Northwestern 1L/2L/3L/Grads Taking Questions and Challenges Forum

[bk1]

Sounds about right...on the random ties, it depends on which states those are and what their legal market is like, the midwest states that touch IL will send some firms to NU OCI and having real ties generally means that those firms don't care very much about your grades (a general, but not universal rule in my experience).

What about socal? I'm sure its a lot more competitive than "grades don't matter", but do you know anyone from socal that has gotten biglaw near median?

I've seen NorCal (harder than SoCal) from median-ish, but that's very much the exception and not the rule. If you're median, going for CA is a poor idea. Put all your chips on NYC instead.

[lmsf]

Sounds about right...on the random ties, it depends on which states those are and what their legal market is like, the midwest states that touch IL will send some firms to NU OCI and having real ties generally means that those firms don't care very much about your grades (a general, but not universal rule in my experience).

What about socal? I'm sure its a lot more competitive than "grades don't matter", but do you know anyone from socal that has gotten biglaw near median?

I've seen NorCal (harder than SoCal) from median-ish, but that's very much the exception and not the rule. If you're median, going for CA is a poor idea. Put all your chips on NYC instead.

At what rank do you have a good shot at NorCal? Top 25%? Do a lot of NorCal firms come to OCI?

Also, any thoughts on the AJD program? U of Chicago vs. Northwestern job prospects? Thanks!

[mosquito]

Hi, I want to know what required courses I will take in the first semester (fall semester) at Northwestern Law. Your reply would be greatly appreciated!

Fall:
Torts
Civil Procedure
Contracts
either Property or Criminal Law
Communication & Legal Research

Spring:
either Property or Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Elective
Elective
Communication & Legal Research

Thank you soooooooooo much!!!!

[rinkrat19]

Hi, I want to know what required courses I will take in the first semester (fall semester) at Northwestern Law. Your reply would be greatly appreciated!

Fall:
Torts
Civil Procedure
Contracts
either Property or Criminal Law
Communication & Legal Research

Spring:
either Property or Criminal Law
Constitutional Law
Elective
Elective
Communication & Legal Research

Thank you soooooooooo much!!!!

Blumpbeef reminded me that the R in CLR actually stands for "Reasoning." But whatever, it's still everyone's favorite legal writing class.

[bk1]

At what rank do you have a good shot at NorCal? Top 25%? Do a lot of NorCal firms come to OCI?

Also, any thoughts on the AJD program? U of Chicago vs. Northwestern job prospects? Thanks!

As a rough estimate, I'd say top 1/3 gives you a decent shot. Plenty of NorCal firms come to OCI. I think AJD gives slightly worse job prospects and doesn't cost much less or take much less time to justify it, but if you've got good work experience you will probably come out of it fine. UChi has definitely better job prospects than NU, across the board imo.

[bjsesq]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

[09042014]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

Being an encino man is something to be proud of.

[bjsesq]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

Being an encino man is something to be proud of.

Not really kidding, but solid joke anyway.

[Icculus]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

On a lighter note, it wouldgreat if you were actually referenced as bjesquire on all voting materials. Someone should talk the SBA about this. It would allow me to steal my friend's PS3 handle, BusterHighman420 going forward. A name I almost used as a CLR psuedonym last year.

[rinkrat19]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

Having never heard of any of the other peeps, who should we vote for instead?

[homestyle28]

I'm asking you all, as a personal favor to me, to not vote for me for that courage award. I don't want it, and nobody asked if they could nominate me. Just leave me be on this one.

Didn't realize that JaeWon was on TLS...voting for the guy with the unparalleled sense of humor then.

[oaken]

What if I prefer to live outside the downtown area?
Some students chose to live in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and River North. Typically, these locations are supplied with three-flat apartment buildings, some loft living and mid-rise buildings. However, the cost for living in these locations can be around 10 percent higher than in the Streeterville area. These areas are popular for bars and a neighborhood "feel;" however, students often choose to frequent these areas on weekends rather than have to deal with the daily commute downtown. StudentSpace does offer numerous housing options along Dearborn Avenue for students who want to live closer to the nightlife of the Rush and Division area, but would prefer a minimal walk (10-12 min) to campus.

Is the bolded even true? I feel like everything I've looked at on the internet (mainly Lincoln Park and Lakeview) is significantly cheaper than anything in Streeterville.

