OperaSoprano & Deadatheist's Waitlist Bible Thread Forum

[OperaSoprano]

DA & I will be updating and revising this article on waitlist admissions. Stay posted.

First, let me state that I was absolutely shocked. I'm thinking that my admission falls under the "acts of God" category, and nothing I did really contributed all that much, but I got so many PMs yesterday asking to see the LOCIs I wrote that I decided to post them here. I hope that someone may find them useful.

I also visited twice, and had two informal interviews, once before, and once after I was waitlisted. Both times I registered for the tour online, and then stopped by the admissions office to see if I could ask a few questions. I made it my business to know the school down to the smallest minutiae. (When was the Lincoln Center campus built, anyway?) In truth, though, I could not have done it without my friends. If Geoanthem hadn't come with me that second time, I would have been too panic stricken to walk in there at all. This thread now contains a shout out to his enduring awesomeness.

On to the LOCIs:

The first one was pretty basic and generic. I wrote it very quickly, and hand delivered it one business day after I wrote it. The second was written less than three weeks ago, to the admissions director who interviewed me. It contained every bit of passion I felt for the school, and I was actually slightly embarrassed after I sent it. Here's the really crazy part: In my second letter, I asked to be admitted by May 1st, so I would not have to deposit at any other school, and damn if it didn't actually happen right on schedule.

Letter #1:

Dear Dean XXXXX and Members of the Admissions Committee:

Why Fordham Law? Since making the decision to attend law school, I have had the opportunity to visit several schools in New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Prior to visiting, I had read about Fordham's excellent clinics, particularly in Social Justice, and the Public Interest Writing Seminar, in which students write and edit articles for The Common Good. I had even heard that Fordham Law was one of a handful of schools to have an a cappella group on campus, a rumor I meant to investigate firsthand.

It was the enthusiasm of students and alumni, however, that made Fordham stand out. I had the pleasure of speaking with Fordham Law alumnus XXXXXXXX, founding partner of XXXXXX LLP. Mr. XXXXXX began his studies in the evening program at Fordham, transferred to the day program, and served on Law Review. Upon graduation, Mr. XXXXXX launched his legal career at Well-Known-Biglaw LLP. He credits his success to the outstanding education he received at Fordham, and his unqualified recommendation is a true credit to a very fine institution.

As a working professional in New York City, the opportunity to study law in the evening is a proposition of great value. I hope to make the transition from the fashion industry to employment in the non-profit sector, and have recently been volunteering at XXXXXX, building a database of historical performance data for XXXXXXX. I have also been assembling a set of essays on XXXX, which I hope to submit for publication. [NOTE: This project is still in the works, though I don't know when I'll get to finish it!]

Though I have already received several offers of admission, Fordham Law School continues to be a wonderful fit for me. I hope to remain in New York for my legal studies, and it would be the greatest honor to be offered a place in the evening program at Fordham Law School.

Sincerely,

OS


Letter #2, slightly less conventional in format:

Dear Mr. XXXXX,

I hope this finds you well! I am aware that this is a busy time of year for you, since Fordham's seat deposit deadline has just passed. Congratulations, by the way, on having the #3 part time law program in the country! The school must be very excited about this; my admitted friends and I certainly are.

I am writing because I, too, face a looming seat deposit deadline (May 1st) at another school, which is a distant second choice to Fordham. Attending that school would necessitate quitting my new job, and leaving New York City. Fordham is still my school of choice, and the promise I made still holds; I will pay my seat deposit immediately upon admission from the Fordham waitlist, withdrawing my application from all other schools.

I wanted to take a moment to address my unusual academic background, since I know I may be the only fashion merchandising major in the entering class! After a severe illness in 2004, I made the decision to leave my first college to transfer to XXX. At that time, I wanted to pursue a career in retail buying, and I believed XXX could provide an education specifically tailored to meet this goal. I turned my academic performance around, graduated magna cum laude, and put down roots in New York City.

By my senior year, however, after completing three fashion industry internships, I realized that my own priorities had shifted. Though stimulated by the creative environment at XXX, I missed the intellectual rigor of my former college. After many conversations with my Business Law professor, I made the difficult decision to reevaluate my earlier career plans, which had included the practice of law. I became active in the community again, first through XXXXX and XXXXX, and then as a volunteer with XXXXXXXX. I was recently asked to assist with grant writing, and have been giving my time to help orchestrate the group's spring benefit.

I want to pursue public interest law, and believe Fordham is the best place for me to do so. Although the program is small, as many Fordham students elect to join large firms after graduation, I have heard wonderful things about the opportunities available to students. If admitted to Fordham, I will be involved, in every sense of the word. Though I imagine I will have little free time as a 1L, I will engage in those activities which allow me to give back to the school. I would also love to join the Tortfeasors, as I have some operatic training.

