NYU 1L Taking Questions Forum

[Detrox]

Also because it can't be said enough:

An NYU specific piece of advice for getting awesome grades is this: GO TO THE FUCKING TA SESSIONS.

Generally yes, but it definitely depends on the TA's...

[IFoughtTheLaw]

Also because it can't be said enough:

An NYU specific piece of advice for getting awesome grades is this: GO TO THE FUCKING TA SESSIONS.

Generally yes, but it definitely depends on the TA's...

I disagree, mine were not worth the time (although I went).

Here's my advice: people hype up law school as if it's some unique place that requires radically different approaches and study habits to what you're used to.

I think it's bullshit. Trust your knowledge of yourself. If you find the TA sessions helpful, go. If you don't, don't. Same applies to highlighting, outlining, briefing, etc. If you're unsure, try it out.

[birdlaw117]

Also because it can't be said enough:

An NYU specific piece of advice for getting awesome grades is this: GO TO THE FUCKING TA SESSIONS.

Generally yes, but it definitely depends on the TA's...

I disagree, mine were not worth the time (although I went).

Here's my advice: people hype up law school as if it's some unique place that requires radically different approaches and study habits to what you're used to.

I think it's bullshit. Trust your knowledge of yourself. If you find the TA sessions helpful, go. If you don't, don't. Same applies to highlighting, outlining, briefing, etc. If you're unsure, try it out.

This.

[TheKingintheNorth]

I don't know, feel free to ignore TA sessions--at least for the classes where the professors explicitly allocate any and all final prep to the TAs--to the same extent you'd ignore the TLS Getting To Maybe/Practice Exam dogma. I don't think that recommendation was akin to how to take notes/which supplements, if any, to buy.

[drbarry987]

How is it not having a reading week before finals? Are students generally doing practice tests during the last few weeks of instruction?

[Detrox]

How is it not having a reading week before finals? Are students generally doing practice tests during the last few weeks of instruction?

Tough question to answer when people can't really compare as to what law school is like when you do have a reading week (except maybe transfers). As to the practice tests, depends on the class/prof and the amount of practice tests available. I generally start studying 2-4 weeks before the last day of class, and start taking practice tests 1-2 weeks before. I know plenty of people who do way more or less according to their own preferences. Would a reading period be helpful? Of course. Do I/anyone I know really struggle with it and complain about it? Not really, finals suck no matter how much time you get to prepare.

Probably the least helpful answer possible, but it's honest.

[drbarry987]

helpful. ty

[SaintsTheMetal]

Can anyone speak to the general timeframe of ED decisions at NYU? I'll admit I think I have a *very small* preference for Penn over NYU right now, but if NYU has a much faster turn around it might be smart to ED to NYU first. Hoping to ED to as many schools as I can to give myself the best shot.

My priority is basically P>N>M>V. 3.2, 172, somewhat NA, pretty good softs

[birdlaw117]

Can anyone speak to the general timeframe of ED decisions at NYU? I'll admit I think I have a *very small* preference for Penn over NYU right now, but if NYU has a much faster turn around it might be smart to ED to NYU first. Hoping to ED to as many schools as I can to give myself the best shot.

My priority is basically P>N>M>V. 3.2, 172, somewhat NA, pretty good softs

You aren't going to be able to ED multiple ones of P, N, and M I don't think. V can be last. You won't hear back from NYU until December. I don't know about Penn. Also, a 3.2/172 ED at either Penn or NYU is asking for a lot. Certainly not impossible, but probably less than 50/50. Regardless, good luck! And if you have any more NYU questions feel free to fire away.

[SaintsTheMetal]

Can anyone speak to the general timeframe of ED decisions at NYU? I'll admit I think I have a *very small* preference for Penn over NYU right now, but if NYU has a much faster turn around it might be smart to ED to NYU first. Hoping to ED to as many schools as I can to give myself the best shot.

My priority is basically P>N>M>V. 3.2, 172, somewhat NA, pretty good softs

You aren't going to be able to ED multiple ones of P, N, and M I don't think. V can be last. You won't hear back from NYU until December. I don't know about Penn. Also, a 3.2/172 ED at either Penn or NYU is asking for a lot. Certainly not impossible, but probably less than 50/50. Regardless, good luck! And if you have any more NYU questions feel free to fire away.

Thanks for that. Yea I realize they may be reaches, but I figure that with a minor NA boost, I'd like to take the shot before settling for the UVA, which I think I have a pretty good shot at.

