I think there point is well-addressed in my videos. I constantly advise students to avoid debt (unless going to a top school), going to school where they intend to practice (and where they have ties) to maximize employment chances, and being very careful before even deciding on law school in the first place. I don't sugarcoat how difficult it is out there for many law grads, but at the same time, I'm not going to speak of it as a lost cause
This is great advice! Our job apps for law school comes at the same time as our mid year exams. So preparing them earlier is something i hadnt thought of. Great job thanks
Getting organized is something that will be very beneficial not only in law school, but also in practice. I like your tip about preparing the resume and cover letter templates in the summer before law school. That could be a real time saver.
I think (a) and (b) are both excellent advice to the lucky student who has such choices. But (c) I can't agree with, since it really depends on which T14 you attend. At my school, over 55% of the class ended up at the big firms, with a far greater number actually employed (whether it be public interest, smaller firms), and thats not all that atypical for the top 10 or so schools right now. So the "top 20% or dropout" thing is a bit much. I'm more inclined to say be top half of the class
I am doing an Executive JD and I love this advice because it practical and it makes since. The job market may be pretty bad for lawyers especially in NYC. I pray that all goes well for you my friend. I was told that one day missed is like an eternity to make up. Take care out there.
I just want to say thank you so much for your time and effort spent on these videos. You have served as a tremendous help and as an unbiased source, your honesty and the sincerity in your voice has helped me to really figure out this next uncertain step in my life upon graduation.
I highly appreciate the helpful videos. Thanks for taking the time to prepare them! I hope you continue to make a few more if you have the time or come up with more topics to cover. Cheers
For many people "don't do it" may actually be the best possible advice. It certainly isn't for everyone (and actually only makes sense for a relatively narrow subset of people). As you can tell from my videos, I try and take a rational middleground. I'm not here to be "rah rah yay law school!" and I'm also not hear to say "DO NOT GO!". There are factors to balance, and I hope these videos do a sufficient job of conveying what those factors are
Really good video. I like the advice about resume preparation and creating cover letter templates. I'll be recommending this to people who ask me for law school advice.
first off at 4:46 the instructors are looking for an organized IRAC form you will get more points by doing that. second just throwing things down won't really work well. A good point counter point shows the instructor you understand the material in a comprehensive way. your absolutely right about typing I spent my entire 1L hand writing my exams b/c I couldn't type fast enough to keep up with the students who could type 80-120 words per minute. In my school if you are called in class and you are not prepared you get an absence 3 abscesses and your out. no excuses, no boo hoos this is law school. Do the reading know the material before class. Look at it this way, would you walk into a court room unprepared? real good post thanks
Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "look into", but I'd say somewhere toward the later part of your undergraduate career, once you have an idea of what your major will be, what your career plans are, what your skills are, etc.
It is very uncommon for law students to take classes over the summer. Typically that time is dedicated to getting internship and job experience. Is it possible to not be able to find a job for the summer? Sure, its possible. But if you are diligent in researching searching, work the connections you have, network with people, use the resources available at your school, and dedicate sufficient time to your job search, you should be able to find something
Yes, almost every law school has you bring in a laptop, and you have a program installed on the computer that locks up the rest of the system, so you can input and upload your exam response
Agreed on substantive law. Would recommend looking into jurisprudential theory though. Couldn't hurt reading Llewellyn's Bramble Bush and Dworkin's Law's Empire before hand. Heard good things about Posner's work on Law & Economics. Also, try reading some James Joyce.
Well, the first year is the same at every school, but as for the 2nd, and 3rd year courses, I would take things like corporations, tax, secured transactions, mergers & acquisitions, etc. I had no interest in doing the corporate side (what is also known as transactional) , since I am more interested in litigation, so I didn't take all the above courses, but if you are set on going transactional and don't want to be a litigator, these are some good courses to take during 2nd and 3rd year
I think this advice is both logical and very beneficial.I will be starting law school in the fall and will definitely apply what you mentioned in the video.
There are very few law schools that will allow you to enroll with only an associate degree. Nearly all require a bachelors. There may be a few that allow an associates, but I don't know what they are. If you wish to stay local in the Miami area, I would call the local law schools in that part of Florida, and ask if they allow entering students with associates degrees.
