Duke 1L (soon to be 2L) taking questions Forum

[intlsplitr]

On a different note, I'm planning on visiting the area/campus over Christmas break. No tour or anything, just never been to Durham and want to check it out. Any suggestions for good restaurants or shopping? I'll be there with family so don't want them getting bored while I wander campus a bit

If you're a chicken and waffles fan, Dame's Chicken and Waffles is a must-visit. Probably pound-for-pound one of my favorite restaurants in Durham or anywhere else.

Yeah Dames is good. If you are looking for burgers/beer, Bull City is my favorite. Just a few blocks from Dames. The mall at Southpoint isnt too far from campus (like 15 min) if you want to send them away to shop.

If you are coming to campus, I would check to make sure that law school building is going to be open. It is locked in the evening and on the weekends without a pass. With that said, you could probably just ask someone to let you in to have a look around. Also I wouldnt suggest coming until finals are over; the whole place is stressed.

Edited for clarity.

[OliveBC]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will be visiting between Christmas and New Years. Obviously not ideal since I imagine the building will be closed due to the break ( ? I haven't called to check or anything- just seems likely), but I'm living in Indiana right now and this is pretty much the only time I'll be able to check out Durham besides ASW down the line.

[intlsplitr]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will be visiting between Christmas and New Years. Obviously not ideal since I imagine the building will be closed due to the break ( ? I haven't called to check or anything- just seems likely), but I'm living in Indiana right now and this is pretty much the only time I'll be able to check out Durham besides ASW down the line.

Yeah, Im not sure about the building being open. Give Admissions a call; they will know.

[FeraFera]

How strong of ties would you say are necessary for someone at Duke who is interested in working in NC long-term? I've been living in the Midwest for almost 10 years now (not by choice though if that matters I guess, we relocated because of my dad's job) but I was born in NC & pretty much my entire family on my mother's side lives there. I attended elementary-middle school there, etc.

Other than Duke I would likely be looking at Vandy or maybe UNC (employment stats at UNC are a concern, but I've read that there is a strong alumni network even at some of the larger firms).

That's probably good enough for ties if you can sell it.

[OliveBC]

Visiting today-I will let you know how I like the chicken and waffles

[UserNameHere]

Hey there palmy,

I'm working in politics right now (oooo, soo unique I am) and would be interested in seeing something through to November 2014. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is "not actually all that crazy" to 10 being "you might actually be insane and should consider seeing a doctor"), how crazy would it be to work part-time during the first half of my Fall 1L? I'd be leaving the job with a bit of a sore heart, but I'm inclined to because the alternatives -- trying to defer for a year only to maybe not have anything to do after November seems a bit foolish or work the job part-time while in school -- seem foolish. Do you think I'm missing something?

And yes, the part-time job would be in the Research Triangle.

[06102016]

..

[intlsplitr]

Hey there palmy,

I'm working in politics right now (oooo, soo unique I am) and would be interested in seeing something through to November 2014. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is "not actually all that crazy" to 10 being "you might actually be insane and should consider seeing a doctor"), how crazy would it be to work part-time during the first half of my Fall 1L? I'd be leaving the job with a bit of a sore heart, but I'm inclined to because the alternatives -- trying to defer for a year only to maybe not have anything to do after November seems a bit foolish or work the job part-time while in school -- seem foolish. Do you think I'm missing something?

And yes, the part-time job would be in the Research Triangle.

You also arent allowed to work during 1L if you are full-time student. Im fairly certain that is an ABA rule, but it could be Duke specific. They were adamant about it at orientation.

[UserNameHere]

Hey there palmy,

I'm working in politics right now (oooo, soo unique I am) and would be interested in seeing something through to November 2014. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is "not actually all that crazy" to 10 being "you might actually be insane and should consider seeing a doctor"), how crazy would it be to work part-time during the first half of my Fall 1L? I'd be leaving the job with a bit of a sore heart, but I'm inclined to because the alternatives -- trying to defer for a year only to maybe not have anything to do after November seems a bit foolish or work the job part-time while in school -- seem foolish. Do you think I'm missing something?

