FSU 1L giving answers Forum

[FGCUguy123]

What do you all think?

Emory or FSU?

[FeelTheHeat]

What is the COA at both?

[FGCUguy123]

What is the COA at both?

Emory is about 10-14k more expensive

[FeelTheHeat]

Shouldn't be up for debate, Emory easily. I am also a pretty big fan of FSU, despite choosing UF for personal reasons. Were you accepted to UF?

[procrastinator]

This will be more relevant for 2L and 3Ls that may be commenting, but what do feel is the impact of the curve on how firms view you? I've heard of firming having 3.0 cutoffs, sorta ignoring curve in the process, it seems like.

I don't think many law schools use a 4.0 GPA. Regardless, no, they all go by class rank.

[FGCUguy123]

Shouldn't be up for debate, Emory easily. I am also a pretty big fan of FSU, despite choosing UF for personal reasons. Were you accepted to UF?

Actually, no. I haven't been denied either. Actually....they haven't said ANYTHING. I do, however, keep getting those "prospective student update" emails that basically say the same thing over and over again. Forget UF. Even if I got in, I would pick FSU over it. I visited and I didn't get a good vibe from them. Hopefully, that is not the case with Emory (I am going to their ASW this Friday). There are still a few wild-cards in the mix (i.e., Vandy, Columbia, and Cornell). I'm glad you share the same thoughts on Emory though, it has such an amazing reputation (even in Florida).

[leefair123]

bump

[leefair123]

What supplements did you get for 1L?

[procrastinator]

Civ Pro E&E. Everything else is worthless. Just read all the readings and you'll be alright.

[leefair123]

Awesome! Did u use and hornbooks??

[procrastinator]

No. I got Dobbs on Torts, but only opened it once. There are a lot of people who will slack off on their readings halfway through the semester because they're too busy reading supplements and outlining. I know one person who would skip class to outline. Even if that were effective, it simply isn't anywhere near as efficient as just going to every class, reading every page of every reading, taking good notes, and reviewing those notes.

Most of the professors have their own style, and you need to test to that style. Some professors, if they saw an E&E type answer to an exam question, would be able to spot it right away, and it would not do well. Not because they have something against E&E, but that it shows the student didn't pick up on the themes the professor spent all that time standing in front of class trying to get you to understand. Professors like to hear themselves on the exams, and if you spend the time to pick up on that, and genuinely understand the assigned material, you'll do well. When a professor gives practice exams; take them, and ask the professor to review them (only if you actually knew the material, and say something like "I just want to make sure that the way I answered it and how it was organized is what you're looking for.")

The best study aid is your own notes. Invest some time now to find the most effective program through which to take them. Organize templates for cases, a hierarchy for organization, etc. I did, and I've been told I have the best notes others have seen. You won't regret it.

[leefair123]

Thanks!!

[Cool Brees]

Thanks again for taking questions!

So, how is life post 1L? What is the vibe like on campus?

When will 1's receive their grades and class rank?

Did you try to write on to law review last winter break? Do you know any 1L's that did try to write on during the winter break? Are you going to try to write on this summer?

How does the college handle practice exams? I'm sure it is a prof by prof basis, but do the profs normally give them out or are the exams on file at the library?

Does FSU have any type of outline banks? I intend on making my own, but I would like to see what others have done as well.

Off the wall... do you use your locker that often? Also, what do you use to lug all your stuff around?

[procrastinator]

Thanks again for taking questions!

So, how is life post 1L? What is the vibe like on campus?

Good, but busy with two jobs and a class. What do you mean by the vibe on campus? During the summer? It's much easier to find parking, that's for sure.

When will 1's receive their grades and class rank?

Next week, so they say.

Did you try to write on to law review last winter break? Do you know any 1L's that did try to write on during the winter break? Are you going to try to write on this summer?

Law review doesn't have a winter write-on for 1Ls. The summer write on is happening right now - I'm doing it but I'll probably grade on (normally we'd have our ranks by now and wouldn't have to write on, but since we don't I'm not taking the chance of falling outside the top 15)

How does the college handle practice exams? I'm sure it is a prof by prof basis, but do the profs normally give them out or are the exams on file at the library?

It's prof by prof. Most have "problem days" where they give you one essay problem and expect you to write an answer and be prepared to discuss it in class. Only one had us turn them in, mostly just to make sure his teaching was effective. There are old exams in a computer at the library, and most profs post a sample exam and answer a few weeks. Before the exam.

Does FSU have any type of outline banks? I intend on making my own, but I would like to see what others have done as well.

Apparently the moot court team and law review each keep their own, but I don't think there's anything for all law students. I wouldn't worry about what others have done - it may actually hurt you or act as a crutch that makes it less effective as a learning tool.

Off the wall... do you use your locker that often? Also, what do you use to lug all your stuff around?

