Do you think that they are really doing their jobs? Do you think that the "Dean" is picking the best people that will go out in the world and best represent VLS? Do you get all the help you can from Career Services? Feel confident you will find a job?
Just curious what you think?
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11 comments:
Well, why don't you tell us what you think, rather than a bunch of seemingly rhetorical questions behind an anonymous identity?
Yeah, dude. This is a pretty petty way to vent about the high cost of tuition. Aren't you graduated anyway? Shouldn't you be looking for a job instead of whining about something you can't change now, but could have had input on for the past 3 years?
I'm all for reduction of tuition or a large increase in merit and need based scholarships, but bitching in this forum, anonymously and sending out a cowardly everyone email is certainly NOT going to do a goddamn thing.
Wow, what a bunch of d-bags. This is a great way to provide a forum for individuals to share their opinions given the extremely restrictive access the law school provides. For three years the administration has provided minimal opportunity for this kind of debate. Enjoy it and write something meaningful.
This is a forum, not a rant. It is here to provide access. Though I didn't make it, I definitely support it.
Yeah, Its definitely more of a contribution to flame the previous posters (yeah...all 2 of them).
This is cowardly and wont accomplish anything.
Call me a douche all you want (or did you?), but you're no better than we, and this site still won't fix a damn thing.
biglaw and blackdog_9,
Why so irritated? Geez! Just a question and I am employed. Doesn't mean I don't have time to reflect on my experience at VLS.
I am glad you seem content with your law school experience. Hope it works out for you.
To answer your question. I went to a great school with great people and I loved it. Yet, I feel that the school overcharged and admitted some students who were not qualified according to LAST score and GPA requirements and sitting through class with these guys and seeing them flounder through school, barely get by because VLS NEVER flunks anyone out (because they want the tuition money), then see them graduate was painful.
Furthermore, the school's stance on the Solomon Amendment now screws the students out of federal money that could help mitigate some of the tuition costs. It's great to stand on principle, but what about the students who like to be in JAG or go into the military. That shouldn't preclude any chances they may have, simply because the school decided to stand on principle for a portion of the student body.
As long as you are happy with your VLS experience, there is no reason for you to post here.
VLS Alum - If you look back at my first comment, you'll see that I simply asked that you tell us what YOU think, rather than asking a question. Yes, I am fairly content with my education. Yes it is pricey, but it is the school I chose. I agree that some students are admitted that probably shouldn't be, but I think that is few and far between. More prevalently, there are students who just don't seem to try very hard or are more interested in activities than classes. But thats their choice.
Now, to your comment about military recruiting: Why should the school violate its nondiscrimination policy for one employer against ONE group of people. If it was a firm who had an open discrimination policy against women or minorities, should we let them on campus? Maybe someone wants to work for that firm. Who cares if that firm will only consider applications from certain types of people? That's where your logic takes you, and I hope you can see that and understand why this stance is important. What if Exxon wanted to fund a new building, but only on the condition that we stop promoting environmental issues? Does the money make it worth the loss of values? I don't think so.
Finally - you last comment is interesting. In other words, you only want people to post here who agree with you???? Great idea for a "forum".
Dustin,
Seriously, I'm calling you out because you tried to stifle debate. Also, you started talking trash immediately. VLS Grad has a job, so do I, we're concerned with paying back loans because we were overcharged. You'll see, unless your a rich kid, in which case nobody likes you.
I agree fully with the poster regarding the VLS experience. I'm embarrassed of my law school...embarrassed.
Hold the law school accountable for everything they do.
How many job/career fairs have you been to? Do e-mails with possible jobs suffice? What does the school pay those people? What does the school pay the myriad of employees that nobody actually has any contact with?
Seriously, ask questions and having now studied at another law school, let me tell you, we are getting ripped off.
Settle down Dustin. I never said I wanted people to agree with me. Where did you get that notion?
You sound very defensive.
I agree with you on the military and their idiotic practice, but that stance by the school is not one of the smartest and those funds could help in many ways. The average VLS grad makes about $45Kyear. If you are walking out if law school with $120k, and you are making $45-50k year, what do you think your quality of life is going to be? Unless you are one of the Trustifarians or lucky few who have mommy and daddy to rely on, then you are in tough times because you decided to pay Harvard tuition to a school that gets you an entry level job.
