UVA Law Students Taking Questions Forum

[AZ123]

Any perspective on how hard it is to get biglaw in a secondary market with strong ties (i.e. originally from there, family lives there, etc.)? Is it doable with median grades? Think Atlanta/Miami/Houston

You're certainly in the running

Definitely doable. I'm not sure which specific market you're interested in, but plenty of UVA students get big law in places like Texas or Atlanta with median grades. Possible with below-median grades as well, it will just take extra hustle (maybe spending 1L summer there, networking like crazy, etc.)

[UVA2B]

Any perspective on how hard it is to get biglaw in a secondary market with strong ties (i.e. originally from there, family lives there, etc.)? Is it doable with median grades? Think Atlanta/Miami/Houston

Generically: very doable.

Depending on the market, the advice varies a little bit. But placing in secondary markets with strong ties is doable if you sell yourself in that market well. This depends on the size of the market, your connection to the market, and how well you sell that connection in that market. Some will be hyper ties sensitive, to the point that you won't get a screener if you didn't go to high school in the area. Others will read your materials, see a connection to the market, and hope they can diversify their SA ranks by bringing in a UVA grad. It entirely depends on the firm and how well you sell yourself and your connections to that market.

Overarching advice is that you can get desirable employment in ATL/MIA/HOU with the right ties, and it won't be particularly hard. If your ties are relatively weak, and you aren't an otherwise strong applicant, then you might struggle in any of those markets. But that's all just a really broad brush approach to thinking about what you're really asking.

If you're median and have those ties to a southern market, you can/will get Biglaw in that market (absent some serious deficiency like sucking in interviews or having other red flags).

[OakBrook2021]

Okay thanks that's really good to know! I plan on interning in this market after 1L which should give me time to network and reach out to firms over the summer. Fwiw I'm fine doing NY for a few years if it's my only biglaw option, I'd just rather not since the salary:COL ratio and QOL seems much better here. At this point I'm pretty sold on going to UVA so this is really good to hear

[principalagent]

How diverse is Law Review? Does the Virginia Plan do a good job of getting more racial and ethnic minorities onto Law Review, compared to, say, law reviews at Harvard or Columbia with very intentional diversity initiatives?

[anon sequitur]

How diverse is Law Review? Does the Virginia Plan do a good job of getting more racial and ethnic minorities onto Law Review, compared to, say, law reviews at Harvard or Columbia with very intentional diversity initiatives?

Not very, and I guess not very.

[Mrs Featherbottom]

How diverse is Law Review? Does the Virginia Plan do a good job of getting more racial and ethnic minorities onto Law Review, compared to, say, law reviews at Harvard or Columbia with very intentional diversity initiatives?

Not very. You'll hear more about the process in the Spring if you're a 1L, but their diversity initiative during the tryout process is the "Virginia Plan," which allows students in the top half of both the tryout and 1L grades to be selected based on a diversity statement. The law review voted overwhelmingly (though not without controversy) to double the number of students allowed on through this plan for the coming year.

From my understanding, most t14 law reviews are disproportionately white, and often disproportionately male too, but I've heard VLR is slightly worse in both regards. There are plenty of folks on VLR trying to change that, but it won't happen overnight regardless.

[tmcauliffe96]

I've searched through this board and wasn't able to find a clear answer (if I missed it, I apologize!) but I was wondering how former 1Ls go about finding roommates? I'm from New York and don't know anyone in the area, and I think living with someone would be nice socially, but also fiscally. Any advice would be much appreciated

[UVA2B]

Your class has a FB group. If you have FB, that’s a great place to start.

[Nagster5]

I've searched through this board and wasn't able to find a clear answer (if I missed it, I apologize!) but I was wondering how former 1Ls go about finding roommates? I'm from New York and don't know anyone in the area, and I think living with someone would be nice socially, but also fiscally. Any advice would be much appreciated

If you end up at Pav they pair you with someone

[Specter1389]

Does anyone have any knowledge on the teaching market in and around Charlottesville? When I applied and deferred my admission I was a single guy but it's looking more and more like I will be married when I finally start. Girlfriend is a middle school English teacher but also certified at the high school level. I know she will have great recommendations from her current district as she was their teacher of the year last year, but wanted to get a general feel on if jobs in her field are hard to come by around Charlottesville and if I need to reconsider my law school decision.

