SMU 1L Taking Questions Forum
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Are part-time law students eligible for merit scholarship money at SMU ?
- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
It's well-organized. First final on Monday, then a day off, then a final, then a day, and so on. Our final day of classes was December 1st, and then we had a couple of reading days.thewarflamingo wrote:Can someone give an example of their finals schedule?
For 2L and 3L, they post the finals schedule so you can check classes and make sure they don't conflict before you register.
It's pretty traditional they way they do it. I wish it were only 3 or 4 classes, but then again, I'm getting more credits than other people and will have more flexibility later on. Really, it's not that bad. If someone does poorly, that will not be the reason. Just keep up with the reading throughout the semester.thewarflamingo wrote:What are your opinions on how SMU structures the 1L curriculum by splitting classes into two semesters (advantages/disadvantages?)? Do you feel like you're at a disadvantage having to study for 5 finals during fall 1L when students at other schools only have 3-4 finals?
- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
CanadianWolf wrote:Are part-time law students eligible for merit scholarship money at SMU ?
I believe so, but not as much.
- fathergoose
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
I don't think anyone can really say whether its an advantage or disadvantage. Everybody only has one 1L year so there is no way to compare.thewarflamingo wrote:What are your opinions on how SMU structures the 1L curriculum by splitting classes into two semesters (advantages/disadvantages?)? Do you feel like you're at a disadvantage having to study for 5 finals during fall 1L when students at other schools only have 3-4 finals?
Although ultimately its a moot point because it wouldn't matter if we had 30 finals and for each one we had to do it with one eye closed. We are graded on a curve with the people in our section so as long as the other 90 students in my section have to go through the same stuff I do, then I don't think there is any substantive advantage or disadvantage.
That being said. 5 finals plus a memo is a lot. It can be more than a little stressful at times.
- Burgstaller04
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Do any of you know anyone who got a Sumners'? I'm curious what kind of numbers/softs they usually have.
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- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Burgstaller04 wrote:Do any of you know anyone who got a Sumners'? I'm curious what kind of numbers/softs they usually have.
I don't know anyone who did. But then again, talking about scholarships and stuff is kind of a no-no, generally. You never know who got money and who didn't, and you don't want to bring up your big scholarship to someone paying full pop.
- Burgstaller04
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Yep, that's what I was afraid ofkalvano wrote:Burgstaller04 wrote:Do any of you know anyone who got a Sumners'? I'm curious what kind of numbers/softs they usually have.
I don't know anyone who did. But then again, talking about scholarships and stuff is kind of a no-no, generally. You never know who got money and who didn't, and you don't want to bring up your big scholarship to someone paying full pop.
- isaiahnielsen
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
- Thirteen
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
No one cares here. Everyone is open and accepting. If you wear pastel polos and Sperrys, you'll fit right inisaiahnielsen wrote:SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
- isaiahnielsen
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Thirteen wrote:No one cares here. Everyone is open and accepting. If you wear pastel polos and Sperrys, you'll fit right inisaiahnielsen wrote:SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
Thanks for the response. I have just heard stories about the south, but have never actually spent time there (outside of a couple of trips to Boca/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami) and so I just needed to find out, because I have been a northern boy all my life.
- Thirteen
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
There are a lot of conservatives here, but no one is overly religious or judgmental. I'm part of an under-represented group (black male), and I fit in fine with all of my classmates. If you can, visit and sit in on a class. It's a great school, and I love everyone here.isaiahnielsen wrote:Thirteen wrote:No one cares here. Everyone is open and accepting. If you wear pastel polos and Sperrys, you'll fit right inisaiahnielsen wrote:SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
Thanks for the response. I have just heard stories about the south, but have never actually spent time there (outside of a couple of trips to Boca/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami) and so I just needed to find out, because I have been a northern boy all my life.
- fathergoose
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
I wouldn't necessarily throw TX into the whole "South" stereotypes, particularly Dallas. Everyone is very chill and helpful. None of the cut throat competitiveness you hear about in 1L horror stories. Everyone is competitive but I haven't experienced or heard of someone trying to screw somebody over.isaiahnielsen wrote:Thanks for the response. I have just heard stories about the south, but have never actually spent time there (outside of a couple of trips to Boca/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami) and so I just needed to find out, because I have been a northern boy all my life.
And as far as the GLBT thing goes, I agree with thirteen. I don't think anyone really cares. If you are fun to be around people will like you, If you aren't people probably won't. race/creed/preference/sex/age don't really come into play on that.
- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Dallas is actually supposed to be one of the top-10 best cities for gay people in the United States. There is a huge gay population, and the "gay" area of town isn't far from SMU.isaiahnielsen wrote:SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
And thirteen is right, no one will care. It's a very, very laid-back place. And thirteen just wants someone else around wearing pastel shirts.
There's still a definite difference between South and North, but Dallas is mostly transplants anyway. If you go out to Redneckville, West Texas, you might have some issues, but big cities are basically the same all over.isaiahnielsen wrote:Thanks for the response. I have just heard stories about the south, but have never actually spent time there (outside of a couple of trips to Boca/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami) and so I just needed to find out, because I have been a northern boy all my life.
Last edited by kalvano on Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- fathergoose
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
hahahakalvano wrote:And thirteen is right, no one will care. It's a very, very laid-back place. And thirteen just wants someone else around wearing pastel shirts.
- isaiahnielsen
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
ok cool. thanks for the info.Thirteen wrote:There are a lot of conservatives here, but no one is overly religious or judgmental. I'm part of an under-represented group (black male), and I fit in fine with all of my classmates. If you can, visit and sit in on a class. It's a great school, and I love everyone here.isaiahnielsen wrote:Thirteen wrote:No one cares here. Everyone is open and accepting. If you wear pastel polos and Sperrys, you'll fit right inisaiahnielsen wrote:SMU is pretty much near the top of my list for schools that I want to apply to...but I am concerned about being a gay student at a methodist university in Dallas...I did undergrad at a private free methodist university, but it was in Seattle, where the attitude is very open and accepting...any insight in to this?
