Chicago Class of 2012 Forum

[Mel Zelaya]

I walked from the metra on my first visit and that didn't seem bad at all. At ASW however I got off at the garfield-green metro stop and I'll admit it looked fairly sketchy. It was getting a little late and I may have saved the lives of two Northwestern girls who were planning on walking from there through the park.

Wait . . . you saved some NW'ern chicks??? Traitor. Seriously bro, your loyalty needs questioning.

let me guess, you too were born and bred for success and achievement?

[Dead Ringer]

They were undergrads. No conflict.

Hmlee thanks for the advice. I have lived in two of the worst parts of NYC but have never seen urban wasteland like I saw out the green line window. I wasn't planning to take that route ever again. How much is the Metra to downtown? I forget.

[M2008]

The metra is convenient to get downtown for something like $2. The only reason I don't use it more is that it doesn't run late, and they don't accept the Chicago Card (smart card usable on buses and most rail lines).

As a general comment, for some reason a lot of people are skittish about riding public buses as compared to rail when they first arrive. If this is you, it's in your best interest to get over this ASAP. Depending on where you are in Hyde Park and where you are going, the express buses (2, 6, x28, 173) are the best (sometimes only) way to get where you're going. (See also my earlier comments on getting out of Hyde Park during fall quarter) You also need to ride a bus to get to the red & green lines. Cabs are usually a reliable way to get back, but you generally won't be able to hail one from Hyde Park, and long delays in the arrival of a cab you've called for on the phone are not unheard of, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

[Mr. T6]

To be fair,

It's easier to overcome a reluctance to ride buses when your peers are with you. Throughout fall quarter, I always went out with the other New Grad residents.

I think that the Metra is slow, but to each his own.

[Neko83]

Mr T6, can you send me that callback sheet? I'm an entering student and would be interested in that info. I've pmed you a couple of times and have given you my u of c email. I'm pretty sure you said you would send it to anyone that's interested. Let me know if I'm mistaken. Thanks man and thanks for all the other info you and others have posted on here. It's definitely been helpful!

[hmlee]

The Metra can be slow, but it's nice if you are heading downtown and are aware ahead of time that there is lots of traffic on Lake Shore Drive (say, for a Cubs or Bears game). Buses are like cars, and so to get downtown they take the same route cars do. The Red Line going downtown isn't so bad - I mean the stop on 55th street by the Dan Ryan isn't exactly a great place to wait, but it's not as bad as the green line. I still wouldn't walk back to the area of the campus from unless I was in a group, though.

And, yeah, if you are afraid of buses you need to conquer that stat. The buses going into and out of Hyde Park are, at least in my opinion, safer than at least the green line....

Also, Northwestern and the U of C don't have to live in conflict. I'm living proof of that.

[Mr. T6]

Mr T6, can you send me that callback sheet? I'm an entering student and would be interested in that info. I've pmed you a couple of times and have given you my u of c email. I'm pretty sure you said you would send it to anyone that's interested. Let me know if I'm mistaken. Thanks man and thanks for all the other info you and others have posted on here. It's definitely been helpful!

Sorry, PM it again.

I'm reluctant to send the callback sheet to 0Ls because it will skew your perspective on law school. Take practice exams, brief all of the cases, take concise class notes, understand the issues and their policy implications, go out, make friends, and then worry about the curve.

If you want to do something law-related, I have a few suggestions:

1. Take a nap.

2. Read this website.

http://www.lawnerds.com/guide/exam.html

It explains the basics well. It'll show you how class interacts with your exams, the single determinator of your final grade. It'll also explain the concept of a legal issue, and how law school consistently fixates on them.

3. Listen to Oyez oral arguments. A few of my favorites: Tahoe-Sierra (featuring a younger Justice Roberts); DC v. Heller (featuring Alan Gura); Missouri v. Nixon (featuring David Strauss).

4. Memorize the name of every appellate judge in the country, reading their latest slip opinions in an attempt to impress your less-informed friends and professors. Casually ask them whether they've read the recent Ed Carnes's 11th Circuit opinion, or Easterbrook's latest 7th circuit smackdown. Impress them even more by mentioning senior status judges and judicial legends like Bazelon (DC Circuit).

