Penn Students Taking Questions Forum

[Georgiana]

also, one more legit question....

best/worst things about penn law?what would you change if you could?

thanks again for taking the time to entertain us 0Ls with your wisdom!

This is tough... I guess I'll just list a few things
Best:
-Electives during 1L year
-Location (easy to go to DC/NYC for the day/weekend)
-Cheaper than NYC/DC
-Great administration
-Very diverse faculty views
-Ability to take basically any grad level class for law school credit
-Great pro bono programs for students

Worst:
-Philly is meh
-Construction will be starting soon (it'll be great when done though!)
-Law school in general is very jading
-The temperature control sucks
-University housing is pretty bad

I'll add more if I think of them

[motiontodismiss]

Dunno, I'm already plenty jaded from undergrad......actually, I've become jaded, cynical, skeptical, and untrusting.

[lawschoollll]

Dunno, I'm already plenty jaded from undergrad......actually, I've become jaded, cynical, skeptical, and untrusting.

You've chosen the right profession.

[alex06]

I agree about Chicago being stingy with money...Penn gave me a significant scholarship last week, so I sent in my forms! It feels SO good to have made a final decision.

Advice on best cell phone service in Philly? It's such a city-by-city thing which service has the best reception.

Best bank? I have Bank of America, which is pretty much everywhere, but am thinking about switching...most convenient bank (service, ATM locations) in Philly?

Thanks for answering questions current Penn students!!

[Georgiana]

I agree about Chicago being stingy with money...Penn gave me a significant scholarship last week, so I sent in my forms! It feels SO good to have made a final decision.

Advice on best cell phone service in Philly? It's such a city-by-city thing which service has the best reception.

Best bank? I have Bank of America, which is pretty much everywhere, but am thinking about switching...most convenient bank (service, ATM locations) in Philly?

Thanks for answering questions current Penn students!!

I have Verizon and its great, I know people with AT&T and T Mobile as well though T Mobile has some dead spots in the law school.

I have BoA as well and don't have any problems, there's a bank at 19th and Market, one down on like 15th and Locust and they just opened one near campus around 38th and Walnut. I don't notice banks much but I know there are PNCs and a TD Bank near my apartment and there are Wachovias.

[kurla88]

I agree about Chicago being stingy with money...Penn gave me a significant scholarship last week, so I sent in my forms! It feels SO good to have made a final decision.

Advice on best cell phone service in Philly? It's such a city-by-city thing which service has the best reception.

Best bank? I have Bank of America, which is pretty much everywhere, but am thinking about switching...most convenient bank (service, ATM locations) in Philly?

Thanks for answering questions current Penn students!!

Congrats on choosing Penn!

I would say not AT&T. Constant dropped calls. Sprint has 4g here or I hear verizon is always good.

The biggest bank in the area is supposed to be PNC.

[alex06]

Another question...would it be a really bad idea to sign a lease for an apartment in one of the big high rise apartment buildings in Center City sight-unseen? I can't get to Philly until mid-summer and people have told me that I should really be working on the apartment search before then.

[motiontodismiss]

Dunno, I'm already plenty jaded from undergrad......actually, I've become jaded, cynical, skeptical, and untrusting.

You've chosen the right profession.

[Georgiana]

Another question...would it be a really bad idea to sign a lease for an apartment in one of the big high rise apartment buildings in Center City sight-unseen? I can't get to Philly until mid-summer and people have told me that I should really be working on the apartment search before then.

Which building? I know a few of them and can give you some input if you like. I know a few people who did sight unseen leases and most of those were at Domus, Left Bank or 2400 Chestnut.

[x47point6]

Re: the grad classes elsewhere at Penn. I have a lot of dilettantish interests outside of law. How difficult, or else impractical would it be to indulge them by taking random art and architecture classes that I have no intention of ultimately tying back into my legal career? Would that in any way affect the résumé or interview process down the line?

Also, when do the details of the pro bono requirement start to get hashed out?

[kurla88]

Another question...would it be a really bad idea to sign a lease for an apartment in one of the big high rise apartment buildings in Center City sight-unseen? I can't get to Philly until mid-summer and people have told me that I should really be working on the apartment search before then.

I managed to find a good apartment in mid-summer, but I might have got lucky... although you also should consider that many buildings won't know their availability till the last minute.

But yeah, if you want to tell us (PM if you'd like) what building it is, we can give you some idea about it.

