UChicago Class of 2013 Forum

[ValiantVic]

I have a feeling that after the changes implemented by the new dean that Chicago will soon be on par with Columbia in the USNWR rankings. That's my realistic assessment. My unrealistic rankings have them at Stanford's level.

[soullesswonder]

I've been trying to figure out why Chicago's clerkship placement seems unusually low, and I stumbled across this --LinkRemoved-- exchange on law clerk addict. It's rather coarse and offensive in places, but in all that mud are assertions that Chicago under reports its clerkships due to lack of interest and support from the school. The posters actually call out the primary advisor by name for discouraging clerkship candidates. I don't want to be alarmist but I haven't heard any accusations like this from any other school, and the raw clerkship numbers as reported (only about 10%) do suggest something's not right. What do you guys think?

[Reinhardt]

Based on the job placement talk at ASW, they said something like half of all their clerks are alumni, and alums have access to the same clerkship services that current students do. I read that same thread though, and it was a bit disconcerting. I don't remember the exact number from the talk either (maybe someone can fill it in) but I seem to remember they said about 75% of students try for clerkships.

[AngryAvocado]

Based on the job placement talk at ASW, they said something like half of all their clerks are alumni, and alums have access to the same clerkship services that current students do. I read that same thread though, and it was a bit disconcerting. I don't remember the exact number from the talk either (maybe someone can fill it in) but I seem to remember they said about 75% of students try for clerkships.

I believe it was ~70% of those that try, get them. Could be mistaken, though.

[hiromoto45]

Based on the job placement talk at ASW, they said something like half of all their clerks are alumni, and alums have access to the same clerkship services that current students do. I read that same thread though, and it was a bit disconcerting. I don't remember the exact number from the talk either (maybe someone can fill it in) but I seem to remember they said about 75% of students try for clerkships.

FWIW I heard: Q: How many students try for clerkships obtain them?
A: 70% go in wanting clerkships, then reality sets in (grades) and only 20% of the 70% that went in wanting a clerkship obtained them.

[AngryAvocado]

Ha, apparently we all heard something different. Maybe it was intentionally ambiguous...

[hiromoto45]

Ha, apparently we all heard something different. Maybe it was intentionally ambiguous...

The lady did move away from the mic when she answered so everyone might have heard her response differently but I was at the front.

[swimbrad]

Ha, apparently we all heard something different. Maybe it was intentionally ambiguous...

The lady did move away from the mic when she answered so everyone might have heard her response differently but I was at the front.

I heard it as... 70% of those that want one get one

[Reinhardt]

AngryAvocado may well be correct in that 70% who try get them. It would also jive with this idea that their clerkship advisor is telling people to go away if they have low grades. I wish this kind of information were simply on their website.

[soullesswonder]

AngryAvocado may well be correct in that 70% who try get them. It would also jive with this idea that their clerkship advisor is telling people to go away if they have low grades. I wish this kind of information were simply on their website.

Maybe...but the other part of that thread was that the advisor alienates people who DO go on to clerk and that they don't keep track of them well. It was alleged that the advisor told a top 20% guy with a Wachtell offer to buzz off. While I'm relieved to be reassured that Chicago placed more into clerkships than the stats that are floating around, it's very disturbing to think that they aren't doing enough (anything?) to support their clerks and that they aren't even keeping a solid count.

[gotmilk?]

I heard it as 70% who want them get them.

This story of lack of support is concerning even though it runs counter to every impression I've gotten about the career office from everyone I've talked to. I definitely am interested in clerking.

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

[thorntll]

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

I'm going to guess you're the only person in the Facebook group who went to your college. Oh well, my screenname is a joke, I might as well have made it my social security number. Also, I only have one password for everything, and every ex-boyfriend from the past 8 years knows it.

[soullesswonder]

I heard it as 70% who want them get them.

This story of lack of support is concerning even though it runs counter to every impression I've gotten about the career office from everyone I've talked to. I definitely am interested in clerking.

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

FWIW, I think clerkships are entirely separate from the career office, and in any case I found career services to be very prompt and friendly when I had some questions about geographic placement.

EDIT: clerkships actually appear to be a joint effort between the faculty and the Office of Career Services. The complaints have heard have been directed at a faculty member, not a member of OCS

[summerschooled]

I heard it as 70% who want them get them.

That's what I heard as well. They also said that those who don't get clerkships straight out of law school are able to get them within a few years.