[smile0751]

Does anyone have any knowledge on the teaching market in and around Charlottesville? When I applied and deferred my admission I was a single guy but it's looking more and more like I will be married when I finally start. Girlfriend is a middle school English teacher but also certified at the high school level. I know she will have great recommendations from her current district as she was their teacher of the year last year, but wanted to get a general feel on if jobs in her field are hard to come by around Charlottesville and if I need to reconsider my law school decision.

It can be difficult. There arent that many school districts within an hour drive (maybe 10?) in part due to the rural nature of the surrounding area which means there just arent that many teaching jobs. Is she already licensed to teach in Virginia? If so, that'll make it easier. That being said, there are at least a few law students whose significant others are teachers working in the area.

[vwhorley]

Does anyone have any knowledge on the teaching market in and around Charlottesville? When I applied and deferred my admission I was a single guy but it's looking more and more like I will be married when I finally start. Girlfriend is a middle school English teacher but also certified at the high school level. I know she will have great recommendations from her current district as she was their teacher of the year last year, but wanted to get a general feel on if jobs in her field are hard to come by around Charlottesville and if I need to reconsider my law school decision.

I'm not a UVa student (although I am hoping to be when I apply next cycle!), but I grew up in the area and still have family there. There are a ton of schools in Charlottesville and the surrounding area, and there is also a big market for homeschoolers looking for tutors. Albemarle County and Charlottesville City schools are the closest districts, but Greene is commuting distance. There are also a bunch of private schools since the area tends to be pretty wealthy- she shouldn't have a problem.

[ilpsm]

If I wanted to live in a 1 bedroom (or 2 bedroom if I meet someone cool at ASW or on here) at Pav, by when would I need to lock that down? Just asking because at my undergrad institution I always needed to settle on my apartment in Oct/Nov of the prior academic year.

[Prudence]

I seriously want to move to the DMV and I have been considering this for some time now. I have no ties however but would happily take an admission offer from UVA

One question I often thought of was how the winters are in VA(Charlottesville). I’ve never been in the DC Area during the winter and I would love to here about someone’s take on the spring semester weather at uva. I know there is much more to considering a law school but after spending the last 4 years in Boston winters I would happily go to a Law School that’s not only quality and has great job placement but the added bonus of lighter winters plus lower COL compared to Boston. Thanks in advance !

[UVA2B]

I seriously want to move to the DMV and I have been considering this for some time now. I have no ties however but would happily take an admission offer from UVA

One question I often thought of was how the winters are in VA(Charlottesville). I’ve never been in the DC Area during the winter and I would love to here about someone’s take on the spring semester weather at uva. I know there is much more to considering a law school but after spending the last 4 years in Boston winters I would happily go to a Law School that’s not only quality and has great job placement but the added bonus of lighter winters plus lower COL compared to Boston. Thanks in advance !

The weather in Cville is temperate, considering it's in the hills of Virginia. Typically there will be one decent snowfall in a winter/spring, and otherwise temps will vary from 15 degree highs (like now, but the entire country got hit with the latest cold snap) to more typical 40-50s in January and February, and 60+ degree days will be fairly typical from March onward. There will also be some warm times during winter where it's miraculously 60 degrees in December. Cville generally has four distinct seasons, which is great if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

[Prudence]

I seriously want to move to the DMV and I have been considering this for some time now. I have no ties however but would happily take an admission offer from UVA

One question I often thought of was how the winters are in VA(Charlottesville). I’ve never been in the DC Area during the winter and I would love to here about someone’s take on the spring semester weather at uva. I know there is much more to considering a law school but after spending the last 4 years in Boston winters I would happily go to a Law School that’s not only quality and has great job placement but the added bonus of lighter winters plus lower COL compared to Boston. Thanks in advance !

