UConn Class of 2014 Forum

[snapdragon]

That is so Odd!

Here is a portion of my letter, verbatim:

"If you would like to reserve a place in the 2011 entering class, please complete the Notice of Intention by April 22, 2011. We also require a non-refundable first deposit of $250 by that date which will be applied to your first semester's tuition upon your registration for classes."

I am going to call them tomorrow. But Mack you are right, if it is truly the 15th, we should be fine if we send it this week...

Calling is the best option here. It's possible that they gave a later deadline for people who received later decisions - I've heard of other schools doing this. Either way, you can overnight it today if absolutely necessary. So no need to be too worried

[mreocc]

Has anyone started enrolling for courses? I know the enrollment appointment dates are from April 11th-15th, but open enrollment starts Monday the 18th

Just so you guys aren't worried about it: You won't be enrolling in courses for your first semester. You'll be placed in the mandatory classes by the registrar which include (for Day students): Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, and Lawyering Process (legal writing and research.) The April 11th-15th and 18th dates apply only to rising 2Ls and 3Ls.

Any clue when will we get our schedules?

[histandard387]

Thanks for the info!

I called today, mine is indeed the 22nd of April, no panic!

[Heartford]

Any clue when will we get our schedules?

You should receive them in the mail in the first or second week of June- I think that's when we got ours.

[ran12]

Any clue when will we get our schedules?

You should receive them in the mail in the first or second week of June- I think that's when we got ours.

Out of curiosity, does UConn put one section in the morning and one in the afternoon for the Fall then flip them for the Spring?

[Heartford]

Any clue when will we get our schedules?

You should receive them in the mail in the first or second week of June- I think that's when we got ours.

Out of curiosity, does UConn put one section in the morning and one in the afternoon for the Fall then flip them for the Spring?

I'm not really sure what you mean by this. You won't have the same classes every day, so some days you may have an early class, and some days you'll start later. As far as I know, the 1L Day division is split into two sections at first of about 70 students each, and one section doesn't really have any more morning or afternoon classes than the other.

Edit- just looked at your question again. You won't be sharing professors with the other section, if that's what you mean. So for instance your Contracts professor will be a different person than the other section's Contracts professor. You might even be working from different casebooks, covering different topics, etc. So it's possible for both sections to have Contracts scheduled at the same time, but obviously in different classrooms. Does that answer your question?

[ran12]

Any clue when will we get our schedules?

You should receive them in the mail in the first or second week of June- I think that's when we got ours.

Out of curiosity, does UConn put one section in the morning and one in the afternoon for the Fall then flip them for the Spring?

I'm not really sure what you mean by this. You won't have the same classes every day, so some days you may have an early class, and some days you'll start later. As far as I know, the 1L Day division is split into two sections at first of about 70 students each, and one section doesn't really have any more morning or afternoon classes than the other.

Edit- just looked at your question again. You won't be sharing professors with the other section, if that's what you mean. So for instance your Contracts professor will be a different person than the other section's Contracts professor. You might even be working from different casebooks, covering different topics, etc. So it's possible for both sections to have Contracts scheduled at the same time, but obviously in different classrooms. Does that answer your question?

Yea that was my question. Thanks.

[ran12]

One of the 3L's recommended Clemens Place but I've read some pretty bad reviews about it. I know it's convenient b/c of the location but is it really worth it to live there?

[snapdragon]

One of the 3L's recommended Clemens Place but I've read some pretty bad reviews about it. I know it's convenient b/c of the location but is it really worth it to live there?

That place looked depressing.

I've already seen lots of apartments that are affordable and less than 2 miles from campus (over the W. hartford line, which, IMO is a better idea). Although walking to Half Door would be full of win.

Heart, do we get put on a mailing list at some point for roommates/apts/etc?

[ran12]

One of the 3L's recommended Clemens Place but I've read some pretty bad reviews about it. I know it's convenient b/c of the location but is it really worth it to live there?

That place looked depressing.

I've already seen lots of apartments that are affordable and less than 2 miles from campus (over the W. hartford line, which, IMO is a better idea). Although walking to Half Door would be full of win.

Heart, do we get put on a mailing list at some point for roommates/apts/etc?

If you don't mind sharing, how did you find the W. Hartford apts and do you suggest any?

[Heartford]

Heart, do we get put on a mailing list at some point for roommates/apts/etc?

I think there's some kind of listing that they'll give you access to in maybe May or June. I honestly can't remember. I recommend emailing the awesome and nice folks in admissions. It's exciting to see you guys getting excited.

[snapdragon]

If you don't mind sharing, how did you find the W. Hartford apts and do you suggest any?

Just the magic & wonder of craigslist I haven't been to see any yet - I'm hoping to find 1-2 roommates, so until I know that situation, I'm holding off. Also most of the craigslist apts up now will probably be rented shortly, I'm more using them to get an idea of prices/location.

