Cornell 1L taking questions Forum

[Ikki]

So who do I NOT want to have for Civil Procedure? Clermont?

Both are great, but one is somewhat terrifying. You, however, have no choice, and will likely get both.Anyone. Civil Procedure is like getting raped in the eye by a runcible spoon.

I've heard that Civ Pro is a NIGHTMARE from several people now... why? Just the course itself? Or because of the instructors?

The course is pretty tough itself. Clermont was a great professor but a horrible teacher (at this point very few professors are teachers), and Holden-Smith is such a boss. I don't know what people in the other half of the class were talking about when they said she would be terrify us, she's a very nice lady.

[orderofthings]

I second this. It may be a product of being in my second semester, but I feel like I'm learning a lot with Holden-Smith, even if the material is difficult. She even laughed a few times today!

[orderofthings]

Do the suites in Hughes Hall have a kitchen? Anyone having any opinions or reviews about living in Hughes Hall your first year?

Also for those people who do not live on campus, is it easy to find a place that allows large dog breeds? (i.e. Great Dane)

Also, I don't live in Hughes, but my understanding is that there are communal kitchens, which, if I remember correctly, are farely nice. My friends that live there haven't had many complaints. I can't imagine it is a bad place to live. My opinion on housing in Ithaca may be biased based on personal experience because I feel like there is a fairly normal price range students pay into and it's all gonna be pretty much the same. I can't speak in regards to dogs however.

[Arbiter213]

The course is pretty tough itself. Clermont was a great professor but a horrible teacher (at this point very few professors are teachers), and Holden-Smith is such a boss. I don't know what people in the other half of the class were talking about when they said she would be terrify us, she's a very nice lady.

Not everyone is as brave as you, Mr. "Shout at the greek girl"

[msblaw89]

Were any of the 1L exams multiple choice or mainly written arguing both sides? Please don't laugh if that is a stupid question haha. I have some close friends who are at UF law now and had multiple choice... although, UF law is arguably a joke. They spoon feed you everything

[FlanAl]

my contracts had a multiple choice part.

BHS is terrifying because she can cold call you on a footnote that you might have missed for the entire class. And she'll also mis-hear you and tell you that you're wrong (when you're right) and then stay on you for a good minute of awkward silence before she moves on to some gunner who just repeats what you said. She'll make a really disappointed/pissed face when someone isn't totally on point.

also the greek girl didn't say anything in class so I guess she got the hint...

[kmh504]

Any BLSA members on here?

[scaredofdebt]

I was recently admitted. I am a bit intimidated by the size of this thread so excuse my laziness but i am going to fire some questions that prob have answers buried somewhere in the 109 pages.

I am not entirely sure what kind of law I want to practice but given cornell tuition and tuition to all schools really, it seems i will have to work in Biglaw for at least a few years. I understand the top %30-40 or whatever it is exactly get these legendary 160k positions, but my question is what happens to the rest of the class? I would love it if someone could attempt to break this down by %.

For example:
top 20% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
20-40% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
40-60% are looking at X prospects at graduationor soon thereafter?
60-80% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
80-100% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?

[FlanAl]

from what i can tell the employment stats on the schools website are pretty accurate. you could also look at NLJ stats. overall feel here is that things are pretty good and probably going to be better in years to come. also don't think that you have to do big law if you don't want to. cornell's lrap is pretty decent and there is always ibr if that suits you better.

[Pato_09]

There are several people I know that are below median and have big law this summer.

It helps a lot if you have relevant work experience and/or a good interviewee etc.

So, if you are below the median, you still have a chance.

[msblaw89]

Okay, important question! recently engaged and planning my wedding...which will be in Florida. Considering having it in October during fall recess, but was wondering if a paper or project was due shortly after the break. If that is the case, the wedding will wait.

[PinkCow]

Nah. I think the closed memo was due before fall break, so there's nothing due after fall break. Some people will suggest outlining/starting finals prep during then, but it's certainly not required. I played video games and ate food. I think I put pants on twice.

[Mr. Somebody]

Do the suites in Hughes Hall have a kitchen? Anyone having any opinions or reviews about living in Hughes Hall your first year?

Also for those people who do not live on campus, is it easy to find a place that allows large dog breeds? (i.e. Great Dane)

Also, I don't live in Hughes, but my understanding is that there are communal kitchens, which, if I remember correctly, are farely nice. My friends that live there haven't had many complaints. I can't imagine it is a bad place to live. My opinion on housing in Ithaca may be biased based on personal experience because I feel like there is a fairly normal price range students pay into and it's all gonna be pretty much the same. I can't speak in regards to dogs however.

What % of 1L's live in Hughes? Not sure I want to go back to living in dorms but I guess the convenience of it is attractive to me.

