SMU 1L Taking Questions Forum

[Thirteen]

Did the "optional" summer reading list play any importance during the 1L year?

[owl05]

Did the "optional" summer reading list play any importance during the 1L year?

Professor Crespi has an "optional" reading list posted in the admitted students section. I was just inquiring about how they are integrated into the 1L year, if at all.

[Thirteen]

Did the "optional" summer reading list play any importance during the 1L year?

Professor Crespi has an "optional" reading list posted in the admitted students section. I was just inquiring about how they are integrated into the 1L year, if at all.

Hahahaha, I love Crespi. Don't read it.

[holdencaulfield]

Hahahaha, I love Crespi. Don't read it.

Crespi is awesome. He emailed articles and papers quite a bit when I had him for BE. It was all related, but not required and not necessary to get a top grade.

[sneijder]

Don't know if anyone has asked this so.. How does Law Review work for Pt students?

Do they have to wait until their grades are integrated with everyone else's? Can they write-on sooner?

[fathergoose]

I believe part timers write on in the may of their second year with the 1Ls.

[Thirteen]

I believe part timers write on in the may of their second year with the 1Ls.

They do. The 2E's and 1L's write on and go through OCI at the same time.

[sneijder]

I believe part timers write on in the may of their second year with the 1Ls.

They do. The 2E's and 1L's write on and go through OCI at the same time.

yea I figured thats how it worked. appreciate it guys..

[owl05]

Are there any good day hikes close to the university for relaxation on the weekends?

[kalvano]

Are there any good day hikes close to the university for relaxation on the weekends?

Oklahoma is supposed to have some nice spots. And White Rock Lake can be nice, too.

If you like hiking in the heat.

[cdj588]

What are the chances of getting accepted to SMU with a Finance degree, 3.83 gpa, and 152 LSAT.

[kalvano]

What are the chances of getting accepted to SMU with a Finance degree, 3.83 gpa, and 152 LSAT.

Not very good, I would say. Maybe PT, but the LSAT is still pretty low.

[fathergoose]

What are the chances of getting accepted to SMU with a Finance degree, 3.83 gpa, and 152 LSAT.

Take the LSAT seriously, prep for it, take it again, and get a decent score. Don't waste that GPA. I would have drowned kittens by the basket full for a 3.83.

[swilson215]

What are the chances of getting accepted to SMU with a Finance degree, 3.83 gpa, and 152 LSAT.

Take the LSAT seriously, prep for it, take it again, and get a decent score. Don't waste that GPA. I would have drowned kittens by the basket full for a 3.83.

+1. Even to the drowning kitties.

[Iconoclast]

What are the chances of getting accepted to SMU with a Finance degree, 3.83 gpa, and 152 LSAT.

Not very good, I would say. Maybe PT, but the LSAT is still pretty low.

I agree. And even if you did get in PT, you will be paying sticker. SMU is a great school, but it's hella expensive without a scholly.

[rdcws000]

Are there any part time SMU students watching this forum?

What is the average start time for night classes? What is the earliest start time?

Is there a substantial difference in the class offerings at night compared to daytime?

How connected to the student body is the part time class? (I know thats a hard question to answer. I'm asking because I'm at STCL where the PT class is almost indistinguishable from the day students as far as offerings, programs, and treatment from the school. I'm just wondering if this is the exception.)

[Iconoclast]

Are there any part time SMU students watching this forum?

What is the average start time for night classes? What is the earliest start time?

Is there a substantial difference in the class offerings at night compared to daytime?

How connected to the student body is the part time class? (I know thats a hard question to answer. I'm asking because I'm at STCL where the PT class is almost indistinguishable from the day students as far as offerings, programs, and treatment from the school. I'm just wondering if this is the exception.)

The early evening classes start at 6:00. However, during your first year (and particularly the first semester) there will be several extra things that start at 5. Most of the 5:00 stuff is optional (such as the legal writing style lectures) but there were a few mandatory meetings at 5:00.

For the most part, the same professors teach the same classes in the day and evening, alternating between the two on different years. (Professor X will teach Class X during the day one year, and the next year, she will teach that same class in the evening) The only big difference is that some of the classes aren't offered as frequently in the evening. So a class that is offered every year in the day program might only be offered every other year in the evening. It means that you need to pay close attention to scheduling your classes and grab the ones you really want when they are available. You'll get a chance to take everything in the evening, but you might only get one chance.

