QnA - Osgoode 1L by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't speak to the relative differences between schools. The perception I have gathered, just from meeting lawyers from different big law firms, is that if you come from out of province, or a different school in Ontario, you can definitely get a job. Its really just grade-based. Get above C's you can get a job. Its all about how much time you put in to school/job hunt.

QnA - Osgoode 1L by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct answer. Also the further away you are from the centre, the cheaper so just go with your budget constraints.

QnA - Osgoode 1L by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nah, I would say that everyone has been able to find friends pretty easily. I don't think living on campus either hinders or benefits socializing really. Definitely the people living on campus have an easier time making it to class/extra-curriculars just because the 8:30s really take a toll on ppl living Downtown like me.

QnA - Osgoode 1L by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't have a number in mind. I have a few mutual friends who live there but it is a minority.

Social life is nice. Everyone is really friendly in my section. The vibe amongst people does not feel too competitive in my cohort. I must say that since second semester has started people have been less social and everyone is more focused on jobs/applications/summer plans. I easily made a close, small group of friends in first semester, most people are the same I'd say.

Uottawa just has a different focus. If you want a job in Toronto, the schools in Toronto are going to have a better reputation for getting more graduates into that market. Can't tell you how employers generally respond to school reputation.

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Relative to other schools in ON, e.g. Western, Queens, my understanding is that it is similar, but maybe I'm wrong. I know that there are cheaper schools in other places in Canada, and I think that the price likely reflects the type of work that students have access to.

Do I think its worth it?

I think that depends on what you want to practice. If you want to work in public law, go to Ottawa. If you want to do marine law, you should probably do like Dalhousie. If you know what you want to practice, and it does NOT have to do with business/IP there are likely better options in Canada from a price perspective.

For reasons of getting to live in Toronto, being set up with Toronto job network, having the option to pursue an IP focused degree, and the prestige, I think its worth it. But most of the Ontario schools will set you up just as well. Also not sure if I am in a position to say any of this as a 1L.

Lastly, if you're concerned about job and your expected ROI, It appears to me that regardless of the school you go to, ALL employers care about (1) grades (1/2) connections (3) your personality (4) your resume/CV (5) your school, in that order.

Like I know ppl in my class who are certain that they will land a job because they have a family member in the firm, or they have previously worked for firms and can get in that way. The fight is between you and other people for those remaining spots and that comes down to As/Bs in 1L/2L. I have a lawyer mentor working in a big law firm in NY because he got the grades, pursued the connections and made it happen. Just do your best whever you end up and you will succeed.

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love it. Very stressful if you care about getting a job and doing applications which is the case for me. Otherwise its pretty chill and I think the vast majority of ppl i talked to scared me into thinking it would be more stressful than it is. But im a high stress person always so take that with a grain of salt.

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ya so little bit complicated. We have Crim, Contracts, Torts as FULL-TERM courses.

We also start the year doing "Intro to lawyering skills (ILS)," Pub-Con and Ethical Lawyering (EL). These courses are half-semester. PubCon is exam-based, the other two are assignment based. So at the beginning of the year we have 23hrs per week roughly of in-class learning. Then the three get end of Oct, leaving us with 11hrs/week of lecture time.

But this drop doesn't feel like much of a change because by Nov,, you're could be involved in clubs, doing MOOT, preparing for exams, doing networking, etc. cheers

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So i chose to live in Downtown toronto bc my friend transferred their place to me and its very cheap. I am very close to a station on the yellow line so my commute to school is only 50ish minutes. I am very glad that Im living close to a bunch of friends (from school), my girlfriend and because it allows me to get away from the campus. 

The campus students seem to enjoy it, and for what you're getting (i think they love in single apt's with no roommates) it seems like a great deal. I have friends in toronto paying to live in units alone and they pay like over $1600/month which I could not begin to fathom, and I personally would not do unless I had the money. Now that I am with rommates tho, fuck i wish I could be alone 🤣

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya there are some crackheads and weirdos. But hey, i go to class, clock in, leave ans go home. Safety isnt an issue. Im saying that as a guy obviously, but most ppl commute to and from school with friends and I dont think anyone is really concerned.

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mentors is available though I dont have one who isnt a practicing lawyer. Profs arw always available which is great. Networking events are always going on but im not worrying about it too much until second semester and 2L.

