University of Tennessee Class of 2012 Forum

[Volgirl24]

I didn't see one of these for Tennessee yet so I thought I would start one. Anyone out there committed and excited about attending UT in the fall?

[Rocky Estoppel]

I'm leaning heavily towards Tennessee this fall. I'm going to see what these next couple of weeks bring in terms of acceptances but I really, really liked UT when I visited and more than likely I'll be there this fall.

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[Hudda Budda]

as of right now, i'm also a future Vol.

[Rocky Estoppel]

as of right now, i'm also a future Vol.

Change your mind about staying in Knoxville?

[Lawlexi5]

WOO HOO! I, too, am planning on being a Vol! Excitedly looking at neighborhoods, etc, and am going down to visit in a week and a half! Wow can you tell I'm pumped?

[Lawlexi5]

Oh and thanks for starting this thread Volgirl!

[Rocky Estoppel]

What neighborhoods is everyone looking at? I was told to stay away from Fort Sanders behind the law school - tons of undergrads, it can get loud and obnoxious and also dangerous at times. I'm going to make a trip to just check out neighborhoods soon. I've heard West Knoxville is good but a drive. There's some apartments that looked decent in South Knoxville that I'll check out.

I want a nice balance of quiet/away from undergrads and also close to the school.

[Lawlexi5]

It seems hard to me to find places, since I'm not really into "community" type apartment buildings or as I've seen it described "ticky tacky". Check out the site knoxify.com...they have a neat neighborhood guide there with pictures. A lot of it seems geared toward buying and houses (instead of renting apartments), but it gives an idea of what the area is like!

Similarly would like to avoid undergrad bonanza and a long drive.

[Rocky Estoppel]

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[Hudda Budda]

as of right now, i'm also a future Vol.

Change your mind about staying in Knoxville?

Hah yeah, I thought about it and with scholly, it just makes sense. Especially looking at the economy today, I'd rather be in like 40k debt than like 120k in debt.

I'm probably going to live in Fort Sanders, but only cuz I know which parts are quieter and know the area pretty well. But yeah, otherwise it's kind of hard to pinpoint which areas of the Fort are quieter.

If you do want to live in the Fort...living behind the law school, but down several blocks in the downtown direction is pretty quiet. But yeah, immediately behind the school is undergrad central.

[funkblaster]

The extreme west portion of the Fort, past the hospital and behind the Exxon station, is pretty quiet, too. It seems to be the central portion that is fun...if you're young and care-free/careless.

If anyone is interested in renting houses, PM me. I have a couple of sources. I have been renting a two bedroom in a decent lower middle class neighborhood for 6 years now. It's on a quarter acre with a two car garage/outbuilding. My landlord just raised my rent to a whopping $525. There are some good deals around. My previous house was $650 for a 5 bedroom split 5 ways. It wasn't in a very nice area, though.

[Rocky Estoppel]

The extreme west portion of the Fort, past the hospital and behind the Exxon station, is pretty quiet, too. It seems to be the central portion that is fun...if you're young and care-free/careless.

If anyone is interested in renting houses, PM me. I have a couple of sources. I have been renting a two bedroom in a decent lower middle class neighborhood for 6 years now. It's on a quarter acre with a two car garage/outbuilding. My landlord just raised my rent to a whopping $525. There are some good deals around. My previous house was $650 for a 5 bedroom split 5 ways. It wasn't in a very nice area, though.

I may have to contact you in a couple of months...I'll probably be looking in July (I want to move the last week of July) and I wouldn't mind a house/townhouse/condo. It would have to be in a decent/nice/safe neighborhood though.

[Volgirl24]

Definitely don't go for the fort if you're wanting a quiet safe area! I know there's some parts of it that are more quiet but I get UT campus notices about break ins and armed people spotted roaming around in that area almost weekly now! (I went to UT for undergrad-that's why I get those alerts)

Your best locations are West-Knox (10-15 min drive) around West Town Mall exit, Gallagher exit, or Papermill Dr exit on I-40. Also, a really nice close location to campus is The Woodlands off of Alcoa highway. It's just past the UT Medical center. It's more of an undergrad community but the buildings are only a few years old and in a good location. Quarry Trail is also right by The Woodlands and it was built about a year ago so it's pretty much the same.

[funkblaster]

I would stay away from East Knoxville and South Knoxville just across the river (near the hospital). North Knoxville is okay if you're a few minutes out. Fountain City is an excellent choice. It's 10-15 minutes north, and the rates are very reasonable. There is a hint of the old artsy culture still there. There is easy access to the interstate, parks, seclusion, and downtown within just a few minutes.

