Vanderbilt 1L Taking Questions Forum

[Pierre521]

Thanks again gogators!

[sp63]

I don't think this has been addressed yet (sorry if it has), but how close is parking to the law school and how difficult is it to find a space in the morning before class?

Thank you so much for answering questions!

[djgoldbe]

I don't think this has been addressed yet (sorry if it has), but how close is parking to the law school and how difficult is it to find a space in the morning before class?

Thank you so much for answering questions!

Yes I also want to know this - do I need to buy a space on campus?

[gogators]

I don't think this has been addressed yet (sorry if it has), but how close is parking to the law school and how difficult is it to find a space in the morning before class?

Thank you so much for answering questions!

Well I personally walked to class everyday because my place was close by. However, talking with classmates it seems like there is always a spot in the mornings and the parking lot is directly across the street from the law school. So parking really shouldn't be a big issue I don't think but maybe someone else who drives has a different opinion.

[thexfactor]

does anyone know how transfers usually fare at OCI?

Thanks in advanced!

[gogators]

does anyone know how transfers usually fare at OCI?

Thanks in advanced!

Don't know. Anyone else?

[ahs2123]

I just wanted to say thanks. I've read through most of this post and it's been really informative. Vandy is my dream school and has been for years. I took the June LSAT and I'm anxiously awaiting my results (PT range 164-171, GPA 4.0). Aside from your high LSAT score, what do you think stood out in your application?

[gogators]

I just wanted to say thanks. I've read through most of this post and it's been really informative. Vandy is my dream school and has been for years. I took the June LSAT and I'm anxiously awaiting my results (PT range 164-171, GPA 4.0). Aside from your high LSAT score, what do you think stood out in your application?

Honestly, I had some cool sounding work experience. I interned with some major defense contractors, had high level clearance, and worked with ICBMs. When reading a ton of applications, that must have caught their eye because I know that every interview I've had at law school has been drawn into a conversation about that.

Now, I'm sure that there are ways to stand out if you didn't do something totally out of left field. You might have to write an amazing PS or get really well written LOR's. One thing I know after talking with the admissions staff is that they really do read everything you send in VERY carefully. They want to bring in certain types of people and the only way to do that is to try to understand who you are by reading anything they can about you. I remember Ryan Williard in fact saying one day how he was so happy to meet all the 1L's in the fall because he had been reading every possible detail about our lives for nine months and felt like he was already best friends with us. So....do whatever you can to be noticed, including making a very personalized PS, etc.

[djgoldbe]

Hey gogator (or any others that want to chime in), hows the ATT coverage in Nashville (cell phone reception, that is)? Is it safe to assume Verizon is better? Considering switching...

[gogators]

Hey gogator (or any others that want to chime in), hows the ATT coverage in Nashville (cell phone reception, that is)? Is it safe to assume Verizon is better? Considering switching...

I have the iPhone and my reception is fine. I don't really have problems (occasional dropped call but nothing serious). But then I don't really know how good any other services are either.

[blueberrymuffin]

This could just be my particular phone model, but I got on-and-off AT&T reception while staying with my host at one of the Groves (the newer one) during an ASW, and I also had no reception around Legacy Hill when I was visiting that area. Otherwise I had reception everywhere else. I am planning to switch to Verizon to be in network with my family, so someone speak up if Verizon has problems!

*I should add that my host claimed that none of her friends had ever complained about their AT&T coverage.

[digits2006]

Is it possible to get into Vandy with below average LSAT and GPA scores? Do you know if Vandy likes to accept student that already has a masters degree?

Thanks!

[jenesaislaw]

Is it possible to get into Vandy with below average LSAT and GPA scores? Do you know if Vandy likes to accept student that already has a masters degree?

Thanks!

Below average relative to whom? To people who are average at Vanderbilt? Of course, otherwise it wouldn't be an average unless everybody had the same identical scores. Relative to all LSAT takers? Not likely at all. Check out http://vanderbilt.lawschoolnumbers.com

Your Masters degree will be but one small factor. It will contribute to your overall desirability, but almost certainly will not be dispositive.

[sp63]

Do you know yet how many firms are coming to OCI this year, and do you have any idea how many came in 2009 and 2008? Just trying to gauge how Vanderbilt is riding the storm.

[gogators]

Do you know yet how many firms are coming to OCI this year, and do you have any idea how many came in 2009 and 2008? Just trying to gauge how Vanderbilt is riding the storm.

I can't give you an exact figure at the moment, because online its hard to count exactly individual firms as opposed to offices. However, there are a lot. And I do know that Vanderbilt has been the best school in the top 20 in terms of weathering OCI in the recent past with the number of students going to top firms going up while everyone else is going down.

[jenesaislaw]

Do you know yet how many firms are coming to OCI this year, and do you have any idea how many came in 2009 and 2008? Just trying to gauge how Vanderbilt is riding the storm.

