U Chicago 11 Forum

[SeekingHeight]

Is it possible to live by one's self off campus yet still remain within the projected student budget?

[stavand]

When did U Chicago mail out decisions? I have been waiting but there has been no threads in the Acceptances forum about it.

I was informed of my acceptance by phone from Kristen Mercado, student services fellow, today at 10am Chicago time

[uchicago1L]

How easy is transportation around the city? Does the El run pretty much everywhere? If you don't live in Hyde Park, is it easy/safe to take the train in, or do you have to drive? And finally, is there any particular area outside of Hyde Park that students tend to live in?

It's pretty good. I use the CTA trip planner a lot when going downtown, since I'm not too familiar with the bus routes, and it gets me where I need to go in a fairly short amount of time. When going out to bars, etc., though, people usually cab it - it's like $5 a person if you have a full cab. I haven't taken the El since I moved here, mostly because the El station isn't that close to me. If i recall correctly, there's a green line station somewhere around 62nd? 63rd? street, and that's 1) way too far south for me to go to when I can take the #6 bus downtown, or take a cab to the airport from where I live, and 2) it is SKETCHY in that area. I wouldn't go near it if it was anywhere close to dark. Most 1Ls I know don't have cars, and while it's inconvenient for groceries or making a Target run, you adapt (i.e. use Peapod for groceries, and order online, and bum rides off friends who do have cars). I'll probably get one though when I move up north, because of the commute.

As for areas, a lot of people move up to Lincoln Park. It's a younger professional neighborhood, and I would think cheaper than living closer downtown (generally, the farther north, the cheaper). I might have more info for you in a couple months when I start apartment hunting.

[uchicago1L]

Is it possible to live by one's self off campus yet still remain within the projected student budget?

By off campus, you mean not in New Grad (the grad dorm) or in university housing? A lot of people live "off-campus" in Regents and stay well within the student budget, because they share a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate. I'm in a 1BR, so it's a little harder, but generally, you should be fine as long as you're not having for a car and parking, and you're not ordering out every night

[annon]

I just found this thread. I answered a lot of questions over here: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =7&t=22758

Is it possible to live by one's self off campus yet still remain within the projected student budget?

With a roommate, it seems very easily possible. Without a roommate, I believe its still possible, but may require some more effort on your part.

In terms of house, right now I'm in a 1BR at Regents, but I do plan on moving up North next year (not sure where yet).

How easy is transportation around the city? Does the El run pretty much everywhere? If you don't live in Hyde Park, is it easy/safe to take the train in, or do you have to drive? And finally, is there any particular area outside of Hyde Park that students tend to live in?

As the other poster noted, the El really isn't feasible from our campus (although you could, and I have, used it when you're already up North and traveling to different areas). There are many bus routes though, all of which can come in handy. But I find that I usually end up splitting a cab with people, which really isn't that much more expensive.

[SeekingHeight]

Is it possible to live by one's self off campus yet still remain within the projected student budget?

By off campus, you mean not in New Grad (the grad dorm) or in university housing? A lot of people live "off-campus" in Regents and stay well within the student budget, because they share a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate. I'm in a 1BR, so it's a little harder, but generally, you should be fine as long as you're not having for a car and parking, and you're not ordering out every night

I'm talking away from the traditional student housing, such as Regents. What if I want to have housing that isn't encircled by the law students? Where are some other areas I can live without having to be too far from the law school? How much does your 1BR cost per month?

I do plan on moving up North next year (not sure where yet).

Whereabouts? By yourself? Will your rent go up? Could you have feasibly done this during 1L?

[uchicago1L]

In answer to your housing question, and not living in Regents/New Grad, etc., I really don't know. It would depend on whether you'd have a roommate, and if you'd have a car. I'm planning on living with someone else next year, so rent-wise, I shouldn't stray from the budget. Additional expenses, like car, insurance, maintenance, gas, etc. could push me closer. However, I do have a friend (and know of others) who live in Hyde Park in apartments that aren't university-affiliated and they have nice places and pay a decent amount. If you were to try living up north by yourself with a car, I don't know if you'd be able to stay within the budget.

