Is law really the death sentence that everyone makes it out to be? (1 Viewer)

[Myans]

My raw was exactly the same as my final mark for all my law units so far (public, torts and contracts).

Just to maybe clear something up for you; the raws are already scaled. So when you see a 16/20 for a torts assignment, they have already factored in the cohort's marks, the percentage of HD/Ds (to make sure it aligns with law school regulations), bell-curve, etc. This was confirmed to me in both Contracts and Torts. [USYD only]

 

[Dupain]

If you know a partner or an important client, your chances increase dramatically.

Also marks do count for a lot more mainly due to the need for technical proficiency. A Senior Partner at a top tier was telling me that they need students with higher marks because that is a good indicator of technical proficiency. Top tiers and even mid tiers usually handle legal work from organisations when their in-house teams are unable to do so. So they have to be the cream of the crop and their understanding of the law must be extremely high. According to the partner, people with a credit average or lower lack the high level proficiency needed, although they do make exceptions in cases where the person has strong legal experience from doing other roles during uni.

You need to take some responsibility about the direction of your life. In Australian we have his "entitlement" sickness where we don't want to work/compete to get a job. Starting law in two weeks and I've lined up internships at investment banks already for this year. Might be not what I think it'll be but I'm having a go to get ahead.

 

[jaydizzlegear]

You need to take some responsibility about the direction of your life. In Australian we have his "entitlement" sickness where we don't want to work/compete to get a job. Starting law in two weeks and I've lined up internships at investment banks already for this year. Might be not what I think it'll be but I'm having a go to get ahead.

just wondering, what university are you going to for law? I have a feeling you are going to macquarie and you are really mad that you didn't get into USYD or UNSW...

 

[neo o]

You need to take some responsibility about the direction of your life. In Australian we have his "entitlement" sickness where we don't want to work/compete to get a job. Starting law in two weeks and I've lined up internships at investment banks already for this year. Might be not what I think it'll be but I'm having a go to get ahead.

I'm sure your dad is very proud of you for getting those internships he arranged for you. I find it very difficult to believe that you would have scored an IB internship before you've even started uni without connections. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just the way the world is, but don't come in here and presume to lecture people who don't have your opportunities about their work ethic.

 

[enoilgam]

I'm sure your dad is very proud of you for getting those internships he arranged for you. I find it very difficult to believe that you would have scored an IB internship before you've even started uni without connections. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just the way the world is, but don't come in here and presume to lecture people who don't have your opportunities about their work ethic.

I call bullshit/troll.

 

[wannaspoon]

I'm sure your dad is very proud of you for getting those internships he arranged for you. I find it very difficult to believe that you would have scored an IB internship before you've even started uni without connections. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just the way the world is, but don't come in here and presume to lecture people who don't have your opportunities about their work ethic.

rekt!

Might I ask (rather noob-ily) how much of studying law is pure memorisation?

Not much really, exams are open book (most of the time)... you get pointed to the right direction on what you need to study... do a sick job of tabbing things, copy (paraphrase) slabs from your text in the exam... Rakes in the HD's (D's at least...)... I never was really good at exams though, although, I did slaughter all my other assessments...

I see critical thinking, a good work ethic and patience as more valuable attributes...

 

[isildurrrr1]

I'm sure your dad is very proud of you for getting those internships he arranged for you. I find it very difficult to believe that you would have scored an IB internship before you've even started uni without connections. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just the way the world is, but don't come in here and presume to lecture people who don't have your opportunities about their work ethic.

Even with daddy's connections I doubt he even got into an IB firm fresh out of high school. That's one way to make your coworkers/underlings resent you.

 

[Dupain]

I'm sure your dad is very proud of you for getting those internships he arranged for you. I find it very difficult to believe that you would have scored an IB internship before you've even started uni without connections. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just the way the world is, but don't come in here and presume to lecture people who don't have your opportunities about their work ethic.

Your response is extremely inappropriate. It's no big deal. There's no reason why during the break not to be asking for an internship, why wait to 3rd year? I'm not getting paid. My choice. No connections.

 

[Dupain]

Basically everyone's reaction when they hear that I'm going to do law is "wtf are you crazy, you're setting yourself up for a major breakdown"

And I get that it probably isn't as bad as most people think but how bad is it really?

There's are great video on youtube starring the law legend himself A Kirby.

In the video he addressed the issues of stress amongst law students. He shared his experiences with stress at University and research into this problematic area of law.

Stress for law students was like 3 times that of medical students.

If you are at the pointy end of the top law schools, you are competing with some of the most brilliant and driven students in the country and more than often some have a melt down because they can't be at the top like at school.

You have to be aware of this, comes with the territory.

There are assistance etc. But in the end you have to understand what you are getting into and beware that depression/anxiety is prevalent in law schools.

 

[InsoulvencyReaper]

Basically everyone's reaction when they hear that I'm going to do law is "wtf are you crazy, you're setting yourself up for a major breakdown"

And I get that it probably isn't as bad as most people think but how bad is it really?

My friend dropped out of law school after a breakdown.

I've already had one breakdown doing accounting. Now that's saying something hahaha.

Now kids, if you can avoid working full-time and studying a dual degree I'd recommend it. Hahaha. Otherwise you'll be at uni forever, like me.
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Dupain, congrats on the internships - being unpaid would suck but I hope I meets (even exceeds) your expectations. You've got to remember to remain humble, and be nice (as stupid as it sounds). Choose your battles wisely - not everything needs to be a fight.

 

[TrentsUnicorn]

My friend dropped out of law school after a breakdown.