And yes, the part-time job would be in the Research Triangle.

You also arent allowed to work during 1L if you are full-time student. Im fairly certain that is an ABA rule, but it could be Duke specific. They were adamant about it at orientation.

That's what I had suspected, but figured I might as well ask. Thanks for confirming.

[Instinctive]

Is there any preferential treatment afforded Mordecai students that rubs anyone the wrong way?

[06102016]

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[intlsplitr]

Is there any preferential treatment afforded Mordecai students that rubs anyone the wrong way?

None that I've heard of.

Me either.

[tkim129]

Hey all, shameless Columbia 1L here.

Prof Powell, who normally teaches Con Law at Duke, is teaching Con Law at Columbia this year. Any of you guys take him before? If so, any quick advice?

[06102016]

..

[AllDangle]

Hey all, shameless Columbia 1L here.

Prof Powell, who normally teaches Con Law at Duke, is teaching Con Law at Columbia this year. Any of you guys take him before? If so, any quick advice?

I did not have him personally as he did not teach Con Law during our 1L. However, I have spoken to a 2L and he said this: pay attention to any hypos or other types of questions he brings up in class for discussions. Apparently, all the test questions for the person I spoke with came from hypos he brought up in class.

[06102016]

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[Cocoblues]

Thanks for taking our questions.

Sorry if this has already been touched upon ITT. Could you please descrbe the kind of networking opportunities that are available on campus/in the area? Is the RTP particularly thriving legally or are all the major events a few hours away in D.C.? Where did you guys do your 1L summer internships? At local firms or outside the Triangle?

Thanks a whole bunch

[tkim129]

Hey all, shameless Columbia 1L here.

Prof Powell, who normally teaches Con Law at Duke, is teaching Con Law at Columbia this year. Any of you guys take him before? If so, any quick advice?

I did not have him personally as he did not teach Con Law during our 1L. However, I have spoken to a 2L and he said this: pay attention to any hypos or other types of questions he brings up in class for discussions. Apparently, all the test questions for the person I spoke with came from hypos he brought up in class.

That is very helpful. Thank you very much!

[Serett]

Hey Duke peeps (all four of you ), anyone have any thoughts/comments on any of these apartments?

Hawthorne at the View $670-785; 1 BR 550-670 ft; 6 miles; gorgeous; 80%
Pinnacle Ridge $770-$955 1BR 634 sq ft; 3 miles; gorgeous; 91%
Alden Place at South Square $736-912; 1BR 830 ft; 4 miles; gorgeous; 40%
Century Trinity Estates $825; 1 BR 832 ft; 4.5 miles; gorgeous; 33%
Beech Lake $769-1295; 1 BR 780-934 ft; 5 miles; very nice; 37%
Alexan Garrett Farms (Garrett West) $940-1073; 1 BR 765 ft; 4 miles; luxurious 84%
Parc at University Tower $919-1119; 1 BR 725-957 ft; 3.5 miles; luxurious; 88%
Mission University Pines $590-655; 1 BR 554-792 ft; 4 miles; good; 58%
Colonial Village $720-1100; 1 BR 789-941 ft; 2 miles; good; 27%
605 West Apartments (coming soon) $985; Studio ??? ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%
The Heights at LaSalle $1125-1215; 1 BR 675 sq ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%

It's whittled down from the list posted in the C/O 2017 Facebook Group, eliminating those that seemed terrible, too expensive, or didn't list their prices online. For everyone's reference, each entry goes apartment name, rent range, the type of room I'm looking considering, square feet range, driving miles from Duke Law according to Google Maps, my completely subjective rating of how nice it looks from pictures/amenities listed (good<very nice<gorgeous<luxurious), and the recommendation percentage from ApartmentRatings.com. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to make them (bonus points for places where parking isn't annoying or extra and if anyone knows of any furnished apartment offerings).

[LSA2014]

Hey Duke peeps (all four of you ), anyone have any thoughts/comments on any of these apartments?

