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St. John's Law Student Handbook: Your Guide to Success
Navigating law school is a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding journey. At St. John's University School of Law, this journey is particularly enriched by a vibrant community and a rigorous curriculum. But even with the support system in place, feeling overwhelmed is a common experience. That's where a comprehensive guide comes in. This St. John's Law student handbook isn't just a collection of rules and regulations; it's your roadmap to success, designed to help you thrive academically, professionally, and personally throughout your time at St. John's. This guide will cover everything from academic expectations and resources to extracurricular activities and career services, ensuring you're well-equipped to make the most of your law school experience.
Understanding the St. John's Law Academic Environment
The academic rigor at St. John's Law is renowned. This section will delve into the specifics of the curriculum, helping you understand the expectations and navigate the challenges effectively.
Grading System and Academic Standards: St. John's utilizes a traditional grading system, and understanding the weight of exams, class participation, and written assignments is crucial. We'll break down the grading scale and provide insight into what constitutes excellent work in each course. We will also cover the university's academic integrity policy in detail, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct and responsible scholarship.
Course Selection and Registration: Choosing the right courses can significantly impact your overall law school experience. We'll walk you through the course catalog, explaining different areas of law and suggesting strategies for building a balanced and challenging curriculum that aligns with your career aspirations. This includes understanding prerequisites, elective choices, and the registration process itself.
Utilizing Academic Resources: St. John's Law offers a wealth of academic support services. This includes tutoring, writing assistance, research support, and access to specialized databases and legal research tools. Understanding and utilizing these resources is key to academic success, and we will provide a step-by-step guide to accessing and effectively using them.
Professors and Relationships: Building a strong rapport with professors is beneficial for academic and professional success. This section will offer advice on approaching professors during office hours, engaging in class discussions, and seeking guidance on academic matters.
Mastering Legal Research and Writing
Legal research and writing are fundamental skills for any lawyer. This section provides a focused approach to mastering these crucial aspects of legal education.
Legal Research Databases and Tools: Becoming proficient in using Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other legal research platforms is essential. We'll guide you through the basics of these tools, offering practical tips and techniques to conduct efficient and effective legal research.
Legal Writing Style and Structure: St. John's Law places a strong emphasis on clear, concise, and persuasive legal writing. We'll cover the essential elements of legal writing, including proper citation, legal argumentation, and the structure of various legal documents like briefs and memos.
Improving Writing Skills: We'll address common legal writing challenges, offering practical strategies for enhancing your writing skills, from outlining and drafting to editing and proofreading. We will also discuss the importance of feedback and the iterative process of legal writing.
Extracurricular Activities and Networking
Engaging in extracurricular activities enhances your law school experience and provides valuable networking opportunities.
Student Organizations: St. John's Law offers a vibrant array of student organizations, ranging from subject-specific clubs to public interest groups. We'll detail the different organizations, highlighting their activities and how to get involved.
Networking Events and Opportunities: Networking is crucial for future career success. We'll explain how to effectively network at law school events, conferences, and career fairs.
Building Professional Relationships: We'll discuss the importance of building strong, professional relationships with classmates, professors, and alumni.
Career Services and Job Search Strategies
Preparing for your legal career begins long before graduation. This section provides guidance on utilizing career services and effectively searching for jobs.
Career Counseling and Advising: St. John's Law provides comprehensive career counseling services. We'll explain how to utilize these services to identify career goals and develop a personalized career plan.
Resume and Cover Letter Writing: We’ll discuss the nuances of writing effective legal resumes and cover letters that highlight your skills and experiences.
Interview Preparation and Techniques: Successful job interviews require preparation and practice. This section will provide tips and strategies for acing your interviews.
