Motivation needed for write on Forum

[Gamecubesupreme]

Wednesday now.

Still nothing.

I think I am gonna drown myself in alcohol after Friday passes when I have to face the truth that I failed to make LR.

[jess]

.

[Perseus_I]

Just a few from the gunner section at UT made it on (hint: the one that dominated the Hutchinson Moot Court Competition). Proud to be one of the few (quiet, chill, not gunnerish) selected from that section.

[crossarmant]

I forgot to post, secondary journal at my transfer school. I'm psyched. I wasn't expecting anything since I felt my note was just terrible. Definitely pleased.

[tstyler98]

Congrats to everyone who has made a journal. I went through it last year, so I can sympathize with the agony of the write on and then waiting to find out whether you made it or not. Being on a journal is a lot of work and it sucks a lot of the time, but it's not too bad. I actually enjoyed it for the most part (other than writing my comment). And now I'm on the E-board and get to torture train all the new members.

[target]

Congrats to everyone who has made a journal. I went through it last year, so I can sympathize with the agony of the write on and then waiting to find out whether you made it or not. Being on a journal is a lot of work and it sucks a lot of the time, but it's not too bad. I actually enjoyed it for the most part (other than writing my comment). And now I'm on the E-board and get to torture train all the new members.

any advice? what do I need to do to get a board position?

[tstyler98]

Congrats to everyone who has made a journal. I went through it last year, so I can sympathize with the agony of the write on and then waiting to find out whether you made it or not. Being on a journal is a lot of work and it sucks a lot of the time, but it's not too bad. I actually enjoyed it for the most part (other than writing my comment). And now I'm on the E-board and get to torture train all the new members.

any advice? what do I need to do to increase my chances at getting a board position?

Not sure if this is true at all schools, but here's my thoughts.

-Do a good job on your spading assignments. At Wake, we get a score for each assignment, which was then averaged, and is shown next to our picture during board selection. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how to do something, but also try finding the answer on your own first. The editor won't be too happy if the answer is easily discoverable with a quick google search or a look in the Bluebook index.

-If there are extra things you can do, do them. We had some optional things we could sign up for (picking up speakers for the Symposium, helping locate alumni, etc.). Not only will this be discussed during board selection, but you'll get to know some other current board members who will be deciding who is chosen.

-Get to know the current board members. While it's not a complete popularity contest, people are more likely to pick someone who they at least know a little over someone they don't. Also, if you know a couple pretty well, they can voice a strong opinion about you at the meeting, which might help the vote go in your favor.

-Give real thought into which positions you want and which you don't want (if you have that option). The current board would (most likely) rather see someone who lists only a few positions than all positions. Listing all positions may come across as "I'll do anything as long as I don't have to spade and write another note/comment next year." We got to list skills we had that would help us in each position we were applying for, so use that to your advantage.

-Talk to current board members about their positions. During my interview, they asked me questions about the position I had listed as my #1, and having talked to the person who had that position really helped. Also, when talking to the person about their position, ask them what they like/dislike about the position, what skills someone in that position should have, what the time commitment is, etc. It will give you a good idea of whether you'd be right for that position. Being on the board is demanding (including work over the summer if your journal requires that), but it'll be better if you're in a position you'll enjoy.

-Get to know your fellow staff members. We got to list people we'd recommend for a position and why, as well as people we wouldn't recommend and why. Having your peers recommend you for a position is always a plus, and having them not recommend you is a big negative (though make sure you have a legitimate reason for recommending/not recommending them or it could reflect badly on you).

That's all I can think of right this second. And this is just speaking from having gone through the application process. I won't be on the decision making side until February when we decide the board for the following year. If you have any other questions, let me know.

[Ludo!]

What is spading? Cite checking?

Good post btw.

If anyone has questions about doing the bare minimum of the good faith effort required to not get kicked out of law review I can answer questions on that.

[howell]

Not sure if this is true at all schools, but here's my thoughts.

-Do a good job on your spading assignments. At Wake, we get a score for each assignment, which was then averaged, and is shown next to our picture during board selection. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how to do something, but also try finding the answer on your own first. The editor won't be too happy if the answer is easily discoverable with a quick google search or a look in the Bluebook index.

-If there are extra things you can do, do them. We had some optional things we could sign up for (picking up speakers for the Symposium, helping locate alumni, etc.). Not only will this be discussed during board selection, but you'll get to know some other current board members who will be deciding who is chosen.

-Get to know the current board members. While it's not a complete popularity contest, people are more likely to pick someone who they at least know a little over someone they don't. Also, if you know a couple pretty well, they can voice a strong opinion about you at the meeting, which might help the vote go in your favor.

