studentperspectivesRSS

Love

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

I am absolutely in love with my law school.

Small Group Olympics

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Last night, the 13 Yale Law 1L small groups waged spirited battles in pursuit of the ultimate glory: recognition as the 2012 Small Group Olympics Champions.

Connecting to Yale University

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School is an extraordinary place.

Corporate Law Opportunities at Yale

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

When people think about business and law, Yale Law School is rarely the first name that comes to mind.

YLS Public Interest Auction

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Last month, members of the YLS community put their talents on full display at the Initiative for Public Interest Law's annual Public Interest Auction.

Moot Court and Harry Potter World

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

What do Moot Court and Harry Potter World possibly have to do with each other? Well, it all started last October.

How to Write a Legal Academic Paper

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

My last post focused on the institutional features at Yale Law School that enable students here to get a head start on building an academic career.

Who is the Perfect Yale Law Student?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Yale is a unique law school.

Class Selection

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Class selection at YLS is simultaneously easier and more complex than you might think.

Exams

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

During family gatherings over winter break, my family always exclaims in horror when I tell them that my exams are in January.

Leadership Early On

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Most of my friends probably think I have to be going through hell right now.

The Small Group Safety Net

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

At the first meeting of my small group, our professor told us to take a look around the room.

2L Job Interviewing (a.k.a. Speed Dating for Jobs)

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The summer before 2L year (and 3L year if a student so desires), law students have the exciting opportunity to participate in the Fall Interview Program.

Free Food at YLS

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School has a secret - an absolutely delicious secret that very few law students talk about.

The Game � Law School Style

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

The weekend before Thanksgiving plays host to one of the great Ivy League traditions � the Harvard-Yale game, or The Game.

Making Choices

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Yale can be an overwhelming place to attend law school sometimes.

Need Advice?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

One thing I appreciate about YLS is the emphasis students place on passing wisdom along to other students.

Alumni Weekend 2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last weekend, my YLS community got a lot bigger. I spent the weekend as a Student Aide at the law school�s Alumni Weekend 2011: Human Rights in a Turbulent World.

VAWA Reauthorization Conference

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Six months ago as I was finishing an editorial about gender violence for a legal blog, a fellow classmate asked me if I planned on writing an editorial about the upcoming Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization in 2011.

Outside Looking In

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

It is no secret that I am at YLS because I worked hard and attained some degree of academic success.

The �Choose-Your-Own-Adventure� Law School

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

When I went through the law school application process, I wrestled with many questions. Should I go to law school if I was not unequivocally committed to becoming a lawyer? Was law school for me?

Diversity at YLS

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

As a student of color, I was concerned about attending a school with a small class size.

The Clerkship Maze

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Looking back on the posts on here the past few years, I was shocked to see that there wasn�t a single one on the clerkship application process.

Back to Reality

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

First year is a nightmare. Workload? Oppressive. Classmates? Obsessive. Professors? Aggressive. You�ll try to keep up. You won�t. You�ll try to have a social life. Don�t.

Pursuing a Career in Legal Academia

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

�Yes, it works in practice, but does it work in theory?�� At a school where this sort of joke is part of the common self-conception, it�s no surprise that interests in academia run deep.

Housing Options for Law Students

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Having recently moved to a new area of town, I�ve had my share of apartment searching in New Haven. So in this post I�m going to share with you my knowledge about the various options available to law students at Yale.

A Dance to Make a Difference

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law is an inspiring place, full of people who are already achieving spectacular things in the world � but sometimes you want to forget all that and simply have fun with the people around you.

GPSCY

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Every Monday night at 8:30, I set aside a few hours to kick back and exit the legal world.

Trivia Night to Benefit the Global Education Fund

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last week, students from Yale Law Women and the American Constitution Society planned a school-wide Trivia Night fundraiser.

The Laws of Icing

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

A few weeks ago, I had my first law teaching experience.

Sterling Facilities

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

As a student at YLS, I spend a lot of time inside the beautiful Sterling Law Building.

