Minnesota Class of 2017 Forum

[The Dark Shepard]

Hey, didn't see a topic for this, so figured I should start one. I have deposited and will be there this fall. Anyone else?

[DaysToGo]

I don't think Minnesota has a very active TLS base. I've deposited as well, but I've also deposited elsewhere, hoping to negotiate, but MN is my top choice right now.

[The Dark Shepard]

Not for this year anyways. I think the class two or three years above us has a fair amount. Nova, mnbills, etc

[DaysToGo]

Nevermind. I've decided no matter what, MN is the place for me. I'm joining you there in the fall! And I see Nova pretty much on every thread so I'm not surprised that a few years ago MN TLSers were pretty active.

[atwardow]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

[Count1234]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Do those chairs in the class/lecture rooms bother you? During ASW they were kind of annoying because they're attached to the table and when you try to get out at the same time as the person next to you, then you run into each other. Does this happen often? I know this isn't a very big concern, I figured I would just get someone's opinion who uses those chairs more often than just one weekend.

[Count1234]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

On a more serious note though, Feagre is offering scholarships to Law Preview for MN students, do you think this would be helpful/worth attending?

[The Dark Shepard]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Do those chairs in the class/lecture rooms bother you? During ASW they were kind of annoying because they're attached to the table and when you try to get out at the same time as the person next to you, then you run into each other. Does this happen often? I know this isn't a very big concern, I figured I would just get someone's opinion who uses those chairs more often than just one weekend.

[odonnlld5]

Deposited as well. See you guys in the fall.

Anyone looking at living downtown? I'm trying to find a place right now.

[The Dark Shepard]

I'm looking more Loring Park/Uptown area

[atwardow]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Do those chairs in the class/lecture rooms bother you? During ASW they were kind of annoying because they're attached to the table and when you try to get out at the same time as the person next to you, then you run into each other. Does this happen often? I know this isn't a very big concern, I figured I would just get someone's opinion who uses those chairs more often than just one weekend.

It's quite rare that I bump into anyone. Yes, U of M's facilities are admittedly pretty embarrassing, but I find myself spending almost no time reflecting on this. I've had a fantastic year here so far.

[odonnlld5]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Did you secure a job for this summer or what are you planning on doing?

[atwardow]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

On a more serious note though, Feagre is offering scholarships to Law Preview for MN students, do you think this would be helpful/worth attending?

Would the scholarship pay for the entire course? If so, sure. Why not. If not, then I'd probably say no.

This isn't necessarily exactly related to your question, but as general advice, what I would recommend about this sort of stuff is that you avoid falling into the herd mentality of 1L year and instead approach the semester strategically with an independent focus. You will feel pressure to spend a lot of time briefing cases and later meticulously crafting your own outlines as exams draw near. Unless you discover through your own experience that this is a good way to study for you, don't bother. There certainly is something to be said for reading every single case you are assigned thoroughly to build up your analytical skills, but your time will be better spent going through canned outlines and hornbooks than trying to slog through 100s of cases.

In general, outlines are way less important than taking as many practice tests as you possibly can. I got an A+ and two As in three "traditional" courses last semester. On one exam I had a crude 9 page outline, and on another a 3 page outline. For my con law exam I didn't even bother making an outline. In preparation for each exam I took probably 10 practice tests, and by the time the big day rolled around I had internalized everything to the point where having an outline was not even necessary. I saw people around me with gargantuan outlines who later did not do well. Also, I observed no relationship between how well people briefed cases and handled cold calls, and subsequently did on exams.

Just some random things to think about. If you find that the standard way of doing things works well for you, then do it. If not, then feel confident about employing study methods that you know work for you.

[Nova]

Nevermind. I've decided no matter what, MN is the place for me. I'm joining you there in the fall!

And I see Nova pretty much on every thread so I'm not surprised that a few years ago MN TLSers were pretty active.

yeah my class was much more active on tls than this year's or last year's. we had 3 posters with thousands of posts by the time the semester started & several more with hundreds of posts. since the class size is relatively small, and the school is regional, i think the amount of active posters just varies randomly.

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Do those chairs in the class/lecture rooms bother you? During ASW they were kind of annoying because they're attached to the table and when you try to get out at the same time as the person next to you, then you run into each other. Does this happen often?

if this bothers you, consider claiming the handicap table if no one needs it. twice the space. unconnected chair.
downside (or possible upside) is that its at the end of the row, so you only get to sit by 1 person.

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

sup bro

[atwardow]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Did you secure a job for this summer or what are you planning on doing?

Yes I did, but not at a local firm as I am embarking on a slightly unorthodox trajectory through connections I have out in DC. From what I know informally I would say 90%+ of my section mates have secured solid summer jobs in a diverse range of areas. I can only think of a handful who haven't.