The St. John's Law Student Handbook: A Detailed Outline
I. Introduction: A welcoming message and overview of the handbook's purpose and structure.
II. Academic Life:
A. Grading System and Academic Policies
B. Course Selection and Registration
C. Academic Resources and Support Services
D. Building Relationships with Professors
III. Legal Research and Writing:
A. Mastering Legal Research Databases
B. Developing Strong Legal Writing Skills
C. Understanding Legal Citation
IV. Extracurricular Activities and Networking:
A. Student Organizations and Involvement
B. Networking Strategies and Events
V. Career Services and Job Search:
A. Utilizing Career Services Effectively
B. Resume and Cover Letter Preparation
C. Interview Preparation and Techniques
VI. Conclusion: Encouragement and final words of advice.
Detailed Explanation of Outline Points
(Each point from the outline would be expanded upon here in detail, mirroring the content already provided in the main body of the article. This section would add depth and provide specific examples and resources for each point. Due to length constraints, this detailed expansion is omitted here. However, imagine each subsection expands on the previous descriptions with practical advice, real-world examples, and links to relevant St. John's University resources.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the average class size at St. John's Law? Class sizes vary but are generally smaller than at many other law schools, facilitating more interaction with professors.
2. What type of financial aid is available? St. John's offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Details can be found on the financial aid website.
3. What is the bar passage rate for St. John's Law graduates? The bar passage rate is consistently high and is regularly published on the law school website.
4. How can I get involved in pro bono work? Several student organizations focus on pro bono work; information is available through the Career Services office and student organization websites.
5. What career services are offered to students? St. John's provides comprehensive career counseling, resume review, mock interviews, and job search assistance.
6. Are there opportunities for study abroad? Yes, St. John's Law offers various study abroad programs in partnership with other universities.
7. What is the library's online resource access? The library offers extensive online access to legal databases, journals, and other research materials, accessible with student credentials.
8. How can I find a mentor? The law school facilitates mentorship programs, and you can also seek out professors or alumni for guidance.
9. What is the school's commitment to diversity and inclusion? St. John's is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
Related Articles
1. St. John's Law Admissions Requirements: A comprehensive guide to the application process and requirements for admission.
2. Top 10 St. John's Law Professors: A spotlight on influential faculty members at St. John's.
3. St. John's Law Student Life and Activities: Exploring campus life and the vibrant student community.
4. St. John's Law Scholarships and Financial Aid: A detailed breakdown of available financial assistance.
5. St. John's Law Career Services and Job Placement: Examining the school's commitment to career support.
6. How to Ace the St. John's Law Entrance Exam (LSAT): Preparation strategies and tips for the LSAT.
7. Life After St. John's Law: Successful Alumni Stories: Inspiring tales of graduates’ career paths.
8. St. John's Law Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams: Insights into competitive extracurricular programs.
9. St. John's Law Public Interest and Pro Bono Opportunities: A guide to community engagement and service initiatives.
| st john s law student handbook: REA's Authoritative Guide to Law Schools Research and Education Association, 1997-01-01 This comprehensive guide includes all the facts necessary to make informed decisions about where to apply and what to expect in law school. Official profiles of every accredited U.S. And Canadian law school, as well as many nonaccredited schools, are presented in clear, easy-to-read formats. Special sections offer in-depth advice on how to finance your law school education, how to evaluate your admission chances at different schools, and what types of law school programs are available. A pre-law advisor answers the most frequently-asked questions. In a separate essay, a law school student gives a personal account of the admission process and experiences in the first year of law school. |
| st john s law student handbook: The Student's Handbook of Modern History, from the Commencement of the Sixteenth Century to the Present Day. With a Sketch of the French Revolution by Henry, Lord Brougham Samuel NEIL, 1859 |
| st john s law student handbook: A Manual of the Roman Civil Law Arranged After the Analysis of Dr. Hallifax George Leapingwell, 1859 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Jd Jungle Law School Survival Guide Editors Of Jd Jungle, 2013-04-02 There's an old saying about law school: The first year, they scare you to death; the second year, they work you to death; the third year, they bore you to death. Helping to alleviate this famed fright, sweat, and boredom, The JD Jungle Law School Survival Guide expertly shows current and prospective students how to navigate all three years of law-school torture. Comprehensive, practical, and witty, it includes advice from students in the trenches, successful graduates, sage professors, and working professionals, including:How to identify and get accepted at the law school of your choicePlaces to look for and get financial aidEffective note-taking, study, and exam-day strategiesTips for managing law-school stressHow to pass the bar exam the first timeHow to land a law internship-and then the job of your dreamsFounded by parent company Jungle Interactive Media in 2000, JD Jungle is one of the hottest new magazines on the market. With a circulation of 80,000 subscribers, it can be found on newsstands everywhere. Visit www.JdJungle.com. |
