Columbia Law School 2012! Forum

[Skadden Stairs]

God I still can't decide on a pic to submit to AdmiteNet. Picking a picture is harder than picking a law school.

[totebag]

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[jpaul09]

....

[imchuckbass58]

Last week's Dow numbers and the WB's announcement argue against optimism.

Hey, on the bright side, tote, law is the only profession in which pessimistic people tend to perform better than optimistic people, according to this study:

--LinkRemoved--

It may not bode well for your mental health, but it bodes well for your career!

[Antipodean]

Hey, on the bright side, tote, law is the only profession in which pessimistic people tend to perform better than optimistic people, according to this study:

--LinkRemoved--

It may not bode well for your mental health, but it bodes well for your career!

Bugger - I'm an optimist.

The study doesn't seem particularly scientific, though, so I'm probably OK.

But really, what else can you do right now? My other possible career path (journalism) is dying a faster, more painful death than BigLaw, I've applied for loans, sent my deposit in....be pragmatic, don't expect a BigLaw job, and get your public interest ducks in a row, too. I know I'd be happy doing government/non-profit work, and so I'm hoping Columbia's LRAP is still intact when we graduate. Ideally, I'd like to have a choice between a firm and government work, but I'll take what I can get if the economy stays like this.

But seriously, there's no use worrying now unless you have a better job opportunity/are at a stable job and you're thinking about taking that over school.

Also, this.

[totebag]

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[jpaul09]

If you think your current employment is steady and secure, and you'd rather stick with that for awhile than take on the debt, I would call Columbia's admissions office and talk to them to see if it would negatively affect you if you withdrew and reapplied at a later date (two, three, four years?) Taking on this kind of debt IS a risk now, and if you aren't comfortable with it and you have a better financial/job situation in hand now, then seriously think about whether you want to do this right now. No one can really predict what's going to happen for our class, and no one can tell you what to do, but maybe you should reassess for your own sake.

Just curious, did you have doubts like this during the cycle? The legal market was going downhill already when I began applying in September/October.

[DankoM]

It is a difficult decision. I have a steady job and am financially secure, so giving that up for loads of debt and dwindling job prospects is very, very scary. Cases such as ours merit strong consideration because we aren't trading an unknown for another unknown. For me, it came down to realizing that my job right now is not going anywhere (career-wise) and that I will eventually go to law school. If staying an extra year at my job would give me greater experience, knowledge or whatever else, I would have deferred, but I'm not in that situation and think that the risk is worth it. It's not an easy decision, but you have to sit down, look at your long term goals vs your current situation and not be afraid of the unknown. Most people at law school are not naturally risk-takers. If this describes you, try to look at the situation analytically and not let your risk averse feelings sway your decision unduly. And most importantly, if you've made the decision, don't worry any more. Just enjoy your three years as your other ship has sailed.

[yqsong]

I am wondering if anyone has information on which special practice of law has been hit hardest by the current economic downturn. I can see anything related to the financial industry and the real estate is probably not doing very well, but what about others? like intellectual property?

[cescalynne]

I am wondering if anyone has information on which special practice of law has been hit hardest by the current economic downturn. I can see anything related to the financial industry and the real estate is probably not doing very well, but what about others? like intellectual property?

M&A

[jfab202]

It is a difficult decision. I have a steady job and am financially secure, so giving that up for loads of debt and dwindling job prospects is very, very scary. Cases such as ours merit strong consideration because we aren't trading an unknown for another unknown. For me, it came down to realizing that my job right now is not going anywhere (career-wise) and that I will eventually go to law school. If staying an extra year at my job would give me greater experience, knowledge or whatever else, I would have deferred, but I'm not in that situation and think that the risk is worth it. It's not an easy decision, but you have to sit down, look at your long term goals vs your current situation and not be afraid of the unknown. Most people at law school are not naturally risk-takers. If this describes you, try to look at the situation analytically and not let your risk averse feelings sway your decision unduly. And most importantly, if you've made the decision, don't worry any more. Just enjoy your three years as your other ship has sailed.

well said.

