losing a semester probably means that i'll graduate late which is unfortunate because then i'll have to pay for 4 years of school. i don't know, there are just a lot more logistical problems than in undergrad.
4/16/2009 2:21:19 PM
Due to certain extenuating circumstances, you could petition for a refund. That would take care of the "paying for four years of private school tuition". It is not unheard of for refunds to be granted, especially if you will have to re-take the classes you withdrew from.You obviously could not withdraw because you wanted to.
4/16/2009 3:00:54 PM
Ohh how I hate exam time...Had Estates the other day and it was ridiculously hard. Intestate distribution with A-Z as names. Rediculously hard. Hopefully everyone failed it and I will be either in the curve or slightly ahead of it. Got Con Law II Monday and the portion of my study group responsible for that has all but screwed us over with a shit outline. Bus. Assoc. on Friday and then its back to Raleigh.
4/25/2009 3:48:23 PM
ugh i don't know what to do about school. short story: my mom died and my dad had 2 strokes so i came home after spring break (approx a month ago)i can MAYBE pending approval from my profs (the admin is on board) complete 2 of my electives (6 credits) in the next month-ish (by the first week of june). i was taking 13 credits. if i can get the 6 credits, i won't be THAT far behind (this is my 2L year) and can POSSIBLY still graduate on time next year if i take full loads both semesters. the downside, finishing in a month isn't going to be easy. it involves writing 2 20 page papers AND catching up on a month of reading/power point slides so that i am able to write the papers. and i don't want my grades to suffer. like i don't just want to get Cs. but if i don't get the 6 credits, graduating on time is going to be nearly impossible.thoughts? i really don't know what to do. clearly, financially, i'm screwed either way as far as this spring semester is concerned.
4/26/2009 5:00:37 PM
Sorry to hear that. It's no doubt that's a tough position. It's just my opinion, but I'd think graduating on time if at all possible would be your best bet. You'd probably want to be graduating in line with most employer's interview and hiring schedules. Even if it's a semester late, it means you won't be able to interview for permanent positions next fall. Plus you get to avoid an extra semester of tuition. It surely won't be easy, but if your profs will go along with it, I'd try to churn out the papers if possible.
4/26/2009 7:12:44 PM
^^ sorry to hear about all that. i'd have to agree minderbinder. although graduating on time will be tough, it's always best to try and stay on employer hiring schedules. the other thing is that 2 20-page papers isn't that bad, and is easily doable. what classes are they? i'm assuming you can choose your own paper topic. if that's the case, forget about the reading & ppt slides, and just go straight into your legal research. and worst case scenario, if you do get less than ideal grades, it's still semi-excusable. i mean, you're sitting in an interview and a question comes up on why you only have 6 credits and the grades are bad, i'm pretty sure your circumstances would be more than an adequate explanation. if anything, it would show any prospective employer your commitment and determination. also, have you looked into the possibility of any summer programs? i don't know what your current summer employment situation looks like, but that may be another option to help defray having a full load during the regular semesters.
4/26/2009 8:05:50 PM
thanks for the advice. yea i think that doing the 6 credits is totally the best option (v. just withdrawing completely). one class is just a general international law (public) class and i get to pick my topic in that class. the other class is international business transactions which is a little tougher and no topic to pick there. the final is essentially the paper--he gives us a hypo and then we write a 15-20 page response (i think i will have to check my syllabus, but i believe it is 15 pages minimum). so there i'd have to do the reading and ppt slides. definitely not worried about the reading in the first class, and i've had the prof before so i feel pretty confident writing for her.the other reason it seems better to do the 6 hours is yes, to graduate on time. my school doesn't even have a december option so it'd be an extra year probably of tuition. i don't even really know what would happen--seems like it would be really screwed up.and summer school would be an option, but i am at home (in raleigh) now because my dad can't drive himself around to dr appts or do any kind of manuel labor around the house, etc, so i don't have the option of taking summer classes at my school. i looked around at summer programs at schools here, but then i was told by my school that they wouldn't be able to help facilitate loans if i took classes at another institution?? because i had inquired about doing my third year as a visiting student at like campbell or central, but apparently, according to elon, i'd have to pay out of pocket. even though people are able to study abroad and still get financial aid through elon. i don't know, it confused me. but i just really wanted to see what other law students would say, because i'd like to know if other people would attempt the 6 hours in my situation. it seems reasonable to me and i think that the administration at my school thinks it is reasonable (i had initially advocated for 9 hours, but had to compromise with the 6). its just left up to the profs now to see if they will work with me. ^, ^^ both comments were really helpful
4/26/2009 8:29:36 PM
i haven't been to law school, but i vote for trying to get the 6 credits... and honestly, from the sounds of your situation, i'm sorry to hear that they won't let you get 9 credits (or all of them? is 9 the whole semester?) -- withdrawing with like a month left under your specific circumstances seems like you should be able to get full credit if you complete the course requirements over the next month or so, i would continue to push this issue with whomever it takes at your schoolgood luck! if there's any way that summer courses would help, go for it -- and again, keep pushing if they say the tuition/loan stuff doesn't work out... your situation is clearly not the norm and while there's probably not a standard protocol for it (or while the general 'withdrawal' protocol is not exactly applicable), they should be willing to work with you (and if they're not initially willing, keep pushing them)
4/27/2009 1:20:03 AM
Get the 6 hrs, take this summer to get your mind right, and then jump back on the horse. My mom passed away during my freshman yr and it was difficult, but you got to get back to life and get shit done. Your mom wouldn't want to see you throw away your life because you can't get over her death. I know that undergrad and law school are different, but the main point is to get on with your life. I don't mean to come off as harsh or insensitive, because I understand the scenario, but take your time grieving this summer and then get back to it. On a side note...Con Law II was too easy. Kinda scary easy. Buss. Assoc. Friday And then, under a rebuttable presumption, I will be a 3L.