I think it is generally agreed that reading case books before 1L is a bad idea. But I recently read about a law school student recommending reading hornbooks instead, saying that will give a general picture of the law that could help you learn the specifics rules in class. So just to be sure: you think all supplement readings, including hornbooks, is a bad idea? Thanks!
Here I am worrying about law school and doubting if I should go at all...then this glorious looking cutie comes up and talks about what to expect and what to do prior to law school. How adorable, you are, sir. ^__^
The advice isn't half bad. Personally I worked and saved each summer so I wouldn't have to worry much about day to day expenses during school. That allowed me to focus on coursework.
I would strongly recommend that students not do any substantive prep during the summer prior to law school. In other words, don't try to learn the law itself. Each prof. will teach it and interpret it differently, have different opinions and approaches, etc. Plus, much of what you would read won't actually be covered, so no point in guessing what will be. Plus, the problem is that any advantage you could possibly have from that summer E&E prep is gone by the time the exam comes around.
Whether you feel that way about studying cases and stuff or not I feel it does give you an edge up due to the fact that you will be use to studying them and yes you will all probably be good but you will have more experience and nothing really beats experience. I also feel that if you read in advance you will have the questions that you want answered already in mind. thirdly you will have an easier time doing that homework without putting 9 hours into studying or what not. Just my personal opinions I understand either way you can just study a lot to catch up to the guy who read cases all summer but would you really want to do that. I am only 14 and am reading college law books so my argument is definitely bi-est. I may be just trying to justify that it will help to myself. anyway i would like your feedback thanks.
Dallin Brohamer While planning ahead is good, I think you are thinking a bit too far into the future. Enjoy the present and have fun (while still doing well in school and getting a good GPA). You only get to be a teenager once.
Thanks. Good advise. I have gone over many videos and books on how to succeed in law school. I love the part the over preparation before law school advise. Personally I signed up an Online law school with University of London for, hoping to get a law degree that I can practice in the UK. This is all I can afford since I am almost 70. I am serious about getting a law degree to help others in the legal business, aiming at the underprivileged and environmental law ( I had a PH.D. in Organic Chemistry). Any advise? School will start in September.
Thanks for this. I am currently in a paralegal program before, hopefully, getting into law school next fall. Would you urge me to drop out now if I do get in.
Its all a balance. If the best school you can get into is one that has a very low employment rate, I would say do not go unless you have close to full scholarship. On the flipside, the top 10-15 schools have excellent job prospects with the big firms and a large debt load is more justified (though there are still considerations both ways)
Hi, I'm about to be a junior in college, and I am planning on entering law school in two years. Can you make a video about the different types of law and an overview about those specializations? For example, the kinds of things you might learn and might be able to do as a career with certain specialty. Also, I know in a previous video you mentioned how you want to try not to discuss the LSAT, but can you go over any books and strategies you recommend using? Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it.
I was thinking, when, g-d willing, I apply and get in, that I would get the first year books for whichever school I choose and the supplements you suggested, just to start reading and kind of gain a familiarity with what is in the book and what will likely be discussed, as I am rather a slow reader and do not want to be overwhelmed. Is that basically what you were advising against? Or is that ok, as long as I don't really try to learn the material and understand it in any special way. I would do so with plenty of interspersed fun and relaxation definitely.
You don't want to do that. Its sort of what I am arguing against. Its not productive to try and learn substantive law in advance. The better thing is to learn and understand how exams work, and how everything you learn should be processed with a filter regarding how you can use that info in the exam. I'd read Getting to Maybe. Much more helpful than any substantive book during the summer before 1L year
what is the best internship opportunities? Clerking? Interning with BigLaw? Public Interest groups like ACLU, NRA, WWF etc? Public Defenders or Prosecutors Office?
Clerking is something you do after you have already graduated, though one can work as an intern for a judge during law school (typically during the summer). In fact, that is what I did during the summer after 1L year and thought it was an amazing experience. Interning with biglaw firms is typically something done after your 2L year. What usually happens is, during 1L summer, big firms comes to recruit students for the NEXT year (i.e. 2L summer). It is rare for students to intern at biglaw after just the first year, though it is possible. Much more common for students to work for judges, small firms, government agencies, or public interest organizations after 1L summer. Honestly, any legal experience during 1L summer (or pre law school) is great. Its about being able to make conversation and show that you were engaged in work that was interesting to you.
