Top Law Schools

FeelTheHeat wrote:Also, don't worry too much about environment and student personalities and shit. The school is big enough where you'll find people you like. A lot will suck, because law students do, but just don't care and you'll be in good shape. I've made plenty of good friends, and there are a lot of chill sociable bros/girls to go boozin with.

Basically, it's whatever you make of it.

Thanks, that's actually one of the reasons I'd like to attend a larger law school. I feel like if you don't like the people at a small school, you're kinda SOL. Also, will you be able to lend me any study tips for specific profs. when the time comes

slawww wrote:Also, will you be able to lend me any study tips for specific profs. when the time comes

Make sure you take all advice with a grain of salt. Not only do different people have different needs and abilities, but statistically speaking most people didn't get the grade you're looking for. So sure, ask around get advice and outlines and all that...but focus on doing what you need to do to feel comfortable with the material. There isn't a one size fits all strategy.


I assume FTH is a total fucking boss when it comes to grades. I did OK (top quarter). Just remember, grain of salt.

UF2015 wrote:

slawww wrote:Also, will you be able to lend me any study tips for specific profs. when the time comes

Make sure you take all advice with a grain of salt. Not only do different people have different needs and abilities, but statistically speaking most people didn't get the grade you're looking for. So sure, ask around get advice and outlines and all that...but focus on doing what you need to do to feel comfortable with the material. There isn't a one size fits all strategy.


I assume FTH is a total fucking boss when it comes to grades. I did OK (top quarter). Just remember, grain of salt.

Definitely, I can only imagine. But yea, thanks for your insight!

I did fine, nothing crazy. Half of my 1L exams were multiple choice and/or short answer, and I suck at those. I'm not good at the whole school thing. I'm better at being a normal bro, which is what got me a jerb.

slawww wrote:

FeelTheHeat wrote:

slawww wrote:Also, how is there not a UF law student(s) taking questions thread?!

Easier to just do it here, a lot more traffic.

True, true. How do you like the environment? Have you made good friends at UF? How are the class sizes? Also, this might not be UF specific, but do you recommend living alone or with a roommate for 1L?

Environment: I really like the college-town atmosphere of Gainesville in general. Regarding the law school specifically, everyone is very nice. People may be competitive but also helpful if you are willing to contribute. Most of the professors are approachable as well and only a couple have made me feel (completely) incompetent. I was worried that UF would be super fratty but it really isn't in the law school.

Friends: I have made a lot of great friends in my first year. I'm not one of those people who has a small, defined group of friends that they always hang out with. I'm not an incredibly sociable person but there are probably 30 people in my section and maybe 10 in the other sections that I can call up and do something with outside of class. I have better friends here than I did in undergrad.

Class Sizes: Crim/Contracts/Torts/Property/Conlaw/Civ Pro were the entire section. ITL (intro to lawyering) is 1/2 of the entire class (~145). Writing/Research are 1/3 of the section. I don't think class sizes matter much.

Roommates: Because Gainesville is so incredibly cheap, I ended up getting a 2/1 apartment and no roommates. My rent is around $600 and to me it's worth $300 / month to have my own office at home and my privacy in general. It's pretty easy to find people to room with up here and you will absolutely have to if you want to live in a house. There are plenty of 1 bedroom places close to the law school at a decent price if you decide that you would rather meet some people before you decide to room with one of them.

Not academically related, but...

How easy is it to get tickets to the football/basketball games? Are law students entered into the same lottery as undergrads?

Also, what is there to do in terms of entertainment for whatever free time I will have in Gville? I know the bar scene is quite extensive from when I visited a few years ago, but what else is there to do around town?

edit: And thank you all for the great info/insight you are providing. It is much appreciated!

1693 wrote:Not academically related, but...

How easy is it to get tickets to the football/basketball games? Are law students entered into the same lottery as undergrads?

Also, what is there to do in terms of entertainment for whatever free time I will have in Gville? I know the bar scene is quite extensive from when I visited a few years ago, but what else is there to do around town?

edit: And thank you all for the great info/insight you are providing. It is much appreciated!

One of the first correspondences you will receive this summer (assuming you are attending) will be regarding football tickets. You can register for the lottery and be put in the same pool as everyone else. If you don't win, like me, season tickets are ~$100. I had 0 problem finding extra tickets for all but the huge SEC games (LSU, USC). Any other ticket you can buy from a law student for ~$20 or get one for free from a friend.

