UC Hastings c/o 2017 Applicants (2013-2014) Forum

[Cal Trask]

Just received my acceptance email! Applied 12/2. Below the median LSAT but above the median GPA for any worrisome splitters out there.

It's another $30 to apply for Need Access to be considered for scholarships? I applied to 11 CA schools and this is the only school requiring Need Access... anyone know why they want this and FAFSA?

I believe it's more thorough. I haven't finished yet though. For what it's worth, Davis also asks for it.

[bkegslounge]

Just received my acceptance email! Applied 12/2. Below the median LSAT but above the median GPA for any worrisome splitters out there.

It's another $30 to apply for Need Access to be considered for scholarships? I applied to 11 CA schools and this is the only school requiring Need Access... anyone know why they want this and FAFSA?

I believe it's more thorough. I haven't finished yet though. For what it's worth, Davis also asks for it.

Oh for sure, thanks. Haven't heard anything from Davis yet so good to know I'm not filling this out just for one school. I guess I will get started on it.

[Ally Mcbeal]

IN via email!!!!!! 158 3.63

[Moonlight]

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[Jamesta25]

What do you guys think of some of the harsh talk about Hastings on this message board? I have a friend who just graduated who loved his experience and has a great legal job through an internship he found through Hastings. I also have a friend who is a 1L and chose Hastings over some much higher ranked schools due to its strong reputation in the public sector in the SF Bay Area. I know the reputation is strong among SF law firms, due to its history and strong alumni network.

Another thing I'm considering is that recent graduates came out during the height of the recession and our employment prospects and the legal market could look extremely different in 3.5 years. I've also read a lot of how many professional Baby Boomers are set to retire and that opportunities for our generation should be greater than those of Generation X.

I desperately want to live and work in the Bay Area so this is a major option for me. I'm curious as to what others considering UCH think of the negativity and why you may or may not still be considering attending.

From what I understand, a lot of the negativity comes from the cost, relatively diminished prospects at big law jobs, and the inherent risk of attending a school in California. Hastings is not an inexpensive school and its cost of attendance is only going to rise. California, particularly the Bay Area, tends to be overwhelmed with law school graduates (there are way too many law schools in CA), leading to intense competition for the few large firm jobs available. Too many people enter into law school with the mistaken belief that they're going to be able to secure one of these jobs, even at better-ranked, better-employing schools. Doing so in San Francisco where you're going to pay more in rent than Manhattan is a daunting prospect.

The public interest route is a bit of a different option, but there's still no guarantee that you're going to snag an LRAP-elligible PSLF job after graduation--those positions are just as hard to land these days as a big firm gig. Granted, Hastings has a pretty decent LRAP (no requirement for the position to be JD-only, from my understanding), but in that case, depending on what type of PI you're shooting for, school ranking is less important than other factors. PD/DA offices don't seem to particularly give a damn about which school you went to or the grades you get there, only whether you can do the job. With less than half of recent graduates reporting full-time legal employment, it's hard for many to reconcile these costs with the comparably meager rewards.

Hinging $200k on the prospect that some people may be retiring is a bad move. You need to know what you're planning on doing and whether the school itself is going to offer substantial prospects for that plan to succeed to offset that gamble.

Myself, I'm planning on PI work, so the increased clinical opportunities, LRAP program, and location of the school are tempting. While looking at money elsewhere, the increased opportunities that these would provide may be sufficient to take an increased debt load. I have yet to make up my mind, however.

ETA: This isn't meant to be a rant against Hastings, or necessarily any CA school for that matter. When it comes down to it, law school is a serious investment, and the vast majority of schools are difficult to justify.

Thanks for your honest assessment. The price tag and employment statistics are definitely daunting and I'm not naive to the fact that legal jobs aren't guaranteed after graduation, especially in the highly coveted Bay Area. I guess for me, as long as I am getting a solid legal education that will prepare me to be a lawyer, I will be satisfied. Many people have tried to talk me out of going to law school but I know that this is my passion and have a mindset of "I will figure it out and make it work when I get there" (there being after graduation). Some may call this naive or ignorant but I don't see it that way. I guess I just want to make sure that a UC Hastings education is going to prepare me well for being a strong lawyer and all of the negativity I read around here has given me certain doubts.

