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I looked for a c/o '17 thread and haven't found one yet. Let's get this tread going. If any current CUNY 1Ls would like to share their first semester impressions, that would also be greatly appreciated.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.

tseretnicilbup wrote:I looked for a c/o '17 thread and haven't found one yet. Let's get this tread going. If any current CUNY 1Ls would like to share their first semester impressions, that would also be greatly appreciated.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.

Admitted 12/13, took about a month from the time I submitted. 155/2.72 (huge upward trends, degree gpa is 3.84). From what I've seen on LSN you have a good shot with those numbers

PattyCake wrote:

tseretnicilbup wrote:I looked for a c/o '17 thread and haven't found one yet. Let's get this tread going. If any current CUNY 1Ls would like to share their first semester impressions, that would also be greatly appreciated.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.

Admitted 12/13, took about a month from the time I submitted. 155/2.72 (huge upward trends, degree gpa is 3.84). From what I've seen on LSN you have a good shot with those numbers

Congrats PattyCake! Hearing back within a month or so sounds good to me. Did CUNY discuss any financial information upon admission? I know their aid is limited, just curious how the process works there.

tseretnicilbup wrote:

PattyCake wrote:

tseretnicilbup wrote:I looked for a c/o '17 thread and haven't found one yet. Let's get this tread going. If any current CUNY 1Ls would like to share their first semester impressions, that would also be greatly appreciated.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.

Admitted 12/13, took about a month from the time I submitted. 155/2.72 (huge upward trends, degree gpa is 3.84). From what I've seen on LSN you have a good shot with those numbers

Congrats PattyCake! Hearing back within a month or so sounds good to me. Did CUNY discuss any financial information upon admission? I know their aid is limited, just curious how the process works there.

Thanks! I'm not receiving any aid, but I feel like that's pretty much standard. They don't give out much, and if I had to guess I'd say a lot of it goes to out of state applicants. I'm a NY resident so my tuition/fees are only $15000. I'm guessing the full tuition scholarships are used to entice students with better numbers, to keep their stats up.

PattyCake wrote:

tseretnicilbup wrote:

PattyCake wrote:

tseretnicilbup wrote:I looked for a c/o '17 thread and haven't found one yet. Let's get this tread going. If any current CUNY 1Ls would like to share their first semester impressions, that would also be greatly appreciated.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.

Admitted 12/13, took about a month from the time I submitted. 155/2.72 (huge upward trends, degree gpa is 3.84). From what I've seen on LSN you have a good shot with those numbers

Congrats PattyCake! Hearing back within a month or so sounds good to me. Did CUNY discuss any financial information upon admission? I know their aid is limited, just curious how the process works there.

Thanks! I'm not receiving any aid, but I feel like that's pretty much standard. They don't give out much, and if I had to guess I'd say a lot of it goes to out of state applicants. I'm a NY resident so my tuition/fees are only $15000. After tap, etc it's closer to $12K, which is within the limit for subsidized grad loans, so I imagine funding is largely reserved for students who can't take advantage of that. And I'm guessing the full tuition scholarships are used to entice students with better numbers, to keep their stats up.

Thanks for the info. It's definitely hard to complain about $12K.

As a non-NY resident, it's my understanding that I would be eligible for in-state tuition after living in NY for one year. The out of state tuition isn't exactly cheap, but it seems like a fair deal when combined with two years of in-state tuition.

Checking in! I'm all about PI so CUNY is still in the running as a top choice. I was admitted on November 1st. 155/3.95.

To make the waiting game more "fun", I added a PI concentration poll to the thread. I thought it would be interesting to see what type of PI law CUNY applicants are interested in.

As for my numbers/app dates. I just submitted in the last couple of weeks. 159/3.3.[/quote]

Admitted 12/13, took about a month from the time I submitted. 155/2.72 (huge upward trends, degree gpa is 3.84). From what I've seen on LSN you have a good shot with those numbers [/quote]

Congrats PattyCake! Hearing back within a month or so sounds good to me. Did CUNY discuss any financial information upon admission? I know their aid is limited, just curious how the process works there.[/quote]

Thanks! I'm not receiving any aid, but I feel like that's pretty much standard. They don't give out much, and if I had to guess I'd say a lot of it goes to out of state applicants. I'm a NY resident so my tuition/fees are only $15000. After tap, etc it's closer to $12K, which is within the limit for subsidized grad loans, so I imagine funding is largely reserved for students who can't take advantage of that. And I'm guessing the full tuition scholarships are used to entice students with better numbers, to keep their stats up.[/quote]

Thanks for the info. It's definitely hard to complain about $12K.

