URM 2013-2014 Cycle Thread Forum

[toshiroh]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

[Dr.Zer0]

Thanks bro I appreciate it. Yup LSAC will be up and running after 4:30.

Happy BDAY!

HAPPY BDAYYYY!!

Thank you I appreciate it. And congrats to everyone who was recently accepted.

Happy Bday!

[sassybassy]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

No, I didn't. Did you apply already? The last email I got was that rather rude newsletter from admissions. Def thought it was a decision email, but it was just a newsletter. Lol and sad face

[wlee1220]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I did go to an HBCU and I got that email too. I'm not sure if I'm gonna apply though. With my numbers I need to be strategic about my apps. From what I'm hearing they have visited more HBCUs than usual

[Futuregohan14]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I noted earlier in this thread that URMS who attend certain schools may get a slight "boost" from admins at decent law schools. I mentioned the Ivies along with a few elite non-Ivies (Williams, Stanford, Duke, etc):
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p7263939

I didn't mention it in that post, but my understanding was that, for AAs, top HBCUs (particularly Morehouse, Spelman, Hampton and Howard, but a couple of others as well; some of these schools have been called "Black Ivies") also provide a slight boost.

Johh_Rizzy_Rawls thought that my post was pure BS ("prestige starved school bundling" bothers him greatly; I do hope this post does not upset him too much), but this e-mail you got might indicate that there is indeed some sort of UG preference for URMs out there acting as a positive soft factor.

[Mojosodope]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I noted earlier in this thread that URMS who attend certain schools may get a slight "boost" from admins at decent law schools. I mentioned the Ivies along with a few elite non-Ivies (Williams, Stanford, Duke, etc):
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p7263939

I didn't mention it in that post, but my understanding was that, for AAs, top HBCUs (particularly Morehouse, Spelman, Hampton and Howard, but a couple of others as well; some of these schools have been called "Black Ivies") also provide a slight boost.

Johh_Rizzy_Rawls thought that my post was pure BS ("prestige starved school bundling" bothers him greatly; I do hope this post does not upset him too much), but this e-mail you got might indicate that there is indeed some sort of UG preference for URMs out there acting as a positive soft factor.

Or that Columbia just wants more URM's to apply.

[BobMoses]

In at GULC via snail mail yesterday. TFA alum as well. Congrats to all on their acceptances!

Nice, congrats!!

Thanks

[sassybassy]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I noted earlier in this thread that URMS who attend certain schools may get a slight "boost" from admins at decent law schools. I mentioned the Ivies along with a few elite non-Ivies (Williams, Stanford, Duke, etc):
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p7263939

I didn't mention it in that post, but my understanding was that, for AAs, top HBCUs (particularly Morehouse, Spelman, Hampton and Howard, but a couple of others as well; some of these schools have been called "Black Ivies") also provide a slight boost.

Johh_Rizzy_Rawls thought that my post was pure BS ("prestige starved school bundling" bothers him greatly; I do hope this post does not upset him too much), but this e-mail you got might indicate that there is indeed some sort of UG preference for URMs out there acting as a positive soft factor.

It goes Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, and maybe Hampton. Thanks

[Dr.Zer0]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I noted earlier in this thread that URMS who attend certain schools may get a slight "boost" from admins at decent law schools. I mentioned the Ivies along with a few elite non-Ivies (Williams, Stanford, Duke, etc):
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p7263939

I didn't mention it in that post, but my understanding was that, for AAs, top HBCUs (particularly Morehouse, Spelman, Hampton and Howard, but a couple of others as well; some of these schools have been called "Black Ivies") also provide a slight boost.

Johh_Rizzy_Rawls thought that my post was pure BS ("prestige starved school bundling" bothers him greatly; I do hope this post does not upset him too much), but this e-mail you got might indicate that there is indeed some sort of UG preference for URMs out there acting as a positive soft factor.

I'm with gohan on this one, especially when it comes to schools like HYS, U of C, and Columbia.

[ThePiedPiper]

Thank you Dr. Zero I appreciate it.

[KingJamesLBJ]

Alright guys I need some help. I finally got a professor agree to write a lor. They just want me to gice them something to sign. So withe that said does anyone have any recommendation as to what I could draft up for him or where I could find a good template to gI've to him to sign?

Sorry for typos I'm on hmy phone

From what I've heard... it's really easy for adcomms to see that you're the one writing it. The advice I have seen is to make it comparative, and describe the class/ academic setting -was it hard, was there research etc. Talk about a flaw is also a good way to make sure that they don't think you wrote it.

