Harvard Student(s) Answering Your Questions Forum

[TripTrip]

Sorry if this has been asked many times before (I searched and didn't find what I was looking for), but does anyone know how people with straight passes or close to it tend to fare in hiring, both during summers and upon graduation?

For first summer, grades are basically irrelevant because you'll be doing PI. For second summer, have a look at the later pages of this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=211151

[ph14]

Sorry if this has been asked many times before (I searched and didn't find what I was looking for), but does anyone know how people with straight passes or close to it tend to fare in hiring, both during summers and upon graduation?

I believe they do just fine. They might not get Wachtell or anything, but they will most likely find a biglaw job, as long as they bid with common sense.

[Lovely Ludwig Van]

Hello HLS students. I have a unique question for all of you: are there any physicians currently enrolled as law students at Harvard? I'm a public health physician who will be applying to HLS this year, and I'm wondering if there are others. I posted this question under the general topic for all grad students and didn't get any answers specific to Harvard. Thoughts?

I know a 3L who was 2 years through her MD, changed her mind, and decided to do law school. She plans on going into health law-related PI work.

[drawstring]

Thanks for the responses TripTrip and ph14.

Does everyone do PI first year?

[despina]

Does everyone do PI first year?

Most people do, since 1L summer associate positions are quite competitive post-2008 (depending on the market, you can find more info about this elsewhere on the forum I'm sure).

In 2013, 363 1Ls qualified for summer public interest funding (non-profit or government), compared to 93 2Ls.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... stics.html

[pupshaw]

Does everyone do PI first year?

Most people do, since 1L summer associate positions are quite competitive post-2008 (depending on the market, you can find more info about this elsewhere on the forum I'm sure).

In 2013, 363 1Ls qualified for summer public interest funding (non-profit or government), compared to 93 2Ls.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... stics.html

I'm surprised both that the number of 1Ls getting SPIF is as low as 363 and that the number of 2Ls is as high as 93.

[BlakcMajikc]

Does everyone do PI first year?

Most people do, since 1L summer associate positions are quite competitive post-2008 (depending on the market, you can find more info about this elsewhere on the forum I'm sure).

In 2013, 363 1Ls qualified for summer public interest funding (non-profit or government), compared to 93 2Ls.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... stics.html

I'm surprised both that the number of 1Ls getting SPIF is as low as 363 and that the number of 2Ls is as high as 93.

Why are you surprised?

[pupshaw]

Does everyone do PI first year?

Most people do, since 1L summer associate positions are quite competitive post-2008 (depending on the market, you can find more info about this elsewhere on the forum I'm sure).

In 2013, 363 1Ls qualified for summer public interest funding (non-profit or government), compared to 93 2Ls.

http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/sfs/ ... stics.html

I'm surprised both that the number of 1Ls getting SPIF is as low as 363 and that the number of 2Ls is as high as 93.

Why are you surprised?

Eh, just my idle (and obviously inaccurate) perception based on the kinds of summer jobs people I know have done/are doing.

[Mista Bojangles]

Why are you surprised?

Eh, just my idle (and obviously inaccurate) perception based on the kinds of summer jobs people I know have done/are doing.

Yeah I'd second this surprise actually, based on my own idle and inaccurate perceptions as well

[Mr. Elshal]

Has anybody on here had Roin for Torts and have or know of an outline they'd like to share? I've started taking notes within other people's outlines in some classes and it is working very well for me, but I can't find anything good for his class. I have tried Googling it, but the few relevant results that show up are not particularly good.

[Mr. Elshal]

Also, as far as summer job placement goes, OCS mentioned, in a recent presentation, that roughly 20% of 1Ls spend their summer at firms (no delineation between BigLaw and small/midsize firms) and roughly 80% at clerkships or PI. For the 2L summer, the numbers roughly flip, with ~80% spending the summer at firms and ~20% at PI and a few at clerkships.

I may be slightly off on the PI and clerkship breakdown (within the 20%) but I know the Firm numbers are right.

