Top Law Schools

Eugenie Danglars wrote:Would y'all be so kind as to give us some insight into BU's LRW program? It's not listed with the curriculum for first-years, but I'm assuming it exists...

First semester is pretty much a series of memos (internal documents that would be drafted within a firm for only other lawyers in your firm to see). However, you also learn the basics of citations and Bluebooking (which isn't much fun but it is a necessary skill). Second semester is all about advocacy and actually arguing for a side. We started with a letter to a client, then did a motion to a court to get them to dismiss a claim against a client. Obviously that needs to be persuasive stuff (compared to the memo, which is just a way of assessing a client's honest chances of winning). Our final assignment lasts the better part of 2 months. But we also have an oral component in which we get to argue and present our side of a case. All written assignments are graded, but the oral is just pass/fail.

LRW is graded at 1.5 credits per semester, compared to 4.0 credits for substantive courses. General curve here is a B+, but the curve for LRW is an A-. It is very hard and very time consuming, I hate it, but I have learned quite a bit.

Sounds about par for the course. Thanks!

Cupidity wrote:LRW is graded at 1.5 credits per semester, compared to 4.0 credits for substantive courses. General curve here is a B+, but the curve for LRW is an A-. It is very hard and very time consuming, I hate it, but I have learned quite a bit.

I loved it - depends a lot on the writing instructor.

Question about social life/budget -

Apologies in advance if this is obvious, but, for all the events that I hear about BU putting on (bar reviews, cruise, etc), how many of those are free? Is it like a high school or college formal where you buy a ticket or something?

With all those 20-somethings and bars, I imagine I'd go out a lot to eat/drink. How much of your money goes to social events? Are there special discounts for students around Boston (even though it's saturated with students)?

Also, do you guys ever hang out with students from BC, Suffolk, Harvard or Northeastern Law? I know there's a pretty strong BC/BU rivalry, but are people still pretty cool with each other nevertheless? How often do you run into them?

The major events, law-prom and the booze-cruise had $25 tickets. There is never a cover for the bar reviews. All events come with 1-2 free drinks bought by the SGA. The BU Sportspass is a great deal if you like that sort of thing, I paid $125 for it and I've been to more than 12 hockey games. I blow about $30 alcohol, welcome to law school.

We never mingle with the other schools, unless you are in an affinity group, the LSA's do city wide networking events.

Can anyone explain a bit the off-campus housing options in the vicinity of the LS (preferably within walking distance)?
Which neighborhood is relatively safer and quieter?
How did you reserve a apartment and find your roommate before arriving in Boston?

Thank you for your kind reply.

For use in future discussions. The white area between Brighton and Jamaica Plain is Brookline. It doesn't appear because it isn't part of Boston, but it is a viable housing option. Unfortunately I couldn't find any neighborhood maps that included it.

chasefog wrote:Can anyone explain a bit the off-campus housing options in the vicinity of the LS (preferably within walking distance)?
Which neighborhood is relatively safer and quieter?
How did you reserve a apartment and find your roommate before arriving in Boston?

Thank you for your kind reply.

I'm going to try to do this as comprehensively as possible, and hopefully it will be of help tom any students.

Allston/Brighton: It is the most popular area and is by far the cheapest, 1Br's start at around $700 and 2 Br's around $1,000. Just about every bar you will ever want to go to is located there, ie: Joshua Tree, Wonder Bar, Deep Ellum. The downside, the apartments are generally pretty crappy, the area is overrun with college students, and you have to take the B line into school. You will quickly learn that once the Green Line goes above ground, it becomes insanely inconsistent, which means you will need to budget 10 extra minutes to get to class on time. This area is probably your Best value.

Kenmore/Back Bay: The nicest area, and the most expensive. 1Br's start at $1050, 2 Br's around $1,400. Good news, you can walk to school in 5 minutes, bad news, you have to deal with the green line at night when all your friends are out at Whitehorse in Allston.

Brookline (Not on map): As you go further out the C line, the prices drop a little, 1Br's run around 900, 2Br's $1200. The area is as nice as Kenmore, and the best apartments are located here, the downside, you have to go a decent way down the C line before the prices become affordable. Lots of convenient shopping, Trader Joes, Dry cleaners, etc., but now, instead of taking the B line outbound to hang out with your friends in Allston, you have to take the C inbound to Kenmore, then the B outbound.

