UVA Law Students Taking Questions Forum

[shibby]

what if you just want a paper over exam class? if it's something i end up preferring, having to take another later on won't matter.

you shouldn't unless you also prefer a b+ over the potential for an above median grade

So just to confirm, and I have heard this a couple times, grades for small paper classes (<15ish) barely deviate from the median. So does it take an act of god to get above? Is this also a guarantee that if you put the work in, you'll get a B+?

[pertristis]

what if you just want a paper over exam class? if it's something i end up preferring, having to take another later on won't matter.

you shouldn't unless you also prefer a b+ over the potential for an above median grade

So just to confirm, and I have heard this a couple times, grades for small paper classes (<15ish) barely deviate from the median. So does it take an act of god to get above? Is this also a guarantee that if you put the work in, you'll get a B+?

Depends on the professor. I know of one professor who, in a small paper class of ~6, gave one A, one A-, one B+, and three Bs.

[pertristis]

Thanks for the information! I'm guessing then that the new grading policy won't fully mitigate this effect (ie: 1L won't benefit from the heightened mean)?

i wouldn't account for the new grading policy at all if i were doing this calculus for these classes. there's nothing requiring the professors to curve it up to the max allowed, and especially with professors that have been teaching (a) for so long in general, and (b) for several years at UVA specifically, i just seriously doubt collins or nelson will give substantially different grades than they used to

I can't speak for Collins, but Nelson will curve a class to the adjusted mean.

[Yardbird]

Thanks for the information! I'm guessing then that the new grading policy won't fully mitigate this effect (ie: 1L won't benefit from the heightened mean)?

i wouldn't account for the new grading policy at all if i were doing this calculus for these classes. there's nothing requiring the professors to curve it up to the max allowed, and especially with professors that have been teaching (a) for so long in general, and (b) for several years at UVA specifically, i just seriously doubt collins or nelson will give substantially different grades than they used to

I can't speak for Collins, but Nelson will curve a class to the adjusted mean.

Not taking a Nelson class this semester, but out of curiosity what was the adjusted mean for your class?



Also completely irrelevant question for anyone, but I think it's very important - when does softball start back up?

[pertristis]

Thanks for the information! I'm guessing then that the new grading policy won't fully mitigate this effect (ie: 1L won't benefit from the heightened mean)?

i wouldn't account for the new grading policy at all if i were doing this calculus for these classes. there's nothing requiring the professors to curve it up to the max allowed, and especially with professors that have been teaching (a) for so long in general, and (b) for several years at UVA specifically, i just seriously doubt collins or nelson will give substantially different grades than they used to

I can't speak for Collins, but Nelson will curve a class to the adjusted mean.

Not taking a Nelson class this semester, but out of curiosity what was the adjusted mean for your class?

PM'd

[albanach]

So just to confirm, and I have heard this a couple times, grades for small paper classes (<15ish) barely deviate from the median. So does it take an act of god to get above? Is this also a guarantee that if you put the work in, you'll get a B+?

Not an act of god. Since essentially every class has a curve, in a group of fifteen there will be at least one A- or above and one B or below. You're also likely to get a couple of 3Ls who are plodding their way through their final year just waiting to graduate. if you're lucky, they can help pad out the bottom of the curve.

However, even in the courses where there are two or three A- being handed out, there's very often some people who are really interested in the class because it covers their dream area of law. Particularly for paper classes, they may be going in with a good idea of their paper topic which could give them a six week head start on you.

In other words, good grades in small classes are possible, but be prepared to work hard to distinguish yourself enough to get them.

[gingervallens]

So just to confirm, and I have heard this a couple times, grades for small paper classes (<15ish) barely deviate from the median. So does it take an act of god to get above? Is this also a guarantee that if you put the work in, you'll get a B+?