Im pretty sure law school is stressful so I would like to know some methods you have use to cope with stress. Also is it possible to have a relationship with people while you are at law school and will you have sometimes( no mater how little) for family and friends. Thank you
The best way to cope with stress is to take some time to yourself, where you can distract yourself from law school. If you study morning through night, with no break for your own sanity, then you will burn out. Don't let your hobbies and interests go away entirely. If you like going to the gym, keep going. If you are a baseball fan, keep watching a few games here and there. Can't be law school 24/7. Relationships are tough unless the person is seriously understanding. Most successful law school relationships involve people who knew what they were getting into, and were prepared for it. People came to understand that I was far less available to talk and hang out compared to the period before law school
Is it best to attend law school in the state where you intend to practice? I figure that a bar review course can prep you for a specific state's bar, so does it matter if your law degree isn't from the same state where you intend to practice?
Its not about bar preparation. Its about getting a job. Employers in some states are highly insular and, unless you have a top tier name brand school, they don't really want "outsiders". You have to show ties to a state in most cases (unless its a city like NY, which doesn't have the same dynamic). You can't just waltz into a state and expect firms to hire you if they are unfamiliar with your school, or get the feeling that you don't genuinely want to be in that state for the long run
I think you probably want a solid 3 month period to prep. But it depends on what your other time obligations are. If you are working and can only study at night, you may need longer. If you have all day to study, you may only need 2 months to prep. But I think approx. 3 months is good rule of thumb. A course can help, though I'd recommend private tutoring if you have the finances to make it happen
Its actually some technical problems that keep me from posting something new. I recorded a vid on LSAT tips/basics, but it won't seem to upload. Will try again soon, and hopefully it works, since its been far too long since I posted a new vid
HI. I am joining a law skol in India. It is in the top 10 of the our country. I want to utilise the 20 days before joining the law school in a proper way, which would be helpful for me in law school. What are the things that i can do for it?
So I'm between staying instate (Texas) or NYC for law school because I really want to move to NYC but also taking into consideration the out of state tuition is crazy but them again I wouldn't want to move to NYC from a Texas law school help?!
It really depends on the schools and the debt involved. I wouldn't advise coming all the way to NYC for a low ranked school at sticker price. The job prospects simply do not justify the price in that situation. If you are offered a pretty nice scholarship, or if you are talking about one of the more elite NYC schools, then the calculus changes. Also, keep in mind that NYC is the market that requires the least ties in order to end up there (i.e. they aren't wary of non-locals in the way that some places are)
lawschooladviceguy what areas of the USA are places where you need to be from that place to succeed? I would guess small town America is a place you would wanna be from to practice in, but would you say all big cities are like NYC where you can just go to after graduating?
Hey. So you mentioned that we will be working for the summer of each year In law school. Do we still need to take courses during that time? Also, is it possible that we will not be able to find a job or is help provided?
Anything that (a) you enjoy, and (b) will allow you to get a good GPA. Thats really all that matters. No major will actually prepare you for law school, whether it be history, poli sci, biology, pre-law or otherwise. Sure, doing lots of critical reading and writing can help (since you will use those skills often in law school), but its not like an english major will have an advantage over an engineering major. No majors are genuinely favored or disfavored, which is why you should just pick something you like and can do well in. At the end of the day, your GPA is most important for getting into law school
I don't think it can be reduced to blanket assumptions. I often advise people to seek out substantial scholarship money (unless attending a top school). In no situation would I ever advise taking out full debt for a place with poor job prospects. That kind of debt is only justified by top schools with excellent employment rates. And my videos always encourage people to speak with actual lawyers and understand what lawyers do, so that they have no misconceptions going into it
No need to think so far ahead. Do well in school and get into a reeeeally good college. But make sure to enjoy life and have fun. You only get to be a teenager once
I prefer not to say specifically which school I go, as to preserve some level of anonymity, but if you are considering particular places and have questions about specific schools, then send me a private message, and I can discuss in more detail
English Learner I went to a top 10 school. No real need to get more specific than that unless you have specific questions about particlar schools, in which case you should send me a private message and I would be happy to discuss further.
