University of Illinois Class of 2018 Forum

[WichitaShocker]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

What is it looking like you will be doing this summer? Do there seem to be many opportunities for the summer between your 1L and 2L?

[Chardee_MacDennis]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

What is it looking like you will be doing this summer? Do there seem to be many opportunities for the summer between your 1L and 2L?

Yes, although understand that you most likely will not be paid (though you can get externship credit in most instances).

Most students end up working for judges, both federal and state. I know some students worked for various legal/government entities (e.g., A.G.'s office, state rep). Very few (most likely IP students) will be able to find something that pays.

During OCI, most employers use it as a talking point, so be prepared to show enthusiasm for what you did, what you learned/liked most, etc.... It also helps if you work in a geographic location where you want to settle, but this isn't necessarily a universal truth (some folks worked out of Chicago but landed biglaw gigs there, but grades helped quite a bit).

[WichitaShocker]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

What is it looking like you will be doing this summer? Do there seem to be many opportunities for the summer between your 1L and 2L?

Yes, although understand that you most likely will not be paid (though you can get externship credit in most instances).

Most students end up working for judges, both federal and state. I know some students worked for various legal/government entities (e.g., A.G.'s office, state rep). Very few (most likely IP students) will be able to find something that pays.

During OCI, most employers use it as a talking point, so be prepared to show enthusiasm for what you did, what you learned/liked most, etc.... It also helps if you work in a geographic location where you want to settle, but this isn't necessarily a universal truth (some folks worked out of Chicago but landed biglaw gigs there, but grades helped quite a bit).

Thank you for replying. I didn't think there would be many paid 1L summer gigs, but it is nice to know there are opportunities to build your resume.

[sprinky07]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

If you don't mind me asking, where are you living?

Personally, I think I'd like to live in a 1 bedroom and have looked at The Village (seems to be a pretty popular option). Just not sure whether I can afford the rent while relying completely on student loans!

[bugsy33]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

If you don't mind me asking, where are you living?

Personally, I think I'd like to live in a 1 bedroom and have looked at The Village (seems to be a pretty popular option). Just not sure whether I can afford the rent while relying completely on student loans!

I live in a 2 bedroom at the Village. I know a few people that live in 1 bedrooms and make it work on student loans, it'll be tight though. As we get closer to spring, there will eventually be a facebook group and an admitted students forum where you can try to find a roommate. I would recommend living with someone else to keep the cost as low as possible.

[sprinky07]

1L here, ready to answer Qs.

If you don't mind me asking, where are you living?

Personally, I think I'd like to live in a 1 bedroom and have looked at The Village (seems to be a pretty popular option). Just not sure whether I can afford the rent while relying completely on student loans!

I live in a 2 bedroom at the Village. I know a few people that live in 1 bedrooms and make it work on student loans, it'll be tight though. As we get closer to spring, there will eventually be a facebook group and an admitted students forum where you can try to find a roommate. I would recommend living with someone else to keep the cost as low as possible.

What's your overall impression of the Village? I've seen some great reviews as well as some poor ones. Specifically, how timely are the shuttles? Do they run to/from the bars/downtown areas on weekends?

[PublicInterest2018]

I'm an admitted student checking in. Looking forward to the open house on the 20th.

[Okie25]

If I fly to Chicago, can i get away without renting a car? There's a bus that goes from the airport to champaign but is there good transportation in champaign or will I need a car to get from the school to my hotel and around champaign if I want to see apartments

[sprinky07]

If I fly to Chicago, can i get away without renting a car? There's a bus that goes from the airport to champaign but is there good transportation in champaign or will I need a car to get from the school to my hotel and around champaign if I want to see apartments

You can get away with it, but it would probably make more sense from both a practical and financial standpoint to just rent a car.

[Ms4life]

Checking in. Thinking of attending on the 20th, but flights out of LAX are so damn expensive even with the travel assistance. What amount equates to full scholarship? I got full at Iowa, so I want to further negotiate once that packet comes in.

[TLawannabe]

Just got accepted yesterday! As of now I'm 90% sure i'll be attending. Coming all the way from Florida, if anyone is attending the April 3rd open house let me know.

[thatguy12]

Can the current students shed some light on the school culture? I value some competition but I'm fearful of a cut throat environment where you can't trust most of your peers, throws a tantrum about notes a day you get sick or purposely hide books in the library. Sounds stupid, I know, just want to know how I'll fit in?

[Chardee_MacDennis]

Can the current students shed some light on the school culture? I value some competition but I'm fearful of a cut throat environment where you can't trust most of your peers, throws a tantrum about notes a day you get sick or purposely hide books in the library. Sounds stupid, I know, just want to know how I'll fit in?

The absolute worst instance of which I have heard has been someone refusing to share an outline. Otherwise, everyone is pretty chill. You'll be fine.

[Wingtip88]

I've worked under/been friends with several UIUC attorneys and they all have had really positive things to say about the school/culture.

[Okie25]

Is admissions going to start a FB group

[bugsy33]

Is admissions going to start a FB group

Negative. If one of ya'll is 100% sure that you're going here, feel free to make a closed group and send the link to Rebecca Ray, she'll send it out in the admitted students newsletter.

[thatguy12]

Does anyone know what the average commute time via shuttle from the village is? I think I saw someone mention waiting at most 15 minutes for the shuttle to arrive, but not much else. Any other opinions about them would be extremely helpful!

[Chardee_MacDennis]

Does anyone know what the average commute time via shuttle from the village is? I think I saw someone mention waiting at most 15 minutes for the shuttle to arrive, but not much else. Any other opinions about them would be extremely helpful!

It's about a 15-min ride from The Village to campus during the week. It runs pretty regularly, every 15-30 mins (less reliably lately, from what I've heard). The Village has some sort of app/web tracker that allows you to see where the shuttle is at any given time.

[Iwanttolawschool]

Attending the April 3rd Admitted Student Day. Wondering which Hotel to book, the suggestions they give us are..
I Hotel and Conference Center
Hilton Garden Inn Champaign-Urbana
Homewood Suites by Hilton Champaign-Urbana
Illini Union

I won't have a car there, so convenience is going to be the main factor. Any thoughts are appreciated

[KMart]

Who is attending the 20th?

[Mustafa5]

Who is attending the 20th?

I'm probably going to be there.

[bugsy33]

Attending the April 3rd Admitted Student Day. Wondering which Hotel to book, the suggestions they give us are..
I Hotel and Conference Center
Hilton Garden Inn Champaign-Urbana
Homewood Suites by Hilton Champaign-Urbana
Illini Union

I won't have a car there, so convenience is going to be the main factor. Any thoughts are appreciated

I'd stay at the Union. It's closest to the bars, and about a 10-15 minute walk to the law building.

[WichitaShocker]

Who is attending the 20th?

I'll be there.

[Ms4life]

Who is attending the 20th?

I'll be there.

I'll be there as well. Coming from Chicago with a friend who lives there (I'm from CA).

[jerrycallo]

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