I'm not really that worried about the debt. Maybe it's that I have faith that we're going to find good jobs, or maybe that I'm too busy worrying about short-term issues. But seriously, the debt is one of the few things that doesn't have me that worried right now.

Plus, I'm happy with Michigan's loan repayment program. It's pretty awesome.

I hope this isn't inappropriate, but I'm curious if any Michigan students chose Michigan over Berkeley, and whether you have any regrets OR whether there were particular things about Michigan that helped you make the decision. I could imagine myself going to Michigan and then, in January, dreaming of Cali weather. I know it sounds so ridiculous, but I am concerned about the potential regret factor, more so than if I decided to go to Berkeley, since I think I'd be happy at either place.

Having said that, I am weighing lots of other factors than weather, and would probably choose Michigan over Berkeley right now. But just want to see if people have a view on this from their own personal experience.

If it helps give some color about me -- I want to work in government, likely in NYC or DC, so I don't plan to stay in the Cali or midwest region post-grad.

If the decision is between BOALT and Michigan and you're thinking NYC, then go to Michigan. But be rest assured it's not ridiculous to fear Michigan weather. I've lived here all my life, and although the past winter was mild, there's usually some days that are bitter, bitter cold.

I applied ED to Michigan, so I never got to see whether or not I would have made it into Boalt. If I hadn't applied ED, and I had made it into both, it would have been a really difficult decision. Both schools are equally awesome, IMO, and I think you'll be incredibly happy at either.

I do think Michigan has an edge over Boalt for NYC, but I'm not sure how significant that edge is. I think the decision comes down to visiting and seeing which vibe you like better. Michigan is a little more down to earth. I'm super liberal, but Berkeley is pretty extreme in that regard. Michigan is in a fantastic town and it's about as gorgeous as a school can be. Everyone is very friendly and the students are a tight-knit group. Berkeley has better weather, hands down. Also, it's nearer to cool places for weekend get-aways. These are somewhat trivial differences. You'll get a phenomenal education in a great environment either way.

Congrats on having to make the most awesome tough decision ever.

Hey all, I was wondering if any of you can shed any light on the rental market in late summer. Specifically, I'm considering a few places that I would want to lock in ASAP because I understand it's going to be slim pickings come August due to the huge number of students renting in the area. The problem is that I am waiting out a few waitlists and may end up having to reassign my lease last minute (early termination for one of the places I'm looking at is not an option, tried negotiating already). I also wouldn't want to shaft any potential roommates. Is it going to be difficult to find a replacement tenant at that point? Are there still people looking for a place in August? Or is everyone mostly on top of their game in AA?

Thoughts? Experiences? Insight?

Do the undergrads use the Law library? obnoxious undergrads are kind of a pet peeve of mine, so i was just wondering if it was a problem...

edit: Also, what's the best coffee shop in the area? I *need* a place with good coffee and comfy chairs

Undergrads in the underground law library aren't really a problem. We have an ID check there in the evenings when they would be most likely to come. There is a reserved portion of the reading room which generally has enough space. If you are having a problem with undergrads in the reserved section you can ask the staff and they'll clear out the undergrads in that portion.

The largest problem is undergrads in Aikens Commons, but they now kick them out and do ID checks on the busiest nights.

As for coffee shops, there are a number ranging from super hipster to super corporate. You should be able to find something to fit your needs.

If you hate obnoxious undergrads, consider another school. The undergrads hang out around the law quad and in the Commons a lot. (But tbf to them, they usually don't bother anyone... more annoying that they take up the tables in the Commons since there is limited space).

If you go to the undergrad lawbrary, no one will bother you.

Additionally, if you are just looking for study space There is generally space available in South Hall.

If you're interested, we're renting out a house for the fall. The lease starts Aug 1 and there will be 6 of us sharing the place. Rent is $733 a person. It's a 11 min walk and a 4 min bike ride. The place is fully furnished and is as nice as the Zargon and University Towers complexes, but at a fraction of the cost. We currently have 2 rooms open and will fill them over the summer (so there's plenty of time). The details and link are below. Send me a message if you're interested!


