Michigan 2012 Forum

[Alexandria]

Thanks for the posts, and the valuable information contained therein. But no one really answered my question! One more time....

Is the day to day routine of readings and lectures satisfying and interesting to you?

Yes, very much so. But I'm pretty sure that's not true for everyone (thinking of people who came to law school bc they didn't know what else to do). But for someone coming into law school looking for that kind of experience (at least as one of the many reasons a person may have for going to law school), I think it will be true.

[scarletmuse]

Thanks for the posts, and the valuable information contained therein. But no one really answered my question! One more time....

Is the day to day routine of readings and lectures satisfying and interesting to you?

I doubt that I will practice law, don't care about the money, and mainly intend my law school experience as being an interesting chance to grow and learn. To me, it seems like fun. Pitting myself against some of the country's top minds is appealing to me. I like hanging out with smart people, and don't get to do much of that where I am at.
So, here's the poll.... Ignoring the hoped-for paycheck, the prestige, and all that jazz, DO YOU LIKE LAW SCHOOL? As in ***fun.*** Or am I a wet-behind-the-ears pollyanna who doesn't know what kind of toil and misery she's getting herself into?

I love law school, or I did until recently (now I'm just itching to be done). Absolutely love it. In a very cerebral, dorky way. But the thing is, it is first and foremost a credentialing process. There are probably much more satisfying ways to diddle yourself intellectually than law school if you have no interest in doing any of the things that you do with a JD.

Now, I mean my "diddle yourself" comment in the best possible light – after all, that's more or less what I've been doing for the last three years. It just so happens that I also wanted the credentials because of things that I want to do after law school. Which has been a godsend, because there's a whole lot about law school that isn't about intellectual stimulation or great minds debating, and my longer term vision helped me tolerate those patches. Also, my apologies if I'm putting words in your mouth about your not wanting a JD job. There are plenty of lawyer jobs that don't involve being in a firm or litigation, and it may be that you just meant you want one of those.

Anyway, it's not so much that you don't know the toil and misery that follows . . . I just can't see how law school is the answer. I think that there are cheaper, more practical things to do with the next three years of your life that will probably map your short-term goals more closely than law school. But I'm not you, so I may be way off base.

[Alexandria]

Yeah, like some other less expensive type of grad school maybe? I mean if you don't have a full ride and don't plan to go into a law career that pays well enough to pay off loans.

What I love about law school is that it is AMAZING how much I have learned in the past two years. Seriously. I feel like I've learned more in these two years than I did in high school and college combined. I feel like I've really grown intellectually, and I'm proud of myself for being good at some things I never thought I'd be good at (like creative, abstract thought). scarletmuse and I are in this seminar together that is like the best, most interesting thing on earth to me. And I never, ever, ever would have thought so before law school. Unfortunately, it is completely unrelated to any law profession other than being an academic. Or, like, a Supreme Court Justice.

[06072010]

Pitting myself against some of the country's top minds is appealing to me. I like hanging out with smart people, and don't get to do much of that where I am at.

I don't see law school as a competition against the "country's top minds." In fact, I think the worst part about law school is that this is exactly what people come for.

I dig law school though, in Scarletmuse's cerebral dorky way. Law school is a really natural fit for me. But also like Scarletmuse I came to law school as a means to an end. I want to practice and in many ways law school is just a tool.

because there's a whole lot about law school that isn't about intellectual stimulation or great minds debating

This is dead on. Not everything in law school is about the Truth. Law, even in law school, can be mundane, boring, tedious, and exhausting. Couple that with competitive dickbags who want to pontificate on their worldview ad nausem, and law school can be a drag. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with my time in law school. It has a good beat and I can dance to it, I give it an 85.

[Alexandria]

Couple that with competitive dickbags who want to pontificate on their worldview ad nausem, and law school can be a drag.

*cough*classtoday*cough*

(Not prof's fault.. he's one of the better ones at putting a stop to it.)

[MLaw11]

Is the day to day routine of readings and lectures satisfying and interesting to you?

I haven't been a huge fan of lecture this semester (1L), now that people are more comfortable speaking in class. The same five people provide 90% of the participation and there has been an uptick in very specific questions that are better suited for office hours. Your mileage may vary.

As far as readings go, it first depends on the class. You'll inevitably find some more interesting than others, and there may be one that you loathe every time you sit down to do it. With the exception of that class, I've found the reading to be sort of like working out: you procrastinate and don't really want to do it, but once you summon the willpower, it can be both beneficial and enjoyable.

[06072010]

Couple that with competitive dickbags who want to pontificate on their worldview ad nausem, and law school can be a drag.