4/29/2009 11:46:49 AM
Taking my last exam for my 1L year in less than 2 hours. Then Joint Journal Competition starts Friday and new job starts on Monday. This year went by incredibly fast.
4/29/2009 12:09:26 PM
[words]Well,I got rejected from just about every school that I applied to except:Again my stats were 150/3.77 with a TON of extracurricular activities geared towards international focus, great LOR's (Dr., Judge, Lawyer), 2 years internship at a law firm in Raleigh. Alot of dropped charges (all very explainable and most in high school), one drinking ticket conviction. Accepted at Charlotte - $5,000 a year - not thinking I want to graduate from here.Wait-listed at William and Mary (obviously my top choice)- sent in letter of continued interest by regular mail, as well as an optional essay and another letter of recommendation. I would certainly want to graduate from this school if I get in. This would be an absolute miracle for me. Only had to list convictions here.Wait-listed at University of South Carolina - could possibly want to graduate from here if I get in, depending on how much I like Columbia (I've never been). - sent in LOCI and another recommendation via e-mail. Had to put all charges here. Seems like I have a better chance getting in here than W&M though...still waiting on NC Central (decent chance), Chapman (less decent chance), and Tulane (slim chance).rejected from - Virgina and Vandy (duh), American, Loyola Chicago, Campbell, Charleston, Maryland, and Wake Forest. I should have applied to more safety schools...I think these were all a bit over my head for a 150 lsatUnless I get into W&M I think ultimately I'd like to get into a top 20 or triangle-area school because that's where I want to practice law, preferably get into Chapel Hill. I'm not afraid of the coursework in law school because I've always excelled in classes with strong emphasis on reading/writing/argument. I feel like I would have had a lot more choices had my LSAT been better but I have a history of poor standardized testing...and my charges seem to be having a big impact.What do ya'll think is my best option thus far? Charlotte seems fun, USC has a better rep, wait for UNCC?, transfer? I'm totally lost and have to start deciding soon.
4/30/2009 5:16:10 PM
I don't know about Charlotte Law. Maybe someone here goes there. I've met several people that go there, but I don't know much about the school, etc. How much does it cost to go there? Scholarships are always worth considering.I don't mean this in a bad way, but you seem way too concerned with school name vs. reality. Okay, you wish you had done better on your LSAT. You can either a) keep working and take it again or b) just go with what you've got. Maybe you'll get into Central! You probably have a decent chance there, and it is a FINE school. Especially if you want to practice in this area.If you get in to USC--do you really want to practice law or do you just care about what diploma hangs on your wall?? I think South Carolina is (or has been in the past) in the top 100 law schools. Maybe it is near the bottom, but hey, if you care about reputation, there you go. I know several people that have graduated from there (all SC residents, but whatever) and they loved it and have great jobs.If you want to go to law school, go to law school. Work hard. Transfer if that is what you want. But I don't think UNC accepts in state transfer students so I'm not sure if you'd be able to transfer from Charlotte to UNC. You could try for Wake or something though. It is really up to you. Yes, reputation is important. But as you keep saying about yourself, you do well in classes and you work hard and you aren't scared of the coursework. So go to Central or Charlotte, make it in to the top 10 of your class, you'll be fine. Seriously. If you work hard and want to stay in the triangle area, you will be fine!! If you are in the top 20 or 10 of your class, you'll get interviews. So accept a summer position in Raleigh/Durham/Chill/Wake Forest and there ya go. A name is a name is a name is a name. If you work hard, you can get what you want. And if you want to stay in the triangle, I honestly don't see what would be so bad about Central. Plus, it is cheaper and you may wind up with a scholarship there as well.
