Indiana University - Bloomington students taking questions Forum

[kings84_wr]

I'm looking at IU (15K/yr) and Minnesota (18K), wondering what anyone who might have considered both thinks of the two...without visiting either yet, I'm leaning towards Minnesota b/c they are actually in the city they feed into and pretty much dominate (easy networking opportunities and that), besides being ranked a little higher and being a little cheaper. But I did seriously look into attending IU last year before deferring my admissions, and it looked like a very nice blend of academics, quality of life, and job prospects. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I didn't get into UMN, but I was waitlisted so I still thought about the debate between the two. Really the rank difference is fairly small, I think UMN may have better clerkship numbers, and obviously if you watned to work in the twin cities or surrounding area UMN is a clear choice here.

I think right now both are going to struggle getting placement in chicago, but thats gonna be likely for all the schools in the midwest now.

I really love bloomington and IU overall, and I think the difference between the two schools is rather minimal, but slightly in favor of UMN.

[Spoonmanners]

Yeah, pretty sure each class has one of these. I know who got it for the summer start class (obviously am sworn to secrecy on who), so I would presume that every class does it.

There's also been a Scribe Award mentioned for LRW. Me and my low pass are likely not in the running.

What about just giving our their initials? This has been moderately debated, because it was assumed that grade belonged to the kid who dropped out. I promise I won't tell anyone!

Also, I would like a "Nice Effort" Award. Or maybe some sort of "Good Hustle" something. It doesn't seem like anyone does much CALI stuff, or anything. There is just that scribe award that I would feel dirty if I won, considering my deep hatred for everything LRW.

[OG Loc]

I'm looking at IU (15K/yr) and Minnesota (18K), wondering what anyone who might have considered both thinks of the two...without visiting either yet, I'm leaning towards Minnesota b/c they are actually in the city they feed into and pretty much dominate (easy networking opportunities and that), besides being ranked a little higher and being a little cheaper. But I did seriously look into attending IU last year before deferring my admissions, and it looked like a very nice blend of academics, quality of life, and job prospects. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I didn't get into UMN, but I was waitlisted so I still thought about the debate between the two. Really the rank difference is fairly small, I think UMN may have better clerkship numbers, and obviously if you watned to work in the twin cities or surrounding area UMN is a clear choice here.

I think right now both are going to struggle getting placement in chicago, but thats gonna be likely for all the schools in the midwest now.

I really love bloomington and IU overall, and I think the difference between the two schools is rather minimal, but slightly in favor of UMN.

Thx...that's pretty much how I see it too. I don't care too much where I get a job, long as I get one, and the dominance of the Minneapolis market makes UofM appealing especially during this economy. I'm sure IU is similar in Nap Town and more national than UofM normally, but more opportunities in MPLS than Indy I feel.

Were you SF Giants on LSN? If so I was darcy, I followed your profile.

[Unjust Enrichment]

What about just giving our their initials? This has been moderately debated, because it was assumed that grade belonged to the kid who dropped out. I promise I won't tell anyone!

You mean ML? It wasn't him. He's the one I know of dropping out. Maybe he got another A, I don't know.

Obviously initials would pretty much be like giving the person's name, but I'm guessing you were just kidding around.

[kings84_wr]

I'm looking at IU (15K/yr) and Minnesota (18K), wondering what anyone who might have considered both thinks of the two...without visiting either yet, I'm leaning towards Minnesota b/c they are actually in the city they feed into and pretty much dominate (easy networking opportunities and that), besides being ranked a little higher and being a little cheaper. But I did seriously look into attending IU last year before deferring my admissions, and it looked like a very nice blend of academics, quality of life, and job prospects. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I didn't get into UMN, but I was waitlisted so I still thought about the debate between the two. Really the rank difference is fairly small, I think UMN may have better clerkship numbers, and obviously if you watned to work in the twin cities or surrounding area UMN is a clear choice here.

I think right now both are going to struggle getting placement in chicago, but thats gonna be likely for all the schools in the midwest now.

I really love bloomington and IU overall, and I think the difference between the two schools is rather minimal, but slightly in favor of UMN.

Thx...that's pretty much how I see it too. I don't care too much where I get a job, long as I get one, and the dominance of the Minneapolis market makes UofM appealing especially during this economy. I'm sure IU is similar in Nap Town and more national than UofM normally, but more opportunities in MPLS than Indy I feel.

Were you SF Giants on LSN? If so I was darcy, I followed your profile.

Yeah man thats totally me, its good to see you have some great options again.