All Roads Lead to Yale Law School

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

Now that I am halfway through my time here at Yale Law School, I�ve gotten to the point where I know almost everyone in my purely law classes such as evidence and administrative law.

Flyers and Food

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

A quick glance at nearly any wall of the law school confirms a general truth about YLS: there is always something happening here.

Linked by Law: Latin America Student Exchange

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

This summer, I will spend four weeks in Santiago, Chile, as part of the YLS Linkages Program.

A Professor�s Reach

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

Recently, I have been performing research with the intent of fulfilling one of two writing requirements.

Double Life

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

I have a confession. I lead a double life.

Talking With Tiger Mom

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

During the last few weeks there has been a lot of buzz around the country about Yale Law School professor Amy Chua.

Law Reviews and Student Scholarship�Demystified

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

One of the main extracurricular activities of a law student is being an editor on a law review.

Paralyzed by Choice?

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

At most law schools, the entire first year curriculum consists of required courses, and students are not free to choose their own classes until their second year.

Hands-on Trial Techniques

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

You probably already know that YLS is a great place for legal theory, but you should also know that there are many opportunities for practical instruction at the law school.

Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, It's Off to Work We Go

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

In late August a week or so before classes begin, a group of 2Ls dressed in suits pace the halls of the Omni Hotel in New Haven, Connecticut.

Changes from College: Reflections on Life in New Haven

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

I came to law school �straight through� from my undergrad in Houston and so had to make some adjustments upon moving here. There were three things that changed the most for me: housing, food, and culture.

Catholicism at YLS

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

"Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem." It's not every day you hear Latin flowing so melodiously from the mouths of thirty Yale Law students.

Small Group Pride

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Every YLS 1L has small group pride, but mine is especially justified.

Writing Requirements: Substantial and SAW

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Before graduating, all Yale Law students�must complete two writing requirements, a Substantial and a Supervised Analytical Writing (SAW).

Library Love

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

I've never considered myself to be much of a library person.

Bossa Nova at the Rep

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law Women is a great organization, and it offers a number of amazing resources to the entire YLS community.

Dispelling the Myths about YLS

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

When I was comparing law schools as an applicant, I heard many things, good and bad, about Yale.

Supremely Awesome: YLS at the United States Supreme Court

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

During the first week of October, my 1L small group traveled to Washington, D.C. to spend a day at the Supreme Court.

Books on the Beach

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

I looked up from my netbook having written yet another page. I wondered what my professor would think of what I just wrote.

Making Public Interest Work

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Many people arrive at law school, particularly at Yale, with deep ideals and prior experience in the fields in which they eventually hope to work.

Basketball at YLS

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

You might think that attending law school will require you to sacrifice your physical fitness in order to maximize the amount of time you spend cramming for your Contracts exam in some deep dark corner of a library.

Thinking and Doing...Together

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Having been out of undergrad for a number of years, I walked into the first day of 1L orientation feeling self-assured.

Internationalism at YLS

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Before coming to law school, I lived in Hong Kong for seven years � first as a banker, then as an investment manager, and finally as a fundraiser for an NGO.

New Haven Cuisine

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Did you know that New Haven is the home of many great food "firsts"?

Go Bananas at YLS

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Like everyone else who reads this blog, before coming to YLS, I heard a lot about the professors here: YLS has one of the lowest student-faculty ratios in the country, students are taught by legal luminaries from Day One, the small group system is a great way to get to know a professor, and the list goes on.

A Day in the Life of a 1L

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

We've all heard horror stories about the first year of law school, epitomized by the movie The Paper Chase and Scott Turow's book �One L.��

Yale Law School Tidbits

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School is known for its academic vigor and small size. I want to share some YLS gems that you (until now!) would only discover once you become a student.

Here's to the Women!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

The first few weeks of 1L year are extremely harried.� There are a slew of welcome events, happy hours, chances to hang out with your small group, attempts to learn how to read cases, and extracurricular activities, not to mention trying to remember everyone�s names!

Joint Degrees

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

In addition to being a 1L, I�m also pursuing my Ph.D.�in economics (focused on development and education) at another university.��Joint degrees�are pretty common here, but they come in all different forms.