[Georgiana]

Re: the grad classes elsewhere at Penn. I have a lot of dilettantish interests outside of law. How difficult, or else impractical would it be to indulge them by taking random art and architecture classes that I have no intention of ultimately tying back into my legal career? Would that in any way affect the résumé or interview process down the line?

In order to take a class you do need to somehow convince Dean Clinton that it is related to your legal education/career (even if you have to fudge the truth a little). There are people taking language classes, writing classes, and comp sci classes. I am planning to take a grad level cell bio class next year. Just think about how they will enhance your legal skills and try to sell him on it. He much prefers approving a class to not approving it (I don't know of anything he hasn't approved assuming you put in effort trying to convince him).

Also, when do the details of the pro bono requirement start to get hashed out?

The pro bono requirement isn't changing as far as I know. You are required to have 35 hours by the end of 2L and 70 by the end of 3L. If you do more, you get recognition at graduation (and on your diploma I think).

[lostmyname]

You guys may not be able to answer this question but.... I want a big firm job in Miami, would you guys say graduating from Penn I would be a shoe in for a smaller market? You guys may not know Miami in specific but do people find jobs really easily when they look outside the typical NY, etc.

FYI -- I have a few friends from Miami that have had a tough time finding a summer clerkship for 1L. I'm not sure if their situations have been resolved by now, but a lot of the internships that FL judges offer seem to be year-long internships, which cuts off a lot of students from non-FL schools.

[lostmyname]

Re: the grad classes elsewhere at Penn. I have a lot of dilettantish interests outside of law. How difficult, or else impractical would it be to indulge them by taking random art and architecture classes that I have no intention of ultimately tying back into my legal career? Would that in any way affect the résumé or interview process down the line?

As an aside, note that there's definitely a limit to how many grad classes you can take for law credit -- I think it's 12. The Wharton certificate -- a popular option -- eats up 9 of those. Just FYI.

[lostmyname]

thank you underachiever and kurla88 for the responses. i did visit both and definitely preferred penn's atmosphere, and i really like the gender and sexuality certificate they offer. i guess i'm just not convinced these things are worth passing up chicago's job placement power (especially on the west coast), despite chicago's somewhat repressed social atmosphere.

i also like penn's grading system better.....and the campus is way nicer than chicago! liked philly better too.

[some text omitted]

Ok, I still think you should go to Penn. The differences between Chi and Penn are definitely overblown. Personal happiness is a huge factor.

STRONGLY agreed. I can't comment on Chicago, but people are generally happy at Penn. I've heard professors comment that they prefer teaching at Penn over other schools (of similar caliber) because people are much less miserable here. Good luck on deciding.

[lostmyname]

Another question...would it be a really bad idea to sign a lease for an apartment in one of the big high rise apartment buildings in Center City sight-unseen? I can't get to Philly until mid-summer and people have told me that I should really be working on the apartment search before then.

If your goal is to live in a high-rise by yourself in a studio or 1-BR, you'll be fine even if you wait until mid-summer to look. Single occupancy units in the high-rises around town are easy to find as long as you're prepared to pay for them.

[blondebruin]

Thanks for the response! One last quick question: how do 1Ls usually find each other when searching for roommates? I don't know anyone who'll be in the 2013 class and am at a loss. Thanks again!

Are you from UCLA? I'm from Santa Clara, in Northern CA, and I have a brother at UCLA. I'll be in the 2013 class- I'm glad to see that someone else from CA (I'm assuming you are) will be there

Yeah, I'm UCLA undergrad and from San Diego. When I visited Penn I got to sit in on a class and the guy who was showing me around introduced me to a really surprising amount of people from CA, even some specifically from UCLA. I think it will be less of a culture shock than I had expected.

[dshenoy]

Yeah, I'm UCLA undergrad and from San Diego. When I visited Penn I got to sit in on a class and the guy who was showing me around introduced me to a really surprising amount of people from CA, even some specifically from UCLA. I think it will be less of a culture shock than I had expected.

Awesome! I was a little worried that most people would be from the East Coast. See you in the fall

[jc1988]

hi, i just have a small question in regards to tuition. I paid my deposit about 2 weeks ago. When is usually the deadline for tuition payment and what is the most convenient method to pay especially when I am overseas during the summer...

[Georgiana]

hi, i just have a small question in regards to tuition. I paid my deposit about 2 weeks ago. When is usually the deadline for tuition payment and what is the most convenient method to pay especially when I am overseas during the summer...

