Cornell 1L taking questions Forum

[Devila_C]

First of all, you guys are amazing fountains of knowledge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not sure if you guys would know any of this, but I figure I might as well ask. If you don't, oh well, it was worth a try.

Have any of you had any experience with the Clark Program, specifically in regards to East Asia? Does it seem like an active organization that is worth the time, or is it rather something that is promoted by not necessarily as strong as it is made out to be?

Also, any idea how Cornell feels about reverse splitters and late applications? I'm retaking in December and have complete confidence I can increase my score (I made some stupid mistakes) but as it stands my LSAT is below the 25th and my GPA is well above the 75th. I've also got some interesting softs and LORs. Should I try it?

I was a reverse splitter like you. It's possible..obviously depends on how far you are from the 25th percentile. I applied EA so that might have helped, and if you haven't applied yet, do so ASAP. And if you really are interested, do a why cornell essay and SHOW INTEREST.

The Clarke program holds a variety of talks over the academic year that students can attend. I don't know if you can 'get involved' with the program specifically, since 1L year is pretty much laid out for you and you're not expected to do too much outside of classes and studying.

[AreJay711]

If anyone knows, how does Cornell do placing in DC? Obviously it is better in NYC, and I don't have a substantial preference, but I just want to keep my geographic options open.

[whymeohgodno]

First of all, you guys are amazing fountains of knowledge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not sure if you guys would know any of this, but I figure I might as well ask. If you don't, oh well, it was worth a try.

Have any of you had any experience with the Clark Program, specifically in regards to East Asia? Does it seem like an active organization that is worth the time, or is it rather something that is promoted by not necessarily as strong as it is made out to be?

Also, any idea how Cornell feels about reverse splitters and late applications? I'm retaking in December and have complete confidence I can increase my score (I made some stupid mistakes) but as it stands my LSAT is below the 25th and my GPA is well above the 75th. I've also got some interesting softs and LORs. Should I try it?

I was a reverse splitter like you. It's possible..obviously depends on how far you are from the 25th percentile. I applied EA so that might have helped, and if you haven't applied yet, do so ASAP. And if you really are interested, do a why cornell essay and SHOW INTEREST.

The Clarke program holds a variety of talks over the academic year that students can attend. I don't know if you can 'get involved' with the program specifically, since 1L year is pretty much laid out for you and you're not expected to do too much outside of classes and studying.

#s?

[Other25BeforeYou]

First of all, you guys are amazing fountains of knowledge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not sure if you guys would know any of this, but I figure I might as well ask. If you don't, oh well, it was worth a try.

Have any of you had any experience with the Clark Program, specifically in regards to East Asia? Does it seem like an active organization that is worth the time, or is it rather something that is promoted by not necessarily as strong as it is made out to be?

Also, any idea how Cornell feels about reverse splitters and late applications? I'm retaking in December and have complete confidence I can increase my score (I made some stupid mistakes) but as it stands my LSAT is below the 25th and my GPA is well above the 75th. I've also got some interesting softs and LORs. Should I try it?

I was a reverse splitter like you. It's possible..obviously depends on how far you are from the 25th percentile. I applied EA so that might have helped, and if you haven't applied yet, do so ASAP. And if you really are interested, do a why cornell essay and SHOW INTEREST.

The Clarke program holds a variety of talks over the academic year that students can attend. I don't know if you can 'get involved' with the program specifically, since 1L year is pretty much laid out for you and you're not expected to do too much outside of classes and studying.

#s?

Just so you know, lots of law students don't like to openly talk about their numbers after they've started, since we aren't anonymous anymore within the law school community.

[AreJay711]

I've read on here somewhere that Cornell's first year is particularly hard. Any comments on that?

[danidancer]

I've read on here somewhere that Cornell's first year is particularly hard. Any comments on that?

I wouldn't say "particularly hard" - but it is true that we have a slightly more intense workload than some other schools. We have 4 core classes each semester + Lawyering, and our Lawyering class is graded and curved. This probably serves to make things slightly more stressful for us, but the horror stories you've heard about Cornell, at least in my experience, are greatly exaggerated.

[let/them/eat/cake]

I've read on here somewhere that Cornell's first year is particularly hard. Any comments on that?