Really in the end I think it may come down to preference. UMN is a great school, and IU is pretty solid too. I am really glad I got into IU and things have worked out pretty well for me, but im sure I would have loved UMN as well.

[OG Loc]

I'm looking at IU (15K/yr) and Minnesota (18K), wondering what anyone who might have considered both thinks of the two...without visiting either yet, I'm leaning towards Minnesota b/c they are actually in the city they feed into and pretty much dominate (easy networking opportunities and that), besides being ranked a little higher and being a little cheaper. But I did seriously look into attending IU last year before deferring my admissions, and it looked like a very nice blend of academics, quality of life, and job prospects. Any thoughts would be appreciated...

I didn't get into UMN, but I was waitlisted so I still thought about the debate between the two. Really the rank difference is fairly small, I think UMN may have better clerkship numbers, and obviously if you watned to work in the twin cities or surrounding area UMN is a clear choice here.

I think right now both are going to struggle getting placement in chicago, but thats gonna be likely for all the schools in the midwest now.

I really love bloomington and IU overall, and I think the difference between the two schools is rather minimal, but slightly in favor of UMN.

Thx...that's pretty much how I see it too. I don't care too much where I get a job, long as I get one, and the dominance of the Minneapolis market makes UofM appealing especially during this economy. I'm sure IU is similar in Nap Town and more national than UofM normally, but more opportunities in MPLS than Indy I feel.

Were you SF Giants on LSN? If so I was darcy, I followed your profile.

Yeah man thats totally me, its good to see you have some great options again.

Really in the end I think it may come down to preference. UMN is a great school, and IU is pretty solid too. I am really glad I got into IU and things have worked out pretty well for me, but im sure I would have loved UMN as well.

Lol I figured there couldn't be too many Giants fans in Indiana. Yeah I retook the LSAT and twisted UMN's arms into giving me more money, I'm actually shocked they did. No such luck with IU though.

I'm glad things have worked out so well. That's the thing about IU that makes me interested, the students seem to love it so damn much.

[Unjust Enrichment]

I'm glad things have worked out so well. That's the thing about IU that makes me interested, the students seem to love it so damn much.

Morale is really high here. Higher than message boards tend to make other schools out to be. Obviously none of us can really give an inside look at other law schools though, so it's tough to really tell. I mean, there's a fair amount of bitching about our workload and whatever else, but you're going to get that everywhere. The only ones who are unhappy are unhappy with law school in general, I haven't met anyone who regrets picking IU.

[OG Loc]

I'm glad things have worked out so well. That's the thing about IU that makes me interested, the students seem to love it so damn much.

Morale is really high here. Higher than message boards tend to make other schools out to be. Obviously none of us can really give an inside look at other law schools though, so it's tough to really tell. I mean, there's a fair amount of bitching about our workload and whatever else, but you're going to get that everywhere. The only ones who are unhappy are unhappy with law school in general, I haven't met anyone who regrets picking IU.

Cool, thanks.

[Spoonmanners]

I'm glad things have worked out so well. That's the thing about IU that makes me interested, the students seem to love it so damn much.

Morale is really high here. Higher than message boards tend to make other schools out to be. Obviously none of us can really give an inside look at other law schools though, so it's tough to really tell. I mean, there's a fair amount of bitching about our workload and whatever else, but you're going to get that everywhere. The only ones who are unhappy are unhappy with law school in general, I haven't met anyone who regrets picking IU.

Me either (except the SS who dropped out). Definitely the best pick I could have made. It is a great, generally low-stress atmosphere.





Now someone give me the last half of my grades!

[Bankhead]

As it turns out, this seems to have been my best option.

To the guy who is choosing between Minn. and IU:

Try to leverage the Minn. scholarship as to get more money from IU. If you can double that scholarship and get 30k (or even 25k) a year from IU as opposed to 18k from Minn, I would go with IU. As it stands right now though, I'd probably choose Minn. Unless of course you just hate Minnesota, which it doesn't sound like you do.

I, for one, would not attend Minn. under any circumstance. I just couldn't live in such an arctic place Indiana is cold enough for me.

P.S. I wouldn't say morale is necessarily so high here. I know a lot of people who are pretty deflated by first semester grades coupled with the bad economy. I'm not saying that my colleagues are wrong or misinformed, but just giving a different perspective.

[Unjust Enrichment]

P.S. I wouldn't say morale is necessarily so high here. I know a lot of people who are pretty deflated by first semester grades coupled with the bad economy. I'm not saying that my colleagues are wrong or misinformed, but just giving a different perspective.

That's fair, but do you think that's a reflection of IU or of what happens in law school in general?