[Jay W. Weatherman]

I clearly heard that 70 percent indicate an interest in/apply for clerkships, and as I recall, the career services woman who spoke at the panel did not say how many got them. I was at a table later (during one of the lunches) specifically designated to talk to current students about clerkships. The student at the table said that to have a shot at an appellate clerkship you're probably going to need to be in the top 20/25 percent of the class, and need to be in the top third if you're looking at a district clerkship.

[D Brooks]

I clearly heard that 70 percent indicate an interest in/apply for clerkships, and as I recall, the career services woman who spoke at the panel did not say how many got them. I was at a table later (during one of the lunches) specifically designated to talk to current students about clerkships. The student at the table said that to have a shot at an appellate clerkship you're probably going to need to be in the top 20/25 percent of the class, and need to be in the top third if you're looking at a district clerkship.

A NU 3L who will be doing an COA clerkship this fall said you need to be top ~5%? Especially if you want a feeder judge.

[ValiantVic]

I clearly heard that 70 percent indicate an interest in/apply for clerkships, and as I recall, the career services woman who spoke at the panel did not say how many got them. I was at a table later (during one of the lunches) specifically designated to talk to current students about clerkships. The student at the table said that to have a shot at an appellate clerkship you're probably going to need to be in the top 20/25 percent of the class, and need to be in the top third if you're looking at a district clerkship.

A NU 3L who will be doing an COA clerkship this fall said you need to be top ~5%? Especially if you want a feeder judge.

They were just talking about all clerkships, not COA clerkships. I'm pretty sure even at Chicago you need to be on Law Review (top 25) to be considered for a COA clerkship.

[gotmilk?]

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

I'm going to guess you're the only person in the Facebook group who went to your college. Oh well, my screenname is a joke, I might as well have made it my social security number. Also, I only have one password for everything, and every ex-boyfriend from the past 8 years knows it.

what a good guess!!! yep, i'm the one with the goofy profile picture. wearing a tie since i'm going to law school so i have to look extra formal and douchey, right?

i guess i'll have to go stalk the group for you next time i'm on facebook (aka really soon)

[0L Hoping for 1]

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

I'm going to guess you're the only person in the Facebook group who went to your college. Oh well, my screenname is a joke, I might as well have made it my social security number. Also, I only have one password for everything, and every ex-boyfriend from the past 8 years knows it.

what a good guess!!! yep, i'm the one with the goofy profile picture. wearing a tie since i'm going to law school so i have to look extra formal and douchey, right?

i guess i'll have to go stalk the group for you next time i'm on facebook (aka really soon)

You are easy to find. PS, I was born and grew up in Tacoma

[gotmilk?]

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

I'm going to guess you're the only person in the Facebook group who went to your college. Oh well, my screenname is a joke, I might as well have made it my social security number. Also, I only have one password for everything, and every ex-boyfriend from the past 8 years knows it.

what a good guess!!! yep, i'm the one with the goofy profile picture. wearing a tie since i'm going to law school so i have to look extra formal and douchey, right?

i guess i'll have to go stalk the group for you next time i'm on facebook (aka really soon)

gosh you were all the way at the bottom of the group for me... took me forever. why you gotta be like that?

[gotmilk?]

Also, this is my first TLS post in a while I think... I apparently hid away from all the TLS people at ASW b/c other than Kretzy, who I already knew outside of this board, I don't think I hung out with any of you.

I'm going to guess you're the only person in the Facebook group who went to your college. Oh well, my screenname is a joke, I might as well have made it my social security number. Also, I only have one password for everything, and every ex-boyfriend from the past 8 years knows it.

what a good guess!!! yep, i'm the one with the goofy profile picture. wearing a tie since i'm going to law school so i have to look extra formal and douchey, right?

i guess i'll have to go stalk the group for you next time i'm on facebook (aka really soon)

You are easy to find. PS, I was born and grew up in Tacoma

oh very cool. i can't say i'm the biggest fan of tacoma. it can be very beautiful though at times. too many hipsters though i think...

[JollyGreenGiant]

I was sitting in the way back for the information session because I was forced to arrive late.. but I thought she said 20% received and 70% tried for them.

[ranovr32]

I was sitting in the way back for the information session because I was forced to arrive late.. but I thought she said 20% received and 70% tried for them.

I was at ASW, JollyGG is correct, except it is 75% of the class that try for clerkships

[johnstuartmill]

I heard it as 70% who want them get them.

That's what I heard as well. They also said that those who don't get clerkships straight out of law school are able to get them within a few years.

I remember it as "70% of 3Ls who pursue clerkships get them, and some of the 30% who don't get one at graduation get one a few years later."

[echoi]

this is like arguing over questions on the LSAT before scores are released