University of Kentucky 1L taking questions. Forum

[appaws]

AP, given your class schedule I have a couple guesses as to who you are . . . still haven't a clue about Uke, though. haha.

As a hint I'm the one who laughs all through Harding's crim law class. Still can't believe she hasn't called me out.

I'm the one who argued with her the one day about whether you you would strangle a baby who was already dead, and her response was "people do weird shit!" I sit right in front, so I am the one she is always killing with pretend knives and being shot with pretend guns.

I'm typing this sitting in the room waiting for her final right now.

[appaws]

I figure I will post just a few of my thoughts now that I am halfway done with my 1L year...

So far I am really enjoying it. I have made some good friends and pretty much everyone has been cool as hell. None of the law school competition horror stories are based on UK, I assure you. Thank God for the double cheeseburger special at Dirty Phils! Tailgaiting and football ruled. I am having some trouble adjusting to the SEC thing since I am a Michigander, but maybe it will grow on me!

I like the material a lot. I have a deep background in history, so the straightforward style of legal writing was a little tough for me, but I have found a lot of the reading very enjoyable.

I actually like all of my profs a lot. The building is a dump and the locker room for us is a complete abomination...but the actual classrooms are nice and the IT guys are super helpful. Good people in the law library always helped me find shit when I needed it.

[ukerock2005]

Definitely considering it after my recent acceptance. Any students there who can enlighten us about employment prospects?

Employment is rough right now, I won't lie. But, that is a problem everywhere. With the current economy it is on you to find jobs and send in applications on your own. Not to say there arent some great jobs through OCI, but everyone is going for them so competition is stiff. Hopefully by the time you have graduated from law school the market will be better.

[Aqualibrium]

Definitely considering it after my recent acceptance. Any students there who can enlighten us about employment prospects?

Employment is rough right now, I won't lie. But, that is a problem everywhere. With the current economy it is on you to find jobs and send in applications on your own. Not to say there arent some great jobs through OCI, but everyone is going for them so competition is stiff. Hopefully by the time you have graduated from law school the market will be better.

Two things to add to that:

1. The competition for the firms at OCI isn't just amongst your classmates, or even other students in the state of Kentucky. I know several people who did very well (i.e. top 15% or better) at much higher ranked schools than Kentucky and Louisville who were gunning for and/or worked for the likes of Stites, and Wyatt. This was something it took me a while to fully grasp too; your competition is not just at your school or in your state. I was shocked to work with Harvard, and Yale kids in the middle of bumfuck, nowhere this past summer.

2. For firm work, the class of 2014 shouldn't go in hoping the economy gets better by the time they graduate. It won't really matter, as you'll be going through OCI at the beginning of your 2L year (I.E. August 2012). You aren't going to have much time to see any real or imagined drastic economic recovery, and honestly, even if there was a recovery, firms don't seem too ready to get back to the way things once were.

Just my two cents...

[ukerock2005]

Two things to add to that:

1. The competition for the firms at OCI isn't just amongst your classmates, or even other students in the state of Kentucky. I know several people who did very well (i.e. top 15% or better) at much higher ranked schools than Kentucky and Louisville who were gunning for and/or worked for the likes of Stites, and Wyatt. This was something it took me a while to fully grasp too; your competition is not just at your school or in your state. I was shocked to work with Harvard, and Yale kids in the middle of bumfuck, nowhere this past summer.

2. For firm work, the class of 2014 shouldn't go in hoping the economy gets better by the time they graduate. It won't really matter, as you'll be going through OCI at the beginning of your 2L year (I.E. August 2012). You aren't going to have much time to see any real or imagined drastic economic recovery, and honestly, even if there was a recovery, firms don't seem too ready to get back to the way things once were.

Just my two cents...

I agree you are competing agaisnt other law students, but the main firms in lexington and Louisville all seem to take on at least one UK summer associate. I know students who are working at all of the main firms this summer. So I don't want you all to think that the big Kentucky firms are not hiring Uk students because they are only taking students from the top ranked schools. Of course in this economy being ranked in the top 5% does not lock up a big firm job for you.

My comments about the economy improving weren't just about the big firms and OCI's. A lot of studnets won't be able to find jobs through those outlets either way. Lots of jobs do not use OCI's to find law students. Hopefully more oportunities like those are avaiable for the 2014 class.

[jeff5170]

How generous is UK with scholarships? Should I expect to hear in January? I've been accepted, I am in-state, and at/above both 75s? I looked through LSN but data is a bit limited...

[ukerock2005]

How generous is UK with scholarships? Should I expect to hear in January? I've been accepted, I am in-state, and at/above both 75s? I looked through LSN but data is a bit limited...

From what I have heard Uk is not very generous with Scholarships. I didn't recieve a scholarship so I don't really know when you will find out. I'm sure being in the top 75 percentile gives you a good shot at getting a partial scholarship.

