Columbia 1L Taking Questions (Class of '11) Forum

[roster]

So this is a really stupid question, but do you know of a group of Columbia Law students that gets together regularly to play competitive basketball/how hard is it to get on that Dean's Cup thing?

[M51]

So this is a really stupid question, but do you know of a group of Columbia Law students that gets together regularly to play competitive basketball/how hard is it to get on that Dean's Cup thing?

Don't know about "competitive" basketball. A bunch of us go to the gym / park to play a couple of pickup games every week, and we're not the only law school group.

Dean's Cup is incredibly hard to get on as a 1L, easier 2L/3L. I think the team's something like 8 Guys and 3 Girls, only 1 1L this year.

[Frank]

.

[chris0805]

The market seems to be hardest on public interest students at the moment. I'm pretty confident that they'll all get jobs by August (though I know a few people who are in fact pretty stressed). The problem is that big firms and big banks support a lot of public interest causes. If the big stuff loses money, donations are the first thing to go. Even the ACLU has had major layoffs this year.

So there are less positions available, and students have to compete with ACLU type lawyers who may have five years experience. It's not impossible to get hired directly by a public interest organization, but getting a fellowship has a higher priority than it used to.

Further, clerkships are looking more attractive to public interest students. Next year, I will be much more willing to accept a position with a magistrate judge in, say, hartford CT than I thought I would be. Most of this is learning what I would actually be doing as a clerk for a magistrate judge, but some of it definitely has to do with the idea that you just don't turn things down in this economy.

For firms, people are more nervous, but I have only HEARD of 1-2 people that don't have summer positions, and that was back in early March. A lot of people have gotten some deferments, but everyone seems like they'll be employed, making money, etc.

[huckabees]

The market seems to be hardest on public interest students at the moment. I'm pretty confident that they'll all get jobs by August (though I know a few people who are in fact pretty stressed). The problem is that big firms and big banks support a lot of public interest causes. If the big stuff loses money, donations are the first thing to go. Even the ACLU has had major layoffs this year.

So there are less positions available, and students have to compete with ACLU type lawyers who may have five years experience. It's not impossible to get hired directly by a public interest organization, but getting a fellowship has a higher priority than it used to.

Further, clerkships are looking more attractive to public interest students. Next year, I will be much more willing to accept a position with a magistrate judge in, say, hartford CT than I thought I would be. Most of this is learning what I would actually be doing as a clerk for a magistrate judge, but some of it definitely has to do with the idea that you just don't turn things down in this economy.

For firms, people are more nervous, but I have only HEARD of 1-2 people that don't have summer positions, and that was back in early March. A lot of people have gotten some deferments, but everyone seems like they'll be employed, making money, etc.

THanks, Chris!

Gosh, this is making me lean heavily toward deferring a year.

[sbalive]

The market seems to be hardest on public interest students at the moment. I'm pretty confident that they'll all get jobs by August (though I know a few people who are in fact pretty stressed). The problem is that big firms and big banks support a lot of public interest causes. If the big stuff loses money, donations are the first thing to go. Even the ACLU has had major layoffs this year.

So there are less positions available, and students have to compete with ACLU type lawyers who may have five years experience. It's not impossible to get hired directly by a public interest organization, but getting a fellowship has a higher priority than it used to.

Further, clerkships are looking more attractive to public interest students. Next year, I will be much more willing to accept a position with a magistrate judge in, say, hartford CT than I thought I would be. Most of this is learning what I would actually be doing as a clerk for a magistrate judge, but some of it definitely has to do with the idea that you just don't turn things down in this economy.

For firms, people are more nervous, but I have only HEARD of 1-2 people that don't have summer positions, and that was back in early March. A lot of people have gotten some deferments, but everyone seems like they'll be employed, making money, etc.

THanks, Chris!

Gosh, this is making me lean heavily toward deferring a year.

Do you really think it'll be better in 4 years than 3 years?

[chris0805]

I wouldn't really worry too much about starting law school this year. Personally, I'm not as worried about next year even. The economy was a surprise to everyone, and we were all taken a little off guard. I heard of people who turned down jobs earlier in the year because it wasn't "a perfect fit" who would love to go back and take that same job.

This year was likely the worst of it AND no one was prepared for it. I'm pretty confident that I'll be fine next year, and I'm even pretty confident that this year's 3Ls will be fine by this summer.

Also, just to clarify my poor writing, no one has gotten a deferment from a summer position. The deferments are all 3Ls working for firms this fall/early winter (opposed to this summer).

[Frank]

.

[huckabees]

The market seems to be hardest on public interest students at the moment. I'm pretty confident that they'll all get jobs by August (though I know a few people who are in fact pretty stressed). The problem is that big firms and big banks support a lot of public interest causes. If the big stuff loses money, donations are the first thing to go. Even the ACLU has had major layoffs this year.

So there are less positions available, and students have to compete with ACLU type lawyers who may have five years experience. It's not impossible to get hired directly by a public interest organization, but getting a fellowship has a higher priority than it used to.

Further, clerkships are looking more attractive to public interest students. Next year, I will be much more willing to accept a position with a magistrate judge in, say, hartford CT than I thought I would be. Most of this is learning what I would actually be doing as a clerk for a magistrate judge, but some of it definitely has to do with the idea that you just don't turn things down in this economy.

For firms, people are more nervous, but I have only HEARD of 1-2 people that don't have summer positions, and that was back in early March. A lot of people have gotten some deferments, but everyone seems like they'll be employed, making money, etc.

THanks, Chris!

Gosh, this is making me lean heavily toward deferring a year.

Do you really think it'll be better in 4 years than 3 years?

Hey Sbalive, I do think it will be somewhat better with another year, and I'll have somewhat more knowledge about any changes in the Biglaw landscape.

