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Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:05 am
by AntipodeanPhil
laura2011 wrote:i'm wondering if consultants are worth the massive amounts of money that they charge ...
You probably already have some idea of the way the US law school admissions process works. For a US student, LSAT score and undergraduate GPA are hugely important, although other factors are perhaps a little more important than people here would have you believe. For foreign students, the LSAT is the most important factor by a long way, followed at some distance by your LSAC-determined degree rating (superior, above average, average, below average).

Consultants can't help with those, so what can they help with? Well, the only other significant parts of the application are the application form, the personal statement, and the resume. The questions on the application form are generally so straightforward you shouldn't need any help. There is an accepted format for resumes - law schools even provide examples - so they can't really help with those either. That leaves the personal statement.

For someone like you, what they want in a personal statement is (presumably) something that explains why a German student in the UK wants / would benefit from a US law degree, while emphasizing positive aspects of your background and sounding like the sort of person they would like to admit (intelligent, interesting, intellectually and/or culturally diverse, with a clear mastery of written English, et cetera). So, the only question to answer is whether you need help to write something like that, and how much the help would be worth to you.

They probably also help you with other stuff - like whether law school is right for you, where you should apply, how to pay for it, what to expect, et cetera - but most of those questions you should be able to answer yourself with online research.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:08 pm
by bk641
mjitbswyd wrote:
bk641 wrote:I WANT COLUMBIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

what to do until mid january....
Well let me tell you my story so that you won't feel so bad about the 1 month wait.. I have a llm degree so columbia does not allow me to apply for regular decision (they emailed me after I sent the application), and I have to apply as a transfer student so I won't hear from them until early July (same is true for Chicago)..
holy crap that does suck. dont transfer students have a completely different app and are subjected to different review standards?

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:55 pm
by mjitbswyd
bk641 wrote:holy crap that does suck. dont transfer students have a completely different app and are subjected to different review standards?
Well the materials are basicly the same, except that they require a certification and a transcript from your previous law school. Since the competition is among a bunch of law school students, it is definetely harder to get in. But the undergrad GPA and LSAT no longer matter, it mostly about the law school GPA. Usually you need to be at top 10% (depend on the schools) to get into better law schools.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:00 pm
by bk641
well, i'm sure your LLM grades were good, that is weird though. first time i've heard of it, actually.

what made you pursue a jd after you got an llm?

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:18 am
by mjitbswyd
bk641 wrote:well, i'm sure your LLM grades were good, that is weird though. first time i've heard of it, actually.

what made you pursue a jd after you got an llm?
I was top of class in a MVP llm, but I got no 1L courses, so not sure if that's enough to compete with 1L JDs.

I want a JD-PHD to teach constitutional law in my own country (I did not have a GRE so cannot apply phd this cycle). SJD seems a little weak for the school I want to teach in. After the llm I used to work for a whiteshoe US law firm and it was so crazy boring that I decided I have to do something fun for the rest of my life (to be fair I was in transaction so cannot speak for litigation works).

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:35 am
by Unagi
Hi guys,
I was wondering how you'll pay for law school.
So far from the top 14 I've been accepted at NYU, Michigan and Georgetown, but I'm not expecting money from them because of my 168 LSAT. I got a full tuition scholarship at Minnesota and I'm very happy about it, but I'm also sad that I got in at better schools and probably won't be able to go.
Are you getting external financial aid? All the options I've seen require that I have a US cosigner (which I don't) or that I come back to my country when I finish the JD (also don't want to do this). And my country sucks so much that we don't have students loans here...

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:23 pm
by mufcfan
Any Berkeley applicants here?

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:10 pm
by Redamon1
mufcfan wrote:Any Berkeley applicants here?
Yes! Committed in fact. I got in last cycle and deferred.

One of the things I did when I applied (to all schools, not just Berkeley) was add a letter from my school as an addendum explaining its tough grading system and prestige in my home country's educational system. I just felt that the one liner from LSAC just didn't do me justice.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:15 am
by BKB
Bump. Anyone any news?

