Wake Law Students taking Questions!!! Forum

[jdemmitt]

Soon there will be a FB group for WFU Law school class of 2015. A bunch of people get roommates from the facebook group.

[boom_cs]

Did not get to pick up my transcript with Rank today, did they give out a percentile form like they did last year?

[jdemmitt]

If you are below 50% they gave you a form.

[Relientkate]

Thank you very much for your replies. I just failed to squeeze more money out. Will come back with more bargaining counters.

May I ask how can I get a roommate? Some people mentioned House Hunt but I do not understand how it would work.

And, are there any tips for saving money?

Glacias!

House Hunt is a program done by a student organization at Wake. It takes place in early June. Those interested in finding a place to live come for the weekend, go to a baseball game on Friday night, and then tour various apartments and houses on Saturday. Both Friday and Saturday nights, the group will also go out to a bar/restaurant. Usually at least 50+ people come each year. I did it back in 2010 and it was a lot of fun. I helped out last year as well. Even if you want to live on your own or already have a roommate, it's a great way to meet your classmates and get to know the area.

Thanks a lot for your answer. But, are there any ways I can get to know the others and get a roommate if I arrive after June? I am not sure when I can get the visa and leave my current job. So I may not be able to come that early.

Last year, the school posted a list of people seeking other roommates, and a lot of people found roommates in the facebook group. Some of us even found potential roommates on TLS, although I'm not sure that any of us actually wound up living together.

[risingdragon]

So nice that there are still some way to find roommates but House Hunt. Thanks a lot for all the replies, guys. I appreciate it a lot. What the pity that there are only a few people in the Wake Forest 2015 Facebook group now.

If my memory service, the books expense of each year can be as high as $1,500. I think that is terrible. Former replies implied that we can buy second-hand books online. But how can I know what books and which versions I need? Would I get a book list in advance?

Thank you. I just have too many questions. Everything is too new in the U.S school system.

BTW, happy Chinese New Year!

[jdemmitt]

1,500 for the year is pretty good. I think I spent 1700 but I did buy some new. They will give you the book list in advance, but not with enough time to get all of your books in time. You will usually end up a little behind. Some people have had better luck though.

[tstyler98]

1,500 for the year is pretty good. I think I spent 1700 but I did buy some new. They will give you the book list in advance, but not with enough time to get all of your books in time. You will usually end up a little behind. Some people have had better luck though.

Your first semester, you are likely to buy more books new because the school advises you not to buy books until right before classes start in case you change sections (sections often require different casebooks for the same course). However, 2Ls and 3Ls often sell their books to 1Ls, so you might be able to get some used that way. I bought many of mine used online and it turned out ok.

Since 1st semester, I've only bought new when I've had to (new edition of a book). A book list will usually come out a few weeks before the start of the semester, giving you enough time to buy online (Amazon.com or Half.com are what I use) or to buy from other students.

This is how much I've paid for just the required books per semester:

• -Fall 1L: $424.40
  -Spring 1L: $235.99 (used the same books for Legal Writing, Contracts & Civil Procedure, so only needed books for 2 classes)
  -Fall 2L: $271.35
  -Spring: $78.48 (borrowed one book from boyfriend, and some classes didn't require a text)

[risingdragon]

Wow, in that case I may not be able to save much money in the first semester from books.

Thanks a lot for all the replies above. I would come back when think of more questions.

BTW, happy Chinese New Year! Today is the Eve. May you guys all have best luck in the dragon year.

[DubPoker]

Amazon gives you Amazon Prime (Free two day shipping) for free with a .edu e-mail address. All new books, and bunch of used books on Amazon are covered (some are not).

Also, this may be bad advice (so anyone please correct me if you think I am wrong), but when professors require more than just the casebook there is a huge chance you will never read the other books. I have no idea why Civ Pro and Contracts make you by the restatement/FRCP rule books. All of that is free online (On both the regular internet, and Westlaw and Lexis). When I was first buying books in the school bookstore (bad move in itself) a 2L stopped me who had my professor and said only buy the casebook, you'll thank me later. In my case he was totally right. I actually can't think of a single class where more than just the casebook was helpful.