For Basketball, registration opens on the Gatorzone site and you just have to be one of the first few-thousand to do so. Once registered, you just show up with your Gator-1 (school ID). If you are one of the first 900 students, you can sit in the courtside student section, otherwise you are up top. I only had problems registering for the Kentucky game this year. Every other one was fairly simple when I registered on the same day that it was opened.

Every other sport just requires you to present your Gator-1 to enter.

Gainesville isn't big so there isn't a ton to do, but you'll find something that suits your interests. There are a few law school intramural sports teams, running groups, etc. There are a lot of outdoor activities here in general. Of course there are tons of bars and restaurants in mid and downtown but if that isn't your thing you will be able to find something to do. The different clubs/groups also host a variety of events each week both in between classes and after school / on the weekend.

Great, thanks for the info. As of now I am planning on attending and I am a sports nut do I definitely would love to go to the football games for sure as well as basketball. Grew up rooting for the Canes but I don't think I will have a problem hopping on the Gator bandwagon lol.

Do any of the current students recall whether or not the deposit trick was accurate for them or others?

Sorry for my impatience...

nebula666 wrote:
Environment: I really like the college-town atmosphere of Gainesville in general. Regarding the law school specifically, everyone is very nice. People may be competitive but also helpful if you are willing to contribute. Most of the professors are approachable as well and only a couple have made me feel (completely) incompetent. I was worried that UF would be super fratty but it really isn't in the law school.

Friends: I have made a lot of great friends in my first year. I'm not one of those people who has a small, defined group of friends that they always hang out with. I'm not an incredibly sociable person but there are probably 30 people in my section and maybe 10 in the other sections that I can call up and do something with outside of class. I have better friends here than I did in undergrad.

Class Sizes: Crim/Contracts/Torts/Property/Conlaw/Civ Pro were the entire section. ITL (intro to lawyering) is 1/2 of the entire class (~145). Writing/Research are 1/3 of the section. I don't think class sizes matter much.

Roommates: Because Gainesville is so incredibly cheap, I ended up getting a 2/1 apartment and no roommates. My rent is around $600 and to me it's worth $300 / month to have my own office at home and my privacy in general. It's pretty easy to find people to room with up here and you will absolutely have to if you want to live in a house. There are plenty of 1 bedroom places close to the law school at a decent price if you decide that you would rather meet some people before you decide to room with one of them.

Thanks so much for all of the info! Is the 600 including utilities, ect.? Also, would you be able to recommend some apartments to start looking at. Ideally, I'd like a place that's in a safe area,has relatively new amenities, and close to campus. Thanks again!

Edit: How big are sections?

1693 wrote:Great, thanks for the info. As of now I am planning on attending and I am a sports nut do I definitely would love to go to the football games for sure as well as basketball. Grew up rooting for the Canes but I don't think I will have a problem hopping on the Gator bandwagon lol.

Oh I almost forgot to mention the Law Block. Once you have your season tickets, you will present your Gator-1 to JMBA (a group on campus) and they will register you for the "law block". This means that you will be given a ticket each week in the same section(s) as the other law students, which is pretty great.

slawww wrote:

nebula666 wrote:
Environment: I really like the college-town atmosphere of Gainesville in general. Regarding the law school specifically, everyone is very nice. People may be competitive but also helpful if you are willing to contribute. Most of the professors are approachable as well and only a couple have made me feel (completely) incompetent. I was worried that UF would be super fratty but it really isn't in the law school.

Friends: I have made a lot of great friends in my first year. I'm not one of those people who has a small, defined group of friends that they always hang out with. I'm not an incredibly sociable person but there are probably 30 people in my section and maybe 10 in the other sections that I can call up and do something with outside of class. I have better friends here than I did in undergrad.

Class Sizes: Crim/Contracts/Torts/Property/Conlaw/Civ Pro were the entire section. ITL (intro to lawyering) is 1/2 of the entire class (~145). Writing/Research are 1/3 of the section. I don't think class sizes matter much.

