Advice for a Freshman in College (Please) Forum

[captainculpepper]

Well to begin I'm not quite a freshman but I will be attending UNC undergrad starting this Fall. I've been stalking these forums for about a month now and I've learned a lot that surprised me (GPA and LSAT being so important, where undergrad was doesn't really matter, etc.). I realize that many people will say I'm not even in college and my plans for life will most likely change. This is probably true but I figured I might as well found out some information about law school because I've always thought I would want to be a lawyer. The questions I have are as followed:

I've read in a couple of places that school look negatively on dropping classes is this true? Also what is the difference from a punitive withdraw and a regular one besides one counting as an F?

Classes you would advise me taking?

What made you want to law school?

Do most law schools use Socratic method?

This is kind of not law school related but has anyone done Teach for America and how did they feel about the program?

what is law review and why is it so important to be on it?

Finally should I avoid reading this site and not waste my time considering I probably won’t be applying for another 5 or 6 years?

Any answers would be incredibly appreciated. Thanks.

[DoctorNick189]

chill

[captainculpepper]

chill

Trust me I'm not worried by really any of the law school stuff but I find it all very interesting. I'm well aware none of this will affect me any time soon or at all.

[005618502]

Well first of all you should be applying in 4 years not 5-6 unless you plan on taking time off after school. Yes LSAT and GPA are what really matter, so for not get A's in all your classes. Thats all you should worry about for your first 2 years. the classes you take and your major dont make a large difference. And dont worry about how law school works yet, your not even close. But good that your thinkin ahead! keep that GPA up as high as possible.

[underachiever]

I've read in a couple of places that school look negatively on dropping classes is this true? Also what is the difference from a punitive withdraw and a regular one besides one counting as an F?

I dropped 1 class in UG, I don't think it hurt me. I would avoid doing it, as it cost money/time but 1 or 2 drops wont kill you. AVOID Fs at all costs. UG is a joke, pick the right classes/right profs and a 3.8 GPA is a sure bet.

Classes you would advise me taking?

Whatever you want. No class will prepare/make you better law student in the future. Just enjoy college

What made you want to law school?

The different things you can do with the degree. I know I will get shouted down for saying it, but a law degree is easier than Med school and looks better then an MBA. practicing lawyers, political jobs, sports agents, CEOs, consultants, FBI, DEA, radio personalities...on and on...it is a degree that opens many doors.....but the BIGLAW/practicing door is the one most walk though first and if you don't want that, then LS probably isn't for you.

Do most law schools use Socratic method?

Not really, most use a hybrid lecture+Socratic method system. The prof does tease answers but will interject his own, depending on the prof and no, it isn't as bad as the "Paper Chase:

What is Law Review and why is it so important to be on it?

Its an academic journal that each school publishes with scholarly articles relating to the law sent in from academics, judges, professionals.etc.
It shows you had at least good grades (schools that write on) and can really edit well/know the Bluebook. For all grade on law reviews (how they use to be at all schools, now only some or some spots at each school are) it shows you are at the top of your class. All of this gets you a JOB, which is the reason most are in Law School

Finally should I avoid reading this site and not waste my time considering I probably won’t be applying for another 5 or 6 years?

YES!!!!!, relax get As and don't come back on here till March of your junior year, when you are asking profs/other for letters of recommendation. Take the June LSAT that summer & apply as early as possible to schools. So until you a junior enjoy college and forget about TLS, please

[waxloaf]

Get good grades, I wish I had known at the beginning of UG that grades mattered for something. Check ratemyprofessors.com (I think thats what its called) and check all your profs to make sure they aren't the type that don't give As.

Oh yeah, and have fun. UG was the best four years of my life, hands down.

[BriaTharen]

Finally should I avoid reading this site and not waste my time considering I probably won’t be applying for another 5 or 6 years?

This.

It is great that you want to start thinking now about law school- a lot of people start thinking about law school at the point that it is too late to make a significant change to a poor GPA. Take classes you want to take, major in what to you want to major in (be aware that if you do take a law class, like business law, you will have no excuse to the schools if you make lower than an A). But stuff like Law Review? You won't encounter that until you are at the end of your 1L year.

Make the best grades you can. That's all you need to be doing right now.

[09042014]

Join clubs about topics you enjoy. They will be filled with girls for you to have sex with, and also a variety of people to build a strong social networks. Clubs are great because they are actively recruiting. They want to be your friend.

[BriaTharen]

Join clubs about topics you enjoy. They will be filled with girls for you to have sex with, and also a variety of people to build a strong social networks. Clubs are great because they are actively recruiting. They want to be your friend.

In addition to secks, they also have free food!!

[Grizz]

Join a fraternity. Get drunk. Meet cute southern girls who wear pearls. Hook up with said girls. Keep your grades up. In a few years, if the legal market hasn't been thoroughly destroyed, do well on the LSAT and apply. Don't worry too much.

[BriaTharen]

Join a fraternity. Get drunk. Meet cute southern girls who wear pearls. Hook up with said girls. Keep your grades up. In a few years, if the legal market hasn't been thoroughly destroyed, do well on the LSAT and apply. Don't worry too much.

Rad law enjoys pearl necklaces very much

[Grizz]

Join a fraternity. Get drunk. Meet cute southern girls who wear pearls. Hook up with said girls. Keep your grades up. In a few years, if the legal market hasn't been thoroughly destroyed, do well on the LSAT and apply. Don't worry too much.

