Wake Forest C/O 2018 Applicants (2014-2015 cycle) Forum

[VPlaw]

I was accepted to Wake and to several other law schools with a hefty scholarship. When Wake dropped to 47 in the rankings, my parents are discouraging from attending. Any advise for any of you is much appreciated. Thanks

[OhBoyOhBortles]

I was accepted to Wake and to several other law schools with a hefty scholarship. When Wake dropped to 47 in the rankings, my parents are discouraging from attending. Any advise for any of you is much appreciated. Thanks

The rankings hardly matter at all. Whether or not Wake is worth it is all about the financial cost to you and the likelihood that you will achieve your career goals with Wake. That's what you have to decide. No one can really give you advice unless you tell us your goals.

[LawsRUs]

Pay no attention to
1. rankings
2. parents

[VPlaw]

LOL. about pay no attention to parents. They foot bills. Pay no attention to rankings.............maybe

[cricketlove00]

Pay no attention to
1. rankings
2. parents

[jendux]

I ended up being able to go to ASD and i'm glad i did! I will be attending in the fall! Can't wait to meet everyone

[cricketlove00]

Looking for some input: how feasible is it to pursue public interest law at Wake? Not talking financially; I'll address that with my own calculations. But just in terms of...what are you opportunities to really practice that as a student? As a graduate? It doesn't come across as something you can't do, but equally not something they push. Are there experiential learning opportunities specific to public interest?

Thanks in advance. It'd be a huge help to hear from people about this.

This got lost in more rankings talk! I'll do my best to answer you.

It is quite feasible to pursue public interest law at Wake. In fact, I'm doing it now . In terms of practicing as a student, there are tons of pro bono activities that you can accomplish while enrolled, even as a 1L. There's a will clinic, teen court, lawyer on the line, etc. In my first semester I was able to help people sign up for health care power of attorney forms pro bono.

As a graduate, I can't answer that question because I'm not one yet. Yet, I do disagree with you that Wake does not push for public interest. In my opinion, I think Wake may sometimes push for public interest work more than BigLaw work. However, there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved in public interest and pro bono work.

[jwoods]

.

[bob311]

Just withdrew as well. 37k a year up for grabs. Good luck!

[cricketlove00]

I ended up being able to go to ASD and i'm glad i did! I will be attending in the fall! Can't wait to meet everyone

Can't wait to see you in the fall! Let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.

[BasilHallward]

Withdrew this morning. Good luck to all!

[whitespider]

Just withdrew my full scholly. Best of luck to those still waiting.

[VPlaw]

I withdrew too. I am sorry but it looked like it was for the best.

[cal2013]

Wake was my dream school for years. When I first got in, and with $$, I thought for sure I was going to attend. But honestly that 33% underemployment score mixed with bigger offers from similar schools led me to choose somewhere else. Kind of sad about it, but I think it is for the best.

Good luck to everyone!

[LurkerShirker]

i am picturing cal2013's jack shepherd pic, a year from now trying to transfer into wake -- like the island, it will always pull you back there.

[JMC0709]

Did anyone else still waiting get an update email on Fri the 13th (ha)? it said they're taking longer than usual to make decisions this year but in this case "no news is good news" - wasn't sure how to feel about that...

[bluehose]

Anyone else deposited here? I was unable to attend the ASD (due to being sick & prior plans), so that $500 was EXTREMELY hard to part with..... I'll be visiting campus next week though!

[slippa]

my daughter got the "no news is good news" email as well, she still hasn't heard anything....

[cal2013]

i am picturing cal2013's jack shepherd pic, a year from now trying to transfer into wake -- like the island, it will always pull you back there.

[Shirosham]

Anyone else deposited here? I was unable to attend the ASD (due to being sick & prior plans), so that $500 was EXTREMELY hard to part with..... I'll be visiting campus next week though!

I'm committed, kinda worried with everyone seemingly dropping though.

[NoOneImportant]

I'm strongly considering Wake and was very impressed after ASD but would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the employment numbers and dropping bar passage rates. I really liked the innocence clinic and litigation clinic presentations. I'll be watching the April 15 employment numbers for Class of 2014 closely.

Can anyone speak to the career development office? There was only one person at Wake's ASD from the career office, whereas at UNC, they had all 7 people from the office giving presentations. I know it's only one day and the ASD hardly speaks to the overall experience, but I got the impression that at UNC the career development office was a much better resource and priority at UNC then it is at Wake.

[VPlaw]

Wake was my dream school for years. When I first got in, and with $$, I thought for sure I was going to attend. But honestly that 33% underemployment score mixed with bigger offers from similar schools led me to choose somewhere else. Kind of sad about it, but I think it is for the best.

Good luck to everyone!

Yeah, I guess you are right. I was looking forward to Wake too. I withdrew too

[Incubateus]

I'm strongly considering Wake and was very impressed after ASD but would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the employment numbers and dropping bar passage rates. I really liked the innocence clinic and litigation clinic presentations. I'll be watching the April 15 employment numbers for Class of 2014 closely.