Lebron was easily in the top 1% of students i have ever taught, he routinely set curves, and was at the top of my class. I know he left cleveland and that he will always be tainted by the fact that he joined another HOF'ers team, never won a ring on his own, and has a terrible receding hairline, but I feel that his ability to succeed in LS is pretty good.

Shiz like that

Alright thanks, mojo also. Im going to try and draft something up and have him add to it. Hes old and busy so im trying to help as much as i can lol. So he has to go make the account on lsac then print out something then send it by mail to lsac with the lor? is that right? like transcripts

[Dr.Zer0]

Alright guys I need some help. I finally got a professor agree to write a lor. They just want me to gice them something to sign. So withe that said does anyone have any recommendation as to what I could draft up for him or where I could find a good template to gI've to him to sign?

Sorry for typos I'm on hmy phone

From what I've heard... it's really easy for adcomms to see that you're the one writing it. The advice I have seen is to make it comparative, and describe the class/ academic setting -was it hard, was there research etc. Talk about a flaw is also a good way to make sure that they don't think you wrote it.

Lebron was easily in the top 1% of students i have ever taught, he routinely set curves, and was at the top of my class. I know he left cleveland and that he will always be tainted by the fact that he joined another HOF'ers team, never won a ring on his own, and has a terrible receding hairline, but I feel that his ability to succeed in LS is pretty good.

Shiz like that

Alright thanks, mojo also. Im going to try and draft something up and have him add to it. Hes old and busy so im trying to help as much as i can lol. So he has to go make the account on lsac then print out something then send it by mail to lsac with the lor? is that right? like transcripts

You can actually upload the LOR and it will appear under your account almost instantly.

[Mojosodope]

Alright guys I need some help. I finally got a professor agree to write a lor. They just want me to gice them something to sign. So withe that said does anyone have any recommendation as to what I could draft up for him or where I could find a good template to gI've to him to sign?

Sorry for typos I'm on hmy phone

From what I've heard... it's really easy for adcomms to see that you're the one writing it. The advice I have seen is to make it comparative, and describe the class/ academic setting -was it hard, was there research etc. Talk about a flaw is also a good way to make sure that they don't think you wrote it.

Lebron was easily in the top 1% of students i have ever taught, he routinely set curves, and was at the top of my class. I know he left cleveland and that he will always be tainted by the fact that he joined another HOF'ers team, never won a ring on his own, and has a terrible receding hairline, but I feel that his ability to succeed in LS is pretty good.

Shiz like that

Alright thanks, mojo also. Im going to try and draft something up and have him add to it. Hes old and busy so im trying to help as much as i can lol. So he has to go make the account on lsac then print out something then send it by mail to lsac with the lor? is that right? like transcripts

Nah, you just need to print out a sheet from your account, have him sign the letter, and send both sheets in.

[KingJamesLBJ]

got it

[Kool-Aid]

SEO Law...has anyone applied yet? If so, when do you think we may start hearing something?

[californiauser]

Did anyone else go to a HBCU in here?

I ask because Columbia emailed me saying they were looking for HBCU graduates

That's weird, but I did.

did you get the email? I thought it was weird too? I was like huh? I wonder what prompted them to send that

I noted earlier in this thread that URMS who attend certain schools may get a slight "boost" from admins at decent law schools. I mentioned the Ivies along with a few elite non-Ivies (Williams, Stanford, Duke, etc):
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 0#p7263939

I didn't mention it in that post, but my understanding was that, for AAs, top HBCUs (particularly Morehouse, Spelman, Hampton and Howard, but a couple of others as well; some of these schools have been called "Black Ivies") also provide a slight boost.

Johh_Rizzy_Rawls thought that my post was pure BS ("prestige starved school bundling" bothers him greatly; I do hope this post does not upset him too much), but this e-mail you got might indicate that there is indeed some sort of UG preference for URMs out there acting as a positive soft factor.

Honestly, it seems pretty implausible that HBCUs would get a boost. None of these schools are hard to get into or known for being particularly rigorous. It seems more likely that they're trying to recruit URMs in large numbers; it makes sense to market at a HBCU where there are large numbers of URMs.

Can you post the email?

[Quan292]

In at Georgetown via snail mail. Feeling good.

Congrats! And shoutout to TFA, what region are you in?

How many of us are TFA? I'm a NOLA alum!

Another tfa-er here. I'm actually really interested in seeing how our cycles differ from others with similar numbers. I have a feeling for URM's we'll won't differ much.

Also congrats!

[midnight_circus]

SEO Law...has anyone applied yet? If so, when do you think we may start hearing something?

Yes and I have no idea. I applied for the round 2 deadline, but I haven't heard anything yet. Anyone else?

