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

[huckabees]

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?

That's what one person said to me too. I think it really depends on how the student is approaching their education. It seems like the students who are coasting/at around median are really enjoying it and have a lot of friends. However, I can imagine not having the time or energy to make great friends if someone is focused on making Law Review and getting the best grades they possibly can.

I think the TLSers who are planning to attend Columbia seem pretty cool.

[sbalive]

I have a question for Columbia 1L's along those lines - I have yet to meet anyone or hear of anyone who is on the Law Review. Is this because they are so totally consumed with work? Does someone in Law Review seem unable to do anything else (i.e., clinics, interest groups, externships, etc.)?

[06132010]

Some of the admits I met were a little awkward, but most of the people I talked to seemed reasonably normal. I spoke with this 2L who seemed really cool. He said he and his friends go out three nights a week until finals, which was very reassuring.

I think the TLSers who are planning to attend Columbia seem pretty cool.

Me too. Ideally we're representative of the general population there.

[Lem37]

Some of the admits I met were a little awkward, but most of the people I talked to seemed reasonably normal. I spoke with this 2L who seemed really cool. He said he and his friends go out three nights a week until finals, which was very reassuring.

I think the TLSers who are planning to attend Columbia seem pretty cool.

Me too. Ideally we're representative of the general population there.

I'm sure the other admits were just nervous. After all, it was not exactly a relaxed environment (meeting faculty, parents are around, guided tours, ugh. Why can't we just all go to a bar?). I am hoping I get good roommates - you guys better be cool!

[06132010]

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

I had that concern too. I know the content owners can only catch you if you're uploading files, so I've turned off uploading, but I was wondering if there were any additional precautions I had to take when using the Columbia network/if I should just avoid using torrent programs entirely.

Edit: I swear guys, I'm still cool even though I use torrent programs .

[Lem37]

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

I had that concern too. I know the content owners can only catch you if you're uploading files, so I've turned off uploading, but I was wondering if there were any additional precautions I had to take when using the Columbia network/if I should just avoid using torrent programs entirely.

Edit: I swear guys, I'm still cool even though I use torrent programs .

I was under the impression that those who run the server can monitor your bandwidth (or something - the amount of internet you're using/downloading? I have no idea what it's called) and if it looks like you're DLing a lot, they can investigate. This happened to my ex at his school last year - and he definitely had his uploading turned off - but basically his school caught on and sent him a big fat scary warning which basically said that if he didn't stop, they'd send him a big fat scary lawsuit.

I would just avoid torrents entirely. I mean, it sucks, but then again we're going to law school, so.

[06132010]

ah, I didn't know they could/would do that. thanks.

[UnknownElementX]

I guess it would be awkward to be taking an IP law class and be itching to get home to burn your new pirated videogame

[Cartwright4]

I know there was a situation last year where some people took Torts and some people took Con Law during first semester. From what you've heard, will Class of 2012 have only Torts first semester like the website seems to be implying?

[thrillhouse]

Some of the admits I met were a little awkward, but most of the people I talked to seemed reasonably normal. I spoke with this 2L who seemed really cool. He said he and his friends go out three nights a week until finals, which was very reassuring.

I think the TLSers who are planning to attend Columbia seem pretty cool.

Me too. Ideally we're representative of the general population there.

I talked to several admits at the 4/20 event. Everyone seemed varying degrees of cool and interesting. There wasn't anyone that I didn't like. Of course, I was the only person in my tour group who was actually set on Columbia. Everyone else was still weighing their options. So, maybe everyone I talked to and liked are going somewhere else thereby leaving only people I don't like.

Still, everyone on here that is going to CLS seems pretty down to earth. Do we have a group/thread on here for people who have already committed to CLS? I know there is a "CLS class of 2012" thread, but it seems filled with people still trying to decide between CLS and berk/harvard/nyu/etc.

I'll start a "100% committed to CLS 2012" thread on here if we all think it will be useful. We might as well get to know one another now. It never hurts going into a situation with several friends.

[NewHere]

I know there was a situation last year where some people took Torts and some people took Con Law during first semester. From what you've heard, will Class of 2012 have only Torts first semester like the website seems to be implying?

Yes, the 2009-2010 schedule has Torts, Civ Pro, Contracts in fall, and Crim Law, Con Law, Property, elective in spring, for all 1Ls.

