UVA Class of 2016 Forum

[WahooLaw24]

Hard to argue with Barney Stinson.

[Yardbird]

Posted this in the UVA Law Students thread in response to another applicant's question. HTH someone:

So how much would it be for a good high speed internet/cable package? I saw $100/month floated out there earlier, that seem about right? Just trying to do some early budgeting.

I called the number the Jeffersonian gave me for Comcast. Here are the quotes I got:

TV Only(160+ channels)
$49.99 for first 6 months
$69.99 for next 6 months
$83.90 after 12 months

Year 1 Cost: $683.88
Year 2 Cost: $1,006.80
Year 3 Cost: $1,006.80
Total cost for three years: $2,697.48

Internet Only (20 mbps download)
$34.99 for first 6 months
$49.99 for next 6 months
$62.95 after 12 months

Year 1 Cost: $509.88
Year 2 Cost: $755.40
Year 3 Cost: $755.40
Total cost for three years: $2,050.68

Xfinity Double Play Bundle (160+ Channels, 20 mbps download)
$79.99 for first 6 months
$99.99 for next 6 months
$134.95 after 12 months

Year 1 Cost: $1,079.88
Year 2 Cost: $1,619.40
Year 3 Cost: $1,619.40
Total cost for three years: $4,318.68

Some Comparative Math
Net savings by bundling:

All three years: $430 ($4,718.16 - $4,318.16)
Two years: $287.20 ($2,985.96 - $2,698.76)
One year: $113.88 ($1,193.76 - $ 1,079.88)

This is assuming at least a one year contract at those rates (though its probably two) and a third year off contract on the second year rates. Also assuming the year 2-3 rates won't change too much. You save more money in the long haul since the rates go up significantly for the individual services. If you can live without TV though, the internet only option costs just under half of the bundle for three years. Food for thought.

Alternate option to using Comcast for internet only:

The 20MBps option at Century Link is marginally more expensive than Comcast's 20MBps first year offer ($539.94 v. $509.88), but if I do CenturyLink for one year and then Comcast for the following two, it comes out to a total cost of $1,805.22 (a net savings of $245.46 over the only Comcast Option). However, it seems CenturyLink for all 3 years would be slightly cheaper than the CenturyLink/Comcast option by $65.28 and would be a net savings of $310.74 over the only Comcast option (just over 40% of a 1 bedroom Jeffersonian's rent):

Internet Only Cost Saving Option 1:
Year 1 - CenturyLink 20MBps PURE Broadband (1 year contract)
$29.99 for first 6 months
$50.00 for next 6 months
Year 1 Cost: $539.94

Year 2 - Comcast 20MBps Performance Internet (2 year contract)
$34.99 for first 6 months
$49.99 for next 6 months
Year 2 Cost: $509.88

Year 3
$62.95 per month
Year 3 Cost: $755.40

Total Cost: $1,805.22

Internet Only Cost Saving Option 2:
Year 1 - CenturyLink 20MBps PURE Broadband (1 year contract)
$29.99 for first 6 months
$50.00 for next 6 months
Year 1 Cost: $539.94

Year 2 - CenturyLink 20MBps Broadband (1 year contract)
$50.00 per month
Year 2 Cost: $600.00

Year 3 - CenturyLink 20MBps Broadband (1 year contract)
$50.00 per month
Year 3 Cost: $600.00

Total Cost: $1,739.94

Also, this should help someone as well:

EDITED: What furniture would be appropriate for an apartment in the Jeffersonian

I live in an unfurnished one bedroom in the Jeffersonian. This is what I think fits comfortably:

Bedroom: I have a queen bed, night stand, and large dresser in the bedroom and it all fits well.
Dining room: The space for the dining table is pretty rectangular so that's what I went with, though I think a round one would be fine too.
Living room: I have a couch, chair (my overstuffed chair is a little snug so you'll probably want to stick to a normal-sized one), small computer desk, medium/large TV stand, side table, coffee table, and bookshelf. You will need a floor lamp in the living room because there is no overhead lighting there.
Kitchen: Doesn't come with a microwave, which I didn't realize until I moved in. I was able to easily fit a storage cabinet and kitchen cart (the cart isn't necessary but I wanted a bit more counter space).

How much do utilities (heat, electric, water, cable, internet) come out to per month (on average)?

My electricity bill has ranged from $75 to $120 so far. Water is covered in your rent. Internet is technically free as well, but it sucks ass so you'll probably want to get high speed internet. Cable and internet package will probably be around $100 per month. One thing to keep in mind regarding your loans is that you may end up in a job that doesn't pay your 1L summer, so you might need your loans to stretch the whole year rather than just the school year.

[gaucholaw]

While this thread has focused recently on (albeit highly-relevant topics) I thought I would switch gears:
Time to rep our regions:
Cali bred UC educated.... reppin'

[NoodleyOne]

Of course, was just offered a room at the Jeffersonian. Didn't think in a million years they'd dip down to #45 on the wait list. Already have an apartment lined up, sooo, WL #46, you're welcome

I just got an e-mail asking if I was still interested, although they didn't offer me a room.

That would be sooooo sweet.

[digifly]

While this thread has focused recently on (albeit highly-relevant topics) I thought I would switch gears:
Time to rep our regions:
Cali bred UC educated.... reppin'

Southern California here!