[Moonlight]

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[Cal Trask]

Thanks for your honest assessment. The price tag and employment statistics are definitely daunting and I'm not naive to the fact that legal jobs aren't guaranteed after graduation, especially in the highly coveted Bay Area. I guess for me, as long as I am getting a solid legal education that will prepare me to be a lawyer, I will be satisfied. Many people have tried to talk me out of going to law school but I know that this is my passion and have a mindset of "I will figure it out and make it work when I get there" (there being after graduation). Some may call this naive or ignorant but I don't see it that way. I guess I just want to make sure that a UC Hastings education is going to prepare me well for being a strong lawyer and all of the negativity I read around here has given me certain doubts.

I don't take issue with the idea of going to law school, I just think that you should be doing it for the right reasons. I'm compelled to ask what makes it your passion, even though you don't know what you want to do with it. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to have a better idea of what you're looking to do as an attorney before you take out $200k in loans. Obviously plans change, and you have a little more wiggle room starting out, but the point is, first and foremost, to get a job. A solid legal education doesn't mean anything if you don't have somebody paying you to use it, and it's a lot harder to make that happen if you're still figuring that out at graduation.

[Jamesta25]

Thanks for your honest assessment. The price tag and employment statistics are definitely daunting and I'm not naive to the fact that legal jobs aren't guaranteed after graduation, especially in the highly coveted Bay Area. I guess for me, as long as I am getting a solid legal education that will prepare me to be a lawyer, I will be satisfied. Many people have tried to talk me out of going to law school but I know that this is my passion and have a mindset of "I will figure it out and make it work when I get there" (there being after graduation). Some may call this naive or ignorant but I don't see it that way. I guess I just want to make sure that a UC Hastings education is going to prepare me well for being a strong lawyer and all of the negativity I read around here has given me certain doubts.

I don't take issue with the idea of going to law school, I just think that you should be doing it for the right reasons. I'm compelled to ask what makes it your passion, even though you don't know what you want to do with it. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to have a better idea of what you're looking to do as an attorney before you take out $200k in loans. Obviously plans change, and you have a little more wiggle room starting out, but the point is, first and foremost, to get a job. A solid legal education doesn't mean anything if you don't have somebody paying you to use it, and it's a lot harder to make that happen if you're still figuring that out at graduation.

I hear you. What I mean when I say I'm not sure what exact type of law I wish to practice is that there are many types of law that I have yet to much about or even of their existence. My cousin went into law school convinced he wanted to be a sports agent but is now practicing environmental law from an interest he developed while in school.

From reading advice from law school deans such as Berkeley Law's Dean Tom, he downplays the need to have a concentration while in law schools and wishes they were eliminated altogether, allowing students to get a well-rounded education in the law without an immediate focus. This is what I mean when I say I am unsure and open to what I experience while in law school. I know I want to be a lawyer, plain and simple, but in what field, I have yet to determine. I definitely do not plan to be figuring this out at or even near graduation!

Anyways, I don't want to steer this conversation into one just about my own personal ambitions. Was just curious to hear some reactions from prospective Class of 2017 students. I appreciate the responses thus far.

[yeslekkkk]

I just got my acceptance packet in the mail. A couple years ago, I would have been stoked to attend a school like UC Hastings. I wish I loved UC Hastings, but its drop in employment numbers and its proximity to the Tenderloin freaks me out. The first reason obviously being more significant. The dean, Frank Wu, seems super cool though. I almost want to send him an email and ask him, "Why should anyone attend UC Hastings right now? Try to convince me otherwise."

[Moonlight]

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[batkid2rescue]

The Tenderloin part doesn't make me feel great either tbh. Anyone know how safe the parking garage is for people and the cars?

The Tenderloin is not as bad as people make it out to be... and in fact, the area has been subject to widespread gentrification over the last couple years (for better or worse) and will continue to improve in the years to come. That being said, it's a general rule to avoid showcasing valuables in your car or on your person while in the TL. Other than that, you'll be fine.

With regards to the parking garage... it's very safe and well guarded during the day and locked in the evenings. Of course, the same rule applies for leaving valuables in your car while parked in the garage. Just don't.

[batkid2rescue]

Current 1L here at Hastings. Finished somewhere in the top 20% during my first semester and generally am enjoying my experience here. Feel free to ask questions.

[Moonlight]

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[xtinesung]

Seems like Hastings takes a bit longer than other CA schools to notify their decisions? What are some of your stats and dates of submission/completion/notification?

