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syezzie wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for classes to sit in on during ASW? I'm looking for something on Wednesday morning. Here are the choices the school lists:

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Dan Rodriguez, JG 103

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Federal Courts
Professor Trevor Morrison, JG 104

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Jurisprudence: Selected Problems
Professor Kent Greenawalt, JG 107

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Secured Transactions
Professor Ronald Mann, JG 105

9:15 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Lance Liebman, JG 102

9:30 AM-10:30 AM Criminal Law+
Professor Hal Edgar, JG 106

9:30 AM-10:30 AM International Securities Regulation
Professor Merritt Fox, **WJ 103

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

I hear that Morrison is fantastic, but you may want to take a 1L class instead (Prop or CrimLaw), since 2L classes may be harder to follow.

kwais wrote:Hi there, I saw the bump here so I'm going to ask this question again. Anyone have any knowledge/feelings/experience with the Arbor housing in Riverdale. Is anyone considering it? Know anyone who is in it? thanks

I hear the Arbor is nice, but so, so, so far away. The kids I knew who lived there last year constantly showed up late to class because they missed the shuttle-thing that CLS employs.

Hi-
I'm a 1L taking Immigration Law. I'm told we're using the same text book/course outline as a professor at Columbia. Would anyone have an outline on hand for reference or know of any outline bank where it might appear? We're using the Aleinikoff text book.

Thanks!

eternalmusic88 wrote:Hi-
I'm a 1L taking Immigration Law. I'm told we're using the same text book/course outline as a professor at Columbia. Would anyone have an outline on hand for reference or know of any outline bank where it might appear? We're using the Aleinikoff text book.

Thanks!

Er, he is definitely not a professor here. Try Georgetown: http://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/f ... lty&ID=208. And next time, Google him first.

syezzie wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for classes to sit in on during ASW? I'm looking for something on Wednesday morning. Here are the choices the school lists:

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Dan Rodriguez, JG 103

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Federal Courts
Professor Trevor Morrison, JG 104

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Jurisprudence: Selected Problems
Professor Kent Greenawalt, JG 107

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Secured Transactions
Professor Ronald Mann, JG 105

9:15 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Lance Liebman, JG 102

9:30 AM-10:30 AM Criminal Law+
Professor Hal Edgar, JG 106

9:30 AM-10:30 AM International Securities Regulation
Professor Merritt Fox, **WJ 103

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

edgar's crim or rodriguez's property (rodriguez should be better than liebman, but the problem with rodriguez is that i don't know if he's going to be here next year)

dubunamjah wrote:

syezzie wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for classes to sit in on during ASW? I'm looking for something on Wednesday morning. Here are the choices the school lists:

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Dan Rodriguez, JG 103

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Federal Courts
Professor Trevor Morrison, JG 104

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Jurisprudence: Selected Problems
Professor Kent Greenawalt, JG 107

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Secured Transactions
Professor Ronald Mann, JG 105

9:15 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Lance Liebman, JG 102

9:30 AM-10:30 AM Criminal Law+
Professor Hal Edgar, JG 106

9:30 AM-10:30 AM International Securities Regulation
Professor Merritt Fox, **WJ 103

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

edgar's crim or rodriguez's property (rodriguez should be better than liebman, but the problem with rodriguez is that i don't know if he's going to be here next year)

He is a visiting professor from UT. he is funny as shit though.

kwais wrote:Hi there, I saw the bump here so I'm going to ask this question again. Anyone have any knowledge/feelings/experience with the Arbor housing in Riverdale. Is anyone considering it? Know anyone who is in it? thanks

It's really nice, really far, and really expensive.

Seriously though. There are two bedroom apartments just across morningside park (right by where one of my professors lives) for 1400!!!! Location is fine too. Right next to the downtown express train that takes ten minutes to get to midtown.

Thanks so much for the insight on classes, guys!

