Duke Law Class of 2016 Forum

ryantw · Post by **ryantw** » Mon May 13, 2013 1:33 pm

PM2353 wrote:
ryantw wrote:I know this has been discussed in general on other forums, but I was interested in seeing what other incoming students were thinking about laptops. I have been debating between sticking with my PC or going with a mac for the start of the year and haven't been able to make a decision yet. Current students, do you think there is any benefit to one over the other? Incoming students, have you made a decision yet? I'm excited to be up in Durham and meet all of you in Fall!
Probably going with a Mac just because Ive had a real bad experience with my PCs always breaking down. Is there a reason to consider one or the other. I assumed that they all serve the same purpose.

That was the reason I was thinking about a Mac, last thing I want is my PC to crash on me during a test.

PM2353 · Post by **PM2353** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:22 pm

ryantw wrote:
PM2353 wrote:
ryantw wrote:I know this has been discussed in general on other forums, but I was interested in seeing what other incoming students were thinking about laptops. I have been debating between sticking with my PC or going with a mac for the start of the year and haven't been able to make a decision yet. Current students, do you think there is any benefit to one over the other? Incoming students, have you made a decision yet? I'm excited to be up in Durham and meet all of you in Fall!
Probably going with a Mac just because Ive had a real bad experience with my PCs always breaking down. Is there a reason to consider one or the other. I assumed that they all serve the same purpose.
That was the reason I was thinking about a Mac, last thing I want is my PC to crash on me during a test.

Yeah I think it's worth the extra 1,000+ in loans to have a reliable computer for all three years. Even easy run of the mill tasks in undergrad was a whole ordeal for me. I probably just got unlucky on both my PCs but from what Mac users say I am willing to invest.

WearyCartographer · Post by **WearyCartographer** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:19 pm

ryantw wrote:I know this has been discussed in general on other forums, but I was interested in seeing what other incoming students were thinking about laptops. I have been debating between sticking with my PC or going with a mac for the start of the year and haven't been able to make a decision yet. Current students, do you think there is any benefit to one over the other? Incoming students, have you made a decision yet? I'm excited to be up in Durham and meet all of you in Fall!

This is really just personal preference. Law school doesn't require much more than word processing and web browsing, so whatever computer works best for you. The only thing I would say is that all your exams will be taken on your laptop so make sure you get one that does inhibit your ability to type quickly (ie I'd avoid netbooks as your only computer). As a plus for Mac users, there's an Apple Store at Durham's Southpoint Mall, which is no more than a 15 to 20 min drive from almost all of Durham and Chapel Hill.

sketchmarathon · Post by **sketchmarathon** » Mon May 13, 2013 4:28 pm

You can buy a computer through Duke if it makes you feel any more secure. It mentions it on the Duke Law website:

Academic Technologies recommends purchasing new computers through the special package deals (usually available mid-April) and finance plans at the Duke Technology Center (919-684-8956). Their student packages include 3 or 4 years of warranty and accidental-damage service.

AllDangle · Post by **AllDangle** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:40 am

AllDangle wrote:This may be a rookie question, but do scholarship funds get disbursed straight to us or are they immediately credited toward our tuition bill?

Bumping this before emailing financial aid.

worldwithoutend · Post by **worldwithoutend** » Wed May 15, 2013 9:09 am

AllDangle wrote:
AllDangle wrote:This may be a rookie question, but do scholarship funds get disbursed straight to us or are they immediately credited toward our tuition bill?
Bumping this before emailing financial aid.

Credited toward your tuition bill.

fallingup · Post by **fallingup** » Wed May 15, 2013 9:50 am

The disbursement is explained in the scholarship award letter. If you get a scholarship of 72K, they explain that it's applied as a 12K discount each semester.

smileee · Post by **smileee** » Thu May 16, 2013 5:51 pm

Are people all set with housing? I know where I want to live but not having a ton of luck finding a roommate- it seems like most people are set at this point. I guess I might have to incur the extra costs of a one-bedroom apartment...

