University of Illinois c/o 2018 Applicants Forum

[KamronK]

I was also accepted with 40k! Is the scholarship for sure though? I felt that it was very poorly worded with "we are ABLE to offer you" and also saying that details of admission are coming in the mail.

[Wingtip88]

I'd say it's a sure thing. Their scholarships are guaranteed for all three years as well.

[KamronK]

I'd feel so much better if it was worded differently. I was around 25%GPA and 75%LSAT. I don't think I can pass this up, but I'll be waiting until February for other offers.

[KMart]

Congrats to all of you who got in today! I'm above both 75ths and haven't heard anything yet . When did you all submit?

[KamronK]

Oct 22

[Wingtip88]

Congrats to all of you who got in today! I'm above both 75ths and haven't heard anything yet . When did you all submit?

First day available. Don't worry.

[KMart]

Congrats to all of you who got in today! I'm above both 75ths and haven't heard anything yet . When did you all submit?

First day available. Don't worry.

Way to be on the ball haha! Thank you. This helps calm my nerves a bit.

[bugsy33]

Admitted via email. Disappointed in scholarship though. Too bad, Illinois is now less of really good possibility. Anyone have insight on successful negotiations?

Don't lose heart. Negotiating IS possible with pretty much every school. Hopefully you've applied broadly, but if not there is still plenty of time to get apps out (I didn't apply till the end of Jan. last year). Once you start racking up offers you'll be able to play them up. http://lawschooladvice.com/guides/negot ... olarships/ Let this be your guide!



Congrats to all who were accepted. If not, hang in there, I got my acceptance in late March, so there's still a lot of time left. As always if you guys have any questions about the school feel free to ask. We're in the middle of finals, but there's always time to screw off on TLS!

[KMart]

Thanks for that link! I bookmarked it - I'm sure it will come in handy later in the cycle.

[pamphleteer]

Congrats to everyone who's heard back already! Just had a rather broad question. My goal is Chicago biglaw - assuming similar scholarship $$$, how would you rank UIUC, Minnesota, Bloomington and Wisconsin purely in terms of attaining that goal? Thanks.

[Okie25]

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

[Wingtip88]

Congrats to everyone who's heard back already! Just had a rather broad question. My goal is Chicago biglaw - assuming similar scholarship $$$, how would you rank UIUC, Minnesota, Bloomington and Wisconsin purely in terms of attaining that goal? Thanks.

Of each of these, I would only say UIUC gives you any noteworthy shot at Chicago Biglaw, and even then, you're going to have to be at the top of your class to even have a reasonable chance. If Biglaw is you number one goal, you probably need to be looking at better schools altogether.

[Chardee_MacDennis]

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

It's not as insular as StL or Indy, but it's also not a free-for-all like NY. Folks from out of state def landed Chicago, but they were close to the top of the class. Most who ended up in Chicago were already from the area, but that's mostly due to self-selection and the makeup of the student body, generally.

Most students live in The Village. Others live at Place 117 or 75 Armory.

[KMart]

UR as of today !

[Jamdung]

Congrats, everyone! Got in today with scholly. I would like to negotiate as well. I got acceptances from other schools too (higher ranked). No word on scholly yet from these schools. I am new on TLS and still learning to navigate the site on this here little tablet lol

[pamphleteer]

Congrats to everyone who's heard back already! Just had a rather broad question. My goal is Chicago biglaw - assuming similar scholarship $$$, how would you rank UIUC, Minnesota, Bloomington and Wisconsin purely in terms of attaining that goal? Thanks.

Of each of these, I would only say UIUC gives you any noteworthy shot at Chicago Biglaw, and even then, you're going to have to be at the top of your class to even have a reasonable chance. If Biglaw is you number one goal, you probably need to be looking at better schools altogether.

Thanks. I don't have the GPA to get into UChicago or NW or else I'd obviously have my sights set on those.

[KMart]

Congrats, everyone! Got in today with scholly. I would like to negotiate as well. I got acceptances from other schools too (higher ranked). No word on scholly yet from these schools. I am new on TLS and still learning to navigate the site on this here little tablet lol

Welcome and congrats on the scholly! Higher up schools offering better money is a great way to get additionally scholarships from any school.

[parisian]

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

It's not as insular as StL or Indy, but it's also not a free-for-all like NY. Folks from out of state def landed Chicago, but they were close to the top of the class. Most who ended up in Chicago were already from the area, but that's mostly due to self-selection and the makeup of the student body, generally.

Most students live in The Village. Others live at Place 117 or 75 Armory.

On a related note, would you say foreign citizenship could be a hold-back for Chicago, as opposer to NY firms? I have a similar concern. This would be the first time living in the US for me...

[secadc11]

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

[Chardee_MacDennis]

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

It's not as insular as StL or Indy, but it's also not a free-for-all like NY. Folks from out of state def landed Chicago, but they were close to the top of the class. Most who ended up in Chicago were already from the area, but that's mostly due to self-selection and the makeup of the student body, generally.