I Know What I�m Doing This Summer

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

Actually, I have known since January 5, much earlier than many of my classmates had even begun to interview for jobs.

Studying and Practicing Technology Law at Yale

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School is an intensely innovative place. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its programs on technology law.

Outside the Law

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

As the first warm days of spring arrived in New Haven, I found myself running up the side of East Rock (it�s much better than taking the long winding way up) enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

Classmates

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Ten months ago, I had been visiting another law school when I called my Dad.

Clinics!

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

As some of the previous blog posts have described, YLS is unique in that it only binds you to a preset class schedule your first semester.

Learning the Law�or Something Else?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

One of the hallmarks of a YLS education is a diverse, interdisciplinary set of course offerings. Sometimes my friends at other law schools question the amount of �real law� that I�ve learned

Saying Goodbye to Grades

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

I didn�t worry about grades in college. I was in trade school (as I am now) and was sure that the jobs I would hold would be staffed by people unlikely to care that I had attended college, much less want to know my GPA or see a transcript. I was almost exclusively motivated by academic interest when choosing classes.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

One concern widely shared by law students these days is securing employment after graduation.

Greenhaven Prison Project

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

As luck would have it, at the time I received the email, I had just finished teaching my students words relating to criminal behavior and incarceration.

A Lawyer-to-Be in a Foreign Land

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Why would anyone not from America do a J.D. here?� It�s expensive, a long way from home, and won�t even qualify you to work in your own country.

Confessions about Corporate Law at YLS

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Unlike many of my peers at YLS, I knew relatively early on that I wanted to focus on corporate law and practice at a large law firm immediately following graduation. Given my interests in corporate law and law & economics, I was honestly a little reluctant about matriculating at Yale

Non-�Traditional� Students

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

When I first got the call from the Yale admissions office, I remember being in disbelief, followed by glee, bewilderment, and anxiety. How did this happen? I was not the picture of a Yale Law student I had imagined.

Looking Outside the Law: Cross-Registering for Courses

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School is such an amazing place that it�s sometimes easy to forget that the rest of Yale University is pretty special, too.�

Alumni Weekend

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

On my cousin�s advice, I decided to work as a student assistant during this year�s Alumni Weekend.

YLS Athletics

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

On a Sunday morning in early November, close to twenty law students, one fan, and one dog arrived at the playing fields near the Yale Bowl.

When Competition is Fun: Oral Arguments

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Picking names out of a hat never did strike me as the best way to make a decision.

Halloween Dodgeball

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Just because we are in law school doesn�t mean we are past donning ridiculous costumes and celebrating Halloween in extravagant fashion.

Faculty Accessibility

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

If you are considering applying to a law school or are making a choice about which one to attend, you may be looking at �student-faculty� ratios as one yardstick among many by which to compare schools.

Fall in New England

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Coming from the South, the weather in New England was always one aspect of law school that I did not anticipate enjoying.

Safety & Security in New Haven

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

For those students admitted to YLS over the past few months (congratulations!), the deadline to choose whether to enroll here or at another law school is quickly approaching.

Small School, Big Opportunities.

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School is about half the size of my college class. I actually took a course in college that had more people than the YLS class of 2011.

The Fishbowl

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

When I was a 1L, I studied in the Fishbowl. Trust me � it�s not as strange as it sounds.

Moot Court

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

A 13-year old girl. �A collection of prescription pills. �A strip search.

Go.

Health Law at YLS

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

As a student with a relatively rare career interest in health law, it worried me that Yale, as a smaller school, didn�t have an official set of faculty or programs. However, it didn�t take me long to realize that I had had nothing to worry about.

JD and MBA in Three Years?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

A few weeks ago, an email was circulated among the 1L class about a new joint-degree program that would begin its inaugural year this fall. The program is a joint JD/MBA program between Yale Law School and the Yale School of Management (SOM) that would allow students to earn a JD and a MBA in a total of three years.