4/30/2009 6:16:59 PM
^^I visited and applied to USC, and out of Duke/Wake Forest/USC/UNC it was second only to UNC on my list. I loved the atmosphere, and they have some really impressive faculty. Columbia really is a cool place to live (hot as hell though in the summer). It's actually like 3 hours from the mountains, and like 2 hours from the beach, it's a pretty cool location. If you haven't visited the school, definitely go before you rule it out. As I said, I really enjoyed my visit, and the faculty really struck me as impressive. For instance, one of their adjunct professors for international law was a renowned writer in the arab world. Kind of neat. They also are REALLY receptive to perspective students, very easy to talk to. Another plus for you is that they usually can pull deeply from their waitlist, especially if they know you're interested. The only drawback is there aren't many other law schools in the area, and they do really want people who want to practice in SC.
4/30/2009 6:30:07 PM
The benefit of going to a name, or at least an established school is that it does open doors. You'll learn the same substantive law anywhere, but law is a people business and schools that have relationships with lots of practicing attorneys do better with job placement. I'd steer clear of Charlotte, they haven't graduated any classes yet, and thus have 0 alumni in positions where you can network to get your foot in the door. Central is probably better, and USC better than Central. I wouldn't make your decision planning on transferring. Usually to transfer you'll have to be top 10% of your class 1L year, and that's no guarantee you can transfer even if that's the case. Plan to graduate from wherever you go. If you're not happy with your options this year, take the lsat again and reapply. There's no reason to take six-figure debt and end up without a job, or with a job you don't want at the end of 3 years. The fact of the matter is that reputation does matter to a degree. Recruiters look at rankings, alumni connections open doors, and faculty and administration connections to practitioners all matter. It's true that if you're an all star at Central or Charlotte, you'll probably get interviews, but if you're at a higher ranked school you might only need to be top half.
4/30/2009 8:06:40 PM
While I would normally agree that an established law school is better to go to, it is correct in that law is a people business. Since you have a worked for a law firm for two years, you already have a leg up on the competition. Having lawyers as part of your social network will help you get a job no matter what law school you go to. It's all about who you know. Granted, you can't be an idiot, but good grades from a descent school and knowing someone is worth more than good grades from a good school and not knowing anyone. I'm at the Appalachian School of Law and have descent grades, but I had worked for a law firm in Raleigh during undergrad. After 1L year got an externship with a superior court judge. And now this summer I got a job with a raleigh firm...most likely because of the law firm I worked for in undergrad. Hopefully having two different sets of contacts in the Raleigh area will assist me in getting a permanent job after graduation. Otherwise, I will have to go to alternative plans. Just my $0.02
4/30/2009 11:58:37 PM
^ I agree. Your network is your best friend. Keep up the connections with practicing attorneys, and do everything you can to grow your network while in law school. I don't mean to imply that rankings are the end all in the game, but more that there are some advantages to established schools like the alumni networks and reputation of the school among employers. Schools have networks too, and how broad their network is makes a difference when you send resumes out. Chances are that even with a good personal network, at some point you'll be sending resumes out cold or sitting in an interview room with someone you don't know. That's when your grades and school's name makes a difference the most. Plus, getting 'good' grades is generally easier at better schools. Most top tier law schools grade on a B to B+ curve, and don't fail anyone. You just have a little more of a security net with established schools.
5/1/2009 9:48:19 AM
5/1/2009 3:17:15 PM
thanks everyone for the advice.I guess I'll have to wait and see what unfolds from here. Central is a great option because I wouldn't have to move and make new friends, find housing, pack my stuff up, etc. My boss from the law firm was a central grad so maybe I can get her to write me a targeted letter or call someone up there for me. USC is definitely still on table, I feel pretty good about being able to get in there ::knock on wood:: and that would be good for me also because I have family in SC and I have always considered practicing in Brunswick county so I could take the bar in NC and SC and take advantage of the criminal cases in New Hanover (Wilmington and Holden Beach), Brunswick(Ocean Isle, Sunset Beach), and Horry county (Cherry Grove, Myrtle Beach) to the south and basically handle all the kids that get in trouble at the beach in the summer. I have arranged an open house with Charlotte next Friday so that will be my last resort I guess. Still going to pray for W&M but realistically look towards USC/Charlotte/Central. Thanks again for the great advice.
5/1/2009 3:40:13 PM
UDC just offered me a scholarship covering full tuition - I'm gonna take it.I know 1 girl who managed to transfer to GW after her first year - but I wouldn't mind getting a JD that I don't have to pay for.The school has had it's problems, but apparently they are up and coming anywayhttp://www.law.udc.edu/?page=Facts[Edited on May 6, 2009 at 12:24 PM. Reason : yay for free tuition!]
