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

[NewHere]

Is the problem with Dodge (that's its name, right?) the overcrowdedness or sub-par equipment?

The equipment is fine. The annoyance is that you have to sign up for it, at least until and unless you figure out the hours that are not crowded and at a convenient time for you.

This year 1L class sizes are going to be a little different, I think (based on the # of sections of each class). Fall 1Ls will have Contracts as their small section, with about 40-50 in each class. Civ Pro and Torts will be the other courses, each with about 60-70 in each class. Spring semester, all classes will have about 90-100 in them (except for the elective).

I don't think that's true. You probably concluded this from the fact that there are 8 Contracts sections, 6 Torts and 6 Civ Pro sections, but it's not the right conclusion. It just means that there will be (as usually)
- TWO large sections (of 90 students) who will have small-section (30 students) Contracts, and large-section Torts and Civ Pro (i.e., filling up 6 Contract, 2 Torts and 2 Civ Pro sections),
- ONE section (of 90 students) who will have small-section Torts, and large-section Civ and Contracts (filling up 1 Contract, 3 Torts, and 1 Civ Pro sections)
- ONE section (of 90 students) who will have small-section Civ Pro, large-section Torts and Contracts (filling up 1 Contract, 1 Torts, and 3 Civ Pro sections).
------
Grand total: 8 Contracts, 6 Torts, 6 Civ Pro sections.

You're right about Spring semester, though. Elective class sizes differ, but other than that, classes have 90-120 students.

[asealclubber]

Yeah, NewHere, you're right. I'm impressed you were to break it down like that...

[Lem37]

Hey guys,

Sorry to double-post this, but current students may know:

I'm trying to sign up for health insurance, and on the first page it asks for a Valid Identification Number. I tried my UNI, but it won't accept letters. Would this be the numbers in our UNI? Or is it our PID ("C-number")?

[NewHere]

No idea. Maybe your SSN?

[paratrooper06]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

[lawlover829]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

+1 I would like to k now the answer to this question.

[NewHere]

I haven't heard about the number of black students dropping, do you have a link to those articles? And I haven't noticed any segregation. There is a BLSA (Black Law Students Association), just as there are associations for Latino, Chinese, Japanese, and South-Asian students (and there are more). I don't know the percentage of black students, but you would certainly not be the only one, and I don't think you would be treated any differently from any other color of student.

[kurama20]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

I wonder if this has to do with the jump in their LSAT range. 170-175 25-75 is pretty insane for any school outside of HYS. It is also a sure fire way to keep your black populace low. If 75 percent of the class has a 170 or higher LSAT that's going to leave very little room for black applicants. And those that do have that type of LSAT score with a decent GPA are going to be at HYS, not Columbia.

[JayCutler'sCombover]

Are there any Columbia rising 2L's that would be willing to answer a couple questions for me via PM? I was accepted as a transfer and had a couple questions about the school and the EIP program in August. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

[00TREX00]

.

[Lem37]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

Columbia was ranked one of the most diverse law schools by the latest USNWR, although that includes all ethnic minorities, not just AA. Where are you getting your information from?

[kurama20]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

Columbia was ranked one of the most diverse law schools by the latest USNWR, although that includes all ethnic minorities, not just AA. Where are you getting your information from?

It's very likely that that is because of the high number of Asian students attending Columbia. It is also somewhat strange that Columbia is the only top 14 school on NALP that doesn't have the racial composition section of the class listed. Although I must say I can't imagine Columbia's number of black students being any worse than Chicago's. They are pretty pathetic; Boalt is pretty bad too.

[zero1]

There's been some articles I've read about Columbia's number of black students dropping drastically (less than 7%). I am a black male with a 165+, iraq/afghanistan vet, and married. I just don't know if I would fit in there. Is the student body unified, or is it segregated like UG (or at least my UG)? I am applying to Columbia and I'm very, very interested in going.

