Vanderbilt 1L Taking Questions Forum

[gogators]

Any insight on this issue? I'm married and I've been crunching the numbers on what I could expect to spend living in Nashville with my wife. Do you know any married students? Have they made any comments about how far outside the single-student budget they stray?

Also, why not ask this here: my wife's looking at studying to be a therapist starting next year. Any clue about schools (need not be Vanderbilt) in the Nashville metro-area that would be worth looking into for her?

Some of my best friends at the law school are married and they've both asked me how I survive without supplementing my income with my spouse's. People who have the benefit of being able to sponge off their sig. other will likely benefit greatly and not see their overall quality of life drop too much (if you've worked between undergrad and law school). But it's definitely not a requirement.

Also, I don't know exact numbers for how far off they go but I guarantee that budget couldn't support two people if your wife isn't working.

[akili]

How easy is it to get plugged in and make friends at Vandy? I know that's kind of a broad question, but I'd be leaving my home in Austin and was wondering how welcoming/community-based Vandy is.


How many student organizations would you recommend being involved with during 1L? Do you know if student org. involvement can help with employment? Would you say the average Vandy Law student is very involved?

[gogators]

How easy is it to get plugged in and make friends at Vandy? I know that's kind of a broad question, but I'd be leaving my home in Austin and was wondering how welcoming/community-based Vandy is.


How many student organizations would you recommend being involved with during 1L? Do you know if student org. involvement can help with employment? Would you say the average Vandy Law student is very involved?

You'll have no trouble making friends. Trust me. It's such a small group of people that everyone gets along and you'll find you're little click if you wish. (Just be prepared for it to be similar to high school all over since the class size is so small that rumors abound).

Student organizations....honestly, this isn't a major part of my life at law school. I'm involved in a few, but only in one do I have a elected position. 1L's typically don't have much work if any to do in an organization. The only position you could possible get is as a 1L Rep. and that doesn't require much work typically. 2L's and 3L's all seem to recognize that 1L's first responsibility is grades, plain and simple.

[akili]

Awesome! Thank you!

[JPR0488]

How's Vandy's placement in the Midwest? I have the book they sent but it's a pretty small sample size (probably because most people don't go to Vandy aiming for the Midwest) so it's hard to tell. I'm considering WUSTL too, but I absolutely HATE St. Louis & love Nashville. Plus Vandy is just the better school period. I know WUSTL is stronger in the Midwest but am I correct in thinking my Midwestern ties could get me back there from Vanderbilt without too much trouble? Really don't wanna be stuck in the south forever.

[Rawlsian]

How's Vandy's placement in the Midwest? I have the book they sent but it's a pretty small sample size (probably because most people don't go to Vandy aiming for the Midwest) so it's hard to tell. I'm considering WUSTL too, but I absolutely HATE St. Louis & love Nashville. Plus Vandy is just the better school period. I know WUSTL is stronger in the Midwest but am I correct in thinking my Midwestern ties could get me back there from Vanderbilt without too much trouble? Really don't wanna be stuck in the south forever.

Disclaimer: I'm a IL, but I plan on practicing in Ohio when I graduate. If some 2L's or 3L's could respond, that would certainly be preferable.

The majority of Vandy students do not stay in the South, so it's perhaps a little fatalistic to assume you'll be stuck there. I know Vandy does well in Ohio, which is where I focused my research before enrolling. I haven't gone through my 2L OCI yet, so I can't speak to grade cutoffs for firms coming to OCI, but I can provide a little comparison of the # of NALP firms that come to our OCI and those at other schools.

Ohio
Vandy: 14
WUSTL: 8
UCLA: 2
Cornell: 0

IN
Vandy: 2
WUSTL: 3
UCLA/Cornell: 0

MI
One each

MO
Vandy: 7
WUSTL: 19
UCLA: 3
Cornell: 0

Chicago:
VAndy: 7
WUSTL: 15
UCLA: 9
Cornell: 3

So there is rough proxy. Also keep in mind the number your classmates that will also want to go to a particular region, and inevitably, that will compete with you for those interview spots. You don't know make-up of the class of 2014 yet; but at least at Vandy, you can look at the last three years to get a rough idea how many classmates you'll have from the region you want to practice in. You shouldn't go to any school expecting to get a job through OCI; once again, this is just a rough proxy.

