Columbia students taking questions Forum

[MCFC]

Grades do eventually come out, right?

They're always slow. You'll be fine. Knowing sooner or later doesn't make you or break you in anyway, so chill out, apply to some jerbs and go drankin'.

So I'm not a regular ATL reader (I get the sense some don't have the highest opinion of it), but I was getting pretty antsy and found this via Google: http://abovethelaw.com/2012/05/top-law- ... g-faculty/

In a letter to students, Dean David Schizer of Columbia Law School informed students that his faculty would now be held accountable for the timely reporting of student grades. Schizer said that after a lot of consideration, the Columbia Law faculty agreed to report fall semester grades no later than the Friday before Martin Luther King Day, and spring semester grades no later than June 15th (except, of course, for graduating students).

But saying that they have a standard means nothing unless there is a penalty for non-compliant faculty. From the email:

Faculty who do not comply will be included on a list circulated to the faculty and students, and they will also be fined. I realize that there will still be some situations when, for extenuating circumstances, grades will be late, but my hope is those situations will be rare.

Did that actually wind up happening?

[txdude45]

Did that actually wind up happening?

We'll let you know when King day rolls around. I'm not optimistic.

[Tiago Splitter]

Grades do eventually come out, right?

They're always slow. You'll be fine. Knowing sooner or later doesn't make you or break you in anyway, so chill out, apply to some jerbs and go drankin'.

So I'm not a regular ATL reader (I get the sense some don't have the highest opinion of it), but I was getting pretty antsy and found this via Google: http://abovethelaw.com/2012/05/top-law- ... g-faculty/

In a letter to students, Dean David Schizer of Columbia Law School informed students that his faculty would now be held accountable for the timely reporting of student grades. Schizer said that after a lot of consideration, the Columbia Law faculty agreed to report fall semester grades no later than the Friday before Martin Luther King Day, and spring semester grades no later than June 15th (except, of course, for graduating students).

But saying that they have a standard means nothing unless there is a penalty for non-compliant faculty. From the email:

Faculty who do not comply will be included on a list circulated to the faculty and students, and they will also be fined. I realize that there will still be some situations when, for extenuating circumstances, grades will be late, but my hope is those situations will be rare.

Did that actually wind up happening?

One of my professors took an extra week last year and I'm pretty sure no public shaming took place.

[smaug_]

Did that actually wind up happening?

We'll let you know when King day rolls around. I'm not optimistic.

Well I think there's been some kind of change. As a 2L I received 3 of my grades on the first day that grades posted. There will be stragglers, but I think they're trying to get better about posting things.

More importantly, your grades aren't a huge thing right now. I get that you probably want them to shoot out 1L job applications and stuff, but there will be opportunities for that throughout the spring. You'll get your grades back in time to adjust your strategy for the next term. But, your grades will be what they will be. It doesn't make sense to neurotically check them. Just let go for a bit. Read a book. Go for a run.

[MCFC]

Did that actually wind up happening?

We'll let you know when King day rolls around. I'm not optimistic.

Well I think there's been some kind of change. As a 2L I received 3 of my grades on the first day that grades posted. There will be stragglers, but I think they're trying to get better about posting things.

More importantly, your grades aren't a huge thing right now. I get that you probably want them to shoot out 1L job applications and stuff, but there will be opportunities for that throughout the spring. You'll get your grades back in time to adjust your strategy for the next term. But, your grades will be what they will be. It doesn't make sense to neurotically check them. Just let go for a bit. Read a book. Go for a run.

Oh understood. I was just curious because that was literally the first I had heard of the policy, kind of figured I would have heard about it before now.

[smdpnp]

When and how did you guys start looking for summer housing in NYC? I'd rather not stay in my current apartment; too pricey. I'd still like to live close to campus, though.

[smaug_]

When and how did you guys start looking for summer housing in NYC? I'd rather not stay in my current apartment; too pricey. I'd still like to live close to campus, though.

You'll have plenty of time. As people get jobs outside of the city they start looking for sublessees. Wait until March/April.