Friends at YLS

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

A couple weeks ago I enjoyed the best flan I�ve ever tasted. This delicious dessert had been preceded by freshly fried plantains and a buffet of rice, beans, pork, and beef. Surprisingly, my fabulous meal was not served at New Haven�s Soul de Cuba Café

The Great New Haven Real Estate Hunt

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

As I prepared to move to New Haven only six months ago, one of the first things to do was to find a place to live. Having spent the previous two years embattled in the bloodsport that is the New York City rental market, I braced myself for a long, tortuous hunt for suitable digs. Fortunately, I shouldn�t have been so worried; finding an apartment in New Haven is actually a very easy and pleasant experience.

Only at Yale Law School�

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

I think it is a safe assumption to say that each one of us has had days where we leave the law school in a state of elated disbelief questioning the reality of what had just happened in that one square block that consumes our lives.

90�s Middle School Dance Party

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

It was the first weekend back in New Haven after exams. We only had a few days to recover from our 1L pass-pass exam period before returning for second semester and were still trying to figure out how to shop for classes. I had already attended seven different lectures in the first week and still had no idea what I was going to take.

On RebLaw

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

The annual Rebellious Lawyering Conference (�RebLaw�) is the largest student-run public interest conference in the country, and it is hosted by Yale Law School.

1L, 2nd Semester

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

The first semester at Yale Law School is pretty standard as far as law school curriculum goes. Every 1L takes the same four classes: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Civil Procedure, and Torts. You pick up your schedule at orientation without any decisions to make or courses to decide between.

Movies at Yale

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Yale Law School has erased my need for Blockbuster and Netflix. Indeed, one could make the argument that the robust social scene at Yale makes movies second class � that is not the point of this post. Instead, Yale Law School�s tremendous movie collection has made Blockbuster a thing of the past (well, at least a trivial thing until graduation).

Three�s Company: Living Downtown with Roommates

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Before I came to law school, I lived in one of Washington DC�s famous group houses with six of my best friends from college.

A Day in the Life�

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

I felt I could best contribute to the blog by offering a day in the life of a Yale Law student. I woke up this morning later than usual, a little after 10:30, thanks mostly to the open bar party hosted by the student reps of the law school.

The Coker Fellows

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The traditional legal curriculum begins with two semesters of legal writing. That is too little brief-writing to become Solicitor General of the United States, and it is way more than one might need to run for President of the United States. Since 85% of Yale�s graduates go on to be Solicitor General or President of the Unites States, it should come as no surprise that our writing program is structured a little differently.

On Classmates...

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

I�m sure you�ve heard that Yale Law School has a reputation for being very collegial.

My Small Group

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Starting at orientation, there is no question you will hear asked more frequently or fervently than this one. �Who do you have for small group?�

Oral Arguments

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

As the end of my first term at YLS nears, an increasing number of my 1L colleagues can be seen roaming the halls dressed up in full business attire. Since YLS is a pretty casual place, this sight is quite unusual �

The Challenge of Options

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

I wanted to start this entry with some sort of warning: despite all the wonderful things you�ve heard about Yale Law School, this whole experience isn�t all plain sailing. I wanted to find some burden you ought to bear in mind because, when I was trying to make the decisions you�re facing, the Yale write-ups all seemed a little too good to be true.

From Duke to YLS

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

It was the end of November, and I witnessed a big game, and I�m not talking about a Yale sporting event against Harvard. I�m talking about the Duke/Michigan college basketball showdown.

Married Life at YLS

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

I graduated from college on May 10, got married on May 31, and then moved across country a few months later to begin Yale Law School. I was somewhat apprehensive about coming to Yale as a married woman.

The Cold Call

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

One of the things that most, if not all, incoming law students are afraid of at the beginning of first semester is being "cold called" in class.

On Small Groups

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

My small group is amazing. From camping trips and Thanksgiving dinners to dance parties and end of the week brunches, we do it all.

Leaving YLS

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

I am panicking. My final semester at Yale Law is about to begin. After finishing up my remaining credits and writing that final paper next semester, I am to be released into a foreign realm known as �The Real World.�

A Day at the Supreme Court

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

As a California boy, I got awfully excited when I discovered that I would be living on the East coast, where there are so many little states close together

The 1L Job Search Begins

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

This weekend was the Harvard-Yale football game. The only thing I worried about was what to wear at the tailgates from now on.

