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Messages - jvan2619

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1
William Mitchell / Re: First Post
« on: July 03, 2006, 04:13:59 PM »
Thanks for the advice lalala and currentwmcl.  Great stuff.

I'm in the Summer Enrichment Program right now, and we had a lecture last class about the importance of briefing cases.  The professor discussed how briefing is the only way to learn to pull out what the law is and that writing it out makes a big difference when exam time comes.  Do you all think there is any merit to this or do you think that briefing is completely a waste of time?  For this week we only had 40 pages of reading, but I swear it took me two hours to brief one of the cases that amounted to 4 pages! 

Thanks again-

2
William Mitchell / Re: First Post
« on: June 22, 2006, 02:49:23 PM »
Thank you so much for the advice CurrentWMCL.  That is an enormous help.  Any other wisdom for us incoming 1Ls?  I'd love to hear any thoughts you have. 

Thank you again...

3
William Mitchell / Re: First Post
« on: June 15, 2006, 05:09:58 PM »
I too had looked at their bios, but didn't know about the ratemyprofessors.com - too cool - I'm looking at it right now.  Wish I had before I prefed my section...I choose 1,2,3. 

You all live locally?

4
William Mitchell / Re: First Post
« on: May 31, 2006, 06:40:50 PM »
I'm here paintboy :)  looks like we are the only ones so far.  So what section did you put as your preference?  Any chance you are doing the SEP?

See ya in class.

5
General Board / Re: WHICH ONE? WILLIAM MITCHELL OR U OF ST THOMAS (MINN)
« on: May 10, 2006, 01:17:53 PM »
Thank you for your reply fener.  Your feedback was great.

Keep in mind that my pros and cons were in comparing the schools (i.e. WM’s facilities are much “older, etc.)  On the faculty question…their Website listed 36 Full Time faculty and over 200 (I stopped counting at 200) adjunct and affiliated faculty which had me concerned since I hadn’t seen such high numbers at other institutions, but like I said is also a pro since they have strong ties to the legal community.

I am very glad to hear that you didn’t get the “unhappy students” vibe!  That is great news, as it is a large concern for me.  Did you go to one of the Admitted Students Days?  That was where I was when I (and another fellow LSD’er) got that feeling – BIG time.  I am truly glad to hear that you did not feel that way.  Anyone else on this subject?

Also to fener, great question on the connection between the law school and St. Thomas’s other programs.  They do have a strong connection with the other graduate schools – including business – but I’ll have to look in to it more. 

Fener – what are your other “pros” for WM?  Thanks again-

6
General Board / WHICH ONE? WILLIAM MITCHELL OR U OF ST THOMAS (MINN)
« on: May 10, 2006, 10:57:00 AM »
Hey all!

Before you blast me, yes I realize they are both tier 4 schools :)

I posted this topic on the pre-law side awhile back, but am looking for feedback from current students as I try and make a final decision.  I would love to hear any input you all may have on these two schools or on the characteristics of each that I have listed below and the importance they should play in my decision.

Low-down on me: late 20s, married, 10 month old, engineering background, looking to stay in Minneapolis area after graduation, not interested in big-law. 

First up...William Mitchell

Pros:
-  HUGE alumni base (10k+...4k+ listed in martindale.com)
-  Warren Burger as an alumni
-  Wonderful clinical programs
-  "Practical" approach to school (i.e. their rep is that they teach you how to actually practice law rather than theory)
-  Flexible scheduling (PT, FT and PT day after the first year)
-  Great career services team
-  Recently got a large endowment
-  Very reputable legal writing program
-  Summer in Excellence Program for incoming 1Ls
-  Large selection of classes
-  Strong employment and bar passage rates
 
Cons:
-  Went to their Admitted Students Day and didn't see many "happy" people
-  Large school and sections --> high student to faculty ratio
-  Older facilities
-  Most professors are adjunct (this could be a pro or con, but I listed it as a con since the professors are rarely on campus)

Next, University of St. Thomas

Pros:
-  Now ABA approved
-  Lots of excitement around their program
-  Large local alumni base OTHER THAN from the law school
-  Caring professors and administration
-  Students all seem very happy
-  Mid-terms given to balance grades
-  Strong employment and bar passage rates
-  Awesome, brand-new facilities
-  Three core classes during first semester instead of four (pro or con?)

Cons:
-  Just got ABA approval
-  Lower selection of classes
-  Small number of law alumni
-  Unestablished

Any thoughts from the panel???  Thank you in advance...

7
St. Thomas (Minnesota) / Any Fall 2006'ers out there???
« on: March 14, 2006, 04:50:01 PM »
Just checking :) 

8
General Board / Re: Prospective law school student seeking HELP!
« on: March 02, 2006, 09:42:11 AM »
Ivan-  I also am entering law school in the Fall and actually just bought the Civil Procedures E&E.  Like you, I haven't seen a real "con" to getting a jump on learning the terminology, etc.  I am already out of school and have a boring job that affords me a lot of time during the day to do so.

best of luck!

The school I will most likely attend actually has a summer intro course for entering 1Ls.  Anyone know about these and if they are worth it?

9
General Board / Re: Any parents out there?
« on: March 02, 2006, 08:52:48 AM »
You are awesome!  I know it sounds lame, but I think I've been looking for someone to tell me that a schedule (like the one you have) will "work".  I realize that every one studies differently, etc., but I really wanted to know that I won't have to completely give up my "life" for school. 

Is there typically an Academic Success office at each school?

When you all study at home, do you have an office and shut the door?  Again, another lame question, but I was thinking that a set up like that would work best. 

I don't have my final schedule yet - we put in our selections over the summer - but know that the three different sections are divided up as:

-  Early classes (start at 9 AM each day)
-  Later classes (end at 4 PM each day)
-  Mix (this is also the laptop section for what it's worth)

Does one of these typically fit better for families?

Seriously, I can't tell you how much you all are helping me out :)

10
General Board / Re: Any parents out there?
« on: March 01, 2006, 04:09:06 PM »
Again, great points.

racheles05 - they actually let you choose basic times of the day during 1L, but not your classes.  I.e. they have a ton of different sections...mostly mornings...mostly afternoons...early evening...late evening, etc. 

I hadn't thought about the fact that I might be getting in to the "it's ok to go PT" mindset.  Maybe I would do better if it wasn't an option. 

I am also THRILLED to hear lostMyMonkeys say that Friday nights and Saturdays are "no school time".  That is really something that I want to stick to - for my own sanity, my marriage, and my little girl. 

People have told me that if you get in to the mindset of dividing up your schedule in to "school time" and "family time" that it is easier to focus.  Have you all found that?

Sorry for all of the questions...you all are being UNBELIEVABLY helpful :)

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