[birdlaw117]

Can anyone speak to the general timeframe of ED decisions at NYU? I'll admit I think I have a *very small* preference for Penn over NYU right now, but if NYU has a much faster turn around it might be smart to ED to NYU first. Hoping to ED to as many schools as I can to give myself the best shot.

My priority is basically P>N>M>V. 3.2, 172, somewhat NA, pretty good softs

You aren't going to be able to ED multiple ones of P, N, and M I don't think. V can be last. You won't hear back from NYU until December. I don't know about Penn. Also, a 3.2/172 ED at either Penn or NYU is asking for a lot. Certainly not impossible, but probably less than 50/50. Regardless, good luck! And if you have any more NYU questions feel free to fire away.

Thanks for that. Yea I realize they may be reaches, but I figure that with a minor NA boost, I'd like to take the shot before settling for the UVA, which I think I have a pretty good shot at.

Factoring in NA can make a big difference. But I don't know enough about URM boosts to speak intelligibly on it. Also, double check what I said about the ED deadlines. I think the issue will be that most of the apps are due by sometime in November but you won't hear from any of them until December or so. Something like that.

[xlawschoolhopefulx]

Can anyone speak to the general timeframe of ED decisions at NYU? I'll admit I think I have a *very small* preference for Penn over NYU right now, but if NYU has a much faster turn around it might be smart to ED to NYU first. Hoping to ED to as many schools as I can to give myself the best shot.

My priority is basically P>N>M>V. 3.2, 172, somewhat NA, pretty good softs

You aren't going to be able to ED multiple ones of P, N, and M I don't think. V can be last. You won't hear back from NYU until December. I don't know about Penn. Also, a 3.2/172 ED at either Penn or NYU is asking for a lot. Certainly not impossible, but probably less than 50/50. Regardless, good luck! And if you have any more NYU questions feel free to fire away.

Thanks for that. Yea I realize they may be reaches, but I figure that with a minor NA boost, I'd like to take the shot before settling for the UVA, which I think I have a pretty good shot at.

Factoring in NA can make a big difference. But I don't know enough about URM boosts to speak intelligibly on it. Also, double check what I said about the ED deadlines. I think the issue will be that most of the apps are due by sometime in November but you won't hear from any of them until December or so. Something like that.

Regardless of the deadlines, I don't think you'll be able to ED to multiple schools. IIRC Penn/NYU released their ED decisions within a week of each other (both after the November deadline). Since the decisions are binding, you can't apply to more than one.

[SaintsTheMetal]

Regardless of the deadlines, I don't think you'll be able to ED to multiple schools. IIRC Penn/NYU released their ED decisions within a week of each other (both after the November deadline). Since the decisions are binding, you can't apply to more than one.

You can certainly apply ED in this order: N/P/M then V then Georgetown. I was just trying to find out if any of the other schools besides Virginia have very quick turnaround on ED apps, but it seems Virginia is the only one.

[chasgoose]

Regardless of the deadlines, I don't think you'll be able to ED to multiple schools. IIRC Penn/NYU released their ED decisions within a week of each other (both after the November deadline). Since the decisions are binding, you can't apply to more than one.

You can certainly apply ED in this order: N/P/M then V then Georgetown. I was just trying to find out if any of the other schools besides Virginia have very quick turnaround on ED apps, but it seems Virginia is the only one.

I don't know where you are finding this information, but you can't ED more than one of N/P/M. They all have ED application deadlines in early November and none of them will get back to you earlier than December. If you are just trying to game the system and maximize your chances, pick one and ED to V/GULC if you don't get in, if you aren't sure which one you like better, don't ED to any of them.

Law school isn't like college where ED acceptance rates are like 3x higher than RD. They aren't going to dip THAT much further down if the numbers aren't there. For 95% of people ED isn't really worth it since they would have gotten in anyway if they had just applied early in the cycle RD and they lose the chance to negotiate for money. If you are NA then you should definitely get into one of NYU, Penn, or Michigan with $ and play them off each other.

[SaintsTheMetal]

Regardless of the deadlines, I don't think you'll be able to ED to multiple schools. IIRC Penn/NYU released their ED decisions within a week of each other (both after the November deadline). Since the decisions are binding, you can't apply to more than one.

