Indiana University - Bloomington students taking questions Forum

[Spoonmanners]

Also, are law students eligible for discount basketball tickets? Huge college basketball fan. My mid-major undergraduate would give us undergrad students free tickets but seemed to charge our business students.

It's about $250 for the season, or something around that. They tried to sucker me in when I get football tickets, but I'm not foolish enough to watch basketball

[Spoonmanners]

So I've been told that grades come back one at time, but does anyone know when they normally start to come in? Im assuming its mid january, but thats really based on nothing but conjecture.

For the summer grades, we got an email from the recorders office before they were posted. So, don't worry about it until they put em in, and they let you know before they are up. (I want all my grades except LRW).

[Spoonmanners]

Has anyone really ascertained the reason why Indiana shot up some 13 places from 36 to 23? Was it a matter of the generous scholarship allotment (I just got a full ride for numbers not far above median) toward higher scoring students, thereby pushing up incoming class scores for the News&Review?

Just trying to figure out how Indiana places, whether it really is a peer school of those ranked around it (Notre Dame, Boston College, boston u). After all, Indiana seems to have the same problem as other midwest schools- in that it lacks a real big-law market.

From the break downs I have seen, the actual difference between a top 35 school and top 25 school are minimal (numbers wise). The scholarships they dish out help move them up, but they have been improving anyways. Not sure if they expect to move up or down against next year, or whatever. A jump like that shows you that you shouldn't pick a school based on ranking alone, as any could really jump up or down, with zero effect on your actual job prospects/teaching experience.

The only thing the jump has done has allowed me to say "I go to a top 25 school" instead of "I go to a top 40 school". I'd live either way.

[Spoonmanners]

I don't mean to interrupt your conversation--though I admit that I find it interesting! I have a question, though:

How much communication should I expect from the admissions office? I submitted my application a little more than a week ago and got an app received Email but I haven't heard anything since. Do they have a status checker? Complete notifications? etc?

Thanks!

I got an email about scholarships/housing. That being weird, I checked my mail and found my acceptance. I got zero information, and asked for zero information, about the entire process. But they were very quick with my turn around.

[Spoonmanners]

Did any of you current 1Ls (or older, I suppose) submit "Why Indiana" essays? Do you think it helped your admission at all? If one was to write one, anything in particular you think should be included that the admissions office would like?

I didn't know you could even write one.

It couldn't hurt, but I think calling them incessantly to express you interest would be the same. Of course, I didn't write any essays, LOCI's, or call anyone. I was tired enough from filling out apps.

What you would include is beyond me. Mine would be: "You are a good school, and I would like to attend you, and I would pay sticker, assuming a better school doesn't give me the same deal." Or: "You sent me a fee waiver. If you send me a big scholarship, I will think about attending your school." I still don't understand or like the idea of the personal statement, no one can be straight forward.

[kings84_wr]

So I've been told that grades come back one at time, but does anyone know when they normally start to come in? Im assuming its mid january, but thats really based on nothing but conjecture.

For the summer grades, we got an email from the recorders office before they were posted. So, don't worry about it until they put em in, and they let you know before they are up. (I want all my grades except LRW).

Meh, LRW is a joke anyways, I think pretty much everyone is going to get a P.

[Spoonmanners]

It's a joke, but I'm betting on good grades and a low pass from LRW. I actually had a nightmare about LRW last night. It's weird. I just hate how awful my LRW teacher is, especially when compared to how awesome the rest of them have been.

If I do get a "Pass", it is officially a joke. Notice my comma is outside the quotes! It looks better. Fuck you LRW.

[Bankhead]

Dude, you won't get a low pass. I was afraid of this myself

My memo was horrible. I wrote it the night before, pulling a true all nighter.

Every line was marked with something like "You're way off the mark", "Not even close", "Wow, this needs improvement". I think on page 11 1/2 the teacher finally said "You're an idiot".

I still came in exactly at the median... I think you'd need to actually take a shit on the paper before handing it in to get the low pass.

[Unjust Enrichment]

Dude, you won't get a low pass. I was afraid of this myself

My memo was horrible. I wrote it the night before, pulling a true all nighter.

Every line was marked with something like "You're way off the mark", "Not even close", "Wow, this needs improvement". I think on page 11 1/2 the teacher finally said "You're an idiot".

