UVA Law Students Taking Questions Forum

[thesealocust]

Lile Moot Court begins in the fall of 2L and is judged by actual COA judges and is put on by the school. It's uber prestigious and very competitive. Ted Kennedy won it when he was here. First place gets a cash prize and their names on a plaque.

The final round is judged by judges (by no means all of whom are CoA judges) and the rest is judged by 3Ls (maybe even 2Ls who lose early). The first round was a total shit show this (and from what I hear, most) years - people were dropping out left and right, and many who stayed in openly hoped that they wouldn't progress to the next round because it's a pain in the ass.

I don't know of a single person who took it seriously. They picked like a dozen++ alternates for the second round because they assumed many people would drop out even if picked to advance.

And I won't even get in to the scandals of late.

But yes, Ted Kennedy did win it when he was here.

[BruceWayne]

Lile Moot Court begins in the fall of 2L and is judged by actual COA judges and is put on by the school. It's uber prestigious and very competitive. Ted Kennedy won it when he was here. First place gets a cash prize and their names on a plaque.

The final round is judged by judges (by no means all of whom are CoA judges) and the rest is judged by 3Ls (maybe even 2Ls who lose early). The first round was a total shit show this (and from what I hear, most) years - people were dropping out left and right, and many who stayed in openly hoped that they wouldn't progress to the next round because it's a pain in the ass.

I don't know of a single person who took it seriously. They picked like a dozen++ alternates for the second round because they assumed many people would drop out even if picked to advance.

And I won't even get in to the scandals of late.

But yes, Ted Kennedy did win it when he was here.

Scandal that sounds interesting...

[LLB2JD]

Lile Moot Court begins in the fall of 2L and is judged by actual COA judges and is put on by the school. It's uber prestigious and very competitive. Ted Kennedy won it when he was here. First place gets a cash prize and their names on a plaque.

The final round is judged by judges (by no means all of whom are CoA judges) and the rest is judged by 3Ls (maybe even 2Ls who lose early). The first round was a total shit show this (and from what I hear, most) years - people were dropping out left and right, and many who stayed in openly hoped that they wouldn't progress to the next round because it's a pain in the ass.

I don't know of a single person who took it seriously. They picked like a dozen++ alternates for the second round because they assumed many people would drop out even if picked to advance.

And I won't even get in to the scandals of late.

But yes, Ted Kennedy did win it when he was here.

Oh Oh, Moot-gate. Common, don't keep the salacious details to yourself. Please share.

[soullesswonder]

Lile Moot Court begins in the fall of 2L and is judged by actual COA judges and is put on by the school. It's uber prestigious and very competitive. Ted Kennedy won it when he was here. First place gets a cash prize and their names on a plaque.

The final round is judged by judges (by no means all of whom are CoA judges) and the rest is judged by 3Ls (maybe even 2Ls who lose early). The first round was a total shit show this (and from what I hear, most) years - people were dropping out left and right, and many who stayed in openly hoped that they wouldn't progress to the next round because it's a pain in the ass.

I don't know of a single person who took it seriously. They picked like a dozen++ alternates for the second round because they assumed many people would drop out even if picked to advance.

And I won't even get in to the scandals of late.

But yes, Ted Kennedy did win it when he was here.

Oh Oh, Moot-gate. Common, don't keep the salacious details to yourself. Please share.

http://abovethelaw.com/2010/02/lile-moo ... law-again/

http://abovethelaw.com/2009/09/uva-3ls- ... ir-young-/

[joeshmo39]

PSA: Don't do extramural moot court as a 1L, it will distract you at a time when you should be focusing on grades. Employers will not care that you did moot court, even if you did well...they will however care about that below median GPA.

You could also do it if it's something you're interested in. The time commitment isn't unreasonable and you are on a team. Maybe employers care more about grades, but it's going to be an awful long interview and an insufferable call-back if you have nothing to talk about when interview season comes calling. For instance, I have both a trial ad and moot court tournament next month and then I'm free for the remainder of the semester. My time in February is not nearly as valuable as my time in April so it's not the end of the world my schedule this month is tight. It's just about managing your time.

[Cavalier]

My time in February is not nearly as valuable as my time in April so it's not the end of the world my schedule this month is tight.

False. http://febclub.blogspot.com/

[5ky]

Some grades are now up.

[Cavalier]

Some grades are now up.

Unfortunately, SIS is not.

[soullesswonder]

PSA: Don't do extramural moot court as a 1L, it will distract you at a time when you should be focusing on grades. Employers will not care that you did moot court, even if you did well...they will however care about that below median GPA.

You could also do it if it's something you're interested in. The time commitment isn't unreasonable and you are on a team. Maybe employers care more about grades, but it's going to be an awful long interview and an insufferable call-back if you have nothing to talk about when interview season comes calling. For instance, I have both a trial ad and moot court tournament next month and then I'm free for the remainder of the semester. My time in February is not nearly as valuable as my time in April so it's not the end of the world my schedule this month is tight. It's just about managing your time.

+1

[vamedic03]

Some grades are now up.

Unfortunately, SIS is not.

Back up now.

[vamedic03]

PSA: Don't do extramural moot court as a 1L, it will distract you at a time when you should be focusing on grades. Employers will not care that you did moot court, even if you did well...they will however care about that below median GPA.

You could also do it if it's something you're interested in. The time commitment isn't unreasonable and you are on a team. Maybe employers care more about grades, but it's going to be an awful long interview and an insufferable call-back if you have nothing to talk about when interview season comes calling. For instance, I have both a trial ad and moot court tournament next month and then I'm free for the remainder of the semester. My time in February is not nearly as valuable as my time in April so it's not the end of the world my schedule this month is tight. It's just about managing your time.

