Northwestern 1L/2L/3L/Grads Taking Questions and Challenges Forum

[purpletiger]

Handcuffs were 2012 Barrister's Ball's must-have fashion accessory. What'll it be this year? Getting tasered?

[Georgia Avenue]

Handcuffs were 2012 Barrister's Ball's must-have fashion accessory. What'll it be this year? Getting tasered?

Stomach pump, no doubt

[franklyscarlet]

You guys are terrible at fashion advice, but I still want to drink with you until I pass out on something expensive.

Just don't vomit on something expensive. Apparently, this is frowned upon.

vomiting is for proles. I plan to break shit. And maybe dragon kick someone. Back of ticket disclaimer be damned.

[bjsesq]

Boo wore a very tasteful dress two years ago, with size 14 platform heals.

I was goddamn lovely.

[Cobretti]

Hey guys, just got accepted today and most likely will be attending in the fall.

How early does the 1L internship search start? Should I start asking the (few) connections I have now about possible summer '14 internships?

thanks

[rinkrat19]

Hey guys, just got accepted today and most likely will be attending in the fall.

How early does the 1L internship search start? Should I start asking the (few) connections I have now about possible summer '14 internships?

thanks

If you can get your shit lined up now, go for it. (I would approach gently, more as a request for general advice, than a "GIMME JOB LOL" request.)

We're in the thick of the 1L search right now. A few gunners had a position finalized before Christmas. The rest of us are workin' on it.

[Cobretti]

Hey guys, just got accepted today and most likely will be attending in the fall.

How early does the 1L internship search start? Should I start asking the (few) connections I have now about possible summer '14 internships?

thanks

If you can get your shit lined up now, go for it. (I would approach gently, more as a request for general advice, than a "GIMME JOB LOL" request.)

We're in the thick of the 1L search right now. A few gunners had a position finalized before Christmas. The rest of us are workin' on it.

that patron saint of NU comes through yet again, thanks rink

[Flips88]

Hey guys, just got accepted today and most likely will be attending in the fall.

How early does the 1L internship search start? Should I start asking the (few) connections I have now about possible summer '14 internships?

thanks

You're not allowed to technically send any apps in till December 1st. Not a ton of people are ready to work on jobs apps at this point because finals are only a couple weeks away and you'd rather crush exams than get job apps in early. I applied to stuff between Christmas and the start of 2nd semester and had a job secured by the end of January. If you can get some feelers out right now and at least hint at your interest in a position, then that'd set you up for applying once the fall semester is done.

[Cobretti]

For the financial aid essay regarding my "position for merit based aid and need based aid" should I only talk about academic performance with regards to merit? Is it out of the scope to talk about work experience here as well? thanks again

[onionz]

For the financial aid essay regarding my "position for merit based aid and need based aid" should I only talk about academic performance with regards to merit? Is it out of the scope to talk about work experience here as well? thanks again

I wrote exclusively on my work experience, as my academic performance wasn't exactly stellar, and was a few years ago. I think they kept it pretty open for a reason, and you may speak about whatever is appropriate. (note I am a recent admitted applicant, not a 1+L or anything).

[basilseal]

Does NU require parents' info re: FAFSA?

[09042014]

Does NU require parents' info re: FAFSA?

No

[basilseal]

Does NU require parents' info re: FAFSA?

No

Thanks!

[BigZuck]

Hi guys, accepted yesterday and super pumped, Northwestern has been a dream for a few years now.

Questions regarding big law employment: assuming I end up around median, am I right to think that NU could potentially help me find a job in either New York, Chicago, or either of the two other states that I have demonstrable ties to and thus potentially a better choice than say Duke or Cornell which wouldn't open any doors in Chicago? Basically 4 potential markets as opposed to 3?

Or am I doing it wrong because Chicago is such a closed off market to someone without top grades and Midwest ties, even if you go to NU?

[Georgia Avenue]

Hi guys, accepted yesterday and super pumped, Northwestern has been a dream for a few years now.

Questions regarding big law employment: assuming I end up around median, am I right to think that NU could potentially help me find a job in either New York, Chicago, or either of the two other states that I have demonstrable ties to and thus potentially a better choice than say Duke or Cornell which wouldn't open any doors in Chicago? Basically 4 potential markets as opposed to 3?

Or am I doing it wrong because Chicago is such a closed off market to someone without top grades and Midwest ties, even if you go to NU?

You're probably right to think that NU will put you in a better spot for Chicago all things being equal. But even at NU Chicago is still a really tough market to break into, and if this thread is to be believed even people on LR strike out in Chicago from time to time. Being median at NU might not be enough to cut it.

[Icculus]

Hi guys, accepted yesterday and super pumped, Northwestern has been a dream for a few years now.