-Give real thought into which positions you want and which you don't want (if you have that option). The current board would (most likely) rather see someone who lists only a few positions than all positions. Listing all positions may come across as "I'll do anything as long as I don't have to spade and write another note/comment next year." We got to list skills we had that would help us in each position we were applying for, so use that to your advantage.

-Talk to current board members about their positions. During my interview, they asked me questions about the position I had listed as my #1, and having talked to the person who had that position really helped. Also, when talking to the person about their position, ask them what they like/dislike about the position, what skills someone in that position should have, what the time commitment is, etc. It will give you a good idea of whether you'd be right for that position. Being on the board is demanding (including work over the summer if your journal requires that), but it'll be better if you're in a position you'll enjoy.

-Get to know your fellow staff members. We got to list people we'd recommend for a position and why, as well as people we wouldn't recommend and why. Having your peers recommend you for a position is always a plus, and having them not recommend you is a big negative (though make sure you have a legitimate reason for recommending/not recommending them or it could reflect badly on you).

That's all I can think of right this second. And this is just speaking from having gone through the application process. I won't be on the decision making side until February when we decide the board for the following year. If you have any other questions, let me know.

This is all good advice.

Try to find out how the board is selected for your journal. Check your constitution/bylaws/rules to see if it's listed there. I believe some journals let the 2Ls vote too, so that changes who you're having to win over. Our board selected the next board as a group. The important thing was selecting people who were willing to work, could do well in their individual positions, and work would together well as a group. We couldn't just ask "Is Adam good for Position X?" We had to ask "Are Adam, Bob, Cindy, and Darlene going to work well together in Positions W, X, Y, and Z?" too.

[target]

thank you so much for all the advice so far guys (or gals). I hope I would still feel motivated after those hours of cite checking & writing my note.

[Cade McNown]

Just a few from the gunner section at UT made it on (hint: the one that dominated the Hutchinson Moot Court Competition). Proud to be one of the few (quiet, chill, not gunnerish) selected from that section.

Haha, congrats! Although in this case, I think "dominated" = registered for.

Out of curiosity, anyone know whether some 2Ls use the same topic for their student note as for the write-on?

[shock259]

Well I somehow got onto my flagship journal. It was a write-on competition with a slight boost for people with top grades. That boost must have helped a lot.

Sadly I'm transferring so I will actually be giving up my spot. But at least I can put "____ Law Review (invited)" on my resume for OCI.

Good luck to all those that are still waiting to hear.

[JazzOne]

Just a few from the gunner section at UT made it on (hint: the one that dominated the Hutchinson Moot Court Competition). Proud to be one of the few (quiet, chill, not gunnerish) selected from that section.

Haha, congrats! Although in this case, I think "dominated" = registered for.

Out of curiosity, anyone know whether some 2Ls use the same topic for their student note as for the write-on?

I don't know of anyone who did this. Looking back, however, I probably should have.

[tstyler98]

What is spading? Cite checking?

Good post btw.

If anyone has questions about doing the bare minimum of the good faith effort required to not get kicked out of law review I can answer questions on that.

Sorry. Yes, spading is cite checking.

[WhoMe?]

Sadly I'm transferring so I will actually be giving up my spot.

What happens to the vacated spots of people who transfer? Does anyone else get a chance to fill them?

[Gamecubesupreme]

If I get an offer for a journal, does that mean I was rejected by my school's LR?

Not quite sure if I should be happy I at least got on a journal or disappointed I didn't make LR.

[r@dical]

Sadly I'm transferring so I will actually be giving up my spot.

What happens to the vacated spots of people who transfer? Does anyone else get a chance to fill them?

apparently for our LR, the spots for those who transfer/decline are not replenished

[shock259]

At my school, the editor told me that they will be given to incoming transfers. So I basically just opened an extra spot up for a transfer.

[target]

If I get an offer for a journal, does that mean I was rejected by my school's LR?

Not quite sure if I should be happy I at least got on a journal or disappointed I didn't make LR.

I think each school is different in this regard. I know at least Cornell is like this. Check with your school's journals.

[darkarmour]

Just a few from the gunner section at UT made it on (hint: the one that dominated the Hutchinson Moot Court Competition). Proud to be one of the few (quiet, chill, not gunnerish) selected from that section.

Awesome!

[jess]

.

[gdane]

Ph makes a good point. Better safe than sorry.

[ph14]

Law review comp is about...

.

[Buck.Shot]

I don't know what's worse, slaving away for two weeks on your case note, or dealing with the anxiety and soul crushing hopelessness of waiting to hear whether you made it.

[Lasers]

trololol...just checking in with round two.

i haven't done shit...got a couple days. let's do this.