| st john s law student handbook: The Student's Handbook to the University and Colleges of Cambridge , 1965 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Law of Higher Education, A Comprehensive Guide to Legal Implications of Administrative Decision Making William A. Kaplin, Barbara A. Lee, Neal H. Hutchens, Jacob H. Rooksby, 2019-04-01 Your must-have resource on the law of higher education Written by recognized experts in the field, the latest edition of The Law of Higher Education, Vol. 2 offers college administrators, legal counsel, and researchers with the most up-to-date, comprehensive coverage of the legal implications of administrative decision making. In the increasingly litigious environment of higher education, William A. Kaplin and Barbara A. Lee’s clear, cogent, and contextualized legal guide proves more and more indispensable every year. Two new authors, Neal H. Hutchens and Jacob H Rooksby, have joined the Kaplin and Lee team to provide additional coverage of important developments in higher education law. From hate speech to student suicide, from intellectual property developments to issues involving FERPA, this comprehensive resource helps ensure you’re ready for anything that may come your way. Includes new material since publication of the previous edition Covers Title IX developments and intellectual property Explores new protections for gay and transgender students and employees Delves into free speech rights of faculty and students in public universities Expands the discussion of faculty academic freedom, student academic freedom, and institutional academic freedom Part of a 2 volume set If this book isn’t on your shelf, it needs to be. |
| st john s law student handbook: Colleges that Change Lives Loren Pope, 1996 The distinctive group of forty colleges profiled here is a well-kept secret in a status industry. They outdo the Ivies and research universities in producing winners. And they work their magic on the B and C students as well as on the A students. Loren Pope, director of the College Placement Bureau, provides essential information on schools that he has chosen for their proven ability to develop potential, values, initiative, and risk-taking in a wide range of students. Inside you'll find evaluations of each school's program and personality to help you decide if it's a community that's right for you; interviews with students that offer an insider's perspective on each college; professors' and deans' viewpoints on their school, their students, and their mission; and information on what happens to the graduates and what they think of their college experience. Loren Pope encourages you to be a hard-nosed consumer when visiting a college, advises how to evaluate a school in terms of your own needs and strengths, and shows how the college experience can enrich the rest of your life. |
| st john s law student handbook: Judging Statutes Robert A. Katzmann, 2014-08-14 In an ideal world, the laws of Congress--known as federal statutes--would always be clearly worded and easily understood by the judges tasked with interpreting them. But many laws feature ambiguous or even contradictory wording. How, then, should judges divine their meaning? Should they stick only to the text? To what degree, if any, should they consult aids beyond the statutes themselves? Are the purposes of lawmakers in writing law relevant? Some judges, such as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, believe courts should look to the language of the statute and virtually nothing else. Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit respectfully disagrees. In Judging Statutes, Katzmann, who is a trained political scientist as well as a judge, argues that our constitutional system charges Congress with enacting laws; therefore, how Congress makes its purposes known through both the laws themselves and reliable accompanying materials should be respected. He looks at how the American government works, including how laws come to be and how various agencies construe legislation. He then explains the judicial process of interpreting and applying these laws through the demonstration of two interpretative approaches, purposivism (focusing on the purpose of a law) and textualism (focusing solely on the text of the written law). Katzmann draws from his experience to show how this process plays out in the real world, and concludes with some suggestions to promote understanding between the courts and Congress. When courts interpret the laws of Congress, they should be mindful of how Congress actually functions, how lawmakers signal the meaning of statutes, and what those legislators expect of courts construing their laws. The legislative record behind a law is in truth part of its foundation, and therefore merits consideration. |
