Northwestern Law Class of 2014 Forum

[rinkrat19]

Do you live in Streeterville or farther from school?

River West. The 66 runs all night and drops me off a block from my place. I could never live in Streeterville. It's too busy, too packed, and way too friggin expensive.

I had assumed most people lived in neighboring areas with cheaper rent, except for wealthy people who aren't concerned with price. But I was really surprised with how many people (almost every current student I talked to at ASW) said that most people without families live in Streeterville for 1L year.

Is it just because they don't know better coming in, or are there any benefits besides the short commute? Is it valuable to live in a relatively concentrated population of fellow students? Is 1L such a shock to the system that eliminating the commute is worth more than just the 20-30 minutes you save?

I don't care so much about nightlife, but I would definitely not mind being able to walk to campus.

[bjsesq]

Is it just because they don't know better coming in, or are there any benefits besides the short commute? Is it valuable to live in a relatively concentrated population of fellow students? Is 1L such a shock to the system that eliminating the commute is worth more than just the 20-30 minutes you save?

Anecdotal from classmates I know living in Streeterville: 1/2 would do it that way again, 1/2 wouldn't. Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

1L is not that hard. Seriously. Most of the suffering is self inflicted. Of course, if you are insanely determined to be lawl review and top of your class, ymmv.

[Flips88]

Is it just because they don't know better coming in, or are there any benefits besides the short commute? Is it valuable to live in a relatively concentrated population of fellow students? Is 1L such a shock to the system that eliminating the commute is worth more than just the 20-30 minutes you save?

Anecdotal from classmates I know living in Streeterville: 1/2 would do it that way again, 1/2 wouldn't. Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

1L is not that hard. Seriously. Most of the suffering is self inflicted. Of course, if you are insanely determined to be lawl review and top of your class, ymmv.

Know anyone that live in the university housing? It seems pretty expensive for what I'm guessing is not that great a place. I'm mostly interested in an unfurnished place because frankly I could not handle sleeping in a twin bed.

Right now, I'm seeing places available for June 1 and July 1. Am I going to have to wait a little longer for Aug 1 leases to show up?

[bjsesq]

Is it just because they don't know better coming in, or are there any benefits besides the short commute? Is it valuable to live in a relatively concentrated population of fellow students? Is 1L such a shock to the system that eliminating the commute is worth more than just the 20-30 minutes you save?

Anecdotal from classmates I know living in Streeterville: 1/2 would do it that way again, 1/2 wouldn't. Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

1L is not that hard. Seriously. Most of the suffering is self inflicted. Of course, if you are insanely determined to be lawl review and top of your class, ymmv.

Know anyone that live in the university housing? It seems pretty expensive for what I'm guessing is not that great a place. I'm mostly interested in an unfurnished place because frankly I could not handle sleeping in a twin bed.

Right now, I'm seeing places available for June 1 and July 1. Am I going to have to wait a little longer for Aug 1 leases to show up?

I'm assuming you are talking about Abbot House, and I'm sorry but I don't know anyone living there. I wish I could give you more information.

[Flips88]

I'm assuming you are talking about Abbot House, and I'm sorry but I don't know anyone living there. I wish I could give you more information.

No problem. Thanks for all your other insight.

[Eugenie Danglars]

Right now, I'm seeing places available for June 1 and July 1. Am I going to have to wait a little longer for Aug 1 leases to show up?

I just finished up extensive apt hunting with my roommate (he needs it Jul1), and I didn't see a single place listed for Aug 1. I'm sure some are negotiable, though.

Also, the Student Space realtor was kind of a joke. He sent us properties that didn't match the requirements we sent him and that were almost twice as expensive as the better places we found on our own. Renter beware.

[Aine]

Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

Ah this is what I'm struggling with. I love the idea of living close to school (not a morning person, massively forgetful, etc) but I also hate the thought of being surrounded by nothing but stressed out law students all the time.

Gahhh decisions decisions.

[homestyle28]

Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

Ah this is what I'm struggling with. I love the idea of living close to school (not a morning person, massively forgetful, etc) but I also hate the thought of being surrounded by nothing but stressed out law students all the time.