Yes. I ride a motorcycle so I keep all my books in my locker (I only study in the library, home is a distraction). I lug my computer around in an awesome bag called the Tom Bihn Empire Builder. Expensive but worth it.

[Cool Brees]

What do you mean by the vibe on campus? During the summer? It's much easier to find parking, that's for sure.

Nothing in particular. Just in general how students were feeling now that school is out, if most have jobs, were planning on taking classes, plan on going their separate ways for the next few months, that sort of thing.

Law review doesn't have a winter write-on for 1Ls. The summer write on is happening right now - I'm doing it but I'll probably grade on (normally we'd have our ranks by now and wouldn't have to write on, but since we don't I'm not taking the chance of falling outside the top 15)

Interesting. I had no idea how it worked; so, I was just going by what this link says http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawrevi ... mbers.html. I don't think the link mentions grading on, or maybe I missed it. What is the grade on requirement?

Yes. I ride a motorcycle so I keep all my books in my locker (I only study in the library, home is a distraction). I lug my computer around in an awesome bag called the Tom Bihn Empire Builder. Expensive but worth it.

Thanks, I'll have to check that out.

[procrastinator]

What do you mean by the vibe on campus? During the summer? It's much easier to find parking, that's for sure.

Nothing in particular. Just in general how students were feeling now that school is out, if most have jobs, were planning on taking classes, plan on going their separate ways for the next few months, that sort of thing.

If you really want legal experience in the summer, it's available. Even students without the grades can get externships (you pay the school and get credit) — I think the school has more judicial externships available than the number of students who apply for them.

Lots of students are taking summer classes. Some are working and taking classes.

Law review doesn't have a winter write-on for 1Ls. The summer write on is happening right now - I'm doing it but I'll probably grade on (normally we'd have our ranks by now and wouldn't have to write on, but since we don't I'm not taking the chance of falling outside the top 15)

Interesting. I had no idea how it worked; so, I was just going by what this link says http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawrevi ... mbers.html. I don't think the link mentions grading on, or maybe I missed it. What is the grade on requirement?

I think they may have had a winter write-on competition until this year. Grade on is top 15 students in the class.

[minuit]

I think they may have had a winter write-on competition until this year. Grade on is top 15 students in the class.

Oh, this is interesting. I was also under the impression that FSU was 100% write-on for LR. I know Top 15 isn't guaranteed, but that's at least slightly comforting.

Also, I see you mentioned before that you didn't use any supplements besides the E&E for CivPro - I was definitely thinking about getting this one, but also, you really don't think anything else is helpful? Does it depend on the section a bit, or do FSU profs really prefer for you to use their own material? I'm doing some summer reading and TLS has tons of recommendations, but it really does only matter what FSU profs want, in the end.

Do you remember what time last summer incoming 1Ls received their section assignment and names of professors?

[procrastinator]

It does depend on the professor to some degree. It may also depend on you a bit. YMMV. But honestly, there's not a whole hell of a lot of time between doing all the readings (and I mean really actually reading, not skimming, not skipping the notes afterward and in fact answering the notes, etc.) that you can actually justify too much of an investment into supplements.

I kept my Civ Pro E&E in the bathroom and really only read it because it was slightly fun to answer the questions. I think it did help solidify things a bit, but only because I read everything thoroughly.

I think I found out my professors mid or late July.

[minuit]

It does depend on the professor to some degree. It may also depend on you a bit. YMMV. But honestly, there's not a whole hell of a lot of time between doing all the readings (and I mean really actually reading, not skimming, not skipping the notes afterward and in fact answering the notes, etc.) that you can actually justify too much of an investment into supplements.

I kept my Civ Pro E&E in the bathroom and really only read it because it was slightly fun to answer the questions. I think it did help solidify things a bit, but only because I read everything thoroughly.

I think I found out my professors mid or late July.

Thanks for the quick response!

[artist9517]

Can you tell me anything about transferring into FSU? I just finished my 1L year at another Florida law school. Top 25% of my class. I've completed most of my application. I'm just trying to write my personal statement. Do you know if FSU is a transfer-friendly school? I've spoken with some people in the admissions and registrar offices and they seem nice. But nice doesn't necessarily translate into accepting my application lol.

[procrastinator]

Yeah, they take a ton of transfers from Cooley. Not sure about other Florida schools though.

[minuit]

Hi, when do we receive our class schedules and section assignments? Sometime soon or not until orientation? One of my friends asked, and I realized I didn't exactly know!

[procrastinator]

Hi, when do we receive our class schedules and section assignments? Sometime soon or not until orientation? One of my friends asked, and I realized I didn't exactly know!

Should be the next couple weeks if they put them out the same time as last year.

If you guys want to post your profs when you get them I'm happy to talk about those I've had.

[EricBerry]

Thanks for taking questions, man. I keep seeing everyone complain about parking at the law school. Why not just buy a parking pass at the civic center next door? Is there something I'm missing?

[procrastinator]

Probably because they don't want to pay the $100 or whatever it is.