Obviously there are very real reasons to not go to law school at all (although I'm quite happy to be here personally), but if a person's going to go, I doubt they'll find themselves disappointed with the choice of IU Law in particular.

[Bankhead]

P.S. I wouldn't say morale is necessarily so high here. I know a lot of people who are pretty deflated by first semester grades coupled with the bad economy. I'm not saying that my colleagues are wrong or misinformed, but just giving a different perspective.

That's fair, but do you think that's a reflection of IU or of what happens in law school in general?

Obviously there are very real reasons to not go to law school at all (although I'm quite happy to be here personally), but if a person's going to go, I doubt they'll find themselves disappointed with the choice of IU Law in particular.

Not a reflection of IU in particular. Reflection of attending a non-T14 school in a poor economy/what happens in law school.

[Unjust Enrichment]

P.S. I wouldn't say morale is necessarily so high here. I know a lot of people who are pretty deflated by first semester grades coupled with the bad economy. I'm not saying that my colleagues are wrong or misinformed, but just giving a different perspective.

That's fair, but do you think that's a reflection of IU or of what happens in law school in general?

Obviously there are very real reasons to not go to law school at all (although I'm quite happy to be here personally), but if a person's going to go, I doubt they'll find themselves disappointed with the choice of IU Law in particular.

Not a reflection of IU in particular. Reflection of attending a non-T14 school in a poor economy/what happens in law school.

Yeah, agreed. Obviously a person should pick a T14 over IU unless they have a full ride here or something close, and want to work close to here.

[badwithpseudonyms]

To clarify:

1. I'm not saying that you will be stuck in Indiana if you graduate from IUB (though there is a good chance you will graduate unemployed or underemployed).

2. I'm not saying that the job probem is specific to IU. Other schools in our range such as WUSTL, Emory, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc. are suffering just as much.

3. I AM saying that it might be a good idea to go to a school in or near the market that you want to work, since there is a good chance you will have to rely on networking, as it is likely you will strike out at OCI ITE.

4. I hope that you all have a plentiful scholarship and are not going to be paying sticker for IU.

This is to Bankhead in particular, since he made the above comment. But I would appreciate feedback from any of the 1Ls taking questions. (Thank you all, by the way.)

Could I get your thoughts on my situation. I realize you can't speak to the particulars of the market I am interested in, but that's okay. I just received my decision from IU on Friday and have not had an opportunity to do the necessary research/check with contacts/etc.

So here's the deal: Full ride at IU, which - as far as I can tell - is renewable so long as I don't royally screw the pooch. Assuming the national market doesn't dramatically improve in the next few years, I'm looking to get back to Pittsburgh. With scholarship and in state tuition, Pitt is ~12k/yr. (I've got some other nice offers and am still waiting to hear from some T14s, though I'm not expecting much there. Check my profile, which is linked to LSN.)

CoL at either is pretty cheap and not really a factor because I will be living with my fiancée and she'll be working full time. (Of course, job prospects may be better in Pittsburgh.) I love Pittsburgh, and I've got a ton of friends there + a few contacts, and our families are close. But IU/Bloomington sounds like exactly the kind of place I'd like to spend a few years. So kind of a wash there.

The question (finally): Do you think I'm better off staying in Pittsburgh and eating the ~$40k in loans to network my ass off or would it make more sense to be free from debt and make it perfectly clear to Pitt firms that I'm looking to get back (Like I said, lots of friends in the city, so coming back for a 1L SA or something would be relatively easy/cheap)? Is the IU degree portable enough?

Anyone else, feel free to weigh in. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[RMstratosphere]

Thanks to the IU-B students answering questions.

[Spoonmanners]

This is to Bankhead in particular, since he made the above comment. But I would appreciate feedback from any of the 1Ls taking questions. (Thank you all, by the way.)

Could I get your thoughts on my situation. I realize you can't speak to the particulars of the market I am interested in, but that's okay. I just received my decision from IU on Friday and have not had an opportunity to do the necessary research/check with contacts/etc.

So here's the deal: Full ride at IU, which - as far as I can tell - is renewable so long as I don't royally screw the pooch. Assuming the national market doesn't dramatically improve in the next few years, I'm looking to get back to Pittsburgh. With scholarship and in state tuition, Pitt is ~12k/yr. (I've got some other nice offers and am still waiting to hear from some T14s, though I'm not expecting much there. Check my profile, which is linked to LSN.)

CoL at either is pretty cheap and not really a factor because I will be living with my fiancée and she'll be working full time. (Of course, job prospects may be better in Pittsburgh.) I love Pittsburgh, and I've got a ton of friends there + a few contacts, and our families are close. But IU/Bloomington sounds like exactly the kind of place I'd like to spend a few years. So kind of a wash there.

