Indiana University - Bloomington students taking questions Forum

[chihuahua12]

Hey guys,

I just got accepted and am very very excited!!!

I have a few questions about living/transportation:

1. How much is average rent? If I wanted a one bedroom apartment, or share a two bedroom with a roommate for example? Are there a lot of places near campus?

2. How far is the grocery store and other necessities?

3. Do you need a car to get around? If so, how much does it cost to park? What's the deal with public transportation? Is a car easier/convenient?

To give you an idea of where I'm coming from, I go to an urban undergrad and am from a suburban east coast town.

THANKS!!!!

[kings84_wr]

Transportation is really good, the bus system is really good and you can ride the bus free with a Law school ID. I would say that a car is nice, but not necessarily compulsory. I had one and there were days/weeks I did not use it at all.

Housing is really good compared to other areas. Lots of available places close to campus. In comparison to my current rent in LA, i had double the space and half the price.

Bloomington has lots of Grocery store options like Krogers etc., pretty readily available everywhere.

[superflush]

1. How much is average rent? If I wanted a one bedroom apartment, or share a two bedroom with a roommate for example? Are there a lot of places near campus?
Average? I guess something between $500-$700.

2. How far is the grocery store and other necessities?
For groceries, there is a bad Kroger close by, and a decent one near the mall.
There are a few Bloomingfoods coops that are close.
There is a Sahara Mart near the school, and one out near the mall.

3. Do you need a car to get around? If so, how much does it cost to park? What's the deal with public transportation? Is a car easier/convenient?
You don't really need to pay to park anywhere, there are a ton of spots that have a 2 hour limit during the day.
I really don't use my car for much. I walk most places.

[Law Sauce]

i want to ask if you guys have a sense of how strong is indiana compared to peer schools and others above it, if, looking back, it is worth taking a large scholarship over a higher ranked school, how good and how regional employment options are, how is oci, and how nice of a place to live is bloomington?

I am especially interested in your response kings, since you were there and then transferred up. What made you choose this path by the way?

[kings84_wr]

pm'd you.

but I'll add, I chose transferring to get back to CA for personal reasons as well as job options back home. I loved IU and its a great school, but UCLA opens up a lot more possibilities in CA obviously.

[Law Sauce]

thanks kings

[stlisforlovers]

I just got a sweet scholarship and IU is definitely climbing up my list but how are job prospects specifically in Chicago? Also do you guys know anything about how IU is for students interested in IP? Thanks so much in advance!

[Lwoods]

In with the $120k! Unless I manage to get a full ride from OSU (my husband's job is in Columbus), I'll probably be heading to Bloomington in the fall. I already have a connection in Chicago BigLaw (used to work for the NY office, but one of my former bosses is based out of Chicago), so my main goal is to graduate with as little debt as possible.

However, I also hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot with my degree. Current 2Ls, how did OCI go this year? Better than last? Despite the rankings drop, do you feel IUB is still "respectable" to V100 firms?

Thanks!

[ryanshep]

In with $120 too! IUB is way high on my list now, how do out of state students fair...?

[kings84_wr]

I just got a sweet scholarship and IU is definitely climbing up my list but how are job prospects specifically in Chicago? Also do you guys know anything about how IU is for students interested in IP? Thanks so much in advance!

Im not a huge expert on IP, but its a game-changer when it comes to bigger markets like chicago. Several IP only firms came to OCI from Chicago. There are a lot of options beyond OCI like Loyola pattern fair and mass mailing. I know there are a lot of IP guys at IU so hopefully someone with more knowledge can answer it more directly.

I would say for non IP, chicago big law is essentially not an option. Kirkland did not even come to OCI this year, I think Jones day was the only major non IP law firm at OCI from chicago.

Indy/Louisville/Ohio bigger firms are the majority of OCI last year.

[stlisforlovers]

I just got a sweet scholarship and IU is definitely climbing up my list but how are job prospects specifically in Chicago? Also do you guys know anything about how IU is for students interested in IP? Thanks so much in advance!

Im not a huge expert on IP, but its a game-changer when it comes to bigger markets like chicago. Several IP only firms came to OCI from Chicago. There are a lot of options beyond OCI like Loyola pattern fair and mass mailing. I know there are a lot of IP guys at IU so hopefully someone with more knowledge can answer it more directly.

I would say for non IP, chicago big law is essentially not an option. Kirkland did not even come to OCI this year, I think Jones day was the only major non IP law firm at OCI from chicago.

Indy/Louisville/Ohio bigger firms are the majority of OCI last year.

So then graduates are finding jobs (just not in Chicago)? That's comforting.

[pseudo76]

I would not say that Chicago is a non-option. I know several students that had callbacks with big Chicago firms. It is important to realize that Chicago (more than some of the other regional markets) was both flooded with applicants and had very few openings. It is my understanding that Chicago was one of the toughest markets last fall. That being said, if you want a shot at some of the big Chicago/DC/LA/NY firms, you are going to have to be near the top of the class (top 20% at least and probably higher).

[johnnyutah]

What has placement been like in Louisville ITE?

[kings84_wr]

I would not say that Chicago is a non-option. I know several students that had callbacks with big Chicago firms. It is important to realize that Chicago (more than some of the other regional markets) was both flooded with applicants and had very few openings. It is my understanding that Chicago was one of the toughest markets last fall. That being said, if you want a shot at some of the big Chicago/DC/LA/NY firms, you are going to have to be near the top of the class (top 20% at least and probably higher).