Also, have you seen the Bar passage rate. I know the school has no real influence over that, but as it was pointed out to me in an interview once, "why is your school so low?", "What do you guys do out there?" No fun trying to justify that one. You'll see when you get out there, what kind of rep VLS has in the legal community.
Just sayin'
Dog…Im assuming you’re a student who isn’t a trustafarian and are taking out loans for your legal education. If this is the case then I ask you to do the following:
1. Sit down, take out a calculator.
2. Gather all your loan paperwork and add up all the loans. (Don’t forget to factor in all those increases in tuition, fees, insurance and cost of living!)
3. Add up all the interest accruing, then figure out your monthly post grad payments.
All give you a short cut: If your payments are anything like most grads already out, and factoring in the staggering increases, you’ll probably be paying back at least $1,000 per month. That’s $1000 or so (maybe more) regardless of your income.
Next, take out a nationally respected newspaper or magazine. Notice all the stories about the horrendous economy and thousands upon thousands of laid off workers? That’s what you’ll be entering.
Next, take a glance at an alumni letter recently sent out by VLS that notes that VLS grad salaries rose by 17% in 2007. Compare that with the news as well as any direct contact with recent vls grads. If you still believe that bs statistic, then I suggest you check yourself into the nearest rehab clinic and get them to help you put down that crack pipe.
Fact is, you’re right, tuition increases have no direct effect on those students that have already graduated. Actually, current grads tend to consider ourselves lucky that we got out when we did, considering the current tuition and cost of living in what is perhaps the most expensive small town in all of Vermont.
What we do care about our future VLS grads/ potential students that are deceived into thinking that after being handed a VLS JD, a well paying or even somewhat decent paying job awaits them, and they’ll be able to pay back their loans. This isn’t true. For those that are considering a JD, be warned and make your decision carefully. For most still in school, brace yourselves. And start questioning these hikes and where the money is going.
I do take issue with the blogger, the tuition he cites to 2001 is more akin to tuition around 2005. It was cheaper in 2001. Oh, and back then VLS was the number 1 environmental law school (note: the current number 1 environmental law school is $10,000 cheaper per year in tuition alone).
At the end of the day, VLS has a great tradition, but that tradition is slowly being eroded by churning out students who will get dragged down with a heavy debt load that’ll keep them from doing that which they, and the VLS tradition inspired them to go into law in the first place.
dx890,
My sentiments, EXACTLY!
I will check my facts again on the tuition in 2001, I may be wrong. It has been known to happen...just ask Dycus :-)
I'm a bit flattered at all the attention I have been getting. And I thank everyone who has been researching my real name and such. I am probably the only person who can be identified as a real person around here.
As far as all the fun name calling and trust fund hippie insinuations, I receive NO money from any family member and I never have. It was my choice to attend VLS and I signed on the dotted line right under the exorbitant sum that was listed for the tuition cost.
I think that we all have to take a little more responsibility for this. Everyone attending for a JD knew what it was going to cost, and they came here anyway. If L&C is $10k cheaper why didnt you go there? I can tell you why I didnt go- My grades weren't good enough and I wasn't admitted. I am interested in environmental law only and so I picked the next best thing. We're all grown ups here and if you did what you could while at the school then good for you, you should feel like you've done what you can. But everyone else that is still here cannot just step under the guise of an internet moniker and bitch. Real action is necessary within the school and within the administration if you have serious problems.
If you want to get some attention and debate about this at the school, while you are not here, then I suggest perhaps revealing a little more about who you are and not hiding behind a contrived email name and sending out promos to the real everyone email list, rather than purposefully omitting the staff, professors, and administration.
This thread has indeed blossomed into true debate (at least amongst the 3 or 4 of us) and for that I am appreciative. There are definitely points to be made concerning the cost of the school and how that should be best handled, coming from such an apparently C-list school and entering into a buyer's employment market.
As far as my own actions, I am currently working on research for a professor here as well as a small independent Asian energy exploitation watchdog group. I am planning on making a meager wage, but it is something I am willing to sacrifice in order to "be the change I want to see in the world."
Of course, I am not a masochist, so any ways anyone can offer to assuage the pain of the loan repayments is more than welcome...
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