Vanderbilt 1L Taking Questions Forum

[andyllop]

Receive a 20k scholarship for the LLM program. Any room for further negotiation for this program ?

[pleasetryagain]

Receive a 20k scholarship for the LLM program. Any room for further negotiation for this program ?

dont know how it works for LLMs but they werent willing to negotiate with most of us JDs for our scholly's last year. Worth a shot.

[ihp12]

Have you heard any waitlist success stories from your classmates? Do you have a ballpark on how many of your classmates were admitted off the waitlist?

[pleasetryagain]

Have you heard any waitlist success stories from your classmates? Do you have a ballpark on how many of your classmates were admitted off the waitlist?

coincidentally my two best friends here were let in off the waitlist about two weeks before school started. I am sure there are more but I don't know them. One was a splitter with a 3.0 174 and one went to a school w/ no GPA (narrative grading) and had a 169 LSAT (he had some pretty big soft factors though). My ballpark guess would be under 5 students.

[useruser]

thanks for your answers. I just have a quick question. How southern is Vandy/Nashville? I am just a little apprehensive about living in the South? I am a northern boy and am just curious how southern vandy feels? Would I go through culture shock if I attended?

Also Id appreciate if everyone would chime in on my poll.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=149543
thanks so much

[pleasetryagain]

thanks for your answers. I just have a quick question. How southern is Vandy/Nashville? I am just a little apprehensive about living in the South? I am a northern boy and am just curious how southern vandy feels? Would I go through culture shock if I attended?

Also Id appreciate if everyone would chime in on my poll.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=149543
thanks so much

I am a northern boy myself. have no illusion, when you are in the south.. anywhere in the south.. you know you are in the south. That said, it is not a bad thing. You wont go through a culture shock, imo, because there are plenty of people here at Vandy not from the south to experience it with. Nashville, despite the country music influence, doesn't particularly "feel" southern - there are plenty of people that live here that aren't from here - it feels like any midsize cty. In short - that the school is in the south shouldn't deter you; sure people are a little different but if you have never left the north think of it as an experience for a few years after which you can go wherever you want. Who knows - you may fall in love with it. If you are choosing between Vandy and uva and want a more "city feel" Vandy should be the clear choice.

[letsdoit]

Can someone please comment on the cost of living? As in, specific prices for apartments around the school, etc?

Thanks!

[akili]

I'm looking at housing and am curious about The Grove vs. Twenty & Grand/Barbizon/Americana. I would love to live close enough to walk to school (and to check on my dog during the day), but it seems like a lot of people live at the Grove and love it. Any advice?

[letsdoit]

Also, how did you all find roommates if you did?

[gogators]

Can someone please comment on the cost of living? As in, specific prices for apartments around the school, etc?

Thanks!

Depends on how you spend your money. You get a check each semester for like a little over $9k (if I remember correctly) that is your life-line. Depending on how much you pay for rent (which varies upon where you live and if you have roommates), how often you go out to eat, credit card bills, etc. this number can either be somewhat restrictive or more than you'll ever need. Personally, I fall closer to the restrictive range as each of the 4 semesters (I'm a 2L but I started this thread last year) I've been basically eating peanut butter sandwiches the last couple of weeks of school. However, I know that others make it work better. Caveat though: if you like to go out (bar review, weekends, etc) then you're going to use up that money. People at Vandy like to have a good time so just be careful with how much you spend going out.

Apartment costs, this ranges greatly. I have an apartment in University Square that I share with my gf and while its very small, 500 sq. ft, its only $800 a month for rent and I walk to class in 6 minutes. Others pay over a thousand I think for20 & Grand across the street from the law school. Besides that, I've heard a wide range, just depending on if you have roommates. My suggestion, if you plan on studying at the law school, get roommates to help with the cost. However, if you plan to study at home, live alone. Granted this will be hard to determine. Personally I spent a great deal of 1L year at the library and now I can barely stand to go in there anymore so I study mostly at home. But for 1L year at least try to answer this question.

[gogators]

I'm looking at housing and am curious about The Grove vs. Twenty & Grand/Barbizon/Americana. I would love to live close enough to walk to school (and to check on my dog during the day), but it seems like a lot of people live at the Grove and love it. Any advice?

I don't think people are as in love with the Grove as much as you've heard. Its not bad, but I've heard some horror stories. I personally walk to class and I love it so (I also have a dog to check on as well) and if that's a concern then I'd definitely consider living close. However, if you are planning on going home to check on the dog, you're going to want to live REALLY close, because all that walking will take TIME and people freak out 1L year about wasted time (just trust me on this one, you'll calm down 2L year but be worked to death).

[gogators]

Also, how did you all find roommates if you did?

I didn't get a roommate 1L year but virtually everyone in my class who did, did it through the class facebook page. I don't know if the school has created one for your class yet, however that should be a great resource.

[akili]

I'm looking at housing and am curious about The Grove vs. Twenty & Grand/Barbizon/Americana. I would love to live close enough to walk to school (and to check on my dog during the day), but it seems like a lot of people live at the Grove and love it. Any advice?