Can anyone speak to the career development office? There was only one person at Wake's ASD from the career office, whereas at UNC, they had all 7 people from the office giving presentations. I know it's only one day and the ASD hardly speaks to the overall experience, but I got the impression that at UNC the career development office was a much better resource and priority at UNC then it is at Wake.

I'm a 3L at Wake and I've found the Career services office to be excellent. My career services person was Francie Scott and she has always been on point. At almost any point in the year I could walk into her office, and it was incredibly helpful. In my opinion, you won't find a better career services office elsewhere.

That being said, don't base your decision on career services (here or anywhere else). Base it on how you feel at that school. You're going to be living there for the next three years, and if you don't feel good about the people or the environment, nothing will change that. After reading these comments from prospective students concerning employment numbers and dropping passage rates, it's clear to me that they don't understand what they should be looking for. Every school you go to is going to teach you roughly the same thing. The law is the law no matter where you go. So when you sit down to take that bar exam, it's not the school that's with you. It's just you. The same goes for job interviews. Yeah, higher ranked schools and grades will get you in the door, but once that interview begins it's just you.

If you want some numbers, here are mine. I was in the bottom half after the first year, yet when it came to OCIs and the 2L summer job hunt I had roughly 40 interviews and 5 or 6 callbacks. I wasn't hired anywhere. But that was my fault. I didn't prepare well enough for the interviews, plain and simple. The school opened the door and had the resources for me to go in prepared, but I dropped the ball. In the end it was all for the best because I'm much happier with where I'm going now. But my point is, it doesn't matter where you go. Yes, there are some big distinctions from T14 to Campbell. But if you're looking at Wake I'm assuming you got in to similarly ranked schools. So at the end of the day, go where you feel you'll do your best. Your success is on you and you alone.

[FacePalm]

I'm strongly considering Wake and was very impressed after ASD but would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the employment numbers and dropping bar passage rates. I really liked the innocence clinic and litigation clinic presentations. I'll be watching the April 15 employment numbers for Class of 2014 closely.

Can anyone speak to the career development office? There was only one person at Wake's ASD from the career office, whereas at UNC, they had all 7 people from the office giving presentations. I know it's only one day and the ASD hardly speaks to the overall experience, but I got the impression that at UNC the career development office was a much better resource and priority at UNC then it is at Wake.

I'm a 3L at Wake and I've found the Career services office to be excellent. My career services person was Francie Scott and she has always been on point. At almost any point in the year I could walk into her office, and it was incredibly helpful. In my opinion, you won't find a better career services office elsewhere.

That being said, don't base your decision on career services (here or anywhere else). Base it on how you feel at that school. You're going to be living there for the next three years, and if you don't feel good about the people or the environment, nothing will change that. After reading these comments from prospective students concerning employment numbers and dropping passage rates, it's clear to me that they don't understand what they should be looking for. Every school you go to is going to teach you roughly the same thing. The law is the law no matter where you go. So when you sit down to take that bar exam, it's not the school that's with you. It's just you. The same goes for job interviews. Yeah, higher ranked schools and grades will get you in the door, but once that interview begins it's just you.

If you want some numbers, here are mine. I was in the bottom half after the first year, yet when it came to OCIs and the 2L summer job hunt I had roughly 40 interviews and 5 or 6 callbacks. I wasn't hired anywhere. But that was my fault. I didn't prepare well enough for the interviews, plain and simple. The school opened the door and had the resources for me to go in prepared, but I dropped the ball. In the end it was all for the best because I'm much happier with where I'm going now. But my point is, it doesn't matter where you go. Yes, there are some big distinctions from T14 to Campbell. But if you're looking at Wake I'm assuming you got in to similarly ranked schools. So at the end of the day, go where you feel you'll do your best. Your success is on you and you alone.

Innocence and Justice is amazing, and offered to 2L summer (right after 1L). If you come to Wake, take the I & J Clinic ASAP. Lit Clinic is excellent as well, but you should have an idea what you want from it going in.

I'm less enthusiastic about career services generally. Career services can't manufacture jobs. They can encourage you to network, make contacts, and generally be proactive, but they can't do it for you. If you're motivated, they will guide you. If you're not, they aren't going to find you a job. OCI and jobs numbers are available on the interwebs.

There seem to be a vocal minority at many schools that are disappointed with career services. These are, no doubt, the people without jobs. However, I think some schools oversell career services to the detriment of the incoming class. Most of us are going to have to hustle a bit to find a job, regardless of how helpful career services is or isn't. Don't overlook jobs numbers because you got a warm fuzzy feeling when career services pitches you on how great they are at ASD. And, certainly don't bank on a "good" career services department making up for a lot of personal effort and development to find the job you want.

That said, I think Wake does more than most to actually push students toward proactive, job-oriented activities early on. Finding a job, for the summer or after graduation is something that ought to be on the radar from the beginning of the law school application process, and certainly through 1L and beyond. It is a skill in and of itself, and I think Wake teachs it through Professional Development.

[youseeLA17]

Has anyone got an invitation for an interview? If so could you please PM me. It would be awesome if I could get some insight on what to expect! Good luck to all and congratulations to those already admitted!