Hawthorne at the View $670-785; 1 BR 550-670 ft; 6 miles; gorgeous; 80%
Pinnacle Ridge $770-$955 1BR 634 sq ft; 3 miles; gorgeous; 91%
Alden Place at South Square $736-912; 1BR 830 ft; 4 miles; gorgeous; 40%
Century Trinity Estates $825; 1 BR 832 ft; 4.5 miles; gorgeous; 33%
Beech Lake $769-1295; 1 BR 780-934 ft; 5 miles; very nice; 37%
Alexan Garrett Farms (Garrett West) $940-1073; 1 BR 765 ft; 4 miles; luxurious 84%
Parc at University Tower $919-1119; 1 BR 725-957 ft; 3.5 miles; luxurious; 88%
Mission University Pines $590-655; 1 BR 554-792 ft; 4 miles; good; 58%
Colonial Village $720-1100; 1 BR 789-941 ft; 2 miles; good; 27%
605 West Apartments (coming soon) $985; Studio ??? ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%
The Heights at LaSalle $1125-1215; 1 BR 675 sq ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%

It's whittled down from the list posted in the C/O 2017 Facebook Group, eliminating those that seemed terrible, too expensive, or didn't list their prices online. For everyone's reference, each entry goes apartment name, rent range, the type of room I'm looking considering, square feet range, driving miles from Duke Law according to Google Maps, my completely subjective rating of how nice it looks from pictures/amenities listed (good<very nice<gorgeous<luxurious), and the recommendation percentage from ApartmentRatings.com. If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to make them (bonus points for places where parking isn't annoying or extra and if anyone knows of any furnished apartment offerings).

It's worth calling the ones that don't list prices. Most property management companies around here use software that calibrates their offers to their current inventory, and everyone else's prices on a daily basis so the reason they don't quote online is that prices change often, but they only change like $10-30. You can almost always negotiate them down a bit too.

Almost anything in the 27707 zipcode is going to be in the nicest park of Durham and fairly close to Duke. The 27713 zip is south Durham, which is maybe 15 minutes from Duke, and is where you'll get the nicest places for the least money AND be close to a mall, restaurants, bars, movies. Plus it's right near I-40 so you can be in Raleigh in 30 minutes and downtown Chapel Hill in 15.

North Durham gets very rural very quickly so it's possible to find nice houses for rent for $700-900. Chapel Hill gets super expensive because the schools aren't terrible so stay away from Orange County properties. Everything right around Duke is either cheap and crappy, or expensive, but there are merits to being able to walk to campus. Parking is $130 a year I think.

Just don't go too far away from Duke towards downtown. One, the places rent for $600 but cost $60,000 to buy so it's a total rip off. Second the crime is pretty bad. I grew up in a worse city but in 11 months in Durham I've already seen one person shot dead in the middle of the street before 2 PM. The very worst parts, which ring what is actually a very nice downtown area, are about as bad as any place I've seen in the country (albeit Durham does a much better job at tearing down its vacants). The violent crime isn't as bad as some other cities, and it's mostly directed at people involved in gangs or drug dealing, but the break ins and thefts are very high in those neighborhoods.

[cotiger]

Just don't go too far away from Duke towards downtown. One, the places rent for $600 but cost $60,000 to buy so it's a total rip off. Second the crime is pretty bad. I grew up in a worse city but in 11 months in Durham I've already seen one person shot dead in the middle of the street before 2 PM. The very worst parts, which ring what is actually a very nice downtown area, are about as bad as any place I've seen in the country (albeit Durham does a much better job at tearing down its vacants). The violent crime isn't as bad as some other cities, and it's mostly directed at people involved in gangs or drug dealing, but the break ins and thefts are very high in those neighborhoods.

This is a bit much. I spent a summer living within walking distance of downtown Durham, and it was totally nice and not at all sketchy. Also, downtown Durham is really nice. If I end up at Duke, I'll most likely end up at the West Village Apts downtown.

