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Post by Baymax on Jul 8, 2016 21:08:34 GMT -5
One of the things I wasn't sure of before heading to DC for the WD/LBMT/SI was what time my SI would be (if I got the invite to it at all). Either way, the State Plaza Hotel was one block over and about 1-1.5 mile walk, which took nearly 30 minutes. Luckily, my SI time (and it seemed quite a few people from my testing group) was mid-morning, around 11am, so I had the luxury of time to pack up my stuff, check out (left my car in the valet parking at the SP Hotel) and walk to my SI. I got there with about an 45 minutes to spare, and once it was done, had a nice leisurely walk back to the SP hotel to get in my car and head out.
Perhaps it's just me, but bc I went to law school in DC (granted about 20 years ago), I was VERY comfortable walking around, even at night, in Foggy Bottom/GWU in particular. LOTS of students out (it was November and school was in session), so the walk felt very safe (doesn't mean that it WAS... just made me feel better). I was in DC recently for a conference too, and there's just something about it - I've always felt at ease walking around even after dark. Probably a false sense of security, but...
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Post by Bueller on Jul 8, 2016 22:10:29 GMT -5
The bike sharing program is a cheap and easy option if you're close, but not walking distance close. There's a place right by OPM to leave one and get one again after the test. Not ideal for the interview of course.
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Post by judgymcjudgypants on Jul 9, 2016 8:27:22 GMT -5
While technically premature, a little daydreaming helps the time go by. And it's free, unlike paying to take the Bar while still in the first semester of law school. :-) It was discounted, but still $700.00 to put down on a dream that was 3 years away.
Ya pays your money and ya takes ya chances.
J
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 9, 2016 9:45:27 GMT -5
While technically premature, a little daydreaming helps the time go by. And it's free, unlike paying to take the Bar while still in the first semester of law school. :-) It was discounted, but still $700.00 to put down on a dream that was 3 years away. Ya pays your money and ya takes ya chances. J Absolutely, Iand I remember that need. For me and I suspect others it was a need. I just caution that at least once in this process they changed the SI hotel.
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Post by foghorn on Jul 11, 2016 13:56:34 GMT -5
While technically premature, a little daydreaming helps the time go by. And it's free, unlike paying to take the Bar while still in the first semester of law school. :-) It was discounted, but still $700.00 to put down on a dream that was 3 years away. Ya pays your money and ya takes ya chances. J You took the bar first year of law school? I tried but all they'd let me take was the bar prep course. :}
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DC Testing
Jul 11, 2016 14:27:58 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by judgymcjudgypants on Jul 11, 2016 14:27:58 GMT -5
Ha! No, but the Bar was more than happy to start taking my money ASAP!!!!
J
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Post by christina on Jul 11, 2016 16:13:15 GMT -5
One of the things I wasn't sure of before heading to DC for the WD/LBMT/SI was what time my SI would be (if I got the invite to it at all). Either way, the State Plaza Hotel was one block over and about 1-1.5 mile walk, which took nearly 30 minutes. Luckily, my SI time (and it seemed quite a few people from my testing group) was mid-morning, around 11am, so I had the luxury of time to pack up my stuff, check out (left my car in the valet parking at the SP Hotel) and walk to my SI. I got there with about an 45 minutes to spare, and once it was done, had a nice leisurely walk back to the SP hotel to get in my car and head out. Perhaps it's just me, but bc I went to law school in DC (granted about 20 years ago), I was VERY comfortable walking around, even at night, in Foggy Bottom/GWU in particular. LOTS of students out (it was November and school was in session), so the walk felt very safe (doesn't mean that it WAS... just made me feel better). I was in DC recently for a conference too, and there's just something about it - I've always felt at ease walking around even after dark. Probably a false sense of security, but... I agree with u. Foggy bottom area felt and seemed very safe after dark.
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Post by cafeta on Jul 11, 2016 22:52:17 GMT -5
Last time, I forget how I found it, but I stayed in what amounted to a one bedroom apartment. Might have found it on TripAdvisor. An easy walk to OPM, but I took a cab to the SI. I could have walked there, and in fact walked back, but I wanted to not stress out about anything before that. Easy walk to the Metro and to a Whole Foods and several other eating places. This sounds like the State Plaza. I was amazed with it when I walked into the room. A small kitchen, with stove and microwave, a dining nook. Very comfy!
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 12, 2016 0:45:55 GMT -5
Last time, I forget how I found it, but I stayed in what amounted to a one bedroom apartment. Might have found it on TripAdvisor. An easy walk to OPM, but I took a cab to the SI. I could have walked there, and in fact walked back, but I wanted to not stress out about anything before that. Easy walk to the Metro and to a Whole Foods and several other eating places. This sounds like the State Plaza. I was amazed with it when I walked into the room. A small kitchen, with stove and microwave, a dining nook. Very comfy! It was called the Barrington or Harrington or something like that. Not as close to OPM as the State Plaza.
