At each level of the school there is a certain level of competition. Competition increases in high school and then in college. Law school is when the competition reaches a level that could be considered unhealthy. The main human problem within the study group was a dynamic of extreme competition. In law school, students are ranked first to last with their classmates. To find a good job at one of the best law firms, you must have a high rank with respectable qualifications.
Hart had a sloppy look about himself, so when he got some advice, he was told, “Do you think I’m kidding? Do you think I’d joke about grades? Try to get a job if you don’t have them. You either have to look good, or You have to have the qualifications.”
This is typical for law students but it is not necessarily healthy or conducive to helping others improve around you. It was the main problem for Hart’s little group. With each member of the group responsible for a different course, some had trouble meeting the expectations of others. When people started missing their meetings, others started talking behind their backs. It got to the point where certain members of the group threatened to hide their schemes from other members.
Bell, in particular, thought his outline was publication-worthy and even better than the course material itself. Bell threatened, “I mean, this is a good scheme, and if yours doesn’t stack up, you might not get a chance to see it.” There is an overwhelming sense of individualism within the group as they attempt to threaten the progress of others. This study group is a stark contrast to the look of a team that is committed to one another. None of the members except Hart had committed to the success of the group and because of this there were some definite failures.
The mentality of the group can be described here: “No one asked about the theories they had learned. It was always: ‘Can you give me the facts of…’ ‘Can you tell me the page number of…’? This topic of using each other is ironic how everyone became so protective of their personal work This is often the case when students compete at such a high level.
