SMU 2011

[Barbie]

I've seen her list of schools. SMU places better than pretty much any school on her list that she has a reasonable shot at.

By all means, forgo that for $70.

SMU is ranked lower than UF...
and I'm only a little above 50% @ SMU for LSP

and to the other poster, I don't think 164 was the cut off at all. According to LSN, no 163 applicants got rejected, and about half between accepted and waitlisted (I wish last cycle would update waitlists!)

[thewarflamingo]

I've seen her list of schools. SMU places better than pretty much any school on her list that she has a reasonable shot at.

By all means, forgo that for $70.

SMU is ranked lower than UF...
and I'm only a little above 50% @ SMU for LSP

and to the other poster, I don't think 164 was the cut off at all. According to LSN, no 163 applicants got rejected, and about half between accepted and waitlisted (I wish last cycle would update waitlists!)

I don't know if you clicked on the profiles, but those who were accepted with a 163 last cycle were URM, PT or had a 3.8 GPA. You don't start to see some solid 163 acceptances until the 2006-2007 cycle. However, those who were waitlisted went complete in Feb. which is what most likely hurt them, so you'll probably have a much better chance at an acceptance if you apply early. Good luck!

[kalvano]

I've seen her list of schools. SMU places better than pretty much any school on her list that she has a reasonable shot at.

By all means, forgo that for $70.

SMU is ranked lower than UF...
and I'm only a little above 50% @ SMU for LSP

and to the other poster, I don't think 164 was the cut off at all. According to LSN, no 163 applicants got rejected, and about half between accepted and waitlisted (I wish last cycle would update waitlists!)

LOL at your rankings focus, and LOL at trying to make a distinction between the #47 school and the #49 school. It doesn't matter at that point. What matters is the strength of the school in its particular market. Florida is, by my understanding, an awful market to try and find work in. Dallas is not.

UF could be 20 spots ahead of SMU, and it wouldn't matter a bit when it comes time to try and find a job. And no, I'm not biased because I go there. I'd still rather be elsewhere. But to knock an exceptionally strong, albeit regional, school off the list over $70 is silly.

[Barbie]

I've seen her list of schools. SMU places better than pretty much any school on her list that she has a reasonable shot at.

By all means, forgo that for $70.

SMU is ranked lower than UF...
and I'm only a little above 50% @ SMU for LSP

and to the other poster, I don't think 164 was the cut off at all. According to LSN, no 163 applicants got rejected, and about half between accepted and waitlisted (I wish last cycle would update waitlists!)

LOL at your rankings focus, and LOL at trying to make a distinction between the #47 school and the #49 school. It doesn't matter at that point. What matters is the strength of the school in its particular market. Florida is, by my understanding, an awful market to try and find work in. Dallas is not.

UF could be 20 spots ahead of SMU, and it wouldn't matter a bit when it comes time to try and find a job. And no, I'm not biased because I go there. I'd still rather be elsewhere. But to knock an exceptionally strong, albeit regional, school off the list over $70 is silly.

That isn't the only reason. If I did get accepted, I wouldn't get any money, and tuition is damn expensive. My only reasons for maybe leaving FL (and sacrificing in state tuition) is to get out of the damn heat, and from what you and others have posted/said it apparently isn't any better there. SMU's surely a great school with regional placement, but I'm not sure I would pay $70 to either get rejected or get accepted and have to pay a buttload. I would have seen how things turned out otherwise. If I retake in October and do well enough to get some money from there and my boyfriend lands a job near, I'll pay the $70 later in the game.

[JRDallas11]

I'll be applying for the PT program. Been out of college for 10+ years. 158/3.5 GPA. Retaking in October.

Live and work in Dallas. Even have season tickets for the Ponies! Wish that would help...

Good luck!

[Burgstaller04]

I'll be applying for the PT program. Been out of college for 10+ years. 158/3.5 GPA. Retaking in October. Live and work in Dallas. Even have season tickets for the Ponies! Wish that would help... Good luck!

Welcome and good luck! Keep us up to date on how your retake and your cycle are going.

[Burgstaller04]

Anyone have any info on how WE effects the admission into the FT program. From what I've heard it's a big deal for the PT, but I'm not really interested in that.

[cartercl]

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[kalvano]

Anyone have any info on how WE effects the admission into the FT program. From what I've heard it's a big deal for the PT, but I'm not really interested in that.

I think it helped me a tiny bit. My LSAT was where it needed to be, but my GPA was not by any means.

