UW Madison c/o 2015 Forum

[Chriz]

How hard to you think it would be to commute to campus from an hour away? I have noticed this would be cheaper than trying to live in Madison.

Its a really really really bad idea, some people in our class this year had to do it due to their spouse having to be somewhere else or what not but I know at least one of them who ended up renting an apartment in Madison because the commute was just too long. While it might be cheaper right now you have to consider things like your sanity. It is about the last thing I would consider doing.

I don't mind driving and it might be nice to have an hour to wind down after a day of classes/studying. I could also avoid the temptations of bars, parties, etc.

[iamsparticus]

How hard to you think it would be to commute to campus from an hour away? I have noticed this would be cheaper than trying to live in Madison.

Its a really really really bad idea, some people in our class this year had to do it due to their spouse having to be somewhere else or what not but I know at least one of them who ended up renting an apartment in Madison because the commute was just too long. While it might be cheaper right now you have to consider things like your sanity. It is about the last thing I would consider doing.

I don't mind driving and it might be nice to have an hour to wind down after a day of classes/studying. I could also avoid the temptations of bars, parties, etc.

My friend is a 2L and takes the bus everyday from Greenfield (more than an hour). He said he actually enjoys the commute and uses it to catch up on readings. Did you get in off the wl Chrisz???

[Chriz]

How hard to you think it would be to commute to campus from an hour away? I have noticed this would be cheaper than trying to live in Madison.

Its a really really really bad idea, some people in our class this year had to do it due to their spouse having to be somewhere else or what not but I know at least one of them who ended up renting an apartment in Madison because the commute was just too long. While it might be cheaper right now you have to consider things like your sanity. It is about the last thing I would consider doing.

I don't mind driving and it might be nice to have an hour to wind down after a day of classes/studying. I could also avoid the temptations of bars, parties, etc.

My friend is a 2L and takes the bus everyday from Greenfield (more than an hour). He said he actually enjoys the commute and uses it to catch up on readings. Did you get in off the wl Chrisz???

No.. I wish... I am more looking ahead to if I can improve my LSAT score and try again in the future... I am not holding out a lot of hope for this year... I obviously wouldn't be able to do readings while driving so I would lose 2 hours or so of time a day but I would save so much money on rent, food, etc. living with my parents. Most of my friends have jobs because they didn't go to college so I think spending time here at home would encourage me to study more and not relax at all.

[theavrock]

Agree with Kaves here. To each their own, but someone in my section did this and didn't seem too thrilled on it.

People say oh I will use the downtime to read or do whatever on the bus but that never actually happens.

Where exactly are you thinking about living that would actually make this worth it? You can find cheap housing on the outskirts of Madison that is on a bus line that would make any difference in cost negligible.

[Chriz]

Agree with Kaves here. To each their own, but someone in my section did this and didn't seem too thrilled on it.

People say oh I will use the downtime to read or do whatever on the bus but that never actually happens.

Where exactly are you thinking about living that would actually make this worth it? You can find cheap housing on the outskirts of Madison that is on a bus line that would make any difference in cost negligible.

With my parents, no rent, already have furniture and everything, they would pry help with food too.

[rowdyrr]

I was wait listed on May 8 and sent them a LOCI soon after. Anyone heard anything back regarding the WL? Do I even have a chance?

[theavrock]

Agree with Kaves here. To each their own, but someone in my section did this and didn't seem too thrilled on it.

People say oh I will use the downtime to read or do whatever on the bus but that never actually happens.

Where exactly are you thinking about living that would actually make this worth it? You can find cheap housing on the outskirts of Madison that is on a bus line that would make any difference in cost negligible.

With my parents, no rent, already have furniture and everything, they would pry help with food too.

Oh well that would be much cheaper in that case. Your post makes it sound as if you were looking at something on the outskirts and still having to pay rent. Obviously no rent is cheaper than living in Madison.

It is definitely doable and if I could save myself almost $10K I would probably do it. That being said there are obvious costs.

[tooswolle]

I was wait listed on May 8 and sent them a LOCI soon after. Anyone heard anything back regarding the WL? Do I even have a chance?

Nothing yet, and I was waitlisted in February. I ended up withdrawing as I got in to a U.C. with a sizeable scholarship and knew that moving from CA to Wi would be difficult the later this dragged on. Best of luck to all!

