I went to Villanova for my Masters and I know a great deal of the current Villanova Law students. So I can give you guys info, like places to live, the night life, etc... So ask away and if I dont know the answer I will ask my friends at Nova Law.

Btw the new building will be done for you guys in the Fall, it looks amazing (as I drive by it everyday).

has anyone tried to call the admissions office and find out about receiving a Novasis password

I haven't, because I figured if we haven't heard anything by ASD they might say something then.

Then again, if you'd like to call and ask and report back, I won't mind.

Do you happen to know anyone who commutes by taking the train on campus? I currently live a half hour away and I believe I will be commuting. I'm curious if you've heard anything from anyone who commutes...if it's particularly bad traffic-wise in that area, or if the trains are unreliable?

I called and asked about financial aid notifications and i was told that they are currently in the evaluation stage and awards will go out before april 1st.

Also is anyone else going to go Villanova on friday 4/3 (day before ASD) to sit in on a class.

Thanks for the information hrvd! That's good to know.

I believe you mean 4/3 instead of 1/3, unless you're traveling into the past. I hadn't actually thought about sitting in on a class because my class schedule doesn't really leave me much time to do that (and all of my classes this semester have a very strict attendance policy) but one of my classes on the 3rd is canceled so it's a thought. Hmm. I'll let you know.

I am sure you can commute, however the traffic getting to Villanova is horrible. All traffic in Philly area is horrible. The public transportation would be your best bet. I suggest the R5, it drops you off right next to the Law building (Villanova stop).

Personally, I dont know anyone who commutes from an half-hour out, the fartherest has been West Chester, but more people live in Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, as the R5 runs through those towns and you can jump on Lancaster/ US 30 to get to Nova. If you can help it I would not live very far because traffic if you are going to drive is horrible.

They really couldn't get their act together fast enough to give us more than two weeks to decide?

what up everybody. Finally in after sweatin it out for so long. Starting to get really excited bout Nova, and the prospect of studying in the new law building is making it even more exciting. -I've noticed alot of you were also admitted to Temple, and I have a question for all of you about that, as I was admitted to Temple as well-Lawyers I have spoken to have told me that even if I don't want to necessarily do alot of trial work, having courtroom experience is vital to one's career and it looks good to prospective employers. That being the case, does anyone feel that one would be foolish to miss out on Temple's intensive trial ad program? Does anyone think Villanova' program can rival Temple's? Or at least, does anyone know of any distinct advantage to choosing Nova over Temple with regard to being more prepared for one's career, with respect to either prospective employment and preparedness for the real world? Or is it all relative to what one's individual interests are? -Kind of a broad and maybe abstract question. But I'm sure many of you have been thinking of similar scenarios and i'm curious how you all are weighing the options.

I'm interested in this as well. I'm stuck between Villanova and Temple!

I don't really see any good reason to take Villanova over Temple personally. It's cheaper and it has a great Trial advocacy and legal writing program. It also seems to hold an edge in Philly. I wouldn't even be considering Villanova probably had I not been waitlisted at Temple.

you see, that's just my point though. People say that Villanova has a strong all around program, and that one area of education isn't taught to the exclusion of the other. Whereas at Temple, the focus is Trial ad. At the admitted student open house I attended, even a 2L admitted to me that there is pressure to take advantage of their ITAP program. I just worry that other important aspects of law school like transactional training, professional responsibility, and public interest/public service education may not be as good as Villanova. Any insight into this? I'm paying out of state anyway so money isn't an issue. Plus, Temple's tuition has gone up to over 20,000 for out of state

I can't speak on the other items you have mentioned (and they are of course valid concerns) however the price is still decent at Temple even as an out of stater. It's around 28K for out of staters and 16K for in-state. I believe it's possible to obtain residency for 2L and 3L if one is careful in taking the right steps. Assuming for arguments sake you can obtain residency after 1L and there are no tuition hikes, you're looking at $60,000 in tuition for 3 years (or 20K a yr). That's a pretty good price to pay w/o a scholarship. Villanova on the other hand is around 35K / year right now assuming one doesn't have a scholarship. You're then looking at $105,000. I'm not sure that any advantage Villanova may hold over Temple would be worth the extra $45,000. That's just me though.

Villanova has a kind of stealth ASD pre-day on the evening of March 21, the Saturday when some of us will be at Temple's Open House from 9 to 3. Villanova sent out invites to attend a silent auction fundraiser from 6 to 10 that evening, with the promise: "This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with current student, faculty and alumni. If you are interested in attending, please email Amy Colaguori acolaguori@law.villanova.edu by Friday, March 20,2009." So maybe we could meet up after the Temple event, then head out to Villanova. I am not local, but I know the way by train, unless others are driving.

Anyone bringing a guest?

I'm bringing my husband...and possibly my father.
I've read all the "Don't do it!" posts about bringing parents to ASDs... But would it really be THAT terrible???
He's really excited that I got in and I didn't want to be a complete ass and say he couldn't come.
Please tell me at least one or two of you is in the same boat!

I'm bringing my gf. She's gonna move with me if I end up going to we're going to look at the are around the school and try to figure that stuff out.

I was one of the people that originally thought it was a "terrible idea" but I've actually seen tons of parents. I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm bringing my Dad...possibly both parents! So no worries, if nothing else, I'll at least be someone else with two guests.

I'm bringing my boyfriend.

What are Nova's top programs and such? I was WL'd and semi-interested, but I want to give it a hard look if I can get in.

Thank goodness I won't be the only one with a parent!
After reading one of the other threads, I was beginning to get a bit anxious about it.

It just hit me that my undergrad is playing my graduate school (possibly) this Saturday! I'm psyched to be at Villanova on Saturday. I still hope Carolina wins though!

Wait. So, how are we all gonna manage this meetup? How will we know who the TLSers are? We should make a plan!

10:00-10:15 Check In and Continental Breakfast
10:15-10:30 Welcome: Mark A. Sargent, Dean
10:30-11:00 The Perspective of a Faculty Member: Ann Juliano, Professor of Law
11:00-11:15 Overview of Financial Aid: Wendy Barron, Asst. Dean for Financial Aid
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-11:45 Career Strategy: Elaine Petrossian, Asst. Dean for Career Strategy and Advancement
11:45-12:15 Student Panel: Current 1L students
12:15-12:25 Virtual Tour of new law school building: Noe Bernal/Feona Persaud Singh
12:25-1:30 Lunch and optional new building tours

What??? So we can't sit it on any mock classes like Temple? Blah!