How many credits to take fall of 2L year? Forum

[BaiAilian2013]

So between journal stuff and finding a jerb, I know 2L, especially fall, can be really busy, so I am trying to manage my credit load accordingly. First I had 12 credits, which was 3 4-credit classes. But 3 classes just looked really pathetic, so I added a 2-credit class for a total of 14 credits. But then someone said that 14 was too many, they took 15 and wanted to die, etc., so I should go back to 12 credits. In fairness I don't think I will be quite as busy as that person because I won't have to travel for callbacks.

Thoughts? What are you guys all doing / what did you do and how did it work out?

[Kilpatrick]

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[Miller32]

I'll be a 2L too, and am taking 17. But this includes LR and Moot Court which give me 3 credits combined. So only 14 in actual class time.

I'm also planning on working 10-15 hours a week for the firm I'm summering at, but I'm pretty sure my head will explode and I won't be able to manage this.

[vanwinkle]

Why did you think three classes looked pathetic? That's how many I have and I would take less if I could. Do employers really care about this?

I took only three classes during 2L fall and didn't have a problem with employers. It never even came up as an issue.

[dailygrind]

I'm taking 4 3 credit classes. If it were an option to take 3 4 credits I would do it without hesitation.

[BaiAilian2013]

Why did you think three classes looked pathetic? That's how many I have and I would take less if I could. Do employers really care about this?

Hmm, I didn't even think about employers (although it's good to know now that's not an issue). I just thought as a general matter it looked... slackerly. This is reassuring to know it's not abnormal though.

[clintonius]

I'm in the same boat as you year-wise, so obviously this doesn't come from experience, but I can't imagine that you'll at all look like a slacker as long as you're on track to graduate. We got 30 credits last year and need 83 total to graduate. Three semesters of 13 credits and one of 14 is all you need.

[kalvano]

I'm taking 4 3-credit courses, and am interviewing tomorrow for an externship for credit. If I get it, I will drop classes. I have no interest in repeating 1L with 6 classes a semester.

[Pizon]

I'm taking 4 3 credit classes. If it were an option to take 3 4 credits I would do it without hesitation.

That's what I did, too. In my spring semester, I took 16 credits (four classes, clinic, and externship).

[BarbellDreams]

I would kill to have my school offer more 4 credit classes so I would only need to take 3. Nothing wrong with that at all, especially with your journal.

[imchuckbass58]

I agree 12 credits isn't per se bad, but the only thing I would caution is that if you're planning on applying for a clerkship, make sure you either take 3 serious, substantive classes, or a slightly heavier load. It's not at the top of the list, but many judges do care about how challenging a courseload you took.

Also if you are not traveling for callbacks, your process will be significantly easier. With the new OCI schedules and NALP 28-day rule, everything will probably be over by the middle to end of September most likely (I had all my offers in hand by labor day, but that was a bit early I think).

[zeth006]

Mere 2L here, I'm taking 14. I wasn't sure how many to take either until I looked at my remaining required 56 units and divided that by 4 as I have 4 remaining semesters. I may voluntarily take 16 units next semester as I've been advised by 3Ls to try frontloading units.

Then again, I haven no plans to take clinicals, so that advice may not apply to me.