Can you find happiness in law school?

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