Questions regarding big law employment: assuming I end up around median, am I right to think that NU could potentially help me find a job in either New York, Chicago, or either of the two other states that I have demonstrable ties to and thus potentially a better choice than say Duke or Cornell which wouldn't open any doors in Chicago? Basically 4 potential markets as opposed to 3?

Or am I doing it wrong because Chicago is such a closed off market to someone without top grades and Midwest ties, even if you go to NU?

You're probably right to think that NU will put you in a better spot for Chicago all things being equal. But even at NU Chicago is still a really tough market to break into, and if this thread is to be believed even people on LR strike out in Chicago from time to time. Being median at NU might not be enough to cut it.

I would add that median at NU is probably good enough to snag NYC.

[bdubs]

Hi guys, accepted yesterday and super pumped, Northwestern has been a dream for a few years now.

Questions regarding big law employment: assuming I end up around median, am I right to think that NU could potentially help me find a job in either New York, Chicago, or either of the two other states that I have demonstrable ties to and thus potentially a better choice than say Duke or Cornell which wouldn't open any doors in Chicago? Basically 4 potential markets as opposed to 3?

Or am I doing it wrong because Chicago is such a closed off market to someone without top grades and Midwest ties, even if you go to NU?

Chicago is a hard market from median, but NU gives you the best shot outside of HYS and maybe U Chicago.

New York is doable from median if you bid properly and interview decently.

Random states with "demonstrable ties" is harder to comment on.

[bk1]

Chicago is a hard market from median, but NU gives you the best shot outside of HYS and maybe U Chicago.

New York is doable from median if you bid properly and interview decently.

Random states with "demonstrable ties" is harder to comment on.

+1

[Betharl]

Of the students that get BigLaw, any idea what the % breakdown is by market? Ie, 40% Chicago, 40% NYC, 20% other, or what?

[bdubs]

Of the students that get BigLaw, any idea what the % breakdown is by market? Ie, 40% Chicago, 40% NYC, 20% other, or what?

Probably 5-10% in all major markets except NYC and Chicago (DC, TX, SF, LA, Boston). NYC is probably 20-30% of BigLaw and Chicago is probably 30-40%. These are pure guesstimates because they don't break out geography for law firm employment, just the class overall.

The breakdown of overall geography by employment is here:
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/career/statistics/

[bk1]

Of the students that get BigLaw, any idea what the % breakdown is by market? Ie, 40% Chicago, 40% NYC, 20% other, or what?

Probably 5-10% in all major markets except NYC and Chicago (DC, TX, SF, LA, Boston). NYC is probably 20-30% of BigLaw and Chicago is probably 30-40%. These are pure guesstimates because they don't break out geography for law firm employment, just the class overall.

The breakdown of overall geography by employment is here:
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/career/statistics/

I agree it's data we lack but I would adjust the non NYC/CHI markets up since CA by itself takes a decent chunk that is more than half of NYC. I also feel like you're overestimating regional biglaw at 20-45% but it's hard to know for sure.

[mosquito]

Hi, I want to know what required courses I will take in the first semester (fall semester) at Northwestern Law. Your reply would be greatly appreciated!

[rinkrat19]

Hi, I want to know what required courses I will take in the first semester (fall semester) at Northwestern Law. Your reply would be greatly appreciated!

Fall:
Torts
Civil Procedure
Contracts
either Property or Criminal Law
Communication & Legal Research

Spring:
either Property or Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Elective
Elective
Communication & Legal Research

[homestyle28]

Hi guys, accepted yesterday and super pumped, Northwestern has been a dream for a few years now.

Questions regarding big law employment: assuming I end up around median, am I right to think that NU could potentially help me find a job in either New York, Chicago, or either of the two other states that I have demonstrable ties to and thus potentially a better choice than say Duke or Cornell which wouldn't open any doors in Chicago? Basically 4 potential markets as opposed to 3?

Or am I doing it wrong because Chicago is such a closed off market to someone without top grades and Midwest ties, even if you go to NU?

Chicago is a hard market from median, but NU gives you the best shot outside of HYS and maybe U Chicago.

New York is doable from median if you bid properly and interview decently.

Random states with "demonstrable ties" is harder to comment on.

Sounds about right...on the random ties, it depends on which states those are and what their legal market is like, the midwest states that touch IL will send some firms to NU OCI and having real ties generally means that those firms don't care very much about your grades (a general, but not universal rule in my experience).

[Cobretti]

Sounds about right...on the random ties, it depends on which states those are and what their legal market is like, the midwest states that touch IL will send some firms to NU OCI and having real ties generally means that those firms don't care very much about your grades (a general, but not universal rule in my experience).

What about socal? I'm sure its a lot more competitive than "grades don't matter", but do you know anyone from socal that has gotten biglaw near median?