WUSTL Recent Grad (and others) Taking Questions Forum

[stratocophic]

So I'm looking at University owned housing and it appears that the PERSHING-DEBALIVIERE neighborhood is closest to Anheuser-Busch Hall. Is this correct, in terms of University housing? Close proximity to the actual hall would be the most important part of housing for me.

edit: oh wait is it University City?

Yep, UCity is closest. If you're looking for close and cheap via Quadrangle, Castlereagh is both and in better shape than some of their other properties. A studio runs ~700 per month w/ all utilities/cable/internet, and it's a 10 minute walk from the school.

[tmon]

Do the name-your-own-price feature on Priceline, choose either Clayton or Downtown for neighborhood, select 3 1/2 or 4 stars, bid in the $60 price range, and you will easily get one of the nicer hotels in the area at a great price. I've never failed to get a hotel for a relative in St Louis following this method. The Clayton and Downtown STL hotels are all near a metro stop... Clayton being closer.

Seconded, though I used Hotwire. Stayed at the Moonrise for like half off, and knew it was the Moonrise just based on the listing and the other hotels in that geographical zone.

[LuckySpurs]

Hi everyone,

I am looking at an apartment in the De Baliviere area. I'm trying to figure out utlities. Does anyone live in that area? Can people also share what their monthly ulities bill is in the summer/winter and general location?

Thanks!

[Wooostl2012]

What's the deal with Wiley Rutledge? Too much work if you're also planning to do a journal? Is it the kind of thing everyone signs up for? Looking for any tips, here.

Also, can someone explain exactly how the worksheet works once registration goes live? Does it automatically try to get you into everything at once? Is this mutually exclusive with the suggestion of opening up multiple browser windows?

This question is probably irrelevant now that registration has passed, but I would say that Wiley Rutledge is a hell of a lot of work for 1 credit. It's entirely doable with a journal, but if you're not going to gun it, then I'd seriously consider a weekend course. They're much, much easier.

[Wooostl2012]

Any thoughts on Wiedenbeck v Block for tax?

heard wiedenback was better, but from a fellow 1L. Presumably she got her information from a 2L/3L though.

Block wrote the corporate tax E&E. I am interpreting this to mean she is good at teaching. Also didn't like Wiedenbeck's reviews.

Probably also irrelevant given that registration is over, but I took Block for Fed Income Tax and thought she was actually really great. Didn't have Weidenbeck, so can't compare the two, but if you're at all interested in tax, I'd highly recommend her.

[TatteredDignity]

What's the deal with Wiley Rutledge? Too much work if you're also planning to do a journal? Is it the kind of thing everyone signs up for? Looking for any tips, here.

Also, can someone explain exactly how the worksheet works once registration goes live? Does it automatically try to get you into everything at once? Is this mutually exclusive with the suggestion of opening up multiple browser windows?

This question is probably irrelevant now that registration has passed, but I would say that Wiley Rutledge is a hell of a lot of work for 1 credit. It's entirely doable with a journal, but if you're not going to gun it, then I'd seriously consider a weekend course. They're much, much easier.

That is helpful, because I can still drop it. I was sort of hoping for a somewhat easy credit. Good to know. Thanks.

[seatown12]

This question is probably irrelevant now that registration has passed, but I would say that Wiley Rutledge is a hell of a lot of work for 1 credit.

That is helpful, because I can still drop it. I was sort of hoping for a somewhat easy credit. Good to know. Thanks.

Wiley is not hard if you only put in the "good faith effort" needed to pass the brief. The argument part is fun.

[romothesavior]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

[fl0w]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

can you find some material from Anchorman 2 for your avatar picture?

[Wooostl2012]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

I didn't mean to suggest it's like getting one credit for being on a publication, but I do feel like for one credit, it's a lot of work, compared at least to a weekend class which essentially just requires you to sit there.

This probably also depends on your partner and which parts of Law School you're good at / enjoy, so others may feel otherwise.

[deebs]

Hi everyone,

I am looking at an apartment in the De Baliviere area. I'm trying to figure out utlities. Does anyone live in that area? Can people also share what their monthly ulities bill is in the summer/winter and general location?

Thanks!

My apartment has two balconies, so I think that makes it colder than most during the winter (the doors aren't sealed very well). Electric gets up to 100 during the winter, but was 50 bucks for the past 2 months. I guess it also depends on how much time you spend at school v. apartment. It's me plus another guy. Only other utility is cable/internet and I don't know how much that is.

Also, if anyone needs a place this summer, room in said apartment is open. Own bathroom, walk in closet, own balcony, huge room.

