The beginning of fall...
I can't believe that I'm once again writing a blog entry about the beginning of the school year. It seems like only a few short months ago I welcomed the Class of 2010 and now, here I am, writing about the arrival of the Class of 2011.
The school year began in traditional fashion with several days of orientation activities for incoming students. Included on the schedule were a series of lectures designed to introduce the new class to Yale Law School, the study of law, and to the legal profession. There were also many opportunities for new students to connect with their classmates: a cocktail reception at the Yale Center for British Art, a community picnic, theatre in the park, and a hike with Dean Koh in Sleeping Giant State Park. Of course, many members of the incoming class had already met; well over half of the incoming class attended the Admitted Students Program in April.
Dean Koh delivered his convocation on the first day of orientation. During his welcome he shared some interesting trivia about the incoming class. The Class of 2011:
- is the 197th class to begin its study of law at Yale;
- speaks over 30 languages;
- has lived or worked in 77 countries; and
- counts amongst its members 5 mountain climbers, 4 black belts, 3 radio talk show hosts, 2 competitive sky divers, and a five-time Emmy award winner.
Reminding them of their educational fortunes, Dean Koh encouraged the newly minted law students to explore new areas, broaden their perspectives, ask how they can serve the public interest, and grapple with the question of how to live their lives as lawyers. In addition to challenging the class to think more globally, Dean Koh announced some new sustainability initiatives at the Law School and the University (more on that in a future entry).
The 1Ls aren't the only group making the adjustment back to lives as full-time students. The 2Ls and 3Ls are busy shopping for classes, applying to judicial clerkships, and preparing for the School's Fall Interview Program, during which hundreds of employers from the public and private sectors travel to New Haven to interview Yale Law students. To help students make the best first impression and guide them in the myriad choices available to them, the Career Development Office (CDO) conducts a series of workshops on topics ranging from résumé and cover letter creation to successful networking techniques. CDO also conducts mock interviews to help prepare students for what they will experience in the coming weeks. The assistance the Law School offers to students isn't limited to workshops and individual counseling. New this past spring and held again last week, CDO sponsored a program at a nearby clothing retailer entitled "What Not To Wear!" (alas, without Stacy or Clinton). Students received tips on buying an interview suit and received a discount on their purchases. The School even helps students buy their suits by offering a suit allowance to the student budget for those students who need it.
With the students back at school the building is once again abuzz with activity. My inbox is filled on a daily basis with advertisements for events and activities and the YLS events calendar is already filling up. This fall promises to be an exciting one, so check back here at 203 for the details.