what is the first semester like? Forum

[tier3]

I'm curious about the course work. How many tests are there a semester generally and what type of test is given?

[Attax]

Depends on the school. At UT we have writing assignments in our small section class and our LRLW class, but they're for the most part graded on good faith effort. Which means if you do them your grades depend only on the following:

LRLW - Closed Memo
3 Doctrinal Classes - The final

The type depends on the prof. I have this semester a multiple choice and take home essay for one class, and essays for the remainder of my classes.

[McAvoy]

do not under any circumstances go to law school.

[UnicornHunter]

do not under any circumstances go to law school.

[tier3]

Depends on the school.

LRLW - Closed Memo
3 Doctrinal Classes - The final

The type depends on the prof. I have this semester a multiple choice and take home essay for one class, and essays for the remainder of my classes.

I'm presuming the doctrinal class you have to know them verbatim? How long does a final take in the doctrinal classes? Are the tests compared to other classmates tests and given a grade or are they graded normally as in an under grad or grad course?

How many pages is a typical take home essay?

[BigZuck]

Depends on the school.

LRLW - Closed Memo
3 Doctrinal Classes - The final

The type depends on the prof. I have this semester a multiple choice and take home essay for one class, and essays for the remainder of my classes.

I'm presuming the doctrinal class you have to know them verbatim? How long does a final take in the doctrinal classes? Are the tests compared to other classmates tests and given a grade or are they graded normally as in an under grad or grad course?

How many pages is a typical take home essay?

Know what verbatim?

Finals can be anywhere from 2 hours long to a take home that takes like 12 hours. Usually they are 3-4 hours.

You're graded on a curve.

Typically you write until time runs out. Or profs will have strict word limits. It depends.

[Attax]

Depends on the school.

LRLW - Closed Memo
3 Doctrinal Classes - The final

The type depends on the prof. I have this semester a multiple choice and take home essay for one class, and essays for the remainder of my classes.

I'm presuming the doctrinal class you have to know them verbatim? How long does a final take in the doctrinal classes? Are the tests compared to other classmates tests and given a grade or are they graded normally as in an under grad or grad course?

How many pages is a typical take home essay?

I'm in my first semester so that's all I know. Although I'm not sure what you mean by "know them verbatim." I have no idea how long they take as I've not taken one. They are on a forced curve, so if I get 10% of what the prof was looking for but 99% of the class got 9% or less then I'll have an A+

[Robb]

UChicago is pretty nice first quarter.

Eight week quarter, ends with two exams, one in a very easy class, the other a CivPro take home. There's also an ungraded get-your-feet-wet memo. All the exams (throughout the year) are open book, open note, and usually open internetnvm.

Picks up after that, with two exams and a memo second quarter - the catch is that the exams cover two quarters each. Then last quarter is death, with 4 exams, two of which cover two quarters, and a brief.

[B.B. Homemaker]

do not under any circumstances go to law school.

Oh youse guys.

[Johann]

go find out for yourself

[AReasonableMan]

It's only terrible because of how big of a deal it is in setting up your career. The actual material isn't that bad.

[elterrible78]

UChicago is pretty nice first quarter.

Eight week quarter, ends with two exams, one in a very easy class, the other a CivPro take home. There's also an ungraded get-your-feet-wet memo. All the exams (throughout the year) are open book, open note, and usually open internet.

Picks up after that, with two exams and a memo second quarter - the catch is that the exams cover two quarters each. Then last quarter is death, with 4 exams, two of which cover two quarters, and a brief.

I actually don't remember having an open-internet exam last year. Which classes did you have them in?

[Robb]

UChicago is pretty nice first quarter.

Eight week quarter, ends with two exams, one in a very easy class, the other a CivPro take home. There's also an ungraded get-your-feet-wet memo. All the exams (throughout the year) are open book, open note, and usually open internet.

Picks up after that, with two exams and a memo second quarter - the catch is that the exams cover two quarters each. Then last quarter is death, with 4 exams, two of which cover two quarters, and a brief.

I actually don't remember having an open-internet exam last year. Which classes did you have them in?

definitely civ pro was, all take homes are open internet afaik. for civ pro we were instructed not to use the internet, though, except to look up the FRCP. maybe the rest weren't, I remember at least one was because I didn't have trouble uploading my exam like I usually do. this year stone's elements looks to be open internet

but really it doesn't matter anyway because the internet won't help with anything. definitely all were open book open note

[AReasonableMan]

UChicago is pretty nice first quarter.

Eight week quarter, ends with two exams, one in a very easy class, the other a CivPro take home. There's also an ungraded get-your-feet-wet memo. All the exams (throughout the year) are open book, open note, and usually open internet.

Picks up after that, with two exams and a memo second quarter - the catch is that the exams cover two quarters each. Then last quarter is death, with 4 exams, two of which cover two quarters, and a brief.

I actually don't remember having an open-internet exam last year. Which classes did you have them in?

definitely civ pro was, all take homes are open internet afaik. for civ pro we were instructed not to use the internet, though, except to look up the FRCP. maybe the rest weren't, I remember at least one was because I didn't have trouble uploading my exam like I usually do. this year stone's elements looks to be open internet

but really it doesn't matter anyway because the internet won't help with anything. definitely all were open book open note

I don't like take home tests, or the 24 hour take home ones. Such different skill sets than a three hour test.

[NYCFAN1]

3 doctrinal then 1 non-graded class if you're at a top school; only 1 test in each doctrinal (i've heard TTTs have mid terms, though)

as easy or as hard as you want to make it

[ManoftheHour]

[Betty Smith]

You can find that out quite easily But trust me, first semester will turn out to be the most memorable thing in your student life and you are going to cherish it throughout. Just have that conscience to accept CHANGE for better tomorrow; you will never fall short with opportunities. So make the most of it okay.

[Young Marino]

Most memorable semester of my life? Probably. Cherishing it? Don't think so.