ARCHIVE FOR OCTOBER 2009

October 30, 2009

Registration Deadlines Approach for December LSAT Dates

With just over a month to go before the LSAT’s December test dates on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 7, we here at the Law Blog want to remind all prospective law school applicants of the LSAC’s upcoming LSAT registration deadlines.

For approved test centers and regular registration online or by mail or telephone, the deadline is midnight Eastern Time on Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Additionally, a late registration period runs from Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Friday, Nov. 13.  For test date or test center change, various deadlines occur from Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15.

As a reminder, the Monday, Dec. 7 LSAT test is for Saturday Sabbath observers only.

For full registration and deadline information, please visit the LSAC website.

Those prospective applicants who do take the LSAT this December will first be able to see their scores by email on Jan. 4, 2010.  For information on some specific law school programs, please revisit us next week.

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# posted by admin @ 11:35 am in LSAT, Law School News

Fridays From The Frontline

Welcome to Fridays From the Frontline, Clear Admit’s little look-see into the lawfully lived lives of law students (and, perhaps one day, law school aspirants). This week, a number of students were finding themselves getting over the urge to complain about the law workload, and focusing on slightly happier topics, though this was not an entirely universal experience for bloggers.

3L ‘10 Kel linked to figures exploring how many hours law students study each day and asked readers how their study habits stacked up. 3L ‘10 (In)Sanity Gal was going to try to curb law school over-work complaints. Harvard ‘11 Cat posted a rejection letter that she found particularly entertaining while Yale ‘11 SB was making her own ‘no thanks’ communications. Minnesota ‘11 Jansen’s classmate gave him quite the table of authorities time saver. 2L Abbie threw a party where the legalese was kept to a minimum. 2L Bob ‘live blogged’ his constitutional law class, minute by minute,  until its early dismissal.

UT Austin ‘12 Mariel shared the three expressions one most often would find on her face having during class, and decided to run a marathon. Columbia ‘12 Soleil found the vocabulary used in student evaluation reviews entertaining, and a professor’s turn of phrase equally amusing.  1L Huma had a visit from her mother that was not without its ninja mind tricks, and had her first legal podcast posted on Social Media Law Student. Northwestern ‘12 Jeremy talked Torts, and why they are of particular interest to JD/MBA students. Miami ‘12 Goateed 1L attended an optional lecture due to the dynamic nature of his professor. NYU ‘12 Reckless wondered what came first, the hipster ‘look’ or the hipster body type. 1L Molly celebrated her birthday with Torts and decided it was best not to discuss exams after having taken them. 1L Law School Ninja found herself in a class quagmire.

And that concludes our totally terrific trek through the law school blogosphere for the week. We hope you come back next week to learn more about the law student experience, and continue to encourage those of you out there blogging to let us know if you’d like to be included in Fridays From the Frontline … it’s as simple as sending an email with your link to bob@clearadmit.com. Until next week, have a great Halloween!

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# posted by admin @ 8:00 am in Fridays From the Frontline

October 29, 2009

Accelerated JD-MBA a Selling Point for Yale

A recent post on Yale Law School’s (YLS) Admissions Blog, ‘203,’ detailed one of the university’s unique offerings: a three-year JD-MBA program.

According to the post, the Accelerated Integrated JD-MBA (AI JD-MBA), offered by YLS and the Yale School of Management, is the third such three-year joint degree in the country and the first to not require summer courses.  Without mandatory summer sessions, Yale’s AI JD-MBA students are free to take internships or other summer positions.

Harold Koh, who unveiled the program in the spring before leaving the deanship for the Obama administration, indicated that, “The program will prepare students for the increasingly complex intersection of business and law.”

While the standard JD-MBA is common - as indeed Yale has long had a four-year joint degree - the accelerated iteration, which began this semester, somewhat reduces student flexibility, specifically with regard to the number of electives a student can take.  Yale will continue to offer the four-year joint degree as an option.

For tuition, AI JD-MBA students pay regular YLS tuition in the program’s first year, then a “special tuition” in the second and third years.  This “special tuition” is greater than regular YLS tuition, but in total, the accelerated degree could be seen as a relative bargain.

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# posted by admin @ 11:58 am in School: Yale

Law Students Find Federal Loans Unable to Cover Rising Tuition Costs

A recent article published by the Huffington Post highlighted the fact that, despite rising tuition costs at leading law schools, federal loan limits have essentially not increased.

As the article noted, law students in 1994 were eligible to take out $18,500 in low-interest loans from the federal government, which was typically enough to cover full tuition costs for in-state students at every public university law school in the country. Additionally, the $18,500 awarded in Stafford Loans was able to cover tuition costs for out-of-state students at 97% of the nation’s public law schools and 80% of private law institutions.

Although tuition and fees have tripled for in-state law students at public universities, law students today are permitted to receive $20,500 in annual federal loans. During the 2007-2008 school year, Stafford loans were able to cover full tuition costs for out-of-state students at only 22% of public universities, and only a mere 11% of private law programs.

