URM 2010-2011 Application Cycle Forum

[hiromoto45]

Hey 2010-2011! I have some time before I start law school to answer any questions. Best of luck this cycle.

[blackwater88]

Hey 2010-2011! I have some time before I start law school to answer any questions. Best of luck this cycle.

How important is it to answer "Why law school", on our personal statements?

[Gaucho]

just checking in. here's to a great cycle for everyone!

anyone else from cali?

SoCal, aguante Argentina!

Southern/Central Cali here. i'm guessing from your username you go to UCSB? you want to stay in cali for ls?

absolutely and emphatically no. I've lived in socal all my life and can't wait to get the hell out! I am so sick of suburbs and strip malls...ready for some snow [we'll see how long that lasts lol]

blackwater, that is too funny you thought I was from Argentina.


Authentic Gaucho


UCSB Gaucho

gotta admit, I prefer the authentic

[Knock]

Haha, you're crazy man. If I get tired of Southern California, i'll just head up to Northern California. Trying to avoid snow as much as I possibly can .

[hiromoto45]

Hey 2010-2011! I have some time before I start law school to answer any questions. Best of luck this cycle.

How important is it to answer "Why law school", on our personal statements?

"Why law school" isn't important. Why you want/need to go X-law school is important to state.

[Rand M.]

Hey 2010-2011! I have some time before I start law school to answer any questions. Best of luck this cycle.

How important is it to answer "Why law school", on our personal statements?

"Why law school" isn't important. Why you want/need to go X-law school is important to state.

I disagree. I think Why School X is only important at the margins (WL territory). I think its pretty important to tie your life experiences/ambitions into something that makes law school a logical step. If you have nothing like that, you start to look like the legions of people who are applying because they don't know what else to do. Personally, I didn't right a single school specific essay. I made it clear why I wanted to go to law school, and let them decide if their school was for me. Part of that could be due to the fact that I didn't really have a strong preference for one school over another, so I guess if you have one school you're sure of, then you should make sure they know that.

Maybe this shows that there is no 'wrong' approach to this.

[hiromoto45]

Hey 2010-2011! I have some time before I start law school to answer any questions. Best of luck this cycle.

How important is it to answer "Why law school", on our personal statements?

"Why law school" isn't important. Why you want/need to go X-law school is important to state.

I disagree. I think Why School X is only important at the margins (WL territory). I think its pretty important to tie your life experiences/ambitions into something that makes law school a logical step. If you have nothing like that, you start to look like the legions of people who are applying because they don't know what else to do. Personally, I didn't right a single school specific essay. I made it clear why I wanted to go to law school, and let them decide if their school was for me. Part of that could be due to the fact that I didn't really have a strong preference for one school over another, so I guess if you have one school you're sure of, then you should make sure they know that.

Maybe this shows that there is no 'wrong' approach to this.

The was accepted to all the schools that I wrote Why X law school. The ones I didn't I had mixed results (a/w/r). HTH.

[20121109]

So I log back in after a brief hiatus and I have a ton of messages in my inbox...

Um, my laptop is down and classes are about to start...if you sent me a message recently and I haven't responded, I'm not ignoring you...I just can't get back to you right now because of time-constraints and a complete lack of a chargeable laptop (my new one hasn't arrived yet) lol...

Please bear with me, I will get back to you as soon as I can. I promise

Is this why you stopped sending me pictures? I think I deleted the shirtless PM before you read it.

NR...now, you know I never sent you pictures, LOL!!! But feel free to PM anytime you want....Now that I have my new laptop and no classes till next Tuesday, I'm fine. Although, I do have Criminal and Civ Pro reading tonight....

<3

[rundoxierun]

Anyone applying Duke PT or UVA ED?? We need to get some acceptances on here.

[Ill-literate]

Alrighty, I need someone to edit/proofread my personal statement. Any takers? (Wondering if I should spend money to see that movie too)

[s0ph1e2007]

so is the why x. law school
supposed to be a separate essay, or is it supposed to be incorporated into our ps? I don't know that they won't hate any applicant who sends three essays (ps, ds, and why x.) lol

[ArchRoark]

so is the why x. law school
supposed to be a separate essay, or is it supposed to be incorporated into our ps? I don't know that they won't hate any applicant who sends three essays (ps, ds, and why x.) lol

either, whichever works best

personally I am doing them separate and yes I am sending three essays to a few schools : )

Anyone applying Duke PT or UVA ED?? We need to get some acceptances on here.