[deebs]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

I didn't mean to suggest it's like getting one credit for being on a publication, but I do feel like for one credit, it's a lot of work, compared at least to a weekend class which essentially just requires you to sit there.

This probably also depends on your partner and which parts of Law School you're good at / enjoy, so others may feel otherwise.

Started the brief at 9 oclock the night before it was due because of other stuff going on. Turned in a brief that had no table of contents, missing other stuff, 1 hour late. Got the P. If you're trying to win, that will take time. If you are trying to pass, 1 day (probably a full day doing research/writing) in the library will get you the credit. Also, weekend classes are fantastic if you know how to keep yourself entertained on the internet.

[TatteredDignity]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

I didn't mean to suggest it's like getting one credit for being on a publication, but I do feel like for one credit, it's a lot of work, compared at least to a weekend class which essentially just requires you to sit there.

This probably also depends on your partner and which parts of Law School you're good at / enjoy, so others may feel otherwise.

Started the brief at 9 oclock the night before it was due because of other stuff going on. Turned in a brief that had no table of contents, missing other stuff, 1 hour late. Got the P. If you're trying to win, that will take time. If you are trying to pass, 1 day (probably a full day doing research/writing) in the library will get you the credit. Also, weekend classes are fantastic if you know how to keep yourself entertained on the internet.

How big of a deal is it if you win? Is it worth going for?

[deebs]

I didn't think Wiley Rutledge was bad at all. Maybe 2-3 days of actual work on the brief, and the issues are a walk in the park compared to EMC in the spring.

I didn't mean to suggest it's like getting one credit for being on a publication, but I do feel like for one credit, it's a lot of work, compared at least to a weekend class which essentially just requires you to sit there.

This probably also depends on your partner and which parts of Law School you're good at / enjoy, so others may feel otherwise.

Started the brief at 9 oclock the night before it was due because of other stuff going on. Turned in a brief that had no table of contents, missing other stuff, 1 hour late. Got the P. If you're trying to win, that will take time. If you are trying to pass, 1 day (probably a full day doing research/writing) in the library will get you the credit. Also, weekend classes are fantastic if you know how to keep yourself entertained on the internet.

How big of a deal is it if you win? Is it worth going for?

I'm not the guy to ask, I couldn't even tell you who won. I made sure we didn't move on to the second round.

[romothesavior]

This probably also depends on your partner and which parts of Law School you're good at / enjoy, so others may feel otherwise.

Tattered Dignity, I PM'd you with some personal thoughts on it, but I think this is very credited. It really depends on your personality and interests. I did moot court in undergrad so I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for it last year, but I love this kind of stuff. I am very into oral advocacy, enjoy writing practitioner-type stuff (like briefs instead of academic crap), and I'm pretty damn competitive. Other people hate the entire experience. It really comes down to personal preferences.

If you are going to do one of the intramural competitions, I'd recommend Wiley Rutledge to moot court newcomers because the issues are far easier than Environmental Moot Court, which is generally very statutory and regulatory based.

[TatteredDignity]

Thanks for the input as usual, everyone.

[Wooostl2012]

How big of a deal is it if you win? Is it worth going for?[/quote]
I'm not the guy to ask, I couldn't even tell you who won. I made sure we didn't move on to the second round.[/quote]

Pretty sure the winners of wiley rutledge this year formed 2/3 of team that then won the National Moot court championship a few weeks ago, but some years might be easier than others.

[KellyFan2000]

I saw where Mike Spivey left Wash U. I've read in previous threads that students had a lot of good things to say about him. How do current Wash U students feel about his replacement? Is the CSO still top-notch at Wash U? It's one of the last few schools I'm still considering and I was curious about this.

One other question for current Wash U students: what has been your experience with the alumni network? Are Wash U alumni generally receptive to outreach from current students and helpful with respect to networking/job hunts? In other words, do they seem to have a great deal of loyalty to the school?

[KellyFan2000]

Shameless bump.

[romothesavior]

Yeah, losing him was unfortunate. He seemed to be pretty good at getting out there and hitting the pavement. The current CSO is probably about the same as most CSOs or maybe a bit better; I have nothing to compare it to since I've never gone to another school. It is a pretty big office and the people who work their are genuinely interested in trying to help. That said, there are people who have had bad experiences with them (as I'm sure people have everywhere), so maybe they can speak to that. I also always tell people the CSO is what you make of them. If you don't go in and establish relationships, it is awfully hard to get help. And finally, relying on the CSO for a job is not smart. You need to be both utilizing them and doing things on your own to be successful these days.