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Post by jagvet on Jul 12, 2016 11:38:05 GMT -5
One reason I stayed in the same SI hotel was because in September, I was concerned about heat, high humidity or rain walking between the hotel and the interview, making my suit soaked (and me cold and shivering in the air conditioned room). I went down the elevator calm, collected, DRY and on time. If you stay any distance, consider a cab to the interview if the weather's oppressive. DC is indeed a swamp.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 12, 2016 13:57:54 GMT -5
One reason I stayed in the same SI hotel was because in September, I was concerned about heat, high humidity or rain walking between the hotel and the interview, making my suit soaked (and me cold and shivering in the air conditioned room). I went down the elevator calm, collected, DRY and on time. If you stay any distance, consider a cab to the interview if the weather's oppressive. DC is indeed a swamp. Good advice here. This group is likely to be there during a decent time of year weather wise; expected weather is always a factor to consider in terms of hotel locations.
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Post by greendog on Jul 12, 2016 14:13:00 GMT -5
I stayed Airbnb in Arlington and rode the Metro in and out. It was fine. The Airbnb was close to the Metro and had plenty of places to eat close by. It was around $100 a night.
What was weird for me was being in place I've never been by myself. I've always traveled with someone.
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Post by aljwishhope on Jul 12, 2016 15:43:29 GMT -5
Things may be different by the fall I do not know. However I do know metro is a mess presently for even short trips. I am carpooling when i go to office (and. I do not telework).
I am a person who goes to new towns and rides the local transportation.
I say no matter how familiar you are with metro save yourself a headache and stay close to testing to walk or take short taxi ride.
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Post by jagvet on Jul 12, 2016 16:49:16 GMT -5
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DC Testing
Jul 12, 2016 17:26:13 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by slainte on Jul 12, 2016 17:26:13 GMT -5
Pentagon City is one of the impacted stations
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Post by Gaidin on Jul 12, 2016 21:22:32 GMT -5
Pentagon City is one of the impacted stations I'm not liking this post. Uber it is.
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Post by phoenixrisingALJ on Jul 13, 2016 8:39:19 GMT -5
Pentagon City is one of the impacted stations I work in Crystal City-the metro safe track program is not Armageddon - but it is annoying. The article you reference is from may at the beginning of the roll out and it is now half way through July. Half of the purpose of that article was to get folks to figure out alternate ways to get to work for those time periods that a metro station they use is out of service. For those of you not familiar with DC and metro - the short story is our metro system is wonderful - BUT management had not been paying attention to repairs so following a wave of issues - the current manager put in place a very aggressive schedule of track repair/replacement. There is a schedule laid out in advance for closing certain stations for 2- 4 week windows (they provide shuttle buses between closed stops and the next open station). metro explains safe track as: "an accelerated track work plan to address safety recommendations and rehabilitate the Metrorail system to improve safety and reliability. SafeTrack accelerates three years' worth of work into approximately one year. The plan significantly expands maintenance time on weeknights, weekends and midday hours and includes 15 "Safety Surges" - long duration track outages for major projects in key parts of the system. " Since work is going on right now in Pentagon City and Crystal City (and to national by end of July) - it will be done prior to DC testing for the 2016 applicants. So those who were thinking of staying in Pentagon City/Crystal City area and taking metro will not need to worry. When we have the date of the DC testing - I will provide an update at that time.
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Post by bayou on Jul 13, 2016 10:26:28 GMT -5
Pentagon City is one of the impacted stations When we have the date of the DC testing - I will provide an update at that time. Thanks phoenix, it will be greatly appreciated by those who are invited.
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Post by operationalj on Jul 13, 2016 11:03:48 GMT -5
I want to go to DC... When I go (optimistic), I am sparing no expense and will take the easiest, less sweaty option. This is hopefully a once and a lifetime experience. Live large!
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Post by hopefulop on Jul 13, 2016 12:39:10 GMT -5
I want to go to DC... When I go (optimistic), I am sparing no expense and will take the easiest, less sweaty option. This is hopefully a once and a lifetime experience. Live large! I agree - I don't know about "sparing no expense" (HAHA) but certainly will be worried about getting everywhere on time, easy and not all sweaty! Let's hope we have that to worry about soon! That's not to say I don't appreciate all the intel about the various hotels, places to eat and transit issues. That is certainly extremely helpful wherever one decides to stay.
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