I also recommend getting some opinions from attorneys in the region where you want to practice. Before enrolling, I asked alumni from my undergrad who went to several of the above schools that are now practicing in my target markets, and they provided a pretty strong endorsement of Vandy. Nashville is fairly close to several Midwestern cities (e.g., 4 hour drive to Cincinnati), so basic logistics will not preclude you from doing legwork.

[drylo]

Also keep in mind the number your classmates that will also want to go to a particular region, and inevitably, that will compete with you for those interview spots. You don't know make-up of the class of 2014 yet; but at least at Vandy, you can look at the last three years to get a rough idea how many classmates you'll have from the region you want to practice in. You shouldn't go to any school expecting to get a job through OCI; once again, this is just a rough proxy.

I also recommend getting some opinions from attorneys in the region where you want to practice. Before enrolling, I asked alumni from my undergrad who went to several of the above schools that are now practicing in my target markets, and they provided a pretty strong endorsement of Vandy. Nashville is fairly close to several Midwestern cities (e.g., 4 hour drive to Cincinnati), so basic logistics will not preclude you from doing legwork.

2L here. I quoted Rawlsian for emphasis--I basically agree with all of what I quoted. If you are from the Midwest, you should be able to convince them you are interested in your hometown market. You will most likely not be the only person at Vandy from your hometown, but there will probably not be too many people from there. That matters because it will help you get OCI interviews. But equally as important as OCI interviews are resume drops on Symplicity. You can definitely take advantage of the opportunity to submit your resume to Midwestern firms who are soliciting Vandy applicants--and you have the chance to write a cover letter talking about how you would really love to go back to the Midwest.

All that said, I also think it would be valuable to talk to a few lawyers (if you know any, or know someone who knows one) in your target markets... not that any one lawyer's opinion is definitive, but I suspect that they would look at least as favorably on Vandy grads as WUSTL grads in general (possible exception of Missouri).

[JPR0488]

How's Vandy's placement in the Midwest? I have the book they sent but it's a pretty small sample size (probably because most people don't go to Vandy aiming for the Midwest) so it's hard to tell. I'm considering WUSTL too, but I absolutely HATE St. Louis & love Nashville. Plus Vandy is just the better school period. I know WUSTL is stronger in the Midwest but am I correct in thinking my Midwestern ties could get me back there from Vanderbilt without too much trouble? Really don't wanna be stuck in the south forever.

Disclaimer: I'm a IL, but I plan on practicing in Ohio when I graduate. If some 2L's or 3L's could respond, that would certainly be preferable.

The majority of Vandy students do not stay in the South, so it's perhaps a little fatalistic to assume you'll be stuck there. I know Vandy does well in Ohio, which is where I focused my research before enrolling. I haven't gone through my 2L OCI yet, so I can't speak to grade cutoffs for firms coming to OCI, but I can provide a little comparison of the # of NALP firms that come to our OCI and those at other schools.

Ohio
Vandy: 14
WUSTL: 8
UCLA: 2
Cornell: 0

IN
Vandy: 2
WUSTL: 3
UCLA/Cornell: 0

MI
One each

MO
Vandy: 7
WUSTL: 19
UCLA: 3
Cornell: 0

Chicago:
VAndy: 7
WUSTL: 15
UCLA: 9
Cornell: 3

So there is rough proxy. Also keep in mind the number your classmates that will also want to go to a particular region, and inevitably, that will compete with you for those interview spots. You don't know make-up of the class of 2014 yet; but at least at Vandy, you can look at the last three years to get a rough idea how many classmates you'll have from the region you want to practice in. You shouldn't go to any school expecting to get a job through OCI; once again, this is just a rough proxy.

I also recommend getting some opinions from attorneys in the region where you want to practice. Before enrolling, I asked alumni from my undergrad who went to several of the above schools that are now practicing in my target markets, and they provided a pretty strong endorsement of Vandy. Nashville is fairly close to several Midwestern cities (e.g., 4 hour drive to Cincinnati), so basic logistics will not preclude you from doing legwork.

Really good information, thank you! I've also talked to attorneys in the area who told me the same thing, just wanted a student's perspective.

[LSN2014]

Does anyone know if it is possible to negociate scholarship offers? Are there any success stories/advice from a Vandy student who has done so?

[ktg808]

Does anyone know if it is possible to negociate scholarship offers? Are there any success stories/advice from a Vandy student who has done so?

I don't think Vanderbilt negotiates.

