UChi Students & Alumni Taking Questions Forum

[applelover]

I now have a UChi email!

Now I need to think of a cool alias.

[drawstring]

Is $100k the typical biglaw starting salary in Chicago?

[2014]

Is $100k the typical biglaw starting salary in Chicago?

No, it's relatively split between $145k and $160k and the firms that hire the biggest classes are basically all at $160k with a few exceptions.

[applelover]

Does anyone ITT have a zip car membership? Is it worth it if I just plan on using it for trips to the grocery store?

[Mal Reynolds]

Does anyone ITT have a zip car membership? Is it worth it if I just plan on using it for trips to the grocery store?

Yeah it's worth it for Trader Joe's/Target/Whole Foods trips. I usually take the 171 from school to Treasure Island to the Del Prado stop and then walk over to regents. But that's a pain in the ass if I'm carrying a lot of groceries. So I usually bum a ride off of a friend with a car. But treasure island is fucking expensive for what you get. Hyde Park produce has better produce but they have jack shit selection for dry grocery type stuff. So the best bang for your buck is some combination of TJ's, Target, and Costco.

There is a zip car stop right by regents I believe.

[20141023]

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[drawstring]

I know the recent big law numbers were very positive, but anecdotally, what types of students get big law?

Specifically, if you are at or below median how common is it to get big law?

It is still common to get big law at/below median. It will require more hustle, a focus on your interviewing skills, and smart bidding (NY), but the opportunity is there. I can only think of a couple people that wanted big law and didn't get it, and it was not because of grades.

edit: it is hard for employers to figure out who is a a little under/over/at median due to our quirky grades. My experience is they lump people into the following categories: very bad grades (not common), median grades (huge chunk), good grades, great grades.

Awesome, thanks for answering the question! Especially curious because big law Chicago/NYC is my end goal.

Follow-up interviewing question. I don't actually have any ties to Chicago, except for the fact I will be attending UChicago, but I am very interested in living/settling down in Chicago after graduation. Is attending UChicago and saying you want to be in Chicago enough to be considered "ties" in a big law interview? (Sorry if this is a stupid question, I am new to this topic)

Not a stupid question. Yeah, attending UChicago is enough of a "tie" as far as firms are concerned.

Do other students agree with this? I've read a few threads suggesting that Chicago biglaw is difficult to crack for students without ties to the area, even if they attend NU or UChi.

[applelover]

Yeah it's worth it for Trader Joe's/Target/Whole Foods trips. I usually take the 171 from school to Treasure Island to the Del Prado stop and then walk over to regents. But that's a pain in the ass if I'm carrying a lot of groceries. So I usually bum a ride off of a friend with a car. But treasure island is fucking expensive for what you get. Hyde Park produce has better produce but they have jack shit selection for dry grocery type stuff. So the best bang for your buck is some combination of TJ's, Target, and Costco.

There is a zip car stop right by regents I believe.

Mal is too cool for rolley backpacks, and these.

(I tried to convince my wife that we should get one, and she was like, "I think I'll stick with carrying our groceries by hand." )

Haha. I just might have to get one of those carts because I definitely won't be carrying anything more than juice or milk from treasure island to Shoreland.

I'll probably have to get the zipcar membership for my trips to Sam's Club. I doubt anyone would let me bum a ride that far. Maybe I can find someone else to make the trips with and split the cost.

[midwest17]

Does anyone ITT have a zip car membership? Is it worth it if I just plan on using it for trips to the grocery store?

There's a student discount so the membership is only like $15/year, and then cars are only about $10/hour. You can easily save enough money on a big trip to Costco to make it worth it. Splitting the cost with someone else who also wants to go shopping is a good idea too.

[applelover]

Does anyone ITT have a zip car membership? Is it worth it if I just plan on using it for trips to the grocery store?

There's a student discount so the membership is only like $15/year, and then cars are only about $10/hour. You can easily save enough money on a big trip to Costco to make it worth it. Splitting the cost with someone else who also wants to go shopping is a good idea too.

Thanks! I didn't know about the student discount.

[applelover]

Do any of you 1Ls have a SA position for this summer?

[elterrible78]

Do any of you 1Ls have a SA position for this summer?

Yeah, I have one. I haven't asked a ton of people what they're doing, but I know there are a few of us, at least.

[20141023]

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[WhiteyCakes]

Do any of you 1Ls have a SA position for this summer?

Yeah, I have one. I haven't asked a ton of people what they're doing, but I know there are a few of us, at least.