We got the list today. For 2Ls, it is a little under 100. Last year I think it was about 130 to start, but was under 100 by the time OCI actually happened. I did notice some stricter GPA requirements this year (comparing via memory firm-by-firm), but we also have a few of the most prestigious firms coming to campus that didn't come last year (e.g. S&C and Skadden NY - Skadden DE has come each of at least the last 2 years and I'm sure prior to that too. Don't know if S&C and Skadden NY came prior to last year, but both did resume drops last year).

[Grizz]

Do you know yet how many firms are coming to OCI this year, and do you have any idea how many came in 2009 and 2008? Just trying to gauge how Vanderbilt is riding the storm.

We got the list today. For 2Ls, it is a little under 100. Last year I think it was about 130 to start, but was under 100 by the time OCI actually happened. I did notice some stricter GPA requirements this year (comparing via memory firm-by-firm), but we also have a few of the most prestigious firms coming to campus that didn't come last year (e.g. S&C and Skadden NY - Skadden DE has come each of at least the last 2 years and I'm sure prior to that too. Don't know if S&C and Skadden NY came prior to last year, but both did resume drops last year).

Any Tampa or Miami offerings in that list? And what is the total # of offerings?

edit: many thanks are due, of course.

[Integrity]

How in the heck do I get admitted off of the wait list? I feel I have done everything imaginable! AAAAH!

[sp63]

Do you know yet how many firms are coming to OCI this year, and do you have any idea how many came in 2009 and 2008? Just trying to gauge how Vanderbilt is riding the storm.

We got the list today. For 2Ls, it is a little under 100. Last year I think it was about 130 to start, but was under 100 by the time OCI actually happened. I did notice some stricter GPA requirements this year (comparing via memory firm-by-firm), but we also have a few of the most prestigious firms coming to campus that didn't come last year (e.g. S&C and Skadden NY - Skadden DE has come each of at least the last 2 years and I'm sure prior to that too. Don't know if S&C and Skadden NY came prior to last year, but both did resume drops last year).

Any Tampa or Miami offerings in that list? And what is the total # of offerings?

edit: many thanks are due, of course.

Yes, definitely, many thanks are most definitely in order. If you are willing, can you talk a little about the stricter GPA requirements? Have they increased the minimum from a B to a B+, or have they become very strict and are now requiring a 3.6? Something in the middle? Thank you!

[littleorphanannie]

What can we expect at orientation? I know the life of the law is part of it but what else are we scheduled to do and what are the general hours?

thanks a lot for taking questions

[BunkMoreland]

The usual intro stuff: they describe how great and unique you all are, talk about financial aid, career stuff, etc. Then it's pretty much Life of the Law all week 8 or 9 until 2 or 3, IIRC. After classes, I remember there was social stuff going on, partying, a kickball game one day I think.

[drylo]

To answer several questions...

First, if you will be driving to school, you are going to need to buy a campus permit to park in the lots nearby. If you do so, parking is incredibly easy. If you don't, however, I really don't know of any way to park anywhere near the law school.

As for Tampa/Miami... If I counted right, I think there are four firms either based in Tampa or with offices in Tampa and two in Miami. There are just over 100 different interview schedules right now, although some firms have multiple interview schedules.

And the GPA requirements (or "preferences," for some firms) seem to be variously top 20%, top 25%, top 33%, 3.5 GPA (i.e., approx. top 20-25%)... There are a some with lower GPA requirements, and some don't list a GPA requirement at all. Of course, for firms requesting a percentile, there is no way of actually knowing that, other than approximating based on the Dean's List (20%) cut-offs for each semester.

[Grizz]

As for Tampa/Miami... If I counted right, I think there are four firms either based in Tampa or with offices in Tampa and two in Miami. There are just over 100 different interview schedules right now, although some firms have multiple interview schedules.

Any ideas which ones?

[drylo]

As for Tampa/Miami... If I counted right, I think there are four firms either based in Tampa or with offices in Tampa and two in Miami. There are just over 100 different interview schedules right now, although some firms have multiple interview schedules.

Any ideas which ones?

Which Florida firms? Adams & Reese; hogan lovells; Carlton Fields; Foley & Lardner; Hill, Ward & Henderson; Hunton & Williams... I definitely counted wrong the first time because some (most) of those have offices in Tampa and Miami. Also lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed in Orlando, if that is close enough to Tampa for you to be interested.

One more question I meant to answer... AT&T works fine but definitely drops some calls. I formerly had Verizon in Nashville, and I think it was more reliable in terms of dropped calls. I never used the Verizon data plan so I can't comment on AT&T's commercials about how slow Verizon's 3G data is.

[drylo]

And speaking of supplements... I have the E&Es for Torts, Con Law, Contracts, and Crim Law if anybody wants to buy them off me pretty cheap. I also have the Life of the Law book. Feel free to PM me if you are interested.