What did I tell you and talib?! You guys are too pessimistic! FWIW I'm not just pulling these "overly optimistic" admissions predictions out of my ass! My pre law advisor let me see the admissions stats for people accepted to various law schools---and the medians/averages were lower than what a lot of TLS'ers quote (and keep in mind I don't attend an undergrad of the same caliber as you two do). I dug a little further and discovered that this was related to URM applicants. On top of that I've talked to blacks on blsd and through seo admitted to top schools. You'd be surprised who get's in. I think ED at Chicago combined with you having reapplied and networked with the BLSA there and Dean Perry is going to result in an acceptance. Hell man for your particular set of goals Chicago basically is HLS right?!

Not to jump on the self deprecating parade but this is all very correct. You do know that in truth for RD you actually have a better shot at HLS than CLS and Chicago right? HLS is more serious about recruiting blacks---although hopeful did say that Chicago is going to make strides this year. From what I've seen and been told the schools most aggressive in recruiting us are 1. HLS 2. UVA and probably 3. NYU Each of these three schools seem to be pretty serious about gobbling up Black applicants who can give them something worth admitting them for. Before this cycle I would say that Chicago and Boalt were the worst--but I think that that is changing.

awww... your tar's too cute for me to stay mad at you

congrats on your JR1! you're a different type of URM than me so I don't think we're actually competing too much

also... it seems like the theory of URMs getting batches of JR1's at once seems to have some wind to it

I think it's more likely I get deferred to RD than admitted during the early decision round which is why I thought the hail mary to Harvard might be worth it. Also, I'm not as enthusiastic about my Chicago ED as I once was. I would really love to attend Michigan (if they let me in!!) and of course HLS would be great too. I'd be perfectly happy getting a Chicago acceptance though it's just that I want to have the opportunity to decide and negotiate merit aid and such. I'll know in 3-4 weeks.

What's HLS's LSAT median? They only have 25%/75% listed on their website.

I believe it is a 173 but don't quote me on that. I think that's what I saw on the website earlier this year. I doubt they could have raised it. I feel you on losing some of the love for Chicago--after realizing that there is no way I could live in NYC for 3 years, and thinking about my particular goals I just let the CLS thing go. The hail mary to HLS is worth it. They can afford to be more holistic in their admissions than any other school because of their size and reputation. They simply cannot be "hurt" in the rankings.

Grrr.... 1pt below median LSAT. I could have at least given them one reason to accept me.

i have a feeling you'll end up getting ED accepted to chicago, and waitlisted at harvard.

of all the T14 schools where your lsat is above median, chicago would be the school where your score would have the most impact since their class size is one of the smallest of the t14 (2nd to stanford). i just can't see them passing up on an URM that helps them improve their LSAT median.

and with a sub median lsat i don't think there's an incentive for harvard to take you over a high 160s, +3.7 applicant. also, according to lsn, this numbers range is most characteristic of those who are accepted and the number range your numbers lie in is most characteristic of waitlisted applicants.

Everyone but me seems so confident in my Chicago ED app. Even though there is really no data to back it up.

I posted this on the Harvard 2010 forum but figured I'd throw it up here too because this thread has been so helpful thus far. Here's my dillema:

Anyone had experience rescheduling a JR1? This is aweful timing but I will be traveling in Africa for this non-profit I'm working with for the next two weeks (starting Tuesday) and my JR1 email said I'm slated for my phone interview on Nov. 30th. I'm hoping I wont be labeled a pain in the a$$ by JR for needing to reschedule but any thoughts? I just emailed the admissions office requesting that my JR1 be postponed until Dec 7 when I get back or the long shot possibility that I can get it in before I leave. I also have a slight issue because I wont have phone or email access while traveling so if I don't hear back before I travel on tuesday I guess i'll have to call. Or do people think my situation is sufficiently complicated to warrant a call to the admissions office on Monday?

For me it's because of your combo of undergrad strength, the networking you've done with Chicago affiliates, the fact that you said that they are trying to increase their AA student pop, the fact that you have an LSAT above the median, your app is ED, you submitted relatively early, and Dean Perry took the time to actually discuss your app weaknesses with you (people don't do that for someone that they don't think is worth their time). Finally Chicago seems like a top school that doesn't really "romance" Black applicants like some of it's peers (CLS and NYU). I believe that all of that adds up to a very good chance at an acceptance. Making things even sweeter is that I think you are basically auto admit at Michigan. Considering your goals and the fact that Chicago seems a little too intense ---I don't really see Michigan as being far behind Chicago at all.

I think you already know what my take on this is. i'm not nearly as optimistic as other people. chicago is just too academically inclined to allow anyone in with under a 3.0. you'd be better off trading like 10 lsat points for a 3.5 or something

Call Monday.

Thanks kurama and talib.

I'm actually quite happy that you sent in your app to Harvard, Hopeful!! I remember a line that stuck out from a discussion I had with the HBLSA President, "Too many black applicants self-select out before submitting an application and decide that they will not be accepted by Harvard." I know you are apprehensive about your GPA, and that's quite understandable, but we're none of us perfect, and we all have insecurities about what we have to offer to various schools. But sometimes you just have to take that chance. You don't ever want to experience a wistful feeling of "What if...?" Besides, remember, you already have UVA down, right? That's amazing in itself...you have nothing to lose and much to gain. There is a good chance you may be pleasantly surprised...

Reconsider or start studying now.

Reconsider the entire enterprise of attending law school? Are you a bit down as finals approach Kohinoor?

Stanford BLSA fee waiver. Should I take the plunge and apply or ignore this cruel joke by the malefactors of Palo Alto?

Why do people even bother with these kinds of questions? If you have $12 to spare on the LSAC report, go for it. Done and done.

Best of luck! The only opinions that really matter at this point are the ad-comms, though, so try not to stress yourself out with what people say here.

Talib, how did you get this Stanford fee waiver (e-mail, mail, other)? Need-based or merit-based? Although it won't impact me, as I've already applied. Also didn't you apply ED somewhere else?

I'm told SLS's app is actually quite complicated with targeted LORs and various Dean Certs being necessary. Kohinoor was dinged with stats that are roughly equivalent to talib's but if you have the time to put together a competitive app over Thanksgiving break, then do it.

I wouldn't say it's a complicated app. It requires one straightforward Dean's cert. That's it. You have the option of sending targeted LORs -like you do at every other school-, and having the professor include a statement of instructor form to assess your in-class performance.

It came via snail mail. The fee waiver was merit-based.

Yeah, I EDed at Columbia. Looking over the stuff they want, I'm not sure its worth taking the time to submit an acceptable application. I'm probably not going to apply. Besides, I feel like Koohiner would hunt me down should I get in, and I really don't need that sort of grief in my life!