Rad law enjoys pearl necklaces very much

Giving, not receiving. Duh.

[BriaTharen]

Join a fraternity. Get drunk. Meet cute southern girls who wear pearls. Hook up with said girls. Keep your grades up. In a few years, if the legal market hasn't been thoroughly destroyed, do well on the LSAT and apply. Don't worry too much.

Rad law enjoys pearl necklaces very much

Giving, not receiving. Duh.

Oh, that's right. You prefer acts that belong in BP discussions.

[D. H2Oman]

--ImageRemoved--

[BriaTharen]

[/img]

Bitches ain't shit

[Grizz]

Rad law enjoys pearl necklaces very much

Giving, not receiving. Duh.

Oh, that's right. You prefer acts that belong in BP discussions.

TITCR

[uwb09]

Join clubs about topics you enjoy. They will be filled with girls for you to have sex with, and also a variety of people to build a strong social networks. Clubs are great because they are actively recruiting. They want to be your friend.

truth

also, don't worry about the right major or classes for law school, pick a major that interests you and you will do well in, don't get a lesser GPA just because you think they like english majors better or some crap, not true

please for the love of god don't even think about the whole law school process until at minimum junior year, i'd personally recommend taking some years off after undergrad to work/travel, and use that time to stress over it

now get the eff off this website and go have fun

[BriaTharen]

Me thinks the OP will be a gunner in the future

[BenJ]

I've read in a couple of places that school look negatively on dropping classes is this true?

No, provided the withdrawals are non-punitive.

Also what is the difference from a punitive withdraw and a regular one besides one counting as an F?

That is the difference. A punitive withdrawal will destroy your GPA; a non-punitive one will do nothing. (Make sure your undergrad clearly marks non-punitive withdrawals as such on official transcripts; LSAC has been known to assume all withdrawals are punitive until proven otherwise.)

Classes you would advise me taking?

Easy ones. And formal logic, for the LSAT. Don't be a pre-law major.

What made you want to law school?

I think you accidentally this question. I'm going to law school because I love the law, and I think I'll be pretty good at it.

Do most law schools use Socratic method?

They all do, sort of. It's not the only part of classes, however.

This is kind of not law school related but has anyone done Teach for America and how did they feel about the program?

I've haven't, but I've heard that experiences vary, and it's definitely not for every person brilliant enough to be accepted.

What is Law Review and why is it so important to be on it?

Law review is a school's law journal that publishes articles discussing current topics in the law. To be on law review, you typically have to be in the top 2-5% of the class (depending on the school's size) or else be an excellent legal writer and get on via an essay competition. Being on law review gives a big boost to your employment prospects and is more or less a prerequisite to being considered for a legal academic job.

Finally should I avoid reading this site and not waste my time considering I probably won’t be applying for another 5 or 6 years?

Yes.

[jetlagz28]

Just keep your GPA as high as possible in all classes and stay out of trouble. Don't worry about what you major in either.

[09042014]

Do something that gives you an opportunity for a career if law school doesn't work out, but also isn't all that hard.

[vanwinkle]

Study something you enjoy. Caring about the subject matter not only makes it more fun, but also helps keep up your motivation and interest so you can get solid grades. I was a communications major in undergrad. I took classes in filmmaking and television production and photojournalism and nonverbal communications. It was great, I learned a lot of great stuff, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

But try to keep your GPA up as much as possible. I let mine slide and ended up with trouble during my application process. I still got into a really great school, mind you, but I would've been in better shape if I'd had a better GPA.

The first thing you'll need to worry about is studying for the LSAT. Besides your GPA, your LSAT is most important. But for now, you don't need to worry about that. Worry about that the year before you intend to start law school. There will be plenty of time for LSAT prep when that time comes.

Above all, enjoy yourself. I wish I was a freshman in college again.

[TTH]

Use protection.

[captainculpepper]

Well I would just like to thank everyone for their words of advice. I was half expecting to be mocked and told to just get the hell off the forum.

Join clubs about topics you enjoy. They will be filled with girls for you to have sex with, and also a variety of people to build a strong social networks. Clubs are great because they are actively recruiting. They want to be your friend.

Join a fraternity. Get drunk. Meet cute southern girls who wear pearls. Hook up with said girls. Keep your grades up. In a few years, if the legal market hasn't been thoroughly destroyed, do well on the LSAT and apply. Don't worry too much.

I don't plan to join a fraternity but I do plan to join a lot of groups and I'm really looking forward to being to get drunk and not having to worry about someones parents coming home or neighbors calling the police. Also I hope the legal market isn't destroyed.

also, don't worry about the right major or classes for law school, pick a major that interests you and you will do well in, don't get a lesser GPA just because you think they like english majors better or some crap, not true

I want to major in Political Science because I find that kind of stuff really interesting. I'll probably avoid doubling that with Statistics even though I like it but my calculus really isn't that great.

Me thinks the OP will be a gunner in the future

I really doubt I will considering I usually only start putting a lot effort in when it really matters. This comment amused me though.

Use protection.

I always do.


Anyways thanks again guys it is really refreshing to read educated and helpful comments on the "interwebs". I will do my best to stop visiting the forum in the future but with a long plan-less summer ahead of me I might break that promise.

[flyingpanda]

The new hawkeye?