dickens (2022-2023)

A prof. in what? And why law school?

Long story. I'm a music prof. Decided to go to law school because I think the law's fascinating and I want to make a difference about things that are really important to me, like gay rights and human rights of all kinds. I decided I should've gone to law school years ago. You know what they say: it's never too late. So you're going to U of O? Why?

Good luck with your applications! You have a good mix of applications too. Are you hoping to move or stay in AZ?

It's a first year law school with no permanent location yet!! With that being said, I think it is going to end up being fairly competitive. Your scores fit right in and I think you have a chance at $$. I also know that they are making a BIG push to show that they are capable of ABA accredidation. Charlotte is a great area (my opinion) and growing big time.

First acceptance. Only 2 weeks after I applied! And a phone call from the Dean of Admissions to tell me. Woo-hoo.

Hey, Well I've talked with about fifteen current students and three graduates from CWSL and they all say the same thing: "You're making the right choice by choosing to attend CWSL; you'll absolutely love it". Given it's a T4 school my number one concern, however, was finding employment after graduation. Everyone I spoke with said the career services department is excellent, and has far exceeded their expectations. Apparently, career services is very proactive in helping students find viable employment. Not only do they provide services that aid students in resume writing, interviewing, and networking, but they have representatives (even the Dean of CWSL) visiting local legal employers as well as traveling the country spreading the word about CWSL. This may be very helpful if you're planning to practice law in Arizona. According to one CWSL graduate, the school already has a very good reputation with firms in Nevada, and the school's reputation for producing quality graduates is steadily spreading east of San Diego. What really struck me most as I talked with one graduate, who currently works for a firm in San Diego that specializes in construction defects, was CWSL's apparent emphasis on practical skills, which ultimately makes a better lawyer. She said that right after she was hired by the firm she was asked to lead a deposition session. When she walked into the room there were about fifteen lawyers representing the other side, and she was the sole representative for her firm. After she completed her inquiry, she rose to her feet and said, "I want to thank you all for making my first deposition a positive experience". The other lawyers were shocked, according to her, that this had been her first deposition. She said it was at that moment that she realized how valuable the education she had received at CWSL truly was. From all that I heard from her and others, I'm sold on CWSL. The fact is the top law schools in the country don't train students to be lawyers, that is, working lawyers. They actually train students to become legal scholars. This is fine if that's the route someone wants to take, but, as for myself, I want to be an effective lawyer, capable of practicing law in a real setting, the moment I graduate from law school. If you go online to the Law School Discussion Board, you'll find a lot of graduates from T14 schools who will say very bluntly: "you learn the law in law school, but you learn how to be a lawyer on your first job". This is because the so-called "elite" American law schools de-emphasize practical experience and skills gained through clinics and simulation exercises and over-emphasize the learning of legal theory, philosophies of law, and other pedagogic twaddle. This is not to say that when a Harvard Law School student graduates she isn't going to be immediately scooped up by any number of BigLaw firms. The legal field is inherently and irrevocably focused on prestige and the perceptions created thereby. So, of course, graduates from the T14 schools have a leg up on those of us who attend, or will attend, CWSL. However, I would walk into a job knowing that I'm capable of doing all the work a lawyer must do on a daily basis without having to sheepishly say that I don't know how to perform this task or that task.

What I meant to write was: However, I would like to walk into a job knowing that I'm capable of doing all the work a lawyer must do on a daily basis without having to sheepishly say that I don't know how to perform this task or that task. I think CWSL will give me the education, practical skills, and confidence to do just that. Also, I mistakenly put my email in the title box. Oops! For the viewers of Dickens profile, please don't send me a bunch of spam or anything. Thanks.

Yeah, the USD rejection stung a little. I really didnt expect to be accepted though. So it didnt hurt all that bad. Truthfully, Im glad they didnt waitlist me because then I would have been clinging to the illusion that I still had a chance of getting in, only to be disappointed in the end. Really though I was having second thoughts about attending USD even if I did get accepted. I havent heard or read one positive comment from anyone who has any dealings with USD. In fact, I ran across some rather uncomplimentary comments by some current USD students the other day. They said that the career services office at USD is completely inept and indifferent in regards to helping graduates find jobs. They said that the most theyll do is help students draft their rsums and give them access to some sort of online job postings site. And apparently they perform these minimal services rather grudgingly. CWSLs career services office, on the other hand, is very proactive. There they actually go out into the legal community and try to find placements opportunities for their graduating students. In short, I just think USD is just too damn large for its own good. Anyway, I think you're probably right--we will be better off at CWSL.

Thanks for the note, I've been dying for a decision and was curious how others were notified! I talked to UB's admissions last week and they told me they made a decision on Wed. and I should receive my answer early this week! UB really is my first choice because I live in a city about an hour a way, and I really don't want to relocate. Also, can't beat the tuition.

Congrats!I may be attending Buffalo also...Look forward to meeting u...

congrats on your acceptances... good luck on Willamette and L & C... You're probably one of the few others that is split across the country with me (cleveland, case, l & c, and willamette)

I have NO clue. Any advice? Still waiting on Case & Seattle, but I'm leaning towards L & C primarily because most people say to go to the highest ranked school to which you are admitted. I also would really like being that close to everything!

Well, have you visited Buffalo? I think the city itself is kind of gross, but if you find you can stand it you'll be okay. They get THE most abysmal weather of all time.

Hey, sorry i didnt respond earlier, i havent checked this thing in a while. I was going to Buffalo, but I just got off the wait list at CUA so i'm going down to DC instead. I did visit Buffalo however and I was pleasantly surprised. The people were nice, the on campus housing looked great. I really liked the school much more than I had anticipated. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

the return on investment on buffalo is second to none. little debt, good placement in nyc and such. im from there but currently in nyc so feel free to ask if u have any questions