Indiana University - Bloomington students taking questions Forum

[lah88]

How likely is it that we will get our top choice Torts professor? Did any 2L's not get your first choice last year?

[c-monster]

How likely is it that we will get our top choice Torts professor? Did any 2L's not get your first choice last year?

On the one hand, it seems like almost everybody is going to choose Gjerdingen (from what I've seen here and on facebook). On the other hand, maybe most students don't care or won't send in their preferences or won't read the internets for advice. On the third hand, I'm a 0L and this is pure conjecture. Also, I didn't really answer your question.

[Verity]

Who are the hottest professors?

[lah88]

How likely is it that we will get our top choice Torts professor? Did any 2L's not get your first choice last year?

On the one hand, it seems like almost everybody is going to choose Gjerdingen (from what I've seen here and on facebook). On the other hand, maybe most students don't care or won't send in their preferences or won't read the internets for advice. On the third hand, I'm a 0L and this is pure conjecture. Also, I didn't really answer your question.

I've already decided on Gjerdingen for my top choice but have no idea what to put for my 2nd and 3rd choice. Seems like there is not much information on Brown.

[c-monster]

How likely is it that we will get our top choice Torts professor? Did any 2L's not get your first choice last year?

On the one hand, it seems like almost everybody is going to choose Gjerdingen (from what I've seen here and on facebook). On the other hand, maybe most students don't care or won't send in their preferences or won't read the internets for advice. On the third hand, I'm a 0L and this is pure conjecture. Also, I didn't really answer your question.

I've already decided on Gjerdingen for my top choice but have no idea what to put for my 2nd and 3rd choice. Seems like there is not much information on Brown.

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRat ... id=1094285
http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRat ... tid=257546

[SortOfObsessed]

How likely is it that we will get our top choice Torts professor? Did any 2L's not get your first choice last year?

Also curious to know this. Though I am ranking opposite everyone else in that I put Heidt first (I'd rather be intimidated in class than have to suffer through incorrect economic theory).

Unrelated, but does anyone with a car have a good recommendation for where I can buy a parking spot within a half mile of the law school?

[Chippy]

Though I am ranking opposite everyone else in that I put Heidt first (I'd rather be intimidated in class than have to suffer through incorrect economic theory).

Remind me to buy you a drink. At least economics is important to someone here! Plus, Heidt takes a very pro law and economics stance ala Posner.

As for parking, I don't know. Bike or walk if at all possible. Parking is out of control.

[kings84_wr]

I did not get my first choice two years ago. Gjerdy will fill up fast.

I ranked Heidt second and got him.

Ive only heard pretty bad things about Brown.

I can give a quick summar of all three since there is not much on brown.

Heidt: very economic, a bit socially awkward, heavy socratic, very demanding, you really will work hard in his class. That being said he prepares you very well for the exam, there are lots of practice exam and a very very good distribution. His exams are tough but fair, and you really will walk away learning a lot about Torts. pretty anti- affirmative action, some people have felt a bit discriminated against in class (though others absolutely don't). He worked in anti-trust I believe before teaching. He does not really publish anymore, he's really focused on teaching. He will give a lot of assingments and do a lot of reading and class discussion. He's also the only teacher I still breifed for to the last day of classes. Supplements are really not that helpful for him.

Gjerdy: very nice guy and smart. Not as economics focused but still does some. He's a little more student friendly, less socially awkward and is nice guy to sit and talk to. He used to not cold call, not sure if this is still true. His exam is a marathon typing contest. He also had a very B+ focused curve ala, a lot of the class recieved B+'s where as Heidt and brown follow a more traditional grade curve. He may be the safe choice from a teaching and grading perspective. If you hate economics or philosophy I'd go with him. His exam is pretty straight forward, and he used to even assign getting to maybe, so he follows the general law school exam type.

Brown: the exact opposite of Heidt. Focuses on the community/government part of torts. Does not do any Intentional torts, and is not really focused on the economic side. Some people in his class said they talked about duty for 75% of the time. He likes to talk about torts from a community standard, so its a lot of government liability and things like that. He also talks about God a lot (or so I've been told). Focuses more from a philosophical religous side. I've heard he's a nice guy, but that his exam was kinda nuts, and many students who did pretty well in other classes bombed it. Also tends to be a smaller section then the rest. TO be blunt, my 4 or 5 friends in his class all hated it.