As a non-NY resident, it's my understanding that I would be eligible for in-state tuition after living in NY for one year. The out of state tuition isn't exactly cheap, but it seems like a fair deal when combined with two years of in-state tuition.[/quote]

Agreed, and their out of state tuition, though not cheap, is still less than most schools (even public ones). And you can always apply for 3rd party scholarships - you have a better chance of getting them if you're dedicated to pursuing a public interest practice. Are you still in undergrad? Any chance you can get a "true graduating senior" scholarship? I'm being considered for one now through a national honors society that I think I might get, for $5K. If you grab one now that could offset the first year cost considerably.

Either way, two years at full in-state tuition leaves you with significantly less debt than one year at an average private school.

ConLawNerd91 wrote:Checking in! I'm all about PI so CUNY is still in the running as a top choice. I was admitted on November 1st. 155/3.95.

Congrats! Did you get the magic box of pins and stickers?

@PattyCake I'm a few years out of undergrad, so I don't think I'm eligible for that specific scholarship. Will definitely be pursuing any type of aid available!

@ConLawNerd91 Congrats!

PattyCake wrote:

ConLawNerd91 wrote:Checking in! I'm all about PI so CUNY is still in the running as a top choice. I was admitted on November 1st. 155/3.95.

Congrats! Did you get the magic box of pins and stickers?

I did! And thanks @tseretnicilbup!

Update: Admitted as of this past week! Did I hear something about a bunch of pins stickers!? Not that it's overwhelmingly important...but I didn't receive any pins and stickers

tseretnicilbup wrote:Update: Admitted as of this past week! Did I hear something about a bunch of pins stickers!? Not that it's overwhelmingly important...but I didn't receive any pins and stickers

Lol it came randomly a few weeks after the acceptance packet. It's a poster box with little bumper stickers and pins to share with friends and family, and a huge yellow poster that doesn't match anything but which my dad hung in his office They all have CUNY slogans, it's a nice touch.

Admitted today..I went to the recent info session and I'm pretty impressed with the new building as well what was presented by the student guide and the affordable tuition helps- even as an out-of-state applicant. I'm almost certain I'll be attending..

Received a scholarship offer today! Was NOT expecting one, but CUNY is definitely at the top of my list now!

PattyCake wrote:Received a scholarship offer today! Was NOT expecting one, but CUNY is definitely at the top of my list now!

Congrats PattyCake!

Christinf01 wrote:

PattyCake wrote:Received a scholarship offer today! Was NOT expecting one, but CUNY is definitely at the top of my list now!

Congrats PattyCake!

Thank you, and congrats on your acceptance!

does anyone have any information about affordable apartments? I already e-mailed student affairs but haven't heard back yet and I have looked into EHS but I'm not sure if I'm interested in that option..

Christinf01 wrote:does anyone have any information about affordable apartments? I already e-mailed student affairs but haven't heard back yet and I have looked into EHS but I'm not sure if I'm interested in that option..

I've lived in 3 of the 5 boroughs and on Long Island. NY apartments are VERY pricey compared to pretty much any other part of the country. You are probably going to want roommates, and you can find share-friendly affordable apartments if you look for them, and if you are ready to jump on a place. There is no "cheapest borough," because certain parts of each borough are outrageously expensive and others are much closer to LI prices. LIC is RIDICULOUSLY expensive, BTW, as are the interesting/pretty parts of Brooklyn. Manhattan is the hardest to find something affordable in, because the apartments are so tiny that they're hard to share. I would shoot for the more affordable areas of Queens (the closer to the Nassau County border the more reasonable they will be - check out Bayside).

