Michigan 2012 Forum

[FlightoftheEarls]

I noticed you said that you also posted in the Duke thread, and out of curiosity I poked my head in to that thread as well. I didn't want to post there as I feel it would be quite inappropriate of me to do so, but I did notice somebody mentioning choosing Duke because it's "better" for clerkships. From a percentage standpoint that may be accurate, but that is where it ends. Duke placed about 1.5% more of its total class into federal clerkships, but as a raw number Michigan was significantly ahead at 28 to 18, as I mentioned before. The bottom line is that you'll need to place pretty well in your class to end up clerking at either school (I'd imagine top 30%, top 15% for the more prestigious ones), but that they both give you solid options. To say that Duke is better, however, is just misleading.

Also, don't forget that Michigan put forth 4.5x the number of SCOTUS clerks from 2000-2008 as Duke did.

Edit: Michigan is placing 2 SCOTUS clerks in October of 2009, too. Not sure about Souter's hiring, but that's with the rest of the justices reporting. As it stands presently, I guess make that 5.5x the number of SCOTUS clerks since 2000.

[ElmGrant]

Haha, sweet graph. Thanks for the honesty. I hope no one took offense to my lay prestige question. I'm glad I have TLS to put things right. Just goes to show I live in a small east coast bubble.

I've heard (f/ an undergrad) that many of the New Yorkers who go to UM for UG do so after getting rejected at the Ivies and prestigious East Coast schools that were their top choices. This trend, if true, could account for some of that perception.

Yeah. Many of my friends were in that predicament... I know, I know, Michigan undergrad =/= Michigan grad. Still, even my friends who went there for undergrad raves about Michigan.

Did you go to ASW? Dean Z told a brief story that kind of touched on this topic of lay prestige.

[topsome]

I noticed you said that you also posted in the Duke thread, and out of curiosity I poked my head in to that thread as well. I didn't want to post there as I feel it would be quite inappropriate of me to do so, but I did notice somebody mentioning choosing Duke because it's "better" for clerkships. From a percentage standpoint that may be accurate, but that is where it ends. Duke placed about 1.5% more of its total class into federal clerkships, but as a raw number Michigan was significantly ahead at 28 to 18, as I mentioned before. The bottom line is that you'll need to place pretty well in your class to end up clerking at either school (I'd imagine top 30%, top 15% for the more prestigious ones), but that they both give you solid options. To say that Duke is better, however, is just misleading.

Also, don't forget that Michigan put forth 4.5x the number of SCOTUS clerks from 2000-2008 as Duke did.

Edit: Michigan is placing 2 SCOTUS clerks in October of 2009, too. Not sure about Souter's hiring, but that's with the rest of the justices reporting. As it stands presently, I guess make that 5.5x the number of SCOTUS clerks since 2000.

I noticed that too but I wasn't sure of the specific numbers. I knew Michigan was pretty awesome for clerkships if a person were to go that route. But I would be kidding myself if I thought I was SCOTUS material as much as I'd like to believe I'm special. I think getting a SCOTUS is attributable to personal talent and drive more than anything.

[topsome]

Haha, sweet graph. Thanks for the honesty. I hope no one took offense to my lay prestige question. I'm glad I have TLS to put things right. Just goes to show I live in a small east coast bubble.

I've heard (f/ an undergrad) that many of the New Yorkers who go to UM for UG do so after getting rejected at the Ivies and prestigious East Coast schools that were their top choices. This trend, if true, could account for some of that perception.

Yeah. Many of my friends were in that predicament... I know, I know, Michigan undergrad =/= Michigan grad. Still, even my friends who went there for undergrad raves about Michigan.

Did you go to ASW? Dean Z told a brief story that kind of touched on this topic of lay prestige.

I did go to ASW, the second ASW in April. I'm not sure she told us that story. Do you mind recalling what she said? I'm sure it was something charming and witty, Dean Z. style.

[mightydinosaur]

Seriously... walking down the street in Berlin wearing a Michigan Law hat, someone "Go Blued" me.

I love it!

Even before I decided on Michigan, I had a Michigan sweatshirt that I would wear out and about. Several people in San Francisco have called out "Go blue!" when I went by wearing it on my run, and I've also had a couple of people just start chatting with me about their own good experiences with Michigan. It makes me happy that people like the school enough that they want to reach out to anyone who's affiliated with it.

Nobody has ever wanted to talk to me when I wear my U Chicago gear!

[mightydinosaur]

I've heard (f/ an undergrad) that many of the New Yorkers who go to UM for UG do so after getting rejected at the Ivies and prestigious East Coast schools that were their top choices. This trend, if true, could account for some of that perception.

Funny you should mention that, and you're probably right. Same goes for many east-coasters at Chicago undergrad. When I applied to undergrad from Massachusetts, almost nobody in the top 10% of the class looked outside the original thirteen colonies. I was happy to end up at Chicago, but none of my classmates knew anything about it at the time.

Luckily, at some point most people learn that there are good schools west of New York State.

[ElmGrant]

I did go to ASW, the second ASW in April. I'm not sure she told us that story. Do you mind recalling what she said? I'm sure it was something charming and witty, Dean Z. style.

I was at second one as well, so never mind.

[scarletmuse]

It's so cool to see this thread coming alive with Class of 2012ers. Congrats on making your (correct) decision, guys!

Also, just a comment on clerkships: you definitely don't need to be top 30% to clerk. Maybe top 50%, but I'll bet that there are people below that mark with clerkships as well. We don't really know where we fall percentage-wise, but I have several friends in the 3.0–3.1 range who will be clerking next year. Several landed state supreme courts, and at least one has federal district. It's really more about smart applying (and broad applying). This is NOT to say that grades don't matter (they do, a lot) or that absolutely everyone who wants a clerkship gets one (they don't). There's just a high degree of luck and randomness thrown in too. The clerkship application process is like OCI on steroids.