[iamsparticus]

I was wait listed on May 8 and sent them a LOCI soon after. Anyone heard anything back regarding the WL? Do I even have a chance?

If you look at lsn there has been mOvement the past couple weeks. I'm still hopeful! It looks like they are trying to boost stats but I've been a little surprised at some of the recent admits. No reason to give up hope as it looks very unpredictable!!! Good luck to you.

[Chriz]

I am already giving up... There is no hope.

[gobuffs10]

Chriz, UW told me that they like reapplicants, and when I got rejected last year, I called a member of the admissions staff, discussed the situation, and asked what I needed to do for this year. My GPA was pretty much set in stone, but there was a lot of room for improvement on my LSAT. After I applied this year, I emailed the same admissions staffer expressing my interest in UW, and that it was my second year in a row applying. I think they saw that it was where I really wanted to be, and I got in a few days later. To me, making that contact was very important, as was being a reapplicant. The staff is more than willing to tell you what needs improvement, and if you show the person you spoke to that you followed their advice and improved your app, it certainly can't hurt.

Anybody have any suggestions for living? I can't get out to Madison this summer, and I want to be on or as close to a bus line as possible. I found some places on Gorham and Wisconsin Ave, but my parents are skeptical of renting off of craigslist without getting a chance to see the place. I don't seem to have a ton of choice. The problem with the place on Gorham is it's in the basement, which means I'd likely be close to the washers and driers and couldn't study too well, and my window may get covered with snow and it'd be dreary. I'm anxious to find a place but I don't know where to start. In Boulder, I knew all of the big property management companies. In Madison, I'm clueless. To make matters worse, my girlfriend just wants me to figure out the living situation, so if I screw up, I'll hear about it.

[tyro]

Anybody have any suggestions for living? I can't get out to Madison this summer, and I want to be on or as close to a bus line as possible. I found some places on Gorham and Wisconsin Ave, but my parents are skeptical of renting off of craigslist without getting a chance to see the place. I don't seem to have a ton of choice. The problem with the place on Gorham is it's in the basement, which means I'd likely be close to the washers and driers and couldn't study too well, and my window may get covered with snow and it'd be dreary. I'm anxious to find a place but I don't know where to start. In Boulder, I knew all of the big property management companies. In Madison, I'm clueless. To make matters worse, my girlfriend just wants me to figure out the living situation, so if I screw up, I'll hear about it.

I started out looking on Craigslist but then found that it's easier to use this:

http://housing.civc.wisc.edu/

I think I'm just gunna get a studio for the first year.

[sconnielaw13]

Check out property owners like Urban Land Interests, Madison Property Management, and CMI management. Also check out CDliving.com. Don't be afraid to get a little ways away from campus. Both my 1L and 2L years I lived at least 3 miles away from the law school. The bus ride is still only 20 minutes or less and the apartments are quite nice, have reasonable underground parking rates, and tend to be fairly quiet and comfortable. Check out this site... http://www.sequoyacommons.com/

I currently live at that location and it works out really nice. Buses come at pretty regular intervals and if you are living with a g/f a one bedroom is reasonable when the rent is split. Good luck!

[n3ok318]

Anyone heard back from waitlist? I am waiting since 5/8

[glabuz]

i got in off the waitlist a couple of weeks back at the beginning of june if that helps anyone. 155 LSAT/3.8 GPA, but I had a decent addenda for my lsat and great ps and recs

[ljbreck]

Hey guys! Has anyone attending next year received a mailing from the school yet? I saw online we're supposed to get something in June and something in July but I haven't seen anything yet :/

[buckythebadger]

Hey guys! Has anyone attending next year received a mailing from the school yet? I saw online we're supposed to get something in June and something in July but I haven't seen anything yet :/

I just received something in the mail last week. Just basically gives you a checklist of things to do so your all squared away come orientation. I think it also said schedules will be coming out later this month

[gobuffs10]

Yeah I just got the checklist too. Class schedules are supposed to come late this month or early next. When I got in I was absolutely thrilled, but the closer it gets the more nervous I get. For the first time ever I'm glad TLS exists so that maybe I'll know a few of you.