[Amir N]

If UK is having trouble finding graduates jobs, then how does it compare to the lower ranked Louisville? I'm asking because I was accepted at Louisville today.

Definitely considering it after my recent acceptance. Any students there who can enlighten us about employment prospects?

Employment is rough right now, I won't lie. But, that is a problem everywhere. With the current economy it is on you to find jobs and send in applications on your own. Not to say there arent some great jobs through OCI, but everyone is going for them so competition is stiff. Hopefully by the time you have graduated from law school the market will be better.

Two things to add to that:

1. The competition for the firms at OCI isn't just amongst your classmates, or even other students in the state of Kentucky. I know several people who did very well (i.e. top 15% or better) at much higher ranked schools than Kentucky and Louisville who were gunning for and/or worked for the likes of Stites, and Wyatt. This was something it took me a while to fully grasp too; your competition is not just at your school or in your state. I was shocked to work with Harvard, and Yale kids in the middle of bumfuck, nowhere this past summer.

2. For firm work, the class of 2014 shouldn't go in hoping the economy gets better by the time they graduate. It won't really matter, as you'll be going through OCI at the beginning of your 2L year (I.E. August 2012). You aren't going to have much time to see any real or imagined drastic economic recovery, and honestly, even if there was a recovery, firms don't seem too ready to get back to the way things once were.

Just my two cents...

[ukerock2005]

If UK is having trouble finding graduates jobs, then how does it compare to the lower ranked Louisville? I'm asking because I was accepted at Louisville today.

Every law school is having trouble finding jobs for graduates. I have no way to compare the two schools. I do not have employment numbers for either school. My response about UK law students finding jobs is based on me talking to my fellow students. You may want to contact both schools career services and ask for the most up to date information they have. Then compare the numbers they each give you. Also I don't want people to think I am saying that no one at UK has a job. Lots of people do have jobs. But, people need to understand it isn't easy to find a job right now and not everyone is going to get a firm job.

[Pretzel_Logic]

How generous is UK with scholarships? Should I expect to hear in January? I've been accepted, I am in-state, and at/above both 75s? I looked through LSN but data is a bit limited...

From what I have heard Uk is not very generous with Scholarships. I didn't recieve a scholarship so I don't really know when you will find out. I'm sure being in the top 75 percentile gives you a good shot at getting a partial scholarship.

I had a 3.9/160, from out of state, and got in-state tuition, which is pretty legit. Made UK the obvious choice from a financial perspective (especially compared to Wake Forest and George Mason, woof).

Now that I only have a civ pro final left (obviously I'm avoiding studying for it, joinder makes me want to shoot myself), a few thoughts on my experience at UK:

I. Love. Lexington. Coming from a small-town undergrad and having grown up just outside a big city, Lex is a good compromise and I feel like I've been able to explore quite a bit since I moved here in August. Kroger on Richmond Road for the win, btw. Also, as a lifelong UK fanatic, getting to go to Rupp on a regular basis is awesome. I'm like a little kid going in there (and going tomorrow night, after my last final HAHA).

As for law school itself, I enjoy learning the material. Frost (contracts) is the bomb dot com. The building is old and atrocious (what was that smell in the library at the beginning of November?! good night nurse), but the upside is that there are windows everywhere and classroom chairs are, for the most part, comfortable. Once you sit in class you will understand just how important that is. For the most part, the students and the profs are all ready and willing to assist, which is comforting.

So...yeah, I really like UK. a lot. I have zero regrets about coming here. And obviously I don't have my grades back and so maybe I bombed everything, but this is the right place for me to be. Anybody with questions can feel free to contact me if you want, the admissions process is scary and generally awful. haha. I even have a great mechanic up here (my car is such a POS) and I can comment on churches, neighborhoods, any of that. (This sounds like a recruiting pitch lol)

[jwaters]

I received an email today about setting up an interview for the Bert Combs scholars program. Has anyone else who has done this give any information about the interview and program. Do they only give out one per year or do they give it to several?

[sethc]

Hey man, I haven't read through this entire thread so forgive me if I mention/ask something you already covered. I just finished finals, so that's my excuse lol

Anyways, I'm currently T4 (i think, maybe T3?) and also originally from KY.. went to EKU for undergrad/grad school then straight to law school.. far away.. and it wasn't where I wanted to go by any means, but my LSAT was pretty weak (though UGPA = ~3.7 and Grad = 4.0) and applying to any of the 3 KY law schools would have been nothing more than a waste of time/$ at the time.. plus I have a decent scholarship currently but to be completely honest, a KY school is a strong need for me, rather than just "wanting" to for job prospects or anything else because of family, personal issues, and other things - and that's no bullshit, either. I only am particular about UK because it's closest to my family.

