Many new coming freshmen that are looking to go down the path of law, should reconsider attending The College of Staten Island.
By Stephanie Pisano
Photo Credit: http://www.insightintodiversity,com
As a student attending The College of Staten Island, working toward her career in becoming an attorney, regrets her choice choosing CSI for undergrad. As an incoming freshman, it is very important to select a school that you can benefit from. CSI has many classes that will immerse you in your desired career choice. However, they are slacking in their law department. If you’re looking to become a nurse, then maybe you should consider going to CSI.
They’re the most reputable nursing program offers students so many hands-on opportunities to get a grasp on what it takes to be a nurse. On the contrary, any student with a passion for law can simply take basic political classes that will give you credit get you by. I have gone to a few of their political or legal meetings that are represented by members of the legal department, and they weren’t too helpful.
None of them did any justice in furthering my understanding on how to use case law when it comes to winning an argument. CSI’s so-called law student meetings are basically where other students meet up and give their own opinion on which party is right or wrong. Simply giving your opinion isn’t going to help when you’re trying to get a wrongfully convicted man off for murder charges.
It’s also disappointing that there are no established clubs or courses dedicated towards helping students score a 170 on the Law School Admissions Test. As many are aware, the LSAT is one of the crucial tests (other than the bar) law students will take. It is the test that will determine whether you’re a “cut out” law student. It’s hard for CSI to compete when you have schools such as John Jay that specifically indulge in law. It would be nice to see CSI have something like Moot Court or Mock Trial.
These are both competitions that engage students in handling false cases that imitate real ones. Not only do you get to work a case, but you also get to present your argument in front of a real courtroom with judges, lawyers, and other law students from different schools.
The student writing this piece is not well informed about what CSI offers students interested in law. The Pre-Law Student Club is student-run and student-led. What it is and what it does varies from year to year. The Legal Studies Institute, CSILSI.commons.gc.cuny.edu, is directed by me, Professor Michael Paris, J.D., Columbia University School of Lae, 1986, Ph.D., Politics, Brandeis University. We offer a Legal Studies Minor, which includes a robust set of law-related classes. Over the past two years, we have had seven CSI graduates attend New York Law School on full-tuition scholarships:
2023
https://csitoday.com/2023/08/law-school-bound-students-ready-for-their-next-chapter/
2022
https://csitoday.com/2022/07/four-csi-legal-studies-grads-accepted-to-ny-law-school-with-full-tuition-scholarships/
Students interested in a career in law and related fields can email me at Michael.Paris@csi.cuny.edu
Best,
Michael Paris
It sounds like mock trial would be a very valuable addition to whatever programs CSI does offer. Another comment seems to suggest that there are clubs that can provide this but it depends on the leadership. Future students should investigate and do their due diligence.