Today’s post is a collaborative effort between me and Kamil Brown, the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. With Admitted Students Day behind us and another cycle slowly winding down, I sat down with Kamil to discuss some questions regarding Admissions, especially with how competitive this cycle has been. I also reflected on my own experiences during my cycle during 2023-24.
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Seven Miles, Four Left Turns, and One Very Bad Idea
Over Fall Break this past October, I went for my first outdoor run in Randolph.
It was also the first time in my life that I ended up on crutches.
Continue readingCindoughrella and the 1L Survival Strategy
At the beginning of this semester, right around the time reading assignments started multiplying and summer job interviews were happening almost every day, I made a somewhat questionable decision.
I decided to start a sourdough starter.
Continue readingFrom Duels to Gorillas: Weirdest Laws of Massachusetts
As a state with one of the longest and most storied histories in our country, Massachusetts is no stranger to quirky and arcane laws. These laws may derive from Puritan norms of the 17th century or may come from more recent irrational worries. While I found myself extremely disappointed that some of these are more urban legends than past or present reality, I will be running through a few of my favorites regardless of their origin.
Continue readingIs Law School the Ultimate Endurance Test?
I recently received a call from a recruiter with the Marines assessing my interest and eligibility for their law student program. After candidly informing the recruiter that I have never done a single pull-up in my entire life (this was in response to a question; I would not have offered this information unprompted), he asked me how fast I could run three miles. The answer is that I would never voluntarily put myself in a situation that requires running three consecutive miles.
Continue readingThe Opportunity Cost of Early BigLaw Recruiting
It’s your first semester of law school at BC Law. It’s been just a few weeks since orientation, and you’re trying to get your footing. Torts makes sense, because slapping someone is obviously a battery. Contracts feels manageable too; you think about your apartment lease, or your brother’s offer to buy you McDonald’s, to think through offer and acceptance. Law Practice is a bit frustrating because you’re expected to learn the Bluebook on the fly. And Civ Pro? You have no idea what’s going on there—but that’s a problem for later.
Meanwhile, you’re figuring out how to be a law student. Do you take notes like you did in undergrad, buy color-coded notebooks to handwrite in class, or type a near-transcript of everything your professor says? When do you start outlining—and what even is an outline? Will you sound stupid if you go to office hours to ask about Twombly? And then there’s the club fair. Should you apply to that 1L Representative position for the Law Student Association? Or for the Business Law Society? Both would look great on your resume. But not too many commitments so soon—you still need time to read your cases, pour hours into over-detailed briefs, and prepare for class. Maybe one club application and casual involvement in the others will be enough for now.
Continue readingWhen 1L Fall Finals Don’t Go As Planned
There’s a version of your first 1L finals season that exists in your head: You wake up early. You review your attack outlines one last time. You calmly sip coffee. You walk into the exam room steady, composed, and frighteningly well-prepared. And then there’s real life.
Continue readingLove, Actually: 1L Lifesavers
Eternal January has ended, and Forever February has entered the picture. This winter has been particularly brutal, and, at least according to the baseless claims of that godforsaken groundhog, spring is still a long way off. Yet, sandwiched in the middle of what may be the dreariest month of the year is one of my favorite commercialized holidays: Valentine’s Day.
Continue readingWhy You Should Take Classes Outside of Your Comfort Zone
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou
Gaining control of your class schedule is one of the most exciting aspects of leaving 1L behind and moving forward in your law school journey. Aside from the anxiety it induces as everyone gathers around tables in the yellow room or library to sign up for classes at the exact time that the registration window opens, the chance to pick all your courses is one of the most fun parts of law school. But not enough people take full advantage of this freedom. I understand the temptation to use your future career path as a guide for course selection. Yet more students should utilize their time in school to explore various areas of the law. Studying at Boston College Law School means we have access to some of the sharpest and most thoughtful legal minds across a wide variety of subjects. Take advantage of that bounty of intellectual acumen while you can. Doing so will make us all better lawyers and students, and, more importantly, more well-rounded people, regardless of our future professional track.
Continue readingFive Key Tips for the Transition From 1L 1st to 2nd Semester
Happy (belated) new year everyone! While it may be cold and stagnant outside, there is a lot of change going on at the school right now. I remember my second semester of first year and it was a messy start. I have some tips for the first few weeks back from winter break.
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BC Law: Impact 