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soljabunny wrote:
How was the transition down to California? Recently moved to Seattle and really love it, but not positive I want to be here my whole career. Was it reasonably easy to transition to another state? All I’ve read so far makes it seem like UW is amazing in Seattle and mediocre if you ever want to work anywhere else.

I'm interpreting "transition" as "finding a job," and not the other headaches of moving across state lines (which are myriad). Let me know if I'm wrong.

Summary: If you want to get to California, you can. Most don't, which is why it looks like UW doesn't do well here.

Several California law firms interview at UW for OCI. That was how I got my current job: I did OCI, got a summer associate gig, did that, and then came back after graduating and taking the bar exam. So it's not impossible on that front, although you, of course, would have more mid/big-law OCI options if you were at a California law school. A few of my classmates did the same and are here in California as well.

Some of my other classmates who are down here simply looked for jobs through alternative means, either by applying directly (outside of OCI), clerkships, or finding something after graduation. I know one person who is doing a JD Advantage type of job (he's really into health care policy and he's basically doing that, so I'm guessing he's satisfied with the outcome). Another managed to get an in-house counsel job at a start-up.

I don't think UW is "mediocre" in terms of its California presence because employers here don't want UW grads. I think the problem is UW grads are either from Washington/Seattle and want to stay there, or they love it so much they opt to stay there after graduation. Personally, I love Seattle and miss it a lot. I wasn't necessarily trying to end up in California, I was just being open minded about where and how to get the kind of job I wanted practicing the kind of law I wanted.

mcmand wrote:

soljabunny wrote:
How was the transition down to California? Recently moved to Seattle and really love it, but not positive I want to be here my whole career. Was it reasonably easy to transition to another state? All I’ve read so far makes it seem like UW is amazing in Seattle and mediocre if you ever want to work anywhere else.

I'm interpreting "transition" as "finding a job," and not the other headaches of moving across state lines (which are myriad). Let me know if I'm wrong.

Summary: If you want to get to California, you can. Most don't, which is why it looks like UW doesn't do well here.

Several California law firms interview at UW for OCI. That was how I got my current job: I did OCI, got a summer associate gig, did that, and then came back after graduating and taking the bar exam. So it's not impossible on that front, although you, of course, would have more mid/big-law OCI options if you were at a California law school. A few of my classmates did the same and are here in California as well.

Some of my other classmates who are down here simply looked for jobs through alternative means, either by applying directly (outside of OCI), clerkships, or finding something after graduation. I know one person who is doing a JD Advantage type of job (he's really into health care policy and he's basically doing that, so I'm guessing he's satisfied with the outcome). Another managed to get an in-house counsel job at a start-up.

I don't think UW is "mediocre" in terms of its California presence because employers here don't want UW grads. I think the problem is UW grads are either from Washington/Seattle and want to stay there, or they love it so much they opt to stay there after graduation. Personally, I love Seattle and miss it a lot. I wasn't necessarily trying to end up in California, I was just being open minded about where and how to get the kind of job I wanted practicing the kind of law I wanted.

I appreciate the reply! Just moved up to Seattle from a California earlier this year and I understand the hassle of moving out of state. Starting to love Seattle and could see myself here long term, but is nice to hear it’d be very possible to return home if I ended up wanting that.

FYI I went under review in October. Some of y'all might want to check your status checker.

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I've been under review since 10/16, submitted 10/12. Last year it looks like first decisions went out this Friday!

cgecker wrote:I've been under review since 10/16, submitted 10/12. Last year it looks like first decisions went out this Friday!

I have the same UR date. It would be awesome to hear something this week.

CoastieLaw21 wrote:

cgecker wrote:I've been under review since 10/16, submitted 10/12. Last year it looks like first decisions went out this Friday!

I have the same UR date. It would be awesome to hear something this week.

I also have the same UR date. Hopefully we hear some good news today!

llabr6132 wrote:

CoastieLaw21 wrote:

cgecker wrote:I've been under review since 10/16, submitted 10/12. Last year it looks like first decisions went out this Friday!

I have the same UR date. It would be awesome to hear something this week.

I also have the same UR date. Hopefully we hear some good news today!

Calls went out a year ago today! I wonder if they do calls or emails.

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I was pretty convinced all week that we were going to hear back today, but now I'm not so sure /:

gmg wrote:I was pretty convinced all week that we were going to hear back today, but now I'm not so sure /:

Give it until 5pm. And don't obsess about it. There are any number of reasons you won't hear back quickly, and trying to speculate will just make you crazy.

If you have work today, focus on work. If not, do something immersive, like exercise, video games, etc.

I take it no one heard back today, huh

rowdy wrote:I take it no one heard back today, huh

Yup. I bet we probably won't hear back until December now.

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In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

Went UR today, complete 11/12

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

- Ideal outcome is Seattle PI work, so this is the ideal set-up
- In-state tuition/general low cost

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

I am sure I mentioned this somewhere.

