Tips for Course Registration

Note: The purpose of this page is to give our 1L and 2L friends tips on what courses to consider, and how to successfully register for classes on registration day. This document does not purport to replace the official academic advising handbook. Please refer to the official academic advising handbook for the official version of prerequisites, bar courses, and 2L foundation courses, and anything else you have questions about.

What do you want to get out of your courses?

Get advice, talk to:

• 2Ls and 3Ls
• Professors
• Anyone else you can think of

What's on the bar?**

• Administrative Law*
• BA*
• Civil Procedure
• Con Law
• Contracts
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure: Investigation
• Trusts and Estates
• Equity
• Evidence
• Family Law
• Professional Responsibility*
• Property
• Security Transactions
• Income Tax*
• Torts

*2L foundation courses. Note that 2Ls have priority in registering for these classes. Don't leave them all for 3L year.
**This list varies by state.

Keep in Mind

Strike a balance between bar classes and fun classes, i.e. subjects that you're actually interested in. Too many bar classes in one semester can drive you crazy. Leave yourself room in you schedule for at least 1 fun class.

1. Multiple choice exams:
   • Evidence, BA, Criminal Procedure: Investigation (w/ Rosen)
   • Turnier's income tax class exam is multiple choice (w/ some questions asking for an explanation). Bryan's income tax class exam is a combination of multiple choice and short answer.
2. Be wary of taking more than one 4 credit course per semester. It's a lot of work. But some people like to do this in order to get more credits out of the way at one time.

Prepare for clinics and/or

Some of the clinics and externships have pre-requisites, (some have to be taken before, and some may be taken concurrently) including but not limited to:

• Criminal Procedure: Investigation
• Trial Advocacy
• Evidence
• Law of Nonprofits

Registration day

1. You have to register for the entire academic year at one time. (But you can make changes later).
2. Find a reliable Internet connection.
   • The undergrad library (not Davis) has a big computer lab downstairs.
3. You want to register quickly, before your courses fill up. Open windows for Fall and Spring semester at one time.
   • This is really important, because classes fill up fast, i.e. in less than 30 seconds
4. If there's a class that you really, really want, register for that class first. Have a backup plan.
5. It's a good idea to make a spreadsheet of all the classes you'd be willing to take, organized by the times and days that they are held. In the spreadsheet, include the course numbers so that you have to hunt for them when its time to register.