UChi Students & Alumni Taking Questions Forum

[bill_swerski]

Things are going to work differently for everyone. Some folks absorb information faster than others. Just do what makes you feel most comfortable.

I think what WheninLaw said is right: you should take practice tests to get into the habit of analyzing issues under time constraints. Just make sure that you compare your practice test results with the model student answers. I actually think it's smart to just spend time analyzing the model student answers in order to get an idea of what constitutes a "good" exam.

[chicago-gunner123]

I think there is only one "right" approach to outlining - the one where you leave yourself enough time to take practice tests. 1L's are weirdly obsessed with having the perfect outline. Who cares. Take tests.

This. Civ Pro might be unique, given it's a take home, so it could be worth putting a little extra time into that outline. But that doesn't take away from the fact that Practice Tests have the best ROI of any study method. Leaving time for practice tests is essential.

[skers]

This is going to be shocking, but the one weird trick to law school is there is no one weird trick. Different things work for different people. You might not figure out what you need first go around, and that's ok. That's why you go to UChicago and relatively bomb shit and still be totally ok.

[Emma.]

I think there is only one "right" approach to outlining - the one where you leave yourself enough time to take practice tests. 1L's are weirdly obsessed with having the perfect outline. Who cares. Take tests.

This. Civ Pro might be unique, given it's a take home, so it could be worth putting a little extra time into that outline. But that doesn't take away from the fact that Practice Tests have the best ROI of any study method. Leaving time for practice tests is essential.

Wait, what? If it is an 8-hour take home you shouldn't be putting more time into your outline.

[skers]

I think there is only one "right" approach to outlining - the one where you leave yourself enough time to take practice tests. 1L's are weirdly obsessed with having the perfect outline. Who cares. Take tests.

This. Civ Pro might be unique, given it's a take home, so it could be worth putting a little extra time into that outline. But that doesn't take away from the fact that Practice Tests have the best ROI of any study method. Leaving time for practice tests is essential.

Wait, what? If it is an 8-hour take home you shouldn't be putting more time into your outline.

Yeah, the take home part doesn't make sense, but outlining will take longer just b/c outlining elements should take maybe a day.

[landshoes]

Only one of the civpro classes has a take home this year.

Anyone here do a 3-hour civpro exam?

There are no practice tests for my prof for this class (CivPro with Prof. Casey) so I'm wondering how best to prepare.

[Robb]

Maybe mention it to him. Since it's y'alls first quarter of exams he might be willing to write out a few practice questions/answers.

But if nothing else, take a look at the other Civ Pro exams. In every case where there have been no practice exams for a particular professor, my professors have directed us to the professor's exam whose style they think will most match their own. Besides, IMO the point of practice exams, especially early on, is to learn how issue spotters work rather than to learn any professor's particular style (because IME most professors don't have super quirky preferences, with a few exceptions, like Strahilevitz who is spelling/grammar crazy). To any extent Prof. Casey has quirky preferences you can also glance over sample answers for his other classes, but I think this will be less helpful (because the unfamiliar content will make them more difficult to understand): issue spotters really tend to all be very similar.

[landshoes]

Thank you, that was so helpful!

[WheninLaw]

Only one of the civpro classes has a take home this year.

Anyone here do a 3-hour civpro exam?

There are no practice tests for my prof for this class (CivPro with Prof. Casey) so I'm wondering how best to prepare.

edit: wrong, it was civ pro ii

but Casey is very predictable in his exam writing so shouldn't be too bad.

[landshoes]

Really? This is the first time he's taught CivPro I, maybe you're thinking of CivPro II or Baird. He told us in class to look at Baird/Buss' exams.

I would love to be wrong about this, of course.

[Tiny Dancer]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

[DontStopBeliebin]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

You might want to double check that it's actually closed book. Registrar listed Buss' evidence class last year as closed book when it turns out Buss had told them open book all along.

[WheninLaw]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

Yes. It's a MC exam. You have access to the FRE, which you can write infinite notes in, but nothing else. I loved it.

[Tiny Dancer]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

Yes. It's a MC exam. You have access to the FRE, which you can write infinite notes in, but nothing else. I loved it.

What's a FRE? And why did you love it?

[elterrible78]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

Yes. It's a MC exam. You have access to the FRE, which you can write infinite notes in, but nothing else. I loved it.

What's a FRE? And why did you love it?

Just a guess, but I think it's Federal Rules of Evidence.

[Tiny Dancer]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

Yes. It's a MC exam. You have access to the FRE, which you can write infinite notes in, but nothing else. I loved it.

What's a FRE? And why did you love it?

Just a guess, but I think it's Federal Rules of Evidence.

I'm definitely not ready for this class.

[WheninLaw]

Has anyone taken Evidence with Leiter? I want to take it, but I'm concerned about having a closed book exam.

Yes. It's a MC exam. You have access to the FRE, which you can write infinite notes in, but nothing else. I loved it.

What's a FRE? And why did you love it?

FRE is Federal Rules of Evidence.

I enjoyed the class overall. Leiter is chill, doesn't call on people often (and you know when you're on call), and a multiple choice is different and kind of cool.

[03282016]

[KMart]

Can anyone comment on the Skadden 1L scholars program?

I believe it's a diversity program.

[03282016]

[KMart]

Can anyone comment on the Skadden 1L scholars program?

I believe it's a diversity program.

Yeah. Has anyone here done it, though? Just curious about experiences with the firm etc

There's a 3L on the who worked where list who is really nice and did it. Shoot him an email if you don't get an answer here.

Edit - I don't want to speak for him, but he seems like he'd be willing to talk; he may not actually want to .

[skers]

Can anyone comment on the Skadden 1L scholars program?

I believe it's a diversity program.

Yeah. Has anyone here done it, though? Just curious about experiences with the firm etc

This may shock you, but people aren't really in a rush to put themselves on here to answer your questions. Use the who worked where list man.

[03282016]

[skers]

Since we are reaching that time where y'all can start applying for summer jobs. If you haven't heard the advice yet, or just don't believe it, it really doesn't matter what you do 1L summer. You will get something. Don't get freaked out when other people get jobs, esp firm, jobs. It's a really random process. IMO, pick something paid over anything else and from there just do something cool/different/interesting.

[elterrible78]

Since we are reaching that time where y'all can start applying for summer jobs. If you haven't heard the advice yet, or just don't believe it, it really doesn't matter what you do 1L summer. You will get something. Don't get freaked out when other people get jobs, esp firm, jobs. It's a really random process. IMO, pick something paid over anything else and from there just do something cool/different/interesting.

Please take this to heart, 1Ls, to the degree that you can. By far the most stressful period in my time at law school was the 1L job search, but it really didn't have to be. And it doesn't have to be for you, either. I mean, don't be that guy and wait until the very last minute, but keep in mind that your 1L grades matter more than where you worked during your 1L summer, so prioritize accordingly (and don't stress toooo much about any of it).