I wouldn't say "particularly hard" - but it is true that we have a slightly more intense workload than some other schools. We have 4 core classes each semester + Lawyering, and our Lawyering class is graded and curved. This probably serves to make things slightly more stressful for us, but the horror stories you've heard about Cornell, at least in my experience, are greatly exaggerated.

as i've shouted at anyone who will listen from day 1 (and only half-jokingly), law school is easy. u just have to do it right, which means, do what works for you--and remain calm cool and collected throughout. can't do well on exams if ur a burned out husk of a human being. also, realize that though lawyering is graded it doesn't seem to be a true curve--i.e., there were just a ton of b+s and then very few people who received grades above or below a b+, and it is only two credits (read: don't waste too much time on lawyering--concentrate on other classes in which you feel you can get ahead of the curve). there should (hopefully, if you're in the right place) be at least one or two that click with you.

so, in short. don't believe the hype. best of luck. Now, I've got a Fall Ball to go burn down.

[whymeohgodno]

I've read on here somewhere that Cornell's first year is particularly hard. Any comments on that?

I think this spawned from the fact that some survey found Cornell students to have the highest average time spent studying per day.

[mths]

I've read on here somewhere that Cornell's first year is particularly hard. Any comments on that?

I wouldn't say "particularly hard" - but it is true that we have a slightly more intense workload than some other schools. We have 4 core classes each semester + Lawyering, and our Lawyering class is graded and curved. This probably serves to make things slightly more stressful for us, but the horror stories you've heard about Cornell, at least in my experience, are greatly exaggerated.

as i've shouted at anyone who will listen from day 1 (and only half-jokingly), law school is easy. u just have to do it right, which means, do what works for you--and remain calm cool and collected throughout. can't do well on exams if ur a burned out husk of a human being. also, realize that though lawyering is graded it doesn't seem to be a true curve--i.e., there were just a ton of b+s and then very few people who received grades above or below a b+, and it is only two credits (read: don't waste too much time on lawyering--concentrate on other classes in which you feel you can get ahead of the curve). there should (hopefully, if you're in the right place) be at least one or two that click with you.

so, in short. don't believe the hype. best of luck. Now, I've got a Fall Ball to go burn down.

well you didn't burn down fall ball...

I'm disappointed -- I did enjoy the arrested development gchats though

[kn6542]

Fine. Nobody apparently cares.

There's no negative impact (except death glares from me for the people making up relatives in my target market), but I don't know anyone who this actually worked for in terms of getting a job. Firms in non-primary markets this year seemed to be looking for very strong ties. Firms seemed to be unimpressed that I had spent the summer in my target market - it wasn't until I explained that I had also lived in the market for 4/5ths of my life that they would consider me. Then again, I was targeting a particularly insular market - it may not take quite as much in other places.

I think what it comes down to is that firms in smaller markets don't want to hire people who are there because they couldn't find anything in New York. They want to hire people who want to be in that smaller market, people who are still going to be around in ten years, and they figure the only way you can know you want to be somewhere in ten years is if you have very strong ties to that area.

Well, my comment was not in regard to firms. I assume if someone seriously finds firm work compelling, they'd have their shit together in that respect.

[thepoetoffunk]

I have a question: How is the music scene in Ithaca? I see references on the internet to independent music stores (usually a good sign). I perform hip hop/electronica, and it's pretty bad in Shreveport, LA (home of hillbilly funk); I plan to attend law school where there is a more active music scene. Is there an indie scene or an electronic performance scene (as opposed to electronic-DJ) worth mentioning?

[mths]

I have a question: How is the music scene in Ithaca? I see references on the internet to independent music stores (usually a good sign). I perform hip hop/electronica, and it's pretty bad in Shreveport, LA (home of hillbilly funk); I plan to attend law school where there is a more active music scene. Is there an indie scene or an electronic performance scene (as opposed to electronic-DJ) worth mentioning?

not into dynamite?

/cornell music scene

[alexyoshi]

mths i go to cornell 2! we shld meet.

[mths]

mths i go to cornell 2! we shld meet.

omg we totally should!!!



<3

[alexyoshi]

[mths]

You should probably study.

[CyLaw]

You should probably study.

Fun-killer.

[mths]

You should probably study.

Fun-killer.