First semester was nutso, as expected, but I put in the time and busted ass and just finished final #4 - my last one yippee! Of course I realize a large part of the question of transfer is grade-dependent which won't be determined for awhile (for me) but I just wanted to know what the word/rumor/assumptions are around there about transferring. I have a few friends that went/go there, so I'm seeking their advice too.. but the more the better. I do know that UK states a 2.7 and ~25 hrs/credits (correct me if wrong) so I guess that's sort of the rubric, so to speak. But, I was just wondering if you have any advice/tips/opinion that I may not find elsewhere. Oh, and yes I have read the stickied threads regarding transfers.. it just doesn't speak to my situation as well as it would most others.

Thanks in advance and best of luck on your finals results!

[Pretzel_Logic]

The best people to talk to about that are in the UK admissions office, honestly. Maybe once you get your grades back get in contact with them and state your case?

[sethc]

Yeah, that's kind of the default approach I'm going to take until I hear an alternate approach.. I just know that, in general, a higher ranked school hearing from a student that's in a lower ranked school & is wanting to transfer is probably looked at with some degree of skepticism/dismissal or whatever so I'm a little hesitant that they would be completely receptive and supportive in giving sound advice and such.. thought maybe some current/former students might could chip in something I may not already be thinking of. Also, any kind of insight into how transferees handle the transition would he helpful too

[appaws]

Yeah, that's kind of the default approach I'm going to take until I hear an alternate approach.. I just know that, in general, a higher ranked school hearing from a student that's in a lower ranked school & is wanting to transfer is probably looked at with some degree of skepticism/dismissal or whatever so I'm a little hesitant that they would be completely receptive and supportive in giving sound advice and such.. thought maybe some current/former students might could chip in something I may not already be thinking of. Also, any kind of insight into how transferees handle the transition would he helpful too

I know they do take a certain number of transfers every year, not sure how many, but I would guess it is in the single digits. I think almost everyone who transfers law schools goes from lower ranked to higher ranked. Why would anyone bother to do it the other way?

From what I read, if you do really well in your 1L year somewhere, that gives you a pretty good shot. Actual law school performance means a lot more than the factors they consider for the regular class like LSAT and UGPA...for obvious reasons. You have shown that you can already do the work.

[sethc]

Yeah, they do.. it's just hard to get any hard data on Transfers other than what LSAC provides through my user account, which reflects the previous year only if I'm not mistaken. Says 6 transfers in and 5 transfers out, but you can't really tell if that's bad or good without knowing how many transfer applications they actually had.

[ukerock2005]

Yeah, they do.. it's just hard to get any hard data on Transfers other than what LSAC provides through my user account, which reflects the previous year only if I'm not mistaken. Says 6 transfers in and 5 transfers out, but you can't really tell if that's bad or good without knowing how many transfer applications they actually had.

Wish I could answer your questions but I know nothing about transfering in to UK.

[gator1]

whats the current condition of the facilities? the library? lighting? etc. is it feasible to plan to stay and study at the library?

[ukerock2005]

whats the current condition of the facilities? the library? lighting? etc. is it feasible to plan to stay and study at the library?

Well one of the downfalls of uk is we do have an older building but, as to staying and studying numerous students do it. I prefer to leave the building as soon as possible so I don't stay and study. You should have no problem getting your work done in the library if that is what you want to do.

[Pretzel_Logic]

is it feasible to plan to stay and study at the library?

Yes although you may find after a few weeks in law school you have a burning need to NOT be in the building when classes end. Trust me.

[Amir N]

If I want to end up working in Louisville, and the cost was equal, would U of Louisville or UK be the better choice?

[ukerock2005]

If I want to end up working in Louisville, and the cost was equal, would U of Louisville or UK be the better choice?

If the cost is equal then the only benefit of going to Louisville would be the chance to network in the city. If you think you could take advantage of networking opportunities then I would say go to UofL. UK law students get interviews with the Louisville law firms too so I really don't see any change in your job opportunities in louisville if you go to UK, except for the networking opportunities I mentioned before.

[hope11]

so honestly how was your first week of class at UK Law? The more detailed the response the better...

[hope11]

btw did anyone watch this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhLapvLCWu0

what is the law school saying about this incident. I feel like, as a prospective student, I should be seriously worried by this.

[Gatorbull84]

Out of curiosity what is the campus like? Im leaning towards UK and I graduated from UF. How do you guys like the city and the general atmosphere? I love small college towns but after spending my time in gville I kind of want to be somewhere with a little culture and different experiences. Also, Im from out of state and I have been offered in-state tuition. Do guys think that I can negotiate any more money? I have a undergrad gpa of 3.0 in bioengineering, grad gpa of 3.56 and LSAT of 161