Columbia was ranked one of the most diverse law schools by the latest USNWR, although that includes all ethnic minorities, not just AA. Where are you getting your information from?

It's very likely that that is because of the high number of Asian students attending Columbia. It is also somewhat strange that Columbia is the only top 14 school on NALP that doesn't have the racial composition section of the class listed. Although I must say I can't imagine Columbia's number of black students being any worse than Chicago's. They are pretty pathetic; Boalt is pretty bad too.

truth.com

[Skadden Stairs]

Dude, it's Harlem... if you can't find black people, you're doing it wrong.

[legends159]

Dude, it's Harlem... if you can't find black people, you're doing it wrong.

The campus technically isn't in Harlem and truth be told the only color I see around that area consists of Asians

and by technically I mean it's not really Harlem even if a map says so

edit: but I do agree with lex. It's NYC. It doesn't get any more diverse than this. Who cares if you got to be in a room full of white people for a few hours each day. Get used to it if you want to be a lawyer.

[Skadden Stairs]

Dude, it's Harlem... if you can't find black people, you're doing it wrong.

The campus technically isn't in Harlem and truth be told the only color I see around that area consists of Asians

It's "technically" Morningside Heights the way RuPaul is "technically" a man.
And "Asian" is not a color.

[legends159]

I didn't want to say yellow

[Skadden Stairs]

I didn't want to say yellow

shoulda ran with it.

[zero1]

Dude, it's Harlem... if you can't find black people, you're doing it wrong.

The campus technically isn't in Harlem and truth be told the only color I see around that area consists of Asians

and by technically I mean it's not really Harlem even if a map says so

edit: but I do agree with lex. It's NYC. It doesn't get any more diverse than this. Who cares if you got to be in a room full of white people for a few hours each day. Get used to it if you want to be a lawyer.

True. It's a non-issue given the location.

[Lem37]

Okay, I have a question for current CLS students. I'm trying to figure out a case/bag to bring my stuff to class. I know I'll be bringing my laptop (Macbook Pro 15''), but I'm wondering if I should just buy the neoprene sleeve for it (and stick it in a bag) or a laptop case (which would be able to hold some folders in addition to the laptop). How much stuff do you bring to class? Should I invest in a bookbag, tote bag, or just laptop case?

[NewHere]

I have no opinion on neoprene sleeves vs. laptop cases, but as for "How much stuff do you bring to class?":

Generally every class requires one casebook (they are big and heavy), either a notebook + pen or a computer to take notes, and sometimes a supplement (e.g. a rules book for Civ Pro, or the Restatement of Contracts book for contracts; these can be as small as your average paperback novel or almost as big as a casebook). So for one class, any small backpack or bookbag or tote bag will do.

The problem is, however, that you'll often have two classes right after one another (which brings you to two casebooks, a computer/notebook, and possibly a supplement), and depending on your schedule and whether you like to go home between classes, you may want to haul around the materials for three classes. At that point you realize you need something with more space: either a big backpack or a rolly thing.

(By the way, I don't mind answering this, but this is hardly a Columbia-specific question. You may get better input by asking the question in the law students forum.)

[06132010]

best liquor store?

[sophie316]

best liquor store?

Not a Columbia 1L but I always went to International on Broadway and 113th during undergrad...depending on where you live though it may be more convenient to go to the one on Amsterdam, but I forget how far north that is. Also HamDel(right opposite the law school building) will sell you beer at any time of the day or night.

[sophie316]

I’m bored so I thought I’d throw down some recs for food etc in Morningside Heights(lived there for 4 years, boyfriend still lived there for the past 2, so spent a lot of time up there…). It’s by no means comprehensive and its just my opinion, but feel free to ask for more recs on anything I didn’t include.

Best bagels: Absolute bagels(107th and Broadway). It can be a trek in winter in the cold, but damn are they worth it. Best bagels I’ve ever had. Nussbaums(113th and Broadway) are also good and have sandwiches, salads etc.