I don't think people are as in love with the Grove as much as you've heard. Its not bad, but I've heard some horror stories. I personally walk to class and I love it so (I also have a dog to check on as well) and if that's a concern then I'd definitely consider living close. However, if you are planning on going home to check on the dog, you're going to want to live REALLY close, because all that walking will take TIME and people freak out 1L year about wasted time (just trust me on this one, you'll calm down 2L year but be worked to death).

Thank you so much! That was a really really helpful response.

ETA: that wasn't sarcasm. I really appreciate it!

[jenesaislaw]

I personally love The Grove. I've been here all three years. I've been in my townhouse for 2 years now. Rent is a little over $600/month, but utilities really get me. Fortunately, I split it with two roommates. It varies wildly, but it's upwards of $200 each in the worst months. Otherwise, I have no trouble at all living off of the financial aid. Just become well-acquainted with pregaming so you can go out cheaper.

[Rory1987]

Bringing up the Civil War and bringing up Sherman are two different things. Most southerners are over the Civil War... not many of us are over Sherman.

You mean the War of Southern High Treason?

[Rory1987]

7. The civil war.
Well, some (confused perhaps?) still call it 'the war between the states' or the 'war of northern aggression.' Everybody's got an opinion. It's all in fun though: I doubt you'll be persecuted as a Yankee, carpet bagger, or scalawag if you make a union reference. One of my friends dressed up as a union soldier for Halloween.

I made this as a joke and my friends LOVE it. The thing is, I'm not even from a union state. The Civil War doesn't factor in where I'm at at all. My god, we weren't even a state in 1864! Would this thing offend or anger people in Vandy or the surrounding region?

--ImageRemoved--

I go to Vandy. I am offended. Seriously.[/quote]

And I'm offended the Southern states committed the worst act of treason in American history so they could continue to support slavery after the rest of the civilized world had moved on.

[Rory1987]

I go to Vandy. I am offended. Seriously.

It's interesting that you should mention this. When I put it on my facebook, I had a good friend from Georgia who explained to me what was wrong with it: a US president authorized a military general to engage in total war on US citizens. Normally, slavery is the trump card when it comes to the Civil War. That doesn't even come into this. It was am extraordinarily sad chapter of American history and wasn't funny.

I deleted it from facebook and apologized to my friend. And now I'm apologizing to you. I put it up as an example of shit that I am capable of doing because I DON'T GET IT. The fact that I don't know what can or cannot deeply offend scares me.

Who were committing high treason and trying to secede from the United States, mind you. And yes, slavery is the trump card anyway.

[akili]

Oh great. This again.

What are some great restaurants in the Vandy area? Bars? Have you had any awesome celebrity encounters?

[drylo]

I go to Vandy. I am offended. Seriously.

It's interesting that you should mention this. When I put it on my facebook, I had a good friend from Georgia who explained to me what was wrong with it: a US president authorized a military general to engage in total war on US citizens. Normally, slavery is the trump card when it comes to the Civil War. That doesn't even come into this. It was am extraordinarily sad chapter of American history and wasn't funny.

I deleted it from facebook and apologized to my friend. And now I'm apologizing to you. I put it up as an example of shit that I am capable of doing because I DON'T GET IT. The fact that I don't know what can or cannot deeply offend scares me.

Who were committing high treason and trying to secede from the United States, mind you. And yes, slavery is the trump card anyway.

Get out of here. Nobody wants to hear your ill-informed, anti-South oversimplications.

And it has should have nothing to do with this thread.

[observationalist]

Oh great. This again.

What are some great restaurants in the Vandy area? Bars? Have you had any awesome celebrity encounters?

Everyone will have their stories, especially if they like going to shows. In my day I hung with The Verve Pipe and a ridiculously awesome band called Hey Negrita after they played, did some shots with the drummer from Collective Soul at PPark after a Bruce concert, met Darius Rucker briefly after his show, hopped on stage with Bang Camaro (Boston band) to sing a song, saw Nicole Kidman out with her friends at a weekend matinee at the Belcourt, and I think we've all seen Ben Folds at Starbucks at some point. I think I mentioned the many Taylor Swift sightings before, but you're most likely to bump into her on the elevator if you live at the Adelicia. I also used to ride my bike past an RV that was parked in my neighborhood for awhile which turned out to be Buddy Miller's. Please be courteous to your fellow neighbors and celebrity visitors to Nashvegas... a major reason why they're out so often is because people don't make a big deal out of it. And if you start going to writers' nights you'll start recognizing famous singer/songwriters all the time.

For restaurants, I'd recommend Loveless or Germantown Cafe for brunch, Mafioza's for late night pizza, and Bolton's over Prince's for best spicy hot chicken. There's a great gumbo spot but it's like an hour away and I forget the name of it.

[akili]

Oh great. This again.

What are some great restaurants in the Vandy area? Bars? Have you had any awesome celebrity encounters?

