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Anyone read PlanetLS?
Poast new message in this thread
Date: April 8th, 2004 10:02 PM Author: concupiscible mad-dog skullcap set Is it all bull? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#132797) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:02 AM Author: Boyish locus i read it. thought it was great. but, i haven't tested its theories/methodology yet. lot of work. could be worth it. haven't heard too many other opinions here though. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#135963) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:03 AM Author: Purple state dog poop First, I think I am going to try to use some of the methods outlined in PLS. As Rowan said, it could just be a waste of time and money, but if that's the worst that comes out of it, it'll be worth the try. Also, I can tell other people if it's crap.. so I guess at worst I'd be doing a public service.
However, there are a few things that bother me about the book. First, are his long excursions on irrelevant facts and especially opinions. I guess some of them may be helpful for a preview of law school "atmosphere" or whatever, but I skipped a few of those pages.
Second, he claims that some people are "natural born genuises of the law" and will "get" things without needing to study. While that may be true, he uses that to explain people that say "I didn't prep and I made all As". And to explain those that try the method and don't succeed, he says they didn't use the method in the right way. Which, again, may be true, but now we have explanations for those who succeed and don't use his method and for those use his method and don't succeed.
Again, I'm not saying I can prove those aren't true, but it just seems fishy. I'll let you know next Feb. |
Date: April 9th, 2004 10:22 AM Author: Glittery iridescent love of her life I read it too. the guy was a little too bitter and a little too gimmicky for my taste. it sounds like it might work- it also sounds like way too much work. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136110) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:31 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook Awful book, the pre-studying advice is some of the worst available in a book for incoming law students. No one I know who followed the plan felt it was effective. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136191) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:38 AM Author: Boyish locus i've heard some commend the pre-study approach. you say it doesn't help? how so? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136246) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:42 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook The outlines recommended are not designed to teach you new material, they're designed for review. Trying to use them to learn something entirely new is terribly inefficient - they're not written with that in mind. You end up wasting a lot of time over the summer trying to memorize things you might not even cover, and when class starts be disappointed to find out your classmates can pick up everything you learned quickly as they go along. The stuff the outlines cover isn't the tricky stuff- they're just a way of reviewing basics, and everyone is going to be able to pick that up. It basically doesn't give you any advantage after the first week or so. I don't think it does any harm, but it's a terrible waste of time and money. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136288) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:48 AM Author: yapping theater stage reading party What about the LEEWS part? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136343) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:51 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook That may be of some value - I know people who did LEEWS and thought it was helpful and others who felt they didn't need it. I didn't do it myself, so I can't comment any further than that.
My primary objection to PLS is more to the program of reading outlines the year before law school, and to a lesser extent some of the overly dramatic portrayals of the negative side of law school. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:58 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage I did LEEWS and I did think that was very helpful. I had no idea what it meant to spot issues and was blown away by the amount of information you are supposed to glean from what looks like a few short paragraphs...and what you are supposed to do with it. Can I promise it worked? No. I might have received all As and one A- without it. Who knows? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136418) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:00 AM Author: yapping theater stage reading party When did you take it? And did you do the class or just the tapes or manual? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136430) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:01 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage I took it the fall of my 1L year. I don't recommmend doing it before that because you'll have no frame of reference and it might not be as effective. I took the class because I knew I'd not be motivated enough to do it on my own. If you sign up with a bunch of friends, you get a discount and you at least have someone to eat lunch with. :) (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136443) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:03 AM Author: yapping theater stage reading party Sounds right. Thanks! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136453) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:49 AM Author: Boyish locus are you making a distinction between outlines and primers (like the e&e books)? or, does it really even matter in terms of the advance reading, etc.? because, it makes one wonder how the author of the book and some of his readers seem so dedicated to the methodology. i do appreciate your insight. i just can't figure out what to conclude. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136355) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:53 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook I use outlines as a catchall phrase for legal study guides sometimes, sorry I didn't make that more clear. My comments referred specifically to the E&E books recommended in PLS, they're intended for review and filling in gaps as much as other types of study aids and aren't written to convey new knowledge. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136368) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:57 AM Author: Motley green roommate I think the people who bother to do that much sadistic preparation are going to do well in law school because they're obviously ambitious workhorses. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136409) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:00 AM Author: Bipolar bat shit crazy principal's office And yet they often don't. The people who do that much preparation are often those who are intellectually insecure and unable to analyze what a professor wants to see on an exam -- which is exactly what gets you bad grades. Studying all the time won't get you As. Studying smart will. Preparing for law school a year in advance is not, in my book, studying smart. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136433) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:02 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook Actually, it doesn't seem to be the case. People who do well in law school are generally more work smart types than work hard types (which is why you'll see complaints from people who studied 10 hours a day and got average grades). What PLS advocates is more on the working hard side. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136446) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:05 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage And some of us are just slackers. :) (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136470) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:54 AM Author: Motley green roommate What would you recommend for preparation? I know everyone says to take a vacation and read Harry Potter but I'm nervous and I want to prepare a little. Any advice for preparation that would actually be worthwhile? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136387) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:57 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage Honestly, I really think relaxing and doing nothing is as effective as anything. Look at me..I did nothing, knew nothing and spend all my free time here....but I'm near the top of my class, law review, the whole deal. Law school really isn't that hard, there is just a lot of material. You'll be fine. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136405) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:58 AM Author: Motley green roommate Well maybe you're just a natural born genius of the law. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136415) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:00 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage Please, nothing could be further from the truth. I really think the hard part is learning what is expected from you on a law exam: how to spot issues, how to apply the law to the facts, and how to weave in policy when appropriate. The law itself is not difficult to understand. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136431) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:01 AM Author: Bipolar bat shit crazy principal's office Exactly right. Law is absurdly easy; law exams are a bit tricky. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136440) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:02 AM Author: Motley green roommate Well how the hell do you figure out what the want from you anyway? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136448) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:04 AM Author: Bipolar bat shit crazy principal's office Not from PLS. Go to class, read old exams, and *think*. Don't just memorize the elements of negligence because some hack writer tells you that it's essential -- think about what *your professor* is emphasizing, what he cares about, what he talks about, even what he writes about (if you're feeling ambitious). It's not that hard to figure out how to write exams; the problem is that most people don't even bother. They spend all their time memorizing their outlines or God knows what, and never think about how to write an effective exam.
