Ohio State 2011 Applicants Forum

[The Gentleman]

ok do you know if that really hurts admissions though?

An insincere diversity statement could definitely have a negative impact on your application. Are you an underrepresented minority? If so then write one. If not, then skip this.

EDIT: Sorry, were you asking if skipping the diversity statement hurts your chances? Skipping this will not impact your application. Writing a good DS will strengthen your application. Writing a poor DS will weaken your chances.

[lifestooquick]

ok do you know if that really hurts admissions though?

An insincere diversity statement could definitely have a negative impact on your application. Are you an underrepresented minority? If so then write one. If not, then skip this.

EDIT: Sorry, were you asking if skipping the diversity statement hurts your chances? Skipping this will not impact your application. Writing a good DS will strengthen your application. Writing a poor DS will weaken your chances.

This is the generally accepted answer and I agree with it.

However, I did just want to add that when I went to the OSU open house, Dean Northern specifically said that when things on an application say optional, they aren't really optional. She outright said that she highly encourages all applicants to write a diversity statement.

[The Gentleman]

This is the generally accepted answer and I agree with it.

However, I did just want to add that when I went to the OSU open house, Dean Northern specifically said that when things on an application say optional, they aren't really optional. She outright said that she highly encourages all applicants to write a diversity statement.

My apologies. I was speaking about law schools in general. Not specifically about OSU. Good to know though!

[ChinaMex]

Hey I'm currently a 1L from California and I personally think the residency requirements are ridiculous and quite difficult. Basically they want to make sure of three things: that you live here, that you intend to stay, and you're an independent. This means no gifts. They are serious about this. If you get a $50 check from your grandma for your birthday you cannot use it during your evaluation period (Sept 1st, 2011- Sep 1st, 2012 ((doesn't matter if you lived there earlier))). You cannot receive any out of state funds during this period. They have access to your bank records for up to 5 years so they'll figure it out haha.

Additionally they "prove" intent to stay in a number of different ways. The easy ones are voter registration, car registration, driver's license, etc. (you can do this whenever throughout the year). The most difficult one for me is out of state travel. They generally frown upon travel and it will "raise an eyebrow" if you travel out of state. Further, you are not allowed to leave Ohio for more than 3 weeks in the summer and during those 3 week you are not allowed to earn any out of state income. Again, since they have access to your bank records they can figure out where you were.

I'm not trying to scare anyone and say it's incredibly unfair considering the break we get in tuition but I wouldn't consider it easy. Though sorry if this came off harsh...I'm a little bitter

How do you like it coming from California? I just applied and am wondering how the adjustment is...especially weather wise.

And thank you for the information about residency status!

I'm from the Bay Area originally but I went to undergrad in Chicago so I've seen winter Based on winters in Chicago, I don't think it's that bad. I mean there are some days you don't want to go outside but I think the key is generally layers.

Culturally, I actually really like Columbus. I do miss Mexican food but there are no other significant complaints haha. I would say from a career perspective that if you want to go back to California or out of the Midwest, you will have a more difficult time than people who go to a similarly ranked school in the market you want to practice. It's not impossible, of course, but keep that in mind as you apply.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

The whole issue with gifts has to do with proving independence, right? Do you happen to know if being married changes the process?

Yes, the issue is if you are going to be an independent (C-2). I assume if you're going to be relying on a spouse you would be a C-3 but I believe that means your spouse has to be earning an Ohio income. Here's a link to the residency home page for OSU that was super helpful for me:

http://www.ureg.ohio-state.edu/ourweb/m ... es_new.htm

[lifestooquick]

Ugh, can I just say that I hate waiting Also, it seems like they're a little behind from last year - according to LSN, it looks like last year's first round of decisions came around 11/10.

Although, with when I submitted (11/4) I'm just venture a guess that I won't hear until late December/January

[TTH]

Ugh, can I just say that I hate waiting Also, it seems like they're a little behind from last year - according to LSN, it looks like last year's first round of decisions came around 11/10.

Although, with when I submitted (11/4) I'm just venture a guess that I won't hear until late December/January

I would imagine any decisions that came in November were ED. I applied November 1 and didn't hear anything until January, and I was a clear admit. Relax*

* Yeah, I know it's impossible to relax in your app cycle. FWIW, it doesn't get any better once you're here.

