University of Oregon or University of Washington? HELP! Forum

[newcritic]

I am completely over the barrell on this decision. Cost of attendance is not a factor in the decision. I will have to practice in the state of Oregon after law school because of family commitments. At the moment, I am interested in immigration law or working as a prosecutor or public defender, but that could change. I am incredibly excited about the clincal offerings at UW, but I also got a great vibe from U of O when I visited. My in-laws live in Eugene and U of O has great extras (university housing, childcare options, etc.). UofO places well in Oregon (obviously), but UW is ranked higher and I would assume could open more doors for clerkships and summer work. I wonder, though, if wanting to go to UW is just for pride (I didn't expect to get in).

Any input/observations would be greatly appreciated.

[awesomepossum]

why three threads?

[Helmholtz]

Oregon.

[69sofine]

Now I'm even more conflicted.

[phillyfanatic]

Oregon. Eugene is a great college town and the Oregon football team is way better than Washington's. Plus, you'll probably make more connections by going to Oregon. You can't go wrong with either, but if I had to make that decision, I'd pick Oregon.

[thruruby]

.

[Whatisthis]

Go to UW! My guess is that a JD from UW will serve you better in Oregon than a JD from UO (even in Eugene). Though, the Huskies do suck.

Go Ducks

Edit: UO Law isn't a bad school, but without serious money from Oregon, UW an easy winner.

[nepgoon]

UO doesn't place well in Oregon, at least not compared to UW. Do well (median or better) at UW and you're already better off than UO kids. If cost isn't a factor this shouldn't even be a question, are you kidding me?

[JOThompson]

At the moment, I am interested in immigration law or working as a prosecutor or public defender, but that could change.

You should look into Oregon's LRAP.

I might need to make this decision too, and I'm not sure what I'd do. I've spent the last 23 years in Oregon and have family all over the state, but U-Dub provides more future opportunities. Let us know what you decide, good luck.

[ClemCarter]

Oh OP, please don't make a decision based on the football team.

Do, however, make it based on the history of the track and field/XC programs. Hayward Field FTW.

[Shaggier1]

Hayward Field FTW.

TITCR. Stop Pre.

[Padimud]

In my research of perception between the two schools. UW has won by a landslide. Interesting thoughts I have heard:

If you want to work in Eugene or Medford, go to Oregon. Portland and anywhere else in the NW, UW.

Reputation wise, there is no battle, UW is the best school in the Northwest, Oregon is competing with Lewis & Clark for best school in Oregon.

Personally, I am applying to Washington and Lewis & Clark (and and L&C gives fee waivers). Reason being from what I have read and seen the order of reputation up there goes something like this.
1- Washington
2- Good California School (Davis or better)
3- Lewis and Clark
4- Oregon

Hope that helps.

[jcl2]

I'm pretty sure OP ended up choosing UW months ago and is attending there now.

[newcritic]

Indeed I am...and loving it. I will say that there is one downside - the quarter system.

[jcl2]

Indeed I am...and loving it. I will say that there is one downside - the quarter system.

I will be there next fall (deferred for a year), and I can't wait. What do you feel is the downside of the quarter system? I would also love to hear anything else you would like to share about your experience so far.

[newcritic]

Indeed I am...and loving it. I will say that there is one downside - the quarter system.

I will be there next fall (deferred for a year), and I can't wait. What do you feel is the downside of the quarter system? I would also love to hear anything else you would like to share about your experience so far.

There are only three law schools in the US that are one the quarter system. This can make it a bit odd when you're applying for summer work outside of Seattle (which, I'm assuming, is used to this little UW quirk) because the start and end dates are different. You also have three grading periods where most people have two which can mean more exams and less vacation. I'm not saying the quarter system is an unmitigated disaster or that it overrides the good things about UW, just that it can be something of a bummer.

So far all my classes are amazing, as are the people in my class. Everyone is smart, everyone is interested in doing well. There are verying degrees of work ethic, but I haven't noticed psycho gunners nor perma-hi slackers. We have been enjoying truly remarkable weather, though Seattle vetrans will say August through mid-October is Seattle's absolute best time of the year and that any day now the clouds will show up.

The work load has been taxing, but not oppressive. You are expected to process a lot quickly, which doesn't seem to be different from any other law school. The professors are a mix of socratic and lecture and other (really no other way to describe some of them). I'm staying on top of the reading by doing about 3-4 hours of work outside of class a day, though that does not include outlining/exam prep which I'm trying to work in, too.

What else? The 2 and 3Ls have all been nice. I guess I'm making this sound a little polly-anna, but that's really the vibe around here. We compete with one another but it is less cut throat/one-upsmanship and more arguing out cases and rules to better understand the class material.

Oh, we did have a federal judge come speak and tell us that she doesn't take clerks who aren't from a top 20 Law school or students who went straight to LS from undergrad. That being said, one of the clerks that came with her was from UW, so take that as you will.

All in all, I'm loving pretty much every aspect of life at UW Law.

Let me know if you have other questions.

