Yale Law School Class of 2012 Forum

[rabbit9198]

I said I was hungry for info, Rabbit answered the call.

I do what I can. You can expect some new blog posts on the Student Perspectives blog, I imagine, once the semester starts up again...we're in the middle of finals right now, so the wonderful student who manages the blog might be a tad busy - hopefully you won't run out of stuff to read before then!

[Objection]

lol, don't get my hopes up. Chicago left me standing at the altar today already....

Sorry

Probably nothing tomorrow. Maybe a few here and there over the next week or so.

February seems to be the big month for Yale.

[Shadyb]

I wish you guys hadn't posted those blog links. I was totally okay with not getting into Yale before I read them...
I hope we all hear next week!

[Haribo]

I kind of want to apply to Yale just to see if I can get in! Augh! Must stop checking this thread to save myself $70 bucks

[ccw1234]

.

[watch4hook]

Are people not applying because they don't want to go there or because they think they can't get in?

I think a lot of people who might get in don't apply because they don't think they will be able to get accepted...

Or is the 250 that makes people hesitant?

[jeeves0923]

Are people not applying because they don't want to go there or because they think they can't get in?

I think a lot of people who might get in don't apply because they don't think they will be able to get accepted...

Or is the 250 that makes people hesitant?

What negative sentences!

I think people just don't want to waste 75 bucks if they don't have a chance.

[Objection]

No reason not to apply.

Applying and getting rejected is far better than not applying and never knowing.

[SparkyLives]

Are people not applying because they don't want to go there or because they think they can't get in?

I think a lot of people who might get in don't apply because they don't think they will be able to get accepted...

Or is the 250 that makes people hesitant?

If people are willing to shell out close to 500 bucks, take a four hour exam, chase down professors for LORs, and write a two page personal statement...I really hope a little 250 word spiel isn't stopping them from applying to the best law school in the country.

[FrenchiePatootie]

Are people not applying because they don't want to go there or because they think they can't get in?

I think a lot of people who might get in don't apply because they don't think they will be able to get accepted...

Or is the 250 that makes people hesitant?

For me it was the 250 (brief and brilliant?!)+ my mediocre lsat + "omgitsyale" but I applied after getting an invitation (even though it means nothing).

Then I went to the blog links from here and apparently, I really want to get into the law school of awesome.
Oh this one will hurt.

[watch4hook]

Are people not applying because they don't want to go there or because they think they can't get in?

I think a lot of people who might get in don't apply because they don't think they will be able to get accepted...

Or is the 250 that makes people hesitant?

What negative sentences!

I think people just don't want to waste 75 bucks if they don't have a chance.

Wasn't trying to be negative, just trying to ask a question. I just get the impression that many people with good enough numbers don't apply for some reason. My guess is that in many instances this is because they don't think they can get in. But the Admissions blog at Yale seems to indicate that a whole bunch of people get in that never thought they would have any chance... which makes not applying because you don't think you can get in a bad reason in some cases (that is if numbers are reasonable)

[SparkyLives]

The numbers definitely bear out your conclusions. About half as many people apply to Yale as do to Harvard--and the 25%-75% aren't too far apart that they would warrant a 50% decline in apps.

Definitely something about Yale or the appliction process that scares them away.

[bgc]

If you don't have the numbers for either, you're probably going to apply to the school that doesn't require an extra essay. Many people will apply "just so I don't have to wonder." Applying to both gets expensive.

[takingmytime]

Yeah, I applied though I don't really have the numbers or softs. I figured that getting in wasn't impossible so why not give it a go since it's my dream school. You gotta play to win the lottery.

On another note, I need to stop reading this damn thread cause seeing the awesomeness of Yale and knowing I'm a reject is just depressing. Same goes to you, HLS!

[SparkyLives]

Four new posts at http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/stud ... ctives.htm

Check this out:

Every law school has a handful of students who are fairly selfless and share notes and outlines. What I didn’t expect was a school full of those students! Every Yale 1L is assigned to four black letter law classes in their first semester; two are private law (Contracts, Torts) and two are public law (Constitutional Law, Procedure). Three of these classes are lectures and one is a small seminar called a “small group.” Everyone in your small group takes all of the same classes, which right off the bat makes for a nice support network. But my small group took this a step further. In the first week of classes we divided up the classes among us and agreed that each night someone would be responsible for e-mailing their case briefs and notes to everyone else. I can’t tell you how many times we have saved each other from merciless cold calling. On those mornings when you just did not get through the copious reading, a delft ctl+F in your classmate’s notes produces a credible answer. (Phew) Every single night, four of my classmates are doing the reading for all of us. We have sustained this for 14 weeks. That is remarkable commitment to community.

[Objection]

Such a tease.