Oh, and if you MUST prepare for law school in advance, PLEASE just read Getting to Maybe or take LEEWS. Learning how to take exams can be helpful (though, again, it's more useful when you have some context, i.e., during 1L year). Learning substantive law in advance cannot be helpful. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:06 AM Author: Motley green roommate Cool. Thanks, man! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136483) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:59 AM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook I don't really think it's necessary to prepare beforehand, most of the better students I know didn't. If you're nervous and absolutely must feel like you've done something, it might be somewhat helpful to actually read through a case or two to get a feel for how they're written and how you might go about picking out the important stuff. If you have no exposure to economics at all, reading a very brief intro text in it might be helpful in contracts and torts. Again, I don't think this is necessary either.
I'd say the most important things you can do to prepare yourself are more mental/emotional/financial, though. If you can pay off your credit card debt, take care of routine tasks like doctors' appointments, spend some time with your SO and other similar things you'll have a lot fewer distractions from classwork once school does start. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:03 AM Author: Motley green roommate Good advice. Thanks a lot. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136456) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:04 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage That's awesome advice. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136463) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:02 AM Author: cracking theatre dysfunction I read "Getting to Maybe" which is about law school exams only. I think it's helpful given that I knew nothing about this before, but I'm not in law school yet so who knows (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136449) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 10:52 AM Author: salmon whorehouse new version I bought some of the shit but haven't taken a look at it yet. I figure it couldn't hurt. Falcon's winded diatribes really begin to grow irksome though. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136364) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:18 AM Author: Boyish locus thanks rowan, rk, peanut, et al. i needed that. i think i'll read *some* to get a few concepts and terms rattling around in my head, but not over do it. appreciate the advice. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136593) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:50 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage You're welcome....and good luck.
Shhh...you're going to ruin my reputation. I usually only post on the sex threads. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:42 AM Author: fuchsia cerebral turdskin Subject: peanut butter: what is LEEWS?? sorry, I'm not "in the know".
thanks in advance. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:43 AM Author: Motley green roommate legal essay exam writing system. (www.leews.com) it's just this dumbass one day course that teaches you how to write exams but some people really swear by it. I'm going to do it. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136858) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:51 AM Author: fuchsia cerebral turdskin Subject: maybe I'm dumb but when is this supposed to happen? You take it in april? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136956) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:54 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage Someone in your law school will post flyers about it very early in your first semester. You'll probably take it sometime in September/October of your first year. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136996) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 11:53 AM Author: Massive institution old irish cottage I wasn't in the know either, which is why I did it. LEEWS is a one-day course that teaches you what kinds of things professors look for on exams...how to spot issues, how to apply law to facts, etc. I didn't use the system 100%, but I did learn more in that one day about law school than any single day so far (I'm a 2L). I think it really helped me, but others I went with thought it was only mildly helpful. I haven't talked to anyone who said it messed them up...so it can't hurt and might help. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#136980) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 12:10 PM Author: narrow-minded nibblets nursing home I have mixed feelings about reading substantive law in advance. I just want to point out for those of you seeking actual advice, that rk has a downright bizzare hatred for people who read in advance. FWIW, he's got a fringe view. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#137188) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 12:11 PM Author: Bipolar bat shit crazy principal's office Really? Every other law student to post on this thread has said basically the same things as me, except you; you say you have "mixed feelings."
I have gotten annoyed in the past at people who post this question and then refuse to listen to the unanimous advice of law students who say "don't read in advance," but I don't think that's bizarre. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 12:12 PM Author: cracking theatre dysfunction obviously you understand the temptation. if it must be done, surely there are better things to read than others (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#137239) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 12:13 PM Author: Bipolar bat shit crazy principal's office Yeah, it's just, why ask the question if you're not going to listen to the answers?
But yes, better things = how to take exams, worse things = what is a tort. |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 2:44 PM Author: harsh stag film travel guidebook I think a lot of people ask because they want someone to tell them that what they've already decided to do is a great idea. The same goes for a lot of other topics on the board, actually. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#139014) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 2:45 PM Author: narrow-minded nibblets nursing home It's far from unanimous advice. I've seen you get into the strangest bitter scrapes with multiple other law students who disagree with you. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=8326&forum_id=2#139033) |
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Date: April 9th, 2004 2:42 PM Author: Floppy Tanning Salon I read Planet Law School. I thought it was awful. Not going to a top 14? YOU'RE DOOMED!! You have to work while in law school? YOU'RE DOOMED!, DOOMED I SAY!! Throw yourself off a bridge while there's still time!!
Very gloomy book, although I can see why its message would appeal to many of the prestige whores on this board. |