(I think 2008-2009 was a bit of an exception. They had to schedule around at least one torts professor, possibly more, who was/were unavailable to teach it in fall.)

[Lem37]

Some of the admits I met were a little awkward, but most of the people I talked to seemed reasonably normal. I spoke with this 2L who seemed really cool. He said he and his friends go out three nights a week until finals, which was very reassuring.

I think the TLSers who are planning to attend Columbia seem pretty cool.

Me too. Ideally we're representative of the general population there.

I talked to several admits at the 4/20 event. Everyone seemed varying degrees of cool and interesting. There wasn't anyone that I didn't like. Of course, I was the only person in my tour group who was actually set on Columbia. Everyone else was still weighing their options. So, maybe everyone I talked to and liked are going somewhere else thereby leaving only people I don't like.

Still, everyone on here that is going to CLS seems pretty down to earth. Do we have a group/thread on here for people who have already committed to CLS? I know there is a "CLS class of 2012" thread, but it seems filled with people still trying to decide between CLS and berk/harvard/nyu/etc.

I'll start a "100% committed to CLS 2012" thread on here if we all think it will be useful. We might as well get to know one another now. It never hurts going into a situation with several friends.

+1

[chris0805]

have a question for Columbia 1L's along those lines - I have yet to meet anyone or hear of anyone who is on the Law Review. Is this because they are so totally consumed with work? Does someone in Law Review seem unable to do anything else (i.e., clinics, interest groups, externships, etc.)?

I know people on law review, and they're involved in clinics and externships too, but they're probably efficient enough to stop reading law school message boards once they're in law school.


edited since I don't know basic grammar

[sbalive]

have a question for Columbia 1L's along those lines - I have yet to meet anyone or hear of anyone who is on the Law Review. Is this because they are so totally consumed with work? Does someone in Law Review seem unable to do anything else (i.e., clinics, interest groups, externships, etc.)?

I know people on law review, and they're involved in clinics and externships too, but they're probably efficient enough to stop reading law school message boards once in their law school.

Well, I'm glad that you can answer our questions - Thanks! That's reassuring.

[EngineeringLawyer]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

[huckabees]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

I somewhat noticed this, in that the guys seemed somewhat more bookish on average. Don't know why that is.

[frank_the_tank]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

I somewhat noticed this, in that the guys seemed somewhat more bookish on average. Don't know why that is.

[huckabees]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

I somewhat noticed this, in that the guys seemed somewhat more bookish on average. Don't know why that is.

I'm sure you were not one of them.

[06132010]

Coming from another female, I talked to a bunch of cool guys. I didn't think any of the awkwardness I encountered was gender-specific.

[sbalive]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

I somewhat noticed this, in that the guys seemed somewhat more bookish on average. Don't know why that is.

I'm sure you were not one of them.

But, she didn't say some guys, she said all of them were like that.

[EngineeringLawyer]

Exactly what I was talking about... but there were a few exceptions to that rule

Funny too because most of the current guys at CLS are kind of ridiculously good looking...

[06132010]

Exactly what I was talking about... but there were a few exceptions to that rule

Funny too because most of the current guys at CLS are kind of ridiculously good looking...

Most of the guys I enjoyed talking to were actually 2Ls.

Maybe that means the guys at the ASD who were awkward will go to HYS.

[Estella]

Was it just me or did the women at the ASD seem much cooler than most of the guys? I met a lot of people (in March), and it seemed like the majorities of the ladies were much more personable, down to earth, intelligent, and better looking for that matter while a lot of the guys were super awkward. This coming from a female, FYI.

I somewhat noticed this, in that the guys seemed somewhat more bookish on average. Don't know why that is.

I actually felt like it was the opposite. The girls I talked to were all very nice, but most of them were actually more bookish while the guys I met seemed more down to earth.

[thrillhouse]

I'll start a "100% committed to CLS 2012" thread on here if we all think it will be useful. We might as well get to know one another now. It never hurts going into a situation with several friends.

+1

On the strength of Lem's +1, I have started the 100% thread over in the "TLS class of 2012" forum. It's time we Columbians (what are we anyway?--is it the lions?) started to get to know one another.

[daisyduck]

I have a question for current CLS students...
Is it possible to take language courses in your 2nd and 3rd years?
Do they charge you per credit?