Living with/amongst undergrads in Law School

[Lobstah!]

I live by myself now, but think it will be better living with some friends. One will be a 2L at the same school and another works full time and is studying for the CFA.

Living with undergrads is a different monster entirely. You'd likely regret it not even a month in.

[cantwaitforuva]

If you have a single room and noise cancelling headphones, you can live on a porno set or on frat row and it wouldn't bother your studying.

Maybe it won't bother YOUR studying, but you can't say that for the rest of us. Furthermore, I live in a nice apartment complex that is roughly 1/3 ugrads and it is noisey! My next-door neighbor is an a-hole who blasts her music so loud that i can feel the vibration through my floors. I've complained many times but it still happens.

True, not all ugrads are inconsiderate party-animals, but if you live in a complex that houses them, you will certainly be living with some who are.

[Godson]

I think you should live with other law students.  Undergrads can be so immature and you will more than likely regret your decision to live with them at some point.  Besides, you will better fit in amongst other law students and have things to relate on.

[nicole1220]

Beyond the partying issue, which may or not be a problem depending on the people (I too was in Greek life and never partied at home), I think the difference in free-time/motivation could be an issue. Some of my undergrad friends spend their days playing Wii and watching TV when they aren't in class. However, I have other friends who are probably busier than most law students, juggling internships, babysitting, class, and a semblance of a social life. It definitely depends on the situation, but if you are thinking of living with undergrads, or for that matter, any non-law or grad student, that you don't already know, I would just assume that they will be the very worst sort of roommate and think of how you would deal with that. If you think you can, awesome! It would just be awful to have your 1L grades suffer because of factors beyond your control.

[TraciRai]

Before coming to law school, I would probably have said undergrads are fine... they're people too, they can be mature, etc.  Now I say run for the hills!  I thank god undergrads aren't even allowed to live in my building.  The less distractions at home, the better.

[skeeball]

I kind of wonder if the people who build apartment buildings knowing they will be full of undergrads don't spend a lot of money on materials. My friend's building is all undergrads and the walls are paper thin, so she can hear what the girl next door is doing even when she isn't being that loud. Plus the management doesn't really take her seriously.

[baileypicks24]

This reminds me for some reason of the people terrified of Greeks (fraternity/sorority folk) in college. The idea in undergrad was being around these people would destroy your academic life because they'd throw parties and be drunk all the time. Of course, this was patently false. I know because I was in a fraternity. I almost never drank at home, and never threw a party at my place. It was always quiet enough for people to study. I never studied at the library, I did it at my place.

Similarly, you guys are talking about undergrads like they are going to be drunk 24/7, hot box your living room, have sex in the kitchen, and scream at you if you tell them not to. Very few undergrads are like that. Also, you won't be living with freshmen. If anything it'll be seniors, and they'll be over that phase if they were ever into it at that point. If you have a single room and noise cancelling headphones, you can live on a porno set or on frat row and it wouldn't bother your studying. Most undergrads stay awake past 12am to watch tv or surf the internet... neither are all that noisy. If you are a light sleeper, maybe there will be a problem but if not then who cares. This 'avoid undergrads' thing seems like uber paranoia... now I know why we all thought grad students were dillweeds in undergrad.

Which boring ass undergrad did you go to man??? 

[juliemccoy]

I live with law students. If I could do it over, I'd live alone. My roommates are great, but there is something about 1L that makes me crave quiet alone-time!

I can't speak for every university-type area, but in my college town we have many apartment complexes that have grad student sections that are quieter. And there are some apartments that are more of a grad student crowd. You just need to ask around and talk to students.

Don't live with undergrads. It's bad enough law school feels like high school (b/c you travel to all the same classes w/all the same people during 1L). Undergrads have lots of drama. You need to keep your focus.

[rtqw]

I live in a neighborhood about fifteen minutes (walking) from the law school with a fair proportion of undergrads (but also a very significant proportion of grad/professional students) and it has been just fine. I think I've been kept up by noise two or three times this year (and only during the weekend). It's important to ask around and find out which neighborhoods tend to be quiet/not so much.

If you insist on living somewhere where they wouldn't even rent to an undergrad, there's a good chance that it will be farther away from school. Short commutes are a good thing to have during 1L, I know I appreciate mine.

Also keep in mind that there is no guarantee that your law or grad student roommate is going to be as mature, responsible, or as studious as you. There are plenty of law students here with exceedingly active social lives and sparse study schedules. If you think it is going to be a problem that your roommate watches TV and plays Wii while you're studying, then I suggest living by yourself.

[dashrashi]

Are you talking about ROOMING with undergrads? That strikes me as an ineffably terrible idea. For 1L, I think you really want to choose your roommates wisely. People you know you're compatible with, someone who sleeps at their SO's 5 nights a week, med students, or similar--and that's it. You really don't need to be distracted by this.

Also...why would you room with college kids? Something's adding up strangely for me.