I am confident that Fordham is the right choice for me, and I hope you will agree. My seat deposit is ready, and will be placed as soon as I receive word.

Thank you so much for your time and attention! Please feel free to share the contents of this letter, and contact me if I can provide any further assistance.

Warmly,
OS

[legends159]

lol the tortfeasors they're actually very good and since a bunch of 3Ls are graduating they'll need new talent.

[frotteur]

Nicely done.

[OperaSoprano]

Thanks, guys! I am thrilled beyond words that this actually happened, though, as I said, I really don't think the credit belongs to me.

Would it be a bad idea to audition for the Tortfeasors as a 1L?

[hoffb86]

tagging, yes, i know im being "that guy"

[geoanthem]

Great LOCIs. Thanks for the shout out, you didn't have to.

[OperaSoprano]

Great LOCIs. Thanks for the shout out, you didn't have to.

I did. That second interview put me on the school's radar. It made a huge difference to me, personally.

[lucydog]

Congrats Opera! Thanks for posting this information

[legends159]

Thanks, guys! I am thrilled beyond words that this actually happened, though, as I said, I really don't think the credit belongs to me.

Would it be a bad idea to audition for the Tortfeasors as a 1L?

I don't see why not, it's not a big time commitment and you'll make some good 2L/3L friends who can share outlines and tips with you. Oh yeah, and since Fordham is such a commuter driven school, it's harder than other places to make and keep friends. Everyone seems to be doing their own thing all the time, so it's always good to join some clubs to break the ice.

[OperaSoprano]

Thanks, guys! I am thrilled beyond words that this actually happened, though, as I said, I really don't think the credit belongs to me.

Would it be a bad idea to audition for the Tortfeasors as a 1L?

I don't see why not, it's not a big time commitment and you'll make some good 2L/3L friends who can share outlines and tips with you.

Done! I hope they take me! I haven't done rock/pop in a while, and it would probably be strange if I sang Handel's "Ombra Mai Fu" in my audition...

[snotrocket]

It wasn't your artfully worded letters. It was the relentless, unabashed Fordham trolling and the epic US News rankings episode that made this happen.

[OperaSoprano]

It wasn't your artfully worded letters. It was the relentless, unabashed Fordham trolling and the epic US News rankings episode that made this happen.

Which they somehow managed to pin on me? I am assuming that they will know now, if they read this post.

[gardners2]

Thanks for the post. I am writing a second LOCI and I was not sure about the tone. This is a big help.

[aer]

Thanks, guys! I am thrilled beyond words that this actually happened, though, as I said, I really don't think the credit belongs to me.

Would it be a bad idea to audition for the Tortfeasors as a 1L?

Don't sell yourself short. those were great LOCI's, especially the second one. You earned this and have the right to be proud of yourself.

[OperaSoprano]

Thanks for the post. I am writing a second LOCI and I was not sure about the tone. This is a big help.

You are so welcome! I took a bit of a risk, and never even edited #2, except for spelling/grammar. I just woke up one morning and it came out fully formed.

[fakedoctor3]

bump

[panda]

Wow...very heartfelt..and it showed..

no wonder im not getting in off any waitlists..
i think im falling in the trap of being too formal..

humph

[OperaSoprano]

Wow...very heartfelt..and it showed..

no wonder im not getting in off any waitlists..
i think im falling in the trap of being too formal..

humph

Panda, my dear, wait three weeks from the date of your first round of LOCIs, and then prepare your second round. As long as they are polite, appeals to emotion can certainly succeed. May and June are serious waitlist months, so you will need to be ready with your best ammunition.

May your waitlist happiness exceed even mine!

OS

[JJim1919]

Nice letters opera. Thanks for posting them!

[huckabees]

Congrats Opera!

And thanks for posting. Very nice LOCIs.

[OperaSoprano]

You guys are so welcome!

The salient point here:

Don't be afraid to let your personality show! My PS was even less conventional. Also, get someone else to read anything you send! A huge part of my job is editing documents, but I make errors all the time.


LOCI away!

[aer]

Now I want to read your personal statement.

[OperaSoprano]

Now I want to read your personal statement.

aer, it's the only thing no one on TLS has seen. It may have to remain a mystery forever!

[aer]

Now I want to read your personal statement.

aer, it's the only thing no one on TLS has seen. It may have to remain a mystery forever!

That makes me even more curious.

[OperaSoprano]

Now I want to read your personal statement.

aer, it's the only thing no one on TLS has seen. It may have to remain a mystery forever!

That makes me even more curious.