No doubt higher ranked schools took a hit as well. And of course there are some T14 grads who are looking for jobs still. I'm as conservative a gambler as you will find, and I agree that the costs combined with the payoff often doesn't justify playing the game. But for your average T14 student, I don't think its quite so bleak. If anything hiring is becoming even more stratified, which works to the benefit of the top tier of schools
I would say late high school. Plan it out. Know why you're applying to university and what you want to do after that Bachelor's. In Canada you only need two years of undergrad to be able to apply to law schools. But I would say take a year or two off after high school to enjoy life, travel and think about what you want to do with your life.
So, I've enjoyed your videos, and appreciate your straight-forward, simplistic approach to presenting "tips." As to your point regarding: Do not study or learn anything specifically law related in advance, I have a few questions. 1.) Are you familiar with - thefirstyear.com? They have videos intended as supplements to in-class learning. They make these simple videos covers just the memorization info (shallow learning) so that the student isn't spending valuable class time familiarizing themselves with data. 2.) Since so much of law school requires memorization, wouldn't it benefit to get familiar with legalese (i.e. Torts, what is the definition of tort, what is the definition of negligence, strict liability, etc.) So that you can focus on what the professor's perspective is? 3.) If I made flashcards for definitions and familiarized myself with IRAC - or practiced memorizing common pnemonics/acronyms? -- I understand your point about being counter productive to go out and learn EVERYTHING on your own. But I believe a legal definition is a static thing; not open to interpretation or a professors particular view. I hope to hear back. Thank you, once again, for making your very helpful videos.
+Shonna Counter 1. Can't say I ever heard of that site, so I can't really offer an opinion as to whether or not this approach would be helpful. 2. There is no need to familiarize yourself with legalese in advance of school. The professors do a good job of conveying whatever legalese you need to know. No point in trying to learn the elements of negligence or the concept of strict liability in advance. That is precisely what the professor will be teaching you anyway. And if you did know it in advance, it makes no difference since it won't get you a better grade. Don't think that by knowing the elements of negligence in advance that you can somehow focus more on the professor's perspective. It is all intertwined in the end. 3. Separate the IRAC/exam stuff from definitions. Familiarizing yourself with law school exams, the IRAC concept, argument forks, etc. is a productive use of your time. Definition flashcards, however, is not a productive use of time. First off, understanding the definition of a term does not mean you will understand the underlying concept. Second, you don't know what your professor will be covering or what he/she will focus on. Third, as I mentioned earlier, it doesn't help you at all. And that is the key thing to remember. You will get next to no benefit, and you will have wasted time that could have been put to better use. One last thing to keep in mind. You are shooting for the low hanging fruit here. Lots of your classmates will do exactly what you are saying since it seems almost intuitive (even though it is not actually useful). The way you win in law school is to not go for the low hanging fruit, but to do something that will distinguish yourself. So few will even think to learn about exams themselves. Your time is much better spent reading Getting to Maybe or perhaps trying out the LEEWS audio course (a multi-hour audio lecture and book that discusses law school exam strategies).
+lawschooladviceguy Thanks again. I have ordered the book and am looking into LEEWS. (Also ordered: Influence: Science and Practice.) But I have missed the deadline for school this fall... so I have an ENTIRE YEAR to wait and I want to be doing something to help make 1L easier. Once I've read the books, listened to audio classes and researched how to apply the law during exams... What will I do with the other 8 months? LOL 'm not looking at this necessarily to be "ahead" of others but I am a chronically slow reader (because I deep read for comprehension) and I'm concerned that spending valuable time memorizing instead of reading would be a detriment. *Therefor, studying ahead was not intended to have an advantage at test time but to accommodate my slower reading. (PS - any advice about reading faster?)
+Shonna Counter Best advice to read faster is to simply read more. Pick up dense materials like the Economist, or some legal journal that may be of interest to you. I myself am also a slow reader by nature, so I can relate. In the end, I don't think anyone can really improve their reading speed past a certain point in life. But you can familiarize yourself with a more heady form of writing (which is what you see in legal opinions).
Each student is different and would be better suited by following their own path. That said, it's probably not a good idea to study law the summer before entering law school. There will be enough of that when there.
Just an FYI but I uploaded first new vid in almost 3 years (actually had this one saved on my comp from about a year ago but had never uploaded it), discussing some basic LSAT tips and advice. Check it out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TxCWMrO7W5w.html