The question (finally): Do you think I'm better off staying in Pittsburgh and eating the ~$40k in loans to network my ass off or would it make more sense to be free from debt and make it perfectly clear to Pitt firms that I'm looking to get back (Like I said, lots of friends in the city, so coming back for a 1L SA or something would be relatively easy/cheap)? Is the IU degree portable enough?

Anyone else, feel free to weigh in. Thanks again for your thoughts.

I would recommend visiting the campus to make your decision as well, but I'll try and address your question:

The degree is moderately portable. I don't have the numbers with me (they are actually at school, I can shoot you a message tomorrow) but their degree is somewhat more portable than I thought it would be.

You would be able to get a job there, but it would take a lot more legwork on your part. It would be part of maintaining the contacts you have, and maybe getting in contact with some alums in Pittsburgh. Coming back for internships would be a good start. I'm not sure how the Pitt market is, but I don't think it would be a bad idea to come here if the Pitt market is bad (so you could have a backup in the Midwest). How good of an idea that is, I don't know.

$40,000 really isn't that much debt. It's so small I wouldn't put much into it. I would check out the campus, and I'll check our alumni network and see if there are a good number in Pitt and let you know. Unless I forget. If I forget, just message me tomorrow.

[badwithpseudonyms]

I would recommend visiting the campus to make your decision as well, but I'll try and address your question:

The degree is moderately portable. I don't have the numbers with me (they are actually at school, I can shoot you a message tomorrow) but their degree is somewhat more portable than I thought it would be.

You would be able to get a job there, but it would take a lot more legwork on your part. It would be part of maintaining the contacts you have, and maybe getting in contact with some alums in Pittsburgh. Coming back for internships would be a good start. I'm not sure how the Pitt market is, but I don't think it would be a bad idea to come here if the Pitt market is bad (so you could have a backup in the Midwest). How good of an idea that is, I don't know.

$40,000 really isn't that much debt. It's so small I wouldn't put much into it. I would check out the campus, and I'll check our alumni network and see if there are a good number in Pitt and let you know. Unless I forget. If I forget, just message me tomorrow.

Will do. I appreciate the help. Otherwise I'd be aimlessly trolling Pittsburgh firms' websites clicking on associate profiles.

EDIT: I checked Martindale and only came up with a few hits

[Bankhead]

To clarify:

1. I'm not saying that you will be stuck in Indiana if you graduate from IUB (though there is a good chance you will graduate unemployed or underemployed).

2. I'm not saying that the job probem is specific to IU. Other schools in our range such as WUSTL, Emory, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc. are suffering just as much.

3. I AM saying that it might be a good idea to go to a school in or near the market that you want to work, since there is a good chance you will have to rely on networking, as it is likely you will strike out at OCI ITE.

4. I hope that you all have a plentiful scholarship and are not going to be paying sticker for IU.

This is to Bankhead in particular, since he made the above comment. But I would appreciate feedback from any of the 1Ls taking questions. (Thank you all, by the way.)

Could I get your thoughts on my situation. I realize you can't speak to the particulars of the market I am interested in, but that's okay. I just received my decision from IU on Friday and have not had an opportunity to do the necessary research/check with contacts/etc.

So here's the deal: Full ride at IU, which - as far as I can tell - is renewable so long as I don't royally screw the pooch. Assuming the national market doesn't dramatically improve in the next few years, I'm looking to get back to Pittsburgh. With scholarship and in state tuition, Pitt is ~12k/yr. (I've got some other nice offers and am still waiting to hear from some T14s, though I'm not expecting much there. Check my profile, which is linked to LSN.)

CoL at either is pretty cheap and not really a factor because I will be living with my fiancée and she'll be working full time. (Of course, job prospects may be better in Pittsburgh.) I love Pittsburgh, and I've got a ton of friends there + a few contacts, and our families are close. But IU/Bloomington sounds like exactly the kind of place I'd like to spend a few years. So kind of a wash there.

The question (finally): Do you think I'm better off staying in Pittsburgh and eating the ~$40k in loans to network my ass off or would it make more sense to be free from debt and make it perfectly clear to Pitt firms that I'm looking to get back (Like I said, lots of friends in the city, so coming back for a 1L SA or something would be relatively easy/cheap)? Is the IU degree portable enough?

Anyone else, feel free to weigh in. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Oh god... I don't want to touch this question with a ten foot poll. but let me think about it.

[Vincent Vega]

Is there an active ACLU chapter on campus? I don't see anything on the law school's website.