I am a Cascadian and want to settle down and live here for-ev-er.
UW is the top school in the region.
UW has student apartments at a reasonable cost for families w/ kids. (me!)
While I am out of state, I am fairly certain that between husbeast working full-time and offspring enrolled in public school, I should have in-state at least the 2nd & 3rd years.
Cost of out of state is the same as regional private schools, anyway.
Sister and BIL live in Seattle.
Bestie is moving to Seattle to be with her Googler BF next spring.
I love the ocean.

Other regionals are Seattle University & Lewis & Clark in Portland.

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

My husband is active duty Coast Guard so I’m trying to go to law school where my husband can get stationed. UW also has a great veterans network / will be tuition free with my post-9/11 GI Bill veterans benefits. I’ve also heard nothing but great things about the area.

When it comes to academics, Prof Craig Allen was an adjunct at the Coast Guard Academy. He was a great professor, and taking another class with him would be fantastic.

Ultimate goal of big law, but also hoping to take some Arctic law/environmental policy classes in addition to the typical classes in preparation for corporate litigation.

CoastieLaw21 wrote:

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

My husband is active duty Coast Guard so I’m trying to go to law school where my husband can get stationed. UW also has a great veterans network / will be tuition free with my post-9/11 GI Bill veterans benefits. I’ve also heard nothing but great things about the area.

When it comes to academics, Prof Craig Allen was an adjunct at the Coast Guard Academy. He was a great professor, and taking another class with him would be fantastic.

Ultimate goal of big law, but also hoping to take some Arctic law/environmental policy classes in addition to the typical classes in preparation for corporate litigation.

I had Allen for 1L civpro. I worked my ass off in that class. But he really teaches you. I lightly studied civpro for the bar exam and had few problems because he was so effective and comprehensive.

Unfortunately you don't get to pick your 1L profs, but cross your fingers that you'll get him. You'll be working hard but you really learn the stuff.

DorkothyParker wrote:

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

I am sure I mentioned this somewhere.

I am a Cascadian and want to settle down and live here for-ev-er.
UW is the top school in the region.
UW has student apartments at a reasonable cost for families w/ kids. (me!)
While I am out of state, I am fairly certain that between husbeast working full-time and offspring enrolled in public school, I should have in-state at least the 2nd & 3rd years.
Cost of out of state is the same as regional private schools, anyway.
Sister and BIL live in Seattle.
Bestie is moving to Seattle to be with her Googler BF next spring.
I love the ocean.

Other regionals are Seattle University & Lewis & Clark in Portland.

UW seems like it's pretty solid for student-parents, though I can't speak to it perfectly as I don't have children. There's actually a room on the second floor that only student-parents can access. You can watch your class from there via live video with your child and (in theory) respond to questions from the professor, though I've never seen someone in the room cold-called from the classroom.

I'm convinced there's something in the water, though. Every year a handful of students are pregnant, and it is actually not unusual to encounter someone wheeling their newborn down the hallway or in the journal offices. One of my classmates had two babies while in law school.

abujabal wrote:

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

- Ideal outcome is Seattle PI work, so this is the ideal set-up
- In-state tuition/general low cost

You won't have a problem finding government/non-profit externships. And you should do all right finding a job after graduation, though it's still competitive. Wherever you're thinking you might want to work, be sure to extern/work there for at least a quarter or a summer. That's the best way to get in on an entry-level job opening. And save money for bar exam expenses during 3L, because even if you have a post-grad gig lined up with the government or a non-profit, they won't pay for that stuff.

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

I wanna do IP/tech law, and UW has a great program (and Seattle is obvi a tech hub). Plus I've been told I'd like the Northwest!

jellyjar wrote:

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

I wanna do IP/tech law, and UW has a great program (and Seattle is obvi a tech hub). Plus I've been told I'd like the Northwest!

Are you thinking patent prosecution or patent litigation, or more focused on trademarks and other soft IP (litigation or otherwise)?

mcmand wrote:

abujabal wrote:

mcmand wrote:In the name of distraction so you guys don't obsess too much about waiting for decisions:

What are everyone's reasons for applying to UW, for those who want to share?

- Ideal outcome is Seattle PI work, so this is the ideal set-up
- In-state tuition/general low cost

You won't have a problem finding government/non-profit externships. And you should do all right finding a job after graduation, though it's still competitive. Wherever you're thinking you might want to work, be sure to extern/work there for at least a quarter or a summer. That's the best way to get in on an entry-level job opening. And save money for bar exam expenses during 3L, because even if you have a post-grad gig lined up with the government or a non-profit, they won't pay for that stuff.

That's the hope! Seattle is home, so I definitely know I want to be here long-term, and that extends to the summers as well - would you recommend doing that for the course of 1L and 2L summers? Or should I try to "burnish" a resume with a DC gig or something? Though this is a lot of cart before horse talk I suppose