That being said I totally support supplements like E&E's that you choose completely separately, they are awesome.

[Bulls]

Amazon gives you Amazon Prime (Free two day shipping) for free with a .edu e-mail address. All new books, and bunch of used books on Amazon are covered (some are not).

Also, this may be bad advice (so anyone please correct me if you think I am wrong), but when professors require more than just the casebook there is a huge chance you will never read the other books. I have no idea why Civ Pro and Contracts make you by the restatement/FRCP rule books. All of that is free online (On both the regular internet, and Westlaw and Lexis). When I was first buying books in the school bookstore (bad move in itself) a 2L stopped me who had my professor and said only buy the casebook, you'll thank me later. In my case he was totally right. I actually can't think of a single class where more than just the casebook was helpful.

That being said I totally support supplements like E&E's that you choose completely separately, they are awesome.

I'll bite at this. First semester of contracts I wrote and highlighted all over my rules supplement, a one word summary for each UCC section helps when Davis is breathing down your neck. Also, for Civ Pro we could bring in our rules book but had no internet access during the exam so I tabbed certain pages and actually found myself using it a few times.

[DubPoker]

I'll bite at this. First semester of contracts I wrote and highlighted all over my rules supplement, a one word summary for each UCC section helps when Davis is breathing down your neck. Also, for Civ Pro we could bring in our rules book but had no internet access during the exam so I tabbed certain pages and actually found myself using it a few times.

I figured my situation might be different. Foy did not ever breath down anyone's necks, and Civ Pro was closed note.

[jsvaughn]

just wondering if anyone here got in to wake off the waitlist and how they did it (beyond doing nothing)

[risingdragon]

It seems that the importance of certain books is up to the professor. And the biggest challenge to get cheap books is the timing.

So, is it serious not to have books in the first class? I think wait until everything are settled is the safer way to buy cheap and right books.

Anyway thoughts?

[PirateCap'n]

It seems that the importance of certain books is up to the professor. And the biggest challenge to get cheap books is the timing.

So, is it serious not to have books in the first class? I think wait until everything are settled is the safer way to buy cheap and right books.

Anyway thoughts?

Usually, professors will give an assignment for the first class, but they're usually pretty forgiving if you're waiting for the books to arrive. I don't think it would be a big deal if you don't have books on the first day.

[Relientkate]

It seems that the importance of certain books is up to the professor. And the biggest challenge to get cheap books is the timing.

So, is it serious not to have books in the first class? I think wait until everything are settled is the safer way to buy cheap and right books.

Anyway thoughts?

I think it's cheaper to get books ahead of time, actually... If you can buy a used book off of Amazon Marketplace or Half.com early, you'll save a lot more money versus waiting until the last minute and buying it at the bookstore or on Amazon when all the cheap used books have been purchased by other law students. You just have to be careful to make sure you have the right version/edition. Personally, the only book problem I've had this year was that the bookstore mistakenly listed a book as "optional" when it was actually required for the course.

[MattThiessen]

Definitely some truth to what RK is saying. Esp. on buying early to get cheaper books.

There are several classes that I haven't gotten the books for at all. There are a number of books that you won't actually need that the Professor says are "required" or "suggested." If that's something you want to do, I would treat it on a case by case basis and try to figure out from other students who had the professor in the past and find out what you need.

For most of the big 1L classes, the library will have the professor's book on reserve, so you will still be able to read it if you have to wait for your order to ship. It's a pain, but it works.

I will also +1 TSTyler98's breakdown of book costs. I probably paid something more like $600 fall semester and $300 spring semester for books.

[risingdragon]

Well, it looks like that I had better get all the used books of the right edition online early. I think to buy two used books, one wrong one right, is cheaper than a new right book. (in case of changing section)

Will those books on the booklist be labelled as 'optional' or 'necessary'? Or I cannot know that until I meet the professor in class or ask someone who had taken his courses? How can I know my class schedule and when?