Ideally I'm looking for either a 2 br between $1000-$1350 or a 3 br between $1750-$2100 and it looks like I'll be able to find something in those price ranges. I'd also prefer to be within 2 miles of campus (or downtown W. Hartford, but that's more expensive). The 1 brs seem to be more expensive, so for me, finding roommate(s) will be key.

[mebo28]

Ya, I have heard some sketchy things about clemens place.

I have also been CLing apartments to price stuff out. Like anything, looks as though roomshares in houses are the cheapest at around 500-600. 1 bedrooms go anywhere from around 700 to 1200...which looks like a ripoff b/c 2 bedrooms are like 950-1600. And 3 Bedrooms are around 1250-2200. At least those were the price range that I found. I also wandered around after ASD to look at places and see what was available now.

Ideally I would love to have a 2 bedroom, seems like one of the cheapest and would only have to deal with 1 roommate. I am a little skeptical on 3 bedroom, that is what I use to live in. Everything for the most part is fine, but there are just 3 bodies, 3 people's friends, and 3 people's stuff to pick up....and 3 people to a bathroom usually.

There seems to be some really nice apartment complexes in west hartford that have 1 and 2 bedrooms (many of the 2 bedrooms have 2 or 1.5 baths).

If anyone else has more knowledge I would love to hear about it b/c I am not from the area.

[InsuranceGeek10]

I moved here from northern RI in the summer of '08 and have apartment shopped quite a bit in my three years here, so hopefully I can shed a little more light on the housing situation.

The West End of Hartford starts at Sisson Ave. and goes all the way west to Prospect Avenue. North of Farmington and south of Asylum is the best area in the city for UConn students because of proximity, safety, etc...

South of Farmington isn't really all that bad if you stay north of Boulevard. It's not as "gentrified" (I'm using that term loosely) as north of Farmington but I think it's well on its way and I have never really felt unsafe in the area.

West Hartford is very nice, a little quiter, and you'll notice a price difference in apartments because of it. Personally I think the area north of boulevard, south of fern, and east of N. Main is the best area for UConn students because of proximity, but it also has a little more of an "urban" feel than the rest of WeHa. When you get west of North Main and north of Fern it gets very suburban very quickly.

I also lived at Park Place towers when I first got here. The apartment was clean, maintenance was responsive, and everyone was pretty friendly. You can't beat the fact that you have a pool, tennis & basketball courts, and a running trail available on the property. The area around Park Place leaves a little something to be desired but oh well... I ended up moving because I was in a 1 bdrm and the rent was getting a little steep.

Don't have a ton of experience with other areas (downtown, Asylum Hill, etc...)

The above is just my personal experiences. I'd be more than happy to answer questions!

[dr allen pearl]

I moved here from northern RI in the summer of '08 and have apartment shopped quite a bit in my three years here, so hopefully I can shed a little more light on the housing situation.

The West End of Hartford starts at Sisson Ave. and goes all the way west to Prospect Avenue. North of Farmington and south of Asylum is the best area in the city for UConn students because of proximity, safety, etc...

South of Farmington isn't really all that bad if you stay north of Boulevard. It's not as "gentrified" (I'm using that term loosely) as north of Farmington but I think it's well on its way and I have never really felt unsafe in the area.

West Hartford is very nice, a little quiter, and you'll notice a price difference in apartments because of it. Personally I think the area north of boulevard, south of fern, and east of N. Main is the best area for UConn students because of proximity, but it also has a little more of an "urban" feel than the rest of WeHa. When you get west of North Main and north of Fern it gets very suburban very quickly.

I also lived at Park Place towers when I first got here. The apartment was clean, maintenance was responsive, and everyone was pretty friendly. You can't beat the fact that you have a pool, tennis & basketball courts, and a running trail available on the property. The area around Park Place leaves a little something to be desired but oh well... I ended up moving because I was in a 1 bdrm and the rent was getting a little steep.

Don't have a ton of experience with other areas (downtown, Asylum Hill, etc...)

The above is just my personal experiences. I'd be more than happy to answer questions!

does park place allow pets?

[mebo28]

Did you feel safe at park place? And did you think it was worth the money?

[Heartford]

I don't know, but I would guess that Park Place might be priced for its proximity to downtown... you'll basically never need to go downtown as a law student, so paying extra to live near it might be silly. Similar complexes, like Clemens Place or anything else closer to campus, might make more sense.

[BrittaBot]

Financial Aid question: On the website it says:

Once a tentative award has been made that includes grant assistance, a final award will be processed after ALL of the following items are received. (Students who are applying only for federal and/or alternative loans are not required to submit 2010 federal tax returns unless selected for verification by the federal processing center. Students will receive notice of this by email after The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed.)

And then it gives more directions on what tax returns are needed.

