UVA Law Students Taking Questions Forum

[20170322]

Can 1L's do J-term?

Yeah. Assume you're getting a B+ (wider curves during J term) so plan accordingly

Somewhat important to remember the break will likely be pretty stocked with interviews/networking events/decompressing from finals if you're doing it right, which should make you think twice about doing a J term course during 1L. There's nothing precluding you from doing it, but your time may be better served focusing on summer employment than getting that 1 credit B+ in the bank.

Do y'all know anything about alternative winter break?

What exactly do you want to know? There will be comparatively few alternative winter breaks (most are for Spring Break). They will be advertised via email as they're identified, and there will be firm deadlines for signing up for them. Most I've spoken to who have done them have really enjoyed them, and it can be a great way to knock out pro bono hours if you're planning on using PILA grant during the summer. But again, it'll take up a significant amount of time that you might end up needing for interviews, etc. Winter break really is your best opportunity to make headway on your summer employment because you'll have undivided time to send applications, respond to requests for interviews, and do research on what's available to you.

Dope, thanks!

I realized recently that I'm more interested in PI than I originally thought, so I want to get some experience in it during 1L. Trying to figure out what's on/off the table for that first year.

[20170322]

Would someone involved with PI at UVA mind PMing me?

[TLS_Dreamer]

What are the disadvantages to living in Charlottesville from an employment perspective? I imagine if you go to Columbia/NYU/Penn/GULC, you get to network with prominent alumni in NYC/DC, for example. Did not having that network negatively impact your job prospects?

What did you like/dislike about living in Charlottesville? Were you ever bored since it's not in a city like a lot of other prominent schools?

[Br3v]

What are the disadvantages to living in Charlottesville from an employment perspective? I imagine if you go to Columbia/NYU/Penn/GULC, you get to network with prominent alumni in NYC/DC, for example. Did not having that network negatively impact your job prospects?

What did you like/dislike about living in Charlottesville? Were you ever bored since it's not in a city like a lot of other prominent schools?

I don't think I would have liked going to school in a big city, in that there are too many things to do so there might be less of a school-focused culture (certainly people will push back on that but I can't imagine it's not true to some degree). We have a "UVa in DC" program where you can live in DC and intern for a semester, so I didn't feel like I missed much in terms of those kind of opportunities. I'm sure you could intern in ny or anywhere too if you took the time to set it up with the front office.

[OtterLaw]

What are the disadvantages to living in Charlottesville from an employment perspective? I imagine if you go to Columbia/NYU/Penn/GULC, you get to network with prominent alumni in NYC/DC, for example. Did not having that network negatively impact your job prospects?

What did you like/dislike about living in Charlottesville? Were you ever bored since it's not in a city like a lot of other prominent schools?

There also lots of UVA alum in every major market, so your networking opportunities for employment are definitely not hindered. Even as a 1L this semester, I've had many opportunities to network with firms all over the place and I'm told firms from everywhere come to do networking receptions in the spring.

Charlottesville is actually a nice place to be. It's cheaper than a big city and I think the fact that there isn't a million things to do helps you to focus on school and hanging out with your classmates, which will ultimately be your employment network once you leave. I have loved how tight-knit the community is here at UVA and if you absolutely need a big city, Richmond and D.C. are not too far away.

[TLS_Dreamer]

Thanks BR3V! That's great perspective.

There also lots of UVA alum in every major market, so your networking opportunities for employment are definitely not hindered. Even as a 1L this semester, I've had many opportunities to network with firms all over the place and I'm told firms from everywhere come to do networking receptions in the spring.

How do you network with people in the major markets? Do you meet them when they come back to Charlottesville? Do you take them to coffee or dinner or is it just over e-mail?

Charlottesville is actually a nice place to be. It's cheaper than a big city and I think the fact that there isn't a million things to do helps you to focus on school and hanging out with your classmates, which will ultimately be your employment network once you leave. I have loved how tight-knit the community is here at UVA and if you absolutely need a big city, Richmond and D.C. are not too far away.

That's actually really great. And BR3V said the same thing, so I guess that's widely felt there. Have you been down to Richmond yet? If so, was it fun to visit?

[albanach]

Can 1L's do J-term?

Yeah. Assume you're getting a B+ (wider curves during J term) so plan accordingly

Since you don't know what your grades are when you register, is it a boon or bane to have a median grade?

I mean a median grade for one credit is only going to have a noticeable effect on people who killed their exams or people who had trouble. I think you can register then withdraw (check that) so if you want to hedge against some bad grades then maybe just register and then drop it if you end up being fine. I think you'll know some grades before then, right?

Regardless, again, one credit B+ isn't a big deal unless you are at one of the extreme ends of the class.

Also, by taking J-Term each year, you get three credits. Four if you do Trial College. You can take fewer credits in 2L Fall while you focus on interviews (Or 3L spring if you're going Public Interest and are unlikely to know until the last minute!).

[20170322]

Can 1L's do J-term?

Yeah. Assume you're getting a B+ (wider curves during J term) so plan accordingly

Since you don't know what your grades are when you register, is it a boon or bane to have a median grade?

I mean a median grade for one credit is only going to have a noticeable effect on people who killed their exams or people who had trouble. I think you can register then withdraw (check that) so if you want to hedge against some bad grades then maybe just register and then drop it if you end up being fine. I think you'll know some grades before then, right?

