Competition in Law School

Ok! First semester of Law School down, only a million to go! I am sure part time students know how I feel.

The surprising thing about Law School is that it is not at all what I imagined. Of course it is hard work, which I assumed, and time consuming, which I also assumed. What I never assumed is that it would be this competitive. The law school I attend, as it is at most schools I assume, has an honors program along with honors scholarships. Students fiercely compete with one another for these top academic positions. I was also shocked to see the level of competition that existed within the SBA elections. 1L students campaigned fiercely; they printed flyers, made buttons and tee shirts, and even gave out cookies and candy to attempt to secure votes. All of this competition seems to be geared toward building the students resume and transcripts so that when they apply for jobs and internships, the student would have a competitive edge.

I will admit that I guessed that there would be some competition; however, the level which met me was shocking. Students very openly broadcasted that they were competing for top grades, some hid books in the library, others purposefully didn’t place them in the proper place to be re-shelved, and I even heard of students making bets on who would get what grade. Kimm Walton, aka the Job Goddess, spoke at VU Law last semester and she stated that it wasn’t all about grades, a point that most 1L’s miss.

Competition can be a good thing, however. As far as student organizations and community organizations, the competition should not be join as many as possible to improve one’s resume, but rather to partner with groups that can do good for people and causes that need help. A good competition now would be for student organizations to compete with one another to raise money and supplies for Haiti. When a person joins an organization only for a line on a resume, that person is usually not dedicated but always willing to share the glory or be available for a photo opp.

Some of the very students so concerned with doing better than other students were the very ones stressed out and in tears because of their performance, which brings me to my final point; academic competition should only be against one’s self. It is healthy to compete academically as long as the person one is competing against can be seen in one’s own mirror. Tests are more like golf or a foot race rather than basketball or football. There is no defense in Law School. Although there are other golfers or other runners, in the end, one can only hope for a personal best. Students should strive to challenge themselves and devote all of their mental prowess and academic ability to doing the very best they can do. 

Run the academic race of law school like a thoroughbred horse; with blinders on only striving for your personal best.