William & Mary Forum

[dark]

How does W&M compete in the NY job market? I know it has a great reputation in DC but is Brooklyn better for NY? (although given my situation I may not even end up living there after law school) Do you need a car in Williamsburg?

I went the entire year without a car in Williamsburg. You don't need one, but it will definitely make things less convenient. -I'm going to have a car this next year.

You've probably made your decision already, but W&M can get you to NYC if that's where you want to go. Because of the prestige from the undergrad, there is usually some name recognition. One of my friends (who is working in NYC this summer) said when he tells people he goes to W&M, they generally respond in awe as they consider it a good and selective school.

That being said, we don't get a lot of employers from NY doing interviews on campus. You'll have to reach out to employers yourself. And you can't beat going to a school in the area you want to practice in, for forming relationships and general networking with people in the area. If you have good grades, you'll be able to get interviews with large firms in NY. I'm sure Brooklyn places more people in NY, but W&M will probably give you greater flexibility and the option to choose NY or several other cities along the east coast.

Just curious as to what OCI is like at W&M. Do they have blind OCI, or do most recruiters prefer candidates with a certain gpa, extra curricular, etc.?

I think its very typical for virtually all employers taking applications and doing formal interviewing (at any law school) to ask for transcripts and resumes. Thus, they get to see your grades, what classes you've taken, and they get to see things like extra curriculars that you put on your resume. Clearly extra curricular activities that may be relevant to the job position (IE: moot court if you want to be a prosecutor) will make you stand out as an interested applicant and not someone who is looking for just any random job.

[sly_lychee]

Can you please comment on the social atmosphere at WM? Are students exceedingly competitive or willing to help each other out? Do you socialize outside the academic context? I went a very competitive undergrad college, so I want to avoid that as much as possible.

[ArchRoark]

About February, I decided I really wanted to be at UT, but I knew it was a long shot since I was huge splitter and had a crappy application. Needless to say I didn't get in.

What where your numbers? I too am a huge splitter. I assume from your post that you had in-state Texas residency as well.

[texas08]

What where your numbers? I too am a huge splitter. I assume from your post that you had in-state Texas residency as well.

3.1/171

Can you please comment on the social atmosphere at WM? Are students exceedingly competitive or willing to help each other out? Do you socialize outside the academic context? I went a very competitive undergrad college, so I want to avoid that as much as possible.

As for social scene (if you're talking about drinking events, as people usually are), we have Bar Review on Thursday nights, and people tend to go out either to bars or parties on Friday and/or Saturday nights. I wouldn't say that there is much drinking/going out happening on other nights typically, though there is occasionally. You'll notice that it's more or less the same people in your class going out after awhile. I'd say out of my class of ~210, I've seen maybe 100 of those out, and usually it's the same 40 or so of us. I know people who don't drink though that do a lot of other stuff like game nights, movies, things like that. So, if drinking isn't your scene, there are definitely some fun non-drinking activities. We also have a lot of annual events like, a fall semi-formal (Fall From Grace), spring formal (Barrister's Ball), and several Public Service Fund events that are social like Casino Night, Auction, and Halloween Party.

As for the academic context, I think we are much less comptetive than most schools. Don't get me wrong though, there is a definite competitive edge that you are going to feel at any law school. You are in constant competition with your classmates, for grades, spots on teams, and everything else it seems like sometimes. If you don't think you can handle that then you should reconsider law school. But W&M is better than most. Most students are willing to help you out even if you are in the same class, trying out for the same spot, etc. For example, it's rare to hear of anyone have a problem getting notes, study help, a book from the library, etc... even though everyone wants to excel, no one wants to do it by cutting someone else out.

Hope that answers your question.

[kaftka juice]

I am considering W&M for law school, however I did want to know about how well it places outside of the Mid-Atlantic region. Due to my boyfriend's career we will probably be moving a couple times in the next 10 years or so, and it's very possible we could be starting out on the west coast. I know you mentioned that there were some graduates who went to California, but do you happen to know how the W&M name transferred to the region? Is it mostly self-selection that leads grads to stay in the area?

W&M would be by far the cheapest option for me, but am I better off retaking the LSAT and applying ED to UVA instead?

[texas08]

If you do well in your class I think you'd be fine at W&M, however I will also say that it's usually best to go to the best school you can get into. If you think you can improve your LSAT enough to get into UVA then go for it. In fact, even if it doesnt get you in UVA it could get you even better scholarship offers elsewhere.

[Emma1]

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[beachbum]

What percentage of the student body is female?

