UChi Students & Alumni Taking Questions Forum

[middlebear]

Anyone have a read on which schools' offers are particularly useful for negotiating w/Chi? I mean, I'm guessing that YHSCCN would be absolute best, but below that, do they seem to get picky on who is a peer and who isn't? Right now, I have offers in hand from Duke, Michigan, and Cornell (and am hoping to hear from Berkeley this week), but am wondering if I should wait to submit their reconsideration form until I might have something from Columbia.

[slurpy]

Can any current students give me some perspective on attending Chicago for public interest law (and as a flaming liberal)? I got a pretty good scholarship given my numbers, love their LRAP, love the city, but concerned that I might not fit with the school culture.

[beepboopbeep]

Re: negotiating, I had success using a CLS offer, but didn't get into those other schools. Weird cycle. Just offering a datapoint since you haven't gotten any other responses.

Re: school culture, I wouldn't worry about it. You can pretty much ignore the political stuff if you want to, and will find people who sympathize with whatever you believe. The vocal conservative bloc is still a minority (I'd guess); most people don't go out of their way to identify either way. Our class sizes are smaller but just like at any place, you find your group. Can't speak to the PI stuff but friends of mine who are going that direction seem pretty happy with the support they've gotten. From the outside, it seems that the clinical professors are pretty awesome and will go to bat for you at prominent PI orgs.

[elterrible78]

Can any current students give me some perspective on attending Chicago for public interest law (and as a flaming liberal)? I got a pretty good scholarship given my numbers, love their LRAP, love the city, but concerned that I might not fit with the school culture.

I'm not a PI guy, so I can't say much about that (although the PI people I know are having things work out for them just fine), but I wouldn't worry about fitting with the school culture. There's a very vocal contingent of conservative students here, but overall I'd say that most students lean left if they lean at all. The focus on law and econ in classes like torts can be a little overwhelming and disorienting for students at first (and especially liberal students), but it's actually a fantastic analytical toolkit for thinking about the law, and life in general, as long as you know where the limits are.

If you got a good scholly and love the LRAP (and what's not to love), you should strongly considering coming here, and not worry for a second about fitting in, because you will (we're thankfully very light on hipsters, though; so if you are one, I take back what I just said).

[Mack.Hambleton]

How much were any students able to negotiate up from initial offers?

[slurpy]

Can any current students give me some perspective on attending Chicago for public interest law (and as a flaming liberal)? I got a pretty good scholarship given my numbers, love their LRAP, love the city, but concerned that I might not fit with the school culture.

I'm not a PI guy, so I can't say much about that (although the PI people I know are having things work out for them just fine), but I wouldn't worry about fitting with the school culture. There's a very vocal contingent of conservative students here, but overall I'd say that most students lean left if they lean at all. The focus on law and econ in classes like torts can be a little overwhelming and disorienting for students at first (and especially liberal students), but it's actually a fantastic analytical toolkit for thinking about the law, and life in general, as long as you know where the limits are.

If you got a good scholly and love the LRAP (and what's not to love), you should strongly considering coming here, and not worry for a second about fitting in, because you will (we're thankfully very light on hipsters, though; so if you are one, I take back what I just said).

Yay! Hipsters are the worst! Thanks a lot for the response.

[elterrible78]

How much were any students able to negotiate up from initial offers?

I negotiated my way to an extra $15k per year.

[middlebear]

How much were any students able to negotiate up from initial offers?

I negotiated my way to an extra $15k per year.

Good to hear, that's sort of what I'm keeping in mind as a "realistic" goal. And thanks beepboopbeep for your response also!

ETA: I'm not sure if I asked this before, and I've read through chunks of this thread and haven't seen much - does anyone have experience having a dog at Regent's? I know they say on their website they're pet friendly, I'm wondering if they have limits on that. (Might/would be thrilled to adopt a pooch this summer.)

[Crowing]

Can any current students give me some perspective on attending Chicago for public interest law (and as a flaming liberal)? I got a pretty good scholarship given my numbers, love their LRAP, love the city, but concerned that I might not fit with the school culture.