[Mr. T6]

At an afternoon barbeque, I discussed Kelo v. New London and the takings clause with a classmate for over an hour. I feel like I've done my part to put the "gunner" in "U of C."

We also discussed the wonders of asparagus.

[Neko83]

cool. pm sent mr t6

[usaojeff]

Don't know if I already missed this discussion, but what would be a good bank to go through? I've got accounts with both US Bank and Chase right now. Either of those work or do people recommend another that might have more accessible ATMs around campus and what not?

[Mr. T6]

Don't know if I already missed this discussion, but what would be a good bank to go through? I've got accounts with both US Bank and Chase right now. Either of those work or do people recommend another that might have more accessible ATMs around campus and what not?

Citibank.

Don't ask why I'm awake at this hour.

[reminiscent]

is it easier to get to new grad from midway or o'hare airport? is a taxi recommended, and are there ways to get there via public transportation (for future reference)?

[seeker63]

is it easier to get to new grad from midway or o'hare airport? is a taxi recommended, and are there ways to get there via public transportation (for future reference)?

Midway is much closer.

The 55 bus goes directly east/west from Midway, and will drop you around 55th street. From there you can take a UC bus a few blocks south to NewGrad. Taxi works too, but instead of spending 4 bucks you'll spend 25.

[Reaching]

is it easier to get to new grad from midway or o'hare airport? is a taxi recommended, and are there ways to get there via public transportation (for future reference)?

Midway is much closer.

The 55 bus goes directly east/west from Midway, and will drop you around 55th street. From there you can take a UC bus a few blocks south to NewGrad. Taxi works too, but instead of spending 4 bucks you'll spend 25.

The 59 bus takes you directly from Midway to 61st and Woodlawn, one block from New Grad.

[keylimelove]

For any of the rising 2Ls, is Regents having a bedbug problem? A recent review on apartmentratings.com (http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/IL ... 42892.html) said that Regents has had to vacate a lot of apartments because of bedbugs. The rater also said that there are a lot of water damages and equipment malfunctions that people were forced to pay for out of pocket...do you all have renters insurance/should those of us living there get it too?

A few older reviews said that there are cockroach and spider issues as well, and that management will increase the rental price throughout the year. Have you all heard of any of this happening to UofC law (and grad) students?

[Mr. T6]

I live in Regents currently. I have not had any trouble. However, I wouldn't call their apartments aseptic.

Personally, I think that this place is poorly-managed and overpriced. The administration seems hostile to the tenants' rights.

[Yointer]

I highly recommend avoiding Regents. There are many, many better options in Hyde Park. Take a look at Craigslist to get started, keeping in mind that it is best to live north of 60th street, east of Cottage Grove, and south of 47th street. I also recommend looking at Graduate Student Housing - their apartments are very cheap and well-maintained, if you're not looking for something fancy. The bottom line on Regents is that their prices are very high without sufficient amenities to justify the cost. Heck, I wouldn't live there for the sole reason that you can't easily walk to the law school.

I hope you're all getting excited for the fall. My 0L summer felt like it dragged on forever.

[keylimelove]

I highly recommend avoiding Regents. There are many, many better options in Hyde Park. Take a look at Craigslist to get started, keeping in mind that it is best to live north of 60th street, east of Cottage Grove, and south of 47th street. I also recommend looking at Graduate Student Housing - their apartments are very cheap and well-maintained, if you're not looking for something fancy. The bottom line on Regents is that their prices are very high without sufficient amenities to justify the cost. Heck, I wouldn't live there for the sole reason that you can't easily walk to the law school.

I hope you're all getting excited for the fall. My 0L summer felt like it dragged on forever.

I thought about avoiding Regents and looking on craigslist, but I'm not from the area and most of the things I've seen have been tiny studios that are not significantly cheaper than regents. And since I'm living alone, I'd just rather be with fellow 1Ls so I dont feel like a hermit.

The summer is definitely dragging on but I'm excited!

[Mr. T6]

If you think 0L summer takes forever, try 1L summer.

[Yointer]

If you think 0L summer takes forever, try 1L summer.

