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Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:34 pm
by Giddy-Up
I am finishing up my final year at Kent. For what it's worth, almost everyone I knew who lived in Pres. Towers the first year moved out after the lease was up. This does not necessarily mean it is a bad decision, but keep in mind that it is quite expensive. Additionally, since Kent is located in a business district, the area is really dead on the weekends.

I lived out in Oak Park my first year, it was about 25 minutes in on the blue line (your tuition includes a U-pass fee which gives you unlimited rides on Chicago Public Transportation). Particularly during your first year, you typically do not have big breaks between your classes so most people came and went only once per day and spent the time between classes reading or otherwise preparing for class.

Happy to answer any other questions about Kent. I have had a fun time there, but am ready for it to be over. Today is our last day of classes and exams start Wed!

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:00 pm
by FrankieFlye
Giddy-Up wrote:I am finishing up my final year at Kent. For what it's worth, almost everyone I knew who lived in Pres. Towers the first year moved out after the lease was up. This does not necessarily mean it is a bad decision, but keep in mind that it is quite expensive. Additionally, since Kent is located in a business district, the area is really dead on the weekends.

I lived out in Oak Park my first year, it was about 25 minutes in on the blue line (your tuition includes a U-pass fee which gives you unlimited rides on Chicago Public Transportation). Particularly during your first year, you typically do not have big breaks between your classes so most people came and went only once per day and spent the time between classes reading or otherwise preparing for class.

Happy to answer any other questions about Kent. I have had a fun time there, but am ready for it to be over. Today is our last day of classes and exams start Wed!
Thanks for your input man. I could always do as I did in undergrad and just live in an apt near Pilsen for 600-800/month but I feel like an extra 400-600 is worth it to minimize the hassle of going back and forth and wasted time on trains etc. Plus waiting for buses, trains in the cold is a dog's mother based one experience.

Question I do have however:
Best professors teaching wise?
Hardest/easiest professors and their impact on curves?
How's that whole "job" thing lookin for ya?
What would you have done different looking back at 1L?
Best resources for outlines/etc at Kent and for specific Kent prof/classes?


i'll keep firing as long as you keep answering :wink: thanks again!

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:10 pm
by Giddy-Up
Thanks for your input man. I could always do as I did in undergrad and just live in an apt near Pilsen for 600-800/month but I feel like an extra 400-600 is worth it to minimize the hassle of going back and forth and wasted time on trains etc. Plus waiting for buses, trains in the cold is a dog's mother based one experience.

Question I do have however:
Best professors teaching wise?
Hardest/easiest professors and their impact on curves?
How's that whole "job" thing lookin for ya?
What would you have done different looking back at 1L?
Best resources for outlines/etc at Kent and for specific Kent prof/classes?


i'll keep firing as long as you keep answering thanks again!
Professor Heyman is a great professor, I had him for Torts. Professor Warner was also one of my favorites - Contracts. For upper level classes, Professor Chapman is highly recommended for Income Tax. I also enjoyed Professor Rosen for Con Law and Conflict of Laws.

My experience has been that professors give out the maximum high grades that the curve will allow. At least once, one of my professors petitioned (successfully) to give out a slighly higher percentage of A's then were permitted.

Job wise, things are good. I have a full time job lined up that will pay well.

I really enjoyed the first year. I wish I would have worked on my legal writing assignments steadily, instead of waiting until the end.

I get most of my outlines from the Law Review bank. Most of the student organizations maintain banks of outlines. Once you get beyond the first year, you will often have classmates who have taken a class that you have not and vice versa. That can be a good avenue for exchanging outlines.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:27 pm
by dhbzz
How is the job situation for your classmates?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:33 pm
by Giddy-Up
dhbzz wrote:How is the job situation for your classmates?
I can only base my answer on those classmates that I speak to about this issue, which is far less than the majority. Of this group, the majority do have jobs lined up. Some with big firms, some with small firms, quite a few with local courts. Please do keep in mind that this is by no means a representative sample though.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:48 pm
by FrankieFlye
Giddy-Up wrote:
Thanks for your input man. I could always do as I did in undergrad and just live in an apt near Pilsen for 600-800/month but I feel like an extra 400-600 is worth it to minimize the hassle of going back and forth and wasted time on trains etc. Plus waiting for buses, trains in the cold is a dog's mother based one experience.

Question I do have however:
Best professors teaching wise?
Hardest/easiest professors and their impact on curves?
How's that whole "job" thing lookin for ya?
What would you have done different looking back at 1L?
Best resources for outlines/etc at Kent and for specific Kent prof/classes?


i'll keep firing as long as you keep answering thanks again!
Professor Heyman is a great professor, I had him for Torts. Professor Warner was also one of my favorites - Contracts. For upper level classes, Professor Chapman is highly recommended for Income Tax. I also enjoyed Professor Rosen for Con Law and Conflict of Laws.