Best restaurants: I really like A Café and Wine bar, on 108th and Columbus…it’s small, but also BYO and before 8pm they have an awesome $20 prix fixe where you can get a two course dinner for half of the normal price assuming you get the most expensive appetizer/main, which are the best(pate and the duck). Also Voza a few blocks down on Columbus(I think 105th or 106th is also TIIINY but delicious. Also deserving mentions: Kitchenette on 122nd and Amsterdam(good home cooked hearty food), Awash(Ethopian)(106th and Amsterdam), Max Soha(Italian)(122nd and Amsterdam).

Best grocery stores: Westside Market on 110th and Broadway is amazing. It only reopened last year after being totally redone and the selection is pretty incredible. Esp the cheese section. Fairway on 125th is a trek but also an adventure, as they give you a huge jacket and you can wonder round in the refrigerated meat locker.

Best sandwiches/salads: Milano Market on 113th and Bway is good for a quick snack.

Best bars: Depending on what youre looking for most bars in the area will be packed w/ drunk undergrads on thurs/fri/sat. But bearing that in mind, 1020(Amsterdam and 111th) is a decent choice…La Negrita on 109th and Columbus is generally quieter as it’s a bit of a trek. Heights(112th and Bway) gets rowdy on weekends, but they have a pretty sweet rooftop and cheap happy hour frozen margaritas that makes it quite delightful in summer.

Best drunk food: HamDel for sandwiches/fries etc, or Roti Roll(111th and Amsterdam( which is DELICIOUS)

Best brunches: Kitchenette, Deluxe(Broadway and 113th), Westside Cafe(I think 108th and Bway).

[frank_the_tank]

I’m bored so I thought I’d throw down some recs for food etc in Morningside Heights(lived there for 4 years, boyfriend still lived there for the past 2, so spent a lot of time up there…). It’s by no means comprehensive and its just my opinion, but feel free to ask for more recs on anything I didn’t include.

Best bagels: Absolute bagels(107th and Broadway). It can be a trek in winter in the cold, but damn are they worth it. Best bagels I’ve ever had. Nussbaums(113th and Broadway) are also good and have sandwiches, salads etc.

Best restaurants: I really like A Café and Wine bar, on 108th and Columbus…it’s small, but also BYO and before 8pm they have an awesome $20 prix fixe where you can get a two course dinner for half of the normal price assuming you get the most expensive appetizer/main, which are the best(pate and the duck). Also Voza a few blocks down on Columbus(I think 105th or 106th is also TIIINY but delicious. Also deserving mentions: Kitchenette on 122nd and Amsterdam(good home cooked hearty food), Awash(Ethopian)(106th and Amsterdam), Max Soha(Italian)(122nd and Amsterdam).

Best grocery stores: Westside Market on 110th and Broadway is amazing. It only reopened last year after being totally redone and the selection is pretty incredible. Esp the cheese section. Fairway on 125th is a trek but also an adventure, as they give you a huge jacket and you can wonder round in the refrigerated meat locker.

Best sandwiches/salads: Milano Market on 113th and Bway is good for a quick snack.

Bars with most attractive clientele: ______________

Best bars: Depending on what youre looking for most bars in the area will be packed w/ drunk undergrads on thurs/fri/sat. But bearing that in mind, 1020(Amsterdam and 111th) is a decent choice…La Negrita on 109th and Columbus is generally quieter as it’s a bit of a trek. Heights(112th and Bway) gets rowdy on weekends, but they have a pretty sweet rooftop and cheap happy hour frozen margaritas that makes it quite delightful in summer.

Best drunk food: HamDel for sandwiches/fries etc, or Roti Roll(111th and Amsterdam( which is DELICIOUS)

Best brunches: Kitchenette, Deluxe(Broadway and 113th), Westside Cafe(I think 108th and Bway).

You missed one.