I still came in exactly at the median... I think you'd need to actually take a shit on the paper before handing it in to get the low pass.

My grade came in with a score near the lowest score in the class. The prof sent us an e-mail that explicitly said that people with scores in my range had memos of "low pass" quality.

I was slightly above average on the grammar test and I got all of my stuff in during the semester, but as heavily weighted as the memo is, I still figure there's a chance that I get a low pass in the class. Since it shows up as a pass either way, I don't care too much.

[Bankhead]

Dude, you won't get a low pass. I was afraid of this myself

My memo was horrible. I wrote it the night before, pulling a true all nighter.

Every line was marked with something like "You're way off the mark", "Not even close", "Wow, this needs improvement". I think on page 11 1/2 the teacher finally said "You're an idiot".

I still came in exactly at the median... I think you'd need to actually take a shit on the paper before handing it in to get the low pass.

My grade came in with a score near the lowest score in the class. The prof sent us an e-mail that explicitly said that people with scores in my range had memos of "low pass" quality.

I was slightly above average on the grammar test and I got all of my stuff in during the semester, but as heavily weighted as the memo is, I still figure there's a chance that I get a low pass in the class. Since it shows up as a pass either way, I don't care too much.

Err, sorry. I meant no offense. I completely bombed the grammar exam, heh.

And right, it doesn't matter anyway.

[Unjust Enrichment]

Dude, you won't get a low pass. I was afraid of this myself

My memo was horrible. I wrote it the night before, pulling a true all nighter.

Every line was marked with something like "You're way off the mark", "Not even close", "Wow, this needs improvement". I think on page 11 1/2 the teacher finally said "You're an idiot".

I still came in exactly at the median... I think you'd need to actually take a shit on the paper before handing it in to get the low pass.

My grade came in with a score near the lowest score in the class. The prof sent us an e-mail that explicitly said that people with scores in my range had memos of "low pass" quality.

I was slightly above average on the grammar test and I got all of my stuff in during the semester, but as heavily weighted as the memo is, I still figure there's a chance that I get a low pass in the class. Since it shows up as a pass either way, I don't care too much.

Err, sorry. I meant no offense. I completely bombed the grammar exam, heh.

And right, it doesn't matter anyway.

Oh definitely no offense taken (I wasn't the one you were responding to before anyway), I did the whole paper the day before it was due and put in minimal effort. I was a little surprised at how much my prof hated it since I'm comfortable with my writing ability, but my sequence was essentially to get out of my last final, go pick up my memo, see how much it sucked, shake off my disappointment in ~20 seconds, and head to the bar to celebrate the end of the semester.

While I'd prefer to see a pass to a low pass when my report card comes...whatever.

[Spoonmanners]

Dude, you won't get a low pass. I was afraid of this myself

My memo was horrible. I wrote it the night before, pulling a true all nighter.

Every line was marked with something like "You're way off the mark", "Not even close", "Wow, this needs improvement". I think on page 11 1/2 the teacher finally said "You're an idiot".

I still came in exactly at the median... I think you'd need to actually take a shit on the paper before handing it in to get the low pass.

I should have been clearer. I don't care about LRW. Or what I get in that class. I do find it to be ridiculous most everything you get back is below failing but you still pass the class. I spent most of my time in that class trying to figure out what we are actually supposed to do.

I would note trade a an "A" for an "A-" and that scribe award. I just really wanted to vent more than anything. A low pass is still a pass on the official transcript.

BTB, good luck on grades yall.

[superflush]

How mobile is the degree?

I know there about 8 of us from CA that are 1l's this year.

My biggest question for you guys is how comfortable did Indiana make you feel about placement?
kings84_wr, I take it you are from the Bay Area ... did IU do any convincing of the strength of their placement? Did they give you a good understanding of what placement one would expect from where they land in the class?

[kings84_wr]

How mobile is the degree?

I know there about 8 of us from CA that are 1l's this year.

My biggest question for you guys is how comfortable did Indiana make you feel about placement?
kings84_wr, I take it you are from the Bay Area ... did IU do any convincing of the strength of their placement? Did they give you a good understanding of what placement one would expect from where they land in the class?