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 12:57 pm
by mjitbswyd
hold in H. not getting my hopes high though.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:26 pm
by BKB
mjitbswyd wrote:hold in H. not getting my hopes high though.
Still no news for me....probably a rej is waiting.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:41 pm
by mjitbswyd
BKB wrote:
mjitbswyd wrote:hold in H. not getting my hopes high though.
Still no news for me....probably a rej is waiting.
if you are rejed then you should have heard it last friday. you are the strongest CN undergrad applicant ever, I'm sure you'll be fine

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:10 pm
by BKB
mjitbswyd wrote:
BKB wrote:
mjitbswyd wrote:hold in H. not getting my hopes high though.
Still no news for me....probably a rej is waiting.
if you are rejed then you should have heard it last friday. you are the strongest CN undergrad applicant ever, I'm sure you'll be fine
Haha thanks. That's flattering.
My cycle moves super slowly....BTW, I get in NU. Somehow unexpected.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:05 pm
by AntipodeanPhil
Anyone else in at Chicago? In previous years, they seem to have been very picky with internationals.

Has anyone got a decision from Harvard, besides mjitbswyd and dean? Harvard seems to be sitting on a lot of international applicants - I'm betting we'll all get decisions at the same time.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:35 pm
by mjitbswyd
AntipodeanPhil wrote:Anyone else in at Chicago? In previous years, they seem to have been very picky with internationals.

Has anyone got a decision from Harvard, besides mjitbswyd and dean? Harvard seems to be sitting on a lot of international applicants - I'm betting we'll all get decisions at the same time.
Congrats Phil! I didn't apply for Chicago (may apply for its transfer in May), but I think it might be better than Columbia for you (considering you have a phd).

I think curiouscat and rotaxkarter are internationals and they get held today.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:54 pm
by AntipodeanPhil
mjitbswyd wrote:Congrats Phil! I didn't apply for Chicago (may apply for its transfer in May), but I think it might be better than Columbia for you (considering you have a phd).

I think curiouscat and rotaxkarter are internationals and they get held today.
I think you're right - I believe they're Canadians. Holds at least mean they're under serious consideration.

I remember you writing that you'd have to apply to "transfer" to Chicago, which seems like a real shame. Its t6 ranking and class size alone make it a great choice for anyone, imo, but I'm also strongly partial to the academic focus and Chicago as a city. Perhaps you can put a deposit down somewhere else and then apply.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:43 am
by BKB
AntipodeanPhil wrote:Anyone else in at Chicago? In previous years, they seem to have been very picky with internationals.

Has anyone got a decision from Harvard, besides mjitbswyd and dean? Harvard seems to be sitting on a lot of international applicants - I'm betting we'll all get decisions at the same time.
Congrats on Chicago!
I'm WLed, as expected. Harvard also held me.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:55 am
by Mark_LS
Got in at Columbia the other week. Being exam period/the Christmas holidays (can't wait for the time when those two don't overlap) I forgot to post about it until now.

Good luck everyone!

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:40 am
by mjitbswyd
AntipodeanPhil wrote:
mjitbswyd wrote:Congrats Phil! I didn't apply for Chicago (may apply for its transfer in May), but I think it might be better than Columbia for you (considering you have a phd).

I think curiouscat and rotaxkarter are internationals and they get held today.
I think you're right - I believe they're Canadians. Holds at least mean they're under serious consideration.

I remember you writing that you'd have to apply to "transfer" to Chicago, which seems like a real shame. Its t6 ranking and class size alone make it a great choice for anyone, imo, but I'm also strongly partial to the academic focus and Chicago as a city. Perhaps you can put a deposit down somewhere else and then apply.
Maybe I will do that. Chicago's academic reputation is insanely high in my country. Congrats again!

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:47 pm
by sokomofo
.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:09 am
by curiouscat
AntipodeanPhil wrote:Congrats Phil! I didn't apply for Chicago (may apply for its transfer in May), but I think it might be better than Columbia for you (considering you have a phd).

I think curiouscat and rotaxkarter are internationals and they get held today.
Yup, Canadian, held at HLS. In at Chicago as well. I have no idea if it's my status as an international that got me held at Harvard, or something else in my application. I'm trying to figure out the reasons why Harvard might be a little hesitant with Canadian applicants, so that I can try to address those concerns in my LOCI. Kind of confused about this, though. I mean, would it help if I demonstrated why moving to the States would be feasible for me? Should I elaborate on why I want to practice in the US? Do I need to explain how I'm planning to finance my education? I'm clutching at straws here.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:25 pm
by mjitbswyd
curiouscat wrote:
AntipodeanPhil wrote:Congrats Phil! I didn't apply for Chicago (may apply for its transfer in May), but I think it might be better than Columbia for you (considering you have a phd).

