If you felt some sort of aura this afternoon while traveling in the area of USC campus, it was because our Commander-in-Chief and President Barack Obama (from ILLINOIS!) was in the neighborhood for a dinner (that sold tickets for a mere $35k per couple. And nowadays you can't just sneak into these dinners anymore).
On the same day greatness came to USC, greatness also left USC. Gabby Ryan, the Dean of Academic Affairs, was revealed to be leaving the school this year. Which a.) makes me wonder if I have a conflict this exam season (not saying anything will come up, but if it does......) and b.) make me wonder why she's going to SOUTHWESTERN law school, leaving USC, her alma mater. Are we not paying her enough? and c.) makes me remember that she's always been a rather lovely lady, who makes her presence felt whenever she walks into a room, who can really work a room, especially of nervous incoming first-year law students, and d.) made me remember her most impassioned plea to first-year law students last year right before our first exam: "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. After the exam, go home and watch some really bad TV, like the Hills or something." Not sure her advice was heeded, and probably a bit ill-timed to tell 1st-year law students in a bad economy to "not worry," but she meant well.
Speaking of greatness, the Guru was just wondering the other day (after several classmates were speculating about who in our law school class was #1, a conversation that I instantly tuned out of because if I could get frequent flyer miles for how far I am from that distinction, I'd be far away from law school now) what it would be like to be the best student at a law school. Several past best-in-their classes students are now teaching at USC Law, including one Scott Bice, possibly the most brilliant man ever to walk the earth, and Ronald Garet, closest person to God I've ever met in my life.
But seriously, #1 in your class for law school, especially at a (pretty decent) law school like USC. Hmm, that means you were pretty much in the top 5% of the population smarts-wise when you came into the law school, and then you finished #1 out of 200 (so .5% of the class), meaning you're theoretically in the top .025% of the population. The career prospects would be boundless for the rest of your life, even in this economy.... firms are deferring almost striclty to GPA now, and doesn't matter what your social awareness or physical hygiene is, you're gonna get hired for accountability reasons.....once you get that dream firm job/ clerkship, then you go on for a few years, make partner, and then do whatever you want after accruing massive amounts of cash at that high-earning position. Insane. Not to mention the feeling of personal accomplishment and prestige after achieving the fact of valedictorian of a legit law school......knowing that your peers tried really hard to do it themselves, that everyone was performing at a peak level, but out of all others you came out on top. You're a winner.
Eh. Sounds great. No wonder people work so hard their first year of law school/ throughout law school. For me, I'd trade it all (if I'd ever gotten it) for a crack at one of my main goals in life, if they'd ever call me..........
Fantasize on (literally this time, about being #1 in law school),
Robert Yan
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