[ph14]

Also, as far as summer job placement goes, OCS mentioned, in a recent presentation, that roughly 20% of 1Ls spend their summer at firms (no delineation between BigLaw and small/midsize firms) and roughly 80% at clerkships or PI. For the 2L summer, the numbers roughly flip, with ~80% spending the summer at firms and ~20% at PI and a few at clerkships.

I may be slightly off on the PI and clerkship breakdown (within the 20%) but I know the Firm numbers are right.

(Externship or internship, not clerkship)

[lawschoolboundfuture]

For 1L spring electives what international course do you recommend? Also what is a good/ not too hard 1L elective?

[despina]

For 1L spring electives what international course do you recommend? Also what is a good/ not too hard 1L elective?

Blum seems to be the consensus favorite for PIL (you probably have to rank her first). I've heard several of the profs are new this year though so you might have to do some research outside of HLS.

Negotiation Workshop is a great choice for an elective but it's really only worth doing if you're willing to put effort into it. Reasons to do it as a 1L:
--if you want to do it later you have to rank it first, which means you'll have a harder time getting your favorite clinic / trial advocacy workshop / Klarmann / Hanson etc. As a 1L all you have to do is apply, and most 1L applicants get in.
--it's the prereq for the Negotiation clinic plus upper-level classes like multiparty, facilitation, etc.
--it's a total change of pace from your 1L classes, much more practical and engaging.
--you learn actual useful skills so... the sooner you learn them the sooner you get to use them in your real life?

Reasons not to take it as a 1L:
--4 credits, but 8 hours of class per week (and you really can't slack much on prep for the simulations because then you're letting your counterparty down and not getting much out of it yourself). Kind of insane on a 1L schedule.
--You have to take it for a grade, but if you take it 2L/3L you can take it pass/fail.

[tomwatts]

I took a seminar as a 1L elective and liked it. Typically they're 2 hours once per week (with more than half the reading of a 4-hour-per-week class, but still) and you write a paper.

I took the China class with Alford for the international req. I was way out of my depth (it was not my top choice), but if you're into China, it's a really good class.

[Mista Bojangles]

Anything with Nesson, if all you care about is having the best shot at an H

[Blessedassurance]

For 1L spring electives what international course do you recommend?

Take the one with Wu.

[ph14]

Anything with Nesson, if all you care about is having the best shot at an H

More like most random chance at getting an H.

[ph14]

I took a seminar as a 1L elective and liked it. Typically they're 2 hours once per week (with more than half the reading of a 4-hour-per-week class, but still) and you write a paper.

I took the China class with Alford for the international req. I was way out of my depth (it was not my top choice), but if you're into China, it's a really good class.

I think public international law is the best choice for international class. Especially if you don't have any particular interest in any of the offerings.

[drawstring]

Do you guys have any idea of how common low passes are now? I recall reading that it was first recommended that 8 percent of students in a course receive them, but I also recall reading a post from a couple years ago that in practice a smaller proportion were given out.

[ph14]

Do you guys have any idea of how common low passes are now? I recall reading that it was first recommended that 8 percent of students in a course receive them, but I also recall reading a post from a couple years ago that in practice a smaller proportion were given out.

Hard to tell. I'd guess less than 8% but there's no way to know really. It also seems professor specific, since I think lps are discretionary. I don't think they're anything to excessively worry about really.

[AllTheLawz]

Anything with Nesson, if all you care about is having the best shot at an H

Nessons class is the worst educational experience I've ever had in my life (including elementary school).. and it isn't close. Him having a job is a major argument against tenure.

[fingerscrossedxx]

Anything with Nesson, if all you care about is having the best shot at an H

Nessons class is the worst educational experience I've ever had in my life (including elementary school).. and it isn't close. Him having a job is a major argument against tenure.

I get why people think this, but on the flip side of this, I'm in his American Jury and its one of the most awesome classes I'm taking this year. The thoughts I get to think in that class are fascinating. Not sure how relevant for later but most certainly most fascinating.

[lakers24fan]

Anyone know of a good tailor near the law school?

[heythere2016]

Does anyone know how difficult it is for 1L's to get RA positions over the summer? Is the process usually to reach out the professors on your own or just wait for the listings?