Thursday, April 16, 2009

How are law school classes different than undergraduate classes?

I'm currently an undergraduate planning on attending law school. Is the format the same (lecture, midterm, paper, final exam)? Or is it different. Also, which one requires more work?


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Law school is considerably more work with tons of reading and class preparation. In some classes, your entire grade is based on the final exam. The professors also make a point of calling on students to explain the basics and fine points of particular cases, so you always have to be prepared ahead of time. You can't just cram for an exam, because you actually have to know this stuff for your career, so you truly have to learn it. Law school, like med school, requires good time management and personal discipline.

It is nothing like undergraduate school.

Your days will consist of nothing more than you sitting in a law library and that chair will slowly become your new best friend. You are going to being spending countless, hours, days and weeks in there simply preparing cases and briefs your next classes. Once in class the professor may or may not call your name, and if they do, then you better hope you are prepared well and know case inside and out and are well versed on your side of the argument or issue in question. If you are unprepared then it is going to be the worst 20-30 minutes of your life, and lest not mention that you may get a professor from hell, who take you down a letter grade for not being ready.

I suggest you read up on the Socratic method if you do not know what this is already, because you will get professors who teach via this.

There are no mid-terms. Your general day will be: Wake up, work on your class work, attend lectures, then continue working on your class work. If you are lucky, you may fit some sleep in there, that is if you can after all of the stimulation and caffeine in your system.

You're who grade is generally based off of one final exam.

The fun to be had.

Grades: Entire grade is usually based on one exam at the end of the semester. Not an undergrad exam. The essay portion will just be a set of facts and you have to apply the law you learned the entire semester. The best way to get points is not being right (this person should win) but instead by spotting all of the legal issues presented and analyzing them.

Some upper level classes will have a paper instead of a final. The paper is usually required to be at least 25 pages and is a much more submersive project than undergraduate writing.

Class: NO LECTURES. There are not lectures in law school. You read about 40 pages per class (about 400 a week total) and go to class. Your professor will then call on students and random and drill them with questions about that days assignment.

It is WAY more difficult than undergrad. This is a graduate program, and a difficult one at that. It requires a LOT of self discipline to force yourself to do homework for about 50-60 hours a week PLUS making it to every class as you usually only get around 2-4 absences before being booted.

I got through undergrad with barely even cracking a book. this is just impossible in law school. It is a BIG lifestyle change from undergrad.

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