Boalt 1Ls taking questions Forum

[middlebear]

The permit is $344 per semester and you have to live outside a 2mi radius from the school: http://www.freemaptools.com/radius-arou ... adius=true

However, if you do get the permit you get to parks in the lot nearest the law school, which is like a 3-5 min walk from the lot.

Where all do most students seem to live? Is it uncommon for 1Ls to live outside that 2 mile radius and drive?

[SlothManProphecy]

The permit is $344 per semester and you have to live outside a 2mi radius from the school: http://www.freemaptools.com/radius-arou ... adius=true

However, if you do get the permit you get to parks in the lot nearest the law school, which is like a 3-5 min walk from the lot.

Where all do most students seem to live? Is it uncommon for 1Ls to live outside that 2 mile radius and drive?

Students live all over the place. My guess is that a majority live within easy walking or bussing distance from campus. Popular areas include North Berkeley/Gourmet Ghetto, Elmwood, and Rockridge. I live out in Oakland and drive to school each morning. My best friend at the school does the same. I probably see a dozen to two dozen law students heading in and out of the parking garage each day, but there are probably more that drive.

[SemperLegal]

Motorcycle and scooters get free, school adjacent parking.

[Redamon1]

Motorcycle and scooters get free, school adjacent parking.

I'll add bikes as well.

Good point except you don't want to ride those when it rains. Oh wait, it never rains.*


*well, almost never

[TheoO]

Hey Boalt people, anyone have any word on Russell Robinson for Conlaw? Please pm me!

[Dr.Zer0]

So after 1st semester, what kind of grades are needed for
Top 20%
Top 1/3
Median

[postard]

Exact numbers are going to be hard to come by, and YMWV, but I would say you need at least 1 or 2 HHs and no Ps to be in the top 20%. All Hs to be top 1/3, and you could technically be above median and have all Ps.

Welcome to Boalt.

[Dr.Zer0]

Exact numbers are going to be hard to come by, and YMWV, but I would say you need at least 1 or 2 HHs and no Ps to be in the top 20%. All Hs to be top 1/3, and you could technically be above median and have all Ps.

Welcome to Boalt.

What about at the end of 1L?

[postard]

EDIT: H average = top 1/4 is the known data point.

[DiniMae]

A broader note: Our actual rankings (for Order of the Coif / clerkships / academia etc.) are calculated using weighted GPA, and for that it matters what class you got the grades in credit wise.

So different classes weigh different amounts? How do we find out which weigh what? Is that advertised?

[LoganCouture]

A broader note: Our actual rankings (for Order of the Coif / clerkships / academia etc.) are calculated using weighted GPA, and for that it matters what class you got the grades in credit wise.

So different classes weigh different amounts? How do we find out which weigh what? Is that advertised?

Not a 1L but I'm guessing more units/credits = more GPA weight.

[postard]

Precisely. I think half of the 1L classes are 4 & 5 credits, and LRW is 1 credit.

[WhiskeynCoke]

Again, these are pretty much hand waving generalizations given lack/volatility of data.

For Top 20% probably 3 HHs and 4 Hs, for top 1/3 somewhat less stellar grades. With 7 grades, dumb luck would probably get you an H to be around median.

A broader note: Our actual rankings (for Order of the Coif / clerkships / academia etc.) are calculated using weighted GPA, and for that it matters what class you got the grades in credit wise.

No, this is way off. Though it depends on the number of credits in each class, 3 HHs and 4Hs would be more like top 5%. I know for a fact that 2 HHs, 4Hs, and 1P is top 10% after 1L (P not WOA). I know this because as a 2L the registrar will tell you your approximate class rank for clerkship application purposes.

I've commonly heard that a 3.0 on the order of the coif scale (HH = 5, H = 3, P = 2) after 1L is roughly top 25%. That's an H average.

[postard]

Yeah. It was a gross underestimate. The lowest GPA you could get with 3 HHs, 4 Hs is a a 3.64, which is higher than top 1/4th.

