Duke Class of 2013 Forum

[roxy8338]

I also have what appears to be three sections...and I don't have torts, I have Criminal Law, Civ Procedure, and Con Law.

[quakeroats]

I have what appear to be three different sections. Strange.

That is quite impossible. What exactly are you looking at that leads you to believe this is so?

The section number under my academic history.

[dresq]

I also have what appears to be three sections...and I don't have torts, I have Criminal Law, Civ Procedure, and Con Law.

You are section 5.

Everyone has one small section, and the rest of the classes are combined with another small section. Your small section is your section number. Just find the number in common with all three classes. Or find the one with only one number.

[quakeroats]

I also have what appears to be three sections...and I don't have torts, I have Criminal Law, Civ Procedure, and Con Law.

You are section 5.

Everyone has one small section, and the rest of the classes are combined with another small section. Your small section is your section number. Just find the number in common with all three classes. Or find the one with only one number.

My smallest section is section 1. I thought that was strictly for summer starters.

[roxy8338]

Also...maybe I'm a moron, but it says I'm in different sections. When I click on the weekly schedule option, it says that one of my classes is a section 02 class, one is a section 04 class, and one is a section 01 class?

Edited: Nevermind, I just haven't read a law school schedule before. Ignore my stupidity.

[los blancos]

I can has ConLaw with Blocher?

[dresq]

Also...maybe I'm a moron, but it says I'm in different sections. When I click on the weekly schedule option, it says that one of my classes is a section 02 class, one is a section 04 class, and one is a section 01 class?

I'm sure you're not a moron. You chose to come to Duke. Also, that happens. For whatever reason one section dominates each class on that page. Refer to this schedule: http://www.law.duke.edu/curriculum/schedulefall2010

[los blancos]

Also...maybe I'm a moron, but it says I'm in different sections. When I click on the weekly schedule option, it says that one of my classes is a section 02 class, one is a section 04 class, and one is a section 01 class?

I'm sure you're not a moron. You chose to come to Duke. Also, that happens. For whatever reason one section dominates each class on that page. Refer to this schedule: http://www.law.duke.edu/curriculum/schedulefall2010

Thank you. I guess I'm in section 2, then.

Is Richman not teaching anything Fall semester?

[quakeroats]

Also...maybe I'm a moron, but it says I'm in different sections. When I click on the weekly schedule option, it says that one of my classes is a section 02 class, one is a section 04 class, and one is a section 01 class?

I'm sure you're not a moron. You chose to come to Duke. Also, that happens. For whatever reason one section dominates each class on that page. Refer to this schedule: http://www.law.duke.edu/curriculum/schedulefall2010

In that case, I'm in section 4.

[Bosque]

Ok, before anyone else comes on here confused:

The number after the course is not your small section number, it is just the section number for that course in the registration system. Your small section number is different. Look at the link Dresq posted in order to find out what section you are in.

EDIT: Oh, and don't worry, we had the same confusion last year. I suspected this is what was going on with you guys too. Why they cannot just add a line at the begining that says "Section _____" I will never know.

[Bosque]

Also...maybe I'm a moron, but it says I'm in different sections. When I click on the weekly schedule option, it says that one of my classes is a section 02 class, one is a section 04 class, and one is a section 01 class?

I'm sure you're not a moron. You chose to come to Duke. Also, that happens. For whatever reason one section dominates each class on that page. Refer to this schedule: http://www.law.duke.edu/curriculum/schedulefall2010

Thank you. I guess I'm in section 2, then.

Is Richman not teaching anything Fall semester?

Nope. He taught Ks in the fall last year, so I suspect he will be teaching it in the Spring this year (as will Reichman. Go go Reichman!). The professors they use to teach the 1L classes a lot seem to usually be switched on semesters every year. In fact, Blocher is the only one that was teaching last fall that is still doing it this fall, I believe. Lucky section 2.

Byt the way, I will tell you already: Blocher IS winning the DONE award this year. Not even a question. I will be talking to you section twoers in the spring about that. We need to bombard them with nominations. Only way it is going to work is if we work together, since he will only have ever taught two 1L sections, and a small uperlevel course at that point.

[quakeroats]

Also, Duke doesn't rank us. Get used to saying that, you are going to get asked at least a few times what your GPA means for class rank. You know nothing.

I have heard that Duke doesn't release a class ranking. I've also heard that employers see right through this and can narrow one's place in the class to +/- 5% of its probable value based on prior experience, the curve, and other factors. I've also heard that we can doing pretty much the same thing. Have you found this to be true?

[prezidentv8]

Also, Duke doesn't rank us. Get used to saying that, you are going to get asked at least a few times what your GPA means for class rank. You know nothing.

I have heard that Duke doesn't release a class ranking. I've also heard that employers see right through this and can narrow one's place in the class to +/- 5% of its probable value based on prior experience, the curve, and other factors. I've also heard that we can doing pretty much the same thing. Have you found this to be true?

I'm sure people have a vague idea of where they are and I'm sure employers have a vague idea, but I personally have no very accurate guess as to my place in the class. And I don't really care much to know either. My guess is that precise ranking isn't going to make a huge difference for many people because GPA is sort of "good enough" as a measure of something. Basically, unless you're gunnin for a number one ranking, I just wouldn't worry about it.