South End: If you are committed to "City living," this is your best bet. It's a bit more urban without being cost-prohibitive like the North End & Downtown. The downside, long commute. Prices in the area vary widely so be on the look out if you want to live here.

Cambridge (Central/Kendall): Some students just like it, It's like Allston if it had any class, Prices are comparable to Brookline. The upside, lots of coffee shops and small concert venues. Downside? Red Line to park, outbound to BU Central takes about 35 minutes.

Other Areas: No one lives there.

chasefog wrote:Can anyone explain a bit the off-campus housing options in the vicinity of the LS (preferably within walking distance)?
Which neighborhood is relatively safer and quieter?
How did you reserve a apartment and find your roommate before arriving in Boston?

Thank you for your kind reply.

BU runs a classified service for admitted students, several of my friends found roommates through there. Facebook and even TLS can also work for finding someone. The nice thing is, by the time you get to law school, most people have mellowed out enough that you don't need to have the same fears you did finding a roommate in undergrad. Contact local real estate agents, or visit the city.

Cupidity wrote:

chasefog wrote:Can anyone explain a bit the off-campus housing options in the vicinity of the LS (preferably within walking distance)?
Which neighborhood is relatively safer and quieter?
How did you reserve a apartment and find your roommate before arriving in Boston?

Thank you for your kind reply.

BU runs a classified service for admitted students, several of my friends found roommates through there. Facebook and even TLS can also work for finding someone. The nice thing is, by the time you get to law school, most people have mellowed out enough that you don't need to have the same fears you did finding a roommate in undergrad. Contact local real estate agents, or visit the city.

Tons of thanks, Cupidity. Your posts are always so informative.Since I am not a frequent bar goer, I think I will like Kenmore/Back Bay.Hopefully can share a 2 Br's with a roommate.
By the way,do you know which is the on-campus dorm that law students usually choose? Thank you

The closest you'll get to a graduate student "dorm" is the property at 580 Commonwealth (I may have messed up the number, but there is only one such building so if you see the link on the housing site you should know what I mean). This probably isn't your best choice, the housing is about $1300 and the only rooms available are cookie cutter dorm/studios, I only know one person who lives there. Most law students who live in BU rented housing get their leases through the BU office of rental property managment. These listings aren't dorms, but are rather school owned apartments. They are located in two clusters, one by the St. Mary's stop where I live and another right behind Kenmore. These offer 1-3 Bedrooms for $1200-$1400 for the 1br and $1800-$2200 for the 2brs. They are very nice, and very convenient, but are also very expensive. All are within walking distance and include heat/water. Contact the "Office of Rental Property Management" to find currently available listings. These are done on a rolling basis, and rooms are always opening up through about July.

Maybe a dumb question, but is there a specialty that more students lean toward?

Also, not really specific to BU, but I still don't get how people choose their specialties. After taking all their classes for 1L do students just know which area they love the most?

2011Law wrote:Maybe a dumb question, but is there a specialty that more students lean toward?

Also, not really specific to BU, but I still don't get how people choose their specialties. After taking all their classes for 1L do students just know which area they love the most?

Concentrations aren't very important at all. Consider this, 2L OCI is in august/september and by that point you could have chosen four classes towards the completion of a concentration. The extent to which they will ever help you is you can write in your cover letters "I came to BU to concentrate on Tax & Finance and would prefer to work in your firm's Tax & Benefits Department." School's that offer concentrations mostly do it for the purpose of advertising to prospective students. Having said that, the areas where we have concentrations, we also have plenty of coursework and professors which means if you are genuinely interested in something like health law, we can teach you a lot about it.

2011Law wrote:Maybe a dumb question, but is there a specialty that more students lean toward?

Also, not really specific to BU, but I still don't get how people choose their specialties. After taking all their classes for 1L do students just know which area they love the most?

A JD is a general degree, 95% of people won't have a concentration. You will gravitate towards litigation or corporate.

Can someone elaborate what the Admitted Student "Preview" day consists of? I checked out the schedule but I am still a little hazy on the details. Do you show up the night before, stay for the day, and leave? It seems a little curtailed.

derrminater wrote:Can someone elaborate what the Admitted Student "Preview" day consists of? I checked out the schedule but I am still a little hazy on the details. Do you show up the night before, stay for the day, and leave? It seems a little curtailed.