Roommates: Because Gainesville is so incredibly cheap, I ended up getting a 2/1 apartment and no roommates. My rent is around $600 and to me it's worth $300 / month to have my own office at home and my privacy in general. It's pretty easy to find people to room with up here and you will absolutely have to if you want to live in a house. There are plenty of 1 bedroom places close to the law school at a decent price if you decide that you would rather meet some people before you decide to room with one of them.

Thanks so much for all of the info! Is the 600 including utilities, ect.? Also, would you be able to recommend some apartments to start looking at. Ideally, I'd like a place that's in a safe area,has relatively new amenities, and close to campus. Thanks again!

My total each month comes to ~700. I have internet but no cable. Free water but pay for electricity. If you want to PM me I can help you find some places to check out.

3 Sections of 90-100 each.

nebula666 wrote:

slawww wrote:

nebula666 wrote:
Environment: I really like the college-town atmosphere of Gainesville in general. Regarding the law school specifically, everyone is very nice. People may be competitive but also helpful if you are willing to contribute. Most of the professors are approachable as well and only a couple have made me feel (completely) incompetent. I was worried that UF would be super fratty but it really isn't in the law school.

Friends: I have made a lot of great friends in my first year. I'm not one of those people who has a small, defined group of friends that they always hang out with. I'm not an incredibly sociable person but there are probably 30 people in my section and maybe 10 in the other sections that I can call up and do something with outside of class. I have better friends here than I did in undergrad.

Class Sizes: Crim/Contracts/Torts/Property/Conlaw/Civ Pro were the entire section. ITL (intro to lawyering) is 1/2 of the entire class (~145). Writing/Research are 1/3 of the section. I don't think class sizes matter much.

Roommates: Because Gainesville is so incredibly cheap, I ended up getting a 2/1 apartment and no roommates. My rent is around $600 and to me it's worth $300 / month to have my own office at home and my privacy in general. It's pretty easy to find people to room with up here and you will absolutely have to if you want to live in a house. There are plenty of 1 bedroom places close to the law school at a decent price if you decide that you would rather meet some people before you decide to room with one of them.

Thanks so much for all of the info! Is the 600 including utilities, ect.? Also, would you be able to recommend some apartments to start looking at. Ideally, I'd like a place that's in a safe area,has relatively new amenities, and close to campus. Thanks again!

My total each month comes to ~700. I have internet but no cable. Free water but pay for electricity. If you want to PM me I can help you find some places to check out.

Sweet, thanks!

Anything close by to the law school is going to be pretty safe from what I've heard from my friends who attended. The good news is that you are on the extreme corner of campus so you are not "in the middle" of the undergrad circus.

nebula666 wrote:

1693 wrote:Great, thanks for the info. As of now I am planning on attending and I am a sports nut do I definitely would love to go to the football games for sure as well as basketball. Grew up rooting for the Canes but I don't think I will have a problem hopping on the Gator bandwagon lol.

Oh I almost forgot to mention the Law Block. Once you have your season tickets, you will present your Gator-1 to JMBA (a group on campus) and they will register you for the "law block". This means that you will be given a ticket each week in the same section(s) as the other law students, which is pretty great.

Wow that is great. Definitely would love to get in on those season tix for sure.

Anyone in this recent batch get their letters yet? Really crossing my fingers for today.

notprelaw wrote:Anyone in this recent batch get their letters yet? Really crossing my fingers for today.

Nopeee. I feel like I should get it today, since I live close to Gainesville. They must've taken their time actually sending out the letters.

Scholly in the mail~ woo!
edit: 12000/y

lhanvt13 wrote:Scholly in the mail~ woo!
edit: 12000/y

Congrats! When did you get your acceptance?

eas09d wrote:

lhanvt13 wrote:Scholly in the mail~ woo!
edit: 12000/y

Congrats! When did you get your acceptance?

March 5
so I guess they mail it out a week or two after the acceptance ?

FeelTheHeat wrote:I'm better at being a normal bro, which is what got me a jerb.

Same. Didn't talk about law school on any interviews. Mostly sports.


I don't sit with JMBA for games. My group of friends has our own block. Different strokes.

Anyone here that is considered in-state have any luck negotiating scholarship money from UF?

Under Review today! Hoping for positive response.

Has anyone who was NDR changed to DR today?

TBZ28 wrote:Has anyone who was NDR changed to DR today?

I wish. Am still NDR with a status date of 11/27/2013