Georgia State University - 2011 Applicants Forum

[NonTradHealthLaw]

I don't believe this thread has been made yet. Went complete a few days ago. Anyone else considering downtown Atlanta for the next couple years?

[agenthero]

I applied in case I don't get into UGA. Are you in-state? My mom lives in GA so, as cheap as UGA is, GA State is a complete bargain.

[Sandro]

I live in ATL and got a fee waiver. Will be applying next week or so. GSU is ridic. cheap

[NonTradHealthLaw]

I'm a townie, too. Can't beat the price tag!

[uwgbluedevil]

Yeah, Gwinnett County here. have app ready to go, will send it probably tomorrow when i finalize my PS. Wish they had ED

[Barbie]

I applied. Lived in GA most my life but have been in Florida for the past 8 years. Have no idea what GA State even costs, but most of my friends go there for undegrad and various masters degrees. I'm hoping for a little $ maybe, being out of state and all. How hard is it to get in state after the first year? Both of my parents are from GA (my dad is a GA Tech grad and my mom GA Southern) and like I said I lived in Alpharetta most of my life.

[NonTradHealthLaw]

What I heard from a different school was to use my parents' address as my "permanent" address, despite having residency elsewhere for 10+ years. Sometimes that's sufficient for the school to grant in-state status. Alternative, there may be reciprocity with Florida, though I doubt it.

[Barbie]

What I heard from a different school was to use my parents' address as my "permanent" address, despite having residency elsewhere for 10+ years. Sometimes that's sufficient for the school to grant in-state status. Alternative, there may be reciprocity with Florida, though I doubt it.

They live here in Florida now too. I won't be able to get in-state going in, I'm just hoping after a year or so. My boyfriend is coming with me wherever I go, and he is hoping for GA State so he can attend and play rugby at Life. Not sure if having him around (we would probably get married shortly after the move) would help me get in-state.

[Sandro]

What I heard from a different school was to use my parents' address as my "permanent" address, despite having residency elsewhere for 10+ years. Sometimes that's sufficient for the school to grant in-state status. Alternative, there may be reciprocity with Florida, though I doubt it.

Hmm. I think nowadays schools will require you to show things like DL, voter reg, car registration, lease, or something to show you are actually a resident. I would be very surprised if you could just claim living at their house, only way that would work is if you are claimed as a dependent and would qualify for in state through them.

[Sandro]

Also how does everyone feel about GSU ? The law school itself is a 6 story building on campus with everything self contained in it. I feel like going to GSU compared to a more traditional style campus/school would be a completely different experience.

[NonTradHealthLaw]

I've had many friends/colleagues love it. True, it doesn't have a campus-like atmosphere, but it doesn't sound like they felt short-changed. Supposedly they're nearing the point where a new law building will be constructed. I was fairly impressed with the overall quality of the current digs.

[uwgbluedevil]

I would love to go to Georgia State as it would be a different type of atmosphere for me. I've wondered if commuting all the way from gwinnett county would be feasible with the traffic though and am wondering if i would be better off just getting a place a lot closer

[Barbie]

I would love to go to Georgia State as it would be a different type of atmosphere for me. I've wondered if commuting all the way from gwinnett county would be feasible with the traffic though and am wondering if i would be better off just getting a place a lot closer

I would neeeeever do that haha. So much time in the car you'll need to study or try to have a life! My friends all refuse to live near campus (they say its way ghetto around there) but they commute via Marta.

[zrcm18]

Haven't received an e-mail from GA State yet and I applied 11/5....anyone else not get an application status checker?

[uwgbluedevil]

Applied today 11/15. Hope to go complete within the next week once my LOR's are uploaded. Any idea how long decisions take to come back after you go complete?

[Sandro]

when I spoke with someone from admissions they said they prob wont look at them until Xmas break.

[Connelly]

How hard is it to get in state after the first year?

It wasn't difficult for me to get in-state tuition, but I was going part-time and working full-time, so I don't know if that helped. I filled out the form, attached the documentation, and was considered in-state within a week or two.