My experience has been that professors give out the maximum high grades that the curve will allow. At least once, one of my professors petitioned (successfully) to give out a slighly higher percentage of A's then were permitted.

Job wise, things are good. I have a full time job lined up that will pay well.

I really enjoyed the first year. I wish I would have worked on my legal writing assignments steadily, instead of waiting until the end.

I get most of my outlines from the Law Review bank. Most of the student organizations maintain banks of outlines. Once you get beyond the first year, you will often have classmates who have taken a class that you have not and vice versa. That can be a good avenue for exchanging outlines.

Thanks for the in depth answer man. Here are some more:

1) What was your class rank like? Top 10%? Top 15%? Top 1/3rd?

2) How helpful were career services in finding 1L and 2L summer opportunities?

3) From your classmates as well as friends at other law schools (possibly), is hiring trending up?

4) I picked up a box of books from an 06 kent grad who made order of the coif....do professors tend to stick with the same textbooks for the most part or do I now have an excess of bookshelf weights?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 3:00 pm
by Giddy-Up
Thanks for the in depth answer man. Here are some more:

1) What was your class rank like? Top 10%? Top 15%? Top 1/3rd?

2) How helpful were career services in finding 1L and 2L summer opportunities?

3) From your classmates as well as friends at other law schools (possibly), is hiring trending up?

4) I picked up a box of books from an 06 kent grad who made order of the coif....do professors tend to stick with the same textbooks for the most part or do I now have an excess of bookshelf weights?
Do you mean current class rank or class rank at the end of 1L? At the end of 1L I was top 5%, but barely.

Career Services is helpful. They are always willing to talk, and they are quite proactive. Granted there is only so much they can do, but I think it is a strong department.

My view, yes, things are trending up - but slowly. Fall OCI 2009 was brutal because of the economy. Firms scaled summer programs way back because they did not want to be caught in the same situation they were in from the previous summer where they had way more summer associates than available jobs. Granted, this is only my view.



Most of the time professors do use the same books, but the version may change. Usually this is not a big deal, it is real scam how much each "new" version of a case book costs when it may contain only a handful of changes.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:41 pm
by FrankieFlye
Giddy-Up wrote:
Do you mean current class rank or class rank at the end of 1L? At the end of 1L I was top 5%, but barely.

Career Services is helpful. They are always willing to talk, and they are quite proactive. Granted there is only so much they can do, but I think it is a strong department.

My view, yes, things are trending up - but slowly. Fall OCI 2009 was brutal because of the economy. Firms scaled summer programs way back because they did not want to be caught in the same situation they were in from the previous summer where they had way more summer associates than available jobs. Granted, this is only my view.



Most of the time professors do use the same books, but the version may change. Usually this is not a big deal, it is real scam how much each "new" version of a case book costs when it may contain only a handful of changes.
Yep, meant at the end of 1L. After all, that's the only thing that they say matters right? =P

And now the obvious question, what god did you pray too, what magic did you conjure and/or whose voodoo dolls did you torture to obtain your top 5% (approx)? (or of course, you can give insight about your typical study schedule, any thing you thought that put you ahead of your classmates in terms of "smart" studying, outlines, etc etc)

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 1:33 pm
by valentino9988
Anyone looking into the May 19th Dean's Program Invitation?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 9:07 pm
by chicarda
valentino9988 wrote:Anyone looking into the May 19th Dean's Program Invitation?
I move into Presidential Towers that morning. Hopefully I have time to make it over there.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 9:38 pm
by jokerman
surprised this board is so light in activity... got accepted to kent last week... touring tomorrow... anything to keep an eye out for?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 10:44 am
by chicarda
jokerman wrote:surprised this board is so light in activity... got accepted to kent last week... touring tomorrow... anything to keep an eye out for?
If you get an unintelligible introverted girl as your tour guide, don't panic. They are all not like that lol

Make sure you ask about the Access 2 Practice Program.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 12:18 pm
by jokerman
I recommend living near Southport Ave. (within 2 blocks east or 4 blocks west, north of Fullerton and south of Irving Park Rd.) which is in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area if you are fresh out of UG as it is very quiet, transit friendly, but you have access to a lot of bars and it is cheaaappppp... Gold Coast area if you have a full scholly, been out of college 5+ years, married (kids as well), desire complete silence, or fear living in a big city since the area is very quiet, very safe, lots of amenities like an in-building dry cleaner/grocery store/etc., but also extremely expensive... There are other areas that are great such as Uptown and Wicker PArk, but those would be my 2 recommended areas.

As for Prez Towers, my current roommate lived there and the apartments that typically are "negotiated" upon are hideous, smelly, small, and overpriced for what you get... not to mention the staff in the building is rude... my recommendation based on my roommates and others stories is be sure to look at the exact apartment you want and negotiate for that unit only.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 12:56 pm
by tennissanta
I've lived in different areas of Chicago for 8 years now and I currently reside in Lakeview East (Broadway and Wellington). This is a great area if you're looking for life outside of law school. I had a nothing special studio for $720/mo, heat included. My friend lives in a building next door and pays $925/mo for a 1 bedroom. The area is safe, lively, and full of fun people. The commute to get to Kent, however, takes approximately 45-60 minutes door to door. This is too long for me.