Too many questions. Thanks so much for alll the replies above. I love Wake students.

[tstyler98]

Well, it looks like that I had better get all the used books of the right edition online early. I think to buy two used books, one wrong one right, is cheaper than a new right book. (in case of changing section)

Will those books on the booklist be labelled as 'optional' or 'necessary'? Or I cannot know that until I meet the professor in class or ask someone who had taken his courses? How can I know my class schedule and when?

Too many questions. Thanks so much for alll the replies above. I love Wake students.

Each book will have listed next to it whether it is required or optional. Here is our current book list so you can see what it looks like: --LinkRemoved--

[risingdragon]

Well, it looks like that I had better get all the used books of the right edition online early. I think to buy two used books, one wrong one right, is cheaper than a new right book. (in case of changing section)

Will those books on the booklist be labelled as 'optional' or 'necessary'? Or I cannot know that until I meet the professor in class or ask someone who had taken his courses? How can I know my class schedule and when?

Too many questions. Thanks so much for alll the replies above. I love Wake students.

Each book will have listed next to it whether it is required or optional. Here is our current book list so you can see what it looks like: --LinkRemoved--

Thanks a lot... OMG, that is a booklist not a menu? How can you guys finish this list within a semester?

[wvu]

Well, it looks like that I had better get all the used books of the right edition online early. I think to buy two used books, one wrong one right, is cheaper than a new right book. (in case of changing section)

Will those books on the booklist be labelled as 'optional' or 'necessary'? Or I cannot know that until I meet the professor in class or ask someone who had taken his courses? How can I know my class schedule and when?

Too many questions. Thanks so much for alll the replies above. I love Wake students.

Each book will have listed next to it whether it is required or optional. Here is our current book list so you can see what it looks like: --LinkRemoved--

Thanks a lot... OMG, that is a booklist not a menu? How can you guys finish this list within a semester?

Each class requires like 1 book and it looks like a couple supplements... not sure what your undergrad classes were like but I think 2-3 books is pretty standard for any class

[irish1485]

Hey Wake students!,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I have been accepted to Wake with a pretty nice scholarship and I was wondering about a couple of things..

-I understand that the top 20-25% of the class will have a pretty good shot a landing jobs via OCI, but what about the rest of the top half of the class, do most of them mass mail firms to land jobs?
-Also, What about the bottom half? Are they having a tough time Finding Law Related Jobs altogether? I'm from a neighboring state (TN) and I'm just curious how hard it will be to come back after graduation, if at all.

[moandersen]

Hey Wake students!,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I have been accepted to Wake with a pretty nice scholarship and I was wondering about a couple of things..

-I understand that the top 20-25% of the class will have a pretty good shot a landing jobs via OCI, but what about the rest of the top half of the class, do most of them mass mail firms to land jobs?
-Also, What about the bottom half? Are they having a tough time finding law related jobs altogether? I'm from a neighboring state (TN) and I'm just curious how hard it will be to come back after graduation, if at all.

I wouldnt quite say that top 20-25% have a pretty good shot at landing a job via OCI - that seems a little optimistic. Rather, top 20-25% will get you handful of interviews (and more if you have NC ties). Plus there are smaller firms that have lesser requirements, such as top 33 or 50%, so you dont need top grades to get an interview. Connections are the best way to land a job though if you dont obtain one through OCI.

There will probably not be any TN offices coming to OCI, so you will have to all of the legwork yourself. If you are ok with NC and have connections that could get you back to TN, then taking the scholarship at Wake would seem like a good idea. If you are set on TN and dont have connections to get back there, Vandy would be a much better option if possible, or even UT with $$$.

[Gail]

Just admitted on Friday. Right now, my total COA (which is just CoL) should run me about $15k a year (apartment + books + food + lulz).


I'm a lifelong midwesterner with weak ties to a Carolina (not the one Wake Forest is in, unfortunately).


