In at UC Irvine Forum

[Feathers]

I visited UCI yesterday with my family and have three take-aways:

1. The first class of 60 students will be the darling babies of the UC system as a whole for their three years. Their experiences will be an essential part of the school's accreditation process, and will be a valued part of establishing the school's enduring infrastructure.

2. The 1L Curriculum they've devised is innovative, demanding, and unique, with a distinctive focus on lawyering skills and analysis rather than case regurgitation, clinical experience built into the second semester, and an International Law class as part of the curriculum.

3. Dean Ortiz reads this board and is watching you right now.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm also visiting soon, so I'll report on how it goes. That said, did the visit sell you on UCI or are you still considering other options?

[crystalhawkeye]

So I didn't apply to UC-Irvine, but it certainly was appealing. Just out of curiosity, how many of those accepted are seriously considering going? I'm just interested to see what is selling you about the school outside of the $0 tuition (if anything).

I appreciate any responses!

[pany1985]

Part of why I'm thinking of going is the $0 tuition, of course, but it's also gonna be a good school, I'd be part of a very small class with some really good professors, and I'd get the chance to be a member of the founding class (and potentially the law review, etc.). Since they're new, their success depends largely on their success getting their first class into some good brochure-worthy prospective-student-luring jobs. This makes me think they're gonna try really hard to get good placement for their students, and with only 60 of us they'll be able to devote a lot of attention to each student.

Also, it'd be warm and sunny out there. Considering the low temperature last night here was four degrees, that'd be cool too.

[scantronix]

I got accepted and I am definitely going. Same reasons as the poster above for the most part.
$0 tuition
Opportunity to be founding member of the class
I think this class will get a lot of extra help and attention, seeing as how UC Irvine is so aggressive about their rankings, and part of that will be where they are able to place their graduates.
Small size of the class. Great professor to student ratio, and I also think that I'm likely to find other people there with whom I share a lot in common.
I live in LA now so I won't have to totally relocate (again) and start over with 0 friends.

[jibstir13]

There hasn't been any action on LSN for a couple days now...

It seems most of the accepted applicants applied before january...although a couple of january applicants have been accepted.

I wonder if UCI is waiting to see how accepted applicants respond, for more applicants, received more apps than expected, for feb test-takers, or is done with admits for now.

What do you guys think?

[LawApp2012]

So I didn't apply to UC-Irvine, but it certainly was appealing. Just out of curiosity, how many of those accepted are seriously considering going? I'm just interested to see what is selling you about the school outside of the $0 tuition (if anything).

I appreciate any responses!

I talked about all of the reasons I wanted to go to UCI a few days ago and people thought I was a plant for UCI! Pany1985 and scantronix mentioned a lot of the same things I did, I want the opportuity to be part of the founding class and make a real contribution to something bigger than me, and I love that we will receive so much attention and support from the faculty to ensure our success.

I just got my scholarship letter from USD today and I ended up getting $105K! I knew if I got a good scholarship from USD, it would make my decision harder, but I decided that everything I want out of the UCI experience is worth the inconvenience of the 1-hour commute. For me anyway, I know it may not be for everyone.

[crystalhawkeye]

It looks like those accepted have the credentials to essentially pick where they want to go, and for that I congratulate you. Also, thank you for your answers. Ironically, what it seems you want out of a LS, I do as well. I don't think I would have gotten into UC-Irvine, but it's great to see others with priorities outside of a "big job paying lots of money."

Best of luck! If you choose Irvine, congrats on, essentially, making history.

[fluffy]

I know UCI wants to brand itself as the next great public interest school

The thought of this makes me drool. I would love love LOVE to get into Irvine and paint it all sorts of magical colors!

To add to that, my main obsession with UCI revolves around the pioneering spirit it requires of its students, that they all be risk takers! I drool at the idea of molding its student organizations and possibly its future clinics, the small student to faculty ratio, the weather, the cost.. it feels like it'd all be perfect, and I don't doubt that the faculty is incredible.

Sadly, I say this as someone who stands little chance of getting into a T 25 school (unless THEY take a risk with ME), and therefore want to create my own!

BIG Congrats to those of you who got in.

[jadedV]

I agree with the above poster, but maybe less drooling

I'm disappointed that I sent my UCI app so late. I had it all ready to go in November, except for the "Why UCI" statement. I put it off because I wanted to put more thought and effort into it. Unfortunately, around the holiday season, I had a "maybe I don't want to go to law school" lapse, and REALLY put the UCI app on hold... Until Jan

I'm still crossing my fingers though. I know now that I am passionate about law school and would love the chance to be a part of UCI's founding class.

[pany1985]

The reason I'm probably most apprehensive about going is that I wanna work on the east coast, most likely Philly. I'm not too sure how well a UCI degree is gonna translate into non-SoCal employment. I'm worried I may only get job offers in CA and be sorta forced to stay out there quite a bit longer than I'd prefer.