Granite Countertops
Tile Floor
Garbage Disposal
Modern Cabinets & Hardware
Stainless Steel Appliances
Parking for up to 6
Locked Storage for Bikes
Patio Set & Gas Grill
Central Air Conditioning
Tons of Storage
Fully Furnished (everything imaginable)
7 Flat Screen TV's
Ethernet / Wireless Internet Setup
Phone / Cable in every bedroom
New Plumbing & Electrical
Hardwood Floors
Carpet
Built in Bookshelves
Approx. 3000sq ft

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/apa/2987566848.html

Don't advertise that you're nicer than University Towers. University Towers is gross .

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

Okay. Thanks.

do students have the ability to develop close relationships with profs or do they seem to be very busy and unapproachable? do students get oppotunities to work closely w profs outside of classes or does the class size make this fairly difficult?

It depends on the professor, but in general you should be able to develop relationships with professors to whatever extent you want. I've been over to a number of professors homes. I've been to bars with professors. I've had lunch with professors. And I'm probably one of the most uninvolved students in my class.

Anyone know if the summer classes in Torts and Contracts will have open or closed book exams?

Anyone?

Contracts w/ Pottow & Torts w/ Clark.

Also, any general advice for these two?

I wish I could help you, but I didn't take 1L classes at Michigan. Keep in mind that the current rising 2L's (last year's 1L's) are doing the write on right now, so they're probably super busy. Just wait until the first day of class and the syllabus and they'll probably tell you then.

Cool beans. Thanks... Let me chill out before I develop additional gunerish ways.

Hi

I was hoping some current Michigan students can give me some honest advice. I have currently deposited at Michigan and was excited about going until I got off the NYU wait list today and now I'm conflicted. I liked Michigan when I visited but knowing that I want to end up working in biglaw in NYC would it be stupid to pass up NYU? I know Michigan's NLJ numbers weren't great this past year but how significant is the difference for being able to get NYC biglaw out of Michigan vs NYU.

All of us 1Ls are doing writing competition for law review right now. I had both of these profs this year. Both are open everything (just no internet access).

Pottow's exam (IIRC) is three hours long and will have more issues than you will be able to discuss fully. Pottow you will be best situated if you actually review a little bit all weekend long. Type up your notes every weekend and try to compress them a little bit. I don't think I had time to even open my outline more than once or twice on his exam. They hypothetical was like 7 pages long and was bursting with issues.

I didn't use any supplements in this class, but I think they might have been helpful if you read them after class every day so that you understand what actually happens. Pottow talks at 100 mph and thinks at 200 mph, it is easy to get whiplash. All that being said, this was my favorite 1L class.

Clark on the other hand takes the time to explain every concept in minute detail and you will have no problem learning the subject. The only difficulty in this class is that because everyone understands the material grades are a complete crapshoot. Regardless of what he says, make sure that you actually know the cases well. The way he describes his exam, it sounds like most of what he cares about is black letter law and policy, but the way he grades cases are important. Don't use a supplement, but do whatever you can to stay focused in his class. I would not take notes on your computer, because it is too easy to find yourself drifting to facebook or gchat. Instead, take hand notes. You'll doodle a lot, but most people are more capable of doodling and listening than facebooking and listening.

Depends on how much $$ you have from Mich. Pretty much everyone I know who targeted NYC got an offer in NYC (including me). But on the flip side, I mostly just hang out with the other transfers, so we're not really a good sample of regular Mich students and OCI. But if you have $0 from Mich and $0 from NYU, I'd pick NYU if I were you. If you have $$ from Mich, that might make a difference.

What are the best thrift stores near A2 for sweet deals on furniture? (I have a car, if it matters.)

I got 10k a year at Mich. I did find the culture of Mich really appealing ( happy law students/collegial atmosphere) but idk if that matters enough to negate the boost NYU gives in terms of jobs....

Has anyone successfully renegociated more money out of Michigan after the seat deposit deadline, once they got off the waitlist at a higher-ranked school?

Chicago is offering somewhat comparable $ to Michigan. I would 100% commit to Michigan if it was the smarter financial decision, but at the moment it's not. And Chicago's improved LRAP is the superior program for my career interests.

The Re-Use store off of Eisenhower near Woodbury is hit or miss, but when you score, you score big. Think awesome old school teachers desk. There is also a University owned place that i've never been to, but know that someone scored a card catalog there last year!