Regardless, again, one credit B+ isn't a big deal unless you are at one of the extreme ends of the class.

Also, by taking J-Term each year, you get three credits. Four if you do Trial College. You can take fewer credits in 2L Fall while you focus on interviews (Or 3L spring if you're going Public Interest and are unlikely to know until the last minute!).

Dope!

Trial college looks great! Is that available for 1L's?

[albanach]

Dope!

Trial college looks great! Is that available for 1L's?

I honestly don't know, but it's probably best you wait until after you've taken evidence. You'll get more out of it.

Also, I don't think it conflicts with trial advocacy classes, so you can do trial college first, get credit for that, then do Trial Ad for an actual grade.

Either way, if there's any chance you'll do litigation, I'd recommend it. The fee is tiny compared to actual in-person CLE after graduation.

[20170322]

Dope!

Trial college looks great! Is that available for 1L's?

I honestly don't know, but it's probably best you wait until after you've taken evidence. You'll get more out of it.

Also, I don't think it conflicts with trial advocacy classes, so you can do trial college first, get credit for that, then do Trial Ad for an actual grade.

Either way, if there's any chance you'll do litigation, I'd recommend it. The fee is tiny compared to actual in-person CLE after graduation.

Dope! Great advice, I sincerely appreciate it. Just looked it up, and it's open to 3L's-- def a good way to dip a toe in the litigation water!

[anon sequitur]

Trial ad college is restricted to 2Ls and above, but it is definitely worthwhile. I had 4 credits from J-term (Trial Ad and the short-course in Israel), it made 3L scheduling pretty sweet.

[logicgames]

Does Schauer allow laptops in class?

[rhododactylos]

Does Schauer allow laptops in class?

Lawweb says yes and he did 2 years ago in ConLaw (although he handed out copies of a study on the first day which found that people who take notes by hand do better).

[Varrus]

Does Schauer allow laptops in class?

Yes. At least, he has for lecture classes. Seminars might be different.

[whats an updog]

He allows them for everything (took both lecture & seminar with him).

[20170322]

Does anyone need a male roommate next year? Looking to save some money on rent.

[KPUSN07]

Is there an LSAT cutoff that normally is known - i.e. don't score below this?

[atlantahoo]

Haven't put down my seat deposit yet, but almost certainly attending next fall... any suggestions for dog-friendly housing? I went to UVA for undergrad, so I'm familiar with Cville generally but have never lived anywhere besides the Corner. Do any law students live around Rugby, or is it pretty unusual?

[anon sequitur]

There's no specific LSAT cutoff, but if you're below median, you pretty much have to have something else about your application to counterbalance that.

[KPUSN07]

There's no specific LSAT cutoff, but if you're below median, you pretty much have to have something else about your application to counterbalance that.

Understand about additional strong softs - and likely need to be at OR above the 25% LSAT score, would be my assumption (gpa is below 25%)

[5ky]

There's no specific LSAT cutoff, but if you're below median, you pretty much have to have something else about your application to counterbalance that.

Understand about additional strong softs - and likely need to be at OR above the 25% LSAT score, would be my assumption (gpa is below 25%)

unless you have very, very strong softs, LSAT would probably need to be equal to or > 75% if your GPA is below 25%

[KPUSN07]

There's no specific LSAT cutoff, but if you're below median, you pretty much have to have something else about your application to counterbalance that.

Understand about additional strong softs - and likely need to be at OR above the 25% LSAT score, would be my assumption (gpa is below 25%)

unless you have very, very strong softs, LSAT would probably need to be equal to or > 75% if your GPA is below 25%

Got it - thank you for the info.

[lawandorder2019]

Haven't put down my seat deposit yet, but almost certainly attending next fall... any suggestions for dog-friendly housing? I went to UVA for undergrad, so I'm familiar with Cville generally but have never lived anywhere besides the Corner. Do any law students live around Rugby, or is it pretty unusual?

I went to UVA for undergrad too, welcome fellow doublehoo! I thought about living close to where I lived during undergrad but ultimately decided to live on Arlington, by the law school. There are some people that live further away from the law school, but nobody I know of lives near undergrads. I'd recommend for at least 1L year trying to stay closer to the law school than the corner simply because the bus ride is not fun and you'll want to be close for social activities and the ease of getting to school every day. I'd recommend Jeffersonian or Arlington Court Condos. I know Jeffersonian is pet friendly and I believe Arlington Court Condos is as well - though not 100% on that.

[zeglo]

.

[UVA2B]

When people do 1L summer internships/jobs, how do they afford rent of moving? Do schools fund things? More loans?

It depends on the job. If you're doing something PI-related, you can get a PILA grant that will help defray living costs for the summer. If you land a paid/firm job, obviously that won't happen anymore. Part of your loans taken out for the academic year will need to be used for living expenses if you plan on living somewhere you'll have to pay rent. This is why many 1L summers are spent interning for a judge (which won't get PILA grant, but it's still cheap) near the family home because it'll be free to live and will get you substantive legal experience.

You'll need to figure out what type of employment you want in the latter part of first semester, and then you'll need to gun/budget hard for that employment.