[odonnlld5]

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Did you secure a job for this summer or what are you planning on doing?

Yes I did, but not at a local firm as I am embarking on a slightly unorthodox trajectory through connections I have out in DC. From what I know informally I would say 90%+ of my section mates have secured solid summer jobs in a diverse range of areas. I can only think of a handful who haven't.

Nice, that's encouraging.

[atwardow]

Nevermind. I've decided no matter what, MN is the place for me. I'm joining you there in the fall!

And I see Nova pretty much on every thread so I'm not surprised that a few years ago MN TLSers were pretty active.

yeah my class was much more active on tls than this year's or last year's. we had 3 posters with thousands of posts by the time the semester started & several more with hundreds of posts. since the class size is relatively small, and the school is regional, i think the amount of active posters just varies randomly.

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Do those chairs in the class/lecture rooms bother you? During ASW they were kind of annoying because they're attached to the table and when you try to get out at the same time as the person next to you, then you run into each other. Does this happen often?

if this bothers you, consider claiming the handicap table if no one needs it. twice the space. unconnected chair.
downside (or possible upside) is that its at the end of the row, so you only get to sit by 1 person.

1L at Minnesota here. If you have any general questions, I'd be happy to try and answer them.

sup bro

Hey!

[Nova]

On a more serious note though, Feagre is offering scholarships to Law Preview for MN students, do you think this would be helpful/worth attending?

general consensus is you should just enjoy your summer while you can.

its nearly impossible to beneficially retain anything substantive in an awful 1 week crash course.

there is plenty of time to learn the law. basically everyone is gonna know the law.

exam writing & application is what separates everyone

[Count1234]

On a more serious note though, Feagre is offering scholarships to Law Preview for MN students, do you think this would be helpful/worth attending?

general consensus is you should just enjoy your summer while you can.

its nearly impossible to beneficially retain anything substantive in an awful 1 week crash course.

there is plenty of time to learn the law. basically everyone is gonna know the law.

exam writing & application is what separates everyone

Good to know! and also, thanks atwardow! I'll keep what you said in mind come fall. I think I'll apply for the scholarship anyway, can't hurt (I hope) since I'm going to give myself some time before school to relax. Were either of you at ASW? Student ambassador maybe?

Could either of you tell me what 1L schedules are like in terms of length of class, length of time between classes, which days classes take place, and anything else relevant to how much time I will have to look at coursework between classes (I'm anticipating either studying between classes, or catching up before classes).

[Count1234]

So I want (need, really) to save money because I'm going to be a poor law student. So I'm wondering if there is a way for me to get book lists for classes before orientation/first day of class? I want to be able to order them online if they'll be cheaper that way.

[Nova]

Could either of you tell me what 1L schedules are like in terms of length of class, length of time between classes, which days classes take place, and anything else relevant to how much time I will have to look at coursework between classes (I'm anticipating either studying between classes, or catching up before classes).

I don't really remember details, but expect to have class m-f. Every section is different, but generally all the classes are 8-5ish, & everyones lunch hour is around noon. there will definitely be a lot of hours here and there to study/read thoughout the typical 8-5 work day. youre only in class 15/16 hrs a week so youll have plenty of free time to study or do whatever you want during most of the day and all of the evenings.

One exception is "law & practice" (which is during the second semester) which is like hypothetical role play. Sometimes that's at night.

Were either of you at ASW? Student ambassador maybe?

na

So I want (need, really) to save money because I'm going to be a poor law student. So I'm wondering if there is a way for me to get book lists for classes before orientation/first day of class? I want to be able to order them online if they'll be cheaper that way.

youll be able to find out the books before orientation. once you know your profs you can see what books they have assigned on onestop. Someone will likely post about it on the facebook group when the info becomes available.

[Nova]

DECLARE YOUR ALLEGIANCE

[Count1234]

Were either of you at ASW? Student ambassador maybe?

na

Too bad. Thought I might have met you, but unlikely now.

Do people go to professor office hours?

[atwardow]

Were either of you at ASW? Student ambassador maybe?

na

Too bad. Thought I might have met you, but unlikely now.

Do people go to professor office hours?

No I wasn't.

I do on occasion, but not to discuss class material. Usually it's to talk about career-related issues or - if the professor's research focus is interesting to me - to discuss something they've written about. Many are very open to these kinds of conversations.

[UndecidedMN]

One thing about buying books. If you get Morrison for Con Law, do not buy his hacked up version of Chermensky. But the actual book. You cannot resell or use his hacked up version later and it the same thing as the original Chermensky book but with everything cut out from Con Law II.