Subject: Reflections on Yale Law School
From: "Yale Law School" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: 9 Oct 2014 15:41:00 -0400

Robert: What was it about your YLS experience that you found most rewarding or special? We presented a similar question to our first year students and I am pleased to share with you some inspiring reflections from the Class of 2017:

I am constantly astounded by the intelligence, passion, and warmth of my professors and fellow students. It's made me feel like anything is possible.—Lisa

I am grateful to be in a position where I am considered and consider my peers to be more than just students learning the law, but also as change makers and stakeholders who can look deeply at the implications of law and policy. The community is welcoming of ideas as much as it is challenging of them, and this has already made me learn and grow immensely in my short time here.—Eric

In my first few weeks at YLS, I've benefitted as much from the insights of my peers as I have from any faculty lecture. This is what I believe sets YLS apart from every other law school — the unmatched ability to bring together a class of incomparable diversity and talent. – Elliott

I think what makes YLS unique is a shared expectation:  success is assured, and so each person has the freedom to define and then achieve that success.  It is this responsibility, placed on you from day 1, that transforms what would otherwise be an excellent collection of accomplished people into a group with a purpose far greater than its parts. – Adam

The student groups and clinics at YLS provide an exceptional opportunity for us to pursue ties and public service work throughout New Haven as well as in communities around the world. It is this quality and breadth of engagement that I find truly inspiring.—Tal

I am thrilled to be surrounded by so many talented classmates who all share the commonality of enjoying engaging intellectual conversation. Despite the diversity of background, skills, interests, and views, everyone I have met has been more than enthusiastic about engaging in constructive conversation regarding any topic. This makes even lunch hours entirely productive, and my brain is constantly stimulated.—Min

Today’s Yale Law School community is every bit as special as is was in the past. Our small class size coupled with a nurturing, inspiring and collaborative team of students and faculty combine to make the Yale Law School experience what it is. Yet, the final piece to our magical recipe for success is the dedication and annual financial support of our alumni body. Donations to the Law School Fund account for upwards of 15% of our annual operating budget. Your gift will allow our students and faculty to thrive.

I thank you for your past support and ask that you please renew your gift to the 2014-2015 Law School Fund. You may contribute in the following ways:

Online -  https://secure.law.yale.edu/giving/
Phone -  Contact the Fund office toll-free at 1-866-848-3148
Mail – Please send a check (payable to Yale Law School) to: Yale Law School Fund, P.O. Box 208341, New Haven, CT  06520-8341

On behalf of the entire Yale Law School community, I thank you for your support. Please see below for additional student reflections.

Best regards,
Eric

*****************************
Eric Stoddard
Director, Yale Law School Fund
Phone: (203) 432-6082
www.law.yale.edu/givetoyls

==
My thoughts about the YLS student body existed in a bubble of statistics and bland facts. That bubble was burst within an hour of starting orientation. Not only are the people behind those numbers fabulously accomplished in ways that stats can't quite summarize, but they are helpful and exciting as well. A Rhodes Scholar offering Bar Prep advice, a White House staffer sympathizing over the Civil Procedure Homework, and an Army helicopter pilot giving advice on how to take a break from reading, these are the things that make the YLS student body unique and that was just the last 5 hours.—Greg

Having had in my previous job the opportunity to work and interact with a number of YLS alumni, who without exception sung of their time here in highest praise, I arrived to campus prepared to recalibrate expectations that surely could not live up to the magic that had been pitched to me.  Instead I had just the opposite experience: the students and faculty are every bit as sharp, inquisitive, ambitious, and accomplished as I imagined — but as important, I have found the members of this community to be uniformly genuine, interesting, and nice to me and each other in a way that has taken me by surprise. –Brian

I came here, largely, for the professors and the prestige.  What truly has impressed me so far, though, are my peers.  I have never before been surrounded by so many brilliant people who are unafraid to say what they think and why they think it (and they say it so well).  Casual conversations are anything but; I'm learning as much outside the classroom as in it.  I live for these deep, intellectual conversations, and it seems my peers do to.  I'm with my people. –Joel

What has impressed me the most about Yale Law so far is the faculty. YLS has given me access to more intellectual capital than I've ever experienced. Each class I'm taking is led by someone who is at the very top of their field. Beyond that, they have each taken the effort to get to know their students on a personal level. That combination of accomplishment and humility is so rare; I am privileged to have access to it here at Yale.—Sam

I chose Yale Law School because of its uniquely collegial environment. I knew that I could find the resources I needed to become a skilled lawyer at any of the schools I was considering, but Yale was the only school that gave me a sense that its students truly enjoyed their experiences and took advantage of every opportunity to connect with--and learn from--their peers.—Taylor

I chose Yale because of its strong sense of community and I have already begun to find my place in that. The students, though extremely accomplished and intelligent, are humble and supportive of each other. The professors have gone out of their way to get to know us and to provide us with well-rounded educations, with teaching that extends beyond the classroom. I was really scared to come here but have found a much richer, warmer environment than I expected.—Anonymous

My first few weeks at YLS have been challenging in the best way. The subjects and the methods of teaching are entirely different from what I experienced in undergrad, and I can feel my mind opening to new ways of thinking every day.—Olivia

My impression is that YLS has proved to be every bit the intellectual sanctuary of its reputation.  Its policies in combination with the efforts of its faculty and staff produce a student-friendly environment that is beyond unique.  Professors take an interest not merely in what you know or learn, but importantly in who you are. --Anonymous

YLS has brilliant professors, but so do other top institution.  YLS takes great care of its students, but so do other law schools.  What sets YLS apart is a passion for the law that permeates every aspect of its program.  Students and faculty here aren't just talented--they're excited to apply their talents to legal puzzles.  This, in turn, creates an uniquely invigorating atmosphere which leaves YLS head and shoulders above its rivals.  –Cameron

When choosing a law school, YLS was the only school whose students and alumni spoke with unqualified praise about their time here. I heard the word "magical" more than once, and so far, they seem to be right! I honestly don't know if I've ever felt more welcomed, challenged, engaged, or fortunate as I do here. I don't know if I have ever seen so many bright and engaged people in one place.—Ariel

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