Bored GULC 3L Taking Questions Forum

[dead head]

Could be a dumb and/or premature question:

What are the more popular/desirable/quality clinics?

As a word of warning, clinics are generally competitive and there are many more students than there are clinical positions. 3Ls get priority (and even so, over 100 3L clinic applicants get shut out every year), and almost no one gets to take more than 1 clinic.

[JustHawkin]

Could be a dumb and/or premature question:

What are the more popular/desirable/quality clinics?

As a word of warning, clinics are generally competitive and there are many more students than there are clinical positions. 3Ls get priority (and even so, over 100 3L clinic applicants get shut out every year), and almost no one gets to take more than 1 clinic.

What's the selection process consist of?

[TLSModBot]

GULC 3E here. There is another option to clinics if you're looking for practical experience or networking opportunities - GULC's 'practicum' seminars. These operate like a scaled-down clinic: fewer credits, usually one semester, and way less competitive. They're a relatively recent thing - Dean Treanor told me of the 35 or so we have now, only a couple were around 3 or 4 years ago. I've taken 'Technology, Innovation, and the Law', which has students work in groups to create computer applications that help pro bono organizations or regulatory agencies - you end up with a finished product that will go into the field helping people with particular legal problems (for instance, crafting an app that walks low-income workers through a questionnaire to determine if they are getting fairly paid per minimum wage and overtime laws). Another one I'm taking next year is an in-house counsel practicum - we'll get paired up with actual corporate legal departments and learn more about their role/responsibilities.

Practicums aren't as intense as clinics, but they can help with connections to professors and people in the field, as well as learning some practical skills. Just something to consider!

[Learn_Live_Hope]

Best school I got into

Very collegiate. I was in the 1L section considered the gunner section, but I rarely if ever felt it was cutthroat - study groups compared answers, helped each other out with questions, etc. There will always be "those people" at every school, but most people are really chill (and will join you in mocking those people

I'm sure they'll show you everything. The Williams law library is depressing, so check out Wolff if you can. Also get a feel for DC in general (outside of the monuments) - though you'll probably spend 1L on campus, can't hurt to get the lay of the land outside of it.

Why is the library depressing?

[Sgtpeppernyc]

Best school I got into

Very collegiate. I was in the 1L section considered the gunner section, but I rarely if ever felt it was cutthroat - study groups compared answers, helped each other out with questions, etc. There will always be "those people" at every school, but most people are really chill (and will join you in mocking those people

I'm sure they'll show you everything. The Williams law library is depressing, so check out Wolff if you can. Also get a feel for DC in general (outside of the monuments) - though you'll probably spend 1L on campus, can't hurt to get the lay of the land outside of it.

Why is the library depressing?

Older / pretty sterile / not a lot of natural light / I generally hate being behind bookcases and in study carrels. Wolff is more open and has more natural light (and you'll probably study in Courtside plenty).

[Sgtpeppernyc]

Could be a dumb and/or premature question:

What are the more popular/desirable/quality clinics?

As a word of warning, clinics are generally competitive and there are many more students than there are clinical positions. 3Ls get priority (and even so, over 100 3L clinic applicants get shut out every year), and almost no one gets to take more than 1 clinic.

What's the selection process consist of?

If I recall correctly, you rank your top 3 clinics and some of them have their own apps (which ask normal things, whether you took prerequisite classes, and sometimes essays). Each clinic has different criteria, but they like taking people with relevant experience or interest, so GPA isn't always dispositive. The selective clinics take 10-20% of applicants (and you have to rank them first).

[dead head]

Each clinic has different criteria, but they like taking people with relevant experience or interest, so GPA isn't always dispositive. The selective clinics take 10-20% of applicants (and you have to rank them first).

The upshot of this is that you can't count on clinics as being a way to get your foot into the door of a substantive practice area, as if you have no prior experience in the field you are at a distinct disadvantage to those who already have a background in the area.

Also, someone PMd me, but their account doesn't allow incoming PMs. Adjust your settings if you want a response.