Unless it has changed.

Check in with a 1-1/2 hour casual mixer in barristers hall on the first floor, faculty, current students and admitted students. Free juice and pastries, awful coffee, it was my favorite part of the day.

Mock Class 1 hour, they usually get Pettit. He will sing. You will enjoy it. You will not realize how terrifying he is until fall.

Lunch w/ speech and presentation in the GSU

Optional events: Tours/Financial Aid Seminars/ Etc

Afternoon: Most affinity groups sponsor their own event at a local bar or at the BU pub.

Best admitted students day I attended.

could you speak as to the study abroad opportunities? Do they all last for a semester? Would you say that you are likely to fall behind the rest of your class if you went?

Would the legislation clinic be useful or a waste of time?
It looks pretty awesome, but I'm just scared it'd be seen as irrelevant by employers and could waste time otherwise spent studying/networking/on relevant clinics/LR.
I'm aware that clinics are post-1L, but its still something to consider

I can't really speak to clinics or study abroad as a 1L, but perhaps someone else can handle those questions.

Just wanted to let you guys know they had a big presentation yesterday showing the plans for the brand new classroom building and student plaza that will be going up connected to the lower floors of the tower. The 2nd phase of that project is a complete renovation of the tower interior. They said that construction should begin next May, and that if everything goes on schedule, the class of 2014 would be able to spend their 3L year in these brand new facilities. Its really exciting news. And even more awesome is that I've heard through the grapevine that US News hinted to us that a new facility would easily make us an upper-teens ranked school. Amazing what a new add-on building can do.

dakatz wrote:I can't really speak to clinics or study abroad as a 1L, but perhaps someone else can handle those questions.

Just wanted to let you guys know they had a big presentation yesterday showing the plans for the brand new classroom building and student plaza that will be going up connected to the lower floors of the tower. The 2nd phase of that project is a complete renovation of the tower interior. They said that construction should begin next May, and that if everything goes on schedule, the class of 2014 would be able to spend their 3L year in these brand new facilities. Its really exciting news. And even more awesome is that I've heard through the grapevine that US News hinted to us that a new facility would easily make us an upper-teens ranked school. Amazing what a new add-on building can do.

I feel like I'm committing insider trading by reading this statement...
But that really is great news!
even though the exterior is what needs renovated

rman1201 wrote:

dakatz wrote:I can't really speak to clinics or study abroad as a 1L, but perhaps someone else can handle those questions.

Just wanted to let you guys know they had a big presentation yesterday showing the plans for the brand new classroom building and student plaza that will be going up connected to the lower floors of the tower. The 2nd phase of that project is a complete renovation of the tower interior. They said that construction should begin next May, and that if everything goes on schedule, the class of 2014 would be able to spend their 3L year in these brand new facilities. Its really exciting news. And even more awesome is that I've heard through the grapevine that US News hinted to us that a new facility would easily make us an upper-teens ranked school. Amazing what a new add-on building can do.

I feel like I'm committing insider trading by reading this statement...
But that really is great news!
even though the exterior is what needs renovated

Lol yeah, please allow me to stress that these are just rumors I have heard from other students who "claim" to have heard it from quasi-reputable sources. It is really just hypothesis that a brand new classroom building and student plaza with tons of extra study space will raise our rank up in a few years.

Also, the timeframe didn't seem like it was etched into stone, so I doubt you will see the school using the new renovations as a marketing tool until they know for sure when they will be done. At this point, it isn't known for sure whether the class of 2014 will get to spend a year in the classroom building. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up with the little information I have. I was just excited about it and wanted to share.

It will certainly improve our ranking in Thomas Cooley's Ranking the Law Schools which values cubic feet of law school space.

And at the end of the day, isn't that the more important system?

Do merit scholarships always come with the admission package?Or will BU actually award them later,after 3.1.?

And when does BU usually first contact you about the decision about need-based aid, provided the application is filed before deadline.

Thank you

Hi current BU students! Thanks SO MUCH for TT!

I got in last week and recently received my admit packet! Sadly, it had no mention of merit-based aid, but I am currently talking with the finaid office about other offers I have received at peer schools. Of all the schools to which I've been admitted, BU really is my top choice.

At the beginning of TT, a few of you mentioned that you had some success negotiating for/increasing merit aid. If any of you could post or PM me some tips, I'd greatly appreciate it!