Northwestern 1L/2L/3L/Grads Taking Questions and Challenges Forum

[homestyle28]

This is not a question, it's a challenge. The challenge is to read my dopey affectionate post.

I've heard back from only half of my schools, but I'm ever more seriously thinking that Northwestern is the best place for me. Relative to the peer schools that I am still in the running for (GULC held and UVa WL), I'd rather live in Chicago than in DC or Charlottsville. Plus I like that I won't be the creepy old dude in my class, I'll just be one of many creepy old dudes.

As an engineering major considering IP, I'd guess that the higher percentage of engineers at NU mean that (a) firms know to come there for IP lawyers and (b) the IP alumni network is relatively strong.

The only things that I don't like are the weather and the expense. But to me the expense is worth it to have a degree that will open doors even if I'm not summa cum laude. The bimodal income distribution has made a prestige whore out of me. And regarding weather, I don't see USC or UCLA magically becoming splitter friendly this cycle.

Oh yeah, also y'all seem nice.

I failed this challenge...almost made it, but alas I got sidetracked trying to come up with a good reply about being one of many creepy old dudes. At what age do we stop being creepy and start being sophisticated/distinguished?

[bjsesq]

Oh yeah, also y'all seem nice.

[forward]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

[09042014]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

My fellow students -fav

Graded legal writing - least

[bjsesq]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

Favorite: the people. My classmates are kick ass people. Even DF, once you get over the smell of onions.
Least favorite: CLR. One, it's graded. Two, it's about friggin worthless because the feedback you receive is all over the place and does not help you become a better writer.
Chicago: I love parts of this city. Any part outside of the loop, streeterville, and the south side is awesome to me. So much to do, and relatively safe.

[forward]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

My fellow students -fav

Graded legal writing - least

Can you say more about this? What's the student body like? Do you like that most are typically a few years out of school or does this make the vibe a bit boring?

[09042014]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

My fellow students -fav

Graded legal writing - least

Can you say more about this? What's the student body like? Do you like that most are typically a few years out of school or does this make the vibe a bit boring?

Love that people are a few years out. From what I can tell there isn't as much high school drama at NU as there is at other law schools.

Our bar reviews are fun. Very few people are that old, and most don't have children. So going to the bar is a common activity.

But if you like a frat party atmosphere NU law doesn't have it. Though to be fair we did organize a flip cup game at the law school once.

[forward]

What's your favorite part about Northwestern? Least favorite? For those who hadn't lived in Chicago prior to attending school, have you fallen in love with the city? Hate it?

My fellow students -fav

Graded legal writing - least

Can you say more about this? What's the student body like? Do you like that most are typically a few years out of school or does this make the vibe a bit boring?

Love that people are a few years out. From what I can tell there isn't as much high school drama at NU as there is at other law schools.

Our bar reviews are fun. Very few people are that old, and most don't have children. So going to the bar is a common activity.

But if you like a frat party atmosphere NU law doesn't have it. Though to be fair we did organize a flip cup game at the law school once.

Flip cup =\= Frat. At the point it does, life's gonna get pretty sad.

Ya'll are doing a good job selling me on it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm leaning NU (with money) over NYU.

[09042014]

Flip cup =\= Frat. At the point it does, life's gonna get pretty sad.

Ya'll are doing a good job selling me on it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm leaning NU (with money) over NYU.

How much money and where do you want to work after law school.

[Jack Smirks]

Ya'll are doing a good job selling me on it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm leaning NU (with money) over NYU.

Do it.

[forward]

Flip cup =\= Frat. At the point it does, life's gonna get pretty sad.

Ya'll are doing a good job selling me on it. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm leaning NU (with money) over NYU.

How much money and where do you want to work after law school.

I haven't gotten an offer yet, but it would have to be at least more than Michigan offers, if for no other reason than the COL difference.

As far as where: Chicago, Denver, PNW, perhaps San Fran or DC. I'm not sold on any one locale, as I think I could be happy in any of those places. I assume I'll end up doing PI as that's been my background for years, but I'm reconsidering. I don't want to be poor forever, and there are comparatively fewer decent-paying PI jobs that interest me. I still say I'm going for PI, but I'm not confident that's how it'll end up.

Yes, I know that NYU is great for PI. I just can't stomach that much debt, even with LRAP, if I know I'm going the PI route. My index is just over median there, so unless I strike gold by winning an RTK, I'm looking at nothing from them.

[MMW]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on these forums for years but I am a 3L at NU and would be happy to answer any questions you have. The lack of work 3L year gives me way too much free time. Feel free to post a question here or direct message me.

[forward]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on these forums for years but I am a 3L at NU and would be happy to answer any questions you have. The lack of work 3L year gives me way too much free time. Feel free to post a question here or direct message me.

How are employment prospects looking? What are your plans?

[forward]

To my point upthread about taking NU with $ over other higher-ranked choices: any of the NU students here have thoughts on sending some sort of letter with my fin aid app (when it's complete) that more or less states NU is my #1 over those schools and I plan to attend pending merit aid?

If it's not a terrible idea, how do I go about it? I do have some idea of what the amount would have to be, but I don't know how to tactfully state it. I way outperformed my numbers at UCLA (typically get 60k when its offered, but I was offered 105k), and that combined with Boalt's praise for my PS thinks I might have a shot of getting what I'd be looking for out of NU.

PMs appreciated - happy to share more specifics if it'd help any advice you might offer.

