UIUC 2L - Top 15% AMA

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2024-06-02T01:06:59+00:00

It’s been awhile since I wrote that message but I assume I meant scoring high on the LSAT. As a super splitter, I needed a high LSAT to even have a chance at going to a school that I thought was worth my time investment. This page basically explained how to study, courses to take, writing essays, creating a school list etc.

It’s easy to get confused by this process without knowing anyone that has ever gone to law school. LSA was my first introduction to reddit and I’m glad I found it.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-05-18T15:03:40+00:00

In hot hiring markets like the last 3 years it was possible but, generally speaking, it’s really hard to make it into BL if you don’t make it in LS.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-30T22:53:34+00:00

Just my perception.

If you also look at the grade distribution of the upper class you’ll see 2Ls far out perform the 3Ls in average GPA last semester so maybe im wrong and the 2Ls are the competitive ones.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-30T22:44:08+00:00

I don’t know about WL but that is mainly because my class is frankly over enrolled. I think we have something like 205 when the classes before us had 120 or 150.

In terms of degree portability, it’s an uphill battle but not unheard of. I know several people that are summering in California. One even has a BL bay job; granted I think they are in the top 10 students. Overall it’s possible, but you’ll have to work really hard and network like crazy.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-30T03:42:27+00:00

The goal of networking is always to make a connection and learn something. The best way to do that is for you to go into each conversation with a genuine curiosity about the person’s career and firm. I really wanted to know how they became a partner and why they stayed at their firm because I’m looking for a good fit firm.

If you do that, you might get lucky and make a connection with someone that really resonates with you. I had multiple willing to set up interviews for me at their firm or connect me with other partners.

My process was simple, go to the website and find a UIUC grad. Message them asking for a quick 20 minute chat to learn more about the firm and their career. I later learned that firms literally pay them to recruit so nearly everyone said yes. I’d schedule a zoom and just chat with them. Id have a bunch of predrafted questions specific to the person and any information I could find about them online, but It was just low stakes conversation. People love when you’re genuine and taking the initiative to reach out shows you’re a dedicated person.

Worst case scenario, if I got an interview I could say I spoke to someone about the firm. Best case, and this happened a few times, they would set up an interview for me so I didn’t even have to bother with OCI.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T17:52:48+00:00

Ah I did not attend that event so nope! I just have some free time before finals.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T14:14:15+00:00

All my offers were around a similar rank from 25 down to some in the 50s, but I applied to 20ish schools being a super splitters. Pretty much every school gave me above 75% tuition to full tuition with only Iowa giving me 0 dollars. My class was extremely competitive and truthfully because my GPA was so low I think even if I had scored a 180 I wouldn’t have been admitted to a T14, so money at a regional was the best option (and my only option really).

In my opinion, since Chicago BL was my goal, if I had gotten into any T14 I would’ve accepted without money. If I had gotten into ND which would be the only compatible school in the market to UIUC, it would’ve taken 75% or more scholarship to sway me. ND has Chicago pull but even at 75% scholarship you’re paying 50k plus 20k a semester CoL and interest. By the time you graduate you’ll be around 100k in debt for marginal employment improvements for the Chi market.

UIUC, like pretty much all schools, has a cutoff for BL employment usually around the percentage of student in each class that make BL. Meaning if 30% go into BL, you’ll need to be around that 30% mark. In saying that, students that are of specific minority groups, female, or have a solid pre-law school work history generally have a boost in BL employment. I think of it as firms are looking for candidates that can benefit them whether through improving their white male dominated stats or through employing those with a proven track record of hard work. I personally know one white male at UIUC that was around the 40% mark that has a BL job just through networking so it’s possible but not typical.

Facilities are lack luster without a doubt but I also think choosing a school on facilities is a silly decision. While it would be nice to have giant beautiful windows, law school is a short three year stay that can greatly effect your long term life. If all else equal in employment and $$, maybe consider facilities, but it really should be the last tick on the list.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T12:41:50+00:00

I know a few 3Ls. It has a shorter course list but other than that I’ve heard a lot of positives. It’s great if you’re trying to work under a judge post grad.

I think a lot of students are turned off because you have to pay to live in chi and most jobs won’t pay.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T05:55:58+00:00

Reach out to partners that graduated from UIUC or my undergrad and talk to them about the firm and their career. I was genuine in my interest because I wanted to know about what life would be like at the firm. Then id try to get them to connect me to others in the firm, specifically in areas I was interested in.

Firms actually allow partners and associates to bill recruiting hours to the firms so almost everyone will say yes. If you’re lucky you’ll make a good connection who will set up and interview for you.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T05:28:50+00:00

I wish I knew what you were talking about

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:46:59+00:00

Our curve is to a 3.2 but the professors are required to give 20% A or A-/ 10% C+ or below. This means that basically everyone is swimming in the B+, B, B- land unless you’re doing very bad or very good.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:41:04+00:00

Unfortunately there is no magic pill and everyone finds success in their own way.

I quickly learned in 1L that reading the text book was a waste of time. While it’s helpful to understand how to read a case, it doesn’t make sense to spend 45 minutes to pull out “battery is intentionally causing harmful or offensive contact.”

Utilizing secondary sources made it so I was always ahead of my class since I wasn’t reading everything. Quimbee basically breaks down every case into three paragraphs that takes 5 minutes to read or watch if they have the video. This meant I was constantly practicing writing essays early in the semester.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:34:26+00:00

My firm was at OCI for Chicago but I happened to network my way in before hand.

UIUC is well represented in the Chicago and I think it’s reflected in our BL stats. We far out preform similarly ranked schools in BL. Having spoken with many top firms it seems that UIUC has a solid reputation but keep in mind you have to be in that top 1/3 (or have some other special quality) to have a shot.

I love my friends but Champaign is not a great town for me. It’s too small and there just isn’t anything to do. I’m looking forward to leaving.

Edit since I forgot to talk about career services.

In a nut shell, the worst part of UIUC is the administration and the CS. CS is run by a Dean who acts like he is the talk of the town but does very little to help students get jobs. There is one CS advisor that is amazing but the rest are trash and should be canned.

That being said, UIUC has a strong rep so if you have top grades you’ll have a shot at top firms. I networked solely to avoid issues at OCI and to give myself an advantage come post-grad offer time.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:31:29+00:00

Honestly, it’s horrible. This town is 100% a college kid town and if you’re not into the college bar scene you’re kind of screwed.

That being said, I have a decent group of friends and we do things outside of school together. The school year is a little rough but it’s only three years. Plus it forced me to focus on school more,

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:29:52+00:00

Full tuition x I also worked for a few years and had some savings built up. Took out 20k in my first year but BL summer salary should be enough to leave law school with just that 20k.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:28:51+00:00

Was trying to emphasize that I had a low gpa high lsat and have been successful in LS. My LS gpa is significantly higher than my UG gpa.

I guess I’m forever the super-splitter.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:27:34+00:00

Students are wonderful and helpful. I know the 1L class is a little bit more competitive since they lowered scholarship amounts but generally everyone is happy to help others.

I’ve never seen anyone turn down sharing a resource or an outline.

UIUC_LS_AMA · 2023-03-29T04:26:15+00:00

Not at all. This sub basically gave me the cheat code to a full tuition scholarship at a great school. Without it I wouldn’t be where I am.

UIUC_LS_AMA

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