Santa Clara 1L taking questions Forum

[Great Satchmo]

I'm concerned about SCU employment statistics being skewed toward those who have technical backgrounds/graduate degrees (IP). What are the prospects for someone looking into business/corporate law, without a tech background (beyond almost a minor in computer science, haha). Basically, how does the normal student fair?

Do you have any sense of placement in competition with USF?

SCU is on the list, but my main concern is going without the technical background and finding out that it wasn't worth it over USF with a larger scholarship for business/corporate interest.

Thanks!

By the way - Go 'Quakes!

[joebruin999]

I'm concerned about SCU employment statistics being skewed toward those who have technical backgrounds/graduate degrees (IP). What are the prospects for someone looking into business/corporate law, without a tech background (beyond almost a minor in computer science, haha). Basically, how does the normal student fair?

Do you have any sense of placement in competition with USF?

SCU is on the list, but my main concern is going without the technical background and finding out that it wasn't worth it over USF with a larger scholarship for business/corporate interest.

Thanks!

By the way - Go 'Quakes!

Definitely don't go to USF, SCU is a way better school (objectively) and USF is in the worst legal market in the US right now with the collapse of SF's two largest firms.

[Great Satchmo]

Definitely don't go to USF, SCU is a way better school (objectively) and USF is in the worst legal market in the US right now with the collapse of SF's two largest firms.

Since posting, I've definitely focused in more on SCU for a number of reasons.

Question - I am looking at, broadly, business/corporate law and I'm concerned that I will be overshadowed at SCU without a specifically tech/IP background. Do you get that sense?

Thanks!

[joebruin999]

Definitely don't go to USF, SCU is a way better school (objectively) and USF is in the worst legal market in the US right now with the collapse of SF's two largest firms.

Since posting, I've definitely focused in more on SCU for a number of reasons.

Question - I am looking at, broadly, business/corporate law and I'm concerned that I will be overshadowed at SCU without a specifically tech/IP background. Do you get that sense?

Thanks!

I definitely don't get that sense; good luck!

[joebruin999]

Any more?

[queue]

Any more?

Random question: Does anyone commute down from San Francisco? [Edit] Also, related to commuting, what is a typical 1L schedule? I couldn't find one on the website. [/Edit]

[Edit Edit] 1L spring schedules are here: http://law.scu.edu/studentservices/sche ... g_2010.cfm [/Edit Edit]

[Great Satchmo]

Any more?

Random question: Does anyone commute down from San Francisco?

As a disclaimer: I am not student there, or any other law school.

I live in San Francisco about 4 blocks from the 280 on-ramp, which is the less congested freeway for reverse commuting to the peninsula/south bay.

I was working at Stanford, which is probably another 10-15 minutes north of SCU, and my office was just off of 280, so it was a very direct commute. I also took Caltrain somewhat often, but it ended up eating a lot of my day getting to the train, driving from the station to my office, and the actual ride (it's a 70 minute, or something like that, ride unless you catch a baby bullet, which only run during rush hour).

My advice: do not do it.

Many people commute from SF to the peninsula and bay area, you'll see tons of Google people and other techies. Some people can do it, and some people can't (including me apparently). However, even given that variability in threshold for commute, I can't imagine starting out law school and spending 2 hours-ish a day commuting, and being that far from the bulk of the student community.

That said, it's definitely an option, but I'd wait for 2L or 3L to give it a try.

[queue]

Any more?

Random question: Does anyone commute down from San Francisco?

As a disclaimer: I am not student there, or any other law school.

I live in San Francisco about 4 blocks from the 280 on-ramp, which is the less congested freeway for reverse commuting to the peninsula/south bay.

I was working at Stanford, which is probably another 10-15 minutes north of SCU, and my office was just off of 280, so it was a very direct commute. I also took Caltrain somewhat often, but it ended up eating a lot of my day getting to the train, driving from the station to my office, and the actual ride (it's a 70 minute, or something like that, ride unless you catch a baby bullet, which only run during rush hour).

My advice: do not do it.

Many people commute from SF to the peninsula and bay area, you'll see tons of Google people and other techies. Some people can do it, and some people can't (including me apparently). However, even given that variability in threshold for commute, I can't imagine starting out law school and spending 2 hours-ish a day commuting, and being that far from the bulk of the student community.

That said, it's definitely an option, but I'd wait for 2L or 3L to give it a try.

My partner and I currently live and work in the City. The other options are to move down there and have my partner commute up, or to split the difference and both commute. So far the ‘reverse’ commute seems like the best option if I go to Santa Clara. Thanks for the feedback.

[joonhp]

hello...159 3.38 from Michigan...do i have a shot?

[mkj123]

how about real estate law? given that santa clara is big on ip and international law, i am curious about how those interested in real estate law do in terms of job prospects. this might be a difficult question but any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[cyberPUNK]

I'm looking to specialize in International Business Transactions and wondering if you think SCU provides the means by which to pursue a career in that field. The summer internships abroad (particularly in Tokyo and Hong Kong) are one of the main reasons I'm very interested in SCU, as they seem to fall in line with this goal.