Also, unless you were working before and have some money saved up, or you've lived in Chicago prior to starting law school and already had a place, most 1Ls don't live outside of Hyde Park. It's expensive, for one, and we're taking out a lot of loans. Also, it really is good to be around other 1Ls the first year, because we tend to hang out in the HP area, for going out to dinner, or studying, or whatever. It can be a serious hassle if you were up north. 2L and 3L years (especially 3L year), students are coming back from nice firm jobs over the summer that gives them more leeway as far as finances are concerned. In fact, I was banking heavily on landing a firm job this summer to move up north next year (and I'm lucky enough that I did). Otherwise, it'd be hard.

[uchicago1L]

Oh also, for moving up north, I'd be sharing a 1BR with my SO, so it cuts down on rent (or, alternatively, we pay the same in rent but live in a nicer place/nicer area). So roommates are things to explore when moving up north. That said, a 1BR in Regents is still pricey ($1095/month, plus ~$25-$30 for heat/AC based on square footage of apt., ~$30 utilities, I forget which - and they took away our complimentary free cable while they were upgrading, so you'd have to pay for that if you wanted more than basic channels)

[Rayster]

I was banking heavily on landing a firm job this summer to move up north next year (and I'm lucky enough that I did

Any advice on this, I know this is a bit of a sidetrack. Paying 1L summer jobs seem quite tough to come by.

Thanks for the info by the way, you are tremendous! Is the area south of Hyde park bad? I have lived in some quite poor areas with bad reputations before without much trouble, so what I'm really asking is south Chicago reallly that bad?

[uchicago1L]

I was banking heavily on landing a firm job this summer to move up north next year (and I'm lucky enough that I did

Any advice on this, I know this is a bit of a sidetrack. Paying 1L summer jobs seem quite tough to come by.

Thanks for the info by the way, you are tremendous! Is the area south of Hyde park bad? I have lived in some quite poor areas with bad reputations before without much trouble, so what I'm really asking is south Chicago reallly that bad?

No problem. Seriously, the best resources are going to be the 2Ls and 3Ls. They've been through 1L, so they can tell you about jobs, professors, classes, etc.

Re: summer job

I mass mailed a TON of firms in a wide array of markets. Some I had connections to (had family there, had lived there, was from that region) and others I didn't. I did about half a dozen interviews before I got an offer from one of my top choice firms and accepted. It's a really interesting opportunity, and I can tell you more about it via PM if you want.

Strategies for jobs? I applied only to firms. I had signed up for clinic interviews but canceled them once I got the offer. The first thing is, cast a wide, wide net. The 1L job market for firms, especially firms that pay even close to market, is so tough, that it's best to explore all your options, including secondary markets that you have ties to. The next tip I would suggest is, make your resume interesting. One of my interviewers told me that when he was interviewing a few years ago, it was assumed that the first half (academic/work experience) is what got you in the door, but the last part (interests, hobbies, languages) is what they really wanted to talk about in interviews. I have some unique hobbies that I was asked about in every interview. Also, make sure your presentation of the resume is clear, organized and showcases your strongest points. Interviewers are looking through hundreds of resumes - make it easy for them to see how awesome an applicant you are. And last, have back-ups. It was pretty dumb of me to apply to only firms, but I was kind of set on it. Last minute, I started looking into winter OCI and clinics, but I bypassed judicial internships (and if Annon is who I think he/she is, I think he/she will be able to tell you more about judicial stuff). You want to have back-ups though, because it is that hard to get a firm job, and I realize I was pretty damn lucky.

And about HP and the south side. It's just not a safe neighborhood. I think I'm more bothered about it than others are, but I really don't feel comfortable walking around by myself around evening time. I have good friends who were mugged, and others who live right near where the murder happened (UChicago chemistry grad student killed during robbery). Of course, this is why I also encourage people to take out the extra loans and go for Regents, instead of going for grad housing near 60th (which is where it gets shady). Where I live, it's pretty safe as far as HP goes, and enough people live there that there's never trouble finding someone to share a cab, etc. so you're not taking public transportation by yourself. So keep in mind, it's about common sense and being aware. Of course, I AM planning on moving out, so I'm definitely biased.

