I've already advised you to visit law schools before sending in your deposit, but in case you don't believe me, check out this humorous if slightly disturbing tale written by a waitlisted student visiting one of the country's top law schools courtesy of The Ivey Files.
The potential student had envisioned a witty back-and-forth discussion between the professor and students as often occurs on the popular television show, House. That didn't happen.
In fact, far from the hyper-engaged doctors on "House," the students in the first class I attended looked like they were doped up on Thorazine. The professor, kind and extremely knowledgeable, probably called on eight students during the hour and twenty-minute session. Not a SINGLE ONE could answer his questions. I don't mean they offered something and were deemed incorrect. I mean they freely admitted "I don't know" or, more commonly, just shrugged.
Read the rest at Where's Dr. Gregory House When You Need Him?
Comments
I can believe that. Although I am simply a 0L, awaiting my first semester to start in the Fall, I have sat in on a few classes at a variety of institutions. Being an observer who sat in the back of the room, I had a perfect view of people on their laptops, watching a basketball game, and even watching a movie. The professor still used the Socratic method to call on people, but the stress of being put in the spot light was not enough motivation for a good number of students to care. Perhaps they knew the cases well enough to answer anything being thrown at them, or perhaps it wouldn’t be hard for them to click over to their outlines and answer the question. What I found a little more surprising, was how a lower tier law school, was more interactive and more engaging than a more reputable law school. It would seem that the more prestigious school, might have the top students and faculty striving for excellence, however that wasn’t the case. The lower tiered law school was more interactive, more enjoyable, and there wasn’t a single person in the room that was watching anything off topic. Perhaps lower tiered school have to try harder to make a reputable name for themselves, increasing desirable conditions, where as highly desirable law schools become too comfortable at the top, and simply ride on the prestige of the name.
On a separate note on the importance of visiting law schools before hand, I heard an admissions rep slip, and say that they make a positive note on your file if you visit their law school. It might be only for certain law schools that take in that consideration, but it certainly cant hurt to possibly hit two birds with one stone. =)
*Great* observations; thanks for sharing!
I went to a law school traditionally lower in the rankings and found most students very much involved in class discussions and study groups–and most of the professors were truly engaging as well. At least at my school, I think some of the positive classroom dynamics also came from the fact that a lot of the student body didn’t come directly from undergrad and had more real life experience and a true desire to pursue law as a career. Ah, and laptops weren’t really very popular in class back then
Definitely interesting to know that at least one law school out there notes if you visit…I would imagine others do as well. Thanks for letting us know!
Also? Too funny that you called yourself a 0L