Gahhh decisions decisions.

I don't understand what you mean, btw have you started outlining yet?

[bjsesq]

Also, the Student Space realtor was kind of a joke. He sent us properties that didn't match the requirements we sent him and that were almost twice as expensive as the better places we found on our own. Renter beware.

They are nice guys, but their emphasis on Gold Coast/Lincoln Park/Streeterville is a bit much.

[Flips88]

I've decided that I won't live in Streeterville. I'm going to wait a few weeks to keep searching so more August 1st lease opening will be posted, but I'm going to try to live somewhere very near to a red line stop. I'll be mailing my deposit during my lunch break today!

[Aine]

Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

Ah this is what I'm struggling with. I love the idea of living close to school (not a morning person, massively forgetful, etc) but I also hate the thought of being surrounded by nothing but stressed out law students all the time.

Gahhh decisions decisions.

I don't understand what you mean, btw have you started outlining yet?

Ha what do you think I've been doing with my deferral?

[homestyle28]

Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

Ah this is what I'm struggling with. I love the idea of living close to school (not a morning person, massively forgetful, etc) but I also hate the thought of being surrounded by nothing but stressed out law students all the time.

Gahhh decisions decisions.

I don't understand what you mean, btw have you started outlining yet?

Ha what do you think I've been doing with my deferral?

Oh yeah me too, totally...I actually spent the entire year posing as a 1l at a local school, this way the classes will all be review for me...

this'll be funnier in a few months when I try to pull the "yeah I've been studying" bit while at the same time watching hulu in class

[bdubs]

We need more representation in the TLS CO 2014 thread

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... &start=500

[Flips88]

We need more representation in the TLS CO 2014 thread

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... &start=500

BOOM.

[lawandi]

Just accepted!!! This is completely unexpected, as I'm a splitter coming straight out of UG. I have a lot to learn about where to live, etc...

[Aine]

Just accepted!!! This is completely unexpected, as I'm a splitter coming straight out of UG. I have a lot to learn about where to live, etc...

Congrats & welcome!! Check out the housing survey on the admitted students website, it should help a little

https://www.law.northwestern.edu/newstudent/

[fjsms]

Proximity to school is obviously the biggest plus. The largest drawback: you live in this little 5 block bubble where you get out for an event with friends and then go right back to the bubble. I don't know how I could decompress living like that. You should definitely try to make some friends outside of school.

Ah this is what I'm struggling with. I love the idea of living close to school (not a morning person, massively forgetful, etc) but I also hate the thought of being surrounded by nothing but stressed out law students all the time.

Gahhh decisions decisions.

It's so dependent on personal preference. I've lived in the downtown of a medium-sized urban area for the past 4 years. I barely leave a 1-mile radius, walk to work and can see my home from my office window- but this actually makes it easier for me to work/life balance and compartmentalize. It's easy for me to "get away" on the weekend, because doing something as simple as getting in my car and driving (even to, say, Target) is a change in routine. If I have to take care of something at home during the day, I can do so with little interruption. And, like you mentioned, I never worry too much about forgetting something. I spend less time commuting, so I get more time with my SO and for various activities. I know Chicago well, and there are some great neighborhoods, but I will be living in Streeterville. The benefits of living close (including, IMO, the reduced stress) justify the cost/smaller space for me.
Just wanted to give an alternative view.

[lawandi]

Just accepted!!! This is completely unexpected, as I'm a splitter coming straight out of UG. I have a lot to learn about where to live, etc...

Congrats & welcome!! Check out the housing survey on the admitted students website, it should help a little

https://www.law.northwestern.edu/newstudent/

Thanks! I want to find a roommate via the facebook group, but no one has verified my membership yet :/. I guess the group managers are in finals...

[Flips88]

Question: does anyone feel it's necessary to visit Chicago and check out apartments before signing a lease? I know it's the prudent thing to do as a renter, but it's cost a pretty penny to do so. Any thoughts?