Not an act of god. Since essentially every class has a curve, in a group of fifteen there will be at least one A- or above and one B or below. You're also likely to get a couple of 3Ls who are plodding their way through their final year just waiting to graduate. if you're lucky, they can help pad out the bottom of the curve.

However, even in the courses where there are two or three A- being handed out, there's very often some people who are really interested in the class because it covers their dream area of law. Particularly for paper classes, they may be going in with a good idea of their paper topic which could give them a six week head start on you.

In other words, good grades in small classes are possible, but be prepared to work hard to distinguish yourself enough to get them.

FWIW, this has not been my experience at all. I have taken several paper courses, and I would highly recommend them as an option if you don't like exams. It's not like high school where a paper = an easy A, but if you're an excellent writer, and you understand the material, you can certainly beat the curve without special knowledge and/or intense effort.

[albanach]

FWIW, this has not been my experience at all. I have taken several paper courses, and I would highly recommend them as an option if you don't like exams. It's not like high school where a paper = an easy A, but if you're an excellent writer, and you understand the material, you can certainly beat the curve without special knowledge and/or intense effort.

It might be helpful for the OP if you named some of the courses where this worked well for you.

[pertristis]

It might be helpful for the OP if you named some of the courses where this worked well for you.

Bonnie and Barzun's jurisprudence come to mind, if you have some inclination toward philosophy.

[albanach]

It might be helpful for the OP if you named some of the courses where this worked well for you.

Bonnie and Barzun's jurisprudence come to mind, if you have some inclination toward philosophy.

Those makes sense. I was thinking more along the lines of family law, bioethics / health care, technology, where you are more likely to encounter students who are focused on entering that field upon graduation.

Looking for something that is more broad in nature might well help avoid that problem.

Also, as gingervallens points out, being a good writer makes a huge difference in paper classes. If you are confident in your writing ability, it should make a big difference.

[Br3v]

What is the credited supplement for property?

[plenipotentiary]

What is the credited supplement for property?

This book will make real covenants and equitable servitudes your bitch: http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Pro ... 1422498735

[shibby]

It might be helpful for the OP if you named some of the courses where this worked well for you.

Bonnie and Barzun's jurisprudence come to mind, if you have some inclination toward philosophy.

Those makes sense. I was thinking more along the lines of family law, bioethics / health care, technology, where you are more likely to encounter students who are focused on entering that field upon graduation.

Looking for something that is more broad in nature might well help avoid that problem.

Also, as gingervallens points out, being a good writer makes a huge difference in paper classes. If you are confident in your writing ability, it should make a big difference.

Helpful. Thanks guys!

[sl5uw13]

Can anybody post pictures of the Jeffersonian?

Also, what are the main differences between it and Arlington Park from Woodard?

I'm interested in this as well

[Yardbird]

Can anybody post pictures of the Jeffersonian?

Also, what are the main differences between it and Arlington Park from Woodard?

I'm interested in this as well

This is my apartment with furniture I purchased. It's a one bedroom/1 bathroom no den. It's really quite big and a steal for the price (more so if you get a two bedroom). Honestly it's about the same as Arlington park except the Jeff is 1) closer to the school, 2) has free parking (not sure if Arlington Park has that), 3) has a super awesome resident manager and her husband is maintenance so things get taken care of quickly and efficiently.

[edit] Oh also, I'm not getting a rent increase for next year (new rates are $25 higher than I had last year).
[edit 2]The two bedrooms are also only $100 more than a one bedroom and I know of at least one 1L who got a two bedroom with no roommate for the extra space (use second bedroom as an extra room).

[North]

Credited tailor in C-ville? I've got a suit coming in the mail.

ETA: Would still love to hear from anyone who's had Cannon for Land Use.

[Yardbird]

Credited tailor in C-ville? I've got a suit coming in the mail.

ETA: Would still love to hear from anyone who's had Cannon for Land Use.

The lady who does tailoring at Brooks Bros does tailoring at Buckle (Fashion Sq Mall) on Monday nights. She does private tailoring for decent prices and my suits came out looking great. Shoot me a text if you want more details.

