William & Mary Law Class of 2016 Forum

[drinion]

Finally sent in my letter of intent today! Now I've just gotta find that $500 somewhere.

[Abbey]

Also sent my letter of intent in this week!

[ally2013]

I just sent mine today!

Now trying to find $500 and roommates....

[Abbey]

Does anyone know when they'll make the Facebook page for the incoming class?

[lovelydarkanddeep]

Does anyone know when they'll make the Facebook page for the incoming class?

You get access as soon as they get your deposit.

[ally2013]

Has anyone started looking for roommates?

What do you think the best way to find roommates is, if you don't live in the area?

[ironbmike]

Has anyone started looking for roommates?

What do you think the best way to find roommates is, if you don't live in the area?

Probably Craigslist or something. Or find people on here. I'm sure we'll all be looking.

[drinion]

Has anyone started looking for roommates?

What do you think the best way to find roommates is, if you don't live in the area?

Probably Craigslist or something. Or find people on here. I'm sure we'll all be looking.

The facebook group'll probably be a good place to connect with roommates, too. I just filed my taxes, so I should get my refund in time to use some of it for my deposit. Has anyone made the deposit and joined the facebook group?

[Abbey]

Just checking in here to get excited about the fall! Lots of negative comments on the other forum after a round of WL emails went out... someone say something positive!

[drinion]

Just checking in here to get excited about the fall! Lots of negative comments on the other forum after a round of WL emails went out... someone say something positive!

What could be more positive than a bunch of people complaining because they didn't get accepted?

[hoogs23]

Just checking in here to get excited about the fall! Lots of negative comments on the other forum after a round of WL emails went out... someone say something positive!

What could be more positive than a bunch of people complaining because they didn't get accepted?

those people were just bitter

[Abbey]

Just checking in here to get excited about the fall! Lots of negative comments on the other forum after a round of WL emails went out... someone say something positive!

What could be more positive than a bunch of people complaining because they didn't get accepted?

those people were just bitter

hahaha thanks guys, excellent way to look at it. always gets me stressed out when people start talking about employment stats... trying to save that panic attack for year 3.

[drinion]

More good news!

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wm

[ironbmike]

More good news!

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wm

[drinion]

More good news!

http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wm

This is a good article on school funded jobs, or at least a subset of them.

http://abovethelaw.com/2013/03/in-defen ... graduates/

I'm looking to do PI or government work, so I'm glad to see that they have some help for people interested in those career paths. If some UVA students need it, I'm sure some of us will too.

[Abbey]

Has anyone started looking for roommates?

What do you think the best way to find roommates is, if you don't live in the area?

Probably Craigslist or something. Or find people on here. I'm sure we'll all be looking.

The facebook group'll probably be a good place to connect with roommates, too. I just filed my taxes, so I should get my refund in time to use some of it for my deposit. Has anyone made the deposit and joined the facebook group?

my deposit was processed and I was emailed a link to the fb page shortly after. there are about 70 group members so far

[Greyhound42]

I was finally able to mail my deposit today. Hope everyone else is excited, too!

[shippy1988]

I'm going to be at April 19th Accepted Students' Day (only time I could get off from work). Is anyone else going to be there? Did anyone attend the ASD on the 12th?

[CaliAliLouise]

Sent my deposit in on Monday! See everyone in the fall!

[North]

I know a couple people going to W&M. Bring the pride ITT:

[unbeknownst]

Hi everyone. Congratulations on your admission. I'm a William & Mary grad and thought I'd return the favor and answer some questions.

First, I'm surprised people are staying at the Ho House. Is it because you need to walk to the school? I suppose it would be convenient if you wanted to be able to walk to the only three bars in town (including the Ho House's bar). But if you're OK with driving distance, I recommend the Days' Inn (which is also walking distance to the school, if you're willing to spend the time...it's not hot in March so it's completely doable) or the Marriott near McLaws Circle. It will be much cheaper.

Second, housing. I do NOT recommend the gradplex UNLESS you do not have a car and you adamantly do not want to rely on others for transportation to the grocery store, etc. Please keep in mind that you will make a lot of friends with cars. The gradplex is depressing. The lighting is really dim, the floors are dirty tiles or uncleaned industrial carpets, the furniture is cheap varnished wood and scratchy imitation wool, etc. The two main cons are the CONSTANT fire drills -- every time I visited friends there, it seemed as if the drill would go off and we'd have to go out and wait by the picnic tables for the fire trucks to come and go. I saw one girl in a towel, having come straight out of the shower. Please look into other housing options. There are a ton of affordable apartments. Some are walking distance across the street. Others are driving distance. Many are cheap.

Third, someone mentioned the public interest fellowships available after graduation. I think these pay a little over $20,000 a year, and of course it will be taxed. Many federal government agencies do not allow you to volunteer under these types of programs -- it is a new policy that's been instituted in places like the SEC, DOJ, etc. So keep that in mind. I'm not sure about state and local governments. I'm sure non profits and other organizations like them are willing to take volunteers. Please also bear in mind that you may not be in the best mood when you take these fellowships. You are getting paid minimum wage (less than? I haven't done the math). I don't even want to know whether you are expected to start making loan payments during your fellowship. It would be hard to live on, especially if you are in a metropolitan area. You will be called a volunteer, or an intern, and that doesn't sound too great when you've spent that much money on tuition and that much time in school toiling away at classes, journal, job search, etc. Active recruiting will be only for rising 2Ls as always. Of course, places recruit 3Ls. But you will be one year removed from even that class. Just something to keep in mind if you are relying on the fellowship route at this point, before you even enter law school. If you are willing to take this route, be prepared to remain emotionally strong after graduation.

I found this helpful in figuring out job statistics after graduation: http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wm
Job characteristics: http://www.lstscorereports.com/?school=wm&show=chars

Subtract the school-funded fellowship rate (17.2%) from the employment rate (73.5%) = 56%.

Then consider the students that the law school hires for its own institution -- say, the admissions office. I'm not sure what percentage that is. Then consider those that are temping and doing doc review on a contract basis. I'm not sure what that percentage is. Then consider those lucky ones included in the big law firm score. I think some of those are "staff attorneys." These are not the first-year associates that you think of when you think of big law. I would google them and see what types of salaries and career paths you find.

Fourth, do a journal, but do not take on a board position unless you want a federal clerkship, or you just really want to spend 35+ hours a week on very detailed work outside of your normal class load. I am talking about period placement, word spacing, and of course checking citations.

Fifth, have fun for at least the first few weeks of school, even if you naturally do not like to go out, drink, etc. Get to know your class. But don't be That Girl or That Guy who did something totally embarrassing that follows them throughout law school and beyond. Word gets around. It's high school all over again.

Sixth, go get free pizza at all the student organization lunch meetings they hold your 1L year. But do not indiscriminately join stuff. You will not have time, and in the end, nothing matters. Just your grades, journal membership, and work experience. Do at least one externship, take at least one clinic class. It's hard, but try to graduate early in order to save tuition and build up work experience instead. Hell, take the bar early.

I hope this is helpful. Again, congratulations. WM has good name recognition, strongest obviously in Virginia. It's relatively cheap, and the cost of living can't be beat. The area is beautiful, and the competition isn't cutthroat. There are a few excellent professors you can't miss. If you are set on going to law school, and you don't expect to get employed in California and somewhere like it, WM may be a good decision.