[hichvichwoh]

Best school I got into

Very collegiate. I was in the 1L section considered the gunner section, but I rarely if ever felt it was cutthroat - study groups compared answers, helped each other out with questions, etc. There will always be "those people" at every school, but most people are really chill (and will join you in mocking those people

I'm sure they'll show you everything. The Williams law library is depressing, so check out Wolff if you can. Also get a feel for DC in general (outside of the monuments) - though you'll probably spend 1L on campus, can't hurt to get the lay of the land outside of it.

Why is the library depressing?

the couches in the second floor of the reading room are the best place on campus to take a nap though. so comfy

[schmooky]

.

[JustHawkin]

.

[ConLawNerd91]

Hi, rising 1L here. If I want to get a fed gov internship during my 2L year, when would I apply? That fall or the previous spring?

For students who got clerkships, do you know what they did to get there? I understand journal experience and good grades are important; is there anything else I should be doing to land a clerkship?

Thanks!

[FastFuse]

Hey, has anyone taken Brooks for Fed Income Tax? Looking for some insight as how his exams are, etc.

[hichvichwoh]

Hey, has anyone taken Brooks for Fed Income Tax? Looking for some insight as how his exams are, etc.

yeah I have, pm any specific questions if you want

[Nothing but the Funk]

Sorry if this has been posted about elsewhere. How do people get into georgetown's section 3? Is it mainly just luck or if you want it can you get? This might be something that swings my decision in their favor once scholly info is out.

[JustHawkin]

Sorry if this has been posted about elsewhere. How do people get into georgetown's section 3? Is it mainly just luck or if you want it can you get? This might be something that swings my decision in their favor once scholly info is out.

You chose curriculum B over curriculum A. Most (if not all) who prefer it, get it.

[caryatis]

Has anyone taken classes with Seidman? I hear he is a critical legal studies guy and would love to get that perspective. But I'm more on the conservative side. How open-minded is he?

[theotherone823]

Has anyone taken classes with Seidman? I hear he is a critical legal studies guy and would love to get that perspective. But I'm more on the conservative side. How open-minded is he?

I'm in Seidman's section 3 Legal Justice seminar this semester. He is definitely very open minded and appreciates all perspectives. He will almost always intentionally take a position that is directly counter to the one for which a student is advocating (no matter if it is liberal or conservative) and use it to try to show the strengths and weaknesses in the student's position. He really has a talent for seeing and arguing all sides equally.

[Pliny]

Has anyone taken classes with Seidman? I hear he is a critical legal studies guy and would love to get that perspective. But I'm more on the conservative side. How open-minded is he?

I'm in Seidman's section 3 Legal Justice seminar this semester. He is definitely very open minded and appreciates all perspectives. He will almost always intentionally take a position that is directly counter to the one for which a student is advocating (no matter if it is liberal or conservative) and use it to try to show the strengths and weaknesses in the student's position. He really has a talent for seeing and arguing all sides equally.

I had Seidman for CrimPro. He definitely is very liberal when it comes to the law, but he's very good at teaching. Like theotherone said, Seidman will take contrary positions (including when they don't seem to align with his politics) and explore your answer. But, he's incredibly gracious about it and will clearly consider whatever you're saying. You may not always agree with him, but it's never contentious.

[enteringthemaze]

Are there any Chicago firms that come to OCI?

[Glasseyes]

Are there any Chicago firms that come to OCI?

Due to the size of the class, our EIW is one of the biggest OCI events anywhere. I can't find the list at the moment, but I can practically guarantee at least a few will be there. Still probably not the easiest to get to a Chicago firm from GULC, but people do it every year.

[JustHawkin]

Any body able to tell 1Ls what is par for the course re: time when we should expect grades? I've heard mixed reviews...

[gtown1212]

fall 1l grades came out like end of january last year iirc.. took forever.

[TheSpanishMain]

Do they all come out at once or is it death of a thousand cuts?

[BmoreOrLess]

Do they all come out at once or is it death of a thousand cuts?

I've heard all at once. And that would be in line with our LRW prof saying she would have our grades in before christmas; still radio silence on this end. I guarantee it will conveniently be a day after the bulk of a tuition refund expires. I'm betting Tuesday the 27th when the refund drops from 80% to 50%.

[gtown1212]

they don't all come out at once..

so, once every section's civpro professor has their grades in, civ pro comes out
once every torts professor has their grades in, torts come out..

so on and so forth.