Finally . . . today is my last day of law school. That is all.

[Alexandria]

I am sad and wish you had waited one more year to go to law school. Or that I had gotten pissed off at my boss and decided to take the LSAT one year sooner.

Who will be around to show Zoe and Riley the ropes with Taio and Raven gone? I'm sure there are many more doggie firsts that they need guidance in.

[scarletmuse]

But just think: a year later they'll be united again in DC . . . and we'll be there too! I'll miss you guys too. But I'm telling you – 3L goes by at warp speed. This time last year feels like it was a few weeks ago.

[tobey2]

i've liked reading this thread over the last day or so as a proud michigan undergrad alum, if i ever see anyone wearing michigan gear, they automatically get a GO BLUE! or a high five or something like that. being a michigan grad - whether it be from undergrad or grad school - is like being part of a team or a tribe or an exclusive club. its an automatic bond, and the people who have said that michigan grads are everywhere are totally right -- we are. and we love it.

my experience with the university as a whole is one of the reasons i decided to apply to UM for law, and is one of the reasons i will probably be heading back there this fall. it is an incredibly loyal place, where everyone (law students and undergrads alike) takes pride in being a student there.

GO BLUE!!

[Nietzsche]

is like being part of a team or a tribe or an exclusive club

Happy to join the tribe

[06072010]

It's so cool to see this thread coming alive with Class of 2012ers. Congrats on making your (correct) decision, guys!

Also, just a comment on clerkships: you definitely don't need to be top 30% to clerk. Maybe top 50%, but I'll bet that there are people below that mark with clerkships as well. We don't really know where we fall percentage-wise, but I have several friends in the 3.0–3.1 range who will be clerking next year. Several landed state supreme courts, and at least one has federal district. It's really more about smart applying (and broad applying). This is NOT to say that grades don't matter (they do, a lot) or that absolutely everyone who wants a clerkship gets one (they don't). There's just a high degree of luck and randomness thrown in too. The clerkship application process is like OCI on steroids.

Finally . . . today is my last day of law school. That is all.

Congrats scarlet, it was good to get to know you. Good luck in your career, and on that terrifying exam next Wednesday. =)

[ndnlawdc]

I withdrew from Michigan today.

It was actually very sad and hard. Though I'm super-excited to be heading to SLS, I really have a soft place in my heart for Michigan. Y'all are going to have a great three years.

[LSATbunny]

I submitted my seat deposit last week. Can't wait to meet you all in the fall!

[Anhimal]

Haha cool, so far I've got for the class of 2012:

Anhimal
Cramble
Dresdendoll
Elmgrant
Fei
Flightoftheearls
Hdg315
ItzJulz
Jeff Magnum
Jxk
Kmo33
Lsatbunny
Mightydinosaur
Nicoz
Oliviachicago
Summertimechi
USC2009
Sbalive
Swilson
Tacosfordinner
Tcortez
Twinkletoes
Vail67
WIdan
Zuckerkorn

I'm just updating the list. Let me know if I'm missing anyone (or got anyone wrong)!

[FlightoftheEarls]

It's so cool to see this thread coming alive with Class of 2012ers. Congrats on making your (correct) decision, guys!

Also, just a comment on clerkships: you definitely don't need to be top 30% to clerk. Maybe top 50%, but I'll bet that there are people below that mark with clerkships as well. We don't really know where we fall percentage-wise, but I have several friends in the 3.0–3.1 range who will be clerking next year. Several landed state supreme courts, and at least one has federal district. It's really more about smart applying (and broad applying). This is NOT to say that grades don't matter (they do, a lot) or that absolutely everyone who wants a clerkship gets one (they don't). There's just a high degree of luck and randomness thrown in too. The clerkship application process is like OCI on steroids.

Finally . . . today is my last day of law school. That is all.

Thanks for the advice, that is definitely encouraging. And congratulations!

[itzjulz]

How do you guys feel about a TLS-only Facebook group for the class of 2012? I'd probably make it a private group, so it wouldn't show on our profiles.. Some of us already know each other IRL, but it'd be cool to know who else is who without TLS taking over the main FB group Thoughts??

[tcortez]

How do you guys feel about a TLS-only Facebook group for the class of 2012? I'd probably make it a private group, so it wouldn't show on our profiles.. Some of us already know each other IRL, but it'd be cool to know who else is who without TLS taking over the main FB group Thoughts??

Sure, why not? I love being exclusive! And I don't know anyone so that would be cool for me.

[FlightoftheEarls]

I'm in. Make it happen dear.

[itzjulz]

Alrighty, I'm on it. PM me your name and network (if I don't already know you..) to join and I'll send you an invite

[SWilson]

wow. this incoming class sounds awesome. i just read through the posts of everyone's fav tv shows and it read like a list of what's currently waiting to be watched on my dvr. anthony bourdain, lost, arrested development, EASTBOUND AND DOWN..... i can't wait to meet everyone in aa during MAP/orientation.

[summertimechi]

i'm in, julz. we're already fb friends so just invite me when you get it set up!

[twinkletoes]

add me to the list! san diego, one year out, and scrubs...though Lost is a close second.

i'm signed up for MAP as well, and i also hate my uniqname. it was so limiting!!!

[SWilson]

I'm like 90% sure my uniqname is just my first initial+last name, and I don't remember having any problems creating it. Were you guys trying to get really creative with it, or do you just have really common names???? I know you're out there jsmith@umich.edu!