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Messages - syracuse1L

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Incoming 1Ls / Re: What else should I buy for One L

« on: August 08, 2006, 03:31:04 PM »

Don't forget the Sony PSP, or Nintendo DS. I am thinking there will be 1/2 hour blocks when I will need to unwind by beating someone to death with a baseball bat in Grand Theft Auto.... you know, to take the edge off. And Ritalin... oh god will I be popping that ritalin

Incoming 1Ls / Re: getting to maybe...when to read?

« on: July 28, 2006, 08:51:42 AM »

I agree. I have come to the conclusion that the USNWR and all the prep books feed on student paranoia. You can see how it debilitates some kids, honestly debilitates them. I have a friend who graduated three years ago, but decided he had to go to a top 10 school, and has been practicing for the LSAT for years. I also think it is amazing how many kids flat out lie about LSAT scores. When I talk to other kids who take it, you get the impression that 90% of LSAT takers get higher than a 160!! My score, while not great, was still higher than 65% of all test takers, yet when I mention the number people act like I am an utter failure... It's pretty funny

Incoming 1Ls / Re: getting to maybe...when to read?

« on: July 28, 2006, 08:04:15 AM »

Dont get me wrong, I would still read it, I am reading ton of stuff this summer, novels, prep books, even basic books about what torts are, etc.. However, in the back of my mind I am just prepared to 'let it all go' once my classes start in a few weeks. In response to the question about IRAC, it stands for Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion. The idea is that you approach exam questions by applying this four step approach. I would assume it is still a valid way of approaching questions, but keeping in mind the GTM recommendations of 'looking beyond' the cases themselves, thinking about policy arguments and making points for both sides.

Quote from: MDlaw on July 28, 2006, 07:56:48 AM

I agree...I started reading and got through the first 100 pages and have since then put it down. I got the basic common sense idea and was lost with their examples since I haven't yet taken a contracts class. The weakness to the book is definitely that they don't really give examples (unless I just haven't read that far yet) but write in theory. Can someone please tell me what IRAC stands for and their opinion of the book?

As far as the question to the thread, I would start reading it now, once you get the gist, put it down and pick it up and refresh yourself around finals.

Incoming 1Ls / Re: getting to maybe...when to read?

« on: July 28, 2006, 07:44:56 AM »

I think this is a good point. I recently spoke with a guy who just graduated in the top 10% of his class, and he told me IRAC was a valuable approach. As I read through GTM, I kept having the perception that the authors weren't quite getting beyond their own level of intellect. I understand that for them the IRAC method was inadequate, but not all of us are Harvard grads.. I worry that a lot of their recommendations sound good in theory, but when test time actually arrives it would be hard to actually put down on paper what they recommend, or at least in the amount of depth they recommend.

Quote from: tacojohn on July 28, 2006, 07:20:32 AM

Getting to Maybe's big problem is that while it tells you a lot of about what you need to have in a law school exam answer, it tells you very little and how to organize it or where in the answer stuff goes. IRAC, for all its limitations, at leasts tells you how to present ideas.

Studying for the LSAT / Re: Reading Comp after Testmasters Lesson 5

« on: July 28, 2006, 07:31:13 AM »

reading comp was my best section, but I am more of a 'reader' in general than a math / puzzle person. I found on the reading comp I did best when I thought about the questions intuitively; meaning I wouldn't exactly know why I was choosing C as the correct answer, it just sort of 'looked' right.

Studying for the LSAT / Re: LSAT help

« on: July 28, 2006, 06:10:06 AM »

I was rejected from Oregon with a 3.5 gpa and 154 LSAT. Lewis & Clark would be great, but I think a 158 is the minimun they are looking for in many cases. My advice is to keep studying. I have a friend who has been studying for literally two years, and he slowly but surely has raised his practice average from a 156 to a 165. It's just a question of how much time are you willing to invest. I only studied for about 3 months and regret not studying more.

Quote from: zackdeblanc on July 28, 2006, 12:18:48 AM

Thanks for your support, I am just frusterated. I have a very solid undergraduate record, double major, and a lot going for me, just not clicking on the LSAT. I am aiming for schools in the Lewis and Clark and University of Oregon caliber, but I would love to get into BC, Washington, or a UC school.

Does anyone have any experience with 152ish scores, and how bad would that hurt my chances at admission? I just don't know if I do end up scoring that low, if I should retake the test or just go with it.

- zack

Law School Admissions / Re: 19...undergrad at UMICH...what to do?

« on: July 27, 2006, 05:24:31 PM »

My advice is to get a 170 or higher on the LSAT. I know a few guys who graduated from quality schools with 3.7+ gpa who have been summarily rejected from top ten schools, even with 167 and 168 LSAT scores. Besides getting the 170 or higher, you better have a unique resume.' Go check out Harvard's bios they have on selected students. Start rescuing kittens from trees, because you need not only perfect academics, but also a story to tell. Or you could come join me at Syracuse.... wait, no, you shouldn't do that.. shoot for the Iveys, I would if I had the ability

Incoming 1Ls / Re: getting to maybe...when to read?

« on: July 27, 2006, 03:30:14 PM »

I for one thought it was worth reading, but I do agree that a lot of this and other prep books is common sense. My one complaint about the book is that is suffered from the same thing a lot of prep books suffer from; repetition! Honestly, there is no shame in writing a 150 page book if you only have 150 pages of material, why do these authors stretch out their books beyond any reasonable limit? Other than that, everything else my law school told me to read this summer is total garbage.

Choosing the Right Law School / Re: Rankings

« on: July 27, 2006, 03:23:30 PM »

While the USNWR is a good 'guide,' you shouldn't rely too much on it. A year ago when I went through the app process, I like many kids got addicted to the damn USNWR, and it biased what schools I applied to. While I am still ok with Syracuse and attending there, my opinion and perception on half the schools I applied to last year has changed, mostly becauese I now realize at the time I was spending way to much time looking at the USNWR list and not enough time speaking with current law students, law professors, etc. Seriously, after I actually took the time to speak with law students and law professors, if I had to do it all over again I would have applied to totally different schools. The number next to the school name means very little unless you can place it within a broader context that actually means something to you... like what kind of law you want to practice and where you want to live... how about those to start ?

Studying for the LSAT / Re: How do you know if Law School is for you???

« on: July 27, 2006, 03:13:45 PM »

8% leaving during 2L would indicate to me that these students recognize their job prospects are pretty meager. To reiterate, I don't know much about Tulsa other than their published numbers, but the harsh curve is a reality, schools like Tulsa don't like being doormats, they are actively interested in preventing students from transferring.

Quote from: queencruella on July 27, 2006, 03:07:14 PM

That's pretty disconcerting, actually, especially the fact that almost 8% are leaving during 2L. Most schools have people leaving during 1L for personal reasons or because they don't like law school, but after the second year, people have invested too much time and money to give up. It seems like the curve is pretty harsh if only 1/3 have a GPA above 3.0. Any idea what the median GPA is? That will give you a good idea of where your average student falls.

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