AnaMariana42 · Post by **AnaMariana42** » Fri May 17, 2013 12:31 am

Hey smileee, are you in the Facebook group? There's a googledoc with roommate info and stuff.

PM2353 · Post by **PM2353** » Fri May 17, 2013 12:51 pm

PM2353 wrote:If any current Duke Law students are perusing this thread, could you speak about any thoughts on the "bridge to practice" fellowships? Do these school funded jobs really help students find real employment? Are students in the program optimistic of the outcome of these short term positions?

I'm hoping for other outcomes but in case I find myself in a bind and unemployed, I want to know what this program has to offer.

Thanks

Sorry for reporting this. Just curious about it. I read an article about it but wanted to see what students had to say about it. IIRC about 21 students were in this program and some found long term employment out of it. Just wanted to see if duke students could provide any anecdotes of the students in these programs.

06102016 · Post by **06102016** » Fri May 17, 2013 1:47 pm

smileee · Post by **smileee** » Fri May 17, 2013 4:20 pm

AnaMariana42 wrote:Hey smileee, are you in the Facebook group? There's a googledoc with roommate info and stuff.

Yeah, I am. I've reached out to a couple of folks on it but no luck yet!

AllDangle · Post by **AllDangle** » Sun May 19, 2013 3:50 pm

Has anyone done the promissory notes and counseling for loans yet? I completed both but my ACES page says they are incomplete. Not sure if this is something that the school manually updates once they receive the confirmation from studentloans.gov that they were completed.

AnaMariana42 · Post by **AnaMariana42** » Fri May 24, 2013 3:13 pm

Do any current students have anything to say about on-campus employment? Like, does anyone work in the library or whatever to supplement COL?

06102016 · Post by **06102016** » Fri May 24, 2013 3:21 pm

worldwithoutend · Post by **worldwithoutend** » Fri May 24, 2013 3:49 pm

AnaMariana42 wrote:Do any current students have anything to say about on-campus employment? Like, does anyone work in the library or whatever to supplement COL?

Some people work as research assistants. Occasionally there's a need for in-class note-takers, too.

CaptainLeela · Post by **CaptainLeela** » Sat May 25, 2013 6:52 pm

Welcome to TLS

PM2353 · Post by **PM2353** » Sat May 25, 2013 7:22 pm

CaptainLeela wrote:Anyone else a bit befuddled by the parking pass situation? I just put myself on some sort of waitlist, but suspect I am missing a key piece of information or out right doing things wrong. The perils of missing ASW strike again!

Ha I'm honesty clueless about this and the promissory note all dangle mentioned above. Are y'all just taking the initiative and getting things done early (on time?) or did I miss something? Let us know if you figure out the Parking situation, I definitely need to get on that. Good luck!

CaptainLeela · Post by **CaptainLeela** » Sat May 25, 2013 7:37 pm

Welcome to TLS

06102016 · Post by **06102016** » Sat May 25, 2013 7:38 pm

CaptainLeela · Post by **CaptainLeela** » Sat May 25, 2013 7:41 pm

Welcome to TLS

smileee · Post by **smileee** » Thu May 30, 2013 10:24 pm

I think signing up for the green zone permit waitlist was the right move. There's some confusing messaging but the parking webpage seems to indicate that green zone permits are given to those off the waitlist as they become available. I am not holding my breath.

fallingup · Post by **fallingup** » Fri May 31, 2013 2:37 pm

I'm confused as to why people are signing up for a waitlist. The green zone permits (green zone = the lot for 1Ls) don't even go on sale until the 13th according to the parking website. Am I missing something? A secret pre-sale?

The site also says "Law School students are guaranteed parking permits based upon their class assignment "...

06102016 · Post by **06102016** » Fri May 31, 2013 4:04 pm

CaptainLeela · Post by **CaptainLeela** » Fri May 31, 2013 4:07 pm

Welcome to TLS