---
I got a scholarship and federal loans. It never said anything on the award letter, no reminder, or anything to send in the tax returns. I don't need to, right? Should I email/call just to make sure? Don't want anything to be screwed up! I mailed my signed award letter back to them already...what's the next step for receiving/signing up for loans and the such?

[snapdragon]

Financial Aid question: On the website it says:

Once a tentative award has been made that includes grant assistance, a final award will be processed after ALL of the following items are received. (Students who are applying only for federal and/or alternative loans are not required to submit 2010 federal tax returns unless selected for verification by the federal processing center. Students will receive notice of this by email after the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed.)

And then it gives more directions on what tax returns are needed.

---
I got a scholarship and federal loans. It never said anything on the award letter, no reminder, or anything to send in the tax returns. I don't need to, right? Should I email/call just to make sure? Don't want anything to be screwed up! I mailed my signed award letter back to them already...what's the next step for receiving/signing up for loans and the such?

Britta - I'm being lazy, can you post or PM me a link to that?

[Heartford]

Scholarship: overall reduction of the cost of your tuition.
Grant: Money you're supposed to use to pay for school, that you don't have to repay.
Loan: Money you're supposed to use to pay for school, that you have to repay.

[Bear46]

Financial Aid question: On the website it says:

Once a tentative award has been made that includes grant assistance, a final award will be processed after ALL of the following items are received. (Students who are applying only for federal and/or alternative loans are not required to submit 2010 federal tax returns unless selected for verification by the federal processing center. Students will receive notice of this by email after the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed.)

And then it gives more directions on what tax returns are needed.

---
I got a scholarship and federal loans. It never said anything on the award letter, no reminder, or anything to send in the tax returns. I don't need to, right? Should I email/call just to make sure? Don't want anything to be screwed up! I mailed my signed award letter back to them already...what's the next step for receiving/signing up for loans and the such?

the federal tax return was necessary if you were applying for need-based aid, such as grants. In order to do that, you had to fill out an application and submit it with your tax return to financial aid last month.

[InsuranceGeek10]

Did you feel safe at park place? And did you think it was worth the money?

I definitely felt safe at Park Place. The thing about it is that it's isolated from the neighborhood surrounding it. Look it up on google maps: 24 Park Pl.

If you do an aerial view you'll see that the two towers are surrounded by a park and Aetna parking lots. The buildings, along with the pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and track are fenced in from the street. There's keycard access to get into the building and a 24 hr security guard at the front desk.

As for the cost: You get what you pay for. PP has all those recreational amenities, free garage parking attached to the building, and maintenance is very responsive. Generally you'll notice that professionally managed buidlings are more expensive than smaller apartments because of the professional management service. For me, PP wasn't worth the money because I wanted to be in more of a neighborhood than it could offer me. It's all about what kind of atmosphere you want. Generally though, it's a good place. Feel free to PM me if you need more info. I'm happy to help.

[chateauneuf]

Hey there - I'm also attending class of 2014!

I live currently (and was raised) in West Hartford, and so I know a little about the living area near UConn law.

I concur with InsuranceGeek10, Park Place is fairly nice as apartment buildings go - not the greatest neighborhood but relatively safe in the greater scheme of things. Price is a little upscale... but I've lived in D.C. and NYC it's not even close to prices there.

I would recommend staying out of the north end of Hartford... for obvious reasons (extremely dangerous neighborhoods). Near Uconn law, I would recommend the Farmington Ave. area east of Prospect St. or the area near Saint Francis... both are fairly safe and affordable.

I'd also say that since it's all of a 15 minute drive from the far side of West Hartford to the law school, anything in the town would be nice. Suburban, but quite nice. Plus I'd always be willing to carpool with people if they wanted to.

As for nice hangouts nearby... The Half Door is fairly ubiquitous and well known, as is McLadden's in West Hartford... people have already mentioned wood and tap, also a nice place... my personal favorite is the Corner Pug, which is a nice blend between pub, restaurant and bar. Easy to get good beer and food there. I don't know if there are others - the bar scene was never a big thing for me, so I haven't looked around so much.

As for dining... the hartford area has turned into some sort of food mecca. Some of it is completely overpriced (you can tell where they are), but there are some absolute gems for good food. I can think of at least 3 good burger joints, 2 good sushi places, 2 breakfast places and a hell of a good vietnamese place... giant bowls of pho for $5... delicious.


If you guys have any questions about the area, send me a message or feel free to just ask.

[mebo28]

So what are some good apartment complexes other than park place? I know there are others not as nice but closer to the school.

I don't want to have to deal with living above/below a landlord...I have had bad experiences with that.

[snapdragon]

Hi Chat! Good to hear from another local

We should put together a restaurant list!! I was a broke college student when I was last in Hartford, so my restaurant skills are small. Also yay Corner Pug! Love that place.