Stop posting in this thread. It makes my heart jump every time I see it bumped.

[ndnlawdc]

Such a tease.

Stop posting in this thread. It makes my heart jump every time I see it bumped.

What do you think YOU just did?

[SleekFire]

This thread is officially killing me!

Oh please Asha....

[littleboyblue]

i am pretty nervous about YLS's unconventional writing program/teaching style. the student blog on such topic (coker fellows) actually made me even more nervous. is becoming a coker fellow a competitive process and only people who actually write exceptionally well get to become one? from the blog it sounded as if anyone could sign up including people who want to become better writers (but are currently are not necessarily standouts). anyone have more insight into this? thanks.

[rabbit9198]

i am pretty nervous about YLS's unconventional writing program/teaching style. the student blog on such topic (coker fellows) actually made me even more nervous. is becoming a coker fellow a competitive process and only people who actually write exceptionally well get to become one? from the blog it sounded as if anyone could sign up including people who want to become better writers (but are currently are not necessarily standouts). anyone have more insight into this? thanks.

Admittedly, I don't know all that much about the details of the TA selection process (though it's certainly not the case that just anyone can sign up - each small group only has 2 TAs, so that's about 30 TAs in total), but I can assure you that my friends and I have been nothing but pleased with the quality of guidance we've received from the Coker Fellows (I had no idea that was what they're officially called...). Since the professors have a say in who serves as TAs in their course (and because, to a varied extent, TAs remove the burden with regard to writing instruction from the professors), they're incentivized to choose students that have been standouts in classes they've taught, or that come on good recommendation from other faculty members.

While I can't say what motivates everyone to become TAs (some might want to build their own writing skills, some may want to be academics in the future, some might just want a unique & fulfilling part-time job), I don't think quality of instruction from the TAs is anything to worry about. Personally, I think both my TAs are brilliant, and their feedback has been spot-on and thorough. Also, it should be noted that professors, too, provide writing instruction - they read your memos and briefs, giving feedback on argument and writing style (usually this is after the TAs have seen a draft - so you don't have to be embarrassed by making silly mistakes on something you turn in to the professor!), so it's not the case that the TAs are solely responsible for your legal writing experience.

[littleboyblue]

i am pretty nervous about YLS's unconventional writing program/teaching style. the student blog on such topic (coker fellows) actually made me even more nervous. is becoming a coker fellow a competitive process and only people who actually write exceptionally well get to become one? from the blog it sounded as if anyone could sign up including people who want to become better writers (but are currently are not necessarily standouts). anyone have more insight into this? thanks.

Admittedly, I don't know all that much about the details of the TA selection process (though it's certainly not the case that just anyone can sign up - each small group only has 2 TAs, so that's about 30 TAs in total), but I can assure you that my friends and I have been nothing but pleased with the quality of guidance we've received from the Coker Fellows (I had no idea that was what they're officially called...). Since the professors have a say in who serves as TAs in their course (and because, to a varied extent, TAs remove the burden with regard to writing instruction from the professors), they're incentivized to choose students that have been standouts in classes they've taught, or that come on good recommendation from other faculty members.

While I can't say what motivates everyone to become TAs (some might want to build their own writing skills, some may want to be academics in the future, some might just want a unique & fulfilling part-time job), I don't think quality of instruction from the TAs is anything to worry about. Personally, I think both my TAs are brilliant, and their feedback has been spot-on and thorough. Also, it should be noted that professors, too, provide writing instruction - they read your memos and briefs, giving feedback on argument and writing style (usually this is after the TAs have seen a draft - so you don't have to be embarrassed by making silly mistakes on something you turn in to the professor!), so it's not the case that the TAs are solely responsible for your legal writing experience.

thanks for the explanation rabbit!

[SparkyLives]

1) I apologize for those posters whose heart palpitations are affected by the status of this thread.

2) So we've heard that the binders were supposed to be sent late last week. I'm assuming they were sent out today...so maybe by the end of this week?

[Objection]

1) I apologize for those posters whose heart palpitations are affected by the status of this thread.

2) So we've heard that the binders were supposed to be sent late last week. I'm assuming they were sent out today...so maybe by the end of this week?

[littleboyblue]

1) I apologize for those posters whose heart palpitations are affected by the status of this thread.

2) So we've heard that the binders were supposed to be sent late last week. I'm assuming they were sent out today...so maybe by the end of this week?

I hope so. I need some YLS love...

[green]

If you don't have the numbers for either, you're probably going to apply to the school that doesn't require an extra essay. Many people will apply "just so I don't have to wonder." Applying to both gets expensive.

This was exactly my thought process. I had never thought about the 250, and my numbers are way below the 25 for Harvard or Yale. I live in the Boston area anyway, so I decided to give Harvard a go and not Yale.