Due to the this disparity, many law students find themselves forced to approach private lenders to make tuition payments. Ultimately, the higher-interest private loans end up being much more costly than federal loans.

According to a fact sheet released by the American Bar Association (ABA), such debts are having a negative impact on the public service sector. Some graduates with loan payments who cannot arrange for repayment assistance find themselves simply unable to accept the $35,000 salary offered to entry-level public service lawyers. Many graduates who do accept these positions are often forced to leave after two or three years.

Fortunately for law school hopefuls, this issue has recently been receiving increased attention. The ABA, for example, has called for Congress to increase the amount of unsubsidized loans students are permitted to borrow annually from $10,000 to as least $30,000. Additionally, a bill calling for a reform of the loan system has recently been passed by the House of Representatives, and is now in the Senate.

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# posted by admin @ 8:00 am in General, Law School News

October 28, 2009

Public Service Fellowship Announced at Harvard Law School

Building on a current trend - as we conveyed a similar new program at the University of Virginia Law School - recently Harvard Law School (HLS) outlined the creation of the Holmes Public Service Fellowships.

As detailed in a HLS press release, the program will fund one year of public service employment for approximately 12 prospective spring graduates.  As of now, the fellowships will provide up to $35,000 to support non-profit or government work.

Said Law School Dean Martha Minow: “In this difficult economic time, we want to support students in every way that we can and we also want to offer legal assistance to those who are most vulnerable.”

To apply, current 3Ls must indicate a supporting public service organization, and fellowship winners will be announced before graduation.

The press release also outlined other HLS efforts to support public service work, such as loan repayment assistance with the five-year Public Service Initiative, which were highlighted during the school’s just-completed Public Service Week.

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# posted by admin @ 12:00 pm in Law School News, School: Harvard

Admissions Tip: Off-Campus Recruiting and Information Sessions

For all those applicants who have recently opened a calendar to plot out the next few months only to realize they can’t possibly fit in campus visits on top of jobs, school, and personal statements, never fear!  It’s true that traveling to a school’s campus is an ideal way to learn about their law program, but visiting is often not a viable option for applicants who are located remotely or unsure of their level of interest in a given school.  The good news is that law schools might very well come to them.  Many law schools hit the road and embark on worldwide tours to dispense information and recruit qualified applicants.  Such events offer a great opportunity for interested students to meet with admissions staff (and sometimes with current students and/or alumni), learn about the program and ask specific questions.

Most of the top schools are already on the road and ready to wrap up in mid-November, so we recommend looking into the travel schedules for programs of interest and planning accordingly. Keeping in mind that these schedules are updated and amended throughout the fall, here are some of the top programs’ itineraries for the remaining weeks ahead:

Berkeley / Boalt:
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/199.htm

Boston College:
http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/meta-elements/pdf/recruiting_calendar_20093.pdf

Chicago:
http://www.law.uchicago.edu/events/admissions

Columbia:
http://www.law.columbia.edu/jd_Intro/visiting/ontheroad

Duke:
http://www.law.duke.edu/admis/travel/

George Washington University:
http://www.law.gwu.edu/Admissions/JD/Pages/Recruitment_Schedule.aspx

Harvard:
http://www.law.harvard.edu/prospective/jd/visit/recruiting.html

Michigan:
http://www.law.umich.edu/prospectivestudents/admissions/Pages/meetus.aspx

Minnesota:
http://www.law.umn.edu/prospective/recruiting.html

New York University:
http://www.law.nyu.edu/admissions/jdadmissions/visitingnyu/offcampusvisitsandlsacforums/index.htm

Notre Dame:
http://law.nd.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/recruitment-schedule

UCLA:
http://www.law.ucla.edu/home/index.asp?page=887

University of Pennsylvania:
http://www.law.upenn.edu/prospective/recschedule.html

University of Washington:
http://www.law.washington.edu/Admissions/Recruit.aspx

USC / Gould:
http://lawweb.usc.edu/how/jd/recruitingSchedule.cfm

Vanderbilt:
http://law.vanderbilt.edu/prospective-students/admissions/campus-visit-calendar/index.aspx

Yale:
http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/recruiting.htm

Need more law school information?  Make sure to check in with the Law Blog next week for further details.

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# posted by admin @ 8:00 am in Admissions Tip, Events, School: Berkeley / Boalt, School: Boston College, School: Chicago, School: Columbia, School: Duke, School: George Washington University, School: Harvard, School: Michigan, School: Minnesota, School: New York University, School: Notre Dame, School: UCLA, School: USC / Gould, School: University of Pennsylvania, School: University of Washington, School: Vanderbilt, School: Yale

October 27, 2009

Trivia Tuesday: Chicago’s Grading System

In this edition of Trivia Tuesday, we’re taking a look at the University of Chicago Law School’s grading system.  While many of its peer schools have made changes to their grading systems in the past year, such as altering the curve to increase the number of students who could be given A-range grades or effectively getting rid of grades entirely, Chicago has held steadfast to the unique numbers-based scheme it has used for decades without a hint that it intends to change its ways any time soon.