Thanks for the housing link, I've been using that. I still can't find a vacant place. One landlord told me every law student he talks to is too late, since UW is such a big school people start looking around February, and by the time we are accepted, there's not much left. He said I'll find something but my options are slim.

I want a one bedroom, not near Langdon, on the bus line, but I can't find anything. I'd see if any of you guys need a roommate, but I doubt that anybody wants to live with my girlfriend too. This is starting to get stressful. If anyone is looking for a roommate and doesn't mind a +1 who will be in school and working, let me know. Could be okay, as it would be three grad students, and an extra person paying rent in a two bedroom may not be so bad. Desperate.

One more thing. Has anyone gotten their Grad PLUS yet? Rebecca Scheller in admissions said to apply no later than mid-July and I'd be okay. I applied late May and haven't heard a word. Starting to worry I might not have the money (and yes, I realize I'm doing this wrong. I've never had to do loans before).

[buckythebadger]

Yeah I just got the checklist too. Class schedules are supposed to come late this month or early next. When I got in I was absolutely thrilled, but the closer it gets the more nervous I get. For the first time ever I'm glad TLS exists so that maybe I'll know a few of you.

Thanks for the housing link, I've been using that. I still can't find a vacant place. One landlord told me every law student he talks to is too late, since UW is such a big school people start looking around February, and by the time we are accepted, there's not much left. He said I'll find something but my options are slim.

I want a one bedroom, not near Langdon, on the bus line, but I can't find anything. I'd see if any of you guys need a roommate, but I doubt that anybody wants to live with my girlfriend too. This is starting to get stressful. If anyone is looking for a roommate and doesn't mind a +1 who will be in school and working, let me know. Could be okay, as it would be three grad students, and an extra person paying rent in a two bedroom may not be so bad. Desperate.

One more thing. Has anyone gotten their Grad PLUS yet? Rebecca Scheller in admissions said to apply no later than mid-July and I'd be okay. I applied late May and haven't heard a word. Starting to worry I might not have the money (and yes, I realize I'm doing this wrong. I've never had to do loans before).

Have you tried padmapper yet for searching for housing? I used that and found something pretty quickly in the area that I wanted.

Loans are not handed out yet, but I have my Grad Plus already settled. I think after like a week I got something in the mail and was notified that I was accepted for it. http://www.finaid.wisc.edu/graduate-plus.htm that link should help if you haven't seen that webpage yet

[clc8883]

Hi all-

You won't get your loans until the week before school starts, so make sure to plan accordingly for the rest of the summer. Also important to note that the Bookmart at school (if you plan to get your books there) only takes cash or check, so make sure you have planned for that as well.

As far as living situations, if you don't mind living a bit off campus, I would suggest looking in the Hilldale neighborhood. There are a lot of apartments along Sheboygan Avenue, and while they aren't all new and shiny, they aren't any worse than what you will find downtown. From what I've been told a lot of grad students live out there, and if you have a car at a lot of those places parking is much cheaper, or even free. An old roommate and I once looked at the Monticello apartments, and once we got over the fact that the lobby looks like a hotel from the 1970's, it was actually a decent place (we didn't end up moving though because it was the same price as where we were at the time. If I recall correctly, it was around $930-$940ish for a 2-bedroom.) The bus stops all along Sheboygan Ave. and is about a 15 minute ride from campus. Also, if I had to guess only about a $15ish cab ride from downtown (for those nights after Bar Review.) Plus you are in walking distance of Hilldale Mall which has a grocery store, Target, a movie theater, and a few restaurants. I had a friend that lived in the Park Towers apartments on Sheboygan and was happy with it. She also had a cat there, so that might be an option if anyone is still looking for a cat-friendly place.

Well, by this point I'm sure you are all getting very excited. I'd be happy to answer any questions about Madison, or the school in general (classes, Deans Cup, other activities, etc.) Please feel free to ask away. And on behalf of the 3L class--Welcome! Trust me, when you get to the point I'm at, you won't believe you ever worried about any of this shit.

[ommy48]

I have several questions: is getting a parking spot not feasible on campus, are there parking permits for students?...I would really like to drive to campus everyday, but I'm getting the sense that this isn't possible.

Also, can you give a quick breakdown of what a typical day during the first semester looks like? Do classes start at 8 am, and when do classes start again in the afternoon?

