As a current MSU undergrad, and resident of the state for the last 14 years, I can attest that the economy sucks. The lawyer I work for says he hasn't really been affected by the slowdown, so that's good, especially because hopefully in 3-4 years, things will be better.AverageGuy wrote:I like MSU's program and facilities, although I'm worried about Michigan's economy (and MSU didn't give me any money, which would have made all the difference).
Two things, first: MSU has some fine trim. Also, dance team in the first picture, cheerleaders in the second.crystalhawkeye wrote:Meh, cheerleaders will be at almost every school.
I'm not for sure going to MSU yet, but I am debating it more seriously now. I visited on Thursday and I must say, what an awesome campus. They have a forest randomly in the middle of campus, right next to the river. It doesn't get much better. The law building is spiffy, too, for those who haven't visited.
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The one big deterrant for most is the liklihood of having to practice in Michigan. First of all, it isn't a certainty. MSU doesn't place terrifically OOS, but they are not all-inclusive for Michigan. Plenty go to Chicago, New Jersey, even Florida, oddly enough. And second, staying here wouldn't kill me. Living in Dexter, White Lake, or some such area and commuting to Ann Arbor, Troy, Birmingham, maybe even Detroit, to work would not be too bad a life. I wouldn't be making the big money, but with only ~$50K in debt toal, including UG and living costs, I wouldn't have to. I could live happily working 50-60hrs/wk. and live in an area very underappreciated.
Second, the campus is wonderful. A nice modern/old dynamic, with the river area too. Plus, Grand River (the street...the river through campus is the Red Cedar) is a wonderful strip right on the edge of campus, creating a feeling of enclosure for the campus, but a vibrant life waiting on the edge.
It's my understanding that Chicago is too bloated. Think about the number of people that want to go there, and the number of law schools in the area that pull people in, like NW, UC, UI, etc. The metro-Detroit area is great, just the city itself has a number of problems. There is a certain character of the area that just makes it seem familial.
Owen is awful. They're not worth it. Those dorms are being redone (somewhat) this summer, but from what I understand, it's not much better than the other dorms (like the ones I live in now). There are some good apartment deals anyway.AverageGuy wrote:Anyone get any info about the grad student dorm at the ASD? I can't get away from school to go to an ASD, which is frustrating.
I read in one of the law school books that the singles in the grad student dorm are really small. What exactly does that mean? A big closet? Positives: rolling out of bed and getting to class in five minutes, not worrying about shoveling out a car and driving to school in MI snow, and having a year to check out apartments and find a compatible roommate.
On the other hand, I'm not sure about being surrounded by other law students 24-7. I also can't imagine inviting someone over to my "dorm room" at my age, made even worse if it's a closet.
Plus, you wouldn't necessarily be surrounded by law students. Owen is the general graduate dorm. Most of the people who live there are either people who didn't get a chance to look for other options and international students.
As for driving, something to note is the bus system, CATA (rated #1 in the nation, by some poll last year). The MSU/CATA station is right next to the Law Building, and the buses go everywhere, by all the major apartments. And plus, the campus is always pretty if you're walking.
There is an apartment complex just north of the river, less than 5-minutes walking from the Law Building, called Cedar Village. It's right on the edge of campus, and there are a number of other complexes in there, like Waters Edge. More expensive than some other things, and keep in mind that that is Ground Zero for the riots. Still, probably the most convenient place to live that's not a dorm.Globetrekker wrote:Count me in!
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Any recs on where to live?
There are a few other options on the edge of campus, that aren't really that far away either, but keep in mind that the campus is two-miles wide. To the east and south is Glenwood, and east is Capitol Villa. North of campus down quite a bit is Chandler Crossings and Abbot Place. They're bigger apartments and cheaper, but not walking-close at all. That's a drive or take the bus. Far away south and west are the cheapest options, but even further away.