[smdpnp]

When and how did you guys start looking for summer housing in NYC? I'd rather not stay in my current apartment; too pricey. I'd still like to live close to campus, though.

You'll have plenty of time. As people get jobs outside of the city they start looking for sublessees. Wait until March/April.

Thanks smaug!

[helix23]

More importantly, your grades aren't a huge thing right now.

lol

[smaug_]

More importantly, your grades aren't a huge thing right now.

lol

Dead serious. You will get a 1L job. You probably will not get a 1L SA position if you're not a diversity candidate or looking internationally. You don't need your grades for anything else.

Even when you get your grades, they will not define you. Good grades will help you come OCI, but you'll have people who are below median who end up with good offers and people who are Stone who will strike out. To the extent that worrying about grades helps you do what you need to do, go ahead. Importantly, worry or not, get them now or later, your grades will be what they will be. If you wanted to do something more about them, the time to worry was in December. So, drop out of the pointless gunner's arms race early.

[iamgeorgebush]

Thanks for the budget info, all.

I have some housing questions (and I apologize if these have already been asked). I'm a 0L, as should be pretty obvious.

1. Assuming I don't want to live in Columbia housing, when would be a good time to start looking for an apartment? I could be in NYC as soon as June. Just wondering when the best places usually open up (if there is indeed any rhyme or reason to it).

2. I was browsing craigslist and found some great-looking (and reasonably affordable) stuff in Harlem pretty close to CLS (10-15 min walk). Yay or nay on Harlem? I don't mind living in "rough" neighborhoods, but is Harlem otherwise desirable?

[txdude45]

Thanks for the budget info, all.

I have some housing questions (and I apologize if these have already been asked). I'm a 0L, as should be pretty obvious.

1. Assuming I don't want to live in Columbia housing, when would be a good time to start looking for an apartment? I could be in NYC as soon as June. Just wondering when the best places usually open up (if there is indeed any rhyme or reason to it).

2. I was browsing craigslist and found some great-looking (and reasonably affordable) stuff in Harlem pretty close to CLS (10-15 min walk). Yay or nay on Harlem? I don't mind living in "rough" neighborhoods, but is Harlem otherwise desirable?

As far as question 2, I live in Harlem, as do many other students, and no one has had any problems. It doesn't even seem to be a "rough" neighborhood. I've had more issues in UWS than I have walking around late at night around 130th. It's just a neighborhood.

I started looking for housing on July 1, signed a lease by mid month, and moved in August 1. I tried to look/sign earlier, but a lot of places didn't want to hold an empty apartment until I was ready to move, or the lease of the current tenants wasn't up till August. The market is fairly fluid, so you don't need a huge amount of lead time. I don't think there is a time when the "best stuff" opens up. Every neighborhood/type of building will have an opening somewhere with all price points represented.

[helix23]

More importantly, your grades aren't a huge thing right now.

lol

Dead serious. You will get a 1L job. You probably will not get a 1L SA position if you're not a diversity candidate or looking internationally. You don't need your grades for anything else.

Even when you get your grades, they will not define you. Good grades will help you come OCI, but you'll have people who are below median who end up with good offers and people who are Stone who will strike out. To the extent that worrying about grades helps you do what you need to do, go ahead. Importantly, worry or not, get them now or later, your grades will be what they will be. If you wanted to do something more about them, the time to worry was in December. So, drop out of the pointless gunner's arms race early.

I'm not worried about 1L summer but rather about EIP. Sure, they will be what they will be and worrying won't change that, but they are important now, they were important day 1 and they will be important when we are looking for jobs.

[iamgeorgebush]

Thanks for the budget info, all.

I have some housing questions (and I apologize if these have already been asked). I'm a 0L, as should be pretty obvious.

1. Assuming I don't want to live in Columbia housing, when would be a good time to start looking for an apartment? I could be in NYC as soon as June. Just wondering when the best places usually open up (if there is indeed any rhyme or reason to it).