[letsdoit]

Can anyone comment on Vanderbilts viability in the DC market? Specifically, what are the GPA cutoffs (and what is Vandy's median GPA?) for the DC firms that come to OCI? This is my top market choice.

[coldshoulder]

What am I going to need to use vandy to get into ny big law/midlaw? (graded, class rank, internships, journal, etc).

[pleasetryagain]

What am I going to need to use vandy to get into ny big law/midlaw? (graded, class rank, internships, journal, etc).

Good grades. Good class rank. Preferably a journal. Good interview skills. See also every other law school.

[anonymous_dude]

Hey,

Sorry to hijack this thread. I'm looking for some old exams from a specific Vandy prof (I'm at another law school.) Any Vandy students willing to share? I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks.

[hope11]

how long did it take for the acceptance letter to reach you? They supposedly send acceptance via priority mail but it's been 3 days and I'm obviously already preparing for a rejection

[ktg808]

What am I going to need to use vandy to get into ny big law/midlaw? (graded, class rank, internships, journal, etc).

Good grades. Good class rank. Preferably a journal. Good interview skills. See also every other law school.

I thought Vandy didn't rank students?

[Emma1]

What am I going to need to use vandy to get into ny big law/midlaw? (graded, class rank, internships, journal, etc).

Good grades. Good class rank. Preferably a journal. Good interview skills. See also every other law school.

I thought Vandy didn't rank students?

They see your grades and are given some information from which they can figure it out from what I have read.

[hope11]

hi, how long did it take for the acceptance letter to reach you after they changed your status?

[drylo]

What am I going to need to use vandy to get into ny big law/midlaw? (graded, class rank, internships, journal, etc).

Good grades. Good class rank. Preferably a journal. Good interview skills. See also every other law school.

I thought Vandy didn't rank students?

They see your grades and are given some information from which they can figure it out from what I have read.

[gogators]

They see your grades and are given some information from which they can figure it out from what I have read.

[/quote]

TITCR

[Rory1987]

I visited Vandy for their ASD. I just have one question: Are the students as preppy/bro/WASPy as I thought they were, or was I imagining this and the school is no different from any other school?

[drylo]

I visited Vandy for their ASD. I just have one question: Are the students as preppy/bro/WASPy as I thought they were, or was I imagining this and the school is no different from any other school?

I'm not 100% sure if you are asking current students this or not...

A lot, but definitely not all, of my friends are what you would probably consider WASPs (although it is far from clear what any given person has in mind with respect to "P"). That is probably true at most top schools (at least with the racial/ethnic part). Almost none of my friends are preppy--in fact, I'd go far as to say that none are. "Bro" presents definitional problems again, but I will just say that the majority of my friends were not Greek in undergrad.

[gogators]

I visited Vandy for their ASD. I just have one question: Are the students as preppy/bro/WASPy as I thought they were, or was I imagining this and the school is no different from any other school?

I'm not 100% sure if you are asking current students this or not...

A lot, but definitely not all, of my friends are what you would probably consider WASPs (although it is far from clear what any given person has in mind with respect to "P"). That is probably true at most top schools (at least with the racial/ethnic part). Almost none of my friends are preppy--in fact, I'd go far as to say that none are. "Bro" presents definitional problems again, but I will just say that the majority of my friends were not Greek in undergrad.

Not too many Greek people in my class. Not many preppy either. I don't really know how to answer this question but I would say I enjoy the wide mix of people at the law school and hang out with people that I might not have had the chance to be around often otherwise.

[whitman]

I am interested in public interest, environmental law, development, public policy, etc - how do you guys think Vandy is for students with those interests? Is there much institutional support? Many students with shared interests? Or is it more of a private practice, go big or go home kind of culture at Vandy?

[drylo]

I am interested in public interest, environmental law, development, public policy, etc - how do you guys think Vandy is for students with those interests? Is there much institutional support? Many students with shared interests? Or is it more of a private practice, go big or go home kind of culture at Vandy?

I honestly don't know a whole lot about what you are interested in (PI, environmental, etc.). I have never sought it out, and my best friends are all pursuing the firm route. That said, I don't feel like it is "go big or go home" at all--at least if "go big" means go to NYC/DC biglaw. There is great diversity here in terms of what people want to do. Like anywhere, the majority will go into private practice, but even then people seem to geographically disperse (by choice) a fair amount.

As to your PI/environmental, this is me summoning observationalist...