Im actually from Orange county but i a grew up in Northern California, so im a bit all over CA.

To be honest Im perfectly comfortable being located in the midwest, and Im not entirely sure that I will eventually move back. I think I would like to, but I knew going in that i needed to be comfortable in the region in case its simply not possible.

That being said, I have not spent enough time looking into how well it places on the West coast. Im working on summer employment as Im typing this including judicial internships in CA, so I should have a better idea soon enough.

Unfortunately with the Economy as it is now, I dont think anyone can possibly know how any school will place, epecially a school that is 2,000 miles away. IU has been pretty up front and honest about the economy and how tough things really are gonna be. I figure it would take top-top grades to be able to really pick a solid CA job.

I know a lot of 2l's are struggling massively right now, even some that are on law review or around top 20%. I know its scary, but top 20% at IU and likely all of IU's peer schools just doesn't guarantee a solid job anymore. That being said Ive yet to meet a top 10% that doesn't have something lined up, so maybe 10% is the comfortability line (that is simply conjecture as i do not know that many that are ranked that high anyways).

I really think networking is the key in this economy (unfortunately I suck at it, but that is another story).

Sorry if that is too much rambling.

[kings84_wr]

and yeah Screw LRW. My prof did not even give any scale so my stupid score is still just a number to me, but everyone I have talked to is in the same range.

With the professionalism points I think most students will end up getting a normal P. I think they just like to scare us by giving us crappy scores, so we work hard next semester.

[Veritas]

bump because I'm probably going here and want to learn more about how much you all love it.

Where are good places to live? I'm trying to get a feel for the area without having visited.

The facilities look nice, hows the library?

[Spoonmanners]

bump because I'm probably going here and want to learn more about how much you all love it.

Where are good places to live? I'm trying to get a feel for the area without having visited.

The facilities look nice, hows the library?

Good question. I live in the library. It's just much easier.

Like any other school, there are good places, and not as good places to live. Seems like half the school is at poolside. It's a quick walk to school, but isn't the nicest place to live. I'd recommend living at least a little distance from the school, or else you are always surrounded by the same restaurants and places you see all day anyways. I don't even like being around the school when I'm not there to study.

The library is nice. It's big, there is always a place to sit, and has plenty of quiet spots. Like I said, I almost live there. Plenty of great shops nearby to eat. I love the area. No traffic, pretty much everyone is down to earth, etc.

Take a tour, it should help out a lot. They make the 1L's show you around too.

[kings84_wr]

bump because I'm probably going here and want to learn more about how much you all love it.

Where are good places to live? I'm trying to get a feel for the area without having visited.

The facilities look nice, hows the library?

Good question. I live in the library. It's just much easier.

Like any other school, there are good places, and not as good places to live. Seems like half the school is at poolside. It's a quick walk to school, but isn't the nicest place to live. I'd recommend living at least a little distance from the school, or else you are always surrounded by the same restaurants and places you see all day anyways. I don't even like being around the school when I'm not there to study.

The library is nice. It's big, there is always a place to sit, and has plenty of quiet spots. Like I said, I almost live there. Plenty of great shops nearby to eat. I love the area. No traffic, pretty much everyone is down to earth, etc.

Take a tour, it should help out a lot. They make the 1L's show you around too.

Yeah i live about a mile from campus and it feels like I can escape the law school feeling. At the same time it is probably very convenient for everyone at poolside and other close apartments, especially early in the morning. Parking around campus is pretty brutal, I eitehr have to take the bus or walk to class.

[superflush]

Yeah i live about a mile from campus and it feels like I can escape the law school feeling. At the same time it is probably very convenient for everyone at poolside and other close apartments, especially early in the morning. Parking around campus is pretty brutal, I eitehr have to take the bus or walk to class.

This is what everyone was saying when I visited last year.

[Bankhead]

The library is incredible. You will love the library. They just don't keep it open late enough (midnight usually; it really should be 24/7).

The facilities as a whole are great. The building itself is old, but everything is recently renovated.

[Unjust Enrichment]

The majority of days, the library is open until 1 a.m...but still, I agree with Bankhead, it should be 24/7. Not like it would need a ton of staff for a graveyard shift.