[downstream]

Kings is one of the best posters on this board and easily the best IU-related poster. His word is like gospel on this thing and his advice is golden.

There is only one criteria that matters when picking classes/professors: the grade distribution.

Believe me, nobody will give a hoot about whether someone teaches with more of an economic/emotional slant once the exam comes around. It all comes down to how the grades were doled out. I think I probably had the most well liked Property professors last year and his curve was atrocious. On pure professor characteristics, he was a slam dunk. On the grade distribution, horrible. The grade follows me for life, his cheerful demeanor in class does not.

EDIT: to clarify, IU professors are supposed to curve at a 3.2-3.3. Some professors definitely curve closer to a 3.2. Even if they curve to a 3.3, some may load up on B+'s whereas others will give more A's but also give more C+'s. If you work hard, you want one that gives more A's.

[Chippy]

It absolutely matters what the professor's political (or economics) convictions are. The best grades I got in law school came from being a complete sycophant and just regurgitating the professor's political and economics prospectives. Especially mattered in my contracts course, with a professor that will remain nameless.

downstream, are you talking stake?

[Verity]

I look forward to bootlicking.

[twairlines]

Thanks to both above posters. With that in mind, between Gjerdy and Heidt, who gives more A's usually? I'm assuming since most of Gjerdy's students receive B+'s that there are fewer A's given in his course, correct?

[Chippy]

Thanks to both above posters. With that in mind, between Gjerdy and Heidt, who gives more A's usually? I'm assuming since most of Gjerdy's students receive B+'s that there are fewer A's given in his course, correct?

http://gradedistribution.registrar.indiana.edu/

Gjerdy gives more B+s.

[RMstratosphere]

I look forward to bootlicking.

TCR, regardless of prof.

[downstream]

It absolutely matters what the professor's political (or economics) convictions are. The best grades I got in law school came from being a complete sycophant and just regurgitating the professor's political and economics prospectives. Especially mattered in my contracts course, with a professor that will remain nameless.

You can regurgitate regardless of what their convictions are.

[LogosEther]

Gjerdy traditionally gives less high grades and less low grades, but last year he unexpectedly spread them out pretty far. So it's tough to predict what he'll do now.

[Chippy]

It absolutely matters what the professor's political (or economics) convictions are. The best grades I got in law school came from being a complete sycophant and just regurgitating the professor's political and economics prospectives. Especially mattered in my contracts course, with a professor that will remain nameless.

You can regurgitate regardless of what their convictions are.

No, some professors have standards and at least attempt to display some balance. I personally like the real hacks that broadcast their misinformed political views.

[Chippy]

Does anyone know how IU-Indy does these days (Law School Transparency records that Indy didn't report employment figures in 2009)? I was looking through profiles at indy firms- I was really surprised at the amount of Indy grads. At some of these firms, they outpace IU-Bloomington.

[downstream]

IU-Indy grads outpacing IUB students at some Indy firms doesnt surprise me.

IUB sends people to other places than Indy, I don't think the same is true to any large extent with IUI but I could be wrong. If you want an Indy firm and are from Indy, I would think that it makes more sense to go to IUB.

[Exeter]

IU-B still has the best ASW in the history of ASW's. Damn that was fun.

[twairlines]

Any comments from the summer starters? You guys done with that yet? Is/was it what you were expecting? If any fall starters just arriving in town needs something to do to kill time, then I'm down for hitting the bars in the next couple weeks to meet some of you before classes start for us.

[c-monster]

Any comments from the summer starters? You guys done with that yet? Is/was it what you were expecting? If any fall starters just arriving in town needs something to do to kill time, then I'm down for hitting the bars in the next couple weeks to meet some of you before classes start for us.

I'm in town and down if you can get a few people together!

[Chippy]

Have all the pre-selects gone out? Or just few firms published results? Got one email from a firm today.....

[kings84_wr]

Have all the pre-selects gone out? Or just few firms published results? Got one email from a firm today.....

Last year I believe they were given on a rolling basis, with some coming rather late

[Chippy]

Have all the pre-selects gone out? Or just few firms published results? Got one email from a firm today.....

Last year I believe they were given on a rolling basis, with some coming rather late

Cheers! I'm just crazy paranoid right now, wanted to make sure I wasn't completely screwed.