Do you have to get a whole new license and registration for your car if you are coming from out of state, or can we simply keep whatever we have if we aren't permanent residents of Wisconsin?

Finally is there a short list of quiet and safe neighborhoods a little removed from campus (and by quiet I mean no risk of being kept awake by parties or other nonsense, since I am a really light sleeper)? Do neighborhoods in West Madison (Middleton, Arbor Hills), Southwest Madison and East Madison (East of the Isthmus) fit that bill...?

Thanks again.

[clc8883]

Hello:

Let me try my best at answering your questions.

As far as parking, it is very limited on campus. As far as I know, it is nearly impossible to get a parking pass in one of the university lots; in fact, I think you have to be a certain distance off the bus line to even qualify. I believe there are monthly passes available in the city ramps, but I'm not sure what the pricing/availability is. You'd have to check on the city's website, there would probably be some information there. What some students do is contact downtown apartment complexes and see if they have any parking available, which many often do. To the best of my knowledge, this will typically range between $50-$140/month, depending on whether it is underground or outside, location, etc. I also have seen this type of parking advertised on craigslist when I've checked previously.

I live in Middleton myself, and I should be a lot more diligent about trying to get a monthly pass at an apartment complex. I park daily either in the city ramps, purchasing a daily pass underneath the business school, or parking at the meters under the business school, and this ranges from anywhere between $7 and $12 a day depending on my schedule. It ends up costing me about $200 a month. I definitely wouldn't recommend this if you are going to be living alone, but since I live with my fiance, my portion of the rent is only $460, so I justify it by saying it is similar to what I'd be paying in rent if I lived on my own. Personally, I love living out of the downtown area, but I am also a bit older so I think that plays a part in it. Many areas in Middleton are great. I'm not too familiar with the Arbor Hills complex; I know there are students that live there, but a few years ago when I lived in a different area of Middleton that was closer to that area, it had a shady reputation. I would stay away from South Park Street and the southwest side---those are both some of the more unsavory parts of Madison. The east side has some unsavory areas as well, but also has a lot of nice areas that are newer. I'm just not as familiar with those as I have always lived on the west side or in Middleton. Living out of the campus area has its benefits--for example, right now I have underground parking included, a washer and dryer in our unit, a pool and a fitness center. Additionally, my fiance parks his car outside for free. Without knowing your budget it is hard to direct you to places, but if you'd like send me a private message with your budget info and I can try to direct you to some places I have lived on the west side/Middleton. Keep in mind that many of these places start around $700-$750 for a one bedroom. I also think it might be worth it for you to check out some of the complexes near Hilldale.

There are a few different schedules that you may have. When I was a 1L some people started around 8:30/9 a.m. and with 2-3 classes per day would be done around 3:30 or 4. I was in a later track both semesters and started around 11:00 a.m. and with 2-3 classes per day, ended at 7:40 two nights a week. So, it varies. I was more of an early riser (by early I mean by 8, lol) so I was able to get in a hour or two of reading before my classes started. Unless you have a compelling reason why you need a certain schedule, there really isn't anything you can do about what you are assigned. While it sucked to have class till 7:40 twice a week, there is no way I could have survived starting class at 8:30. You will adapt and get used to whatever you get. And you should be getting your schedules the last week of July, I believe.

Hopefully this helps. If you want more info about the housing, just let me know.

[ommy48]

Thank you so much for the detailed answers! I will definitely pm you some additional questions in the coming days.

[Jet Farve]

So I've been on the waitlist since Feb of this year and haven't heard anything one way or another. I emailed admissions yesterday asking if they could let me know about any movement on the list. They responded and said that they don't have much information right now and recommended I send a second Letter of Continued Interest. Do you think there's any shot left of hearing anything positive from them for this year?

[n3ok318]

So I've been on the waitlist since Feb of this year and haven't heard anything one way or another. I emailed admissions yesterday asking if they could let me know about any movement on the list. They responded and said that they don't have much information right now and recommended I send a second Letter of Continued Interest. Do you think there's any shot left of hearing anything positive from them for this year?

I spoke with the admissions couple days ago and said their capacity is now full.

So at this point, there really isn't much to do but to hope for others to withdraw -- which isn't likely to happen since it's mid-july and everyone pretty much decided where to go.

I am still holding out, but already got everything set up with the other school.