[bjsesq]

What if I prefer to live outside the downtown area?
Some students chose to live in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and River North. Typically, these locations are supplied with three-flat apartment buildings, some loft living and mid-rise buildings. However, the cost for living in these locations can be around 10 percent higher than in the Streeterville area. These areas are popular for bars and a neighborhood "feel;" however, students often choose to frequent these areas on weekends rather than have to deal with the daily commute downtown. StudentSpace does offer numerous housing options along Dearborn Avenue for students who want to live closer to the nightlife of the Rush and Division area, but would prefer a minimal walk (10-12 min) to campus.

Is the bolded even true? I feel like everything I've looked at on the internet (mainly Lincoln Park and Lakeview) is significantly cheaper than anything in Streeterville.

Ignore student space. That shit is not true.

[bk1]

What if I prefer to live outside the downtown area?
Some students chose to live in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and River North. Typically, these locations are supplied with three-flat apartment buildings, some loft living and mid-rise buildings. However, the cost for living in these locations can be around 10 percent higher than in the Streeterville area. These areas are popular for bars and a neighborhood "feel;" however, students often choose to frequent these areas on weekends rather than have to deal with the daily commute downtown. StudentSpace does offer numerous housing options along Dearborn Avenue for students who want to live closer to the nightlife of the Rush and Division area, but would prefer a minimal walk (10-12 min) to campus.

Is the bolded even true? I feel like everything I've looked at on the internet (mainly Lincoln Park and Lakeview) is significantly cheaper than anything in Streeterville.

Ignore student space. That shit is not true.

+1

[oaken]

What if I prefer to live outside the downtown area?
Some students chose to live in the surrounding neighborhoods, such as Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Lakeview, Old Town, and River North. Typically, these locations are supplied with three-flat apartment buildings, some loft living and mid-rise buildings. However, the cost for living in these locations can be around 10 percent higher than in the Streeterville area. These areas are popular for bars and a neighborhood "feel;" however, students often choose to frequent these areas on weekends rather than have to deal with the daily commute downtown. StudentSpace does offer numerous housing options along Dearborn Avenue for students who want to live closer to the nightlife of the Rush and Division area, but would prefer a minimal walk (10-12 min) to campus.

Is the bolded even true? I feel like everything I've looked at on the internet (mainly Lincoln Park and Lakeview) is significantly cheaper than anything in Streeterville.

Ignore student space. That shit is not true.

+1

Thanks, that's what I thought. It seemed the cheapest Streeterville studios are like $1,200 and I was finding $700-900 ones elsewhere. How would you guys recommend looking for non-Streeterville places? Any good way besides Craigslist?

[Samara]

Thanks, that's what I thought. It seemed the cheapest Streeterville studios are like $1,200 and I was finding $700-900 ones elsewhere. How would you guys recommend looking for non-Streeterville places? Any good way besides Craigslist?

Wow, that's...kind of insulting that they would allow such misleading information on the site. Outside of Streeterville is much cheaper.

There are services like Chicago Apartment Finders, but they have been panned by pretty much everyone I've heard from. I talked to them a couple times and was quite underwhelmed by their selection, but it was kind of useful for getting a general feel for the market. I've heard good things about brokers if you can find a good one. That can be difficult though and is probably only useful if you want to rent a condo in a high-rise.

Domu.com and padmapper.com are pretty good, but I ended up finding my place on Craigslist. It's a lot to wade through, but if you figure out exactly what you want, you can find better deals there. Craigslist is the way to go, IMO.

[09042014]

Thanks, that's what I thought. It seemed the cheapest Streeterville studios are like $1,200 and I was finding $700-900 ones elsewhere. How would you guys recommend looking for non-Streeterville places? Any good way besides Craigslist?

Wow, that's...kind of insulting that they would allow such misleading information on the site. Outside of Streeterville is much cheaper.

There are services like Chicago Apartment Finders, but they have been panned by pretty much everyone I've heard from. I talked to them a couple times and was quite underwhelmed by their selection, but it was kind of useful for getting a general feel for the market. I've heard good things about brokers if you can find a good one. That can be difficult though and is probably only useful if you want to rent a condo in a high-rise.

