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Ikn, thanks for the housing info, and as for current first years having priority, I didnt realize that but it works out better for me As for dating, I think my "extreme negativity" is warranted here. Just for ghitz and shiggles, here is a quote I recieved in my email today regarding the local graduate Speed Dating event at the Grad College "We currently need more sign-ups from “women seeking men” to be able to run this event. We can no longer offer anymore “men seeking women” spots at this time." haha, ummm, yeah, ill be in New York this week Also, I am not saying that $450 per month is wrong, but I cant imagine where the housing website is pulling that number from. If you calculate the per month cost of a room in the old grad college (with roomate) it comes out to around $800 per month. Plus, tack on the 95 meals that you are required to buy per semester at $12-$14 per meal. And Id say the grad college is pretty standard living situation for incoming students. But I am glad to hear some other perspectives on these issues.

Mud island is the little island just west of memphis, kindof floating in the Mississippi river. There is a bridge that crosses between downtown and the island. Others would know more about it but Id guess that crime isnt really a problem there even though its so close to the city. I think that a lot of the Med students get together and split apartments over there. Its great if you will be downtown most of the time, but the biggest downfall is cost. For some reason, its kind of an upscale place to live, especially for students. There is a little beach/park walkway thing around the island which is great for a walk/jog/sunset.

There are a few things that prospective Princeton grads should probably know before April 15 just incase they "forgot" to mention it at the open house. Grad housing is about to go through a big overhaul. They are demolishing large grad complexes for some reason unknown to me. There isnt really a plan for where all these student will go. Housing at Princeton is already expensive and perhaps a bit crowded, but things are about to get worse. Also, the nightlife in Princeton is practically nonexistent for grad student. There are a total of three bars near campus (none of them fun IMHO). There is also the DBar in the basement of the grad college but there are always way more guys than girls at the dbar (~ 7.5 guys/girl, yes, iv counted). Meanwhile, the undergrads lock themsevles into the eating clubs on the weekends. Point is, if your interested in a dating-scene, you will have to go to NY or philly to find it. of course, there are obviously many great things about grad school at princeton, but im tired of typing now, so these will have to wait for another post france2010: priority goes to first years, so you will most likely get your top pick

I just moved from Memphis after spending 5 years there for undergrad at the University of Memphis, and I moved to a new place every year and so got a decent feel for the city. There are a few areas where UoM students typically live: Campus, Cordova, Midtown Campus: the UoM is mainly a "commuter school" so very little of the student population actually lives on campus (id guess <10%). And its expensive compared to living in the city. There are a lot of resedential neighborhoods nearby campus that make for good student housing because its so cheap but be careful which street its on, some are OK, some are scary. Cordova: after living on campus for a year, I moved to Cordova which is probably the best value/cost ratio. Its clean, safe (for Memphis), lots of shopping nearby, and plenty of reasonably priced apartment complexes. The disadvantage is mainly the distance. Its about a 20min drive down the highway to campus which becomes ~45min in 8am traffick. Also, its is described by some as "chainy", "generic", or just boring. Lots of chain restaurants and hardly any nightlife to speak of. Midtown: the last couple years I spent moving around midtown. The trick in Midtown is finding a cool place to live where you wont get shot. Like other posters have said its very splotchy, one street is nice and homey, the next is gang territory. But beyond that, Midtown is great because its has a good nightlife, lots of cafes and interesting restaurants, etc. The population there tends to be younger, more open minded, progressive, "culturaly aware" (whatever that means) than the rest of Memphis. as for other places: Downtown (too far away), Germantown (too expensive), Bartlett (boring). Conclusion, if your main concern is: convenience (neighborhood nearby campus), cost or saftey (Cordova/Bartlett), good times (Midtown, esp near cooper-young intersection) Of course, this is all IMHO. I have much more to say about Memphis, but will save that for another post