University of Illinois UIUC c/o '17 Applicants (13-14 cycle) Forum

[KanyeShrug]

PMed

[RLowry23]

.

[chingwoo]

I got asked to interview. Does this mean anything? Good or bad?

[mx23250]

I got asked to interview. Does this mean anything? Good or bad?

I would generally think a request to interview is always a good thing. It seems like for most law schools if you're asked to interview (and you end up interviewing) you almost always end up getting an offer. That is, as long as you make a good impression during the interview. I'm not familiar with UIUC's interviewing process though. Even if they're on the fence with you, just make a good impression and show sufficient interest in the school, and I bet you'll get an offer. Good luck!

[Psy123]

wow not much posting going on here, where is everyone?

I got accepted with 30K a year scholarship

This is probably where ill end up going since I doubt other schools around Chicago will be able to beat this opportunity.

[Winston1984]

wow not much posting going on here, where is everyone?

I got accepted with 30K a year scholarship

This is probably where ill end up going since I doubt other schools around Chicago will be able to beat this opportunity.

Still in review..

[AMilfordMan]

I'm a 1L at Illinois, and while I don't get on TLS too often anymore, I am free to answer anyone's questions about the school or Champaign-Urbana.

But for now, my final on Monday isn't going to take itself, so it's back to work for me!

[Psy123]

I'm a 1L at Illinois, and while I don't get on TLS too often anymore, I am free to answer anyone's questions about the school or Champaign-Urbana.

But for now, my final on Monday isn't going to take itself, so it's back to work for me!

How has your first semester gone, and what area did you end up living in?

[AMilfordMan]

I'm a 1L at Illinois, and while I don't get on TLS too often anymore, I am free to answer anyone's questions about the school or Champaign-Urbana.

But for now, my final on Monday isn't going to take itself, so it's back to work for me!

How has your first semester gone, and what area did you end up living in?

It has been about what I expected. I'm busier than I've ever been and there is a lot of self-induced pressure, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I am doing and I like all of my classmates.

I live in a quiet part of Urbana that is mostly grad students, about a 15 minute walk from the law building. I like the area and my apartment a lot, but I don't think it would be ideal for everyone.

I'd say more people live at The Village in Savoy than anywhere else. For most students coming from outside the area, The Village is a pretty good option since it is furnished, has easy access to the law building, and you have a built in friend group of other law students living there. I've heard a few complaints from my classmates, but it seems like the path of least resistance.

[workaholic82]

AMilford: I am considering UIUC but am really debt averse. How realistic do you think their estimate of $16K / year cost of living is? E.g., what is cheap vs. typical rent over there? Are you able to rent for nine months and then return home for the summer or are they typically 12 month contracts? How much does one spend monthly on groceries, and anything else you can tell me would be really appreciated.

[AMilfordMan]

AMilford: I am considering UIUC but am really debt averse. How realistic do you think their estimate of $16K / year cost of living is? E.g., what is cheap vs. typical rent over there? Are you able to rent for nine months and then return home for the summer or are they typically 12 month contracts? How much does one spend monthly on groceries, and anything else you can tell me would be really appreciated.

If you're truly debt averse, 16k/yr wouldn't be a problem at all for the naturally frugal. It just depends what you're looking for. You could get a tiny off-campus studio apartment for $450/mth, live off of pasta and cereal, and come in well below 16k/yr. That was pretty much how I lived for a year in undergrad at UIUC, but it certainly isn't realistic for everyone, especially during such a stressful year, but it is possible.

For most people, you could probably find a 1br on a bus route for $500-600/mth or split a 2b for $600-800 (these are toward the lower end of the price range).

Most leases are 12/mth, but there are 9/mth leases that come at a higher monthly rate. I also wouldn't count out the possibility of getting a 1L summer position in C-U and taking summer classes, in which case you would want a 12/mth lease.

For food, it obviously depends a lot on the person, but I would imagine you could budget somewhere between $200-400 depending how much you eat at home and the quality of food you are used to. Going out for food and drinks tends to be pretty cheap compared to most places too.

All in all, without going into a full break down of expenses, you can live reasonably comfortably off of 16k/yr, and have a pretty good life for a few thousand more.

[workaholic82]

Thanks! I was kinda hoping you'd say that figure was inflated, but thinking about it it does seem about right, esp. factoring in things like books and what not. You may not know this, being a 1L, but how much do you think a typical summer position in C/U would pay? Also, is it unheard of for students there to get these $20-30K per summer SA's?

[AMilfordMan]

Thanks! I was kinda hoping you'd say that figure was inflated, but thinking about it it does seem about right, esp. factoring in things like books and what not. You may not know this, being a 1L, but how much do you think a typical summer position in C/U would pay? Also, is it unheard of for students there to get these $20-30K per summer SA's?

You're right, I can't speak with much authority as a 1L, but my best guess would be approximately 0% of summer positions in C-U will pay a 1L anything at all (barring maybe someone with a degree in engineering). In fact, you'll probably end up paying fee's for the credit you earn doing an externship, so it only puts you further in the hole.

As far as the 2L positions are concerned, it doesn't seem impossible that a local firm would pay a 2L for a summer position, but I really have no idea and my gut tells me they wouldn't pay very much, if at all. The 10-25% (<--guess) of their class that end up with summer positions at big law firms in Chicago will be making more money than I've ever made in a year for their 10 weeks of work.

However, I've you've done much research around TLS, you are probably aware that there is absolutely no way you can plan on being in the top 10% of your class that will be almost guaranteed to get those positions. You should calculate all of your expenses as if you will be paying the full cost of living loans for all 3 years and earning zero income for those three years. If you save a few bucks on cost of living or you land an incredible summer position that pays, then you're just better off than you planned to be, and you should celebrate with a nice bottle of whiskey or by applying it to your student loans!

[dap2]

I'm a 2L who chose UIUC over a larger scholarship at a local school. I'll answer pms if anyone is struggling with a similar decision. Anything to put off studying . . .

[Psy123]

I'm a 2L who chose UIUC over a larger scholarship at a local school. I'll answer pms if anyone is struggling with a similar decision. Anything to put off studying . . .

How were OCIs and are you happy with your decision to go to Illinois over the local school?

[workaholic82]

I'm a 2L who chose UIUC over a larger scholarship at a local school. I'll answer pms if anyone is struggling with a similar decision. Anything to put off studying . . .

How were OCIs and are you happy with your decision to go to Illinois over the local school?

+1

[dap2]

How were OCIs and are you happy with your decision to go to Illinois over the local school?

I don't really want to post personal info or out myself. However, I'd be glad to help anyone who pms.

[ltrego]

In review as of 1/2/14

[leib10]

In review, 1/2/13.

[Kris13]

Checking in! No decision yet. I went to UIUC for undergrad (c/o 2013), so I can try my best to answer any questions about life there.

[Winston1984]

In via email with 30k/yr scholarship!

[BentleyLittle]

In via email with 30k/yr scholarship!

Congrats! When did you go UR?

[Chriz]

In via email. 30k scholarship

[Winston1984]

In via email with 30k/yr scholarship!

Congrats! When did you go UR?

Thank you! 12/2.

[gotsomequestions]

In with 30k. IL resident too