Everyone will have their stories, especially if they like going to shows. In my day I hung with The Verve Pipe and a ridiculously awesome band called Hey Negrita after they played, did some shots with the drummer from Collective Soul at PPark after a Bruce concert, met Darius Rucker briefly after his show, hopped on stage with Bang Camaro (Boston band) to sing a song, saw Nicole Kidman out with her friends at a weekend matinee at the Belcourt, and I think we've all seen Ben Folds at Starbucks at some point. I think I mentioned the many Taylor Swift sightings before, but you're most likely to bump into her on the elevator if you live at the Adelicia. I also used to ride my bike past an RV that was parked in my neighborhood for awhile which turned out to be Buddy Miller's. Please be courteous to your fellow neighbors and celebrity visitors to Nashvegas... a major reason why they're out so often is because people don't make a big deal out of it. And if you start going to writers' nights you'll start recognizing famous singer/songwriters all the time.

For restaurants, I'd recommend Loveless or Germantown Cafe for brunch, Mafioza's for late night pizza, and Bolton's over Prince's for best spicy hot chicken. There's a great gumbo spot but it's like an hour away and I forget the name of it.

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I'm no fangirl, but it's neat that so many interesting people call Nashville home.

ETA: Wow, the Adelicia is nice...

[gogators]

Oh great. This again.

What are some great restaurants in the Vandy area? Bars? Have you had any awesome celebrity encounters?

Everyone will have their stories, especially if they like going to shows. In my day I hung with The Verve Pipe and a ridiculously awesome band called Hey Negrita after they played, did some shots with the drummer from Collective Soul at PPark after a Bruce concert, met Darius Rucker briefly after his show, hopped on stage with Bang Camaro (Boston band) to sing a song, saw Nicole Kidman out with her friends at a weekend matinee at the Belcourt, and I think we've all seen Ben Folds at Starbucks at some point. I think I mentioned the many Taylor Swift sightings before, but you're most likely to bump into her on the elevator if you live at the Adelicia. I also used to ride my bike past an RV that was parked in my neighborhood for awhile which turned out to be Buddy Miller's. Please be courteous to your fellow neighbors and celebrity visitors to Nashvegas... a major reason why they're out so often is because people don't make a big deal out of it. And if you start going to writers' nights you'll start recognizing famous singer/songwriters all the time.

For restaurants, I'd recommend Loveless or Germantown Cafe for brunch, Mafioza's for late night pizza, and Bolton's over Prince's for best spicy hot chicken. There's a great gumbo spot but it's like an hour away and I forget the name of it.

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up. I'm no fangirl, but it's neat that so many interesting people call Nashville home.

ETA: Wow, the Adelicia is nice...

observationalist pretty much summed up everything except the bar scene (at least the ones most frequented by law students). Corner Pub for gamedays and day drinking, Sam's for trivia night, The Villager is you want to literally wade through a cloud of smoke, Paradise Park is you want to drink downtown but not be surrounded by tourists, The Stage is you do, Red Rooster for a great nite with undergrads, same for Losers if you want a more country feel, and there's always Red Door which is a great place to go to as you stumble home from Red Rooster. (Admittedly, there are varying tastes, but I think these are a wide enough array).

[drylo]

observationalist pretty much summed up everything except the bar scene (at least the ones most frequented by law students). Corner Pub for gamedays and day drinking, Sam's for trivia night, The Villager is you want to literally wade through a cloud of smoke, Paradise Park is you want to drink downtown but not be surrounded by tourists, The Stage is you do, Red Rooster for a great nite with undergrads, same for Losers if you want a more country feel, and there's always Red Door which is a great place to go to as you stumble home from Red Rooster. (Admittedly, there are varying tastes, but I think these are a wide enough array).

Hilarious (because it's pretty accurate).

[smigner]

Any insight on this issue? I'm married and I've been crunching the numbers on what I could expect to spend living in Nashville with my wife. Do you know any married students? Have they made any comments about how far outside the single-student budget they stray?

Also, why not ask this here: my wife's looking at studying to be a therapist starting next year. Any clue about schools (need not be Vanderbilt) in the Nashville metro-area that would be worth looking into for her?

[observationalist]

observationalist pretty much summed up everything except the bar scene (at least the ones most frequented by law students). Corner Pub for gamedays and day drinking, Sam's for trivia night, The Villager is you want to literally wade through a cloud of smoke, Paradise Park is you want to drink downtown but not be surrounded by tourists, The Stage is you do, Red Rooster for a great nite with undergrads, same for Losers if you want a more country feel, and there's always Red Door which is a great place to go to as you stumble home from Red Rooster. (Admittedly, there are varying tastes, but I think these are a wide enough array).

Hilarious (because it's pretty accurate).

Not that I ever managed to get there on my own birthday, but The Villager also gives you a free doggy-bowl full of beer on your birthday. Tin Roof was always our favorite on Demonbreun, at least when they had the house band playing.