[TheoO]

Hey Boalt people, anyone have any word on Russell Robinson for Conlaw? Please pm me!

Just wondering if anyone has any word on the guy above.

[DreamShake]

Hey Boalt people, anyone have any word on Russell Robinson for Conlaw? Please pm me!

Just wondering if anyone has any word on the guy above.

Readings are pretty light. Tries to encourage a lot of class discussion but doesn't do a terribly good job of balancing sides (an understandable flaw). Be forewarned that his class is essentially a semester on equal protection and due process as they relate to (a) Blacks/Hispanics (and not whites, Asians, or other non-Black/Hispanic minorities), (b) homosexuals, and (c) women. There's a one/two-week commerce clause piece thrown it at the end as well. I strongly regretted taking the class because I expected more than this.

[Helioze]

How do y'all feel about the pornstar?

[180kickflip]

How difficult is it to get in-state status after 1L year for someone who was never in California prior to that year?

Is there anything that can be done prior to enrolling that could make it easier to be reclassified as in-state?

Thanks for answering question

[Kronk]

How do y'all feel about the pornstar?

Kind of hilarious.

[Kronk]

How difficult is it to get in-state status after 1L year for someone who was never in California prior to that year?

Is there anything that can be done prior to enrolling that could make it easier to be reclassified as in-state?

Thanks for answering question

A couple things that will help you are getting your license early, getting a CA bank account, not working in your home state during 1L summer, etc.

[arose928]

Not Berkeley-specific, but - what's winter break during law school like? Is it relaxed and you can chill out, or are people getting a head start on the next semester?

More Berkeley-specific - after winter break it says 'term begins' one week and then 'instruction begins' the week after. What does 'term begins' mean if instruction doesn't actually start until the following week? Are you supposed to be back for the beginning of the term?

[leslieknope]

Do any of you remember anything about the Optional Scholarship Interest form from when you were applying for merit aid? They ask for a diversity statement, a leadership essay, and/or an economic hardship question, and I'm having a hard time writing them because I submitted a DS with my app that also talked about my socioeconomic stuff, and my PS touched on my leadership experience. TL;DR is it really critical to write those essays or should I just save the committee some redundancy?

[Tanicius]

Hey Boalt people, anyone have any word on Russell Robinson for Conlaw? Please pm me!

Just wondering if anyone has any word on the guy above.

Readings are pretty light. Tries to encourage a lot of class discussion but doesn't do a terribly good job of balancing sides (an understandable flaw). Be forewarned that his class is essentially a semester on equal protection and due process as they relate to (a) Blacks/Hispanics (and not whites, Asians, or other non-Black/Hispanic minorities), (b) homosexuals, and (c) women. There's a one/two-week commerce clause piece thrown it at the end as well. I strongly regretted taking the class because I expected more than this.

Eh, that wasn't how my class with him went. We spent the first 5-6 weeks on Lockner and then did the Commerce Clause for a few weeks after that.

[Redamon1]

Do any of you remember anything about the Optional Scholarship Interest form from when you were applying for merit aid? They ask for a diversity statement, a leadership essay, and/or an economic hardship question, and I'm having a hard time writing them because I submitted a DS with my app that also talked about my socioeconomic stuff, and my PS touched on my leadership experience. TL;DR is it really critical to write those essays or should I just save the committee some redundancy?

I wrote an optional essay and got money. Causation.

[Redamon1]

Not Berkeley-specific, but - what's winter break during law school like? Is it relaxed and you can chill out, or are people getting a head start on the next semester?

More Berkeley-specific - after winter break it says 'term begins' one week and then 'instruction begins' the week after. What does 'term begins' mean if instruction doesn't actually start until the following week? Are you supposed to be back for the beginning of the term?

Winter Break is pretty chill, except if you're on in a leadership position on a journal or you asked for a paper extension.

Just worry about when instruction begins. I assume the earlier date is for professors and staff...