Seriously? You bump an old thread and this is your question?

http://law.wm.edu/admissions/enteringclass/index.php

[ArchRoark]

What percentage of the student body is female?

Seriously? You bump an old thread and this is your question?

http://law.wm.edu/admissions/enteringclass/index.php

It is not /that/ old. People subscribe to threads and when they see a new post they check them. IMHO it is better then making a new one. However, yes you are correct that usually this information can be found on the various schools' websites.

[elvenlord21]

Hi,

I am considering applying to W&M because of the Bill of Rights Institute and their constitutional law review. Does W&M have a high ranking in the constitutional law field? Are there a lot of students at W&M with that focus? Is it hard to get into the Bill of Rights Institute and the Con Law Review?


Thanks.

[kad1026]

Yeah I am interested in that program as well, and I applied for the Fellowship. I haven't really come across much info on it so I am really curious about it, too.

[brose]

Does anyone know if answering the question about the fellowships is a requirement for receiving them or does W & M pick students like they have in the past? From reading this thread, it seems like this is the first year for the fellowship question on the application. Anyone have some knowledge on this?

[Green Crayons]

I'm a 1L.

Are there a lot of students at W&M with that focus? Is it hard to get into the Bill of Rights Institute and the Con Law Review?

I can't attest to the difficultly in getting in for either. There are students who certainly have this on their mind as a focus, but no more so than any other aspect of the legal profession.

Yeah I am interested in that program as well, and I applied for the Fellowship. I haven't really come across much info on it so I am really curious about it, too.

I believe some 1Ls posted information about the Fellowship in this thread about a year ago. All of that is pertinent and a good source of information. Basically, you'll be spending 8 hours of your week working in some capacity for your 1L year. The requirement is split into four administrative hours and four library hours. The job assigned for each is dependent upon how you fill out a questionnaire after being selected as a graduate fellow. These jobs are not glamorous -- you will be doing menial work or providing the role of a warm body. It's definitely not hard work and getting $400+ a month (plus the automatic in-state tuition deduction) for doing it is a steal.

That said, I have become incredibly jealous of my time since starting law school and I wish I had those extra eight hours.

A caveat to the caveat: I don't think those eight hours are going to make or break anyone.

Does anyone know if answering the question about the fellowships is a requirement for receiving them or does W & M pick students like they have in the past? From reading this thread, it seems like this is the first year for the fellowship question on the application. Anyone have some knowledge on this?

I'm fairly certain that you have to check the box to be considered. I heard a rumor that they extended their Fellow applications a bit too much this year and were taken up by more applicants than they anticipated. I would expect that they will cut their numbers down accordingly, seeing as how LS applications are not in decline.

[brose]

Do many 2Ls and 3Ls get in-state tuition? Virginia seems like a hard place to establish residency.

[Law Sauce]

Hey, I was just wondering if you knew of anyone who negotiated with W&M. I recieved one of the OOS grad fellowships but it is likely that I will be able to become a resident. Is it possible for my OSS fellowship to be turned into a scholarship if this happens and I do not need OOS help any more.
Thanks

[Green Crayons]

Do many 2Ls and 3Ls get in-state tuition? Virginia seems like a hard place to establish residency.

No clue. Admissions office would probably help you out with that query.

Hey, I was just wondering if you knew of anyone who negotiated with W&M. I recieved one of the OOS grad fellowships but it is likely that I will be able to become a resident, because I will be married at that point and my wife will be working/likely able to become a resident after a year. Is it possible for my OSS fellowship to be turned into a scholarship if this happens and I do not OOS help any more, and, is it possible to negotiate for more money if I have substantially higher-ranked acceptances to negotiate with?

Thanks

My understanding is that W&M is pretty tight with their money. Feel free to try to negotiate, but don't expect much. I believe that I received a minor sum knocked off the initial tuition price, notwithstanding the graduate fellowship deduction -- which I'm sure would have been moderately more if my GPA or LSAT numbers were better (and, conversely, moderately less if they were worse). However, from general conversation, it sounds like most 1Ls are paying generally about the same, so don't go into the conversation thinking that they have tons of money they're looking to throw towards special snowflakes.

If you become a resident you can no longer be a graduate fellow. That means no longer getting the 10k knocked off the yearly tuition (from OOS to IS) or the ~$440/month. However, you will then be paying in-state tuition fees, so the only difference is that you aren't receiving an income or working 8 hours. So, no: you can't become an in-state student and then still want that 10k knocked off your tuition bill for being a graduate fellow. That would be nice, though.

