I enjoyed meeting several of you at the Winter Open House last Wednesday. In response to several questions which repeated throughout the night, I thought I'd address them here.
How long is the typical day as a 1L? That is, how long should one expect to be working everyday?
To a great degree the core of this question seems to reflect fears about balancing Law School and personal life. As a short answer, expect to be working all the time. Every day. Expect your personal life to get pushed aside and shunted for much of your first year of law school.
This isn't always the way things play out, but if you expect to block out near all of your time, you'll be on the safe side. Several first-year students that I know actually go to class and read and do their work during the day, and are home by six or seven p.m. They refuse to take their books home and they commit to doing it all during daylight.
Other students spread their work throughout the day, getting it done in pockets. Some work until 2 a.m.
These variances point to one definite thing: you need to figure out what works for you. If you're the type of person who works well at 11.30 at night as opposed to 2.00 in the afternoon, then arrange your schedule accordingly. The focus should not solely be how many hours you spend, but should overwhelmingly be whether or not you get your work done and you understand the material. Regardless of the reasons you came (or are coming to law school), you got to do whatever it takes. I mean, after all, you gotta do what you gotta do.
What classes do you get to pick your first year?
Umm...none. In your first year you get told where to be, what classes you'll be taking when you're there, and who will be teaching the material. I'm pretty certain this is consistent across law schools in America. Think of it as law school boot-camp.
How hard is it to find a co-op?
On the front end it's actually pretty easy to secure an internship. The Co-Op Office is extremely helpful and will work with you every step along the way. Every step. But you still have to prepare the application packets, get an interview, wow the interviewers and be offered a position. A lot of work goes into the whole process, but it's a lot easier than getting into law school. In fact, it's a lot easier than studying for exams. Trust me. In the end, everyone gets an internship somewhere.
Do you recommend taking time off between undergrad and law school?
This is a tough one. I recommend you do what feels right, make a decision and then take the plunge either way. I took time off, but not with the intention of eventually going to law school. I graduated in 2003, then worked and eventually found my calling. However, all that time off and those experiences have given me great perspective. You know, the "real world." But several of my friends and fellow 1Ls came straight from undergrad programs and they're surviving and also carry great experiences and insightful perspectives.
Essentially, in the end it's up to you.