The current form you would have to fill out to change your status is here (LinkRemoved). The language looks a little discouraging, but as far as I know, people just turn in the documentation and the form and are usually accepted as in-state students. This is no guarantee they'll keep the process so easy, however.

[Connelly]

I would love to go to Georgia State as it would be a different type of atmosphere for me. I've wondered if commuting all the way from gwinnett county would be feasible with the traffic though and am wondering if i would be better off just getting a place a lot closer

It would be feasible, but not preferable. You will have a lot more time (and fun) by staying closer to the school. There are some great, cheap areas that are MARTA accessible and/or a very short drive from the school (assuming traffic isn't crazy). There are some decent places to live within walking distance of the school, but there is no getting around having to walk through some sketchy areas to get to school, but that really applies if you're driving or taking MARTA in.

[Connelly]

Also how does everyone feel about GSU ? The law school itself is a 6 story building on campus with everything self contained in it. I feel like going to GSU compared to a more traditional style campus/school would be a completely different experience.

The building is pretty bad. It's old and has a weird layout (especially the bathrooms - not sure what they were originally meant to be). The law school is doing things to make it better there, and it has everything you "need." A new building is in the plans, but I don't know if it would be done by the time current applicants will graduate.

The location has its benefits. You are walking distance from the state capitol, federal district and appellate courts, the state bar, and other organizations/agencies that employ a lot of lawyers. And then you have all of Atlanta to fill your free time - many things which are MARTA-accessible.

[zrcm18]

Haven't received an e-mail from GA State yet and I applied 11/5....anyone else not get an application status checker?

Also applied 11/5 and haven't received an e-mail either....

[Sandro]

Also how does everyone feel about GSU ? The law school itself is a 6 story building on campus with everything self contained in it. I feel like going to GSU compared to a more traditional style campus/school would be a completely different experience.

The building is pretty bad. It's old and has a weird layout (especially the bathrooms - not sure what they were originally meant to be). The law school is doing things to make it better there, and it has everything you "need." A new building is in the plans, but I don't know if it would be done by the time current applicants will graduate.

The location has its benefits. You are walking distance from the state capitol, federal district and appellate courts, the state bar, and other organizations/agencies that employ a lot of lawyers. And then you have all of Atlanta to fill your free time - many things which are MARTA-accessible.

I wasn't impressed at all with the building. While i'm sure it has everything one would need, it just reminded me of the social science building on my UG campus, holdovers from the 80s etc. The location like you said can't be beat.

[mbutterfly]

I am a 1L, and yes, you are sort of contained in the same building all day, I really can't imagine what would be so different if the law school was assimilated into the "campus."

I prefer that it has its own building; there are some nice coffee shops, restaurants, and parks that are walking distance from the law school. Like any law school, it's not like undergrad where go to the student commons to meet people or anything. Your "academic universe" is sort of contained within the law school and the surrounding areas, which is not as bad as it sounds. The gym is literally right next to the law school too, I usually go there to get a quick work out in.

[Barbie]

I am a 1L, and yes, you are sort of contained in the same building all day, I really can't imagine what would be so different if the law school was assimilated into the "campus."

I prefer that it has its own building; there are some nice coffee shops, restaurants, and parks that are walking distance from the law school. Like any law school, it's not like undergrad where go to the student commons to meet people or anything. Your "academic universe" is sort of contained within the law school and the surrounding areas, which is not as bad as it sounds. The gym is literally right next to the law school too, I usually go there to get a quick work out in.

How do you feel about the school? Does the bldg being old bother you? How do you like your peers? Do you feel safe right outside of the campus at night? Do you live close to campus?

[moviechicka]

I'm a 1L and I live about 10 minutes from downtown. I went to GSU for undergrad so I was used to the city. I've never felt too bad being downtown at night, but you just have to practice common sense when dealing with the city. Don't go to the parking deck alone.

I actually like my classmates for the most part. There are a few gunners, but I've found my classmates to be very accommodating and good people. The student body skews slightly older than UGA or Emory so most of the 1Ls have gotten the undergrad party out of their system and are here because they really want to be here. That said, SBA does throw some awesome parties.

[zrcm18]

finally got an e-mail from them today saying my application was complete and they'll notify me of their decision