Well I guess I'm just speculating based on my own friends and what I have heard. But I can tell you that LA Big law is simply impossible since there are no non IP big law firms from LA at OCI. I did hear of a couple people with big law call backs in DC, and they were top 5%. I personally did not hear any from chicago, but I imagine they would be top 5% as well.

What has placement been like in Louisville ITE?

I don't have specific numbers, but it is better then other areas, especially if you have local ties to the area.

[LogosEther]

I can talk about IP a bit:

The IPA is a really good student group. Janis is working on really getting IP at IU a very strong reputation. In the next year or two they'll have an IP journal (hopefully) and an IP moot court team. Janis also seems really intent on getting every IP-minded and determined student good summer experiences. He's also bringing in tons of speakers and working on getting more hard IP classes and speakers. If you want a really good rundown of IU, just e-mail Janis. (Of course he'll be very positive because he'd be trying to sell you on the school, but he'll give you lots of information.)

[lawandi]

In with 120k too. How can they afford so many full-rides?

Also wondering about the job prospects of Indiana vs WUSTL.

[Lwoods]

In with 120k too. How can they afford so many full-rides?

Well, the $120k isn't quite a full ride, though it's pretty close. Apparently, the University is reallly good at fundraising:
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/15910.html

I suppose it makes sense, as one of the few schools with a program in philanthropy.


Edited because I had used "though" in every sentence...

[kings84_wr]

In with 120k too. How can they afford so many full-rides?

Also wondering about the job prospects of Indiana vs WUSTL.

The law school has a lot of cash after the Maurer donation and other fundraising. WHile other state schools face budget shortfalls, IU seems to be taking advantage of using that 35 million on scholarships.

[lawandi]

Thanks for the info about their funding! I'll be watching this forum to see if anyone has insights about Indiana's reputation among employers.

[kehoema2]

Just curious, I recently received a great offer from Indiana but I have no ties to the area (from the East Coast). Any past students have a similar situation and how has this your interviews?

Thanks.

[Spoonmanners]

Kehoema: There will be plenty of East Coasters there. IU has really been trying to pull in students from all areas. We already have a bunch from NY, DC, FL, and all of that. If you are trying to make it back to NY, not sure I would recommend IU. Seems like our numbers drop past DC.

Someone asked about OCI. I'm only aware of a small handful of people who got jobs through OCI. I have heard only similar stories from similarly situated schools so far, but would love to hear if anyone has heard different. So many firms have cut back or completely removed their internship programs in past years that only now are some starting to hire again. Everything I heard about hiring (from our school) is that the expectation is people will be getting hired in the next few months, but because of the market it's later than usual. May be different, I'll check with a few people I know at some other schools, but from everything I have heard this situation is typical.

Lawandi: I have only heard negative things about WUSTL between happiness of students and job prospects. Maybe I just know a few bitter people from WUSTL (who isn't bitter right now... oh yeah, 0L's), but I think WUSTL's situation is like most other schools.

I guess Logos took Patents with Janis? Seems like the school has been improving it's IP, as the field has been getting a lot bigger with technological and internet advances. I've taken a few IP or IP "themed" classes and have really liked it all. I got that email that Janis is running some IP moot court group in one of the national competitions.

Chihuahua: Rent is cheap, some people rent out a house or get a room mate and keep their rent under $300-400. There are plenty of places around the school, but rent is cheaper the farther away you go. You can easily get something for $500-600 a month. Or you can refuse to get rid of your furniture and pay way more for a place, like me.

Plenty of grocery stores. Lots of cool places like the irish grocery store, the Sahara Mart's, or the non-Murder Kroger by the mall. No one has actually been murdered at the murder Kroger... it just looks like a place someone could get murdered.

You don't need a car. Plenty rely on a bus, or if you live around the school you can just walk it. Walking gets pretty miserable in the cold winter months, but a number of students just sell their car before they get here.

I was from an "urban" undergrad while from a suburban coastalish town. It's a lot different. No traffic is perhaps the greatest technological invention. I begin firing my gun randomly out of my car from road rage if it takes me more than 10 minutes to drive anywhere. You will also be surprised how cheap going out is. I forgot about $10 mixed drinks until I came back home for Christmas break, as that same drink in Bloomington is between $2-$4.

Congrats to those who got in who want to attend. Post up any questions on here, or shoot me a PM if you want.

[LogosEther]

Nah, didn't take IP w/ Janis, I'm a 1L. I've just met with him, gone to the IPA meetings, and I've spoken with him and others about his plans for the IP program here. It's all very good stuff. I'll probably be taking the basic IP class in the fall.

"Murder Kroger" is so true. It's like a GTA flashback rolling up to that store. Totally using that term from now on.

[Spoonmanners]

Nah, didn't take IP w/ Janis, I'm a 1L. I've just met with him, gone to the IPA meetings, and I've spoken with him and others about his plans for the IP program here. It's all very good stuff. I'll probably be taking the basic IP class in the fall.

"Murder Kroger" is so true. It's like a GTA flashback rolling up to that store. Totally using that term from now on.

I can give you some advice on classes. I didn't take Patents because it was like 8:45 in the morning, and my dedication only runs so deep.

[johnnyutah]

No one has actually been murdered at the murder Kroger... it just looks like a place someone could get murdered.

...in Bloomington?

[Spoonmanners]

No one has actually been murdered at the murder Kroger... it just looks like a place someone could get murdered.

...in Bloomington?

Yeah, there is a dumpy Kroger right around the school, while the other ones in Bloomington are nice and new. It's been affectionately called the Murder Kroger by a number of people. I've been in there once, and tend to bump into other law students at the non-Murder Krogers.