I've already had one breakdown doing accounting. Now that's saying something hahaha.

Now kids, if you can avoid working full-time and studying a dual degree I'd recommend it. Hahaha. Otherwise you'll be at uni forever, like me.

Well that instils so much confidence :O

 

[Aerath]

You need to take some responsibility about the direction of your life. In Australian we have his "entitlement" sickness where we don't want to work/compete to get a job. Starting law in two weeks and I've lined up internships at investment banks already for this year. Might be not what I think it'll be but I'm having a go to get ahead.

Yes, you can go to boast to someone who gives a fuck. I mean, why introduce a pissing contest when noone else is pissing?

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Law's difficult, but not any moreso than any other university degree, in my opinion. I mean, I just completed my law degree, and yes, there were moments when I wanted to kill myself, but I'm sure if you stuck me in an Architecture or Engineering degree, I'd similarly want to neck myself too.

Law has a more intense rap because, in my opinion, the personalities which law attracts tend to be alpha or beta personalities (check), with loud mouths (check), who are drama queens (check) or are extroverts (check-ish). Of course, this isn't indicative of the entire cohort, but by and large, I find that law students fall into two of those categories. But essentially, no, law isn't that bad.

As for universities, yes, I suppose you could argue that the majority of clerks at mid-top tier firms are USyd/UNSW/Go8. Why that is the case is part prestige bias, but also part calibre of candidate. Think of it another way, to get into USyd Law (which needs a fairly high ATAR). Would your chances improve if you went to Ruse? Probably. The person who comes 80th in the cohort still gets 99. The person who comes 80th in the cohort of Woop Woop High School probs gets like 70s.

It's the same with universities. The person who is 30th in the cohort at USyd probably gets a clerkship at a top tier. The person who is 30th in the cohort at (say) UWS probably doesn't.

Does that mean that it's impossible to get a clerkship from UWS? Absolutely not. You have just as much chance if you're a stellar student (well, you SHOULD, this isn't taking into account university bias, which does from time to time occur). There are two grads at Mallies (one of the big three top tier firms) who are from UWS - but they were both medallists in their respective years.

 

[Chazure]

^ agreed.

don't think law is honestly that different compared to other disciplines. read alot, read some more, talk in class, read the same thing again to actually get it, repeat.

the average law student is just a special breed, as mentioned above.

 

[Dupain]

Yes, you can go to boast to someone who gives a fuck. I mean, why introduce a pissing contest when noone else is pissing?

----

Law's difficult, but not any moreso than any other university degree, in my opinion. I mean, I just completed my law degree, and yes, there were moments when I wanted to kill myself, but I'm sure if you stuck me in an Architecture or Engineering degree, I'd similarly want to neck myself too.

Law has a more intense rap because, in my opinion, the personalities which law attracts tend to be alpha or beta personalities (check), with loud mouths (check), who are drama queens (check) or are extroverts (check-ish). Of course, this isn't indicative of the entire cohort, but by and large, I find that law students fall into two of those categories. But essentially, no, law isn't that bad.

As for universities, yes, I suppose you could argue that the majority of clerks at mid-top tier firms are USyd/UNSW/Go8. Why that is the case is part prestige bias, but also part calibre of candidate. Think of it another way, to get into USyd Law (which needs a fairly high ATAR). Would your chances improve if you went to Ruse? Probably. The person who comes 80th in the cohort still gets 99. The person who comes 80th in the cohort of Woop Woop High School probs gets like 70s.

It's the same with universities. The person who is 30th in the cohort at USyd probably gets a clerkship at a top tier. The person who is 30th in the cohort at (say) UWS probably doesn't.

Does that mean that it's impossible to get a clerkship from UWS? Absolutely not. You have just as much chance if you're a stellar student (well, you SHOULD, this isn't taking into account university bias, which does from time to time occur). There are two grads at Mallies (one of the big three top tier firms) who are from UWS - but they were both medallists in their respective years.

Why are you so angry? I've never complained about the Law as a career or studies but rather using my initiative to get an internship for this year. Had my first lectured yesterday and all the so call "Ruse" types were quite as a mouse - but they are on a mission to get past papers to memorise and work together, strength in numbers. I've got them covered. Just facts and data that will show that USYD/UNSW Law graduates run Sydney/Australia and have a more international recognition. You hate us because your ANUS. Enjoyed O week at UNSW, epic/massive parties so far but the college food could be better, maybe I am missing mum's cooking.

 

[jaydizzlegear]

Dupain, you go to Macquarie. Shut up.

 

[Aerath]

Why are you so angry?

[......]

Just facts and data that will show that USYD/UNSW Law graduates run Sydney/Australia and have a more international recognition. You hate us because your ANUS.

Um, I just graduated my law degree from USyd, and I'm a grad lawyer at a top tier law firm; so, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that......? I don't dislike you because you go to a Go8 uni (which I did, too?); I dislike you because you're arrogant and conceited and embody everything that is wrong with law students and wannabe lawyers.

 

[isildurrrr1]

Dupain, you go to Macquarie. Shut up.

And he went to UNSW o week? what a loser.

 

[turntaker]

I'm going to UOW law

 

[Dupain]

Um, I just graduated my law degree from USyd, and I'm a grad lawyer at a top tier law firm; so, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that......? I don't dislike you because you go to a Go8 uni (which I did, too?); I dislike you because you're arrogant and conceited and embody everything that is wrong with law students and wannabe lawyers.

I've got people like you covered. Did not take too much to entrapped you into boasting ... too easy.

 

[Dupain]

And he went to UNSW o week? what a loser.

Yourself old man?