Columbia 1Ls taking questions Forum

[of Benito Cereno]

so the "official" curve link posted above says A+s exist.... haven't met any [people with A+s] yet, has anyone?

[Lem37]

so the "official" curve link posted above says A+s exist.... haven't met any yet, has anyone?

I haven't personally, but I know of several people who have received A+'s.

[swc65]

so the "official" curve link posted above says A+s exist.... haven't met any yet, has anyone?

I haven't personally, but I know of several people who have received A+'s.

I managed to snag a copy of the grade distribution for 04-05, and A+s were extremely rare. They were awarded 8 times out of 2693 grades.

[swc65]

a

[of Benito Cereno]

i think i calculated my gpa correctly but now not sure. what are the numbers assigned to grades at cls b+ = 3.3 or 3.4, a- = 3.67 or 3.7, etc

[swc65]

i think i calculated my gpa correctly but now not sure. what are the numbers assigned to grades at cls b+ = 3.3 or 3.4, a- = 3.67 or 3.7, etc

3.33, 3.67, 4, 4.33

[of Benito Cereno]

i think i calculated my gpa correctly but now not sure. what are the numbers assigned to grades at cls b+ = 3.3 or 3.4, a- = 3.67 or 3.7, etc

3.33, 3.67, 4, 4.33

thats what i thought but where did you read that

[deneuve39]

i think i calculated my gpa correctly but now not sure. what are the numbers assigned to grades at cls b+ = 3.3 or 3.4, a- = 3.67 or 3.7, etc

3.33, 3.67, 4, 4.33

thats what i thought but where did you read that

http://registrar.columbia.edu/content/calculating-gpa-0

[of Benito Cereno]

what are the policies for listing grades, gpa, and estimated class rank on our resumes. Many jobs ask for this information to be listed. For example, one government job I want to apply to today asks for "class rank, or if unavailable estimated position."
does cls have any policies in this regard.

[rockspaperjesus]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

[LinzerTorte]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

I am piggybacking on this question in all of the threads I can find it in, haha, but I do know a Columbia grad student (not in the Law program) who is living with a gf not in law school in Columbia houses. Can law students do this too?

I would rather pay more to live with my bf than have roommates.

[CG614]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

I am piggybacking on this question in all of the threads I can find it in, haha, but I do know a Columbia grad student (not in the Law program) who is living with a gf not in law school in Columbia houses. Can law students do this too?

I would rather pay more to live with my bf than have roommates.

Yes, I am not sure of the procedures though. I think you have to show that you were living together beforehand, but don't quote me on that. I do know that it is possible and there are 1Ls that do it.

[viking138]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

You need somewhat substantial proof. For my BF and me, it was a joint credit card account for 5 months and a shared lease for 4 months. Take steps now to make sure you have sufficient proof (adding SO to your credit card works well).

[Lem37]

what are the policies for listing grades, gpa, and estimated class rank on our resumes. Many jobs ask for this information to be listed. For example, one government job I want to apply to today asks for "class rank, or if unavailable estimated position."
does cls have any policies in this regard.

CLS does not provide GPA or class rank. You can compute your GPA through your grades, although I've never been asked for my GPA by an employer (just for my transcript). A "legal" resume typically doesn't include rank or GPA - you list the awards you get (such as Stone Scholar, which is given to those in the top 1/3 of the class), but that's it.

[ahduth]

I was wondering if a lot of 1Ls get summer positions. Also, how do you make the Law Review? Is it based on marks solely?

What do you mean by positions? If you mean firm positions it's <10% of class some years. Otherwise, I think nearly all students get some type of "position."

as for LR,


"Of the approximately 45 students invited to join the Review as editors, 15 are selected solely on the basis of their Writing Competition Scores. Next, 20 students are selected on the basis of a combination of their Competition Scores and 1L grades. Finally, 10 students are selected based on a combination of their personal statement, Competition Scores, and 1L grades."

Hi ya, question about LR. This means there's a specific competition to get onto LR? Also - personal statement, that can't mean the personal statement from our applications I'm assuming.

[ahduth]

what are the policies for listing grades, gpa, and estimated class rank on our resumes. Many jobs ask for this information to be listed. For example, one government job I want to apply to today asks for "class rank, or if unavailable estimated position."
does cls have any policies in this regard.

CLS does not provide GPA or class rank. You can compute your GPA through your grades, although I've never been asked for my GPA by an employer (just for my transcript). A "legal" resume typically doesn't include rank or GPA - you list the awards you get (such as Stone Scholar, which is given to those in the top 1/3 of the class), but that's it.

I'm being told big firms just create a "rough" class rank/GPA for the Columbia people, since they receive so many Columbia transcripts. Apparently it's more just annoying than anything else.

It sounds like you're screwed for government jobs though.

[viking138]

what are the policies for listing grades, gpa, and estimated class rank on our resumes. Many jobs ask for this information to be listed. For example, one government job I want to apply to today asks for "class rank, or if unavailable estimated position."
does cls have any policies in this regard.

CLS does not provide GPA or class rank. You can compute your GPA through your grades, although I've never been asked for my GPA by an employer (just for my transcript). A "legal" resume typically doesn't include rank or GPA - you list the awards you get (such as Stone Scholar, which is given to those in the top 1/3 of the class), but that's it.

I'm being told big firms just create a "rough" class rank/GPA for the Columbia people, since they receive so many Columbia transcripts. Apparently it's more just annoying than anything else.

It sounds like you're screwed for government jobs though.

Hmm what do you mean by screwed for govt jobs? I've had 5 interview offers from government agencies and the like already, so I really don't think the lack of a rank harms you. The grading system at columbia has been around for a while, so I think employers are fairly familiarized with it.