[Edit] Got my suits from Brooks Bros but I had an old suit jacket tailored and she did a great job. Fits better than it ever did before.

[raft14969]

Credited tailor in C-ville? I've got a suit coming in the mail.

ETA: Would still love to hear from anyone who's had Cannon for Land Use.

I took this class last year. It was an unusual mix of students: some clueless 1Ls, some completely checked-out upperclassmen, and some upperclassmen who had done well in property and wanted an easy A, because it overlaps so much.

[North]

Credited tailor in C-ville? I've got a suit coming in the mail.

ETA: Would still love to hear from anyone who's had Cannon for Land Use.

I took this class last year. It was an unusual mix of students: some clueless 1Ls, some completely checked-out upperclassmen, and some upperclassmen who had done well in property and wanted an easy A, because it overlaps so much.

Exactly the same group this year, I'm one of the clueless 1Ls. Other kids run the gamut from 100% checked out to former zoning officials gunning hard.

[CvilleRunner]

Can anybody post pictures of the Jeffersonian?

Also, what are the main differences between it and Arlington Park from Woodard?

I'm interested in this as well

I just want to point out that when people say "oh the Jefferson is closer than Pavilion or Arlington Park" you are talking about probably less than a 30 second difference in timing. All the places on Arlington are both close to the law school and close to the Barracks Road shopping center. No place is so close that it would make any difference in what time you get up in the morning, whether you come home in the middle of day, or whether you are too lazy to go buy milk when you run out. All of the places on Arlington are similarly close, so I wouldn't let how much closer the Jeffersonian is be the deciding factor. If you're comparing the Jeffersonian to somewhere downtown, then it can make a difference and you should factor that into your decision making, but otherwise just don't worry about it.

The biggest difference between the Arlington Park townhomes and the Jeffersonian in my opinion are 1. the Jeffersonian is cheaper, but also fills up super fast so if you are coming this fall you probably missed the boat; 2. Arlington Park townhomes are two levels so there is a little bit more separation between the main living area and the bedrooms and is generally less apartment feeling; 3. The townhomes have yards (which are not huge by any stretch of the imagination) but it is nice to have a little bit of outdoor space in the fall and nice if you have a four-legged companion; 4. Jeffersonian has access to a pool, but if you don't live there usually you can go with someone who does or someone who lives in Pavilion, or someone who lives in Ivy so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I think there might be some difference in amenities, but in general all the places are pretty similar and their prices reflect the quality of the place.

Edit to add that Arlington Park has free parking as well - I think most do except Pavilion.

[Br3v]

For Journal tryout:

1) Which weekend do I want to do? First one looks like the weekend before Spring Break, the second is the first weekend of spring break. Any insights I should be aware of beyond personal preference?

2) Do I want to purchase a hard copy of the try out for $10?

[envisciguy]

For Journal tryout:

1) Which weekend do I want to do? First one looks like the weekend before Spring Break, the second is the first weekend of spring break. Any insights I should be aware of beyond personal preference?

2) Do I want to purchase a hard copy of the try out for $10?

1) I took it the the week of spring break and thought it was best for me - that way I had no other work to worry about, which was important since the tryout will really take all weekend.

2) YES!

[Br3v]

Is this like a literally every moment you are not sleeping type thing? As in you should consider going to Friday classes?

[chem]

Is this like a literally every moment you are not sleeping type thing? As in you should consider going to Friday classes?

If you work on it during when you have a scheduled class, its an honor violation. Rumor is that people have been caught and asked to leave the school.

I used the electronic version and failed to get on LR. I did buy three drinks at the bar and have a really good time with those ten dollars. So its up for debate

[North]

So is write-on a crapshoot like everything else in LS, or are there some skills we can work on between now and then to help our chances? Lord knows I won't be grading on, so..