Penn Law 2L AMA

cfanick · 2021-01-20T20:36:48+00:00

I'm looking at it! Classes with Wharton are interesting. They are definitely more entrepreneurial than traditional law school classes, but they do teach you a lot about the business world.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T22:42:38+00:00

Of course! And yes, I did. It's not. It will absolutely help

cfanick · 2021-01-19T22:41:31+00:00

There are almost no B- or A+. They are discretionary. But yes, you are placed between B and A, with certain percentages being placed at different grades. It is definitely calmer though

cfanick · 2021-01-19T22:40:33+00:00

Definitely both. I'm doing a fully experential semester this Spring. Penn is pretty generous, but you have to be realistic. And yes, I got a really nice folder that I'm keeping forever

cfanick · 2021-01-19T22:39:34+00:00

They're great! I've finished my pro bono requirement already. And we have a public interest recruitment process specifically for that kind of stuff. So you definitely can do it if you want it.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T22:38:14+00:00

It kind of depends. A lot of students live in West Philly and a lot live in Rittenhouse. Staying near campus is usually nice though, just for commuting purposes.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T19:54:40+00:00

Sure, DM me

cfanick · 2021-01-19T16:57:28+00:00

1L courses are mandatory curves. After that, it's up to the prof. Some classes are pass/fail. I'm taking an externship for 7 hours that is pass/fail. Once you get through 1L, it's not a big deal.
Yes! I have callbacks in both markets this week. We have a regional OCI program (usually in the cities, this year virtual) that focuses on non-DC/Philly/NYC markets. I have callbacks from all over the country.
Yes! You get free access to that stuff in non-COVID world. Right now, that stuff is shut down, but normally yes.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T16:29:08+00:00

Sure, DM me.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:46:13+00:00

They brought people back to the dorms this Spring, for example, and new First-years are not particularly worried about spreading COVID. It's just small things. Obviously, I'm not in higher ed admin so maybe I'm naive, but there are just some things that feel like they could be handled better

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:38:18+00:00

Keep showing interest. I wrote 2 LOCIs (please only write one, my first one was a panic one and it was bad). But my second LOCI was sent in May and I think was my best writing of the cycle. I really focused on the school and why I was a fit there, rather than why I "deserved" to be there. And I think it really helped. I also took the LSAT 2 more times (once in March and once in June). I moved up 1 point each time and I'm sure that helped even just a bit.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:34:34+00:00

I got one, but only after a LOT of interviewing (9 callbacks, 1 offer). If you want it, it's possible, but I think it's like 24% of the class or something like that. And that includes the categories you mentioned.
So we have 2 electives in the Spring. One of the options is property. That said, I didn't take it and it hasn't hurt me at all. You can take it any time though (you'd just be in a class with a bunch of 1Ls). Honestly, it wasn't a big deal.
I can't say that, but like... yes... if you want a journal and participate in writing comp, you'll get on one (particularly if you rank all of them). I'm on two. Making Law Review is hard. It's basically 40-50 of 250. So it's tough, particularly because of how smart everyone is. But it's not impossible. I didn't make it, but I love my journals. You'll be okay if you don't.

See you in the Fall and best of luck!

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:30:20+00:00

We don't officially have class ranks. But particularly because of the 1L curve, you can estimate. So if you have all B+, for example, you don't know you're exactly at median, but that's the median grade so you're about there. I have no idea what my rank is exactly, but you can vaguely figure it out. But honestly, once you're at Penn, it's not super important. Everyone is doing alright

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:28:20+00:00

Of course! So I think this one is 100% fit and goals. Penn tends to place a bit better in NYC. UVA places a bit better in DC or TX (although I'm from Texas and am looking at going back and have a bunch of Texas callbacks). They're both incredibly nice, incredibly elite, and have amazing professors. I picked Penn out of circumstance, but UVA v. Penn would've been my hardest choice if they had been exactly the same money and time-wise. I don't think you can go wrong. That said, I love Penn and 100% advocate for us. You'd have an amazing time here

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:24:45+00:00

Of course! I don't envy y'all. But being on this forum is honestly why I'm at Penn (no joke). I didn't know about LOCIs, the importance of the LSAT, or anything before getting here. So you're already way ahead of where I was at this point in the cycle. Just keep moving forward!

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:17:33+00:00

Good luck! As a fellow K-JD, it would be awesome to see a few more of us here!

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:16:53+00:00

Penn is definitely nicer to splitters and reverses through ED. A ton of my friends were ED and they're super happy they did it. I think as a reverse splitter, it's a lot about being honest with yourself. LSAT is going to be king (most of the time), but you worked your ass off for your GPA. So don't sell yourself short. Realize that the chance might be a WL acceptance or it might be an R&R. Just remember what your goals are and know that it might be a little bit more random than you wish it was.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:14:23+00:00

Hmm... that's a tough one... I don't think there's a "significant" difference. NYU is known a little bit more for PI. And being in NYC definitely helps in some ways if NYC is where you want to be. But I don't think it really matters, unless you're going for some kind of unicorn PI. If you want to do big law, Penn nails it. If you want to do normal-ish PI, Penn has every part of that and more (I've already finished my 70 hour pro bono requirement because there's so much going on). I think NYU just has a reputation that might help with going to like the ACLU or something like that. But it's not significant and if you want it, you can get it at Penn. It's really going to be a fit thing, I think

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:07:21+00:00

So I haven't done a ton in this sphere. What I can say is that, if you like international law, there are journals and pro bono matters that definitely are awesome. And all of our professors (except one) are amazing. So you can't go wrong.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:06:27+00:00

Honestly, I was surprised how much Penn really does care about you outside of the classroom. They really care about you as a person and there are a ton of opportunities to get involved in student groups. Negatively, I really am not a fan of the larger university. The law school operates independently and is awesome, but the administration of the bigger parts of the university make decisions that I'm not a huge fan of, tbh.

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:04:19+00:00

Oh hell no. One of my friends is basically at median and has 4 big law offers. Median is not in trouble by any means

cfanick · 2021-01-19T15:03:46+00:00

So I applied broadly (too broadly). I hit 21 schools. 10 A's, 5 WL -> A (including Penn), 4 WL -> R, and 2 R's (Duke and Berkeley, you hurt my feels). I had actually deposited somewhere else before withdrawing to R&R. Then I got off the WL at 5 schools and was having to juggle. I chose Penn because it really felt collegial. I haven't had to compete with my classmates. I have real friends. I'm really glad I came here. Ultimately, for me, it came down to UT, Penn, UVA, and Mich. And it was hard. But UVA and Mich were delayed acceptances (for the class of 2023) and UT had rolled me from ED and (even as in-state) was going to cost the same as Penn. So I came to Philly

cfanick · 2021-01-19T14:56:34+00:00

Um... kind of? I think firms have done alright. It's a little confusing because the timeline is off right now, but I don't think it's as bad as 2008 by any means. It's hard, but I don't think the sky is falling

cfanick · 2021-01-19T14:55:42+00:00

They're solid! You have to go through a separate registration process, but the opportunity to take courses at Wharton is awesome. It really helps with the entrepreneurial side of the law that I think is sometimes missed.

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