Cornell 1L taking questions Forum

[msblaw89]

Does Ithaca get humid and if so in what months?

It's always humid, if not necessarily 100%. It's 51% today.

Now, hot and humid is a different story. That happens July and August, and about halfway through September. Most of winter is wet and humid (i.e., a frigid reverse hell that chills you to the core).

I don't believe Ithaca is hot and humid...unless you have been to central Florida in August. 90-100 degrees....You look like you ran a marathon when you step outside...and there's no breeze.

[Arbiter213]

Does Ithaca get humid and if so in what months?

It's always humid, if not necessarily 100%. It's 51% today.

Now, hot and humid is a different story. That happens July and August, and about halfway through September. Most of winter is wet and humid (i.e., a frigid reverse hell that chills you to the core).

I don't believe Ithaca is hot and humid...unless you have been to central Florida in August. 90-100 degrees....You look like you ran a marathon when you step outside...and there's no breeze.

It's way more humid than any inland valley has being, but it's never gross. It gets a little hotter than you'd like but it's always pleasant by the evening.

[LogicalBaozi]

Does Cornell offer support for students looking to SA/eventually work in the Asian offices of New York-Based firms? NYU and Columbia both seem to have a number of programs for bilingual students (or just students with an interest in the area). What does Cornell offer?

I guess I should clarify: Do any of you guys know about the Suzhou thing? The only information was that it was cancelled in 2009; why would anyone even go, unless they couldn't get other legal-related work/SA for the summer?

Second, what does the Clarke Program do? It seems kind of odd, more like an academic exercise than anything related towards helping graduates work in related fields.

Lastly, are there any other similar programs, or does Cornell continue to primarily focus on its strength in placing students into NY?

Thanks!

Are you actually bilingual, or did you only study Chinese at the university level? From what I've heard, you need to have true native fluency to be competitive for placement in the Asian offices. My first language is Cantonese, but my reading and writing skills aren't great and I doubt I would have any chance at a HK office. This is what I understand from speaking with someone who works in an Asian office. TLS community wisdom may be different.

Edit for disclaimer: I'm a 0L and don't know anything besides what I've heard from my contact at an Asian office.

Skip this if you dislike things that may come off as arrogant/bragging:
Not a native speaker, but HSK 6 with honors (max level, didn't study for it). Most people can't tell I'm not a native speaker if they only speak to me over the phone, even if we're discussing economics/politics/that awesome new law that makes lawyers swear loyalty to the communist party and its leadership (though I tend to out myself after awhile, my accent wanders quite a bit). I read novels/dissertations in Chinese, but haven't really tackled Chinese legalese extensively (I tried translating some property law things into normal Chinese, the project stalled when I ran out of time). I did study it at the University level, tested through all undergraduate courses my sophomore year, would have gotten an MA alongside my BS/BA if it didn't require spending an extra year in China....

tl;dr I'm confident that if hiring is not restricted to native speakers only, I'd be in the running. Looking at several V100 firms with offices in Asia, there is a minority of associates with skin pigmentation rivaling my own deathly pallor. It is, however, a small minority, depending on the firm.

[Chucky21]

Does anyone have any experience with negotiating merit-based aid? Do scholarship offers from lower ranked schools give any kind of leverage? Obviously not to match it but to get something.

[msblaw89]

Does anyone have any experience with negotiating merit-based aid? Do scholarship offers from lower ranked schools give any kind of leverage? Obviously not to match it but to get something.

The farther down the ladder...the less likely. If you have a substantial scholarship in the 15-17 range I think it would help. Possible a large scholarship from lower ranked school, but NY schools, might help too.

[sf88]

Does Cornell offer support for students looking to SA/eventually work in the Asian offices of New York-Based firms? NYU and Columbia both seem to have a number of programs for bilingual students (or just students with an interest in the area). What does Cornell offer?

I guess I should clarify: Do any of you guys know about the Suzhou thing? The only information was that it was cancelled in 2009; why would anyone even go, unless they couldn't get other legal-related work/SA for the summer?

Second, what does the Clarke Program do? It seems kind of odd, more like an academic exercise than anything related towards helping graduates work in related fields.

Lastly, are there any other similar programs, or does Cornell continue to primarily focus on its strength in placing students into NY?

Thanks!

Are you actually bilingual, or did you only study Chinese at the university level? From what I've heard, you need to have true native fluency to be competitive for placement in the Asian offices. My first language is Cantonese, but my reading and writing skills aren't great and I doubt I would have any chance at a HK office. This is what I understand from speaking with someone who works in an Asian office. TLS community wisdom may be different.

Edit for disclaimer: I'm a 0L and don't know anything besides what I've heard from my contact at an Asian office.

Skip this if you dislike things that may come off as arrogant/bragging:
Not a native speaker, but HSK 6 with honors (max level, didn't study for it). Most people can't tell I'm not a native speaker if they only speak to me over the phone, even if we're discussing economics/politics/that awesome new law that makes lawyers swear loyalty to the communist party and its leadership (though I tend to out myself after awhile, my accent wanders quite a bit). I read novels/dissertations in Chinese, but haven't really tackled Chinese legalese extensively (I tried translating some property law things into normal Chinese, the project stalled when I ran out of time). I did study it at the University level, tested through all undergraduate courses my sophomore year, would have gotten an MA alongside my BS/BA if it didn't require spending an extra year in China....

tl;dr I'm confident that if hiring is not restricted to native speakers only, I'd be in the running. Looking at several V100 firms with offices in Asia, there is a minority of associates with skin pigmentation rivaling my own deathly pallor. It is, however, a small minority, depending on the firm.