[vexion]

What % of 1L's live in Hughes? Not sure I want to go back to living in dorms but I guess the convenience of it is attractive to me.

There's something like 42 1Ls in Hughes and 200 or so in the class. So about 21%? Most people don't live in Hughes, don't feel like you have to by any means.

[vexion]

I was recently admitted. I am a bit intimidated by the size of this thread so excuse my laziness but i am going to fire some questions that prob have answers buried somewhere in the 109 pages.

I am not entirely sure what kind of law I want to practice but given cornell tuition and tuition to all schools really, it seems i will have to work in Biglaw for at least a few years. I understand the top %30-40 or whatever it is exactly get these legendary 160k positions, but my question is what happens to the rest of the class? I would love it if someone could attempt to break this down by %.

For example:
top 20% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
20-40% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
40-60% are looking at X prospects at graduationor soon thereafter?
60-80% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
80-100% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?

I don't know if anyone but Career Services is qualified to break it down like that; we don't know anyone else's grades or employment status and what you do think you know is probably a lie.

That said, if all you're angling for is one of those "legendary 160k positions," that's like, what, any biglaw firm at all, NYC or Houston? I'd say you need to break median to be comfortable. Cornell is currently the second-biggest feeder to NLJ 250 firms. Last year, 58% of our graduates went to those firms, and word is that situation is only improving. So take that for what you will.

[Chucky21]

How does OCI work at Cornell? Is it a lottery system or do firms select the people they want to interview? Do most people seeking firm jobs do so through OCI?

[johansantana21]

I was recently admitted. I am a bit intimidated by the size of this thread so excuse my laziness but i am going to fire some questions that prob have answers buried somewhere in the 109 pages.

I am not entirely sure what kind of law I want to practice but given cornell tuition and tuition to all schools really, it seems i will have to work in Biglaw for at least a few years. I understand the top %30-40 or whatever it is exactly get these legendary 160k positions, but my question is what happens to the rest of the class? I would love it if someone could attempt to break this down by %.

For example:
top 20% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
20-40% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
40-60% are looking at X prospects at graduationor soon thereafter?
60-80% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?
80-100% are looking at X prospects at graduation or soon thereafter?

I don't know if anyone but Career Services is qualified to break it down like that; we don't know anyone else's grades or employment status and what you do think you know is probably a lie.

That said, if all you're angling for is one of those "legendary 160k positions," that's like, what, any biglaw firm at all, NYC or Houston? I'd say you need to break median to be comfortable. Cornell is currently the second-biggest feeder to NLJ 250 firms. Last year, 58% of our graduates went to those firms, and word is that situation is only improving. So take that for what you will.

Too optimistic. Break median for a realistic shot. Top 10% to be comfortable.

[PinkCow]

How does OCI work at Cornell? Is it a lottery system or do firms select the people they want to interview? Do most people seeking firm jobs do so through OCI?

I don't know a lot about the process, but I do know that a big chunk of the hiring at big law (esp NYC) firms is done at the August Job Fair in NYC at the very beginning of August. Cornell also has its own OCI a few weeks later, but as I understand it, that's less NYC big firms and more local-ish firms.

[Pato_09]

How does OCI work at Cornell? Is it a lottery system or do firms select the people they want to interview? Do most people seeking firm jobs do so through OCI?

Lottery system. Yes, people that want to work in NYC, DC, Boston do it through OCI. The few that want to work elsewhere, like Cleveland or Minnesota, for example, usually contact the firms before OCI.

[Chucky21]

Thanks, so is the August job fair more important if you want to work in NYC? Or is OCI by itself enough?

[Pato_09]

Thanks, so is the August job fair more important if you want to work in NYC? Or is OCI by itself enough?

Yes, much more. At OCI, its more of Syracuse/Albany/Rochester firms, with very few NYC firms.

The August Job Fair is key for working in NYC as a SA.

[Killingly]

This may have been answered, but do you need a car in Ithica? Especially if I don't anticipate wanting to live in the dorms?

[Ikki]

This may have been answered, but do you need a car in Ithica? Especially if I don't anticipate wanting to live in the dorms?

Yes, you need nerves of steel around here though, too many dumbass pedestrians that don't look twice before crossing the street.

[Killingly]

Ah, that sucks. Was planning on selling mine.

[PinkCow]

This may have been answered, but do you need a car in Ithica? Especially if I don't anticipate wanting to live in the dorms?

You don't need a car. I know plenty of people (read: ~ 2/3 of my section) who don't have a car here. Bus service is quite good, and people are generally friendly enough to take you grocery shopping and such. Also, Ithaca has a car share program that some people use.
I personally have a car, but I am not one to give up comfort easily.

Besides, parking is OUTRAGEOUS. So you're gonna be walking to some degree anyway.