University of Texas 1L Taking Questions Forum

[90LawSchool]

Also also also (sorry for spamming)

Before anyone asks, I would say that in response to "how is UT perceived/wauuugh I'm not in a t-14 if I choose to go there" - don't fret, you're gonna be just fine here. Unless you want to work for Wachtell.

Actually, I totally disagree. It is a HUGE deal that UT is not a t14 school. Your options are limited at UT versus other t14 schools. And I say this as someone who has done very well at UT and, overall, is happy with my experience.

Here is what I tell people who ask: if you want a firm in Texas, then no reason to go higher than UT. If you want a federal court of appeals clerkship, big law out of state, etc., you need to KILL it at UT to even have a CHANCE at those opportunities. You SHOULD NOT go into UT expecting to have the same chances as you would at a t14 school. If you have any dreams of out-of-state, etc. go to a true t14 school. Its not that you do not have the opportunity at UT--its just that the opportunity is much less likely.

If you want more details, feel free to PM me. I hate to get too anecdotal on a public forum.

[romanticegotist]

Agreed. I'm saying that it's not as big of a deal as it may seem. Sure you have to do well to score elite NY biglaw, but honestly if that's really what you want then why are you at Texas? That's like loving pizza and moving to Thailand.

[WokeUpInACar]

I honestly think UT might be better for NY biglaw than, say, Georgetown for example, just because SO FEW people go for it at UT.

[BigZuck]

The "you'll be fine" but won't get Wachtell thing kind of reads to me as "if you're an average student at UT, you'll get big law" which is kind of a dangerous thing to say, IMO.

But maybe I totally misinterpreted that

As someone just beginning the job search/OCI season I have been pleasantly surprised with how out of state employers have responded to UT students so far. But of course it's way early in the season. Right now, top 10% folks have offers. Well, duh. What about us mortals?

[BVest]

[pizza]

Salvation, mofos. #2 (Bacon, asparagus, jalapeno) ftw.

[romanticegotist]

The "you'll be fine" but won't get Wachtell thing kind of reads to me as "if you're an average student at UT, you'll get big law" which is kind of a dangerous thing to say, IMO.

But maybe I totally misinterpreted that

As someone just beginning the job search/OCI season I have been pleasantly surprised with how out of state employers have responded to UT students so far. But of course it's way early in the season. Right now, top 10% folks have offers. Well, duh. What about us mortals?

Sorry, I assumed that all posts about law school contain the disclaimer "everything's easier the better you do, and never assume anything is certain."

That being said, other regions seem decently well-represented at OCI, which was a surprise.

Texas is always destination #1 by an enormous margin and you have to be cool with that. What that does mean is that the average student CAN get biglaw or the equivalent (firms that pay at or near market) on the right day or with the right connection with an interviewer. So what I meant by that quote is basically that if you like Texas and are worried about job options, don't go too crazy. But also don't blow it; this isn't Yale

[shifty_eyed]

I think if you have grades to get big law from UT, you won't be limited to Texas if you can spin good reason for not staying in Texas. If you don't have big law grades/IP/something else and don't want to be in Texas, you're going to have a harder time IMO than someone who is fine working small law in their TX hometown.

Of the professors mentioned, I only had Kull. He seems to be well-liked. PM me for my opinion if you have him and are curious on another perspective.

[cannibal ox]

We get full schedules tomorrow, so all you helpful UT posters that seem to have gathered in this topic, prepare to be pestered yet again for professor advice.

In the mean time.. book rentals. Worth it? I've never rented a book, always bought online for cheap and then sold for slightly less than I paid. Is that a feasible option or is it cheaper in the end to rent (where available)?

[BigZuck]

We get full schedules tomorrow, so all you helpful UT posters that seem to have gathered in this topic, prepare to be pestered yet again for professor advice.

In the mean time.. book rentals. Worth it? I've never rented a book, always bought online for cheap and then sold for slightly less than I paid. Is that a feasible option or is it cheaper in the end to rent (where available)?

I'm all for saving money and shopping a bit but haven't thought about it too much to figure out if this is the right thing to do, but: I just do whatever is cheaper. Never rented from the coop but its super easy with Amazon.

I feel like getting anything online is kind of rolling the dice in terms of highlighting/underlining. And that's the big thing for me, I don't like reading a book that's basically just one big highlight. So typically I shop around at the coop and see which used books have the least highlighting and get those. But if its way cheaper online to buy or rent I usually just do that.