I can chime in on behalf of Poolside also. I love being in such close walking distance to the school and not being trapped at the school if I have a 1.5 or 2 hour break during the day or whatever...I renewed my lease without hesitation, even though it isn't the greatest complex (no dishwasher, coin-op washer/dryer). Burnham is slightly closer and much nicer, but really damn expensive.

[tylt13]

Does anyone know if there is any realistic chance of getting to NYC after graduation with a degree from IU? They offered me a full-tuition scholarship, and my only hesitation in taking it is that I will be trapped in the Midwest after graduation, where I have lived my whole life. On the other hand, I am scared to turn down 120,000 in scholarship to attend Michigan if I have almost no scholarship there, even though I know my chances for NYC are much better.

Anyone who has any experience with NYC OCI firms, let me know what you think.

[Spoonmanners]

Does anyone know if there is any realistic chance of getting to NYC after graduation with a degree from IU? They offered me a full-tuition scholarship, and my only hesitation in taking it is that I will be trapped in the Midwest after graduation, where I have lived my whole life. On the other hand, I am scared to turn down 120,000 in scholarship to attend Michigan if I have almost no scholarship there, even though I know my chances for NYC are much better.

Anyone who has any experience with NYC OCI firms, let me know what you think.

Nice undergrad GPA LSN member! Congrats on that scholarship. They placed reasonably well into NY, but I don't have the stats with me. If you get the top of the class, it should not be very difficult to get to New York if you put some effort towards it. But it's also hard to say how the market will be in 3.5 years. Even NYU and Columbia are having their OCI programs cut in half, and they are in the middle of NYC.

I would say that in order to turn down a full scholarship, you have to be certain with what you want to do. You can't be too angry about getting out of law school with no debt. Or you could play it safe, take the spot at Indy, make top of the class, and transfer out, saving yourself $30K. Not only that, you could figure out if you could do well at a more competitive school, and if not, you still have a full scholarship.

[Bankhead]

Does anyone know if there is any realistic chance of getting to NYC after graduation with a degree from IU? They offered me a full-tuition scholarship, and my only hesitation in taking it is that I will be trapped in the Midwest after graduation, where I have lived my whole life. On the other hand, I am scared to turn down 120,000 in scholarship to attend Michigan if I have almost no scholarship there, even though I know my chances for NYC are much better.

Anyone who has any experience with NYC OCI firms, let me know what you think.

This is a good school but I wouldn't turn down Michigan, bro. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

We have very very few NYC firms come to OCI (I'm talking no more than 3)...

Also, don't think you'll skyrocket to the top of the class. I mean maybe you will, but the odds are that you won't. It's very competitive here with most of the class on scholarship (we're becoming quite like WUSTL in this regard, poaching would be T14'ers). I'm sure that you are very bright, but IU has many intelligent people who will not end up with top grades for various reasons. Therefore, pretend that you will graduate at the median at either school, and decide where you want to be based on the opportunities median would present.

[Bankhead]

Does anyone know if there is any realistic chance of getting to NYC after graduation with a degree from IU? They offered me a full-tuition scholarship, and my only hesitation in taking it is that I will be trapped in the Midwest after graduation, where I have lived my whole life. On the other hand, I am scared to turn down 120,000 in scholarship to attend Michigan if I have almost no scholarship there, even though I know my chances for NYC are much better.

Anyone who has any experience with NYC OCI firms, let me know what you think.

Nice undergrad GPA LSN member! Congrats on that scholarship. They placed reasonably well into NY, but I don't have the stats with me. If you get the top of the class, it should not be very difficult to get to New York if you put some effort towards it. But it's also hard to say how the market will be in 3.5 years. Even NYU and Columbia are having their OCI programs cut in half, and they are in the middle of NYC.

I would say that in order to turn down a full scholarship, you have to be certain with what you want to do. You can't be too angry about getting out of law school with no debt. Or you could play it safe, take the spot at Indy, make top of the class, and transfer out, saving yourself $30K. Not only that, you could figure out if you could do well at a more competitive school, and if not, you still have a full scholarship.

This doesn't sound safe at all. It sounds positively dangerous. You assume it would be (much) easier to get to the top of the class at IU than Michigan. I disagree. People at IU know they need to get to the top of the class in order to have top opportunities. It's quite cut throat, despite the fact that some will tell you it isn't.