+1

Your prior life experiences + 1L summer job give you something to talk about for 20-30 minutes. Without the grades, it's tougher to get your foot in the door.

Edited to add - If trial ad is your thing, make sure you do it well. My point isn't to detract from your choices, rather to encourage you to maintain your grades.

[Cavalier]

Some grades are now up.

Unfortunately, SIS is not.

Back up now.

Still down

[Doritos]

sigh...still waiting...

[Kohinoor]

2L year. When slight GPA drops are reason for celebration.

[Kohinoor]

sigh...still waiting...

Patience is a virtue! Up for me!

[berkeleykel06]

The only info on grade distributions I've been able to find (other than median and top 25%) was from the UVA Law Blog:

Top 10%: 3.65
Top 25%: 3.48
Top 33%: 3.42
Median: 3.3
Bottom 33%: 3.18
Bottom 25%: 3.12
Bottom 10%: 2.95

Does this seem fairly accurate for 1Ls?

[Cavalier]

The only info on grade distributions I've been able to find (other than median and top 25%) was from the UVA Law Blog:

Top 10%: 3.65
Top 25%: 3.48
Top 33%: 3.42
Median: 3.3
Bottom 33%: 3.18
Bottom 25%: 3.12
Bottom 10%: 2.95

Does this seem fairly accurate for 1Ls?

Statistically speaking, that's how the distribution should look.

[showNprove]

PSA: Don't do extramural moot court as a 1L, it will distract you at a time when you should be focusing on grades. Employers will not care that you did moot court, even if you did well...they will however care about that below median GPA.

Bad advice, IMO. First, your time commitment during the fall semester is almost nil, with the only exception being the few days leading up to the try out. Extramural moot court will not interfere with your fall studies. In the spring, most tournaments are in late February/early March, so it won't run into finals time then, either. Considering most of the research is done before classes start, it's not that bad.

I can attest that employers cared that I had moot court experience. They know most students simply sign up for Lile and blow it off. But I had already made the commitment, already had a success to show off. It was something relatively unique that made me stand out just a little bit more.

This might be heresy (being a UVA thread and all) but I don't have nearly as much confidence in Career Services here as I did when I was looking at Duke. The fact that we don't put out a full spreadsheet of 2L summer employment outcomes rankles me, and while CSO has been perfectly cordial with me here I don't have nearly the same rapport with them as I did when I was talking with Career Services at Duke (part of that may be the class size thing, but I dunno).

/copies statement, saves for future alibi when blatantly trolling for UVA

Doesn't Duke pay employers to hire their students? You're telling me that instills confidence in you?

UVA's CSO is top notch. If you're not taking advantage of the office, you're making a huge mistake.

[berkeleykel06]

When sending transcripts through email, should I send the transcript I get from SIS or the one from Symplicity? I like Symplicity's transcript better because it gives some reference points for class rank, but it says it's for career service purposes only so I wasn't sure if I could use it to apply for jobs outside of Symplicity.

[YCrevolution]

..

[ZiggyPink]

How important is facebook for 1L? I have never been a social networking type person and don't want to start now, but then again I don't want to put myself at a disadvantage. Am I doomed to be a social outcast without it? Is it commonly used for academic stuff like organizing study groups, exchanging notes, etc..?

Thanks

[YCrevolution]

..

[soullesswonder]

This might be heresy (being a UVA thread and all) but I don't have nearly as much confidence in Career Services here as I did when I was looking at Duke. The fact that we don't put out a full spreadsheet of 2L summer employment outcomes rankles me, and while CSO has been perfectly cordial with me here I don't have nearly the same rapport with them as I did when I was talking with Career Services at Duke (part of that may be the class size thing, but I dunno).

/copies statement, saves for future alibi when blatantly trolling for UVA

Doesn't Duke pay employers to hire their students? You're telling me that instills confidence in you?

UVA's CSO is top notch. If you're not taking advantage of the office, you're making a huge mistake.

Two things:

1) Yeah, Duke paid a limited number of employers to "test drive" their students. But you know what? They didn't hide it or try to pass it off as a permanent job. I also remember comparing their spreadsheets of 2L summer employment for 2009 and 2008 and noting the increase in research positions with the university. I wasn't thrilled with those developments, either, but I was very pleased with the fact that I had no trouble getting such data from Duke. I also appreciated the fact that Duke pulled out all the stops to help their students, including somewhat unconventional means. The fact that UVA doesn't have the employment transparency of Duke or Vanderbilt is something that continues to bother me, even though I know our overall outcomes are better.

2) My lack of confidence in CSO stems from their lack of transparency and (I feel) honesty when addressing large groups. I have no doubt whatsoever in their competence or expertise. I made a statement about my dealings with them that reflected my subjective feelings. Surely I'm entitled to have better rapport with some professionals I meet than others.

[soullesswonder]

How important is facebook for 1L? I have never been a social networking type person and don't want to start now, but then again I don't want to put myself at a disadvantage. Am I doomed to be a social outcast without it? Is it commonly used for academic stuff like organizing study groups, exchanging notes, etc..?

Thanks

Your ~30-person section will have an e-mail list. There's also an SBA e-mail that goes out twice-a-week for the bigger law school events. Facebook would still be useful for keeping track of some of the social events, but you could definitely get by without it.

gchat wouldn't hurt, either

[plum]

how are short courses graded? is there a curve? do we actually get a letter grade for a 1 credit course? does that grade come out when the SC is over, or at the end of the semester along with all the rest? thanks.