[dresq]

Eh, it's never been a concern for me or anyone I know. A GPA near a certain level just gets you taken seriously. The rest depends on your personality and experience/other qualifications. I haven't really disclosed my grades to other students, and vice versa. One employer gave me his unsolicited estimation of my class rank, but I have no idea how close he was. I assume they've seen a lot more Duke GPAs than I have, though. BTW, I think it's an honor code violation to speculate on our class rank to an employer.

Note: The real problem is the lottery system at OCI - it would be better if employers had more options to pre-screen candidates

[paralegal]

employers see right through this and can narrow one's place in the class to +/- 5% of its probable value based on prior experience, the curve, and other factors.

Verified by the national recruiting manager at a V20 firm. Many of the top law schools do not rank, Penn for one.

[Bosque]

BTW, I think it's an honor code violation to speculate on our class rank to an employer.

It is. Hence why I said "you know nothing." If they ask you to speculate, either tell them why you cannot or just say you really couldn't venture a guess.

[quakeroats]

Note: The real problem is the lottery system at OCI - it would be better if employers had more options to pre-screen candidates

Is there any chance this will be changed? Have you heard anything about adding a preselection component to the process from the students or administrators?

[Bosque]

Note: The real problem is the lottery system at OCI - it would be better if employers had more options to pre-screen candidates

Is there any chance this will be changed? Have you heard anything about adding a preselection component to the process from the students or administrators?

Nope. Don't think it will either.

[Jericwithers]

Just me and pelmen in Guy Charles' section? Guy Charles was very nice and charismatic at the ASD event, but how is he as a professor? Anyone know someone who had him as their small section prof?

[quakeroats]

Just me and pelmen in Guy Charles' section? Guy Charles was very nice and charismatic at the ASD event, but how is he as a professor? Anyone know someone who had him as their small section prof?

Does anyone know how sections are assigned? I'm guessing it isn't fully pseudorandom.

[cavebat2000]

Looks like I'm in section 2. Any words of advice from you veterans concerning my professors?

Joseph Blocher - Con Law
Deborah DeMott - Torts
Myles V. Lynk - Civ Pro

Also, what books should I buy now and what books should I buy later?

[prezidentv8]

Just me and pelmen in Guy Charles' section? Guy Charles was very nice and charismatic at the ASD event, but how is he as a professor? Anyone know someone who had him as their small section prof?

Charles was awesome. I'd mostly describe him as a friendly dude - he made sure to go have coffee with (I think) everyone in the class, had a great classroom demeanor, and was pretty accommodating with office hours. Also - can't beat a dude that wears sandals with his suit. Probably one of my favorites from this year. My only criticism is that he was unclear on Erie, but I think almost all Civpro profs are.

[Bosque]

Looks like I'm in section 2. Any words of advice from you veterans concerning my professors?

Joseph Blocher - Con Law
Deborah DeMott - Torts
Myles V. Lynk - Civ Pro

Also, what books should I buy now and what books should I buy later?

As to DeMott and Lynk, I have no clue. DeMott didn't teach Torts last year (as far as I remember), so you are going to need to find an alumni or possibly a 3L to tell you about her... although I think she may have taught Art Law last year, and I think I may know one of the summer starters who would have taken that as her ellective. And Lynk is a visiting professor, so no one here has taken him before. Gonna have to get in contact with some Arizona State law students to find out more about him.

However, I can speak as to Joseph Blocher. As I said earlier in the thread, I had him for Con Law last year. Again, if you look back, I also said he is fantastic. I don't want to build your expectations too much, but he might be the best teacher you will ever have. He is brilliant of course, but so are most of the professors you will have. What really sets him appart is his teaching ability. He was born to do this job. Not only is he really good at laying down the law in a very clear, easy to understand way, he is also great at encouraging classroom participation. Somehow, he managed to allow everyone who wanted to speak AND keep on schedule. He is also a great storyteller, which makes coming to class fun. And he front-loads the class, which is GREAT as a 1L. He knows that the end of the semester gets increadibly hectic for you, what with your first memo being due, and the fact that almost all the other professors back-load their classes, so he works hard to make sure that the denser, more complicated stuff (commerce clause, seperation of powers) is near the begining and faster, while the more contentious, simpler stuff is at the end (abbortion, discrimination).

All in all, you are very lucky you have him for your small section. This will be only his second year teaching, so my section is the only other one who has ever had him (for conlaw anyway). We started (ok, I kinda started) Blocherfest last year, and I am planning on organizing it again this year too (even if it is just me, although I have a feeling it won't be). That is how awesome he is.

[Bosque]

Just me and pelmen in Guy Charles' section? Guy Charles was very nice and charismatic at the ASD event, but how is he as a professor? Anyone know someone who had him as their small section prof?

Charles was awesome. I'd mostly describe him as a friendly dude - he made sure to go have coffee with (I think) everyone in the class, had a great classroom demeanor, and was pretty accommodating with office hours. Also - can't beat a dude that wears sandals with his suit. Probably one of my favorites from this year. My only criticism is that he was unclear on Erie, but I think almost all Civpro profs are.

That is not really a fair criticism. Erie is unclear on Erie. Hence why we have to have all these cases trying to explain it.

[prezidentv8]

he might be the best teacher you will ever have.

Not only is he really good at laying down the law in a very clear, easy to understand way, he is also great at encouraging classroom participation. Somehow, he managed to allow everyone who wanted to speak AND keep on schedule. He is also a great storyteller, which makes coming to class fun. And he front-loads the class.

Pretty much, I also go by these criteria when evaluating the profs, although style points (Reichman) are also awarded.