[Mulliganstew]

I can't imagine choosing Pitt over IU if you don't have a full ride at Pitt. Just make sure you network with alumni back in Pittsburgh and get your internship there and you'd probably be in a better place than Pitt would give you.

Alternatively, you can use your full ride at IU to try to get more money at Pitt.

[kings84_wr]

Is there an active ACLU chapter on campus? I don't see anything on the law school's website.

I think there is, but maybe someone who knows for sure can answer. If not I can check it out for you tomorrow when im on campus

[badwithpseudonyms]

I can't imagine choosing Pitt over IU if you don't have a full ride at Pitt. Just make sure you network with alumni back in Pittsburgh and get your internship there and you'd probably be in a better place than Pitt would give you.

Alternatively, you can use your full ride at IU to try to get more money at Pitt.

This is pretty much how I'm seeing it.

[RMstratosphere]

I can't imagine choosing Pitt over IU if you don't have a full ride at Pitt. Just make sure you network with alumni back in Pittsburgh and get your internship there and you'd probably be in a better place than Pitt would give you.

Alternatively, you can use your full ride at IU to try to get more money at Pitt.

What he said.

[Vincent Vega]

To clarify:

1. I'm not saying that you will be stuck in Indiana if you graduate from IUB (though there is a good chance you will graduate unemployed or underemployed).

2. I'm not saying that the job probem is specific to IU. Other schools in our range such as WUSTL, Emory, Wisconsin, Illinois, etc. are suffering just as much.

3. I AM saying that it might be a good idea to go to a school in or near the market that you want to work, since there is a good chance you will have to rely on networking, as it is likely you will strike out at OCI ITE.

4. I hope that you all have a plentiful scholarship and are not going to be paying sticker for IU.

This is to Bankhead in particular, since he made the above comment. But I would appreciate feedback from any of the 1Ls taking questions. (Thank you all, by the way.)

Could I get your thoughts on my situation. I realize you can't speak to the particulars of the market I am interested in, but that's okay. I just received my decision from IU on Friday and have not had an opportunity to do the necessary research/check with contacts/etc.

So here's the deal: Full ride at IU, which - as far as I can tell - is renewable so long as I don't royally screw the pooch. Assuming the national market doesn't dramatically improve in the next few years, I'm looking to get back to Pittsburgh. With scholarship and in state tuition, Pitt is ~12k/yr. (I've got some other nice offers and am still waiting to hear from some T14s, though I'm not expecting much there. Check my profile, which is linked to LSN.)

CoL at either is pretty cheap and not really a factor because I will be living with my fiancée and she'll be working full time. (Of course, job prospects may be better in Pittsburgh.) I love Pittsburgh, and I've got a ton of friends there + a few contacts, and our families are close. But IU/Bloomington sounds like exactly the kind of place I'd like to spend a few years. So kind of a wash there.

The question (finally): Do you think I'm better off staying in Pittsburgh and eating the ~$40k in loans to network my ass off or would it make more sense to be free from debt and make it perfectly clear to Pitt firms that I'm looking to get back (Like I said, lots of friends in the city, so coming back for a 1L SA or something would be relatively easy/cheap)? Is the IU degree portable enough?

Anyone else, feel free to weigh in. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Hey, I am a 0L and I'm the same sort of position you are. I want to practice in Chicago. I got a full ride from IUB and also one from Chicago-Kent (ranked about the same [edit: about the same as Pitt, not IUB], but it's not the top school in the market, by a long shot). I already withdrew from Kent because, among other reasons, the difference in prestige, ranking, resources, etc. made it worth it to me to choose all of that over proximity to my intended market. My situation is slightly different from yours, but I think it's still relevant. HTH.

[Zapatero]

I can't imagine choosing Pitt over IU if you don't have a full ride at Pitt. Just make sure you network with alumni back in Pittsburgh and get your internship there and you'd probably be in a better place than Pitt would give you.

Alternatively, you can use your full ride at IU to try to get more money at Pitt.

This is pretty much how I'm seeing it.

This is purely anectdotal, but a friend/attorney here in Pittsburgh told me recently that non-Pitt/Duquense JD's are pretty rare here, and he's seen instances where a T-30 degree has put a job applicant at a clear advantage. Granted, I'm not interested in returning to PA after school and haven't really made an effort to explore this, but I'm led to believe that you will be at least as well off coming from IUB as you would be from Pitt. Definitely do some research on this, but I think you should go where you think you'll be happiest. If Bloomington offers a better experience, more money and equal/better job prospects, I'd say it's pretty much a no-brainer.