I'm not a PI guy, so I can't say much about that (although the PI people I know are having things work out for them just fine), but I wouldn't worry about fitting with the school culture. There's a very vocal contingent of conservative students here, but overall I'd say that most students lean left if they lean at all. The focus on law and econ in classes like torts can be a little overwhelming and disorienting for students at first (and especially liberal students), but it's actually a fantastic analytical toolkit for thinking about the law, and life in general, as long as you know where the limits are.

If you got a good scholly and love the LRAP (and what's not to love), you should strongly considering coming here, and not worry for a second about fitting in, because you will (we're thankfully very light on hipsters, though; so if you are one, I take back what I just said).

Why you hate me sir

[AspiringAcademic]

Why you hate me sir

Well, we have to hate someone, and the furries have claws.

[elterrible78]

Can any current students give me some perspective on attending Chicago for public interest law (and as a flaming liberal)? I got a pretty good scholarship given my numbers, love their LRAP, love the city, but concerned that I might not fit with the school culture.

I'm not a PI guy, so I can't say much about that (although the PI people I know are having things work out for them just fine), but I wouldn't worry about fitting with the school culture. There's a very vocal contingent of conservative students here, but overall I'd say that most students lean left if they lean at all. The focus on law and econ in classes like torts can be a little overwhelming and disorienting for students at first (and especially liberal students), but it's actually a fantastic analytical toolkit for thinking about the law, and life in general, as long as you know where the limits are.

If you got a good scholly and love the LRAP (and what's not to love), you should strongly considering coming here, and not worry for a second about fitting in, because you will (we're thankfully very light on hipsters, though; so if you are one, I take back what I just said).

Why you hate me sir

You are a pretty stealth, non-offensive hipster. I love you man. One ironic mustache could change that, though.

[UofCforme]

I'm in the process of trying to book a short vacation after OCI and before 2L kicks off. Am I correct in assuming that all callbacks will be done M-F? Also, how much liberty do these firms give you in picking your callback dates? There would really only be one Friday that I would be unavailable. This is probably an unfounded concern, but I just wanted to cover my bases. Thanks!

[beepboopbeep]

I'm in the process of trying to book a short vacation after OCI and before 2L kicks off. Am I correct in assuming that all callbacks will be done M-F? Also, how much liberty do these firms give you in picking your callback dates? There would really only be one Friday that I would be unavailable. This is probably an unfounded concern, but I just wanted to cover my bases. Thanks!

I'd be wary, though I've heard OCI's a week earlier this year. I was doing CBs up until a week before classes.

In terms of how much freedom you have to set your CB dates - ranges from "total" to "none". A couple firms offered me very few available dates, some of which were very late (2-3 weeks after OCI ended). You usually do have at least the choice of 2-3 possible days, though, so if it's just like a Friday-Sunday or Friday-Monday thing you'd probably be fine.

Unsolicited but related advice: don't take OCI's advice to schedule your callbacks immediately. I heard back from my last-ish choice firms first and scheduled them basically as soon I heard back, which meant a solid week of CBs that, had I heard back from other firms first, I might not even have accepted. It's true that some CB slots can fill up fast, but balance some judgment about preferences with the need to get things figured out quickly. Ideally you get your top choice callbacks done quickly and can cancel the rest, or however many you feel like cancelling after the fun of free vacations wears off. Just don't feel like you need to get a same-day response back to firms--it'll be ok if you wait a little bit and your schedule will be much more manageable.

[2014]

There's something to be said about scheduling firms that have quick and high offer rates very soon. You can figure out what firms these are from TLA. A good example is SullCrom, scheduling that CB asap helps build your confidence because you can breathe easy knowing you have a great option locked up.

[jawsjawsjaws]

In the guide book it says student financial aid allocation is increased by $1500 on a one time basis to cover the cost of a laptop purchase. Can someone explain this in detail?

[Mal Reynolds]

In the guide book it says student financial aid allocation is increased by $1500 on a one time basis to cover the cost of a laptop purchase. Can someone explain this in detail?

Your mommy and daddy give you ten dollars to open a lemonade stand. So you go out and buy your cups and sugar and everything, but that ten dollars doesn't leave you with enough money to buy a new MacBook pro. So your mommy and daddy will give you eleven dollars as a one-time favor instead of ten dollars. That way you can open your lemonade stand and get your new MacBook.