Congrats to those who have been admitted!

[Moonlight]

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[Ally Mcbeal]

Just received call from assistant dean to personally congratulate me on my acceptance! Thought it was quite thoughtful of him and added a personal touch. He also invited me to an admitted students' reception.

[bkegslounge]

Just received call from assistant dean to personally congratulate me on my acceptance! Thought it was quite thoughtful of him and added a personal touch. He also invited me to an admitted students' reception.

Same. Missed the call because I'm at work though. For some reason, his voice sounded a little mechanical so I thought it was a standard recording until he actually started talking about me personally. Gotta finish my Need Access form ASAP...

[AndiDail]

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Just received call from assistant dean to personally congratulate me on my acceptance! Thought it was quite thoughtful of him and added a personal touch. He also invited me to an admitted students' reception.

Same. Missed the call because I'm at work though. For some reason, his voice sounded a little mechanical so I thought it was a standard recording until he actually started talking about me personally. Gotta finish my Need Access form ASAP...

Same! It was a very nice touch. He even mentioned that the admissions committee thought I was a "gifted writer" which I took as a huge compliment.

[Moonlight]

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[xtinesung]

Do any of you know when a good time to apply for FAFSA is?

I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple more schools, so I'm unsure whether I'm suppose to wait until I know which school I'm going to before applying, or just enter in all the schools I applied to (with the exception of those I've already received rejection letters from)?

Some of my schools have urged me to apply as soon as possible. Help please!

[bkegslounge]

Do any of you know when a good time to apply for FAFSA is?

I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple more schools, so I'm unsure whether I'm suppose to wait until I know which school I'm going to before applying, or just enter in all the schools I applied to (with the exception of those I've already received rejection letters from)?

Some of my schools have urged me to apply as soon as possible. Help please!

I filled out my estimated 1040 form as soon as I got my W2 from my employer. FAFSA lets you add up to 10 schools so I just put in all the schools I applied to. You can always go back and delete schools or add others once you file your taxes. I don't think there's any harm in doing it now, although other people can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Cal Trask]

Do any of you know when a good time to apply for FAFSA is?

I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple more schools, so I'm unsure whether I'm suppose to wait until I know which school I'm going to before applying, or just enter in all the schools I applied to (with the exception of those I've already received rejection letters from)?

Some of my schools have urged me to apply as soon as possible. Help please!

I filled out my estimated 1040 form as soon as I got my W2 from my employer. FAFSA lets you add up to 10 schools so I just put in all the schools I applied to. You can always go back and delete schools or add others once you file your taxes. I don't think there's any harm in doing it now, although other people can correct me if I'm wrong.

This. I already filed my 1040, did FAFSA later that day and the Need Access form after that. Unless you have more than 10 schools that you're on the fence with, there's no reason not to do it now.

[xtinesung]

Do any of you know when a good time to apply for FAFSA is?

I'm still waiting to hear back from a couple more schools, so I'm unsure whether I'm suppose to wait until I know which school I'm going to before applying, or just enter in all the schools I applied to (with the exception of those I've already received rejection letters from)?

Some of my schools have urged me to apply as soon as possible. Help please!

I filled out my estimated 1040 form as soon as I got my W2 from my employer. FAFSA lets you add up to 10 schools so I just put in all the schools I applied to. You can always go back and delete schools or add others once you file your taxes. I don't think there's any harm in doing it now, although other people can correct me if I'm wrong.

This. I already filed my 1040, did FAFSA later that day and the Need Access form after that. Unless you have more than 10 schools that you're on the fence with, there's no reason not to do it now.

Great! Thank you both for clearing it up! Good luck in your cycles

[Jamesta25]

Filled out FAFSA and NeedAccess after filing my taxes yesterday. Called Hastings Financial Aid office to see when we can expect scholarship offers to be sent out and they said hopefully within two weeks of completing the two financial aid forms.

[bkegslounge]

Filled out FAFSA and NeedAccess after filing my taxes yesterday. Called Hastings Financial Aid office to see when we can expect scholarship offers to be sent out and they said hopefully within two weeks of completing the two financial aid forms.

I'm almost done with filling out both forms from my estimated 1040 form and then I'm filing my taxes pretty soon. Does anyone know if they will send offers based on the estimated forms or will they wait until your taxes are filed and you update the forms?