[annon]

Is it possible to live by one's self off campus yet still remain within the projected student budget?

By off campus, you mean not in New Grad (the grad dorm) or in university housing? A lot of people live "off-campus" in Regents and stay well within the student budget, because they share a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate. I'm in a 1BR, so it's a little harder, but generally, you should be fine as long as you're not having for a car and parking, and you're not ordering out every night

I'm talking away from the traditional student housing, such as Regents. What if I want to have housing that isn't encircled by the law students? Where are some other areas I can live without having to be too far from the law school? How much does your 1BR cost per month?

You need to define "too far" a bit for us. If you mean, walking or easy bus route distance, Hyde Park is really your only true option. And there are certainly areas not surrounded by law students. There are lots of apartments (both university owned and otherwise) in Hyde Park, and I know a few classmates that live in such places.

As for how much a 1BR in Regents cost, right now I'm paying $1095 a month in rent, my latest utility bill was less than $30, and then cable is based on how much you want to pay for. I don't have a car, so parking isn't an issue, otherwise that would be $145 a month I think.

(but these prices may change for next year)

I do plan on moving up North next year (not sure where yet).

Whereabouts?

Not sure. I know a lot of law students live in Lincoln Park, so thats one option, but I really haven't decided yet. The apartment search begins in earnest soon... but not now.

By yourself?

Yes. I'll definitely be living in a 1BR.

Although perhaps other law students I know will also end up living in the same building/area as me (not likely, but still possible).

Will your rent go up?

Not sure. I really haven't started looking at apartments seriously enough to see what the prices are for the types of place I would want to stay in. I imagine the prices won't be that different than what I'm paying now.

Could you have feasibly done this during 1L?

Theoretically, yes, but I would not have wanted to. Living in Regents, or at least in Hyde Park, your 1L year seems to be the best thing to do. A lot of 1L centered activities emerge just from the fact that we're all in close proximity to one another right now.

I was banking heavily on landing a firm job this summer to move up north next year (and I'm lucky enough that I did

Any advice on this, I know this is a bit of a sidetrack. Paying 1L summer jobs seem quite tough to come by.

I'll have to defer to others on this one, since I didn't even apply for firm jobs (I don't want to work for a firm my first summer). I'll be working for a judge instead.

Thanks for the info by the way, you are tremendous! Is the area south of Hyde park bad? I have lived in some quite poor areas with bad reputations before without much trouble, so what I'm really asking is south Chicago reallly that bad?

The area south of Hyde Park is bad, yes, but I haven't found Hyde Park itself to be unsafe (bear in mind I used to live in an even more dangerous city, so my perspective may be skewed). Usual commonsense rules about living in a non-ritzy area of a city apply.

[SeekingHeight]

Thanks for the great response, you two.

[Ulfrekr]

Yes, thank you for the very helpful responses.

I'm particularly interested in seeing what kind of vibe I get from the Hyde Park area; I know a lot of people say it doesn't feel safe, but I live in Baltimore, so how it feels in comparison will probably be a big factor in my decision.

[mildmannered]

I have a few questions about housing:

Do either of you know anything about the student parent experience? I have a 12 year old. I am thinking of applying for grad student family housing. Do you know anyone who lives in that type of housing as a family? Are they all people with really young kids? Do you recommend Regents as significantly better for community with other students and for safety than grad student housing? Do you know any students with kids in Regents?

I realize you may not know too much about this stuff if you don't have kids yourself, but I thought I'd check.

and thanks for all the information! all the writing that has been going about Chicago the last few days has been really interesting and helpful.

[annon]

I have a few questions about housing:

Do either of you know anything about the student parent experience? I have a 12 year old. I am thinking of applying for grad student family housing. Do you know anyone who lives in that type of housing as a family? Are they all people with really young kids? Do you recommend Regents as significantly better for community with other students and for safety than grad student housing? Do you know any students with kids in Regents?