This site: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/index.htm has the billing dates as well as the different options for payment plans. If you are taking out loans none of this really matters because it is all taken care of internally. If you are paying tuition with savings or other income you'll want to look at those dates and determine whether you want to sign up for one of their payment plans.

I don't know much about paying for law school, just about taking out loans for it

[alex06]

Georgiana and Kurla-- thanks a ton for offering to let me know which apartment buildings I should look at! I've spent the last couple days scouring through the Wharton housing guide/combing the internet and I'm surprised at how expensive the rent is at the most ''popular'' places. I paid $1000/month in DC (2007-2008) and was somehow expecting to pay less in Philly. Guess not.....

I also went through the old posts of this thread and it looks like people were saying that it was possible to get apartments for $500-$600/month. WHERE? Brownstones that definitely won't be an option for me since I can't start looking in Philly until July?

Should I just expect to spend around $1000/month for a studio (hopefully w utilities included)? Most of the two bedrooms looked around $2000 so it doesn't look like having roommates really cuts down on costs. Any decent but cheaper recs? I would probably want to live in CC because I like going out and being part of the ''scene'' but to be honest, I don't really give a sh°° what my apartment looks like...I don't plan to spend very much time in it.

[calawbiz]

Georgiana and Kurla-- thanks a ton for offering to let me know which apartment buildings I should look at! I've spent the last couple days scouring through the Wharton housing guide/combing the internet and I'm surprised at how expensive the rent is at the most ''popular'' places. I paid $1000/month in DC (2007-2008) and was somehow expecting to pay less in Philly. Guess not.....

I also went through the old posts of this thread and it looks like people were saying that it was possible to get apartments for $500-$600/month. WHERE? Brownstones that definitely won't be an option for me since I can't start looking in Philly until July?

Should I just expect to spend around $1000/month for a studio (hopefully w utilities included)? Most of the two bedrooms looked around $2000 so it doesn't look like having roommates really cuts down on costs. Any decent but cheaper recs? I would probably want to live in CC because I like going out and being part of the ''scene'' but to be honest, I don't really give a sh°° what my apartment looks like...I don't plan to spend very much time in it.

Not sure if this will be much help at all, but I have friends who nabbed 1-bedrooms in brownstones in the Art Museum neighborhood (which is still basically CC) for $600-$800 during July of last year. Art Museum is less convenient for Penn students because there are no buses or trolleys that go directly to West Philly -- you'd have to take a bus and a trolley or bike -- but even that hasn't been much of a hassle for the people I know who have decided to live there. Also, a lot of the high rises run specials during the summers that allow you to lock in a reduced rent. Park Town Place does this during June and July for sure.

[kurla88]

I also went through the old posts of this thread and it looks like people were saying that it was possible to get apartments for $500-$600/month. WHERE? Brownstones that definitely won't be an option for me since I can't start looking in Philly until July?

Should I just expect to spend around $1000/month for a studio (hopefully w utilities included)? Most of the two bedrooms looked around $2000 so it doesn't look like having roommates really cuts down on costs. Any decent but cheaper recs? I would probably want to live in CC because I like going out and being part of the ''scene'' but to be honest, I don't really give a sh°° what my apartment looks like...I don't plan to spend very much time in it.

Don't assume any options will be closed off. While there's lots of colleges and students in Philly, I don't really feel like it's on the student schedule of everything disappearing in May.

As far as 2 bedrooms vs. studios, I think in the same building, a 2 bed is always going to be much cheaper. In my building, 2beds are about $1900, and studios are about $1400, for example.

I'm thinking that the $500 studios are only going to be in West Philly. Center City I could see happening for maybe $700 at a minimum.

Just fyi, one of my friends who had a cheaper studio (around $700 I think) in West Philly had a mouse infestation problem... so be prepared for something like that if you're going for a much cheaper/older place.

I think I did most of my searching on http://www.4wallsinphilly.com/ last year. I can send you my notes on the places I was looking into if you'd like.

[x47point6]

I live in Media (about 20 min from University City on the R3) and rents are considerably cheaper out here. We pay $950 for a 2br, though I assume there are even better deals throughout the other mainline suburbs.

[Core]

On a scale of 1-10, how common is it for Penn Law students to live alone in studios/efficiency apartments? I'm having some roomate-search issues - everyone wants to live in CC lol...