Been on the fence on whether to ED to UVA for weeks now... the second I think I make up my mind, I waiver and go back to undecided

[s0ph1e2007]

so is the why x. law school
supposed to be a separate essay, or is it supposed to be incorporated into our ps? I don't know that they won't hate any applicant who sends three essays (ps, ds, and why x.) lol

either, whichever works best

personally I am doing them separate and yes I am sending three essays to a few schools : )

Anyone applying Duke PT or UVA ED?? We need to get some acceptances on here.

Been on the fence on whether to ED to UVA for weeks now... the second I think I make up my mind, I waiver and go back to undecided

Do all schools allow why school x. essays?

[ArchRoark]

Do all schools allow why school x. essays?

Not sure... Ask the ones you are interested in sending them too. I am pretty sure the consensus is that YHSCCN know they are stellar and for that reason Why X is redundant. MVP place a decent amount of weight on them from my understanding.

I am sending them to my target/reach schools, others mention you should send them to safeties if you feel you have of chance of being waitlisted/dinged because your numbers are too high.

[ufo0001]

first time poster here. Been reading all your comments. I would like some advice on my chances at a top 20 school. My GPA is a 2.7 from a large state school, nothing spectacular, but I have an upwards trend, 3.8 last 2 years. I scored a 166 but thinking of retaking as I feel this will not be enough. What do you think?

[ufo0001]

BTW my softs aren't that great, I have only one organization I volunteer at but I do have a unique background

[20121109]

first time poster here. Been reading all your comments. I would like some advice on my chances at a top 20 school. My GPA is a 2.7 from a large state school, nothing spectacular, but I have an upwards trend, 3.8 last 2 years. I scored a 166 but thinking of retaking as I feel this will not be enough. What do you think?

What kind of URM?

[bk1]

first time poster here. Been reading all your comments. I would like some advice on my chances at a top 20 school. My GPA is a 2.7 from a large state school, nothing spectacular, but I have an upwards trend, 3.8 last 2 years. I scored a 166 but thinking of retaking as I feel this will not be enough. What do you think?

What kind of URM?

According to previous posts: AA.

[ufo0001]

sorry AA

[s0ph1e2007]

well if your gpa is a 2.7 and has been a 3.8 for the past two years sounds like your application is screaming for a gpa addendum
what happened your freshman year? they can be pretty forgiving of freshman year grades.
write out an explanation and send it in.
you're still looking at below the T30 I think but definite still tier 1. and pick a notre dame or something 25ish for your reach

[bk1]

well if your gpa is a 2.7 and has been a 3.8 for the past two years sounds like your application is screaming for a gpa addendum
what happened your freshman year? they can be pretty forgiving of freshman year grades.
write out an explanation and send it in.
you're still looking at below the T30 I think but definite still tier 1. and pick a notre dame or something 25ish for your reach

This is definitely not "screaming for an addendum." Don't write an addendum except for legitimate reasons. If it was you getting used to college or slacking, then it isn't worth it. If somebody died, you got sick, etc, then it may be.

[s0ph1e2007]

well if your gpa is a 2.7 and has been a 3.8 for the past two years sounds like your application is screaming for a gpa addendum
what happened your freshman year? they can be pretty forgiving of freshman year grades.
write out an explanation and send it in.
you're still looking at below the T30 I think but definite still tier 1. and pick a notre dame or something 25ish for your reach

This is definitely not "screaming for an addendum." Don't write an addendum except for legitimate reasons. If it was you getting used to college or slacking, then it isn't worth it. If somebody died, you got sick, etc, then it may be.

yes agreed. I assumed no one would take my advice to read: please write an essay telling the adcoms that you were lazy.
If the information he/she gave was accurate then they had a 0.5 GPA their freshman year. I thought this was indicative of some sort of serious medical, emotional issue. So...
To clarify: Write an addendum if you had a good reason for your GPA being 3.3 points lower your freshman year than your sophomore and junior years.

[ufo0001]

I have to write an addendum because i was placed on academic probation

[ufo0001]

ok thank you

[Miranda 18]

Hey Guys!

Long time lurker....very excited to start this cycle! Will be taking the LSAT this October and will be joining you guys on this year's cycle

Best of luck to everyone!