[MMW]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on these forums for years but I am a 3L at NU and would be happy to answer any questions you have. The lack of work 3L year gives me way too much free time. Feel free to post a question here or direct message me.

How are employment prospects looking? What are your plans?

I can only speak anecdotally since I they don't give current students any more information than the general public. My class's OCI was certainly stressful, especially with employers dropping like flies during the weeks prior to OCI and the estimated summer classes being half of what they were in past years. I certainly know people that wanted big firm jobs but couldn't get one. That being said, anyone that tells you it was better at his/her school is lying. It was bad everywhere, even at Harvard. Doom and gloom aside, my impression is that NU did very well. People not getting big law offers was the exception, not the rule. I even know some 3Ls that got offers via the OCI this fall (usually because of a last minute need to relocate). I was lucky to get a summer associate position and offer in the city I wanted (not Chicago). As one last caveat, you should keep in mind that I am talking about the 2009 OCI, not the recent 2010 OCI. 2009 was a perfect storm of terrible job prospects (firms didn't need the associates they currently had, there were one or two pre-recession sized summer class still waiting for start dates, and the legal market was flooded with experienced out of work lawyers). I have no idea if this past OCI was better but I have to assume it was. I wish I could give more information about this past OCI but I just don't know any 2Ls well enough to ask about employment prospects.

[bjsesq]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on these forums for years but I am a 3L at NU and would be happy to answer any questions you have. The lack of work 3L year gives me way too much free time. Feel free to post a question here or direct message me.

How are employment prospects looking? What are your plans?

I can only speak anecdotally since I they don't give current students any more information than the general public. My class's OCI was certainly stressful, especially with employers dropping like flies during the weeks prior to OCI and the estimated summer classes being half of what they were in past years. I certainly know people that wanted big firm jobs but couldn't get one. That being said, anyone that tells you it was better at his/her school is lying. It was bad everywhere, even at Harvard. Doom and gloom aside, my impression is that NU did very well. People not getting big law offers was the exception, not the rule. I even know some 3Ls that got offers via the OCI this fall (usually because of a last minute need to relocate). I was lucky to get a summer associate position and offer in the city I wanted (not Chicago). As one last caveat, you should keep in mind that I am talking about the 2009 OCI, not the recent 2010 OCI. 2009 was a perfect storm of terrible job prospects (firms didn't need the associates they currently had, there were one or two pre-recession sized summer class still waiting for start dates, and the legal market was flooded with experienced out of work lawyers). I have no idea if this past OCI was better but I have to assume it was. I wish I could give more information about this past OCI but I just don't know any 2Ls well enough to ask about employment prospects.

Anecdotally, it sounds like the 2Ls did pretty well for themselves. I believe Chadwick has commented on this, but I can't remember where.

[Remnantofisrael]

Anyone have any recommendations for rent-hunting, specifically to include areas around chicago-proper like evanston or even north of there? I have a couple kids, one who will be starting Kindergarten next fall, and so I'm hoping to find a place to rent that can give my young family a decent situation all around. I figure there are renter's agents and the like for this sort of thing (like in NYC) but I have heard they tend to specialize in smaller areas.

[homestyle28]

Anyone have any recommendations for rent-hunting, specifically to include areas around chicago-proper like evanston or even north of there? I have a couple kids, one who will be starting Kindergarten next fall, and so I'm hoping to find a place to rent that can give my young family a decent situation all around. I figure there are renter's agents and the like for this sort of thing (like in NYC) but I have heard they tend to specialize in smaller areas.

My bro in law (who lives in winfield) seconds this. Said most chicagoland real-estate agents are very suburb/neighborhood specific. I'm thinking this means you (and me) might need to work with more than one.

[09042014]

Anyone have any recommendations for rent-hunting, specifically to include areas around chicago-proper like evanston or even north of there? I have a couple kids, one who will be starting Kindergarten next fall, and so I'm hoping to find a place to rent that can give my young family a decent situation all around. I figure there are renter's agents and the like for this sort of thing (like in NYC) but I have heard they tend to specialize in smaller areas.

Check out Lincoln square for a semi close but child friendly neighborhood.

[rinkrat19]

I'm probably sending in my seat deposit and request for deferral tomorrow! I called the admissions office today and the woman I talked to said that "right now" they're being "pretty generous" about granting deferrals. I assume that means my odds would go down if I dawdle.

Has anyone used the StudentSpace apartment-finding service recommended on the Admitted Students site? --LinkRemoved--

[bjsesq]

I'm probably sending in my seat deposit and request for deferral tomorrow! I called the admissions office today and the woman I talked to said that "right now" they're being "pretty generous" about granting deferrals. I assume that means my odds would go down if I dawdle.

Has anyone used the StudentSpace apartment-finding service recommended on the Admitted Students site? --LinkRemoved--

Student space isn't necessary. If you plan on coming down for ASW, get in touch with some of us and we can help you look at some places. It seems like student space wants to keep everyone in Streeterville, at least from my experience with them.

[manyu]

What percent of 1Ls would you estimate live in Streeterville?

[tipler4213]

tag

[09042014]

What percent of 1Ls would you estimate live in Streeterville?

60% maybe? Maybe 2/3?

[ArchRoark]

Some super-qualified 2L just emailed me informing me that she is my student contact. Hopefully her grades/law review epicness rubs off on me B)

I should ask her if she was a lazy splitter in UG.