[middlebear]

In the guide book it says student financial aid allocation is increased by $1500 on a one time basis to cover the cost of a laptop purchase. Can someone explain this in detail?

Your mommy and daddy give you ten dollars to open a lemonade stand. So you go out and buy your cups and sugar and everything, but that ten dollars doesn't leave you with enough money to buy a new MacBook pro. So your mommy and daddy will give you eleven dollars as a one-time favor instead of ten dollars. That way you can open your lemonade stand and get your new MacBook.

And this counts as aid, not loans? That is--I don't have to repay them for my shiny new laptop?

[Bildungsroman]

In the guide book it says student financial aid allocation is increased by $1500 on a one time basis to cover the cost of a laptop purchase. Can someone explain this in detail?

Your mommy and daddy give you ten dollars to open a lemonade stand. So you go out and buy your cups and sugar and everything, but that ten dollars doesn't leave you with enough money to buy a new MacBook pro. So your mommy and daddy will give you eleven dollars as a one-time favor instead of ten dollars. That way you can open your lemonade stand and get your new MacBook.

And this counts as aid, not loans? That is--I don't have to repay them for my shiny new laptop?

They increase the cost of attendance for one year by $1500, which increases the loans for which you are eligible.

[Mal Reynolds]

In the guide book it says student financial aid allocation is increased by $1500 on a one time basis to cover the cost of a laptop purchase. Can someone explain this in detail?

Your mommy and daddy give you ten dollars to open a lemonade stand. So you go out and buy your cups and sugar and everything, but that ten dollars doesn't leave you with enough money to buy a new MacBook pro. So your mommy and daddy will give you eleven dollars as a one-time favor instead of ten dollars. That way you can open your lemonade stand and get your new MacBook.

And this counts as aid, not loans? That is--I don't have to repay them for my shiny new laptop?

No it's a loan. You're only allocated a certain budget each year based on estimates of your cost of living. You could maybe afford a laptop without the computer increase, but that would likely mean you'd have to live cheaply or with a roommate or something. It's best to play around with the numbers given where you're considering living.

Also keep in mind the budget is only calculated based on the nine months during the school year. So summer is not counted.

[future!jd12]

What is the success rate with students being admitted off the wait list? I'm trying to determine if it is worth it to pursue it or if I should just withdraw. I would go to Chicago if admitted, but am perfectly content to go to Cornell with $.

[Mal Reynolds]

I think it's very much dependent on yield and probably varies year to year. If memory serves there wasn't much movement last year. But I would double check the wait list threads from the last couple years to confirm that. I don't know why you would withdraw either way though.

[skers]

Yeah, no real reason to withdraw or anything, but at the same time I don't really know what kind of $$ you'd get off the WL so it's probably not a good option in any case.

[elterrible78]

Yeah, no real reason to withdraw or anything, but at the same time I don't really know what kind of $$ you'd get off the WL so it's probably not a good option in any case.

Someone got a Cafaro off the WL a couple years ago, so you never know.

[Hugh Hefner]

Can someone please tell me if taking Corporate Lab instead of a seminar will further my lower stress spring quarter goal? I hate seminars because of the giant papers due at the back end.

[Un Chien Andalou]

I think the corporate lab is the most poorly managed and absurd program at the law school. That's not to say it can't be really easy if you're lucky enough to get a good group and you don't get screwed over, either by the professors, student directors, or your teammates-which are all possibilities. But your grade performance is almost entirely divorced from the actual work you put in for any number of reasons. I've seem really smart people get totally screwed over and really lazy people skate by and get really good grades.

I totally regret taking the corporate lab and even though I probably put in less work than a doctrinal class I don't think the undue stress and ridiculous hoops you need to jump through are worth it at all. I'm posting this from an alt because I would rather not have these thoughts linked back to my profile for fear of retribution. If this sounds like I'm a tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist it's because I've heard of grade retribution from negative professor evaluations and other crap like that.

So I say enter corporate lab at your own peril. It can really go any number of ways but if I had the chance to do it again I wouldn't.