March 26, 2007
Classes
K.S., 1L
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 (I chose my preliminary schedule last December for the spring term). In fact, I bemoaned the selection process again in late January, as I went from course to course, shopping for the perfect schedule.
It really was not until recently that I realized my second semester courses, picked by me, with my interests in mind, are anomalies in the legal world.
This past weekend, I was in Puerto Rico (yes, the trip was fantastic) and surrounded by law students from various other schools (no, not even law students can ruin a weekend in Puerto Rico, especially when the northeast is experiencing sub-zero temperatures). Of course, students from other schools began lamenting about their pre-fixed course load. I heard the usual complaints about bad professors, classes that began too early in the morning, and overall boring subject matter. One “lucky” 1L student went to a school where he was able to choose an elective this semester, and only had three more requirements for his 2L year.
Instead of obnoxiously explaining the Yale system, I left – albeit with a grin on my face – as I realized one of Yale’s many luxuries.
Indeed, Yale does have requirements. I remember fondly taking Constitutional Law, Torts, Civil Procedure and Contracts for one semester, but that is it -- nothing more. To be fair, I must take Criminal Law at some point before I graduate, but I can do this during any of my remaining five semesters. I have noticed that this creates a system where students can almost immediately take classes that interest them.
Personally, I felt I needed a better grasp of business upon entering law school. With my undergraduate experience focusing mostly in the humanities, I wanted to branch out and learn more black letter law, as well as enrich my understanding of the global market. To do this, I enrolled in Business Organizations, and Law and Globalization. Both courses underscore the law’s importance in business exchanges and global trade – I have found both classes riveting. Already less than a month into the semester, I have increased my business knowledge exponentially.
I also had the opportunity to enroll in Antidiscrimination Law, and take two clinics. Yale’s willingness to allow first-year students to enroll in legal clinics is another one of the school’s unique benefits. With the clinics, I am representing victims of domestic violence, as well as helping non-profit institutions attain 501(c)(3) status.
Finally, this schedule lets me have three day weekends and class not beginning before 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
To be honest, I was not fully aware of Yale’s approach to classes before I enrolled here – however, I can attest that the Law School’s willingness to allow students to enroll in classes of interest has enriched my already bright experience here.
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 (I chose my preliminary schedule last December for the spring term). In fact, I bemoaned the selection process again in late January, as I went from course to course, shopping for the perfect schedule.
It really was not until recently that I realized my second semester courses, picked by me, with my interests in mind, are anomalies in the legal world.
This past weekend, I was in Puerto Rico (yes, the trip was fantastic) and surrounded by law students from various other schools (no, not even law students can ruin a weekend in Puerto Rico, especially when the northeast is experiencing sub-zero temperatures). Of course, students from other schools began lamenting about their pre-fixed course load. I heard the usual complaints about bad professors, classes that began too early in the morning, and overall boring subject matter. One “lucky” 1L student went to a school where he was able to choose an elective this semester, and only had three more requirements for his 2L year.
Instead of obnoxiously explaining the Yale system, I left – albeit with a grin on my face – as I realized one of Yale’s many luxuries.
Indeed, Yale does have requirements. I remember fondly taking Constitutional Law, Torts, Civil Procedure and Contracts for one semester, but that is it -- nothing more. To be fair, I must take Criminal Law at some point before I graduate, but I can do this during any of my remaining five semesters. I have noticed that this creates a system where students can almost immediately take classes that interest them.
Personally, I felt I needed a better grasp of business upon entering law school. With my undergraduate experience focusing mostly in the humanities, I wanted to branch out and learn more black letter law, as well as enrich my understanding of the global market. To do this, I enrolled in Business Organizations, and Law and Globalization. Both courses underscore the law’s importance in business exchanges and global trade – I have found both classes riveting. Already less than a month into the semester, I have increased my business knowledge exponentially.
I also had the opportunity to enroll in Antidiscrimination Law, and take two clinics. Yale’s willingness to allow first-year students to enroll in legal clinics is another one of the school’s unique benefits. With the clinics, I am representing victims of domestic violence, as well as helping non-profit institutions attain 501(c)(3) status.
Finally, this schedule lets me have three day weekends and class not beginning before 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
To be honest, I was not fully aware of Yale’s approach to classes before I enrolled here – however, I can attest that the Law School’s willingness to allow students to enroll in classes of interest has enriched my already bright experience here.