Can anyone talk about their or their classmates' experiences with the Kernochan Center? Law and media/arts and IP in general (not entertainment law) is one of my major interests and one of the main things drawing me to Columbia. I just wanted to know if things like the Kernochan Center actually offered interesting things or if they were more of a marketing tool?

syezzie wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for classes to sit in on during ASW? I'm looking for something on Wednesday morning. Here are the choices the school lists:

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Dan Rodriguez, JG 103

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Federal Courts
Professor Trevor Morrison, JG 104

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Jurisprudence: Selected Problems
Professor Kent Greenawalt, JG 107

9:10 AM-10:30 AM Secured Transactions
Professor Ronald Mann, JG 105

9:15 AM-10:30 AM Property+
Professor Lance Liebman, JG 102

9:30 AM-10:30 AM Criminal Law+
Professor Hal Edgar, JG 106

9:30 AM-10:30 AM International Securities Regulation
Professor Merritt Fox, **WJ 103

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

If I had to make a blind rec. I'd say take the crim law one. It *might* actually make sense if you walk in on a random class while other classes won't make a bit of sense unless you've read the cases leading up to that lecture. My crim law course is pretty intuitive in its discussions, even though not knowing the cases might still make comprehension difficult.

Also I'd give a thumbs-down to Liebman, I'm in that class you posted and unless you want to hear about what his kids did that morning and how that relates to something his friend said 20 years ago for a half-hour I cannot say it will be a helpful experience.

No doubt Liebman is smart and I don't resent the class, but there's a reason only 60% of the class shows up on any given day.

kwais wrote:Hi there, I saw the bump here so I'm going to ask this question again. Anyone have any knowledge/feelings/experience with the Arbor housing in Riverdale. Is anyone considering it? Know anyone who is in it? thanks

I actually lived there for fall semester. I loved my apartment, but working around the shuttle schedule was annoying, and it you want to go out drinking the shuttle stops at 10:45pm and it's a $25 cab ride back from Morningside Heights. I didn't go out much my 1L fall so that was ok, but I might have gone more without the cab ride (or 1 mile walk from the subway). Shuttle also doesn't run past 7pm on Saturdays or at all on Sundays.

It grew into a huge pain this semester when I had moot court practices running until quite late and had to wait around for 45 minutes or so for the next shuttle. I never had a problem getting to class on time, though, and no one else in my 1L class did, so I don't think that's really a concern unless you have trouble getting somewhere by the stated time (they leave 2 minutes after the stated time, always).

When my boyfriend got a raise so we could afford a place in Manhattan, we moved to the Upper West Side. I liked being off campus, personally, but not being right on the subway is irritating.

I'm going to sound like a gunner by asking this question, but I am NOT- I swear. I am just trying to settle a debate. Do spring term grades generally come back sooner than fall term grades?

swc65 wrote:I'm going to sound like a gunner by asking this question, but I am NOT- I swear. I am just trying to settle a debate. Do spring term grades generally come back sooner than fall term grades?

Generally, no, but they enforce the deadline more rigorously because they need grades for Law Review selection.

Can you design your own externship during the semester? If there is an attorney willing to let you work during the school year, could I get academic credit for it?

I thought I had seen this before but couldn't find anything after doing a search.... After hearing back from Columbia on aid I'm 90% sure I will be there in the fall! What is the general consensus on the International House? It seems pretty nice/cheaper on paper...thoughts?

Sogui wrote:

Unemployed wrote:

swc65 wrote:Does anybody have any ideas what the curve is here at Columbia? I just found out last week that they do not even assign GPAs which is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I mean I know law students are not typically great at math, but I am sure we can all do weighted averages.

Anyway, I just do not even know what a bad/good grade or GPA is.

3.9 = top 1%

3.85 = top 2%

3.8 = top 3% (Kent)

3.75 = top 4%

3.7 = top 6%

3.65 = top 8%

3.6 = top 11%

3.55 = top 15%

3.5 = top 20%

3.45 = top 25%

3.41 = top 30% (Stone)

3.35 = top 37%

3.3 = top 45%

3.26 = Median

3.2 = top 58%

3.15 = top 66%

3.1 = top 72%

3.05 = top 77%

3.0 = top 82%

Apparently based on the # of kent scholars, # of stone scholars, and assuming normal distribution.