[Hudda Budda]

I would stay away from East Knoxville and South Knoxville just across the river (near the hospital). North Knoxville is okay if you're a few minutes out. Fountain City is an excellent choice. It's 10-15 minutes north, and the rates are very reasonable. There is a hint of the old artsy culture still there. There is easy access to the interstate, parks, seclusion, and downtown within just a few minutes.

what?! you don't like east knoxville?!?

cherry st=safest street in knoxville. or magnolia avenue ftw!

[funkblaster]

Okay, so I have to take the Cherry St. exit to get home if I'm coming from 40 westbound. Also, yeah, I risk Magnolia. Have you eaten at Chandler's? If so, you understand that some meals are worth a brutal crack-addiction-fueled mugging! The area isn't really that bad, but I just wouldn't want to live there.

[Hudda Budda]

Okay, so I have to take the Cherry St. exit to get home if I'm coming from 40 westbound. Also, yeah, I risk Magnolia. Have you eaten at Chandler's? If so, you understand that some meals are worth a brutal crack-addiction-fueled mugging! The area isn't really that bad, but I just wouldn't want to live there.

Chandler's once a week when I went to undergrad. I plan to continue this in law school.

[Lawlexi5]

Ooo tell me more about this Chandler's...big foodie here

[funkblaster]

Chandler's is basically soul food. Great ribs, excellent fried chicken, etc. They have 3 or four kinds of greens. Excellent deserts (banana pudding, etc.). And, to top it off, Kool-Aid if you want it. The prices are reasonable for the 7-8 pounds of food you get. Don't go if you're on a diet!

[Hudda Budda]

Chandler's is basically soul food. Great ribs, excellent fried chicken, etc. They have 3 or four kinds of greens. Excellent deserts (banana pudding, etc.). And, to top it off, Kool-Aid if you want it. The prices are reasonable for the 7-8 pounds of food you get. Don't go if you're on a diet!

reasonable prices are an understatement. it's cheap and amazing food. the ribs...oh man.

i usually end up getting ribs and fried fish, and two sides. their portions are huge as well. their sweet tea is great. and yeah, worst place to go if you're trying to eat healthy.

[optimusbjork]

Congrats everyone on your acceptance to UT Law! I'm a 2L, and I need some distraction from studying for Commercial Law. If you have any questions, ask away!

[Rocky Estoppel]

Congrats everyone on your acceptance to UT Law! I'm a 2L, and I need some distraction from studying for Commercial Law. If you have any questions, ask away!

What is placement like in Nashville? Particularly in govt (local and state level) positions...especially with Vanderbilt right downtown for competition.

What do you like best about the school? What don't you like about the school?

How friendly are the professors/students? Is the law school competitive in an unfriendly way? Do 2L/3L share notes/outlines with 1Ls?

What do summer employment opportunities look like for students lately? How do you see them shaping up for next summer? Is the alum network as loyal as I hear about?

How is the parking near campus? Do most students commute to campus? How early do students get there to get parking? Is the campus gym near the law school?

Thanks for answering any questions.

[optimusbjork]

What is placement like in Nashville? Particularly in govt (local and state level) positions...especially with Vanderbilt right downtown for competition.

Here is a link to the latest salary/employment survey from our Career Services Office. Not sure if this will be helpful or not:

http://www.law.utk.edu/administration/s ... rvey.shtml

What do you like best about the school? What don't you like about the school?

Best: I love the law school. The building is very, very nice with lots of natural light and modern (i.e. clean) furniture and our fantastic library is located inside the law school. I spend easily 12 hours/day here, so the physical space here is important to me, but may be less so for someone else.

I love the faculty here. Many of them have been here for a long time, and it's obvious they love what they do. The faculty are pretty involved in the school, whether they are working with law student organizations and journals or participating in cross-departmental symposiums and events. I haven't encountered any faculty so far who have made me feel dumb or disrespected. Everyone goes through the usual 1L boot camp, but it's not personal.

I have made some wonderful friends here. Law school is a bonding experience, if anything, and I value that I have 150 very intelligent, capable people who are going through this with me.

Worst: There's plenty I don't like about law school, but it has nothing to do with Tennessee per se. Overall, as far as the law school is concerned, I feel that the Career Services office could do more for students who aren't seeking traditional law firm employment. I also feel that they should be more realistic about chances for scoring interviews during OCI. That was probably the single biggest disappointment I've experienced that had to do with THE law school rather than just law school in general. Does that make sense?

How friendly are the professors/students? Is the law school competitive in an unfriendly way? Do 2L/3L share notes/outlines with 1Ls?

See above re: professors/students.