The weather in Cville is temperate, considering it's in the hills of Virginia. Typically there will be one decent snowfall in a winter/spring, and otherwise temps will vary from 15 degree highs (like now, but the entire country got hit with the latest cold snap) to more typical 40-50s in January and February, and 60+ degree days will be fairly typical from March onward. There will also be some warm times during winter where it's miraculously 60 degrees in December. Cville generally has four distinct seasons, which is great if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

Honestly glad to hear this and definitely a consideration for me next academic year among other things. I rather like the winter for a moment but Seasonal depression is real out here with my Boston peers and me haha and it would be nice to not expect a series of blizzards every spring semester. Obviously Boston does not have 4 distinct seasons imo so this is an added bonus. Thanks for letting me know!

[thesealocust]

Sometimes we did have snow on the ground until April though...

[UVA2B]

Sometimes we did have snow on the ground until April though...

Oh thank God Chipotle survived. Not sure what NGRC crew would've done without that immediately available protein boost.

[Br3v]

Sometimes we did have snow on the ground until April though...

You back on TLS or just stopping by?

[thesealocust]

Sometimes we did have snow on the ground until April though...

You back on TLS or just stopping by?

I'm usually lurking, but the posting bug has struck again, so we'll see...

[5ky]

I seriously want to move to the DMV and I have been considering this for some time now. I have no ties however but would happily take an admission offer from UVA

One question I often thought of was how the winters are in VA(Charlottesville). I’ve never been in the DC Area during the winter and I would love to here about someone’s take on the spring semester weather at uva. I know there is much more to considering a law school but after spending the last 4 years in Boston winters I would happily go to a Law School that’s not only quality and has great job placement but the added bonus of lighter winters plus lower COL compared to Boston. Thanks in advance !

The weather in Cville is temperate, considering it's in the hills of Virginia. Typically there will be one decent snowfall in a winter/spring, and otherwise temps will vary from 15 degree highs (like now, but the entire country got hit with the latest cold snap) to more typical 40-50s in January and February, and 60+ degree days will be fairly typical from March onward. There will also be some warm times during winter where it's miraculously 60 degrees in December. Cville generally has four distinct seasons, which is great if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

Honestly glad to hear this and definitely a consideration for me next academic year among other things. I rather like the winter for a moment but Seasonal depression is real out here with my Boston peers and me haha and it would be nice to not expect a series of blizzards every spring semester. Obviously Boston does not have 4 distinct seasons imo so this is an added bonus. Thanks for letting me know!

charlottesville weather is slightly better than DMV weather too. a bit warmer in the cool months and a bit cooler in the warm months (but still hot)

[Prudence]

charlottesville weather is slightly better than DMV weather too. a bit warmer in the cool months and a bit cooler in the warm months (but still hot)

This is making me so grateful I applied. I think this is making me want to attend uva so much more even though I want to end up in DC anyway. Honestly believe weather like this will make me a slightly happier law student (Although snow in April sounds bad/unusual...it’s nothing im not used to. It was -11 degrees in Boston this week *cries* and during my first year in Boston we had over 110 inches of snow that didn’t melt for months ) 40 degrees in winter sounds like a tropical 3 year vacation

[Br3v]

Sometimes we did have snow on the ground until April though...

You back on TLS or just stopping by?

I'm usually lurking, but the posting bug has struck again, so we'll see...

Nice, you'll have to at least stay to calm the 1Ls

And @Prudence, I wouldn't pick a law school based on weather but UVA is great despite good weather. Snow in April thing was a fluke (don't think we had snow past Feb when I was there). Usually about 2 snow falls that stick.

[Cavalier123]

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[ChutzpahSaxa15]

How would current students describe the PI community at UVA? Is there a critical mass of them, or does the school overall focus mostly on Big Law?