[kobebeef]

I actually dropped two deposits at northwestern and gulc and i'm having trouble deciding. To those that attended ASW, how helpful was it for you in deciding to attend? To those that had the two options, what made you ultimately choose NU? I'm planning on visiting next week and I was wondering who I can speak to or where I can visit that can help me make a decision: (ie. faculty you spoke to, visiting the downtown area, checking out the living situation, persuasiveness of their admissions dept. etc) Something to replicate the ASW experience.

I really wish I went to their ASW!

[rinkrat19]

Question: does anyone feel it's necessary to visit Chicago and check out apartments before signing a lease? I know it's the prudent thing to do as a renter, but it's cost a pretty penny to do so. Any thoughts?

I will definitely be visiting to apartment hunt. There's so much you can't see in a few crappy photos on craigslist or whatever.

[Flips88]

Question: does anyone feel it's necessary to visit Chicago and check out apartments before signing a lease? I know it's the prudent thing to do as a renter, but it's cost a pretty penny to do so. Any thoughts?

I will definitely be visiting to apartment hunt. There's so much you can't see in a few crappy photos on craigslist or whatever.

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. I may try to visit on 4th of july weekend so I have a long weekend to look at a handful of places and pick one. I saw one place online that listed the bedroom size as 6'x13'. wtf is up with that?

[bdubs]

I actually dropped two deposits at northwestern and gulc and i'm having trouble deciding. To those that attended ASW, how helpful was it for you in deciding to attend? To those that had the two options, what made you ultimately choose NU? I'm planning on visiting next week and I was wondering who I can speak to or where I can visit that can help me make a decision: (ie. faculty you spoke to, visiting the downtown area, checking out the living situation, persuasiveness of their admissions dept. etc) Something to replicate the ASW experience.

I really wish I went to their ASW!

I currently live in DC and have family in Chicago. I had actually been to both campuses before ASWs, but I went anyway.

I would say that NU has a much more personal feel, the ASW was smaller (even though there was only one to GULCs 2 or 3) and the people were more friendly. GULC had a larger admit to student ratio (probably 20 admits per 1 student involved) whereas NU seemed to have more like 5 admits for every student.

GULC's area doesn't compare much to NUs. The area of DC that GULC is in is pretty dead, you have to walk for several blocks to even get to an area that is inhabited by people. NU is in a neighborhood of high rise condo and apartment buildings, very close to Michigan Ave which is basically the 5th Ave of Chicago.

I believe you have a much larger cost difference than I had to face, but from the feel of the schools I certainly like NU a lot better.

Disclaimer: I also knew a couple of GULC law grads who had a tough time on the job market that made me a little hesitant. I also know a few who were rockstars and got amazing firm and government positions. Both extremes are well represented in a class that large.

[Aine]

Question: does anyone feel it's necessary to visit Chicago and check out apartments before signing a lease? I know it's the prudent thing to do as a renter, but it's cost a pretty penny to do so. Any thoughts?

I will definitely be visiting to apartment hunt. There's so much you can't see in a few crappy photos on craigslist or whatever.

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. I may try to visit on 4th of july weekend so I have a long weekend to look at a handful of places and pick one. I saw one place online that listed the bedroom size as 6'x13'. wtf is up with that?

Yeah it worries me too. I'm on the other side of the globe at the moment, and will be until a few weeks before orientation. I've asked family to look at apartments for me. Do you have any friends/family in Chicago? Maybe you could do the same?

If you're living in one of the big Streeterville complexes though, I think you're probably safe. I get the impression all of those apartments are pretty much the same, and minus the fancy furniture, look pretty much the same in person as they do online.

[Aine]

To those that attended ASW, how helpful was it for you in deciding to attend?

Very, but that's no use to you now!

I was wondering who I can speak to or where I can visit that can help me make a decision: (ie. faculty you spoke to, visiting the downtown area, checking out the living situation, persuasiveness of their admissions dept. etc) Something to replicate the ASW experience.

Depends what kind of law you want to get into. I spoke with Prof Sarah Schrup (who runs the appellate advocacy program) and she won me over. NU has such great clinics! I also loved walking along Michigan Ave, having an overpriced but delicious lunch at the cafe in the new wing of the art museum, and exploring the city a little on my own.