In Class

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

As a first year student at YLS �otherwise known as a 1L (this is a term you will get to know and love very quickly)�there are a couple things that dominate your life.

Legal Writing Support

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

There may be no more daunting prospect for all soon-to-be-1Ls than the impending need to dive headfirst into the peculiar world of legal writing.

Not Just another Birthday

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Even though I am a 1L, orientation feels like it was forever ago. The majority of it is just a blur, where I spent most of the time desperately trying to remember the names of the 180 new faces I met within a matter of 24 or 48 hours. There is, however, one part of orientation that I remember vividly � getting my course schedule.

New Haven in the Spring

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

New Haven is beautiful in the spring. The first few days of truly amazing weather are upon us here, and it reminds me of all the fun things there are to do in and around town.

Prom

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Last weekend was YLS Prom (officially known as the Yale Law School Public Interest Formal�the event raises money for a YLS organization that provides grants for public interest law projects after graduation.).
I know what you are thinking.

Out of this World

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Between clinics, classes and the occasional night out at Anchor Bar, who has time to venture out of New Haven?

Disagreeing with Chertoff

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Secretary of Homeland Defense Security Michael Chertoff came to speak at the law school on Monday, April 7, 2008. We protested him with vigor, holding signs and chanting after he was finishing speaking, but he didn't seem to mind.

Spring Break

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Law School provides us with a one week break during March that students spend in a variety of ways.

Exams or Papers?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

After years of trying to guess whether �A� or �C� would get me to the next problem on the Scantron form, I was excited at the prospect of law school: a world without multiple choice tests and worrying about No. 2 pencils. What I didn�t expect, however, was the variety of options available for receiving a grade in my courses at law school.

Dinner at the Dean�s House

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Midway through my first visit to Yale, I was a little exhausted. I�d had the name/home state/undergrad/major conversation one too many times.

Competition at YLS

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

People will tell you YLSers aren�t competitive. People will tell you that walking through the doors of 127 Wall Street will instantly divest you of any desire to step over your classmates and friends on your way to becoming #1 at Yale.

People are liars.

Guest Speakers at YLS

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

One of the greatest components of a Yale Law School education is the opportunity to expand your knowledge base out side of the classroom.

The People�s Housing

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Many of my friends elsewhere have compared their law school experiences to living on a desert island surrounded by nothing but books, spending the bulk of their days secluded in the library, and gaining a precious few moments of human contact when they venture out for food.

Yale or Harvard?

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Two years ago, when I applied to law school, the admissions process went better than I ever dreamed it would. I was accepted by both Yale and Harvard and suddenly found myself in the not-so-pitiable position of having to choose between two of the most amazing law schools in the country.

A Weekend in the Life of a YLS Student

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Something that should be highlighted is that there is much more to law school than studying the law. Hence, some of you are probably wondering what life outside the hallowed halls of Yale Law School is like.

Yale Law School Librarians: The Most Helpful People on the Planet

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Before singing the praises of the reference librarians, a description of the first-year journal experience is in order.

Political Orgs at YLS

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

As you may imagine, this primary season has been a hot topic at the Yale Law School. While many professors have attempted to take a decidedly neutral stance, the students are quite another story.

Clinics

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

The first time I walked into a courtroom, my stomach was doing cartwheels.

Job Interviews

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

I�ve been doing a lot of job interviews lately.

Learning from Alums Who Aren�t Practicing Law

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

I just got back from a recruiting trip on a tropical island.

Biking in the Haven

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

There is some cliché about riding bikes, to which the exact phrasing escapes me, but sounds something like: �You�ll never forget how to ride a bike.� The saying (however it goes) is absolutely, unequivocally correct and it took a year in New Haven for me to come to terms with it.

On the 1L Clinic Experience

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Who would have thought I would become a lawyer this fast? After just one semester of law school, I am already �practicing law� and �meeting with clients� for cases.

