Illinois Class of 2014 (With Dean Pless) Forum

[BackToTheOldHouse]

^ I find a response at this hour extremely impressive, such dedication!

Good on ya, Dean Pless.

[Prairie]

Dean Pless,

I received the Illinois annual report in the mail last week. I was really looking forward to getting some employment stats/numbers. Can you give any more robust information than employment percentage? Such as, how many of your grads filled out employment surveys and are therefore represented in those statistics?

Thanks,
p

Early next year we will send out comprehensive employment data to all admitted students. The 2010 numbers don't get finalized until the end of February.

greatly appreciated!!!

[DieAntwoord]

Dean Pless,

I received the Illinois annual report in the mail last week. I was really looking forward to getting some employment stats/numbers. Can you give any more robust information than employment percentage? Such as, how many of your grads filled out employment surveys and are therefore represented in those statistics?

Thanks,
p

Early next year we will send out comprehensive employment data to all admitted students. The 2010 numbers don't get finalized until the end of February.

greatly appreciated!!!

+1

[kk19131]

I really want to attend Illinois, but I can't possible graduate with $80,000 of debt and work in PI.

[Hannibal]

Dean Pless,

I received the Illinois annual report in the mail last week. I was really looking forward to getting some employment stats/numbers. Can you give any more robust information than employment percentage? Such as, how many of your grads filled out employment surveys and are therefore represented in those statistics?

Thanks,
p

Early next year we will send out comprehensive employment data to all admitted students. The 2010 numbers don't get finalized until the end of February.

greatly appreciated!!!

I think it says volumes about both how awesome Dean Pless is and how frustrating everyone else is that when a question is answered here I'm really surprised and impressed with how useful and exact the answer is.

[WhatSarahSaid]

Dean Pless,

To echo the sentiments of hundreds of people on TLS, what you do around here is amazing and ought to be an example to other admissions offices. I'm not comfortable asking this question, but you've been so straightforward and willing to help applicants that I figure it's worth a shot.

Has anyone ever tried to negotiate for a scholarship that exceeded the cost of tuition (i.e., some kind of stipend for fees/books/rent)? Has Illinois ever given that kind of scholarship and/or would you ever consider it? Would in-state or out-of-state status affect the answer to this?

Obviously, a full-tuition scholarship is a tremendous thing, and I hope my question doesn't come off as an affront. Everything I know about the culture at Illinois, combined with your presence on these boards, has made me fall in love with your school, and financial concerns are going to play a huge role in my decision-making this cycle.

Thank you for your time, and thank you again for everything you do.

[Pless]

I really want to attend Illinois, but I can't possible graduate with $80,000 of debt and work in PI.

Actually, you can. Through a combination of the CCRA and our LRAP it is very doable. I will talk about it at the Open Houses or if you visit, but I would be happy to have the conversation on the phone as well.

[Pless]

Dean Pless,

To echo the sentiments of hundreds of people on TLS, what you do around here is amazing and ought to be an example to other admissions offices. I'm not comfortable asking this question, but you've been so straightforward and willing to help applicants that I figure it's worth a shot.

Has anyone ever tried to negotiate for a scholarship that exceeded the cost of tuition (i.e., some kind of stipend for fees/books/rent)? Has Illinois ever given that kind of scholarship and/or would you ever consider it? Would in-state or out-of-state status affect the answer to this?

Obviously, a full-tuition scholarship is a tremendous thing, and I hope my question doesn't come off as an affront. Everything I know about the culture at Illinois, combined with your presence on these boards, has made me fall in love with your school, and financial concerns are going to play a huge role in my decision-making this cycle.

Thank you for your time, and thank you again for everything you do.

Scholarship negotiation isn't about asking for more money. It is about comparing your other offers and trying to figure out what is the best option for you. We can have a conversation about if it is possible for Illinois to increase the offer and if it would be even in your best interest if we do. It is a little early for scholarship negotiation, I prefer to wait until you have all of your offers in hand and then have the conversation. Happy to talk about it, obviously in person not online.