| st john s law student handbook: The College Student's Guide to the Law C. L. Lindsay, 2005-05-26 This book contains fifteen full-length model practice tests that simulate the real-life SAT Math Level 2 test and reflect the latest types of questions. Answers and solutions are provided for each test. Also included are chapters on the description of the real test and the most effective graphing calculator techniques to make a student's life easier on the real test. This book contains three bonus tests with the solutions provided in a separate CD-ROM. |
| st john s law student handbook: The Law of Higher Education, Student Version William A. Kaplin, Barbara A. Lee, Neal H. Hutchens, Jacob H. Rooksby, 2020-02-20 A single-volume text that distills information for students Based on the sixth edition of Kaplin and Lee’s indispensable guide to the law that bears on the conduct of higher education, The Law of Higher Education, Sixth Edition: Student Version provides an up-to-date reference and guide for coursework in higher education law and programs preparing law students and higher education administrators for leadership roles. This student edition discusses the most significant areas of the law for college and university attorneys and administrators. Each chapter is introduced by a discussion of key terms and topics the students will encounter, and the book includes materials from the full sixth edition that are most relevant to student interests and classroom instruction. It also contains a “crosswalk” that keys sections of the Student Edition to counterpart sections of the two-volume treatise. Complements the full version Includes a glossary of legal terms and an appendix on how to read legal material for students without legal training Discusses key terms in each chapter Concentrates on key topics students will need to know This is fundamental reading for law students preparing for careers in higher education law and for graduate students in higher education administration programs. |
| st john s law student handbook: The Hellhound of Wall Street Michael Perino, 2010-10-14 A gripping account of the underdog Senate lawyer who unmasked the financial wrongdoing that led to the Crash of 1929 and forever changed the relationship between Washington and Wall Street. In The Hellhound of Wall Street, Michael Perino recounts in riveting detail the 1933 hearings that put Wall Street on trial for the Great Crash. Never before in American history had so many financial titans been called to account before the public, and they had come within a few weeks of emerging unscathed. By the time Ferdinand Pecora, a Sicilian immigrant and former New York prosecutor, took over as chief counsel, the investigation had dragged on ineffectively for nearly a year and was universally written off as dead. The Hellhound of Wall Street provides a minute-by-minute account of the ten dramatic days when Pecora turned the hearings around, cross- examining the officers of National City Bank (today's Citigroup), particularly its chairman, Charles Mitchell, one of the best known bankers of his day. Mitchell strode into the hearing room in obvious disdain for the proceedings, but he left utterly disgraced. Pecora's rigorous questioning revealed that City Bank was guilty of shocking financial abuses, from selling worthless bonds to manipulating its stock price. Most offensive of all was the excessive compensation and bonuses awarded to its executives for peddling shoddy securities to the American public. Pecora became an unlikely hero to a beleaguered nation. The man whom the press called the hellhound of Wall Street was the son of a struggling factory worker. Precocious and determined, he became one of New York's few Italian American lawyers at a time when Italians were frequently stereotyped as anarchic criminals. The image of an immigrant lawyer challenging a blue-blooded Wall Street tycoon was just one more sign that a fundamental shift was taking place in America. By creating the sensational headlines needed to galvanize public opinion for reform, the Pecora hearings spurred Congress to take unprecedented steps to rein in the freewheeling banking industry and led directly to the New Deal's landmark economic reforms. A gripping courtroom drama with remarkable contemporary relevance, The Hellhound of Wall Street brings to life a crucial turning point in American financial history. |
| st john s law student handbook: A Student's Guide to Equity and Trusts Judith Bray, 2012-02-16 Introduces students to the key principles of the law of equity and trust and enhances understanding with effective learning features. |
| st john s law student handbook: Careers in Law: A Guide for Students, Graduates and Professionals Manda Raz, Erwin Loh, John Devereux, 2020-09-07 This book addresses the difficult decisions in the life of law students, graduates and young law professionals in deciding the area of legal practice to pursue as a career. The number of legal fields and subfields is over one hundred, making it virtually impossible for an upcoming lawyer to explore all of these career avenues. Many students finish law school with little understanding of what specific law careers involve, for example, or what sports or space lawyers routinely do. This book highlights the time-consuming nature of law education and training that causes a lack of experience in legal fields as being able to successfully determine the right legal profession for the student. Finding a law career that is a significant source of satisfaction is a function of serious thinking and active research, which the current university to legal practice does not facilitate. This book is a practical guide for any student or current lawyer who is deciding and evaluating their future legal profession. |