That is only a very rough estimate, this is the REAL curve (posted on page #2 of this thread as well):

https://wwws-db.law.columbia.edu/lawnet ... dation.pdf

Professors have total discretion to operate within this curve, hence why the # of Stone and Kent scholars can vary from year to year and how Stone especially might vary from the top 29% to the top 35%+, it's not like CLS steps in and tells a professor that we have too many Stone scholars and that they should award minimal A's/A-'s to compensate. Kent scholars aren't even entirely based on GPA (a 3.69 can still get a Kent award).

There are just too many variables to get a reliable curve out of the scholar #'s, it's an interesting estimate but not very useful since our curve is essentially the curving preferences of 7 different professors + our own grade consistency = which is why CLS doesn't officially rank or set a 'hard' curve for the overall class. The scholar #'s are interesting to see how a 5-10% 'A' curve breaks down to only 2-3% of the class staying "consistent" enough to meet the Kent qualifications.

thanks

Is there a specific place where most 1Ls live? I am looking at an apartment share option specifically right now. Also, I haven't put that my deposit yet. Do you get your username and PW for Housing Application after that? I have my C:ID# already

I have a couple questions.

What's the community like at CLS? Friendly? Do you feel like a number, or a name? Can you walk around the law school and feel like you know the majority of the people there?

How are the professors? Are they accessible? Can you develop relationships with them?

Are classes more theoretical or practical? Are there opportunities for hand-on, experiential learning? How early do these opportunities start?

Columbia has a reputation for being the most cut-throat school in the T14. Is there any truth to this?

Last one, I promise: how many people seem to get in off the waitlist? And can you still get any need-based aid from the waitlist?

Thank you!!

wonderfilled wrote:I have a couple questions.

What's the community like at CLS? Friendly? Do you feel like a number, or a name? Can you walk around the law school and feel like you know the majority of the people there?

How are the professors? Are they accessible? Can you develop relationships with them?

Are classes more theoretical or practical? Are there opportunities for hand-on, experiential learning? How early do these opportunities start?

Columbia has a reputation for being the most cut-throat school in the T14. Is there any truth to this?

Last one, I promise: how many people seem to get in off the waitlist? And can you still get any need-based aid from the waitlist?

Thank you!!

Most people are friendly. A lot are social awkward though. Some act just like it's high school. But the vast majority are pretty cool

1L so everything seems pretty theoretical to me. There is less emphasis on memorizing and applying BLL and more on what seems metaphysical/crazy stuff.

I dunno about cut-throat. I have never had a problem getting note if I miss class. Most people seem eager to help out if you ask. I have not witnessed any cut-throat behavior at all. In civpro last semester many of us studied together and tested each other on concepts.

Cant say anything specific about waitlists.

wonderfilled wrote:I have a couple questions.

What's the community like at CLS? Friendly? Do you feel like a number, or a name? Can you walk around the law school and feel like you know the majority of the people there?

How are the professors? Are they accessible? Can you develop relationships with them?

Are classes more theoretical or practical? Are there opportunities for hand-on, experiential learning? How early do these opportunities start?

Columbia has a reputation for being the most cut-throat school in the T14. Is there any truth to this?

Last one, I promise: how many people seem to get in off the waitlist? And can you still get any need-based aid from the waitlist?

Thank you!!

I really love the community at CLS. I met most of my classmates during Orientation Week my 1L year, and people are always quick to catch up when we run into eachother in the hallways. Beyond that, I have a group of about 15 or so friends who gather at my apartment every week for a movie night; we also break into smaller groups for post-class happy hours and excursions downtown. It's easy to make a lot of wonderful friends here.