[of Benito Cereno]

what are the policies for listing grades, gpa, and estimated class rank on our resumes. Many jobs ask for this information to be listed. For example, one government job I want to apply to today asks for "class rank, or if unavailable estimated position."
does cls have any policies in this regard.

CLS does not provide GPA or class rank. You can compute your GPA through your grades, although I've never been asked for my GPA by an employer (just for my transcript). A "legal" resume typically doesn't include rank or GPA - you list the awards you get (such as Stone Scholar, which is given to those in the top 1/3 of the class), but that's it.

I'm being told big firms just create a "rough" class rank/GPA for the Columbia people, since they receive so many Columbia transcripts. Apparently it's more just annoying than anything else.

It sounds like you're screwed for government jobs though.

Hmm what do you mean by screwed for govt jobs? I've had 5 interview offers from government agencies and the like already, so I really don't think the lack of a rank harms you. The grading system at columbia has been around for a while, so I think employers are fairly familiarized with it.

yes but do you have serious WE? also, what agencies and when/how did you apply.

[ahduth]

Hmm what do you mean by screwed for govt jobs? I've had 5 interview offers from government agencies and the like already, so I really don't think the lack of a rank harms you. The grading system at columbia has been around for a while, so I think employers are fairly familiarized with it.

yes but do you have serious WE? also, what agencies and when/how did you apply.

Sorry, I just meant they won't be able to compare you to your classmates directly. It's still Columbia, and they still have your grades though.

[rockspaperjesus]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

You need somewhat substantial proof. For my BF and me, it was a joint credit card account for 5 months and a shared lease for 4 months. Take steps now to make sure you have sufficient proof (adding SO to your credit card works well).

I tried to ask this yesterday but I don't think it went through..if it did, sorry for the double post. Do you know if a year+ lease would suffice? Or do you need something in addition to that? I'm hoping its not too complicated

[Lem37]

I was wondering if a lot of 1Ls get summer positions. Also, how do you make the Law Review? Is it based on marks solely?

What do you mean by positions? If you mean firm positions it's <10% of class some years. Otherwise, I think nearly all students get some type of "position."

as for LR,


"Of the approximately 45 students invited to join the Review as editors, 15 are selected solely on the basis of their Writing Competition Scores. Next, 20 students are selected on the basis of a combination of their Competition Scores and 1L grades. Finally, 10 students are selected based on a combination of their personal statement, Competition Scores, and 1L grades."

Hi ya, question about LR. This means there's a specific competition to get onto LR? Also - personal statement, that can't mean the personal statement from our applications I'm assuming.

There is a required Writing Competition at the end of your 1L year. It is one week long, and involves a large bunch of documents from which you write a 15-or-so-page memo. You submit this to every journal (not just LR) for which you wish to apply. You also include a personal statement, which usually includes why you want to work on that particular journal. Each journal has unique application materials for you to submit as well (typically just forms, etc.).

[Lem37]

CLS does not provide GPA or class rank. You can compute your GPA through your grades, although I've never been asked for my GPA by an employer (just for my transcript). A "legal" resume typically doesn't include rank or GPA - you list the awards you get (such as Stone Scholar, which is given to those in the top 1/3 of the class), but that's it.

I'm being told big firms just create a "rough" class rank/GPA for the Columbia people, since they receive so many Columbia transcripts. Apparently it's more just annoying than anything else.

It sounds like you're screwed for government jobs though.

Hmm what do you mean by screwed for govt jobs? I've had 5 interview offers from government agencies and the like already, so I really don't think the lack of a rank harms you. The grading system at columbia has been around for a while, so I think employers are fairly familiarized with it.

yes but do you have serious WE? also, what agencies and when/how did you apply.

In my experience, the government typically only asks for class rank if you're an undergrad, when rank is more readily accessible. CLS sends a significant number of its grads into government work, and a number of 1Ls get public interest jobs with the government during their first summer; if this were a problem, CLS would have changed their system by now.

[swc65]

I asked this question in the Columbia vs. NYU thread, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to help out too. Does Columbia have housing available if you plan on living with a significant other who is not a student? Do you have to be married or just in a serious relationship? I'm trying to figure out if I will definitely have to pursue off campus housing...but I'm having trouble finding this information in the mailings/on the website.

You need somewhat substantial proof. For my BF and me, it was a joint credit card account for 5 months and a shared lease for 4 months. Take steps now to make sure you have sufficient proof (adding SO to your credit card works well).

I tried to ask this yesterday but I don't think it went through..if it did, sorry for the double post. Do you know if a year+ lease would suffice? Or do you need something in addition to that? I'm hoping its not too complicated

yes a one year plus lease will work just fine. I used that for my couples' housing.

[viking138]

Hmm what do you mean by screwed for govt jobs? I've had 5 interview offers from government agencies and the like already, so I really don't think the lack of a rank harms you. The grading system at columbia has been around for a while, so I think employers are fairly familiarized with it.

yes but do you have serious WE? also, what agencies and when/how did you apply.

I'm straight out of undergrad but I had three fairly substantial research and govt internships in undergrad. I think one govt agency internship might be helping me in terms of interviews because it's finance-related. I applied for govt jobs before the term started.

[legalmo]

Hey, 0L here. CLS is my top choice, hands down. I don't really see myself going to any other school, honestly.

With that said, I was curious as to the GLBT crowd at CLS (not saying that active clubs are important to me, but rather what the state of tolerance is like among students). I don't think I saw that on the demographics % that was posted earlier. I also get the sense that people don't generally compare numbers, but as an "Other Hispanic" what kind of numbers should I shoot for (provided a decent PS and great DS). I've noticed predictors don't really have a "sort-of-URM, but it depends" boost option. Seems kind of skeezy, but I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance to get in with what I've got/still have to work towards.

Thanks!