Yes! I can say, honestly, that I have found my studies here to be exceedingly enjoyable, a statement (as you have have noticed) that is increasingly rare in today's high-competition law school environment.
My class mates are wonderful people. Especially during the first year, I found myself making connections with dozens of my fellow classmates; within about the first month of arriving in CT (I was a transplant from NH) I knew enough people that I could get in contact with someone if I had a question about the reading or simply wanted a friend to go out for a beer with.
The professors are accessible; I have taken a full course load for two semesters each year and during that time I have not had one professor who could not be reached if I 'hit a wall' in my studies - you've heard people say that their school has an 'open door policy' but this school really takes it up a notch in this category. Also, with very few exceptions, professors here are friendly - most come to know you by your first name and many get actively involved in student groups and associations (the Irish law society, for example, has a pot-luck singalong at Professor Farrell's house twice a year, it is always a riot). Although some professors are better than others (which I think will be the case no matter where you go) upper classmen are always more than willing to give you the 'low down' on just about any professor, class, clinic or externship you could ever dream of taking.
Lastly, the staff here will bend over backwards to help you out (I never thought about this while choosing a law school myself, but after having spent three years here I can tell you this makes a world of difference). The library staff will, nine times out of ten, drop whatever they are doing and help you find whatever obscure fact you have been searching for (they have got me out of a pinch several times). Our ILL lady, Linda Holt, can get just about any book you could ever need (she got me a microfilm copy of an 1860's New Orleans newspaper in less than a week!). Dean King and Dean Durso meet with any student who wants to go over their class registration plans - sometimes even without appointments (just to make sure you're taking all the courses you need to graduate and such). Heck, even the cleaning crew is awesome (esp. the ladies there during the day - Bunny and Joany - be sure you introduce yourself, you will be glad you did).
I could really go on - and would be glad to if you have any specific questions - but, looking up at what I have already written, I think I had better leave things off here. :)
One last thing though, I was accepted at six schools, two of which were better ranked than QU; if I had to do it all over again, I would still come here. Law school can be rough at times, but having pleasant yokefellows goes a long way to making the experience enjoyable.
Adam Shibley '10
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The 2010-11 FAFSA is now available. As a law student, you are considered independent for FAFSA purposes. Quinnipiac University School of Law does not require you to provide parental information on the FAFSA nor do we ask you to complete a supplemental financial aid application. If you are completing the FAFSA for multiple law schools, you should check their requirements.
The best time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is early, and online. You can save and continue the FAFSA at any time online and then sign your application electronically using a personal identification number (PIN) which you can get from the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site.
The FAFSA is primarily designed to assess eligibility for federal student aid but many schools also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for nonfederal student aid funds. The following are some helpful tips in filling out the application.
Errors you make when filling out the FAFSA could delay your application. See below for some common errors you should avoid when filling out the FAFSA.
Leaving blank fields–enter a '0' or 'not applicable' instead of leaving a blank. Too many blanks may cause miscalculations and an application rejection.
Using commas or decimal points in numeric fields–always round to the nearest dollar.
Listing incorrect Social Security Number or Driver's license number–be sure to double check this data for accuracy.
Entering the wrong federal income tax paid amount–obtain your federal income paid amount from your income tax return forms, not your W-2 form(s).
Listing Adjusted Gross Income as equal to total income–these are usually not the same figure. In most cases, the AGI is larger than the total income. This mistake is particularly common.
Listing marital status incorrectly–only write yes if you're currently married. They want to know what you're marital status is on the day you sign the FAFSA, or Renewal FAFSA.
Leaving the question about drug-related offenses blank–If you're unsure about something, find out before you submit your FAFSA instead of leaving it blank. A conviction doesn't necessarily disqualify you from getting aid.
Forgetting to list the college–obtain the Federal School Code for the college you plan on attending and list it–along with any other schools to which you've applied. Quinnipiac University School of Law’s Federal School Code is E00545.
Listing incorrect housing plans–you will need to list your housing plans specific to each school you have listed; if you are living off campus at one institution, you may be living on campus or with a parent at another.
Listing incorrect family size–you will need to provide your family size which in many cases may be one; you no longer list parental data on the FAFSA so you do not count your parents and siblings in your family size; you would count spouses and children.
Entering the wrong address–your permanent address is not your campus or summer address.
Forgetting to sign and date– If you're filing electronically, be sure to obtain your PIN from www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN is your electronic signature and will always be assigned to you only.
Sending in a copy of your income tax returns–you will be contacted if your information needs verification; you don't need to send a copy of your tax returns in with your application.
Sources: NASFAA ; Department of Education
The best time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is early, and online. You can save and continue the FAFSA at any time online and then sign your application electronically using a personal identification number (PIN) which you can get from the Federal Student Aid PIN Web site.
The FAFSA is primarily designed to assess eligibility for federal student aid but many schools also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for nonfederal student aid funds. The following are some helpful tips in filling out the application.
- Filling out the Pre-Application Worksheet will help you collect and proofread the information for your application before you submit it. There are resources available if you decide you need assistance filling out the FAFSA, check the FAQ section on the FAFSA Web site, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED AID (1-800-433-3243).