[BiasedToe]

Just accepted yesterday with a Graduate Fellowship and a nice scholarship- W&M is going to be tough to top for sure. I'm wondering what life is like in the Gradplex. I heard there are "Graduate RAs"- for the people who live there, does it feel like undergraduate dorms all over again? Given the choice, would you live in the Gradplex again or opt to live off-campus? What are the pros and cons of each?

[Green Crayons]

I'm wondering what life is like in the Gradplex.

Pretty sure some last-year 1Ls described it in the first few pages -- so there's that first-hand account. All my friends who live there this year say they hate it and that it's too much like undergrad, nothing works, or that you're constantly "on campus."

[tttlllsss]

I'm wondering what life is like in the Gradplex.

Pretty sure some last-year 1Ls described it in the first few pages -- so there's that first-hand account. All my friends who live there this year say they hate it and that it's too much like undergrad, nothing works, or that you're constantly "on campus."

What did they mean by "too much like undergrad" and "nothing works"?

[texas08]

Green Crayons wrote:
BiasedToe wrote:
I'm wondering what life is like in the Gradplex.
Pretty sure some last-year 1Ls described it in the first few pages -- so there's that first-hand account. All my friends who live there this year say they hate it and that it's too much like undergrad, nothing works, or that you're constantly "on campus."


What did they mean by "too much like undergrad" and "nothing works"?

I'll preface this by saying I never lived there, but I know a couple people who were there last year and stayed again this year. It's not the best thing ever but it is relatively cheap and probably the closest thing you'll find. That being said, obviously I didn't want to live there.

brose wrote:
Do many 2Ls and 3Ls get in-state tuition? Virginia seems like a hard place to establish residency.
No clue. Admissions office would probably help you out with that query.

I've heard it can be difficult if you don't have a spouse or family in Virginia. I know several people who were going to try and get it, but am not sure if they did. Admissions might have some stats on number of people that apply for it/receive it.

elvenlord21 wrote:
Are there a lot of students at W&M with that focus? Is it hard to get into the Bill of Rights Institute and the Con Law Review?
I can't attest to the difficultly in getting in for either. There are students who certainly have this on their mind as a focus, but no more so than any other aspect of the legal profession.

By Con Law Review I'm going to assume we are talking about the Bill of Rights Journal. It's in the same competition as all the credit-bearing journals at W&M, so it's hard to say which ones are "hardest" to get on. If that's what you really want to do, and you do well in the competition, you probably stand a good chance. I don't think that you can "get into" the Bill of Rights Institute. You might be able to get assigned there as a GrF (graduate research fellow) as a 1L, but that's iffy. The questionaire they have you fill out is kind of BS in my opinion.

There's a real gem about con law in this video if you're interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE

[ksimon2007]

A fellow Texas resident here...I have yet to get into W&M, but hope to have it as an option...I was recently admitted to Vanderbilt, but would really like to work in DC or Northern Virginia. W&M is primetime in Virginia and I am a big fan of the school, but ranking seems to matter quite a bit...With your numbers I am sure you had various other options...what sold you on W&M in the end?

[texas08]

A fellow Texas resident here...I have yet to get into W&M, but hope to have it as an option...I was recently admitted to Vanderbilt, but would really like to work in DC or Northern Virginia. W&M is primetime in Virginia and I am a big fan of the school, but ranking seems to matter quite a bit...With your numbers I am sure you had various other options...what sold you on W&M in the end?

money... i wasn't sure where i wanted to practice, but i knew i didnt want to be 200k in debt after law school. i got the grad fellowship to go to w&m, it's a good school, so i went for it.

[Green Crayons]

What did they mean by "too much like undergrad" and "nothing works"?

What I understood it to mean was their living situation (in close proximity to others) and some utilities issues. Its entirely possible that they were playing up their woes.

money... i wasn't sure where i wanted to practice, but i knew i didnt want to be 200k in debt after law school. i got the grad fellowship to go to w&m, it's a good school, so i went for it.

For what it's worth, this is pretty much the response that everyone I know would say, including myself. If someone was accepted to a better ranked school but they chose W&M, it was because of money, location, or both. I personally don't regret my choice in the slightest.

[2011Cycle]

Are practice exams for 1L courses readily available in the library, directly from professors, or other sources? Thanks

[seasicksmurf151]

Are practice exams for 1L courses readily available in the library, directly from professors, or other sources? Thanks

The law school has a practice exam database online through the library. Other than that, it really depends on the professor. Not all professors have exams in the database. My Torts professor didn't have any in the database, but we were given 6 hypos before the exam through Blackboard.