[jcl2]

Indeed I am...and loving it. I will say that there is one downside - the quarter system.

I will be there next fall (deferred for a year), and I can't wait. What do you feel is the downside of the quarter system? I would also love to hear anything else you would like to share about your experience so far.

There are only three law schools in the US that are one the quarter system. This can make it a bit odd when you're applying for summer work outside of Seattle (which, I'm assuming, is used to this little UW quirk) because the start and end dates are different. You also have three grading periods where most people have two which can mean more exams and less vacation. I'm not saying the quarter system is an unmitigated disaster or that it overrides the good things about UW, just that it can be something of a bummer.

So far all my classes are amazing, as are the people in my class. Everyone is smart, everyone is interested in doing well. There are verying degrees of work ethic, but I haven't noticed psycho gunners nor perma-hi slackers. We have been enjoying truly remarkable weather, though Seattle vetrans will say August through mid-October is Seattle's absolute best time of the year and that any day now the clouds will show up.

The work load has been taxing, but not oppressive. You are expected to process a lot quickly, which doesn't seem to be different from any other law school. The professors are a mix of socratic and lecture and other (really no other way to describe some of them). I'm staying on top of the reading by doing about 3-4 hours of work outside of class a day, though that does not include outlining/exam prep which I'm trying to work in, too.

What else? The 2 and 3Ls have all been nice. I guess I'm making this sound a little polly-anna, but that's really the vibe around here. We compete with one another but it is less cut throat/one-upsmanship and more arguing out cases and rules to better understand the class material.

Oh, we did have a federal judge come speak and tell us that she doesn't take clerks who aren't from a top 20 Law school or students who went straight to LS from undergrad. That being said, one of the clerks that came with her was from UW, so take that as you will.

All in all, I'm loving pretty much every aspect of life at UW Law.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Thanks! That definitely helps me feel good about my decision not to re-apply and consider other schools. I'm glad to hear things are going well for you so far.

[newcritic]

I am withdrawing by beef with the quarter system. I am realizing now it definitely makes exam prep much easier, despite speeding things up.

Also - if you feel you are a bit of a nerd - I would recommend signing up for Curriculum B.

[jcl2]

I am withdrawing by beef with the quarter system. I am realizing now it definitely makes exam prep much easier, despite speeding things up.

Also - if you feel you are a bit of a nerd - I would recommend signing up for Curriculum B.

Congrats on finishing your first quarter! Are you in the Curriculum B section? I don't remember the details about that program, but I thought it sounded interesting. What are your thoughts on the pros and cons, relative to the normal sections?

[WeaponX]

.

[Cavalier]

Jake Locker will be at UW next year.

/thread

[newcritic]

Congrats on finishing your first quarter! Are you in the Curriculum B section? I don't remember the details about that program, but I thought it sounded interesting. What are your thoughts on the pros and cons, relative to the normal sections?[/quote]

So Curriculum B is also called ConTorts. Basically Torts and Contracts are taught together by the same professor - a stone cold genius with a PhD in Math and a JD from Yale. He takes a very theoretical approach to these two subjects, one that really can apply to a lot of different areas. Basically he boils torts and contracts down to culpability (ie what duty did you owe/did you live up to it), consequence (cause in fact vs. legal/proximate cause), and Sanction. He also works in a great deal philosophical approaches to law (mechanical jurisprudence, legal realism, critical legal studies). He also explains how those various lenses can be used to help your clients when you're making arguments, and which philosophies are used in various legal contexts (trial courts vs. appellate). Again, it is very theoretical. I feel like my section has bonded more than the other sections in our class. I also feel like this combined approach attracted a "nerdier" element, which for me was very good. I have really enjoyed this approach, though there have been times when I feel very lost and confused. The confusion does pass, however, and I feel like I am getting a solid legal education, though we aren't memorizing rules/cases like the other sections seem to be doing. I would guess - pure speculation - that learning contracts and torts this way will put me at something of a disadvantage for the bar exam, but that it will ultimately make me a better lawyer.

[HerseyChris]

Every time I see a new UW thread (or in this case an old thread with a new comment), I read about UW and get the impression that it's an even more awesome school than I thought before.

JCL, why'd you decide to delay, if I may ask?

[jcl2]

Every time I see a new UW thread (or in this case an old thread with a new comment), I read about UW and get the impression that it's an even more awesome school than I thought before.

JCL, why'd you decide to delay, if I may ask?

My wife and I just had our first child in November. I figured it would be tough to do that while in my first quarter of law school. It was a hard decision at the time, but man was it the right one. Its now looking like the jobs market could be better for us in the class of 2013 too, so that also makes me feel good about the decision, I guess we'll see though.

[newcritic]

Congrats! My wife and I are expecting our second in August 2010, and while this is joyous/our miracle/cause for celebration/hallmarkesque platitude-worthy, it does make things a bit more complicated. I look at it this way: no kids and I would easily be in the top 10% of my class, but if I didn't have the kids I wouldn't have discipline to be in the top 10%. So it's sort of a Zen type thing.