[baileyb3]

Hey guys first time poster! As of right now, my top choice is SMU and any advice on getting in would be great! I am applying with a 166 (good enough for me. one and done!) and a 3.5 UGPA. I am an English major and have some decent softs. I went to the Tech v. SMU game this weekend and cheered hard for SMU hoping for some good karma. I am also applying to UT (reach), Baylor, U of H and Pepperdine. Good luck to everybody!

[kalvano]

With a 166, you should be in with $$.

[Burgstaller04]

Hey guys first time poster! As of right now, my top choice is SMU and any advice on getting in would be great! I am applying with a 166 (good enough for me. one and done!) and a 3.5 UGPA. I am an English major and have some decent softs. I went to the Tech v. SMU game this weekend and cheered hard for SMU hoping for some good karma. I am also applying to UT (reach), Baylor, U of H and Pepperdine. Good luck to everybody!

Glad to see you here. Are you planning on applying early? I think the general consensus is to do that or else you could be in for a long wait.

[baileyb3]

Hey guys first time poster! As of right now, my top choice is SMU and any advice on getting in would be great! I am applying with a 166 (good enough for me. one and done!) and a 3.5 UGPA. I am an English major and have some decent softs. I went to the Tech v. SMU game this weekend and cheered hard for SMU hoping for some good karma. I am also applying to UT (reach), Baylor, U of H and Pepperdine. Good luck to everybody!

Glad to see you here. Are you planning on applying early? I think the general consensus is to do that or else you could be in for a long wait.

Yes, definitely applying early. Working on my personal statement and hope to get apps in within the next month or so. Excited/nervous about this whole process. It is hard to believe that I won't find out until January or later! Glad to know I have TLS to encourage and freak me out just like during LSAT study.

[cartercl]

Just submitted my app!! Did both optional essays. Chicka chicka yeah (in the voice of Christopher Mintz)!! Now the wait...

[Burgstaller04]

Just submitted my app!! Did both optional essays. Chicka chicka yeah (in the voice of Christopher Mintz)!! Now the wait...

Congrats and good luck! Do you mind telling us your numbers?

[thirdlibra]

I just got my lsac gpa back and its a 3.0 I still have a full school year to bring it up and im urm, but still. Im gonna have to get an amazing lsat score. Sigh.

[Thirteen]

Does SMU usually offer merit based fee waivers?

I e-mailed the admissions dept. last cycle, and they granted a fee waiver within 24 hours.

I'm a 1L here, so feel free to ask/pm any questions.

[Thirteen]

Anyone have any info on how WE effects the admission into the FT program. From what I've heard it's a big deal for the PT, but I'm not really interested in that.

I think it helped me a tiny bit. My LSAT was where it needed to be, but my GPA was not by any means.

+1

Work experience helps, but SMU cares about the LSAT above anything else. Apply before the end of December with an LSAT above the 75% mark, and you'll be fine.

[Thirteen]

kalvano,

How many minorities, specifically AA males, are at SMU now? I'm thinking not that many, but I don't know. And for those who are there, do they seem comfortable or no?

I'm an AA male. There are 4 in the day program, and another 3-4 among the first-year evening students. I am extremely comfortable here, and I love all of my classmates. Everyone here, including the professors, is super chill.

[kalvano]

If anyone is interested, the Law School Transparency data for SMU for the class of 2008 (the bad old years) -

--LinkRemoved--

It's actually pretty good.

[cartercl]

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[Aqualibrium]

If anyone is interested, the Law School Transparency data for SMU for the class of 2008 (the bad old years) -

--LinkRemoved--

It's actually pretty good.

Unless I am reading this wrong, those charts are just a rehashing of the numbers the school reported to USNEWS (meaning their value is still debatable).

[kalvano]

The charts do break down where the people are employed, though. The US News doesn't, that I have seen.

80-something percent were employed in a "JD Required" job, which is better than saying 98% employed, with 30% working at the WalMart.

[EricBerry]

x

[Burgstaller04]

Any other PT applicants having trouble with the personal statement? They want 2 to 3 pages that "focus on why you want to attend the SMU evening program". My only reason for applying PT is so I can work to pay my living expenses. That's not something that I can write 2 pages about nor is it a compelling personal statement. I'd really appreciate some advice because this is driving me crazy and delaying my application.

Disclaimer: I don't know much about the PT program, but does the app require a "Why SMU" and a "Why SMU PT"? If it's both, that stinks and I don't have much helpful advice. If it's just one; milk the fact that you are in Dallas, and wanna stay around for the long term. Professing your Pony love is always appreciated I'm sure.