I have found every single apartment I have ever lived in on Craigslist and some of them have been AMAZING - you just have to be willing to jump on them when you find them, and have your deposit ready. The thing is, it's really difficult to find a place in advance because no one wants to hold apartments for people. Your best bet would be to find one of the (very few) hostels or else sublet a room for a month while you look for a place. So you know what to expect though, by "AMAZING" I do not mean large or even particularly nice/new - I mean affordable, in a safe/easy to get to neighborhood (subway/bus lines are key here), and not requiring you to walk up 6 flights of stairs every time you want a gallon of milk or need to do a load of laundry. Bonus if you find a place with some interesting/potentially dangerous "character" like a dumbwaiter shaft with a broken door, or a stained glass transom that could collapse at any moment. I would find out the EHS rates, and then compare with what you see on Craigslist.

The EHS rates vary but the building closest to CUNY is about 3 miles away- obviously not bad- with rates ranging from $13,000 to $20,000 for the academic year. I guess the cheaper end is affordable if you consider that there is laundry, a gym, and 24/hr security on site but I'm not thrilled about having an RA (I'm picturing my RA from back in the day who policed the floor whenever she wasn't in class) or sharing a kitchen with the floor/building. I'm not an undergraduate anymore and don't want to feel like I am.. unless it's not like that, then I would reconsider.

Christinf01 wrote:The EHS rates vary but the building closest to CUNY is about 3 miles away- obviously not bad- with rates ranging from $13,000 to $20,000 for the academic year. I guess the cheaper end is affordable if you consider that there is laundry, a gym, and 24/hr security on site but I'm not thrilled about having an RA (I'm picturing my RA from back in the day who policed the floor whenever she wasn't in class) or sharing a kitchen with the floor/building. I'm not an undergraduate anymore and don't want to feel like I am.. unless it's not like that, then I would reconsider.

You might be grateful for the RA keeping things quiet for you with the workload you're going to have. Noise is generally unavoidable in many, many areas, and you never know who will be in your building. For instance, my first roommate when I moved into the city was an opera singer who started warming up by 6am at the latest most days. I actually loved it, but (a) I love opera and (b) I wasn't in law school!

I had no idea the EHS rates were so low, but don't be surprised if the $13000 option is in Brooklyn - if it is just keep in mind the 1.5 hour commute through manhattan if you plan to ride the subway. Also keep in mind that it will be more if you stay in the summer, which you almost definitely will at least once since you'll be trying to get internships etc.

PattyCake wrote:Received a scholarship offer today! Was NOT expecting one, but CUNY is definitely at the top of my list now!

Congrats on the scholarship offer! Very exciting.

Admitted students days on March 21st and May 2nd- anyone plan on attending? I was thinking of going in May only because deposits are due prior to that so there might be more of an opportunity to meet other students who have decided on CUNY..thoughts?

Christinf01 wrote:Admitted students days on March 21st and May 2nd- anyone plan on attending? I was thinking of going in May only because deposits are due prior to that so there might be more of an opportunity to meet other students who have decided on CUNY..thoughts?

I'm retaking the LSAT on Saturday. Not making any definite plans (for anything) until after I see how my retake goes, but for now I'm thinking I will probably attend the March one. Wanted to go to the cocktail hour thing but couldn't spare a whole night of studying for it - maybe they'll do another one?

Hey all,

CUNY 2L here. Tend to hop on these forums every now and then to answer any questions.

Some info about me: Out-of-state student from Miami, Florida, student in the Economic Justice Project (EJP) clinic (only seminar allowing 2Ls to take real client cases), board of Race and Social Justice Orientation (for those of you thinking of attending), and a Grad Fellow recipient (pm if you're interested in info about that fellowship, including my own credentials). Interested in working with direct services orgs that cater to the LGBTQ (particularly trans) / homeless communities.

In terms of some of the questions already posted:

1) Out-of-state becomes in-state within a year, yes, but keep careful records of your documentation and make sure you check the policy in the handbook when you get in (they just changed the policy I believe, requiring documents such as a state I.D. / voter I.D. from at least 12 months ago in addition to deed).

2) Agree with PattyCake. Best to room with someone. I was solo living my first year and it became really prohibitively expensive by the end of it. Have saved a bunch rooming with another CUNY student. Most of us live in the Astoria area.

Hey everyone!
I was hoping to find a board dedicated to CUNY 2017. I was accepted about two weeks ago. CUNY is one of my top choices at the moment. Finding a living situation is a concern for me being from Buffalo and I know finding a roommate would be necessary for my budget.

PattyCake gives me hope that maybe there will be a small scholarship coming later.. 163/2.9.. that could make my decision slightly easier.