| st john s law student handbook: The Law Times , 1852 |
| st john s law student handbook: Local Examinations University of Cambridge, 1884 |
| st john s law student handbook: Manual of English History Robert ROSS (Lecturer on History, Normal College, Cheltenham.), 1861 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Athenæum , 1851 |
| st john s law student handbook: Appendix Great Britain. Commissioners appointed to inquire into the revenues and management of certain colleges and schools, and the studies pursued and instruction given therein, 1864 |
| st john s law student handbook: Report of Her Majesty's Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Revenues and Management of Certain Colleges and Schools, and the Studies Pursued and Instruction Given Therein Great Britain. Commissioners Appointed to Inquire into the Revenues and Management of Certain Colleges and Schools, and the Studies Pursued and Instruction Given Therein, 1864 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Westminster Review , 1881 |
| st john s law student handbook: Guide to Manuscripts in the Bentley Historical Library Bentley Historical Library, Thomas Edgerton Powers, William H. McNitt, 1976 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Student's Manual of English Literature. A History of English Literature. ... A New Edition Of"Outlines of English Literature" , Enlarged and Rewritten. Edited, with Notes and Illustrations, by W. Smith Thomas Budd SHAW, 1867 |
| st john s law student handbook: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals Library of Congress. Copyright Office, 1968 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science, Art, and Finance , 1862 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Athenaeum , 1849 |
| st john s law student handbook: Resources in Education , 1984 |
| st john s law student handbook: Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series Library of Congress. Copyright Office, 1971 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Law Students' Journal John Indermaur, Charles Thwaites, 1890 |
| st john s law student handbook: Educational Times , 1893 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Poetical Works of Behá-ed-Dín Zoheir, of Egypt Bahāʼ al-Dīn Zuhayr ibn Muḥammad, Edward Henry Palmer, 1877 |
| st john s law student handbook: Drawing Out Law John Borrows, 2010-01-01 Shedding light on Canadian law and policy as they relate to Indigenous peoples, Drawing Out Law illustrates past and present moral agency of Indigenous peoples and their approaches to the law and calls for the renewal of ancient Ojibway teaching in contemporary circumstances. |
| st john s law student handbook: Observations on the Attempted Application of Pantheistic Principles to the Theory and Historic Criticism of the Gospel William Hodge Mill, 1861 |
| st john s law student handbook: “A” Critical Dictionary of English Literature and British and American Authors, Living and Deceased, from the Earliest Accounts to the Latter Half of the Nineteenth Century S. Austin Allibone, 1891 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Saturday Magazine , 1838 |
| st john s law student handbook: Natural Reason and Natural Law James Carey, 2019-04-05 Natural law, according to Thomas Aquinas, has its foundation in the evidence and operation of natural, human reason. Its primary precepts are self-evident. Awareness of these precepts does not presuppose knowledge of, or even belief in, the existence of God. The most interesting criticisms of Thomas Aquinas’s natural-law teaching in modern times have been advanced by the political philosopher Leo Strauss and his followers. The purpose of this book is to show that these criticisms are based on misunderstandings and that they are inconclusive at best. Thomas Aquinas’s natural-law teaching is fully rational. It is accessible to man as man. |
| st john s law student handbook: Student's Guide to the Supreme Court Bruce J. Schulman, 2010-05-03 Student's Guide to the Supreme Court examines the history of America's highest court using a three-part approach that is tailor-made for students new to the topic. -- |
| st john s law student handbook: The New Buffalo Blair Stonechild, 2006 Post-secondary education, often referred to as the new buffalo, is a contentious but critically important issue for First Nations and the future of Canadian society. While First Nations maintain that access to and funding for higher education is an Aboriginal and Treaty right, the Canadian government insists that post-secondary education is a social program for which they have limited responsibility. In The New Buffalo, Blair Stonechild traces the history of Aboriginal post-secondary education policy from its earliest beginnings as a government tool for assimilation and cultural suppression to its development as means of Aboriginal self-determination and self-government. With first-hand knowledge and personal experience of the Aboriginal education system, Stonechild goes beyond merely analyzing statistics and policy doctrine to reveal the shocking disparity between Aboriginal and Canadian access to education, the continued dominance of non-Aboriginals over program development, and the ongoing struggle for recognition of First Nations run institutions. |
| st john s law student handbook: Materials for German prose Composition C. Buchheim, 2023-11-15 Reprint of the original, first published in 1874. |
| st john s law student handbook: Verses and Translations Charles Stuart Calverley, 1862 |
| st john s law student handbook: The Publishers' Circular Sampson Low, 1851 |