I think curiouscat and rotaxkarter are internationals and they get held today.
Yup, Canadian, held at HLS. In at Chicago as well. I have no idea if it's my status as an international that got me held at Harvard, or something else in my application. I'm trying to figure out the reasons why Harvard might be a little hesitant with Canadian applicants, so that I can try to address those concerns in my LOCI. Kind of confused about this, though. I mean, would it help if I demonstrated why moving to the States would be feasible for me? Should I elaborate on why I want to practice in the US? Do I need to explain how I'm planning to finance my education? I'm clutching at straws here.
Unless you asked someone who really hates you to write your LOR, I'm pretty sure it's the international thing. You would be an auto-admit if you are US undergrad.

I'm not sure if harvard care that much about your financial situation, since they seem quite generous on financial aid. If you did not mention where you want to practice in your PS perhaps you can try, but I believe that would not be too helpful since most canadian applicants (who I think are likely to mention that in their PS) are evaluated with the international standard.

Right now I think they are just waiting for all the international applications to come in. It is reasonable for them to do so since the pool is much more unpredictable than the US application pool. Be cool!

Congrats on Chicago BTW! I hope I could apply.

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:04 pm
by curiouscat
mjitbswyd wrote:Unless you asked someone who really hates you to write your LOR, I'm pretty sure it's the international thing. You would be an auto-admit if you are US undergrad.

I'm not sure if harvard care that much about your financial situation, since they seem quite generous on financial aid. If you did not mention where you want to practice in your PS perhaps you can try, but I believe that would not be too helpful since most canadian applicants (who I think are likely to mention that in their PS) are evaluated with the international standard.

Right now I think they are just waiting for all the international applications to come in. It is reasonable for them to do so since the pool is much more unpredictable than the US application pool. Be cool!

Congrats on Chicago BTW! I hope I could apply.
Thanks! I don't know if I'd be an auto-admit with a US undergrad (weak WE and other possible flaws), but it does make me feel a lot better knowing that Harvard might just be taking its time with internationals. Patience has never really been my forte, but I'll do my best not to fret over it for now. (Well, I'll try. It's taking every fibre of being to not race over to LSN right now and scour it for data on when international students typically hear back from HLS. So neurotic. :D)

Good luck to everyone in this thread!

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:15 am
by mjitbswyd
So here's something fun:

I just bought the USNEWS law school report and see that only 0.5% of Harvard's student body is "international".. But for Yale it's 5.1%.

I don't know what does "international" mean to USNEWS. Harvard say they have 11% non-US citizens, which obviously includes US undergrads. Does the 0.5% mean they only admit about 4 true internationals each year?

Re: Official Foreign Applicants Thread 2011-2012

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:00 pm
by AntipodeanPhil
mjitbswyd wrote:I just bought the USNEWS law school report and see that only 0.5% of Harvard's student body is "international".. But for Yale it's 5.1%.

I don't know what does "international" mean to USNEWS. Harvard say they have 11% non-US citizens, which obviously includes US undergrads. Does the 0.5% mean they only admit about 4 true internationals each year?
Wow. Canadians probably account for a large part of the discrepancy. I'm betting USNews doesn't consider Canadians "internationals," since they have GPAs that count, like Americans. It wouldn't surprise me if 5-6% of the students at Harvard are Canadians, given the large number of Canadians on the Harvard thread.

But Canadians can't account for the entire 10.5% difference between the numbers. I can only see two possible explanations:

1) USNews doesn't consider US permanent residents "internationals," but Harvard does. I doubt this is the explanation, though, as it's unlikely there would be that many US permanent residents at Harvard. Permanent residents seem very uncommon on this board, and permanent residents usually get citizenship quickly.

2) USNews doesn't consider US educated foreigners "internationals," but Harvard does. This makes much more sense. After all, the schools would report GPAs for these students to USNews, just like Americans, so perhaps USNews can't even tell apart Americans and US educated foreigners.

Unless there is just some kind of mistake in the numbers. 0.5% seems incredibly small - although we do have good evidence that they're extremely picky with foreign-educated internationals.