[sassybassy]

The top HBCUs are selective and admissions remain competitive. If you look at the list of alumni, it's obvious that people do not choose these institutions because they cannot get into top or other elite universities. We choose HBCUs because of the community, network, and the undergraduate experience that can only be had at a Spelhouse, at a Howard or a FAMU. So it would make sense that if you're looking for top Black applicants, you would give priority to students from these institutions because of their history of producing some of the best minds and leaders in history.

[Mojosodope]

The top HBCUs are selective and admissions remain competitive. If you look at the list of alumni, it's obvious that people do not choose these institutions because they cannot get into top or other elite universities. We choose HBCUs because of the community, network, and the undergraduate experience that can only be had at a Spelhouse, at a Howard or a FAMU. So it would make sense that if you're looking for top Black applicants, you would give priority to students from these institutions because of their history of producing some of the best minds and leaders in history.

You don't have to defend HBCU. But to compare admissions of a place like Stanford to Morehouse or Howard is crazy. But this discussion doesn't even need to happen.

If you think that it gives you a boost, more power to you. Hopefully it helps some get over the hump.

[californiauser]

The top HBCUs are selective and admissions remain competitive. If you look at the list of alumni, it's obvious that people do not choose these institutions because they cannot get into top or other elite universities. We choose HBCUs because of the community, network, and the undergraduate experience that can only be had at a Spelhouse, at a Howard or a FAMU. So it would make sense that if you're looking for top Black applicants, you would give priority to students from these institutions because of their history of producing some of the best minds and leaders in history.

By what metric? The median SAT scores are around 550 per section, which isn't anything special. It seems ridiculous that these schools would get a boost compared to flagship state schools or even smaller privates, which I would argue engender more adverse environments for URM students.

FAMU's 75th%ile for each section is right around 520, what reason would Columbia have to give a student a boost from this school over, let's say the University of Florida?

I'm not arguing that HBCUs aren't excellent schools that produce excellent leaders, I just don't see where this idea that students would get a boost from these schools come from.

[Mojosodope]

The top HBCUs are selective and admissions remain competitive. If you look at the list of alumni, it's obvious that people do not choose these institutions because they cannot get into top or other elite universities. We choose HBCUs because of the community, network, and the undergraduate experience that can only be had at a Spelhouse, at a Howard or a FAMU. So it would make sense that if you're looking for top Black applicants, you would give priority to students from these institutions because of their history of producing some of the best minds and leaders in history.

By what metric? The median SAT scores are around 550 per section, which isn't anything special. It seems ridiculous that these schools would get a boost compared to flagship state school or even smaller privates, which I would argue engender more adverse environments for URM students.

FAMU's 75th%ile for each section is right around 520, what reason would Columbia have to give a student a boost from this school over, let's say the University of Florida?

I'm not arguing that HBCUs aren't excellent schools that produce excellent leaders, I just don't see where this idea that students would get a boost from these schools come from.

Exactly what I was going to say, but I decided to avoid the discussion

[sassybassy]

The top HBCUs are selective and admissions remain competitive. If you look at the list of alumni, it's obvious that people do not choose these institutions because they cannot get into top or other elite universities. We choose HBCUs because of the community, network, and the undergraduate experience that can only be had at a Spelhouse, at a Howard or a FAMU. So it would make sense that if you're looking for top Black applicants, you would give priority to students from these institutions because of their history of producing some of the best minds and leaders in history.

By what metric? The median SAT scores are around 550 per section, which isn't anything special. It seems ridiculous that these schools would get a boost compared to flagship state schools or even smaller privates, which I would argue engender more adverse environments for URM students.

FAMU's 75th%ile for each section is right around 520, what reason would Columbia have to give a student a boost from this school over, let's say the University of Florida?

I'm not arguing that HBCUs aren't excellent schools that produce excellent leaders, I just don't see where this idea that students would get a boost from these schools come from.

The top three HBCUs are Spelman, Morehouse, and Howard. It's about the type of student that goes to these institutions and the type of education they receive. I'm not saying we get a boost 100%, but I do know that having gone to an HBCU has been extremely helpful to me in my career. The names mean a lot because the alumni lists are incredible from MLK to Marshall.

[toshiroh]

I'm just going to avoid this discussion because I've had enough these discussions in undergrad with FSU students about why I chose Famu over FSU and the other PWI undergrads I was accepted into. They usually don't end well.

[mandyjay11]

Sassy, how is the type of student that goes there different from the type that doesn't? I got full rides plus stipends to Howard and Spellman as an undergrad and decided to go Ivy, does that make me a different type of students by simply choosing a different path?