Chicago’s system is based on a 186-point scale, with the numbers roughly corresponding to letter grades (i.e. 180-186 = the A-range and 174-179 = the B-range, etc).  The curve requires instructors to give an equal number of A-range grades as C-range grades in large classes, and to ensure the median grade is a 177, or B/B+.  Seminars are given more leeway, and the median in those classes is usually higher.

While it appears that Chicago’s system would confuse recruiters, who expect to see letter grades or some other sort of discernible means of identifying high-performing students, the Registrar of the University records the numerical grades as letter grades on students’ official transcript.  This resolves any bewilderment recruiters and interviewers might feel concerning Chicago students’ grades.

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# posted by admin @ 8:15 am in School: Chicago, Trivia Tuesday

U. Miami School of Law Steps Up for Foreclosure Cases

With the nation’s current mortgage crisis resulting in unprecedented numbers of foreclosures, a weekend article in TIME suggested an affiliated “emergency” situation: a shortage of lawyers to counsel homeowners in such foreclosures.

And with the situation direst in Florida, the University of Miami School of Law has established eight fellowships so that recent graduates can address case backlogs built up at legal aid groups.  Each of the foreclosure defense fellowships is worth $10,000.

According to the article, Florida currently has the country’s highest foreclosure rate, at 17%.  Additionally, in South Florida alone, the number of 2009 foreclosures is expected to jump approximately 600%, in comparison to figures from 2006, to 150,000.  Further, citing a recent study from the NYU School of Law’s Brennan Center for Justice, the TIME article indicated that as many as 86% of foreclosure victims in “hard-hit areas” did not have legal counsel last year.

The Miami fellowships were established by lobbying efforts from Professor Michael Froomkin as homeowner advocates in general push for more pro bono work in the foreclosure realm.  Foreclosure is rarely a full-time legal practice and largely falls to real estate attorneys and legal aid agencies.  Legal counsel can help homeowners keep their homes or make foreclosures more palatable and less costly.

Speaking to the potential role law schools could play in mitigating the situation, the article also cited The ROOF Project, which includes Yale Law School.  ROOF is not a fellowship program, but also arranges for students to work on local foreclosure cases.

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# posted by admin @ 3:00 am in Law School News, School: Miami, School: Yale

October 26, 2009

New Public Service Program at U. Virginia Law School

Building on Michigan’s Pro Bono Pledge and continuing an unofficial “public service Monday” here on the Law School Blog, the University of Virginia Law School announced it will launch a new public service program for first- and second-year students, beginning next semester.

Detailed in The Cavalier Daily, accepted students must take the Law and Public Service course, partake in a colloquium in their 3L, complete an independent study project and spend at least one summer working in public service.

In part to assist with the independent study and counsel on various work options, faculty mentors will assist students to identify a concentration within the public service sector.

Yared Getachew, the assistant dean for public service at the Law School, spoke of the current competitive nature of public service positions, thereby validating the need for such a program and such mentors.

“Students in the program would be able to offer prospective employers additional indicia of demonstrated commitment to public service, as well as training and preparation to take on work immediately after graduation,” Getachew explained.

Participants are scheduled to receive guaranteed funding for the summer public service jobs and U. Virginia Law School will accept 20 1Ls and five 2Ls for spring’s inaugural program.

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# posted by admin @ 5:00 am in Law School News, School: University of Virginia

Michigan Law Institutes Pro Bono Pledge

Something that recently caught our eye is Michigan Law School’s revamped commitment to public service.  The school has revealed its plans to increase its community service through the Pro Bono Pledge for students.  Under this voluntary Pledge, students are asked to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours of their time to pro bono services while enrolled at Michigan Law.  Assistant Dean of Public Service MaryAnn Sarosi says that this new program is a natural extension of Michigan Law’s history of public service, and is a perfect way to celebrate the public university’s 150th anniversary this year.

Current student pro bono efforts are coordinated by Michigan Law’s Office of Public Service.  Working in conjunction with the Pledge, this office will expand the number of opportunities it offers, providing students with more options for pro bono work.  These opportunities include creating databases that track wrongful convictions, untested rape kits, and human trafficking.  Some students will also have the chance to monitor the upcoming trial for former Serbian leader Radovan Karadizic.  In addition, other students can work with Michigan Law’s own Environmental Law & Policy Program regarding environmental crime prosecutions, while some can contribute to the Mississippi Center for Justice’s policy-changing efforts regarding toddler care.  Other partners with Michigan Law for the Pro Bono Pledge include Human Rights Watch, the Center on Wrongful Convictions and the Innocence Project, and the Washington Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

The Pro Bono Pledge provides students with an additional opportunity to work with faculty and outside professionals, as well as gain real-life exposure to current legal issues that complement their academic studies.  Law School Dean Evan Caminker believes that the Pledge may also help students become aware of and pursue pro bono careers upon graduation, thereby continuing Michigan Law’s service to its community.

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# posted by admin @ 3:00 am in Law School News, School: Michigan

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