Mid February Flash-Back

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

So it�s February, and I just finished deciding my summer job plans. Choosing my summer job was reminiscent of one year ago to when I was making a decision about which law school to attend.

On Regrets After YLS

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

As a graduating 3L, my only regret is that I didn't take more classes.

Choosing Your Courses

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

I am loving my first year of law school. True, it is supposed to be one of the most difficult; but at YLS the first year experience is something I find myself enjoying more and more as I begin the second semester. One of the great things about first year at YLS is the ability to choose courses for second term.

New Haven: A Dining Extravaganza

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

I have heard the critiques - New Haven will never be Yale�s selling point, or even a factor prospective students list on the �Pro� side of the pro/con list they are making to help them decide which law school to attend.

Practicing Immigration Law in Connecticut

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

There�s no other place in the U.S. to practice immigration law quite like the state of Connecticut.

Practice or Study

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Should we practice or study? Both.

Meals with Faculty

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

A few weeks ago, one of the student organizations I joined sent out an e-mail inviting six students to go out to dinner with a professor. I jumped at the chance.

Using the YLS Library

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

When I was visiting law schools for the various admit weekends, I noticed one common thread running through every school tour: the amount of time spent on showcasing the law library.

On Relationships with the Faculty

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Yale is the utopia of law schools: a gorgeous gothic building surrounding a lush green courtyard, world-renowned professors, and an extremely relaxed grading policy -- what more could you want? But in my first couple weeks here, I learned that while all that certainly contributes to making Yale a wonderful experience, what truly distinguishes the law school is the faculty.

Small Group Field Trip

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

This past Monday, our small group professor cancelled our 10 a.m. Contracts class and instead scheduled a trip to New York City. We were to see Judge Calabresi, also a Yale professor, sit on the bench of the Second Circuit Court of appeals in the morning and to eat dinner at the New York home of Henry Hansmann, our small group professor who was organizing the trip.

Small Group Bowling

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

I tried to explain to them that the last (and only) time I had gone bowling I was roundly beaten � by a group of children � under the age of 12. But they weren�t having any of it. My small group was competing against three other groups in a bowl-off (the technical term, I�m sure), and I was playing.

Oral Arguments

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

I�m finishing up my first semester of law school this week, and I�m pretty shocked how quickly it has passed. Despite Yale�s reputation of being �theoretical,� I feel like in one semester I�ve learned a lot of skills that will help me in my law career.

Legal Writing at YLS: Part Deux

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Among other things, one aspect of Yale Law that I have found to be different from almost any other law school in America is the lack of a separate 1L legal writing class. Instead of a scheduled class, all of our writing assignments are integrated into other courses throughout the first semester.

On Camaraderie at YLS

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

December has always been busy time of year. The holiday season is in full swing as is Sunday night football.

Idiosyncrasies of the Yale 2L Job Search

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

With the deadline looming for deciding where to spend the summer, I thought I�d comment on the idiosyncrasies of the Yale 2L job search.

1L Job Season: Law Firms

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Due to national rules, job search season for 1Ls kicks off December 1^st.

A Yalie Weekend

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Harvard-Yale weekend. Also known as the weekend I visited the Second Circuit and wrote my first brief � ever.

Three More Years

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

I�m in my third year at YLS and I have to say: I wish I had three more years.

On Meeting Alums

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Alumni Weekend is easily one of my favorite weekends of the year, and one of the annual events that make me love being at YLS so much.

Yale-Harvard Game

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Go Yale beat Harvard! I have just experienced my first Harvard-Yale weekend and a glimpse into the all-encompassing bulldog pride that is truly at its height during this weekend.

On Communication Between the Classes

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

In the midst of get-to-know-you barbeques and hikes as a 1L class, every so often, a 2L would appear on the scene. My first thought was always, �Who is this incredibly impressive person in front of me and how have they gotten to where they are today?�

Legal Writing and Research

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

I was nervous about my first legal writing assignment. At YLS, we don�t have a separate legal writing course for 1L students. Instead, we learn research and writing within one of the four first semester classes � in my case, Constitutional Law.