- Completing your taxes early will help you get a jump on the FAFSA because you'll need that information to complete the FAFSA. You can estimate the amounts using data from previous tax years, but you'll need to correct the amounts on the form later by going to the corrections page on the FAFSA Web site. If you are not required to file taxes you still have to fill out a FAFSA for federal aid consideration.
Errors you make when filling out the FAFSA could delay your application. See below for some common errors you should avoid when filling out the FAFSA.
Leaving blank fields–enter a '0' or 'not applicable' instead of leaving a blank. Too many blanks may cause miscalculations and an application rejection.
Using commas or decimal points in numeric fields–always round to the nearest dollar.
Listing incorrect Social Security Number or Driver's license number–be sure to double check this data for accuracy.
Entering the wrong federal income tax paid amount–obtain your federal income paid amount from your income tax return forms, not your W-2 form(s).
Listing Adjusted Gross Income as equal to total income–these are usually not the same figure. In most cases, the AGI is larger than the total income. This mistake is particularly common.
Listing marital status incorrectly–only write yes if you're currently married. They want to know what you're marital status is on the day you sign the FAFSA, or Renewal FAFSA.
Leaving the question about drug-related offenses blank–If you're unsure about something, find out before you submit your FAFSA instead of leaving it blank. A conviction doesn't necessarily disqualify you from getting aid.
Forgetting to list the college–obtain the Federal School Code for the college you plan on attending and list it–along with any other schools to which you've applied. Quinnipiac University School of Law’s Federal School Code is E00545.
Listing incorrect housing plans–you will need to list your housing plans specific to each school you have listed; if you are living off campus at one institution, you may be living on campus or with a parent at another.
Listing incorrect family size–you will need to provide your family size which in many cases may be one; you no longer list parental data on the FAFSA so you do not count your parents and siblings in your family size; you would count spouses and children.
Entering the wrong address–your permanent address is not your campus or summer address.
Forgetting to sign and date– If you're filing electronically, be sure to obtain your PIN from www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN is your electronic signature and will always be assigned to you only.
Sending in a copy of your income tax returns–you will be contacted if your information needs verification; you don't need to send a copy of your tax returns in with your application.
Sources: NASFAA ; Department of Education
Thursday, January 7, 2010
My Externship Experiences at Quinnipiac University School of Law
One must learn by doing the thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty, until you try.
- Sophocles
Over the course of the last three years I have had the pleasure of being placed as an Extern at three separate locations: the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the Antitrust Division of the Connecticut State Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Each of these placements has afforded me the opportunity to confront real world problems and interact with members of the legal profession in some of the most intense settings. I write today with the hopes of encouraging others to step outside the class and into the world of practical law.
In my placement at the Federal District Court I researched, wrote bench memos, and twice had the opportunity to produce draft opinions under the direction of the Judge and her clerk. At the Attorney General’s office I had the opportunity to participate in the investigation of white collar crime and help prevent companies from taking advantage of the citizens of Connecticut. At the United States Attorney’s Office I assisted in representing various agencies of the Federal Government. Such experiences are only a small subset of those available at Quinnipiac University School of Law; indeed, the externship program also offers placements in corporate, criminal, legislative, family law, mediation, and a host of other areas of practice.
All too often law school students are depicted as individuals with their noses stuck in books; students engaged in philosophic discussions regarding the application of abstract legal principles to hypothetical or antique fact patterns. While such discussions play an indispensable role in the formation of a legal mind, the crucible of practical application provides innumerable benefits which are simply unavailable through a traditional classroom education. I chose to attend Quinnipiac University School of Law for, among other things, the opportunity to learn by stepping out of the classroom and into the court.
Adam Schibley '10
- Sophocles
Over the course of the last three years I have had the pleasure of being placed as an Extern at three separate locations: the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the Antitrust Division of the Connecticut State Attorney General’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Each of these placements has afforded me the opportunity to confront real world problems and interact with members of the legal profession in some of the most intense settings. I write today with the hopes of encouraging others to step outside the class and into the world of practical law.
In my placement at the Federal District Court I researched, wrote bench memos, and twice had the opportunity to produce draft opinions under the direction of the Judge and her clerk. At the Attorney General’s office I had the opportunity to participate in the investigation of white collar crime and help prevent companies from taking advantage of the citizens of Connecticut. At the United States Attorney’s Office I assisted in representing various agencies of the Federal Government. Such experiences are only a small subset of those available at Quinnipiac University School of Law; indeed, the externship program also offers placements in corporate, criminal, legislative, family law, mediation, and a host of other areas of practice.
All too often law school students are depicted as individuals with their noses stuck in books; students engaged in philosophic discussions regarding the application of abstract legal principles to hypothetical or antique fact patterns. While such discussions play an indispensable role in the formation of a legal mind, the crucible of practical application provides innumerable benefits which are simply unavailable through a traditional classroom education. I chose to attend Quinnipiac University School of Law for, among other things, the opportunity to learn by stepping out of the classroom and into the court.
Adam Schibley '10
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