Cardozo School of Law C/O 2018 Applicants Forum

[sd5289]

How much a year do people typically budget for living expenses?

Depends on where they live, but I'd average it around $1300.

How much does a tiny studio apartment run in Manhattan? What about Brooklyn?

Well, between these two you should probably aim for Manhattan because the hipsters have driven the rents in Brooklyn way up (disagree with poster above...this has become more the rule now than the exception). However, your luck of finding a studio or 1BR that's not over $1500-$1600 is incredibly low. I'd look for a roommate or two to split the rent into more manageable amounts. There's more affordable 2BR and 3BR places on the upper east side and uptown in general.

Recommendations for things to check out the day after ASD?

Probably neighborhoods you'd be interested in living in so you can see what you'd be getting yourself into. Since you said you've already done the touristy things I'd also suggest checking out the village and what's around there.

[mynameis08]

Hey just want to ask for those who got accepted or got a decision for the fall 2015 admission, when did you guys submit your app? And were there any changes in the date on your status checker? Did it alao say something like decision has been made before you guys received a phone call? Are decisions will also be made via email?

Thanks!

[whitespider]

Hey just want to ask for those who got accepted or got a decision for the fall 2015 admission, when did you guys submit your app? And were there any changes in the date on your status checker? Did it alao say something like decision has been made before you guys received a phone call? Are decisions will also be made via email?

Thanks!

I think the status tracker changed to "Decision Rendered and Sent" about the same time as the phone call. No other date changes IIRC.

[Dr. Nefario]

Did anyone ever receive an admit packet?

[whitespider]

I got an acceptance letter and scholly letter in a little trifold booklet with ASD details. No big packet/binder though

Only a top 80% stip on the full scholly which is nice.

[zxbn579]

My application went complete today and got an email it was sent to the admissions committee.
How long does the decision take on average? Hope I don't have to wait until March. I applied for May entry.

[zxbn579]

3L checking in to answer questions.

Do some/many people from Cardozo go into biglaw?

[sd5289]

3L checking in to answer questions.

Do some/many people from Cardozo go into biglaw?

Some. Definitely not many.

[zxbn579]

Some. Definitely not many.

So it's not the place to go if that's what one wants to do after LS?
What do most of your classmates end up doing? Do alumni look back at the school fondly?
Is there a good sense of community? I went to a small liberal arts college so I love that!
Thanks in advance for your responses.

[sd5289]

Some. Definitely not many.

So it's not the place to go if that's what one wants to do after LS?
What do most of your classmates end up doing? Do alumni look back at the school fondly?
Is there a good sense of community? I went to a small liberal arts college so I love that!
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Let's see, more than a few of my friends (myself included) are going into Gov't. My understanding is we place pretty well there, which makes sense cause I know some outside of my friend group who are also going into Gov't after graduation. Already I know we've placed a good number of people in Gov't and City agencies. I think a good number of people also go into PI (both nonprofits and public defense).

As far as private, most people end up at small and midsize firms. I don't know as much about this because it's not my deal. I do know some people in my class who are doing big law, but it's not very many. I don't know the exact breakdown of who goes into small and midsize firms. The alum I've met seem to love it, but most of the alum I know are in Gov't and PI. I certainly had a positive experience there, but I definitely knew what I was getting into when I went. I had no aspirations for big law, and part of why I chose this school was because they gave me a full ride, which I needed cause I intended on doing Gov't work anyway. I also knew that they placed well in the area of law that I wanted to go into.

There is definitely an excellent sense of community though. It has the normal law school nonsense during 1L with gunners and people just being dumb, but I've made some excellent friends here, and there were three of us in particular in competition for some spots at a particular Gov't agency, but we were all helping each other out through the hiring process anyway. Luckily we all got hired, which of course is great when we start working in the fall and we're working with each other. You don't always see that kind of cooperation at other schools. So, combined with the scholly, it was a great choice for me (I'm going to be working at the very place I wanted to work at) but it won't be the best choice for other people. As far as big law, it's really, REALLY unpredictable because a lot of it depends on your class rank (top 10-15% and law review).

[zxbn579]

Some. Definitely not many.

So it's not the place to go if that's what one wants to do after LS?
What do most of your classmates end up doing? Do alumni look back at the school fondly?
Is there a good sense of community? I went to a small liberal arts college so I love that!
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Let's see, more than a few of my friends (myself included) are going into Gov't. My understanding is we place pretty well there, which makes sense cause I know some outside of my friend group who are also going into Gov't after graduation. Already I know we've placed a good number of people in Gov't and City agencies. I think a good number of people also go into PI (both nonprofits and public defense).