[cannibal ox]

Do you resell after you're done using books? I guess my thing is that if I buy a book for $100, I can (at least in UG I could) resell it for a decent chunk of money, whereas renting seems to be only marginally cheaper and without researching this much, you get $0 back when you return the book.

[ScottRiqui]

I'll hop on the "professor advice request" train with the two I know I have for certain so far: Anderson for torts and Sturley for property.

[90LawSchool]

I'll hop on the "professor advice request" train with the two I know I have for certain so far: Anderson for torts and Sturley for property.

PM about Sturley

[BigZuck]

Do you resell after you're done using books? I guess my thing is that if I buy a book for $100, I can (at least in UG I could) resell it for a decent chunk of money, whereas renting seems to be only marginally cheaper and without researching this much, you get $0 back when you return the book.

Absolutely, if I can. Be careful with Civ Pro books- they like to change them all the time. I would lean toward renting that one if possible.

[romanticegotist]

I'm a visual person and so I bought new books. Resell value not great but I think it was worth it.

- only my thoughts are on the page. I don't highlight, I underline. It's less cluttered
- what if the person before you with the book was a moron and highlighted the wrong stuff? What if that influences your reading?
- I'm picky about books and like things to look nice if I can get away with it

For all substantive class case books I bought new. Everything else used (because LOL if you actually read every LRW reading assignment)

[blackmooncreeping]

I'll hop on the "professor advice request" train with the two I know I have for certain so far: Anderson for torts and Sturley for property.

I had Anderson for torts. He's a great guy and his teaching style is extremely mechanical. You know exactly what you will be doing each day and he has a way of asking questions of students that will lead the discussion where he wants it. The final on the other hand....some multiple choice questions that covered more or less most of the class and an essay that only dealt with one case from one class. If you weren't familiar with that case, god help you.

[blackmooncreeping]

Any thoughts/advice on Sokolow (contracts) or Blais (property)?

i've spoken with people about Blais before and I think her test is supposed to be not too bad. She's really nice, and heads the Supreme Court clinic and is a faculty advisor for ACS (the liberal group). She's a good person to know generally, especially if you are a clerkship gunner.

Edit: never lose sight of the fact that your professors are powerful people who are known around the country for various reasons. If you like them and they seem to like you, try to foster a relationship. Only good things can come from that for you.

Sokolow is very well known at the school and everyone seems to think he's great. haven't had a class with him but i'd imagine most would say you're lucky if you have him for Ks. LEARN THE UCC OR DIE, however.

I had Blais and did well in the class. I always thought she was insufferable but that's just me. She's definitely extremely opinionated. She is going to constantly harp about "modes of reasoning" or some bs like that and talk about policy constantly but I didn't write anything of note regarding policy on my exam and did really well. Take that for what it's worth

[romanticegotist]

Also I know what you're thinking:

"Whoa, what's the deal with that Ethiopian restaurant down the street?"

It's delicious, that's what the deal is.

[WokeUpInACar]

Also I know what you're thinking:

"Whoa, what's the deal with that Ethiopian restaurant down the street?"

It's delicious, that's what the deal is.

Embarrassing confession: I have never been there despite living like 100 yards away.

[shifty_eyed]

My property book had so much highlighting, and it was all useless. Usually the most important stuff were the two sentences not underlined. I did enjoy when the facts were labeled ISSUE and the issue was labeled HOLDING when the sentence started, "The issue in this case is...."

[Attax]

Thanks for coming in here and bumping this for us. Also, Asthers is just what it sounds like: ass. Some of the worst food I've ever had and glad I didn't pay. Guess I'm not cut out for international human rights work after LS. What a bummer.

I'll hop on the "professor advice request" train with the two I know I have for certain so far: Anderson for torts and Sturley for property.

I had Anderson for torts. He's a great guy and his teaching style is extremely mechanical. You know exactly what you will be doing each day and he has a way of asking questions of students that will lead the discussion where he wants it. The final on the other hand....some multiple choice questions that covered more or less most of the class and an essay that only dealt with one case from one class. If you weren't familiar with that case, god help you.

That actually sounds really cool about Anderson. Coming from STEM I'm used to mostly multiple choice and then an open ended that deals with something hyperspecific.

[Attax]

Cadena society checking in!

[WokeUpInACar]

McCormick FTW

[romanticegotist]

Hargrave, I guess. It literally doesn't matter, except for boat cruises.

[Attax]

What are these boat cruises you speak of?

[WokeUpInACar]

Hargrave, I guess. It literally doesn't matter, except for boat cruises.

DO YOU EVEN SOCIETY GAMES BRO???







I didn't even go last year, oops