Aside from that, great thread. Also, glad to hear the campus is a nice as UCLA's.

Oh, and seeing as your avatar is soccer related, I'm wondering if there is a recreational soccer league in the area one could join. I enjoy pick up games, but a Sunday league would also be great.

Cheers.

[Foxxtrot]

I'm looking to specialize in International Business Transactions and wondering if you think SCU provides the means by which to pursue a career in that field. The summer internships abroad (particularly in Tokyo and Hong Kong) are one of the main reasons I'm very interested in SCU, as they seem to fall in line with this goal.

Aside from that, great thread. Also, glad to hear the campus is a nice as UCLA's.

Oh, and seeing as your avatar is soccer related, I'm wondering if there is a recreational soccer league in the area one could join. I enjoy pick up games, but a Sunday league would also be great.

Cheers.

+1

This is good to know.

[pinkitt]

How's job situation for patent attorney?

[Cale39]

I'm currently working in the Valley (Mtn View) at a tech company. They are offering to let me work part-time during the school year if I am so inclined. Is this something that may be possible? Does one have class 5 days per week? I'd probably have to show face 1 MAYBE 2 days in the office and the rest I could telecommute.

[flyingpanda]

I'm currently working in the Valley (Mtn View) at a tech company. They are offering to let me work part-time during the school year if I am so inclined. Is this something that may be possible? Does one have class 5 days per week? I'd probably have to show face 1 MAYBE 2 days in the office and the rest I could telecommute.

Prob more possible if you do the PT program. Your schedule is going to be crazy if you go to school full time and work part time.

[v. dentata]

Any insight on the public interest/civil rights programs? Are professors very "open-door policy"? How is the competitiveness of the students? Is competitiveness a word? It's late here.

[vl2104]

How's job situation for patent attorney?

Like to know this too.
Joe, would you be able to put us in contact with any IP oriented classmates who would be willing to offer their 1L summer job search perspective?
Can PM me.

[joebruin999]

hello...159 3.38 from Michigan...do i have a shot?

Probably a coin toss.

[joebruin999]

how about real estate law? given that santa clara is big on ip and international law, i am curious about how those interested in real estate law do in terms of job prospects. this might be a difficult question but any insight would be greatly appreciated!

There are a couple real estate law classes, but other than that, I'm not sure what else SCU offers.

[joebruin999]

I'm looking to specialize in International Business Transactions and wondering if you think SCU provides the means by which to pursue a career in that field. The summer internships abroad (particularly in Tokyo and Hong Kong) are one of the main reasons I'm very interested in SCU, as they seem to fall in line with this goal.

Aside from that, great thread. Also, glad to hear the campus is a nice as UCLA's.

Oh, and seeing as your avatar is soccer related, I'm wondering if there is a recreational soccer league in the area one could join. I enjoy pick up games, but a Sunday league would also be great.

Cheers.

Yeah, there are law school pick up games that are typically between 5 and 10 a side, on Wednesdays and Sundays, and I also play in a Sunday Men's league. The summer abroad programs are really good, and look great on resumes considering real work is hard to come by ITTET. The SCU study abroad programs are definitely helpful if you're looking to specialize in IBT, and we have quite a few int'l law classes.

[joebruin999]

How's job situation for patent attorney?

Not too sure, neither I nor any of my friends are looking to get into patent law, but the SCU career services website has quite a few externships available to students, Apple and HP are two big names that come to mind, though there were a dozen? probably last time I checked that were specifically patent law.

[joebruin999]

I'm currently working in the Valley (Mtn View) at a tech company. They are offering to let me work part-time during the school year if I am so inclined. Is this something that may be possible? Does one have class 5 days per week? I'd probably have to show face 1 MAYBE 2 days in the office and the rest I could telecommute.

Prob more possible if you do the PT program. Your schedule is going to be crazy if you go to school full time and work part time.

TITCR. 1L's are only allowed to work up to 10 hours a week in the full-time program. Classes for 1Ls meet 5 days a week.

[joebruin999]

Any insight on the public interest/civil rights programs? Are professors very "open-door policy"? How is the competitiveness of the students? Is competitiveness a word? It's late here.

Like all law schools, you have a couple gunners in every class, but overall, I feel the atmosphere isn't too competitive, and your 1L section is where most of your friends will come from. There are also a couple public interest/civil rights programs that sound interesting, but because I am looking to go into entertainment law, I won't likely spend much time in any of them. The Northern California Innocence Project is an excellent experience I've been told, and I'll likely volunteer some time there if I have any extra.

Competitiveness is a word. To me at least.

[joebruin999]

More Q's?

[Bearcat]

Thanks for answering questions. I still have not heard back from SCU yet but I'm hoping for good news soon.

How is the employment prospect for entertainment law? Are you planning on relocating to SoCal or are you going to be looking for work in the Bay Area?