I, personally, have never felt I was hard-core competing with my classmates. There's friendly competition during oral arguments or negotiations, but overall when grades/Dean's List come out, it's a friendly atmosphere.

Absolutely we share our outlines! One of our student organizations hosts 2 Outline Libraries per semester where you can buy course/professor-specific outlines. The cost is minimal and mainly just covers the cost of printing them. If you don't want to buy them, there are plenty of 2Ls you can ask, too. In the rare instance someone would actually say no, just move on and ask someone else. You can always ask me.

What do summer employment opportunities look like for students lately? How do you see them shaping up for next summer? Is the alum network as loyal as I hear about?

Well, summer employment lately has been rough for everyone. I've heard rumors that some summer offers have been rescinded, but I don't know of anyone specific that's happened to. I got my job this summer from just contacting firms on my own. I happened to luck out and got a paying job that lasts all summer. I really, really hope the situation improves. I want all of my classmates to have jobs! It's good for everyone here when we can all find jobs.

Yes, the alumni network is very, very loyal. There are several events with alums where you'll have opportunities to network and get good advice. I contacted two alums recently who now work in Texas--one is a 2007 graduate and the other is a 1974 graduate. I had lunch with one while I was in Houston on spring break, and the other has offered to meet with me when he's here later this month.

How is the parking near campus? Do most students commute to campus? How early do students get there to get parking? Is the campus gym near the law school?

Parking in Fort Sanders is like big-game hunting. You have to be quick and you need a strategy. Basically, the Fort is a large neighborhood of Victorian homes that have been converted into apartments for students, so it's all street parking. There are a few lots around, but those spaces go quickly. Lately the campus police have been cracking down on illegal parking, so I have a few tickets I gotta pay. Basically, parking sucks. Actually, it's awful.

Students typically live in the Fort or in West Knoxville. I think most of us commute, but I could be wrong. I live in the 4th and Gill neighborhood, which is about a 5-min drive.

TRECS is the campus gym, and it's FANTASTIC. It's very large, very clean, and state-of-the-art with yoga and kickboxing classes. There's a Smoothie King inside, too. It's on the other side of the campus--about a 15-20 min walk. There's limited parking outside if you want to drive. It's just as nice, if not nicer than any 24-Hour Fitness or Bally's you'll find.

I hope this helps. I'll be happy to answer more questions. Good luck!

[Volgirl24]

How is the parking near campus? Do most students commute to campus? How early do students get there to get parking? Is the campus gym near the law school?

Parking in Fort Sanders is like big-game hunting. You have to be quick and you need a strategy. Basically, the Fort is a large neighborhood of Victorian homes that have been converted into apartments for students, so it's all street parking. There are a few lots around, but those spaces go quickly. Lately the campus police have been cracking down on illegal parking, so I have a few tickets I gotta pay. Basically, parking sucks. Actually, it's awful.

I was up at UT for the admitted students day and talked to a 2L that said you could buy a parking pass for the garage right behind the law school (White Ave Garage maybe? i'm not sure about the name) Is this true?

[optimusbjork]

I was up at UT for the admitted students day and talked to a 2L that said you could buy a parking pass for the garage right behind the law school (White Ave Garage maybe? i'm not sure about the name) Is this true?

The garage directly behind the law school is for faculty and staff. It used to be privately owned and anyone could buy a semester pass for the low price of $400. UT took over the building last summer and it's now staff parking. The White Ave garage, at the corner of 16th and White, is for "Noncommuter" students. Here is info about UT's complicated parking scheme and how they define "noncommuter":

A. Parking lots for students will be designed by letter as shown on the parking map. Student vehicles may be parked only in lots which correspond to their parking permit as follows:



1. Non-Commuter (N or NW) $253.00 (August-May). May also park in G-7 and CN Lots located on Agricultural Campus. Non-Commuter Permits are not to be sold to Commuters.
2. Motorcycle Non-Commuter (R) $67.00 (Annually).
3. Motorcycle Commuter (M) $54.00 (Annually).
4. Fraternity (F or FW) (Annually).
5. Commuter (C or CW) $162.00 (August-May). May also park in CN Lots located on Agricultural Campus. Commuter parking permits are not to be sold to Non-Commuters.
6. Evening (T or TW) $33.30 (August-May) valid in commuter lots after 3:00 p.m. and unreserved staff lots after 4:00 p.m.

C. Students residing on University Campus in Residence Halls and Fraternity Houses will be considered Non-Commuters. All others are Commuters.

D. Students living in University Apartments not located on the Main Campuses will be required to obtain a commuter parking permit if they desire to park on the University Campus.

And here's a link to the parking system map. The law school is in grid 3, so click on that to get a better look at your options:

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