I don't talk to a lot of people outside of our core TLS group / my section at school, so there's a good chance I just don't know them, but elterrible78 is the only other non-URM person I know who has a biglaw 1L SA this summer. Do you guys know of any other non-URMs in your sections that are going that route this summer?

I know of some Texas non urm people

[Mal Reynolds]

We don't count Texas people here.

[elterrible78]

Do any of you 1Ls have a SA position for this summer?

Yeah, I have one. I haven't asked a ton of people what they're doing, but I know there are a few of us, at least.

I don't talk to a lot of people outside of our core TLS group / my section at school, so there's a good chance I just don't know them, but elterrible78 is the only other non-URM person I know who has a biglaw 1L SA this summer. Do you guys know of any other non-URMs in your sections that are going that route this summer?

I know of a non-URM going to a firm in Idaho this summer. I can't remember which firm, and I'm not sure it's a biglaw firm or not, although I think it is.

[20141023]

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[Ricky-Bobby]

Speaking of Texas- how do people without strong ties fair with 1L SAs? How about 2L? Does someone at median stand a decent chance of landing Baker Botts, etc?

[20141023]

.

[midwest17]

Speaking of Texas- how do people without strong ties fair with 1L SAs? How about 2L? Does someone at median stand a decent chance of landing Baker Botts, etc?

Even if you have ties to Texas, your chances of landing a 1L SA are never "good," period. Make sure to apply to a wide variety of jobs for your 1L summer, especially clinics - those will allow you to stay in Chicago during the summer, which IMO would be awesome.

How competitive are the clinics 1L summer? What are the decisions based on?

[Ricky-Bobby]

Speaking of Texas- how do people without strong ties fair with 1L SAs? How about 2L? Does someone at median stand a decent chance of landing Baker Botts, etc?

Even if you have ties to Texas, your chances of landing a 1L SA are never "good," period. Make sure to apply to a wide variety of jobs for your 1L summer, especially clinics - those will allow you to stay in Chicago during the summer, which IMO would be awesome.

Oh yeah, didn't mean to imply good chances. Just wondering if it's at all possible, given Texas's proclivity for giving out 1L SAs. I will cast a wide net either way. Thanks, Regulus.

[beepboopbeep]

Speaking of Texas- how do people without strong ties fair with 1L SAs? How about 2L? Does someone at median stand a decent chance of landing Baker Botts, etc?

Even if you have ties to Texas, your chances of landing a 1L SA are never "good," period. Make sure to apply to a wide variety of jobs for your 1L summer, especially clinics - those will allow you to stay in Chicago during the summer, which IMO would be awesome.

How competitive are the clinics 1L summer? What are the decisions based on?

Most people I know who wanted one got one, though our TLS group probably has a disproportionately high number of the clinic spots (incl both of the Federal Criminal Justice people). I got an RA gig before the hiring for clinics went out, but based on my interview I think I wasn't going to be getting one. Then again I'm shocked the prof I'll be working for hired me; it was a pretty bad interview.

Speaking of Texas- how do people without strong ties fair with 1L SAs? How about 2L? Does someone at median stand a decent chance of landing Baker Botts, etc?

Even if you have ties to Texas, your chances of landing a 1L SA are never "good," period. Make sure to apply to a wide variety of jobs for your 1L summer, especially clinics - those will allow you to stay in Chicago during the summer, which IMO would be awesome.

+1. 1L summer hiring is odd. I don't know anyone without a job at this point but lots are doing things that maybe weren't first choices. USAOs/Gov gigs are quite competitive (and those who got those are not who I'd have expected). I also don't know anyone other than you or elterrible with an SA but mostly I've talked to people who are doing clinics, RA, or businessy stuff.

Hyde Park is an awesome place during the summer. Way better than it is the rest of the year. The neighborhood comes alive. You'll be shocked how many people actually live here.

[elterrible78]

Just as a heads up, some 1L electives allowed a paper option last year and I imagine it's the same this go-around.

No paper options this year. A shame, considering the median in those classes is 178. I strongly suggest everyone take Epstein for the lulz.

Several months later, this was a fantastic recommendation.

[jaesonko]

does anyone know of shoreland offers furnished apartments and/or 10 month leases?

[beepboopbeep]

Just as a heads up, some 1L electives allowed a paper option last year and I imagine it's the same this go-around.

No paper options this year. A shame, considering the median in those classes is 178. I strongly suggest everyone take Epstein for the lulz.

Several months later, this was a fantastic recommendation.

Well hellooooooo