2. I was browsing craigslist and found some great-looking (and reasonably affordable) stuff in Harlem pretty close to CLS (10-15 min walk). Yay or nay on Harlem? I don't mind living in "rough" neighborhoods, but is Harlem otherwise desirable?

As far as question 2, I live in Harlem, as do many other students, and no one has had any problems. It doesn't even seem to be a "rough" neighborhood. I've had more issues in UWS than I have walking around late at night around 130th. It's just a neighborhood.

I started looking for housing on July 1, signed a lease by mid month, and moved in August 1. I tried to look/sign earlier, but a lot of places didn't want to hold an empty apartment until I was ready to move, or the lease of the current tenants wasn't up till August. The market is fairly fluid, so you don't need a huge amount of lead time. I don't think there is a time when the "best stuff" opens up. Every neighborhood/type of building will have an opening somewhere with all price points represented.

Cool, thanks! As regards Harlem, what I meant to ask is not whether the neighborhood is safe (I'm not worried), but whether it's an enjoyable neighborhood to live in...are there decent restaurants/cafes/bars/etc? As opposed to other areas near CLS.

[txdude45]

Cool, thanks! As regards Harlem, what I meant to ask is not whether the neighborhood is safe (I'm not worried), but whether it's an enjoyable neighborhood to live in...are there decent restaurants/cafes/bars/etc? As opposed to other areas near CLS.

There isn't any great food/bars in my immediate area. When I go out, be it for drinks or food, I generally go to the places on Broadway right next to campus. East Harlem has a lot of great food though, but that's too far away to live IMO. Also, the grocery options in Harlem are, in my experience, really and truly awful. Once again, the places along Broadway are gonna be key here. That, or Peapod.

[Tiago Splitter]

Harlem right across from Morningside Park has some pretty great drink spots.

[girlmonster]

I read the posts about OCS, but how helpful is SJI? I know most of the people in this thread (and at CLS) aren't shooting for PI, but are the PI people you know generally happy with SJI? Thanks!

[the_phoenix612]

I read the posts about OCS, but how helpful is SJI? I know most of the people in this thread (and at CLS) aren't shooting for PI, but are the PI people you know generally happy with SJI? Thanks!

Oh that's a fun subject. Our PI people basically staged a sit-in protest at one point over the school not hiring another full-time person for SJI.

[girlmonster]

I read the posts about OCS, but how helpful is SJI? I know most of the people in this thread (and at CLS) aren't shooting for PI, but are the PI people you know generally happy with SJI? Thanks!

Oh that's a fun subject. Our PI people basically staged a sit-in protest at one point over the school not hiring another full-time person for SJI.

Oh no... Well, at least it sounds lively.

[lunaraeon]

if you miss Stone during 1L you can get it during 2L or 3L and your firm bio will forever let the world know you were a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Hahaha. There's hope yet. (And general thanks for all the questions you've answered for us over the months, Tiago.)

Also, txdude why aren't you in our FB group? It's been a whole semester and you already missed TLS brunch.

[jbagelboy]

Anyone have a used Merrill 2nd edition Property book they are looking to sell?

[txdude45]

Also, txdude why aren't you in our FB group? It's been a whole semester and you already missed TLS brunch.

No one has invited me to said group. There can be no excuse, since I think literally every 1L knows who I am.

[lunaraeon]

Also, txdude why aren't you in our FB group? It's been a whole semester and you already missed TLS brunch.

No one has invited me to said group. There can be no excuse, since I think literally every 1L knows who I am.

You overestimate my deductive skills.

[Banosby]

I read the posts about OCS, but how helpful is SJI? I know most of the people in this thread (and at CLS) aren't shooting for PI, but are the PI people you know generally happy with SJI? Thanks!

I'm a 2L doing PI and I have a number of friends doing different sorts of PI. I think it rather depends on what you're interested in, but generally I'd suggest being a little more proactive than the big law folks are about the job search. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

[ph5354a]

Laptops in class: Wu, Lynch, Briffault, and Powell?