Thanks for the response. I have just heard stories about the south, but have never actually spent time there (outside of a couple of trips to Boca/Ft. Lauderdale/Miami) and so I just needed to find out, because I have been a northern boy all my life.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Do y'all have open or closed note exams and is LRW graded or P/F?
- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
thewarflamingo wrote:Do y'all have open or closed note exams and is LRW graded or P/F?
Mostly open, except for Property. LRW is graded.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
I had a few questions about SMU Law:
1) As a Christian school, how much does SMU integrate Christianity and Law? Is it similar to Regent in discussing the relationship between Christianity and the law?
2) How are scholarships determined? I have been confused reading the website (and I really think its a "dumb" moment) but are there merit scholarships? Are those determined solely by LSAT/GPA or are other factors relevant as well?
3) Are students satisfied with job opportunities? What are the opportunities for going outside of Dallas (specifically to Houston)? What is the job market like for SMU Grads?
Thank you!
1) As a Christian school, how much does SMU integrate Christianity and Law? Is it similar to Regent in discussing the relationship between Christianity and the law?
2) How are scholarships determined? I have been confused reading the website (and I really think its a "dumb" moment) but are there merit scholarships? Are those determined solely by LSAT/GPA or are other factors relevant as well?
3) Are students satisfied with job opportunities? What are the opportunities for going outside of Dallas (specifically to Houston)? What is the job market like for SMU Grads?
Thank you!
- fathergoose
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
1) It's a non-factor. It may have some impact in the undergrad classes but I've honestly not seen Christianity integrated any more than I did at my public UG.90LawSchool wrote:I had a few questions about SMU Law:
1) As a Christian school, how much does SMU integrate Christianity and Law? Is it similar to Regent in discussing the relationship between Christianity and the law?
2) How are scholarships determined? I have been confused reading the website (and I really think its a "dumb" moment) but are there merit scholarships? Are those determined solely by LSAT/GPA or are other factors relevant as well?
3) Are students satisfied with job opportunities? What are the opportunities for going outside of Dallas (specifically to Houston)? What is the job market like for SMU Grads?
Thank you!
2) They give you money if they want you to come but think that you won't if you have to pay sticker. So LSAT/GPA/URM generally are the categories that get you money.
3) The people with good jobs are very satisfied with job opportunities. The ones without good jobs, considerably less so. SMU does very well in Dallas and they are making an effort to extend their reach more in Houston but right now it's not that significant.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
It always catches me off guard when people ask about it being a Christian school. I tend to forget that the "Methodist" part of the name makes it sound denominational. But no, there aren't any crosses hanging on the walls or anything else along those lines.90LawSchool wrote:I had a few questions about SMU Law:
1) As a Christian school, how much does SMU integrate Christianity and Law? Is it similar to Regent in discussing the relationship between Christianity and the law?
2) How are scholarships determined? I have been confused reading the website (and I really think its a "dumb" moment) but are there merit scholarships? Are those determined solely by LSAT/GPA or are other factors relevant as well?
3) Are students satisfied with job opportunities? What are the opportunities for going outside of Dallas (specifically to Houston)? What is the job market like for SMU Grads?
Thank you!
With a 173/4.0, shouldn't you be more concerned with getting one of those big scholarships at Columbia?
- wellington
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Or Reneckville, East Texas. I would say it's even worse in the Piney Woods.kalvano wrote: If you go out to Redneckville, West Texas, you might have some issues, but big cities are basically the same all over.
I'll throw my hat in too and say feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I am not an overachiever like most of the current students posting here, so you can get the slacker perspective if you'd like.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
What is the percentage of out-of-staters that are at SMU? I'm from California and got a good scholarship to go there, so I am considering it.
And, I've never been to Texas, so all I know about it are the generalizations, like rednecks all over who are very, very proud of their state.
Then again, the few people I've met who are from Texas have been great. The girls have been pretty down-to-earth and fun and everyone says "sir" which is pretty respectful.
And, I've never been to Texas, so all I know about it are the generalizations, like rednecks all over who are very, very proud of their state.
Then again, the few people I've met who are from Texas have been great. The girls have been pretty down-to-earth and fun and everyone says "sir" which is pretty respectful.
- kalvano
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Are you hoping to practice in Texas?
There are several out-of-state people, but it's mainly people looking to settle in Texas. Using SMU to establish Texas ties.
There are several out-of-state people, but it's mainly people looking to settle in Texas. Using SMU to establish Texas ties.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
I applied to both the FT and the PT. Chances are I will only be admitted to the PT, but I was held for further review after early admission for FT because I said that was my preference. I'm assuming that if I withdrew my application for FT right now, I'd get a letter soon after saying I got in to PT because my numbers are above the median, and possibly a scholarship which I don't think I'd receive if was somehow admitted to FT.
Do I need to send an email saying that I'd rather be offered PT than be waitlisted into the summer for FT? Also, am I hurting my chances for acceptance into PT and scholarship money in PT by waiting around for FT?
Any advice is appreciated. I call the admissions number and the girl who answered didn't seem to understand my question.
Do I need to send an email saying that I'd rather be offered PT than be waitlisted into the summer for FT? Also, am I hurting my chances for acceptance into PT and scholarship money in PT by waiting around for FT?
Any advice is appreciated. I call the admissions number and the girl who answered didn't seem to understand my question.
Last edited by gorangers on Tue May 03, 2011 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: SMU 1L Taking Questions
Did the "optional" summer reading list play any importance during the 1L year?
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
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