5/6/2009 12:21:34 PM
This is my third day on the job. I just finished by 1L year (took my last exam a week ago) and this is my first experience clerking (obviously). I've already written two workers comp demands, I'm going to a Medicaid appeal hearing tomorrow with a client by myself, and I'm writing my first actual brief (it's due next week). I've never been busier, but I'm loving it.
5/6/2009 6:19:29 PM
^^ did they say anything about having to keep your GPA above a certain amount? I'm just curious because when I started out Chicago Kent offered me a free ride, but I had to maintain an absurdly high GPA to keep it for year 2 and 3. I realized if i didn't land in the top ten percent every semester I would end up paying 32 grand a year for the next two years. Stayed in state and went to UNC instead. [Edited on May 7, 2009 at 12:33 PM. Reason : f]
5/7/2009 12:31:17 PM
ok well i kinda figured out my life i think. kinda. i'm going to do 2 papers for 6 hours of credit so i can salvage some of my semester.we need 90 hours to graduate. i will have 54 after the 2 papers. so if i take 18 hours both semesters then i'm fine. but the BEST part is that we have a trimester schedule, which everyone thinks is retarded. i think it is pretty retarded, except now it is really going to help me. i can pick up one or two electives during jan. term next year which will take some of the course work off of me during the actual semesters.but i'm going to need to take 17 hours next fall, which is going to suck.but some of the classes i'll be registered for i will have already done 2/3 of the coursework in (this year). so maybe it won't be as awful as it seems? i dunno---this at least seems better than the alternative of getting behind, paying even MORE tuition for extra semesters, etc, etc. or am i crazy? i know it will be hard but i think i can do it.
5/7/2009 1:13:41 PM
^^ yes, I have to stay in the top 25%I'm not worried, if I'm not in the top 10 or 15% at UDC, I'm not getting a decent job coming out anyway. I don't plan on leaving the library my first year. I'll be OK.
5/8/2009 11:37:18 AM
^^ 17/18 hours a semester sucks, but it's doable. i did it my 2L year to make my 3L year cake, and it wasn't that bad. boom. hooded. diploma. done. except there's something called a bar exam.
5/18/2009 10:37:07 PM
yea it is going to suckbut what would suck worse is spending an extra semester (or year) in law school instead of working my ass off. if i have to spend 2 more years in law school i will die, quit right now and give up.so i'm gonna have to do 17 in the fall, 3 - 6 in winter term and then maybe i can coast thru with a 15 for spring semester. luckily everyone else will be doing 12 and 12. oh well. it is honestly way better than spending an extra year in law school. or it seems that way to me. i took 17 last fall and ended up fine (for some reason i do better when i am busier). of course 3 of those hours were clinic hours, but still.
5/18/2009 11:38:36 PM
Woo hoo. Got my first real grade back from the spring semester. A in Constitutional Law!
5/20/2009 10:03:18 PM
Campbell is a T4 school and it's very expensive. Why someone would chose Campbell over NCCU is a mystery to me. NCCU's clinical program is ranked 20th in the nation- the only NC school to break the top 50. They have an extensive network of alumni, most of whom are judges or DAs.Just my opinion.
5/22/2009 1:09:40 AM
Still waiting on one grade, but sustained my GPA. Hopefully this last grade will give it a little bump and get it over a 3.0. Summer job is going well too. I love being back in Raleigh.
6/1/2009 8:25:56 PM
I take the LSAT on Monday. We'll see how that goes.
6/1/2009 11:00:40 PM
^ It's going to suckI hated that damn testI got damn near perfect on every section but logic games, where my mind imploded because I had already been testing for 4 hours, and completely screwed that section up.
6/2/2009 10:21:38 AM
Damn last grade! Damn ADR professor taking her job way too seriously. I'm still just barely under a 3.0.
6/2/2009 3:27:07 PM
I hope it doesn't suck. So far things have been going well with studying. I actually enjoy standardized tests for the most part. If things go like my practice sessions have, then I should be okay. I took a full test yesterday and one today, and I got a 174 and 175 respectively under timed conditions. If I can replicate that during the actual test, I'll be happy.Of course, anything is possible when the actual moment arrives, and the stress factors in.
6/7/2009 9:11:38 PM
go you. and keep having fun, i guess??i have one more paper to write and then i will have completed 2 classes / 6 hours. wahoo. but at least i will still be able to (hopefully, providing i don't fail my 2 whole classes from this semester) graduate on time next year. which will be awesome
6/7/2009 9:45:36 PM
I'm kind of confused as to how I received no scholarships for the coming year. I have a 3.75 GPA and a pretty good work resume, speak Spanish and Arabic, have tons of community service activities, and have really no money. What's going on? I mean, I know I'm a white girl trying to get a scholarship at UNC, but seriously, wtf, no scholarships?
6/8/2009 12:31:35 PM