[LSA2014]

Just don't go too far away from Duke towards downtown. One, the places rent for $600 but cost $60,000 to buy so it's a total rip off. Second the crime is pretty bad. I grew up in a worse city but in 11 months in Durham I've already seen one person shot dead in the middle of the street before 2 PM. The very worst parts, which ring what is actually a very nice downtown area, are about as bad as any place I've seen in the country (albeit Durham does a much better job at tearing down its vacants). The violent crime isn't as bad as some other cities, and it's mostly directed at people involved in gangs or drug dealing, but the break ins and thefts are very high in those neighborhoods.

This is a bit much. I spent a summer living within walking distance of downtown Durham, and it was totally nice and not at all sketchy. Also, downtown Durham is really nice. If I end up at Duke, I'll most likely end up at the West Village Apts downtown.

Yeah, I may be letting limited bad experience color my perspective. If my GPS hadn't screwed me up I wouldn't have even been there to see anything.

[buffalo_]

Sorry if asked and answered already ITT...

Do most students have cars? How limiting would not having a car be?

[Merylian]

Sorry if asked and answered already ITT...

Do most students have cars? How limiting would not having a car be?

Yes, most have cars. It's not the best place to live without one, I think; Durham has a bus system, and you can ride for free as a student I believe, but it's not the most walkable town on the planet and there's not much in the way of bike lanes either. There are a lot of neat places in North Carolina anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours away. Having a car to get to them on the rare free weekend or over breaks if you're staying in the area will really increase your enjoyment of living here.

[racrfish]

Hey Duke peeps (all four of you ), anyone have any thoughts/comments on any of these apartments?

Hawthorne at the View $670-785; 1 BR 550-670 ft; 6 miles; gorgeous; 80%
Pinnacle Ridge $770-$955 1BR 634 sq ft; 3 miles; gorgeous; 91%
Alden Place at South Square $736-912; 1BR 830 ft; 4 miles; gorgeous; 40%
Century Trinity Estates $825; 1 BR 832 ft; 4.5 miles; gorgeous; 33%
Beech Lake $769-1295; 1 BR 780-934 ft; 5 miles; very nice; 37%
Alexan Garrett Farms (Garrett West) $940-1073; 1 BR 765 ft; 4 miles; luxurious 84%
Parc at University Tower $919-1119; 1 BR 725-957 ft; 3.5 miles; luxurious; 88%
Mission University Pines $590-655; 1 BR 554-792 ft; 4 miles; good; 58%
Colonial Village $720-1100; 1 BR 789-941 ft; 2 miles; good; 27%
605 West Apartments (coming soon) $985; Studio ??? ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%
The Heights at LaSalle $1125-1215; 1 BR 675 sq ft; 1 mile; luxurious; ??%

If anyone has any other suggestions, feel free to make them (bonus points for places where parking isn't annoying or extra and if anyone knows of any furnished apartment offerings).

I actually rented a 1BR at Pinnacle for roughly $650. Like someone else said, the rental rates depend on time of year, whether it's been upgraded, and how long that particular unit has been empty.

The ones I've struck through are the ones I've never even heard of, which should indicate either that they're shitty or they're too expensive to have many students there.

The ones most highly recommended among students are Pinnacle, Alexan Garrett, and Heights at LaSalle (which is brand new, so it's in great condition. AG is pretty nice too. Pinnacle is nice but older than those two (but the upgraded ones are super nice). Those three also have the highest concentration of 1Ls, tooe. Parc at UT is nice I think, but pretty overpriced from what I've heard.

Parking is not a problem at Pinnacle. I don't think it is at AG either, and no clue about Heights. The only furnished apartments I've ever seen in this area were through Allenton Management, which rents out individual apartments, not a complex.

Last thing I'll say is that Heights at LaSalle is in a pretty sketchy part of town (though I haven't heard of many problems from classmates, it's just in kind of a mixture of sketchy and students). Pinnacle had a brief outbreak of break-ins a few months ago, but TBH, all the ones I heard about were cases where people left their windows open or cars unlocked. I've always felt safe there. AG seems safe too, as far as I know.

/end wall of text