NYU 1L Taking Questions Forum

[birdlaw117]

How easy is it to get the specific room type you want on campus?

In particular, a triple in Mercer?

Pretty easy. No guarantee, but it's pretty likely.

[arez]

Just out of curiousity, what do they mean by this block schedule: --LinkRemoved--?

Does it refer to sections? or something else entirely?

Also, do all 1Ls have Friday class?

[drbarry987]

What was your impression on how things went this past fall's EIW?

[birdlaw117]

What was your impression on how things went this past fall's EIW?

Everything I have heard has been very positive, but as a 1L it's all anecdotal. We will get more EIW information at the end of this week, so if you remind me this weekend I may be able to comment further.

[Detrox]

What was your impression on how things went this past fall's EIW?

2L here. General interpretation is that things went very well for those who participated. Pretty much seems like everyone who wanted a big firm job in NYC got one, but this is not to say that everyone got the specific firm they wanted. The few people who struck out were those who targeted secondary markets and lacked either the grades or the ties sufficient to land one. Still I know several people who landed firm offers from D.C., California, etc. but they certainly are much more difficult and unpredictable.

This is not to say that everyone had jobs by the end of EIW. Several people did not participate for various reasons and those who did not have had trouble in landing jobs. Still, I do not know of anyone currently who does not have some job for the summer. Sidenote: I strongly recommend participating in EIW even if you are 100% sure you do not want to work in a firm. Just because you get an offer does not mean you have to take it, but it's certainly better than not having one.

Disclaimer: I do not claim that no 2L at NYU does not have a summer job, only that I don't personally know of one. I also claim no knowledge on the status of 3Ls.

[kaiser]

What was your impression on how things went this past fall's EIW?

I'm a 2L, and from my view, it seemed to be excellent. Almost everyone I know had their pick of top firms. Let me first say that my sample is likely a bit skewed. Most of my friends are transfers, and of the 12 or so transfers I keep up with, everyone has V25 or higher firm lined up, with a few SullCrom, Cravath, etc. level jobs snagged. In my classes themselves, I keep up with 7 people, and everyone is going to a V15 or higher firm. The only other group I keep up with are those on my journal, where most of my friends are going to V10 firms. So my sample adds up to about 30 people that likely all skew toward the higher end of the class, but it adds up to the general proposition that, if you have halfway decent grades, you will absolutely end up with NYC firm job. I'm not sure what the success rate was outside of NYC (2 of those people I mentioned are working in CA), but if you want NYC, it seemed like it was incredibly easy.

[smokeylarue]

Definitely some comforting anecdotes above. Choosing b/w Columbia and NYU here, getting Biglaw is definitely top of my priority.

[snehpets]

Definitely some comforting anecdotes above. Choosing b/w Columbia and NYU here, getting Biglaw is definitely top of my priority.

[kaiser]

Definitely some comforting anecdotes above. Choosing b/w Columbia and NYU here, getting Biglaw is definitely top of my priority.

Then just pick based on where you got more $$, since biglaw chances are very good from both schools. And if the biglaw you want is in NYC, then its very easy.

[Yeshia90]

Does it really take an hour to get to Citi Field, as HopStop suggests?

[Detrox]

Definitely some comforting anecdotes above. Choosing b/w Columbia and NYU here, getting Biglaw is definitely top of my priority.

Then just pick based on where you got more $$, since biglaw chances are very good from both schools. And if the biglaw you want is in NYC, then its very easy.

This. People at either school will tell you that Biglaw chances really are equal at both. Marginal differences betwen placement are a slight edge to Columbia in clerkships & academia and an edge to NYU in public interest jobs. Elsewise, follow the money or "feel." Also, make that difficult choice between Washington Heights and Greenwich Village...

[jellybean8]

Does it really take an hour to get to Citi Field, as HopStop suggests?

It's like 7 minutes on the subway And then maybe 15 on the LIRR. Not bad at all.

[chasgoose]

Just out of curiousity, what do they mean by this block schedule: --LinkRemoved--?

Does it refer to sections? or something else entirely?

Also, do all 1Ls have Friday class?

No, that has nothing to do with sections. They will post the section groupings when they post the course listings for next year (I think sometime in late April/early May?) although they are pretty much meaningless until you know what section you are in. Last semester, I'm pretty sure every section had class on Friday except one, and this semester, I think every section has class on Friday.

[ssteiner]

Do any current students have housing recommendations? I saw a two bedroom in D'Agostino and didn't really like how cramped it was. There are shared two bedrooms with living rooms and there are also studio apartments, and Mercer had some larger two bedroom options. I've heard that 1Ls tend to live in D'Agostino so I'm leaning towards either the two bedroom with the living room or a studio. On the one hand, I want to socialize and am worried about doing that less if I'm on my own in a studio, but on the other hand I like having my own space and I'm also worried that I'll never use the living room. Any advice?