I realize you may not know too much about this stuff if you don't have kids yourself, but I thought I'd check.

I know a few people here with kids (that being said, most of the people I know with children have young children, not someone 12 years old). We also have a student organization here for students with families, just as a gathering point:

--LinkRemoved--

If you're interested, PM me and I can give you the names/emails of people I know with children, who you can probably get better advice from. You can also email the individual listed as Amicus's contact man (Drew Navikas). During ASW, I believe there is also an information session for this type of thing, that covers a lot of the nuts and bolts (schools, for example).

[curious]

Here are some questions for you 1L people.

1) what is the 1L summer job prospect like for someone who is going for IP. I just got accepted to Chicago, and I have a MS in EE plus 5 years of work experience. Would it still be challenging for me to obtain a summer job in a firm during first year?

2) Does anyone know about living off-campus in the suburbs? (e.g., highland park, park ridge)I too, also have a family. Is it possible to commute from the suburbs to the law school?

Thank you.

[annon]

Here are some questions for you 1L people.

1) what is the 1L summer job prospect like for someone who is going for IP. I just got accepted to Chicago, and I have a MS in EE plus 5 years of work experience. Would it still be challenging for me to obtain a summer job in a firm during first year?

I'd say that getting a firm job is always challenging (but certainly doable, as about a third of the 1Ls end up working for a firm, and that doesn't take into account people like me who don't even want to work for a firm) but, the graduate degree in EE, not to mention the work experience, is obviously a big plus.

A lot of it will depend on how flexible you are in terms of location, what connections you may have, how good an interviewer you are, and (at least I've been told) your gender/race may also play a role.

I'd imagine your specific experience will at least get you in the door at a lot of places, but don't quote me on that since the 1L firm job search is something I only have secondary information about.

2) Does anyone know about living off-campus in the suburbs? (e.g., highland park, park ridge)I too, also have a family. Is it possible to commute from the suburbs to the law school?

Sorry, I don't know anyone like this (but they may exist).

For what its worth, there is a Metra stop near the law school.

[mildmannered]

You can also email the individual listed as Amicus's contact man (Drew Navikas). During ASW, I believe there is also an information session for this type of thing, that covers a lot of the nuts and bolts (schools, for example).

Thanks, I did contact Drew and he was really nice. I am going to keep looking into the whole student/parent thing in Chicago, so if anyone else gets admitted who is a student parent, I'd be happy to share whatever I learn, just PM me!

[NakaNaka]

How's the social life been so far? Do people go out a decent amount? Have fun at bars? How's the dating scene within the law school?

Thanks!

[annon]

How's the social life been so far? Do people go out a decent amount? Have fun at bars?

Sure. In addition to law school initiated things like Bar Review (every Thursday night), people go out all the time, usually in smaller groups of their closer friends. There are also larger parties held occasionally by students.

How's the dating scene within the law school?

You mean between law students? Um... there are a handful of 1L romances that have been observed... but I'm not sure exactly what you're asking here. Is it common? Is it recommended or not recommended?

PS: I wish I knew who 'uchicago1L' was.

[brink123]

would going to chicago ASW brainwash me into picking UChi over columbia or any other school?

[annon]

Yes.

Although, it should be noted that this year's ASW is conflicting with the UVA softball tournament. I don't know how many current Chicago students will be at ASW and how many will be at UVA. I'll be at ASW, I think.

[Ulfrekr]

I heard that there weren't as many people going to UVA as in previous years, because UVA was only allowing half as many teams from Chicago to come due to debauchery last year. But that could be wrong.

[mildmannered]

Did anyone else get their acceptance materials in the mail yet? I haven't had time to look at them too in depth, but they look really nice! I like the "Glass Menagerie" with the description of all the professors and pictures of students.

I also approved of the fact that there was at least one picture that showed students outdoors in the snow. I am suspicious of all these law schools that are located in places with intense winters whose brochures only show pictures of beautiful, glowing, spring or fall weather.

[alexb240]

I got their acceptance materials the other day, but haven't had the opportunity to really peruse them yet. They look pretty sweet, though.