Part time students are as connected to the student body as they want to be. Obviously, if you're part time because you're working a full time job, you won't be able to do most of the stuff that comes up. But if you have the time, you can participate in everything. Several of my evening classmates are actively involved in many of the student organizations, with many holding leadership positions. I have never been treated as a second class citizen at SMU because I'm an evening student.

[kalvano]

A lot of classes (at least this upcoming fall) are only offered at night, so you'd be mixed in with day students as well.

It doesn't seem to me at all that SMU really distinguishes much between PT and FT students.

[rdcws000]

Thanks to both of you, I'm considering transfer apps to both SMU and UH. I have heard from a lot of people that UH is much less "part-time friendly" than STCL. The fact that the same core of professors teach both day and night classes (at SMU) is a good sign I think. That's how it is done at STCL. I have heard that most night classes at UH are taught by adjuncts.

[cdj588]

Does it look any different when you graduate Part Time vs Full time to employers? Also, this may be a dumb question but I gotta ask. Do you have to have a job to be a PT student? Or can I live the life until 6pm rolls around?

Im very interested in SMU because I want to work in the Dallas area but I just don't think I am gonna do very well on the LSAT so Im slowly moving my goals down to doing good enough to get in PT.

[Thirteen]

Does it look any different when you graduate Part Time vs Full time to employers? Also, this may be a dumb question but I gotta ask. Do you have to have a job to be a PT student? Or can I live the life until 6pm rolls around?

Im very interested in SMU because I want to work in the Dallas area but I just don't think I am gonna do very well on the LSAT so Im slowly moving my goals down to doing good enough to get in PT.

Employers can tell from your resume section stating the amount of time you were in law school (3 vs. 4 years), but everyone graduates with a JD degree from SMU.

I know a few people that are in the evening program that don't work. I usually see them studying in the library all day, so they don't really get to "live the life." I'd assume that planning to work full time might be a slight admissions bump to the PT program, but it probably doesn't matter much. I'm a FT student, so I could be wrong about that.

[squ1rtle]

Does it look any different when you graduate Part Time vs Full time to employers? Also, this may be a dumb question but I gotta ask. Do you have to have a job to be a PT student? Or can I live the life until 6pm rolls around?

Im very interested in SMU because I want to work in the Dallas area but I just don't think I am gonna do very well on the LSAT so Im slowly moving my goals down to doing good enough to get in PT.

I've actually had a callback interview before with a v10 firm that asked me why I was in PT rather than FT. You do not need a job as a PT student. But be prepared to have a good answer in case it is ever asked by an employer. I also believe SMU prefers some WE for PT applicants (but that could be a farce). For me, it was a no-brainer, by working just enough to pay my COL, I would save over 70k in expenses by attending PT. That is, of course, assuming no scholarship for FT. I actually believe it impressed my interviewer to know that I worked -- although very minimal -- while going to school. It will be pretty clear from your transcript that you are a PT student, so its almost certain that employers will view you differently. Whether they view you negatively or positively because of this all will likely depend on how well you present yourself during the interview.

I have also found that there are also some pretty cool fall/spring opportunities available for PT students that are not available to FT students because of their time schedule. These opportunities are less competitive as well. Good luck!

[Burgstaller04]

I've got a question. I'm a morning person. Some days I'd like to be up at the school to study by 6:30 or 7. Are there any libraries or other quiet buildings around that are open 24/7 or even just earlier than 8 am?

[Thirteen]

I've got a question. I'm a morning person. Some days I'd like to be up at the school to study by 6:30 or 7. Are there any libraries or other quiet buildings around that are open 24/7 or even just earlier than 8 am?

The law library opens at 7:30, and I think the main campus library (5ish minutes from the law quad) is open 24/7. There's a chance that some of the classrooms in Florence might be open that early, but I'm not 100% sure. It seems like the classroom buildings are only locked down on the weekends.

Also, there's a Starbucks a couple of blocks north of the law school on Hillcrest.

[TheCaptain]

So from what I'm gathering here, there really isn't much of a downside to doing PT. What about competing for jobs against FT students? Is it more difficult to do Law Review or gain other honors as a PT student? Are you ranked against only other PT students, or against everyone?