[The Gentleman]

Dean Pless,

Thank you again for taking questions on this site.

Is it possible to add a "Why Illinois?" essay after your application has been submitted? If so, what is the best way to do this? And does the applicant come across as unprofessional for not including it with their initial application?

[Pless]

Dean Pless,

Thank you again for taking questions on this site.

Is it possible to add a "Why Illinois?" essay after your application has been submitted? If so, what is the best way to do this? And does the applicant come across as unprofessional for not including it with their initial application?

It absolutely is ok. The best way is to just email it to admissions@law.illinois.edu. We will include it in your file. We won't hold it against you at all.

[kk19131]

I got my packet in the mail today.

... and I just want to say thanks again!

[jayman6]

Dean Pless,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I went under review on 12/17, and my LSAT is a few points below the median. My semester grades just came back and my GPA went from a 3.78 to a 3.81. I realize it's not a big difference, but I wondered if sending in semester grades would reach the committee in time and I also wonder if it would even make a difference. Your thoughts?

Thank you.

[illinin]

Just FYI, if you want to chat unofficially about Illinois Law, I'm a current 1L. I'm happy to respond to private messages over winter break or meet over coffee if you come to visit the school. (I'm posting here for maximum visibility, but I'm not going to tie up this thread as you are very lucky to have Dean Pless answering your questions.)

[Ken]

To speak for all of TLS, Dean Pless is amazing and one of (or solely) the best Admissions Dean out there. Dean Pleass, thanks for doing such an excellent job conveying all that Illinois offers and addressing all of the questions on this thread. It is in honor to have you on TLS! Cheers,

Ken

[kk19131]

Is tuition going to be raised for 2011-2012?

If so, does that mean that my scholarship will be, functionally, worth less in years 2 and 3 than it is now?

[Prairie]

Is tuition going to be raised for 2011-2012?

If so, does that mean that my scholarship will be, functionally, worth less in years 2 and 3 than it is now?

i know you're not asking me, but my guess is yes. each year will likely be more expensive. unless a school publishes a schedule of their future costs, you SHOULD expect that tuition will go up.

[blurbz]

Is tuition going to be raised for 2011-2012?

If so, does that mean that my scholarship will be, functionally, worth less in years 2 and 3 than it is now?

i know you're not asking me, but my guess is yes. each year will likely be more expensive. unless a school publishes a schedule of their future costs, you SHOULD expect that tuition will go up.

Tuition was NOT raised from last year to this year.

[jck4487]

Dean Pless,

What would you recommend wearing for a law school visit?

[Pless]

Dean Pless,

What would you recommend wearing for a law school visit?

Tuxedo.

Casual clothes are just fine.

[Pless]

Is tuition going to be raised for 2011-2012?

If so, does that mean that my scholarship will be, functionally, worth less in years 2 and 3 than it is now?

Tuition will most likely go up, but the amount isn't for certain yet. The increase will most likely be a percentage in the low single digits. Tuition will go up less for current students. Scholarships are fixed, unless they are full tuition. The 33k and 40k scholarships are full tuition and will match any increases. Our scholarships are guaranteed for all three years, no minimum GPA requirements.

[Pless]

Dean Pless,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I went under review on 12/17, and my LSAT is a few points below the median. My semester grades just came back and my GPA went from a 3.78 to a 3.81. I realize it's not a big difference, but I wondered if sending in semester grades would reach the committee in time and I also wonder if it would even make a difference. Your thoughts?

Thank you.

I would send an email to us and then send the new transcript to LSAC.

[goingeast]

Tag

Tomorrow is the big day!

[crossingforHYS]

Thank you for the USB....

[samfii]

Thank you for the USB....

+1

[anthropologieaddict]

Thank you for the USB....

+1

Yes, thank you! Love it!