As far as private, most people end up at small and midsize firms. I don't know as much about this because it's not my deal. I do know some people in my class who are doing big law, but it's not very many. I don't know the exact breakdown of who goes into small and midsize firms. The alum I've met seem to love it, but most of the alum I know are in Gov't and PI. I certainly had a positive experience there, but I definitely knew what I was getting into when I went. I had no aspirations for big law, and part of why I chose this school was because they gave me a full ride, which I needed cause I intended on doing Gov't work anyway. I also knew that they placed well in the area of law that I wanted to go into.

There is definitely an excellent sense of community though. It has the normal law school nonsense during 1L with gunners and people just being dumb, but I've made some excellent friends here, and there were three of us in particular in competition for some spots at a particular Gov't agency, but we were all helping each other out through the hiring process anyway. Luckily we all got hired, which of course is great when we start working in the fall and we're working with each other. You don't always see that kind of cooperation at other schools. So, combined with the scholly, it was a great choice for me (I'm going to be working at the very place I wanted to work at) but it won't be the best choice for other people. As far as big law, it's really, REALLY unpredictable because a lot of it depends on your class rank (top 10-15% and law review).

Thank you so much! This is all very helpful.
I am hoping I'll hear back soon (my app went complete today). I don't even want to apply to other schools.

[ineedacupofcoffee]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

[LawGirlAtx]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

\
Just below the 25th for GPA and between the 25th and 50th for LSAT. WL as well.

[zxbn579]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

\
Just below the 25th for GPA and between the 25th and 50th for LSAT. WL as well.

For September or May?

[LawGirlAtx]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

Just below the 25th for GPA and between the 25th and 50th for LSAT. WL as well.

For September or May?

September.

[zxbn579]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

Just below the 25th for GPA and between the 25th and 50th for LSAT. WL as well.

For September or May?

September.

Ugh sorry man (or girl). :/ I am sure you will eventually get in but the waiting is even tougher than the LSAT for me.
I applied for the part time May program so I'll update you guys when I hear back.

[LawGirlAtx]

September.[/quote]
Ugh sorry man (or girl). :/ I am sure you will eventually get in but the waiting is even tougher than the LSAT for me.
I applied for the part time May program so I'll update you guys when I hear back.[/quote]

Thanks! I'm not too bummed out. I'm trying to look at this whole experience in a positive light. Cardozo was a top choice for me, but not the tippy top. I'd rather someone dying to get in get the spot than me.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll hear something soon!

[zxbn579]

Thanks! I'm not too bummed out. I'm trying to look at this whole experience in a positive light. Cardozo was a top choice for me, but not the tippy top. I'd rather someone dying to get in get the spot than me.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll hear something soon!

Thank you

[mynameis08]

Got waitlisted as well for the Sept program. When do you guys think we'll hear from them?

[LawGirlAtx]

Got waitlisted as well for the Sept program. When do you guys think we'll hear from them?

The email just says by mid-August. Hoping it's sooner than that. If I don't hear by late April I'll definitely have to go ahead and move on. Moving cross country with a spouse and fur children is a big deal.

[fa1493]

I'm in their 50% lsat, 75% gpa, waitlisted. Damn.

Really?? Thats surprising. Did you have any C&F issues?

[256986245]

Hi guys!

First time poster, I submitted my application 1/4 it went "complete and under review 1/5"

I just got a call, well voice mail actually bc I was walking my dog, and I was accepted! So they are doing a round of acceptances today. They also offered me a merit scholarship of 30,000 a year in the voice mail. Package in the mail to come.

Please PM if you have any questions!

[Trumpet101]

LSAT is above 75% (167), gpa is around 25-50% but hoping it's not as important because I'm several years removed from college and have solid work experience. Unrealistic to hope for big scholly $$?

[LawGirlAtx]

LSAT is above 75% (167), gpa is around 25-50% but hoping it's not as important because I'm several years removed from college and have solid work experience. Unrealistic to hope for big scholly $$?

Numbers are the most important thing, it's a sad but true fact. I have been out of undergrad for almost eight years, and it's still a fact for me (even with the addition of extensive legal experience). The good news is that your numbers look solid, and barring any kind of C&F issues or the like, you should be good to go (and hopefully with some $$).

[sd5289]

LSAT is above 75% (167), gpa is around 25-50% but hoping it's not as important because I'm several years removed from college and have solid work experience. Unrealistic to hope for big scholly $$?

Huh? Why on earth are they waitlisting a 167? I was in on fully scholly (after some negotiation) with similar numbers to yours (never WL), and that was back in 2012. The average stats of admits have only dropped since then.

The only thing I can think of is they're finally cutting class sizes, but that still shouldn't have resulted in a 167 WL.

Were there any disciplinary and/or C&F issues on your application?