[saveferris2785]

Come on, guys! We're going to Columbia, take some solace in that...

If we're screwed coming out of law school, then so is pretty much every other law school grad in the country, and if that's the case, then the problems with the economy are much broader in scope than anyone could have predicted and wayyy beyond our control.

Can we please not turn this thread (of which I feel very lucky to be a part) into just another doom and gloom discussion...there's already too much of that everywhere else. I'd much rather worry about relatively insignificant issues such as why I still haven't received my housing offer...

Columbia's going to be great, get excited...less than two months away!

[06132010]

wooooo!

[saveferris2785]

wooooo!

atta girl!

[jpaul09]

I'd much rather worry about relatively insignificant issues such as why I still haven't received my housing offer...

Me too!

[Lem37]

Just got my housing assignment! 529 West 111th St, a two-bedroom share, unfurnished. Very cool. Move-in date is 7/27-7/31, although I'll probably be there bright and early on the 27th.

[jpaul09]

Like magic, I got my housing 20 minutes ago.
507 113th St. Non-law school roommates.

It's not the Bronx, so I'm happy.

[imchuckbass58]

So, uh, not to be a douche or anything, but can I show you guys the place where I'll be living with a couple of friends from the city?

Floorplan: http://www.quickfilepost.com/download.d ... 58e9410d20

Some details:

-96th and Amsterdam (1 block from the 1/2/3)
-Doorman
-Laundry in building
-21st floor
-Unobstructed views of the Hudson
-Just renovated - marble countertops and stainless steel appliances
-$1150/person/month

I figured we might be able to get a good deal what with the real estate market nowdays, etc, but I didn't expect this. Sure it's a 10-15 minute commute, but in my mind worth it.

[DrmgSprs]

Congrats guys! Those sound like pretty good apartments.
Hopefully mine will follow soon...

[saveferris2785]

Lem and jpaul-congrats on getting your housing assignment...still nothing here

Did you guys receive the housing app approval email before you received your actual assignment today, or did it just come altogether? just trying to get a feel for where I stand considering I haven't gotten anything...thanks

[Lem37]

Lem and jpaul-congrats on getting your housing assignment...still nothing here

Did you guys receive the housing app approval email before you received your actual assignment today, or did it just come altogether? just trying to get a feel for where I stand considering I haven't gotten anything...thanks

My housing status updated this morning with "housing approved" (I check the UAH website every morning), and then I got my offer a few hours later. I would suggest e-mailing Elizabeth Grainger and asking her to check on the status of your app. She was super helpful!

[06132010]

Lem and jpaul-congrats on getting your housing assignment...still nothing here

Did you guys receive the housing app approval email before you received your actual assignment today, or did it just come altogether? just trying to get a feel for where I stand considering I haven't gotten anything...thanks

My housing status updated this morning with "housing approved" (I check the UAH website every morning), and then I got my offer a few hours later. I would suggest e-mailing Elizabeth Grainger and asking her to check on the status of your app. She was super helpful!

I hope you told your parents! .

[Lem37]

Lem and jpaul-congrats on getting your housing assignment...still nothing here

Did you guys receive the housing app approval email before you received your actual assignment today, or did it just come altogether? just trying to get a feel for where I stand considering I haven't gotten anything...thanks

My housing status updated this morning with "housing approved" (I check the UAH website every morning), and then I got my offer a few hours later. I would suggest e-mailing Elizabeth Grainger and asking her to check on the status of your app. She was super helpful!

I hope you told your parents! .

First thing I did, of course!

I also got the floor plan. One bedroom is 10 x 13'7'', one is 12'11''x13'11''...since I can provide the apartment with most of its furniture, I'm hoping I can work something out with my roomie for that bigger bedroom.

[frank_the_tank]

hrmmm UAH site is down for me. =\

[06132010]

hrmmm UAH site is down for me. =\

it's been down a lot lately .