You can certainly apply ED in this order: N/P/M then V then Georgetown. I was just trying to find out if any of the other schools besides Virginia have very quick turnaround on ED apps, but it seems Virginia is the only one.

I don't know where you are finding this information, but you can't ED more than one of N/P/M. They all have ED application deadlines in early November and none of them will get back to you earlier than December. If you are just trying to game the system and maximize your chances, pick one and ED to V/GULC if you don't get in, if you aren't sure which one you like better, don't ED to any of them.

Law school isn't like college where ED acceptance rates are like 3x higher than RD. They aren't going to dip THAT much further down if the numbers aren't there. For 95% of people ED isn't really worth it since they would have gotten in anyway if they had just applied early in the cycle RD and they lose the chance to negotiate for money. If you are NA then you should definitely get into one of NYU, Penn, or Michigan with $ and play them off each other.

I didn't imply that you could ED to all of them; by N/P/M I meant you can ED to N or P or M then V then G.

[vincanity1]

So I just bought a new Mac and I've heard it mentioned several times that you need Microsoft Word for LS.

1. Is Word itself actually needed at NYU?

2. My old school had a huge discount on software like Word for students. Does NYU do something similar?

Thanks in advance

[birdlaw117]

So I just bought a new Mac and I've heard it mentioned several times that you need Microsoft Word for LS.

1. Is Word itself actually needed at NYU?

2. My old school had a huge discount on software like Word for students. Does NYU do something similar?

Thanks in advance

Not necessary, but perhaps more convenient. And yeah, there are student discounts.

[vincanity1]

So I just bought a new Mac and I've heard it mentioned several times that you need Microsoft Word for LS.

1. Is Word itself actually needed at NYU?

2. My old school had a huge discount on software like Word for students. Does NYU do something similar?

Thanks in advance

Not necessary, but perhaps more convenient. And yeah, there are student discounts.

Appreciate the response and thanks for being around to share info and answer q's.

[Just]

Do most classes have 90+ people?Even 2L,3L courses?

[Detrox]

Do most classes have 90+ people?Even 2L,3L courses?

Highly depends on the class. Your 1L classes will be with your ~90 person section. 2L bar classes like corporations, property, or constitutional law will similarly have about the same amount of people. Other upper level classes such as colloquiums, seminars, or less popular classes (e.g. Tax, Law of War, Legal History/Philosophy) will have much smaller class sizes anywhere between 5 and 50 people.

[Just]

Do most classes have 90+ people?Even 2L,3L courses?

Highly depends on the class. Your 1L classes will be with your ~90 person section. 2L bar classes like corporations, property, or constitutional law will similarly have about the same amount of people. Other upper level classes such as colloquiums, seminars, or less popular classes (e.g. Tax, Law of War, Legal History/Philosophy) will have much smaller class sizes anywhere between 5 and 50 people.

Thanks!What about the writing class?

[Detrox]

Do most classes have 90+ people?Even 2L,3L courses?

Highly depends on the class. Your 1L classes will be with your ~90 person section. 2L bar classes like corporations, property, or constitutional law will similarly have about the same amount of people. Other upper level classes such as colloquiums, seminars, or less popular classes (e.g. Tax, Law of War, Legal History/Philosophy) will have much smaller class sizes anywhere between 5 and 50 people.

Thanks!What about the writing class?

Writing class is composed of a smaller contingent from the group that you'll be taking your 1L substantive classes with. It's sadly been a while since 1L year for me, but I think the writing sections were about 10-20 people.

[birdlaw117]

Do most classes have 90+ people?Even 2L,3L courses?

Highly depends on the class. Your 1L classes will be with your ~90 person section. 2L bar classes like corporations, property, or constitutional law will similarly have about the same amount of people. Other upper level classes such as colloquiums, seminars, or less popular classes (e.g. Tax, Law of War, Legal History/Philosophy) will have much smaller class sizes anywhere between 5 and 50 people.

Thanks!What about the writing class?

Writing class is composed of a smaller contingent from the group that you'll be taking your 1L substantive classes with. It's sadly been a while since 1L year for me, but I think the writing sections were about 10-20 people.

Almost all sections are of 30. Each 90 person section gets divided into 3 for the Lawyering classes.

[Detrox]

Oops. Must have just been my section's attendance to LRW that made it seem so low haha.

[birdlaw117]

Oops. Must have just been my section's attendance to LRW that made it seem so low haha.

There are always two sections of 15, so you may have been in one of those.