Top Law Schools

What materials should I have before orientation? My main concern is whether or not I will be shunned for walking into class with a backpack instead of a briefcase.

ChrisGT wrote:What materials should I have before orientation? My main concern is whether or not I will be shunned for walking into class with a backpack instead of a briefcase.

What materials do you bring to orientation? What the trying to say?

Are people bringing briefcases to class?

And as far as I know, all you need to have before starting is a laptop and your books.

Just bring a backpack... don't bring a briefcase

ChrisGT wrote:What materials should I have before orientation? My main concern is whether or not I will be shunned for walking into class with a backpack instead of a briefcase.

Everyone uses backpacks still. I can't think of a single person in my section who carried a briefcase to class. You'll need a briefcase/nice leather bag when you start interviewing, but not until then.

As far as other materials, here is a general list of supplies people use:
-highlighters (lots of them)
-pens/pencils
-laptop
-printer with extra ink/extra laser cartridge (inevitably you will run out when you need it and printing on campus is pricey normally)
-spirals/notepads if you have a prof who won't let you use a laptop, or if you prefer them
-stick-on tabs for tabbing books and outlines (not everyone uses these, only get if you are the kind of person who likes this sort of thing)
-a few three-ring binders for putting outlines and such in

But for orientation? You're good with something to write with and some kind of spiral/notepad. And for the first several weeks of class you really just need some way to take notes and a highlighter for reading. That's it.

ChrisGT wrote:My main concern is whether or not I will be shunned for walking into class with a backpack instead of a briefcase.

You're going to want a rolling backpack. In fact you will be shunned by your classmates if you have anything without wheels.

emkay625 wrote:

ChrisGT wrote:What materials should I have before orientation? My main concern is whether or not I will be shunned for walking into class with a backpack instead of a briefcase.

Everyone uses backpacks still. I can't think of a single person in my section who carried a briefcase to class. You'll need a briefcase/nice leather bag when you start interviewing, but not until then.

As far as other materials, here is a general list of supplies people use:
-highlighters (lots of them)
-pens/pencils
-laptop
-printer with extra ink/extra laser cartridge (inevitably you will run out when you need it and printing on campus is pricey normally)
-spirals/notepads if you have a prof who won't let you use a laptop, or if you prefer them
-stick-on tabs for tabbing books and outlines (not everyone uses these, only get if you are the kind of person who likes this sort of thing)
-a few three-ring binders for putting outlines and such in

But for orientation? You're good with something to write with and some kind of spiral/notepad. And for the first several weeks of class you really just need some way to take notes and a highlighter for reading. That's it.

This is extremely helpful. Thank you, kind stranger.