For me, Lakeview East is too young/immature for someone in law school. Parties and noise levels in certain buildings (not all, of course) can be obnoxious. When I took the LSAT the neighbor above me had a party the Friday night before the test that didn't end until 4am. At that point I realized this was a no-go for the long term.

I'm moving to Pilsen this Friday to a nice 3-flat right next to the Damen Pink Line stop. It's a gigantic 2 bedroom apartment for $525/mo. It is Pilsen, though, and so it receives deserved negative reviews for certain areas of the neighborhood. I wouldn't recommend the non-Chicagoan to have his/her first apartment in Pilsen, even though the rent is dirt cheap, the apartments are huge, and the door-to-door time to Kent is 25 minutes. I've lived in enough areas of this city to feel pretty content with this choice though (it's no Humboldt Park or Chatham, at least).

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 2:45 pm
by crocoyy
hi guys, I'm going to be an international LLM student in Chicago-Kent this fall. Our orientation is starting from August 1st. Is it the same as yours?

ps. anyone knows about LLM in Kent? Is "Financial Service" good or not?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:11 pm
by ocbrody
valentino9988 wrote:Anyone looking into the May 19th Dean's Program Invitation?
I'll be there. Looking forward to it.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 1:35 pm
by bvenkat8325
So other than Presidential Towers and Tailor Lofts...what other apartments (preferably studios) are within a .5 mile radius of the Law School?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:49 pm
by kimheami
bvenkat8325 wrote:So other than Presidential Towers and Tailor Lofts...what other apartments (preferably studios) are within a .5 mile radius of the Law School?
I would really like to know this too!! I would really prefer to stay close to the law school for my 1L year atleast. Even if i will be paying quite a bit more than if i was to live in say lakeview.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 3:46 pm
by HouGreenwave
Has anyone lived with a fellow "Kenter"? Would you recommended it? Is anyone interested in doing a duo?

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 12:11 pm
by crocoyy
kimheami wrote:
bvenkat8325 wrote:So other than Presidential Towers and Tailor Lofts...what other apartments (preferably studios) are within a .5 mile radius of the Law School?
I would really like to know this too!! I would really prefer to stay close to the law school for my 1L year atleast. Even if i will be paying quite a bit more than if i was to live in say lakeview.

I'm finding a roommate in PT, if you are interested in it, please contact me. crocoyy@hotmail.com

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 2:33 pm
by jokerman
Anyone looking for a roommate for a Aug. 1 move-in that wants to live in Lakeview/Lincoln Park/Gold Coast area and is okay with having a dog in the apartment, then PM me.

The Dog: His name is Rambo and he is a 2 1/2 yr old 30pd Fox Terrier who is quiet, extremely well housebroken, and likes to chill out.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:50 pm
by tennissanta
Not to disrupt the housing discussion, but is anyone doing any reading over the summer for "0L prep?" I've read Getting to Maybe already, and I'm halfway through LEEWS and 1L of a Ride. For someone just beginning summer reading, I strongly recommend 1L of a Ride. It's a very easy read that slowly introduces some basic, yet necessary concepts.

I also plan on reading a couple of the Delaney books, but I'm going to try and steer clear of any substantive prep (like the E&E's and Horn books).

Please offer suggestions if you too are going to be doing some reading outside of the not-yet-released Kent reading list.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 8:32 pm
by chicarda
I moved to Chicago for the summer for my law internship before starting at Kent. I've lived at Presidential Towers for over a week now and it is absolutely amazing. Only a block from a 24hr Walgreen and well priced grocery store. The West Loop seems very safe, no incidents thus far and it is a breeze to get around the city via public transit, walking, and biking.

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 5:50 pm
by HouGreenwave
Is anyone planning on living at Tailor Lofts? I've decided on it. I think I'm going to do the two bedroom plan but would rather live with someone who goes to Chi-Kent. If your down message me and we can exchange details. It just seems a lot more convenient than other options, plus the all inclusive thing makes life easier. Lord knows we'll have enough to be preoccupied with.

Re: Chicago-Kent Class of 2014

Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 7:32 pm
by as stars burn
kimheami wrote:Surprised that there isn't one made yet for Kent. Not a 100% sure that i'll be there in the fall but the chances are going up everyday.
Whats everyone doing about housing? Has anyone heard anything about the Tailor Lofts?
Do not for the love of God live at Tailor Lofts. I live there now, and I'm moving in a month. There are way too many undergraduate students who live here so there are insanely loud parties late at night on Mondays or Tuesdays. The apartments are brand new; however, they don't feel "warm" or "cozy." Management sucks, and there were crazy electrical overages happening here around winter. Look elsewhere, trust me.