university of sydney, UNSW, ANU. I need some food so excuse any sp mistakes.
Hi all. I went here last year looking up info so perhaps some get get it here. I'm a student doing the JD at USYD. Unfortunately I have been very disappointed in it so far and I see it clearly as being in 3rd place among Sydney law schools. Yes, behind UNSW and UTS. There are good teachers and we have a new law building. There are many good students and the class from what I hear is higher than UTS or UNSW. Basically, the capabilities are there and there is potential for it to be great. But the problem is I think the admin sees the JD program to make money. There are too many students in the classrooms and the intensive program has been a disaster. Compare UNSW first year with USYD. You get a lot more teaching there than at USYD. USYD costs more than UTS and UNSW but you get less from it. Oh, you do get the USYD degree which means a lot as it does have the most prestige but I really don't care about that if my learning is sub-standard.

Problem with UTS is that it is just a building or two in the middle of the city so UNSW and USYD look a lot better. But they beat USYD in a debate recently and they seem to be more progressive. Anyways I can answer some questions here from time to time if you like.
Also, any AU schools reading this please refrain from taking in the LSAT. I think it is a waste. I did well on it but I know others who didn't and are doing just fine including a few who are successful lawyers US. It doesn't really mean anything.
Listen, yes USYD may become the best. But UNSW is clearly better right now and I'd say UTS is as well. If both keep trying to be innovative and not pack students in then they can become really good, better than many US schools. Until, USYD makes changes don't waste your time here. It hasn't been all bad as I've gone to many events but it hasn't been worth it at all. The transition from the LLB hasn't gone over well and they are still trying to do both. UWA has the right idea. Also, stay away from places that soley do the intensive program. Awful stuff. Trust me on that.


skim over this

http://www.supra.usyd.edu.au/assets/file/Submissions/SUPRA_SRC_Positionpaper_JD.pdf

If you have accepted I would pull out even if you paid some money. Seriously, until they do things differently don't go.
I can't comment on ANU and Melb.
Again, if anyone has questions just let me know. Or about Sydney the city.

UWA has started working a JD program. Props for them for taking time on it.

Also, I've met a few students from Bond. Only a few mind you but they seem to have some good things to say about it. Nice campus. Neg is the cost but don't just discount Bond. ratings are overrated.

Hi, I know this post is a bit old, if by any chance that you're still coming back here, could you please share some of your experience with the USyd JD program?

I need to make a decision as to which JD program should I choose, USyd or UNSW. Not much inside info can be obtained, all I've got is through the official channel which can be a bit confusing.

Many thanks!

UNSW is getting better student ratings. It is a better school, more versatile, more modern and engaged in social issues. dynamic is a good description.
To be honest, maybe neither. Job market won't be that strong, there are way too law students in NSW out there. WAY WAY TOO MANY and a lot of good ones so it is tough. Undergrads do law as well. Western Australia just has the JD, dropped the LLB. but that doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon in NSW.
If I had the chance to do it over I wouldn't have done the JD. Do something else. A lot of work really for nothing as law students all across the world can attest to. Trust me on this, if you aren't sure don't do it. Better and more useful things than law school out there especially with the cost and workload.
That being said UNSW is better, they have some good people there, a good dean, and some interesting classes. It just is with the growth I don't really see it as sustainable. I think they need to shift focus and cut down on the numbers so class size gets smaller but somehow keep offering diverse class topics. also there should be better chances to get internships/work experience so basically it is required. Like in the US, if you are a JD student really easy to get them but not here. Australian students have a really big advantage too over international students. I think some of the Aussies are a bit narrow-minded and lack creativity in some areas so some of the international students see things differently which is good but they seem to know how the system works.


ps if any UNSW admin people out there read this get better food at the events(And have a few more too! :). ha ha. that's the only thing USYD did better. I think I know where my student fees went! into great appetizers.