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

[cricketlove00]

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.

Want to add my 2 cents. I was really motivated to get a summer internship from the moment orientation started, and you should be too. FacePalm is right. No one can create a job for you. I met an ADA during orientation and communicated with her throughout my first semester. It ended up getting me a summer position and I truthfully did not need career services at all. Honestly, some of it is luck, but 99 percent of it is what you put into it. It's also amazing how connected most of the faculty is here. I asked my criminal law professor about places I should apply for internships and he was able to put me in touch with multiple offices where his word went far. Honestly, just because Wake had a bad year doesn't mean everything is hopeless. And honestly, if you got good merit aid, it's totally worth it.

[wakeJD15]

3L here with a shameless plug.....

I own a 2 bed/2 bath condo in Aspen Park and I am looking to rent it out starting in July or August.

Rent is $750 and water/trash/sewage is included.

The condo was fully renovated in the summer of 2012, new walls, carpet, tile, kitchen appliances, sinks, molding, etc

Shoot me a PM if you're interested

[DeaconTime]

Does anyone know anything about the Crowne Polo apartment complex?

[cricketlove00]

Does anyone know anything about the Crowne Polo apartment complex?

I currently live there. What did you want to know about it?

[AT9]

In case any of your guys are still in decision mode, here are the latest employment stats from c/o 2014: http://career.law.wfu.edu/stats/

This is a big improvement over last year, and with a larger class size too. Minus biglaw placement, this puts us back on par with UNC.

[cricketlove00]

In case any of your guys are still in decision mode, here are the latest employment stats from c/o 2014: http://career.law.wfu.edu/stats/

This is a big improvement over last year, and with a larger class size too. Minus biglaw placement, this puts us back on par with UNC.

[Shirosham]

Also plug, have a deposit down at Crowne Polo and looking for people to live with.

[VPlaw]

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.

Want to add my 2 cents. I was really motivated to get a summer internship from the moment orientation started, and you should be too. FacePalm is right. No one can create a job for you. I met an ADA during orientation and communicated with her throughout my first semester. It ended up getting me a summer position and I truthfully did not need career services at all. Honestly, some of it is luck, but 99 percent of it is what you put into it. It's also amazing how connected most of the faculty is here. I asked my criminal law professor about places I should apply for internships and he was able to put me in touch with multiple offices where his word went far. Honestly, just because Wake had a bad year doesn't mean everything is hopeless. And honestly, if you got good merit aid, it's totally worth it.

The drop in rankings at Wake worried me too.

[AT9]

^I don't want to beat the dead horse too badly here, but regardless of what school you attend, DO NOT USE THE RANKINGS IN YOUR DECISION PROCESS. Use the placement stats, bar passage, location of placements, etc.

Rankings are (1) unpredictable and (2), more importantly, virtually worthless when you have jobs data available. No one (including employers) will care if your school is ranked 23 or 45 or whatever. The perceptions of a school, and the types of jobs grads get, are far more stable than a fairly meaningless number assigned by USNews or some other source. Wake, like UNC, Iowa, Washington, Ohio State, Washington & Lee, etc. is and will be known for the foreseeable future as a good regional school; the best students will have clerkship and biglaw options; and the rest will need to hustle and network for the job you want (most of whom will get a job). The number USNews assigns to a school doesn't change those things.

[legalbeagle84]

Anothr shameless plug....

I have an attorney contact here in town who owns a condo and wants to rent it to some law students. It's in Aspen Trail and it's a 2 bedroom 2 bath. Small pets no greater than 25 lbs allowed. The rent is $750, but you should talk to the owner/landlord/attorney for details on that. There is a washer and dryer in unit. It is available June 1. Wouldn't it be great to start off in a place close to school at a great price with an attorney as your landlord whom is EXTREMELY helpful and would be a great contact for you?!

PS: I don't live there, I am posting this because this attorney went out of his way to help me in my job search for the summer. See why he would be a great landlord and contact?

PM for his cell number! Also PM me if any of you have questions about Wake Law or Winston Salem in general (I'm a rising 2L).

[SBUalex]

Any current students know anybody who's living in the WFU Properties off-campus housing? Rent is less than $600 per month for a fully furnished place located close to campus. Seems like a good deal, but I'd like to hear some first- or second-hand reviews if possible. What have you heard about these places?