[chasgoose]

Do any current students have housing recommendations? I saw a two bedroom in D'Agostino and didn't really like how cramped it was. There are shared two bedrooms with living rooms and there are also studio apartments, and Mercer had some larger two bedroom options. I've heard that 1Ls tend to live in D'Agostino so I'm leaning towards either the two bedroom with the living room or a studio. On the one hand, I want to socialize and am worried about doing that less if I'm on my own in a studio, but on the other hand I like having my own space and I'm also worried that I'll never use the living room. Any advice?

I don't think 1L's usually get the 2 bedrooms with living rooms or studios. I haven't heard of any who did, but I could be wrong about that. Also FWIW, the split between Mercer and D'ag seems pretty even (if anything I know more people who live in Mercer).

[crooked]

What electives are you all taking, and what's the conventional wisdom on how to pick those (i.e., get a doctrinal course out of the way, subject you're interested in, go for the professor, etc.)?

[Detrox]

What electives are you all taking, and what's the conventional wisdom on how to pick those (i.e., get a doctrinal course out of the way, subject you're interested in, go for the professor, etc.)?

Took Con. Law with Levinson and it's easily one of my favorite courses I've taken in LS if not my favorite. Really there is no "conventional wisdom" on the topic beyond take a course your interested in and has a decent professor. You'll have to take Property by the end of 2L so some people like to get it done early. Theres so many good Con. Law professors that some prefer to wait to take it. Corporations is a good way to get a headstart if you're interested in Transactional work or you want to gamble at getting a high grade and having a nice and relevant mark for EIW. Same with Tax, but more specialized of course. Finally Intl. Law is well, Intl. Law.

[snehpets]

what's the gym situation? at my undergrad, for example, grad students are automatically members. is this true at NYU? if so, how is it? should I be anticipating having to join an actual gym?

[Detrox]

what's the gym situation? at my undergrad, for example, grad students are automatically members. is this true at NYU? if so, how is it? should I be anticipating having to join an actual gym?

Automatic membership. Coles is conveniently right across the street from the Mercer dorm. The larger and more reputable Palladium is a bit of a trek up to Union Square.

[birdlaw117]

what's the gym situation? at my undergrad, for example, grad students are automatically members. is this true at NYU? if so, how is it? should I be anticipating having to join an actual gym?

Automatic membership. Coles is conveniently right across the street from the Mercer dorm. The larger and more reputable Palladium is a bit of a trek up to Union Square.

Yeah, but if you're going to Palladium to workout, the trek is just a nice warmup.

[vincanity1]

First time moving out of state. Do people typically get a new license for NY?

[sn20]

I know this thread is supposed to be NYU 1L's, but if any 2L/3L's are lurking around, how does NYU do in Texas? More specifically, could anyone give me an idea of the "grade cutoffs" for the major Texas firms (BB, VE, etc.)? Thanks!

[blueskies]

rm

[booboo]

Could a current NYU student comment on the different spring elective options? Con, Corp, Prop, Tax. Specifically, I'm thinking about con law and property, though I'm not sure which I'd want to take. Is there any advantage to taking one earlier than the other? Are any known to be particularly easy or particularly difficult? In case it matters: I want to clerk, and while I'm considering shooting for PI work, I want to have biglaw as an option.

Con Law was the most requested class, 184 people were in the lottery for 90 or so spots. Property has two sections, so you will likely get it if you bid it. That said, you may not get the Professor you want.

I enjoy Corporations. It's a bit like advanced Contracts.

[facetious]

Could a current NYU student comment on the different spring elective options? Con, Corp, Prop, Tax. Specifically, I'm thinking about con law and property, though I'm not sure which I'd want to take. Is there any advantage to taking one earlier than the other? Are any known to be particularly easy or particularly difficult? In case it matters: I want to clerk, and while I'm considering shooting for PI work, I want to have biglaw as an option.

FYI: i've heard from some of my professors that Income Tax might not be offered next year due to a general lack of interest. My 1L year there were I think only 35, and I think it's similar this year. In place, they may be adding an extra corporations or con law.

You have to take property by the end of 2L. I took corporations 1L, glad I did for a whole host of reasons, but taking property as a 2L suckssss. But really, take what interests you, and if nothing interests you, then take property to get it out of the way. there's no "easy" class or "advantage" - it's 1L, all that matters are your grades and you'll do better in a class you find at least remotely interesting.