I can't really explain why, but I read this post and immediately realized who you are. Which feels longer: the 1L summer or the law school musical?

[Mr. T6]

If you think 0L summer takes forever, try 1L summer.

I can't really explain why, but I read this post and immediately realized who you are. Which feels longer: the 1L summer or the law school musical?

Very snarky, but I enjoyed the law school musical. I had some critical suggestions, but that's no reason to turn me into the "musical-bashing guy" for the rest of Law School. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I plan to audition for lead guitar again.

This summer feels long because my Law School friends are out of town, and I don't know people outside of that circle.

[Yointer]

I thought about avoiding Regents and looking on craigslist, but I'm not from the area and most of the things I've seen have been tiny studios that are not significantly cheaper than regents. And since I'm living alone, I'd just rather be with fellow 1Ls so I dont feel like a hermit.

I felt pretty much the same way coming into my 1L year. I was totally unfamiliar with Hyde Park, planning on living alone, and concerned about being socially isolated. My solution was University Housing. Their units are substantially cheaper than Regents and utilities are included in the rent for most units. Several of the buildings have adjacent parking lots, as well, with very low prices (like, $40-$50 per month).

As for the social isolation component: First, everywhere in Hyde Park is a short drive/bus ride from Regents. I end up going there once a week or more and the "commute" is easy. Second, you'll be in a building full of U of C grad students. Unless you think law students are exceptionally friendly relative to students in other grad programs, this should put your social options within the building on par with what you'd find in Regents. Third, while many law student social gatherings take place in Regents, many others occur in private apartments, at the pub, at restaurants, on the north side, etc. I don't want to overemphasize the social importance of Regents.

If you are concerned about debt/living expenses, University Housing is a very attractive option. I'm renting from them again in the fall.

[Mr. T6]

Let me add that you will get sick of Law School people, especially around finals. I could not go near the Law School during second quarter finals. I still hear complaints about Gersen's half of our Torts exam. We had one guy in our class who wouldn't stop talking about Law School.

When that happens, as it will, it's better to live in your own little fort. Regents is crawling with law students and bedbugs.

[keylimelove]

I thought about avoiding Regents and looking on craigslist, but I'm not from the area and most of the things I've seen have been tiny studios that are not significantly cheaper than regents. And since I'm living alone, I'd just rather be with fellow 1Ls so I dont feel like a hermit.

I felt pretty much the same way coming into my 1L year. I was totally unfamiliar with Hyde Park, planning on living alone, and concerned about being socially isolated. My solution was University Housing. Their units are substantially cheaper than Regents and utilities are included in the rent for most units. Several of the buildings have adjacent parking lots, as well, with very low prices (like, $40-$50 per month).

As for the social isolation component: First, everywhere in Hyde Park is a short drive/bus ride from Regents. I end up going there once a week or more and the "commute" is easy. Second, you'll be in a building full of U of C grad students. Unless you think law students are exceptionally friendly relative to students in other grad programs, this should put your social options within the building on par with what you'd find in Regents. Third, while many law student social gatherings take place in Regents, many others occur in private apartments, at the pub, at restaurants, on the north side, etc. I don't want to overemphasize the social importance of Regents.

If you are concerned about debt/living expenses, University Housing is a very attractive option. I'm renting from them again in the fall.

I thought about grad housing, but when I skimmed the information pretty quickly, it seemed like they put you where ever they want, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I might check it out again, but at this late date would they have apartments left?

[Yointer]

I thought about grad housing, but when I skimmed the information pretty quickly, it seemed like they put you where ever they want, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I might check it out again, but at this late date would they have apartments left?

I can't speak to the availability of units, but there's no harm in trying. You don't even have to submit a deposit until after they offer you a specific unit. (I think this is true for first-time renters...)

If you don't express any preferences as to which building you live in, they will essentially "put you wherever they want". Both years I've lived in their buildings, however, I've requested a specific building and the request was granted both times. If you tell them you want to live in a 1BR in building #XY, they'll accomodate you if they can. Plus, there's no harm in submitting an application. The worst case scenario is they give you a crappy assignment and you turn them down: no harm done.