*cough*classtoday*cough*

(Not prof's fault.. he's one of the better ones at putting a stop to it.)

Yeah, I don't understand that. It made me seriously cringe. Just yield to the man. I <3 him. I could seriously listen to that dude for hours. Next year at SFF they should auction an hour of that prof talking about a subject of your choice. I would pay good money.

[awesomepossum]

We have one kid in our class that's so outrageous that it's scary/hilarious every time he opens his mouth.

[snotrocket]

We have one kid in our class that's so outrageous that it's scary/hilarious every time he opens his mouth.

?

[scarletmuse]

Couple that with competitive dickbags who want to pontificate on their worldview ad nausem, and law school can be a drag.

*cough*classtoday*cough*

(Not prof's fault.. he's one of the better ones at putting a stop to it.)

Yeah, I don't understand that. It made me seriously cringe. Just yield to the man. I <3 him. I could seriously listen to that dude for hours. Next year at SFF they should auction an hour of that prof talking about a subject of your choice. I would pay good money.

Oh holy hell, I wanted to beat him with a stick today. Once the prof is talking over you and has his hand up in a "stop" gesture, it's time to pack it in. (Particularly if you're talking stupid shit that adds nothing to the discussion).

But I'm with you, PKS. I am a huge DH fanboy. He may in fact be the smartest person I've ever been in a room with.

[tl]

We have one kid in our class that's so outrageous that it's scary/hilarious every time he opens his mouth.

haha. I knew that he was going to be a handful from the first day of MAP.

[neverborn]

why do i have a feeling i know who you're talking about without even being in your section

[motownsaint]

why do i have a feeling i know who you're talking about without even being in your section

This guy must be famous.

[riccardo426]

Did anyone else's financial aid thing turn out weird?

I just got my letter. It says:

Expected Family Contribution: $0 (yay)
Need-based Grants: $17,500 (yay)

but then, it says cost of attendance $62,000. Total amount of aid $38,000.


Does anyone know why this is short, and what I need to do to get full coverage?

Thanks.

[Alexandria]

It's bc 17,500 + 20,500 (the max Stafford loan) = 38000. So the rest of your tuition and as much as you need to borrow for living expenses (up to the max of 62,000) have to be covered by private loans or GradPlus loans. Those are applied for separately.

[Gin&WetTowel]

Sorry to all the regulars - a bit of shameless self promotion:

Anybody looking for a summer sublet? I've got a great 1br. Contact me for more info.

[neverborn]

me too and so does everyone else

[Anhimal]

Michigan's ASW is like Duke's Open House on steroids (I loved Duke's Open House and they were my front runner until Michigan's ASW). The faculty is more dynamic, the dean is more engaging and the students seem even more happy! There's nothing particular about the physical school that was appealing.

Yes, the architecture is gorgeous and yes, Ann Arbor is a pretty neat town. It has all the necessities, two Whole Foods and a Trader Joes... whee! But I really fell in love with the school culture. It was like everyone you met was smart but didn't make a big deal about it (which is the exact opposite vibe I got from other law school visits). It really did seem like a supportive thriving student-body and everyone you ran into are genuinely thrilled to be in UMich. Everyone had the perfect mix of being humble and stellar simultaneously.

People here seem to really love their school as opposed as to people in other schools that are really proud of their schools.

Dean Z is hilarious and Dean Caminker was evidently voted the hottest Dean by a popular law blog and the student panel seemed really down to earth. The newsletter they gave us had me laughing on the plane the whole way home. And I get the sense that I'll be laughing all three years at Michigan as well.

I'm sorry I had to catch a flight back home early but one day is enough for me to fall in love UMich.

I dare anyone to argue these claims!

[awesomepossum]

I'm glad you had a good time!

I'll look forward to meeting you in the fall!

[Nietzsche]

Dude, just made the same decision between Duke and Michigan...
I can't wait for Michigan to begin!

[Alexandria]

Yay, I'm glad you guys loved it so much! Welcome to the family!

[Anhimal]

Deposits are due 04/31 yes? Can we pay online?

[motownsaint]

Deposits are due 04/31 yes? Can we pay online?

I'm pretty sure you have to pay by check or money order.

[Anhimal]

Deposits are due 04/31 yes? Can we pay online?

I'm pretty sure you have to pay by check or money order.

Thanks! I have the packet somewhere... does anyone know if it's April 31st deadline?

[Alexandria]

Deposits are due 04/31 yes? Can we pay online?

I'm pretty sure you have to pay by check or money order.

Thanks! I have the packet somewhere... does anyone know if it's April 31st deadline?

I have no idea about the date, but it definitely can't be the 31st of April, since April only has 30 days.