Another Take on Flyback Week

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

After reading this blog, you probably know all the reasons why YLS is such a great place to be. It�s small, full of really sharp people and truly brilliant professors, not competitive, has a strong public interest focus, no grades, yada, yada. At this point in the admissions process, I think I had the brochure memorized. What I didn�t know, but did suspect, is how far the Yale name can carry you when it comes time to find a job.

1L Journal Experience

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

Before I arrived in New Haven, I worried about Yale�s size. I thought a legal metropolis was necessary to create rich communities of varied interests. Over the last two months, I�ve found that Yale has more dynamic niches than I imagined. One of my favorites thus far has been my journal, the Journal of Law & Humanities.

Decisions, decisions.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

This past week was �flyback week,� a funny euphemism for Fall Break. The idea is that 2Ls who are interviewing with law firms can have the week off to fly around the country and interview for summer jobs (which, presumably, lead to permanent positions), while the 1Ls and 3Ls can catch up on our reading.

Ideals into Action

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

I�ve learned a lot of things since I began law school. I�ve learned many things from traditional classroom lectures, but I�ve learned just as much from my experiences outside of class.

Sneak Peek

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

Admittedly, before I began law school, I was decidedly not looking forward to the 1L line-up, so to speak.

Feeding the Masses

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

I came to YLS expecting the school to provide all the intellectual challenges and opportunities I could ever want. I was definitely not disappointed in the least, but surprised when I found out that I would be getting more than just food for thought.

Non-Legal Career Interests

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST

Secret: I came to law school this fall fairly confident that I did not want to practice law.

On Being a Dean's Advisor

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST

During most of late August in 2006, my head hurt from the different emotions on my mind. I became afraid, excited, intrigued and nervous all at once. To make things worse, I was in a new city, called New Haven � which according to the masses is not a wonderful place to reside. In short, I was a new student at Yale Law School.

On Getting to Know Professors

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

On the first day of law school, I nervously walked into my first class, opened my laptop, and prepared to become part of the overwhelmed, anonymous masses.

Environmental Law

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

As I near the end of my second year, I�m coming to realize that the number of environmental courses offered at Yale hasn�t been as big of a problem as I feared it would be.

Learning to Walk

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

Going to court with clinic professor Bob Solomon is like learning to walk.

On Yale�s Theoretical Nature

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

Something that I hear all the time from prospective students is that Yale is too �theoretical,� and that if you want to do something �practical,� you would be better off at another school.

"Can You Hear Darfur Calling?"

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

I�ve had the song lyric �Can you hear Darfur calling?� stuck in my head all weekend.

College Acceptance

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

Today, I was at school for 6 hours, which with first mention does not seem appealing at all.

1L Job Search

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

During my first class at Yale Law School, the professor announced triumphantly that we were �off the treadmill.�

For the Experience

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

During the admissions process Yale was the last law school from which I heard.

Saturday Night Basketball

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST

This past Saturday night, a group of about 20 of us got together to have a barbecue and watch the Final Four basketball games.

On Life Without Grades

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

I am often asked some form of the following: �I know Yale doesn�t have grades. But do you really not have grades? And doesn�t that just mean that you are more competitive in other aspects?� The answers to those questions are yes, we do have grades, and yes, there is competition.

Classes

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

At the end of last year, amidst the chaos of the holiday season, combined with the end of classes, I did not realize how special it was to select classes for second semester of your 1L year.

Outside the Classroom

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

I�m not going to lie: law school is hard.

No Expected Path

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

In the middle of second semester, first year, I decided not to pursue an Editor position on the Yale Law Journal.

The Extended Plan

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

Everyone anticipates that some things about law school will be great, and some will be miserable.

Practice at Yale Law

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

From my initial search looking at law schools, it became abundantly clear that Yale Law has the reputation of producing legal academics.

Legal Services Organization in Action

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

I have to admit that it was a little intimidating to lead a client meeting after officially being a law student for no more than a few months.

The Small Group Experience

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

Wednesday mornings are arguably the toughest time of my week because Tuesdays are trivia nights.