Domu.com and padmapper.com are pretty good, but I ended up finding my place on Craigslist. It's a lot to wade through, but if you figure out exactly what you want, you can find better deals there. Craigslist is the way to go, IMO.

A broker with Chicago Apartment Finders helped me this summer. His name was Craig Hundley, and I highly recommend him personally. As to CAP as a group I dunno.

[Samara]

Thanks, that's what I thought. It seemed the cheapest Streeterville studios are like $1,200 and I was finding $700-900 ones elsewhere. How would you guys recommend looking for non-Streeterville places? Any good way besides Craigslist?

Wow, that's...kind of insulting that they would allow such misleading information on the site. Outside of Streeterville is much cheaper.

There are services like Chicago Apartment Finders, but they have been panned by pretty much everyone I've heard from. I talked to them a couple times and was quite underwhelmed by their selection, but it was kind of useful for getting a general feel for the market. I've heard good things about brokers if you can find a good one. That can be difficult though and is probably only useful if you want to rent a condo in a high-rise.

Domu.com and padmapper.com are pretty good, but I ended up finding my place on Craigslist. It's a lot to wade through, but if you figure out exactly what you want, you can find better deals there. Craigslist is the way to go, IMO.

A broker with Chicago Apartment Finders helped me this summer. His name was Craig Hundley, and I highly recommend him personally. As to CAP as a group I dunno.

Nice. My guy was fine, just not good at finding places that met my specifications. It can be pretty hit or miss as many of their agents are college kids there for short-term work.

[09042014]

Thanks, that's what I thought. It seemed the cheapest Streeterville studios are like $1,200 and I was finding $700-900 ones elsewhere. How would you guys recommend looking for non-Streeterville places? Any good way besides Craigslist?

Wow, that's...kind of insulting that they would allow such misleading information on the site. Outside of Streeterville is much cheaper.

There are services like Chicago Apartment Finders, but they have been panned by pretty much everyone I've heard from. I talked to them a couple times and was quite underwhelmed by their selection, but it was kind of useful for getting a general feel for the market. I've heard good things about brokers if you can find a good one. That can be difficult though and is probably only useful if you want to rent a condo in a high-rise.

Domu.com and padmapper.com are pretty good, but I ended up finding my place on Craigslist. It's a lot to wade through, but if you figure out exactly what you want, you can find better deals there. Craigslist is the way to go, IMO.

A broker with Chicago Apartment Finders helped me this summer. His name was Craig Hundley, and I highly recommend him personally. As to CAP as a group I dunno.

Nice. My guy was fine, just not good at finding places that met my specifications. It can be pretty hit or miss as many of their agents are college kids there for short-term work.

Ah, this guy is pretty cool, and was an adult. I got a small place in goldcoast for 850 (included cable and heat).

[Flips88]

I'll throw in a recommendation for Chicago Apartment Finders too. For 1L housing I flew into Chi on 4th of July weekend and had basically 1 day to find a place and got it locked down fine.

[Cobretti]

Anyone have any specific advice for neighborhoods that are dog friendly? Bringing a 115 lb german shepherd with me.

[bjsesq]

Anyone have any specific advice for neighborhoods that are dog friendly? Bringing a 115 lb german shepherd with me.

It's not so much a neighborhood friendly thing as it is building by building.

[Cobretti]

Anyone have any specific advice for neighborhoods that are dog friendly? Bringing a 115 lb german shepherd with me.

It's not so much a neighborhood friendly thing as it is building by building.

Was asking more along the lines of places to walk him, parks, etc. Do your classmates with pets tend to live in certain areas that they recommend?

[bjsesq]

Anyone have any specific advice for neighborhoods that are dog friendly? Bringing a 115 lb german shepherd with me.

It's not so much a neighborhood friendly thing as it is building by building.

Was asking more along the lines of places to walk him, parks, etc. Do your classmates with pets tend to live in certain areas that they recommend?

I have a dog and live in east lakeview. Great parks to walk oyur pet.

[Cobretti]

Anyone have any specific advice for neighborhoods that are dog friendly? Bringing a 115 lb german shepherd with me.

It's not so much a neighborhood friendly thing as it is building by building.

Was asking more along the lines of places to walk him, parks, etc. Do your classmates with pets tend to live in certain areas that they recommend?

I have a dog and live in east lakeview. Great parks to walk oyur pet.

Awesome thanks