Thanks!

[westgaboy08]

I visited right before i got the ding, have a friend in the macc program living in WFU off campus housing and it was great. Only a six minute walk to the school and its a house with individual leases. Only drawback is living with three other people. She said they may have three bedrooms but the one i visited was four bedroom. Mostly graduate students as well.

[cricketlove00]

Is there a class of 2018 Facebook group yet?

[FacePalm]

In case anyone is still on the fence, check out the recent jobs numbers for Wake Law. I'm not sure if this is a reflection of a general market trend or something particular to Wake, but either way it's a phenomenal improvement over the previous year. My back-of-the-napkin math puts that at nearly 75% of the class in JD required positions, and only 9 students out of 187 unable to find a job (less than 5%).

[OhBoyOhBortles]

Is there a class of 2018 Facebook group yet?

Yeah, I think there were 6 members as of a couple weeks ago, but it has grown a ton.

[Shirosham]

Cricket - https://www.facebook.com/groups/802280543185078/

It's pretty dead compared to last year's group though.

Also, I have a deposit on a 2bdrm place at Crowne Polo and got my assignment, should I keep it and hope someone wants to live in the apartment with me, or downgrade to a 1bdrm.

[cricketlove00]

Thanks for letting me know. There are some JD/MBAs that will be 1Ls that I'm friends with that weren't sure if there was a group.

Also, Shiro, maybe try to join the 2017 group and see if there are any rising 2Ls that are still looking for room mates?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/707558302617620/

[Shirosham]

Thanks for letting me know. There are some JD/MBAs that will be 1Ls that I'm friends with that weren't sure if there was a group.

Also, Shiro, maybe try to join the 2017 group and see if there are any rising 2Ls that are still looking for room mates?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/707558302617620/

Haha, never left from last year =P.

[cricketlove00]

Thanks for letting me know. There are some JD/MBAs that will be 1Ls that I'm friends with that weren't sure if there was a group.

Also, Shiro, maybe try to join the 2017 group and see if there are any rising 2Ls that are still looking for room mates?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/707558302617620/

Haha, never left from last year =P.

[KateRiddle]

Is anyone going on the House Hunt next week?

[Shirosham]

Haha, plugging again.

I have a 2bdrm lease at Crowne Polo and looking for a roommate!

[SBUalex]

Current students/alum--which 1L professors did you especially enjoy taking classes with? Also, what was your experience with the orientation before your 1L year?

[cricketlove00]

Current students/alum--which 1L professors did you especially enjoy taking classes with? Also, what was your experience with the orientation before your 1L year?

I'll PM you regarding the professors I had. I'll make a general blanket statement that the majority of professors are genuinely so freaking awesome.

The orientation was great, albeit a little taxing. It's a week-long process and you'll start your LAWR (writing) portion of the class during that week, so expect to have some reading and class time. There's historically been a Habitat for Humanity event where you'll spend half a day working with your section on a house in the community. I highly recommend you do it, because a lot of the professors will be there to help, and it will be your first real experience hanging out with your section!

[NoOneImportant]

In the housekeeping e-mail, it mentions the immunization records. I figure that's easy enough to get from UG school, but the Health Information Summary seems a little more complicated - http://newstudents.law.wfu.edu/2015/04/ ... nizations/

Sounds like you have to see a doctor. I haven't been to a doctor in years. Anyone gotten started on this?

[sonoma456]

TLS helped me a ton during my 1L year, so I thought I would pay it forward a bit - I'm a rising 2L at Wake Law and happy to answer any incoming 1L questions. I know there are a lot of current students ITT already, but if anyone wants yet another opinion about anything, feel free to PM me. Any unanswered questions about professors - I gotchu.

I was also fortunate enough to get to know the 1L recruiting process for NC "biglaw" (ha ha) pretty well, and I found there wasn't a ton of helpful info out there about the process or the firms that was at all current. So if anyone has any questions about 1L recruiting or any of the larger firms in Raleigh, W-S, or Charlotte, I'm happy to share the research I did - just PM me.

TL;DR: Bored AF at work, rising 2L, happy to answer questions.