I've found most WUSTL alumni to be pretty into the school. Again, nothing to compare this to, and I haven't had a ton of occasion for reaching out to them in the last semester or two. But in the times that I have reached out, I've gotten positive responses and some help moving my resume up the ladder.

[Wooostl2012]

Yeah, losing him was unfortunate. He seemed to be pretty good at getting out there and hitting the pavement. The current CSO is probably about the same as most CSOs or maybe a bit better; I have nothing to compare it to since I've never gone to another school. It is a pretty big office and the people who work their are genuinely interested in trying to help. That said, there are people who have had bad experiences with them (as I'm sure people have everywhere), so maybe they can speak to that. I also always tell people the CSO is what you make of them. If you don't go in and establish relationships, it is awfully hard to get help. And finally, relying on the CSO for a job is not smart. You need to be both utilizing them and doing things on your own to be successful these days.

I've found most WUSTL alumni to be pretty into the school. Again, nothing to compare this to, and I haven't had a ton of occasion for reaching out to them in the last semester or two. But in the times that I have reached out, I've gotten positive responses and some help moving my resume up the ladder.

Since you mentioned people with bad experiences - I don't think Spivey's a loss to be honest. The guy sells himself really well, and granted it seems like he did a lot of traveling etc. for the school, but in my opinion he was a car salesman. I cannot tell you how many of his presentations started with him telling us how smart we were and how much employers wanted us Really? I interacted with him on a one-on-one basis during 1L and was not at all impressed by the steps he said he took for me. He talked a big game, but at a certain point I'd rather have honest advice and input, and not reassurances and promises.

That the CSO is what you make of it is entirely credited, though. Some of the people in there are better than others, but you have to seek them out and ask for what you want to get it. I think it's a solid CSO office for a law school in our situation.

[splitsplat]

Question for current students: After 1L year, are there any additional scholarship awards made?

I think I've read that if grades are good enough for an upward transfer, you could try to negotiate that way, but assuming a student would want to stay at Wash U, are there any chances for scholly increases?

[JCougar]

Question for current students: After 1L year, are there any additional scholarship awards made?

I think I've read that if grades are good enough for an upward transfer, you could try to negotiate that way, but assuming a student would want to stay at Wash U, are there any chances for scholly increases?

From what I've heard, there's virtually no way you get more money. Some people got accepted to transfer to Harvard or Yale, and I don't think even they got more money to convince them to stay.

Most scholarships are funded by private donors for specific purposes. There's not many donors who say, "I want my money to go to people who want to transfer out."

[JCougar]

Yeah, losing him was unfortunate. He seemed to be pretty good at getting out there and hitting the pavement. The current CSO is probably about the same as most CSOs or maybe a bit better; I have nothing to compare it to since I've never gone to another school. It is a pretty big office and the people who work their are genuinely interested in trying to help. That said, there are people who have had bad experiences with them (as I'm sure people have everywhere), so maybe they can speak to that. I also always tell people the CSO is what you make of them. If you don't go in and establish relationships, it is awfully hard to get help. And finally, relying on the CSO for a job is not smart. You need to be both utilizing them and doing things on your own to be successful these days.

I've found most WUSTL alumni to be pretty into the school. Again, nothing to compare this to, and I haven't had a ton of occasion for reaching out to them in the last semester or two. But in the times that I have reached out, I've gotten positive responses and some help moving my resume up the ladder.

IMO, any CSO in this legal economy is like paddling a bark canoe up a waterfall. Nobody is hiring: not biglaw, not government, not even small firms. If there's no positions out there, you can't place people no matter how many calls and letters you send out. Plus, lawyers aren't impressed by people who sit back and let their school do all their networking and work for you. Alumni networking doesn't work when the alumni have 30 students trying to contact them but there isn't a single job opening that they know of.

The good thing about WUSTL is that there's a lot of funding and help if you want to go out there and network on your own. There's funds set up for people who want to fly across the country and attend conferences, funding for judicial clerkship interviews, etc. The problem is, almost zero students take advantage of these opportunities. Finding a job though networking is simple. Put yourself in a place where there's a lot of practicing lawyers but very little law students and just play the numbers game. Something will eventually work out. All the job fairs, etc. people throw are ok, but even there, you have hundreds of students and only a few jobs. But I've met dozens of attorneys at different conferences across the country, many of which know me personally now and have my resume in case any job opportunity comes up in the future. Finding a job in today's economy is a numbers game, but if you're going to expend the effort, at least do it in a way where you get the most traction.

[splitsplat]

Thanks for the answer J