In that case you have a much better chance. Sorry for the skepticism - I've just encountered many Asian language majors who claim to be bilingual but could barely order food without sounding foolish. I think a lot of foreign hiring (in Asian offices) also depends on practice areas and specialties.

[LogicalBaozi]

In that case you have a much better chance. Sorry for the skepticism - I've just encountered many Asian language majors who claim to be bilingual but could barely order food without sounding foolish. I think a lot of foreign hiring (in Asian offices) also depends on practice areas and specialties.

Skepticism much deserved. Even many majors who have studied abroad just hung out with other students and expats, or the same group of locals who hang out with the foreign students year in and year out.

Most offices tend to be M&A/CM heavy, but plenty of lit firms have offices as well.

But yeah, before we continue our own conversation on the side a bit too much: Are there are programs at Cornell similar to what NYU/CLS offer for students interested in such work?

I also saw a CLSer mentioning that some Asian offices of firms show up directly to OCI there (separate interviews). Does that happen at Cornell, or nothing but NY offices?

[sf88]

In that case you have a much better chance. Sorry for the skepticism - I've just encountered many Asian language majors who claim to be bilingual but could barely order food without sounding foolish. I think a lot of foreign hiring (in Asian offices) also depends on practice areas and specialties.

Skepticism much deserved. Even many majors who have studied abroad just hung out with other students and expats, or the same group of locals who hang out with the foreign students year in and year out.

Most offices tend to be M&A/CM heavy, but plenty of lit firms have offices as well.

But yeah, before we continue our own conversation on the side a bit too much: Are there are programs at Cornell similar to what NYU/CLS offer for students interested in such work?

I also saw a CLSer mentioning that some Asian offices of firms show up directly to OCI there (separate interviews). Does that happen at Cornell, or nothing but NY offices?

There's the study abroad programs with partner schools in HK and mainland. The Clarke Program sounds interesting, but more academically focus. The admitted student handbook had some information about courses on East Asian law. Other than that, not sure how much active support there is for placement in Asia. I do know that Cornell is highly regarded by Asian offices. I'm actually pretty interested in your question as well, since I'd love to work in HK.

[FlanAl]

Any thoughts on why our class has set the langfan record? I signed up because I figured some worry free public speaking practice would be helpful, but I'm not sure how seriously everyone else is taking it.

[Arbiter213]

Any thoughts on why our class has set the langfan record? I signed up because I figured some worry free public speaking practice would be helpful, but I'm not sure how seriously everyone else is taking it.

I know multiple people who are only reading the packet and no cases. Few people are taking it that seriously.

[PinkCow]

Any thoughts on why our class has set the langfan record? I signed up because I figured some worry free public speaking practice would be helpful, but I'm not sure how seriously everyone else is taking it.

On the other pole, I ran into one guy in the library reading the law review article mentioned in the packet like 4 hours after the problem came out. So there's that...

[Arbiter213]

Any thoughts on why our class has set the langfan record? I signed up because I figured some worry free public speaking practice would be helpful, but I'm not sure how seriously everyone else is taking it.

On the other pole, I ran into one guy in the library reading the law review article mentioned in the packet like 4 hours after the problem came out. So there's that...

There's a law review article? Shit...

[paulshortys10]

Anyone know if there are any stipulations attached to the scholarships? All the PDF said was that we had to be "in good standing".

[Arbiter213]

Anyone know if there are any stipulations attached to the scholarships? All the PDF said was that we had to be "in good standing".

No stips. Pretty sure it says the grant is for 3 years.

[horrorbusiness]

can anyone with t-mobile as their service provider attest to their signal quality and mobile internet quality (4g in particular) in ithaca? it's pretty terrible here in southern california, and if it's any worse there i'll probably need to change providers.

[horrorbusiness]

any 1Ls in clermont's civ pro today with the admitted students? seems like a fairly funny/chill professor.

[Killingly]

any 1Ls in clermont's civ pro today with the admitted students? seems like a fairly funny/chill professor.

Wasn't at ASD but sat in on this class during my visit. He definitely seems like a great prof.

[FlanAl]

you dudes were in my class. as of now clermont is super chill but I've heard his exam kinda sucks

[Pato_09]

any 1Ls in clermont's civ pro today with the admitted students? seems like a fairly funny/chill professor.

Fairly funny yes; chill not so much.

[KMaine]

any 1Ls in clermont's civ pro today with the admitted students? seems like a fairly funny/chill professor.

Fairly funny yes; chill not so much.

This. I am happy that I had him for a prof. He is good, and class is enjoyable. Exam is more quirky than it is difficult.

[Arbiter213]

Any thoughts on why our class has set the langfan record? I signed up because I figured some worry free public speaking practice would be helpful, but I'm not sure how seriously everyone else is taking it.

On the other pole, I ran into one guy in the library reading the law review article mentioned in the packet like 4 hours after the problem came out. So there's that...

There's a law review article? Shit...

You lied to me.

[msblaw89]

Anyone live in Campus Hill apartments? Or are they undergrad USA

[oliverlovesyou]

This filter for April fools day is horribly annoying. Reading that the average apartment in Ithaca is "mad scrilla+" is unhelpful. I do like calling l.oans ponies though.

[ocuviper]

Can anyone who is going to Cornell at sticker share their sentiments about paying so much money for their education?

[FlanAl]

you can go under the total cost of attendance figure by a pretty serious amount. I'm not sure since I'm not paying sticker (and it worked out to be one of my least expensive options, TBF I didn't get "mad skrilla" from them either) but I'm pretty sure that if you are smart about it, it can end up being a lot cheaper than other t14s.