[NoodleyOne]

And Jeffersonian replied and said they'd have an offer to my tomorrow. Woohoo!

[shibby]

And Jeffersonian replied and said they'd have an offer to my tomorrow. Woohoo!

Awesome, glad it worked out!

[danitt]

Do leases generally run the academic year or are they 12 month leases? And what do people do with their stuff when they go away for summer? Storage?

[5ky]

Do leases generally run the academic year or are they 12 month leases? And what do people do with their stuff when they go away for summer? Storage?

12 month. Probably don't need to do anything with your stuff since you have a 12 month lease. I had to use storage one summer, it sucked. Not recommended

[gertie]

Is it necessary to have a car at UVA? I read that their bus system is good but I'm stil wondering about whether or not I would need to bring my car down...thoughts?

[envisciguy]

Is it necessary to have a car at UVA? I read that their bus system is good but I'm stil wondering about whether or not I would need to bring my car down...thoughts?

It really depends where you live. If you live on Arlington Blvd, the Barracks shopping center is walking distance for grocery shopping and most of the other things you'll need and cabs are fairly cheap if you have to go farther. One of my roommates doesn't have a car and she hasn't seemed to have any trouble. If you live a good distance from the law school though, a car is pretty much a necessity.

[hamy]

the finaid package was quite depressing


also it's been said before but needs to be said again-- this SIS site sucks

[North]

UVA's playing at my UG. It's a pretty close game.

the finaid package was quite depressing


also it's been said before but needs to be said again-- this SIS site sucks

+1 to all of this.

[envisciguy]

UVA's playing at my UG. It's a pretty close game.

I didn't realize the Hoos were in Tallanasty tonight. There's actually a small but strong Nole contingent up here.

[WahooLaw24]

My friends with far more college basketball knowledge than I say that UVA needs to grab a couple wins in the ACC tournament to make it to March Madness. Here's hoping they do just that!

[Hspeaksfriend]

the finaid package was quite depressing


also it's been said before but needs to be said again-- this SIS site sucks

AGREED

[NoodleyOne]

Just got my one bedroom at the Jeffersonian, #50 on the waitlist. The only thing left is a two bedroom, so good luck whoever else is still looking!

[Yardbird]

if anyone else is interested in the TLS UVA meetup for ASW, PM me and I'll direct you to the FB event.

[hamy]

So is anyone still looking for a place and/or roommate? I keep wishing I had known bout the Jeffersonian before the new year.

PM me if the above is true and you'd like to join me in a journey for housing...

[North]

if anyone else is interested in the TLS UVA meetup for ASW, PM me and I'll direct you to the FB event.

Done. Excited to meet some of you guys.

[Yardbird]

if anyone else is interested in the TLS UVA meetup for ASW, PM me and I'll direct you to the FB event.

Done. Excited to meet some of you guys.

Anyone else? We're at 5 so far (including me). The more the merrier!

[Hspeaksfriend]

I just spoke with the fin aid office and thought this info might be useful.

There are a number of things that have to be completed in order to make sure you get your loans.
1. Entrance Loan Counseling
2. Financial Aid Awareness Counseling
3. Sign 1 or 2 promissory notes (depending on if you need grad plus loans)
4. Accept/decline the loans through SIS

The reason I was confused by this is because my "to do list" on SIS is clearly not updated/correct. The only thing it says to do is the "financial aid application for 2012-2013." BUT, law students DO NOT have to complete this (unless you're enrolled in a joint degree program). It's a mistake and I'm not sure why it's there. Interestingly, the other things that DO have to be completed are not listed on my to do list. So, there's that.

Okay hopefully that all made sense!

[Yardbird]

I just spoke with the fin aid office and thought this info might be useful.

There are a number of things that have to be completed in order to make sure you get your loans.
1. Entrance Loan Counseling
2. Financial Aid Awareness Counseling
3. Sign 1 or 2 promissory notes (depending on if you need grad plus loans)
4. Accept/decline the loans through SIS

The reason I was confused by this is because my "to do list" on SIS is clearly not updated/correct. The only thing it says to do is the "financial aid application for 2012-2013." BUT, law students DO NOT have to complete this (unless you're enrolled in a joint degree program). It's a mistake and I'm not sure why it's there. Interestingly, the other things that DO have to be completed are not listed on my to do list. So, there's that.

Okay hopefully that all made sense!

The first 3 on that list can be done here: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action. You'll need your FAFSA pin and SSN

[Yardbird]

New USNews Rankings are out:

1 Yale
2 Stanford
2 Harvard
4 Columbia
4 Chicago
6 NYU
7 Penn
7 UVA
9 Berkeley
9 Michigan
11 Duke
12 Northwestern
13 Cornell
14 Georgetown


Boston schools apparently got hit bad.

[Tim0thy222]

New USNews Rankings are out:

1 Yale
2 Stanford
2 Harvard
4 Columbia
4 Chicago
6 NYU
7 Penn
7 UVA
9 Berkeley
9 Michigan
11 Duke
12 Northwestern
13 Cornell
14 Georgetown


Boston schools apparently got hit bad.

I was really relieved to see this. If UVA dropped to 8 I was going to withdraw.