Most students live in The Village. Others live at Place 117 or 75 Armory.

On a related note, would you say foreign citizenship could be a hold-back for Chicago, as opposer to NY firms? I have a similar concern. This would be the first time living in the US for me...

As a backdrop, I'll offer this caveat: certain factors (e.g., grades, IP) will trump the "ties" question.

If you can create a convincing narrative for "why Chicago," then you should be fine. Most firms in Chi won't grill you on that aspect like a firm in a smaller, insular market would, but some firms also won't gloss over it like many (all?) NY firms. I'm from the city, so I didn't get this Q, but I also didn't hear anyone from out of town getting this Q, either.

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

You can always apply and inform the school you took the Dec LSAT. The admissions office would prob be the best place to get an answer to this Q.

[laserusjm]

Any idea how long it took you guys to go from "in review" to "decision" or getting an email?

[bugsy33]

Congrats to everyone who's heard back already! Just had a rather broad question. My goal is Chicago biglaw - assuming similar scholarship $$$, how would you rank UIUC, Minnesota, Bloomington and Wisconsin purely in terms of attaining that goal? Thanks.

For Chicago biglaw it goes something like this

T-14, UIUC/ND, WUSTL/T20s, other B1Gs/Kent/Loyola.

If you really want Chicago and you aren't T-14 U of I is probably your best bet. ND would probably have similar odds, but it's almost always more expensive than U of I and gives you no real advantage except a slight bump on the coasts. Keep in mind that you'll need to be around top 1/3 to get a shot at biglaw from U of I (70% chance of that NOT happening). That being said, hiring is expected to increase, and with your class being the penultimate bottoming out of people applying to law school, I think it may get to a point where big law reaches a bit further down, although it's more likely to happen at T-14 schools than at T1 Flagships.

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

I would guess that you'll be in with a full ride or close to it with a 3.4/166. I would apply now and then if you do get a bump, send admissions an email updating them about your score. A bump in LSAT will help you for sure in scholly negotiations.

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

We have people from all over the country at UofI. Biglaw firms know why you want to work there, so that won't really be an issue. If you want midlaw or PI you'll need to come up with a narrative about why Chicago, which shouldn't be too hard. U of I does have connections elsewhere so you're not completely stuck in IL if you don't want to be here. That being said I wouldn't encourage anyone to come here unless they're okay with working in Peoria.

As far as living arrangements go, I would 100% suggest that you live at the Village at Colbert Park for your 1L year. You'll make a ton of friends instantly. They're not like really great apartments or anything, but it's convenient and again, you'll meet people. Just don't let them trick you into living near the railroad tracks.

If you're super rich you could stay at Burnham or 309 Green. 75 Armory (and the surrounding area) is another popular spot, but mostly for 2 and 3Ls.

[Wingtip88]

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

You'll get in no doubt with those numbers, so a higher LSAT score will only get you more money, assuming they don't give you automatic full ride like so many others are currently enjoying. I'd apply now.

[secadc11]

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

I would guess that you'll be in with a full ride or close to it with a 3.4/166. I would apply now and then if you do get a bump, send admissions an email updating them about your score. A bump in LSAT will help you for sure in scholly negotiations.

You'll get in no doubt with those numbers, so a higher LSAT score will only get you more money, assuming they don't give you automatic full ride like so many others are currently enjoying. I'd apply now.

Thanks bugsy and Wingtip. I think I'm going to try to get everything in today! Good luck to you all, and congrats to the acceptances so far!

[parisian]

How important are ties for Chicago? If I'm coming from the South would going to UIUC be enough?

Also anyone have housing info? Where are the best places to live

It's not as insular as StL or Indy, but it's also not a free-for-all like NY. Folks from out of state def landed Chicago, but they were close to the top of the class. Most who ended up in Chicago were already from the area, but that's mostly due to self-selection and the makeup of the student body, generally.

Most students live in The Village. Others live at Place 117 or 75 Armory.

On a related note, would you say foreign citizenship could be a hold-back for Chicago, as opposer to NY firms? I have a similar concern. This would be the first time living in the US for me...

As a backdrop, I'll offer this caveat: certain factors (e.g., grades, IP) will trump the "ties" question.

If you can create a convincing narrative for "why Chicago," then you should be fine. Most firms in Chi won't grill you on that aspect like a firm in a smaller, insular market would, but some firms also won't gloss over it like many (all?) NY firms. I'm from the city, so I didn't get this Q, but I also didn't hear anyone from out of town getting this Q, either.

So question for you all-

I have a GPA in around 3.4 and current highest LSAT of 166. I took the Dec LSAT and think I may see a bump - should I just apply to UIUC now, or wait til my Dec score is released?

You can always apply and inform the school you took the Dec LSAT. The admissions office would prob be the best place to get an answer to this Q.

So usually out-of-state people would need good grades to land in Chicago? when you referred to grades, what did you mean percentage-wise? Is it common for people to get NY from UIUC? Thanks for taking questions