Gal Shemer (4L)
After being here for almost 3 months on exchange from Tel-Aviv, I can share some interesting observations about U of T law school. You can view this as comparative law for law schools.
- The professors at U of T are very nice and accessible. Our professors usually send us to TA’s. Here, the professors extend visiting hours, share their Skype name and cell phone number, learn all their students’ names and try to improve on this throughout the year. (Maybe I just had good luck with course selections).
- Professors do not attack random students with questions, yet most of the students do their readings.
- Students are serious, the attendance is high, everybody reads and takes notes. What’s the deal with the notes? Everybody puts so much effort into them! In Tel Aviv, there are only 2-3 students who take notes and everybody uses the same ones.
- How come so many students do not have jobs? How can you live without a steady flow of cash with the high tuition and renting an apartment in downtown Toronto?
- You only study for 3 years at law school and have to do few credits. We have 3.5-4 years of law school and have to fulfill 126-141 credits.
- The grading system is nice. I’m surprised it doesn’t produce negative incentives for learning because students are clumped into one of four grades. We have a percent scale, which results in a grade contest, even between two students who would both get above 90%. The pressure on the students in Tel Aviv will cause you to go mad.
- U of T has a large diversity of courses and relatively small class sizes. Our courses are usually 6 hours a week and contain more material. Exam notes may exceed 250 pages.
- The exam period is so short, and you only have one opportunity to do well. In Tel Aviv, we have a month for the first leg, and then another 4 weeks to study for another test for a second chance to do well.
- The ability to get a summer job is amazing. It helps create connections, learn some things on the practical side and earn some money. Tel Aviv law firms do not take students for summer jobs at all.
- You have relatively poor food options and you have to travel so far to find a decent lunch- I hope this will be fixed in the new building. We have 6 different food options in a 50m radius from the faculty. On the other hand, you serve food at every event (clubs, workshops, beginning of the year barbeque, outside lectures)- we definitely should adopt that.
- SLS social activities are really nice and help the students connect. U of T has music events, coffee with the dean, pumpkin contests, and pub nights every week. In Tel Aviv, we usually have events about twice a semester.
- It is SO cold in Toronto. I cannot believe my friends at home complain about 15-20 degree weather in Tel Aviv.
I would not exchange Tel Aviv for anything, but you have an amazing law school. Enjoy and appreciate it!