Very few law school classes in general are going to be "practical" in the sense that (I think) you mean. There's a heavy focus on litigation in law school classes, so all of your corporate/transactional instruction will be on the job (a few schools - I think Fordham is one of them - offer transactional classes, but I'm 99% sure that CLS is not one of them). Your writing classes will be valuable, and any negotiation or mock trail classes your take as an upperclassman will also help out. But when I asked my interviewers during OCI if there were any class I should take my 2L year, almost all told me "no" and agreed that being a lawyer is 100% different from being a law student. There are some core classes that will help you learn concepts (Corporations, Tax, Antitrust) but are still theoretical.

Some of the professors are very accessible. Some are not. It's going to vary at any law school.

The "cut-throat" reputation is bullshit. Example: we share our outlines on a giant harddrive at school.

No clue about the waitlist. Sorry!

I've been to a lot of schools that have lunch talks pretty often, but don't remember anyone mentioning this at Columbia. Whats the situation like?

jpk5372 wrote:I've been to a lot of schools that have lunch talks pretty often, but don't remember anyone mentioning this at Columbia. Whats the situation like?

EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a single day goes by without several "talks" or meeting during the lunch period (no one has classes from 12:00 to 1:20. Free pizza in all of the big classrooms and sometimes nice boxed lunched and rare times really great catering.

jpk5372 wrote:I've been to a lot of schools that have lunch talks pretty often, but don't remember anyone mentioning this at Columbia. Whats the situation like?

Yeah there are typically 3-4 things going on every day at lunch. CLS also tends to get pretty high-profile speakers because it's in New York.

If any current students can help with this one, it would be much appreciated. Not sure if I've posted this for you all before (can't find my previous post in this thread), but if I have, sorry and I'd appreciate the advice again!

My family lives in Westchester County about an hour and a half north. What do you all think of the idea of living with my parents and having such a big commute (and the PITA, of course, of living with my parents again)? I was toying with the idea of living with them and saving on rent/COL, while perhaps getting a space in a parking garage for a year somewhere close to campus. I also keep a horse at home so I would need to go up there 3/4 times a week anyway to ride him.

Is this a really terrible idea in terms of 1L studying/social life? Is it worth the savings on rent etc in exchange for that monster commute? I'm thinking early classes + long commute will be hell, but it would be great if someone could send in their 2 cents. Thanks!

piccolittle wrote:If any current students can help with this one, it would be much appreciated. Not sure if I've posted this for you all before (can't find my previous post in this thread), but if I have, sorry and I'd appreciate the advice again!

My family lives in Westchester County about an hour and a half north. What do you all think of the idea of living with my parents and having such a big commute (and the PITA, of course, of living with my parents again)? I was toying with the idea of living with them and saving on rent/COL, while perhaps getting a space in a parking garage for a year somewhere close to campus. I also keep a horse at home so I would need to go up there 3/4 times a week anyway to ride him.

Is this a really terrible idea in terms of 1L studying/social life? Is it worth the savings on rent etc in exchange for that monster commute? I'm thinking early classes + long commute will be hell, but it would be great if someone could send in their 2 cents. Thanks!

Yikes. I personally would NOT do this, particularly since you may have some extremely early classes your 1L year (one of the CrimLaw professors holds an 8 AM course three times a week - beyond that, many classes start at 9, meaning you'd have to leave around 7 AM to be safe). Once you factor in the cost of commute + the cost of parking, the benefits of commuting from home shrink.

Rent and COL on your own is obviously going to be pricey, but I think in terms of stress-relief and social life, living close to campus is a huge factor. Maybe I'm just not the kind of person who likes getting up 2-2 1/2 hours before I actually have to be at class - you may be an early riser. Beyond that, however, I don't like the constrictions of a commute, particularly since (I assume) you'll want to go out with your classmates and attend social events during the evenings.

Bottom line: Law school is a timesuck. You're gong to be in class between anywhere from 9 AM to 7 PM during the week. You'll have study groups who'll want to meet up in the evenings and on weekends. You'll attend professor's office hours at odd times. You'll join student groups and journals who hold events until 10 or 11 PM. Living close to campus gives you the flexibility to adapt to a really, really, really busy schedule. Honestly, I don't know where you'll find the time during school to even go home 3-4 times a week to ride your horse.