Another thing is that I just don't want to take on that much debt if Biglaw salaries will be significantly depressed, because I don't want to work in Biglaw for more than a few years (with the primary goal of paying off my debt -- I don't want it to be my career). Taking a year off will give me more time to evaluate how worthwhile the investment in a JD would be.

If I were very committed to getting a JD though, I would probably not defer JUST because of the economic situation, as there are opportunity costs to deferring.

[06132010]

Do law students play intramural sports?

[chris0805]

Definitely. For intramurals, I was on a men's football, coed football, and men's soccer team in the fall. I hurt myself in an unrelated incident early this semester, and that keeps me from doing anything in the spring.

[06132010]

awesome, thanks. our co-ed intramural softball season just ended and it was way more fun than I expected it to be.

[whyamidoingthis]

I posted this is the 2012 thread, but this is probably a better place to ask it. I've had a Powerbook and I'm buying a new MacBook. I know I need bootcamp to run the CLS exam software, but does that mean I need Windows Vista/XP installed as well? I'm not totally clear on how bootcamp works.

Appreciate any help!!

[NewHere]

I don't know either how bootcamp works, but the law school's IT people are around throughout introduction week and again around exam time to set up your computer.

[X58]

so because of the housing using Columbia's network for Internet..that means theres a big no no on using torrent programs correct?

[UnknownElementX]

quick plug for my "Choosing Columbia housing" thread in the dicuss forum. Would like to know your opinions

[EdmundDantes]

Hoping some of you can weigh in on these sentiments ...

I've heard a constant parallel made between Columbia and Chicago as two schools that are great to be from, but pretty bad to be at in terms of quality of life. I've talked to a handful of students at Columbia and one of the constant themes was: "On the whole, you will not like the students here. You may make a few good friends, but people here suck. Still, you should come here because what matters is your career, and Columbia will do a lot for it."

Thoughts?

[Lem37]

Hoping some of you can weigh in on these sentiments ...

I've heard a constant parallel made between Columbia and Chicago as two schools that are great to be from, but pretty bad to be at in terms of quality of life. I've talked to a handful of students at Columbia and one of the constant themes was: "On the whole, you will not like the students here. You may make a few good friends, but people here suck. Still, you should come here because what matters is your career, and Columbia will do a lot for it."

Thoughts?

I am going to Columbia next year, and I am fucking awesome. Conclusion? You are being lied to.

[frank_the_tank]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

[Lem37]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

I just moved home (Philadelphia) from New York, and I'm bored as shit. What can I say? Also, it's 90 degrees in Center City and there's nothing I'd rather do than chill with a beer and my new MacBook Pro. Life is good!

[MeTalkPrettyOneDay]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

+1. Some of the admits seemed a bit uptight, but were nicer once they chilled the hell out. The current students I talked with were pretty cool. And the CLS '12 people on this thread seem reasonably chill. So I'm not too worried

[sbalive]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

I just moved home (Philadelphia) from New York, and I'm bored as shit. What can I say? Also, it's 90 degrees in Center City and there's nothing I'd rather do than chill with a beer and my new MacBook Pro. Life is good!

Yeah, Philly's a little too hot today. And, the air conditioning is sucking at work. I think I'm going to head home, and maybe if it cools off a bit later go out in the Square and enjoy a granita from La Colombe (assuming they've started making it again).

(Oh, and CLS students all seemed cool. The admits I met all seemed pretty cool too, but for all I know they're all headed somewhere else. Also, given that one of them started a Del thread, I think that at least guarantees a base level of coolness. Of course, the level will decrease once I officially send in my deposit. )

[Lem37]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

I just moved home (Philadelphia) from New York, and I'm bored as shit. What can I say? Also, it's 90 degrees in Center City and there's nothing I'd rather do than chill with a beer and my new MacBook Pro. Life is good!

Yeah, Philly's a little too hot today. And, the air conditioning is sucking at work. I think I'm going to head home, and maybe if it cools off a bit later go out in the Square and enjoy a granita from La Colombe (assuming they've started making it again).

Right now, all I want to do is go to Eulogy and browse through their 300+ beer options and maybe get some mussels in a white wine/butter sauce. In fact...I think I may do that tonight. Mm.

[sbalive]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

I just moved home (Philadelphia) from New York, and I'm bored as shit. What can I say? Also, it's 90 degrees in Center City and there's nothing I'd rather do than chill with a beer and my new MacBook Pro. Life is good!

Yeah, Philly's a little too hot today. And, the air conditioning is sucking at work. I think I'm going to head home, and maybe if it cools off a bit later go out in the Square and enjoy a granita from La Colombe (assuming they've started making it again).

Right now, all I want to do is go to Eulogy and browse through their 300+ beer options and maybe get some mussels in a white wine/butter sauce. In fact...I think I may do that tonight. Mm.

Nice. Now you're making me think about how I'm going to miss Philly though

[Lem37]

lol Lem you are blitzing the Columbia threads today, eh?

When I visited CLS I found most of the students and admits to be pretty cool...

I just moved home (Philadelphia) from New York, and I'm bored as shit. What can I say? Also, it's 90 degrees in Center City and there's nothing I'd rather do than chill with a beer and my new MacBook Pro. Life is good!

Yeah, Philly's a little too hot today. And, the air conditioning is sucking at work. I think I'm going to head home, and maybe if it cools off a bit later go out in the Square and enjoy a granita from La Colombe (assuming they've started making it again).

(Oh, and CLS students all seemed cool. The admits I met all seemed pretty cool too, but for all I know they're all headed somewhere else. Also, given that one of them started a Del thread, I think that at least guarantees a base level of coolness. Of course, the level will decrease once I officially send in my deposit. )

Yes, yes, I started the Del thread, thus setting the bar for CLS coolness.