[Veritas]

The reason I'm probably most apprehensive about going is that I wanna work on the east coast, most likely Philly. I'm not too sure how well a UCI degree is gonna translate into non-SoCal employment. I'm worried I may only get job offers in CA and be sorta forced to stay out there quite a bit longer than I'd prefer.

I don't think you are going to travel far for a while with a UCI degree. I think it's going to be very CA focused for the first years.

[pany1985]

That's pretty much what I'm figuring. I'm wondering if it's worth it to work a few years out there and then switch to something back east on the strength of that experience.

[Veritas]

That's pretty much what I'm figuring. I'm wondering if it's worth it to work a few years out there and then switch to something back east on the strength of that experience.

I am a Californian and I went out east for UG, and now that I am back in CA, I don't want to leave.

Moral of the story, if you come out here, you might not leave.

[pany1985]

I'm sure there are worse things in the world than living in CA, especially if you're making decent money as a lawyer and can actually afford it. It kinda sucks that, in the course of choosing a law school, you have to sorta decide a lot of big things about the trajectory of your life and think in a much-more-realistic-way-than-I-ever-have-before sense about where I want to be in ten years

[lifelesslived]

I'm wondering of those people who got into UCI, who is actually going to attend?

Also, I'd be interested in emailing people who have gotten accepted. I'm curious what sorts of backgrounds we have, why we applied, etc. I can start a facebook group if people want.

you can email me at gmail. the user is lifelesslived

[LawApp2012]

I'm wondering of those people who got into UCI, who is actually going to attend?

Also, I'd be interested in emailing people who have gotten accepted. I'm curious what sorts of backgrounds we have, why we applied, etc. I can start a facebook group if people want.

you can email me at gmail. the user is lifelesslived

I got in and sent my notice yesterday to accept the offer. I think there already is a facebook group for UCI, but I was hesitant to join it because my profile is under my real name and my work doesn't know I'm leaving yet. . .waiting until at least April to tell them.

From what I've seen, it seems like one thing we all share is that we have high LSAT/GPA stats, but also we all seem to have work experience after undergrad. I've been working for almost 5 years and am 27 years old. I mentioned all of the reasons why I applied a few times on this thread, but let me know if you're interested in any other info about my decision.

[fluffy]

I agree with the above poster, but maybe less drooling

Ha! I'm a hot mess. I'm hoping UCI will be the school that sees the potential in me and is therefore willing to look a little beyond my numbers, since they won't have to report them.

[Feathers]

For all of the admits who have yet to visit - I visited a few days ago and was very impressed by the administration/faculty's warmth and generous willingness to spend time with me personally. Everyone I met literally beamed when talking about shaping a new, innovative law school curriculum. It's a really exciting opportunity!

(If there's something I might be able to answer, feel free to PM me.)

[polarjack]

I am also in and SO EXCITED to attend. I think the opportunities and breadth of subject matter/experiences will more than make up for "big name" status of other schools. I also think that being a member of a founding class will make for great interview banter. Plus, the weather is hard to beat!

I am also a bit older (25) and have had work experience. Is anyone attending straight out of undergrad?

[Feathers]

I am also in and SO EXCITED to attend. I think the opportunities and breadth of subject matter/experiences will more than make up for "big name" status of other schools. I also think that being a member of a founding class will make for great interview banter. Plus, the weather is hard to beat!

I am also a bit older (25) and have had work experience. Is anyone attending straight out of undergrad?

From what I hear, this inaugural class will be skewing slightly older than most 1L classes.

[LawApp2012]

I am also in and SO EXCITED to attend. I think the opportunities and breadth of subject matter/experiences will more than make up for "big name" status of other schools. I also think that being a member of a founding class will make for great interview banter. Plus, the weather is hard to beat!

I am also a bit older (25) and have had work experience. Is anyone attending straight out of undergrad?

From what I hear, this inaugural class will be skewing slightly older than most 1L classes.

I'm kind of excited about that too, being with other students close to my age with probably similar experiences. I'm 27, and I've never felt old until I started this application process and everyone's 21-22! I'm also hoping that our age will help when we interview for law jobs, since most of us will already have experience interviewing, working directly with clients, meeting deadlines and working long hours when needed.

[polarjack]

Who is going to the ASD in April? I sure am!

[pany1985]

I'll be 24 when classes start

It seems like they definitely skewed away from taking straight-outta-undergrad kids

[LawApp2012]

Who is going to the ASD in April? I sure am!

I am! Wish it was sooner though.

[NoamChomsky]

Who is going to the ASD in April? I sure am!

I am! Wish it was sooner though.

I am so desparate that I'll attend even if I DON'T get in