Am I taking much of a risk by going? The conventional wisdom seems to be don't go unless it's a T-6, a T-14 with a nice scholarship, or a T1 with little to no tuition (Yay, go me). My concern is about getting a job in North Carolina. What do you guys think?

[PirateCap'n]

Hey Wake students!,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I have been accepted to Wake with a pretty nice scholarship and I was wondering about a couple of things..

-I understand that the top 20-25% of the class will have a pretty good shot a landing jobs via OCI, but what about the rest of the top half of the class, do most of them mass mail firms to land jobs?
-Also, What about the bottom half? Are they having a tough time finding law related jobs altogether? I'm from a neighboring state (TN) and I'm just curious how hard it will be to come back after graduation, if at all.

I wouldnt quite say that top 20-25% have a pretty good shot at landing a job via OCI - that seems a little optimistic. Rather, top 20-25% will get you handful of interviews (and more if you have NC ties). Plus there are smaller firms that have lesser requirements, such as top 33 or 50%, so you dont need top grades to get an interview. Connections are the best way to land a job though if you dont obtain one through OCI.

There will probably not be any TN offices coming to OCI, so you will have to all of the legwork yourself. If you are ok with NC and have connections that could get you back to TN, then taking the scholarship at Wake would seem like a good idea. If you are set on TN and dont have connections to get back there, Vandy would be a much better option if possible, or even UT with $$$.

This is pretty much spot on. Being from TN isn't nearly as bad as it would be if you were from Idaho or somewhere though. As Mo said, there won't be many firms from TN at OCI (if there are any at all), so you'll probably end up doing mass-mailing to get back to TN. If you have connections to firms in TN, that would definitely be a big help.

If you're willing to stay in NC, you have a pretty good chance at landing some interviews, and those could turn out well depending on how well you can convince firms that you want to stay in the Southeast (not just TN or NC in particular). I landed quite a few interviews and offers in states where I had no connections based on the fact that I noted wanted to stay in the particular region rather than in a particular state.

If you have ties to NC and you're in the top 20-25%, you'll be fine for the most part (although there are certainly some people in that range without jobs right now). If you don't have any connections here (or at least at good reason to be here), you might run into some problems. If you want to practice in NC after you graduate, the larger firms in Raleigh and Charlotte aren't quite as big on having ties as most of the smaller firms (although they still care about them). If you try to go back to TN, I think Wake can definitely get you there. Here is a link to Wake's placement statistics from 2005-2009, and it gives you some idea of where you can take the degree. http://career.law.wfu.edu/stats/ (at the bottom of the page).

This one is also pretty helpful: http://career.law.wfu.edu/stats/summer/

[PirateCap'n]

Just admitted on Friday. Right now, my total COA (which is just CoL) should run me about $15k a year (apartment + books + food + lulz).


I'm a lifelong midwesterner with weak ties to a Carolina (not the one Wake Forest is in, unfortunately).


Am I taking much of a risk by going? The conventional wisdom seems to be don't go unless it's a T-6, a T-14 with a nice scholarship, or a T1 with little to no tuition (Yay, go me). My concern is about getting a job in North Carolina. What do you guys think?

I would give you the same advice that I gave Irish above for the most part. If you want to return to the midwest, your lack of ties to NC will be irrelevant. If you want to stay in NC (as it seems you do), you'll just have to be able to convince firms that you want to stay here. If you have good grades, it all comes down to how well your personality meshes with the firm's and whether they believe you want to stay in NC. If you have good reasons for wanting to stay here (e.g. a spouse is from NC or whatever), that certainly helps your chances. I would say $45,000 to attend Wake is a pretty darn good deal (especially if you want to work in NC). If you're going to want to go back to the midwest and you have connections with firms, it probably won't hurt you. If you want to go back and you don't have connections with firms, you might want to look at places like WUSTL that seem to have a good reputation in the region. Other than that, I think the advice above is pretty much the same for you as it is for Irish. (Also, Mo should be pretty knowledgeable since he's an out of state student -- his advice is solid for this kind of stuff. Definitely consider what he says).