I think that's the first time since I got here that anyone has called me a fun-killer.

[RicketyCricket]

I just got deferred EA, and I was wondering if any of you knew how many people got in from that pool? I'm 3.4/170, so I thought I had a decent shot at Cornell, and it's my top choice.

[KMaine]

I just got deferred EA, and I was wondering if any of you knew how many people got in from that pool? I'm 3.4/170, so I thought I had a decent shot at Cornell, and it's my top choice.

I know some people who got in that way, some even with $. Unfortunately, I think you are in for along wait. If it is your top choice, keep persistent, but don't be annoying. Maybe they are trying for high GPA #s this year. Not sure. Good luck!

[Horchata]

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing to this forum -- it has been very helpful. I was recently accepted (and super excited about it) and was hoping you guys could answer some questions.

1. What have you heard about the JD/LLM program in International Law (to which I was accepted)? Worth the $ and time, etc.? Is it possible to only do the JD and back out of the LLM if necessary?

2. How and when is your need-based aid determined? I didn't see any indication of money in my acceptance email and I'm kind of freak'n out about it.

3. If any of you had to make a decision about going to Cornell (with little or no aid) versus a lower ranked school (say ranked #21 in the middle of no-where with a half scholly) or even a very good regional LS in your home town, could you elaborate as to why you went the way you did?

4. Is there any good Mexican food around town? And, more importantly, any good look'n girls around? (This question was partially answered in a previous post, but it still isn't clear to me.)

[mths]

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing to this forum -- it has been very helpful. I was recently accepted (and super excited about it) and was hoping you guys could answer some questions.

1. What have you heard about the JD/LLM program in International Law (to which I was accepted)? Worth the $ and time, etc.? Is it possible to only do the JD and back out of the LLM if necessary?

2. How and when is your need-based aid determined? I didn't see any indication of money in my acceptance email and I'm kind of freak'n out about it.

3. If any of you had to make a decision about going to Cornell (with little or no aid) versus a lower ranked school (say ranked #21 in the middle of no-where with a half scholly) or even a very good regional LS in your home town, could you elaborate as to why you went the way you did?

4. Is there any good Mexican food around town? And, more importantly, any good look'n girls around? (This question was partially answered in a previous post, but it still isn't clear to me.)

PM'd

[M&A621]

I don't know if anyone could answer this (seeing as most of the Cornell students on here are 1Ls ), but how well does Cornell Law place when it comes to BigLaw in New York? Is Cornell pretty even across the board, compared to NYU and Columbia?

[Other25BeforeYou]

I don't know if anyone could answer this (seeing as most of the Cornell students on here are 1Ls ), but how well does Cornell Law place when it comes to BigLaw in New York? Is Cornell pretty even across the board, compared to NYU and Columbia?

Actually, a lot of us are 2Ls. I don't think anyone has solid numbers on how placement was this year. NYU and Columbia probably have better placement in New York (they pretty much always have, as far as I know).

[Excellence = a Habit]

Hi everyone! I'm currently contemplating my options for law school next year, and, though I don't have all of my responses yet, it seems increasingly likely that my choice might come down to Michigan with $$ or Cornell with ?? (haven't gotten scholarship info yet, and not quite sure what to expect). Putting money aside for now, I'm trying to quantify the other aspects of both schools. I have visited both, but not extensively, and am planning to attend both schools' ASWs. I would love to hear from current Cornell students about their experiences there - anything that you have to say, though I have been thinking about the following questions. I have read through parts of this thread, but probably not the whole thing, so feel free to just say, "this has been answered, stop being lazy and go find it!"

- Has anyone felt limited by the small number of courses offered at Cornell? In the (awesome) binder they just sent, there was a seemingly comprehensive list of courses, and it wasn't as long as I was expecting. Do you find there is an adequate range of courses for your interests?

- The clinics look great. I would love to hear from anyone who has done them - are they as cool as they sound? I'm specifically interested in the innocence clinic, the capital punishment clinic(s) and the international law clinic. And has anyone done multiple clinics? I don't know how I would narrow it down to just one.

- How much is there to do around Ithaca? In what neighborhood(s) do law students tend to live and hang out? Do law students ever get group houses so that they can have the law school community experience without the limitations of on-campus housing?

Thanks in advance!