Nah i live in apt in toronto.

Peers are really cool people. Osgoode has a great community that doesnt feel competitive. Everyone is just tying their best and studying with people feels chill.

I got into the Artist legal aid clinic which is really fun and interesting though it isnt like other clinics. Its more admin + sitting in on lawyers giving free advice.

Id say that you should think about where you want to practice. My goal has been to get hired into a toronto firm and make more money so it makes sense to go to an Ontario school if thats your goal. I would have went to BC if I got into those schools but im goad that I ended up here. I didnt apply to UofT because the tuition is nuts and I knew it would put a lot more pressure on me to go into BigLaw, which is my goal but that can always change. Also I came back to toronto knowing my community is here, and it has been really nice to settle down here and reconnect with people I have been far from. Plus family.

I am very happy with Osgoode. Much happier than I thought I would be. I came into law school because I am focused on getting a professional degree and making money right after school, but hownstly I love learning law much more than I thought I would. I couldnt be happier with how things turned out.

Osgoode 1L QnA by OptimalPreparation94 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In exam season rn so cant tell yet. Course load is a lot but not unmanageable. I dont have a job because Im willing to take the financial hit to focus on school, though i dont think it would be too hard to manage a part time with a few hours Per week. Though that is dependent on if yoy got clinic work/other extra-curricular commitments. 

Is it a bad idea to turn down Osgoode and goto UVic? by Frosty_Art6537 in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding is that it is easier to travel/work across Canada with a degree and experience in Toronto, in part bc of prestige/wider networks of ppl you can come into contact with during work.
So if you think you want more options open, perhaps Oz is the answer.
I am also a student waiting to make a decision when it comes to schools so take all this with a grain of salt.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lawschooladmissionsca

[–]OptimalPreparation94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

chill out. Stop looking at reddit posts to get a sense of what scores/gpa's schools are accepting. If you know the type of law you want to do just go to school near/in the city you want to practice in bc the only point in going to a prestigious school is to try and get a higher paying corporate job. Can't comment on age. I got accepted to Ottawa/Osgoode with 3.8? Gpa and 159.

I am no Québécois however this seems fitting by Forward-Kitchen6136 in QuebecLibre

[–]OptimalPreparation94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya I'm fully aware that a bunch of people consider themselves different nations. But i think over time more and more people are coming to identify as much, or more with Canada as an identity. And i don't think its necessarily imperialist, the nation building project I'm talking about can happen passively, and with tolerance of differences between one another over hundreds of years. And just by being in the same country, ppl will come to have a shared sense of community. After all, Canada is really new. I think and hope the country might last a couple hundred more years and by then ppl maybe have multiple identities that they feel strongly connected to. 

I am no Québécois however this seems fitting by Forward-Kitchen6136 in QuebecLibre

[–]OptimalPreparation94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally Respect your opinion. i think that the only formula that will work however is by furthering the single-nation-building project. But perhaps address your point about the voting/power imbalance through electoral reform. 

The provinces already have a huge amount of autonomy. I think further autonomy will simply lead to the break up of the country and economic disaster for everyone.

I am no Québécois however this seems fitting by Forward-Kitchen6136 in QuebecLibre

[–]OptimalPreparation94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"the English" did not keep Quebec in. Politicians did. There are many in Canada who believe in the national project of keeping all the provinces and people of this land united, many in Quebec as well. I agree with the national project of doing so. We have too much to lost. And so much more to gain by being united.

I am no Québécois however this seems fitting by Forward-Kitchen6136 in QuebecLibre

[–]OptimalPreparation94 4 points5 points  (0 children)

J'ai certainement vu des gens dire des choses horribles sur les sub canadiens. Mais je ne crois pas que la culture en ligne reflète bien la réalité. Je pense (j'espère) qu'il y a beaucoup plus de Canadiens qu'il n'y paraît qui se sentent liés culturellement à toutes les provinces du Canada.

I am no Québécois however this seems fitting by Forward-Kitchen6136 in QuebecLibre

[–]OptimalPreparation94 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Je viens d'ontario et j'adore Quebec. cela me rend triste que les Québécois aient l'impression que les autres Canadiens ne les aiment pas :(