[Spinozist21]

Ugh, can I just say that I hate waiting Also, it seems like they're a little behind from last year - according to LSN, it looks like last year's first round of decisions came around 11/10.

Although, with when I submitted (11/4) I'm just venture a guess that I won't hear until late December/January

I would imagine any decisions that came in November were ED. I applied November 1 and didn't hear anything until January, and I was a clear admit. Relax*

* Yeah, I know it's impossible to relax in your app cycle. FWIW, it doesn't get any better once you're here.

I applied in September and they just now put me complete and into review

[charlesxavier]

Ugh, can I just say that I hate waiting Also, it seems like they're a little behind from last year - according to LSN, it looks like last year's first round of decisions came around 11/10.

Although, with when I submitted (11/4) I'm just venture a guess that I won't hear until late December/January

I would imagine any decisions that came in November were ED. I applied November 1 and didn't hear anything until January, and I was a clear admit. Relax*

* Yeah, I know it's impossible to relax in your app cycle. FWIW, it doesn't get any better once you're here.

From what I read on the thread from last year many/most people who were admitted on Nov. 10 were RD. I've been "File Complete, Under Review" for 2 months, so I'm expecting something within the next week(s).

[Lwoods]

Ugh, can I just say that I hate waiting Also, it seems like they're a little behind from last year - according to LSN, it looks like last year's first round of decisions came around 11/10.

Although, with when I submitted (11/4) I'm just venture a guess that I won't hear until late December/January

I would imagine any decisions that came in November were ED. I applied November 1 and didn't hear anything until January, and I was a clear admit. Relax*

* Yeah, I know it's impossible to relax in your app cycle. FWIW, it doesn't get any better once you're here.

Did they ask you to apply for the Moritz Scholarship? I thought fall applicants would receive decisions before the end of the year based on this wording:

Some students admitted to the Moritz College of Law, and identified as having the background and credentials qualifying them for consideration as potential Moritz Scholars, will be invited to complete the Moritz Scholar Application; however all are welcome to apply.

We recognize that some students with excellent academic records and personal histories are completing their application for admission in December or January and might not, therefore, receive a decision on their application prior to January 1. We invite those students to download the Moritz Scholar Application and submit it as soon as possible.

I've supposedly been "under review" since 9/29. 7 weeks!
But, the status checker also says this:

Decisions on applications can be expected in 6-8 weeks from the time of application after December 23rd.

[dreakol]

Has anybody had any luck with requesting a merit based fee waiver? I e-mailed them a week ago and have yet to hear back.

[TTH]

I was not asked to apply for the Moritz, so I suppose I wasn't that clear of an admit, but I was under review, IIRC, for quite a while. I don't remember when I went from complete to under review, but just know that b/c people with similar stats are getting decisions now doesn't mean anything necessarily.

[queenlizzie13]

Has anybody had any luck with requesting a merit based fee waiver? I e-mailed them a week ago and have yet to hear back.

I got a merit based fee waiver but I did not solicit for one either....
So not sure how much this helps you.

[Spinozist21]

Any decisions yet? I have been in review only a couple days so I do not expect any decision on mine anytime soon (although it will be a fairly easy reject HAHA)...anyone?

[charlesxavier]

Any decisions yet? I have been in review only a couple days so I do not expect any decision on mine anytime soon (although it will be a fairly easy reject HAHA)...anyone?

I haven't seen anyone posting about a decision (on here or LSN). I have been complete and "under review" for over 2 months. It seems they are going to be giving decisions out a little later than the past few years. I hope we hear soon.

[Spinozist21]

Any decisions yet? I have been in review only a couple days so I do not expect any decision on mine anytime soon (although it will be a fairly easy reject HAHA)...anyone?

I haven't seen anyone posting about a decision (on here or LSN). I have been complete and "under review" for over 2 months. It seems they are going to be giving decisions out a little later than the past few years. I hope we hear soon.

I should have been complete weeks ago, but finally I just emailed them and asked if my last letter of recommendation had not arrived and they replied and finally I was complete. It was weird.

[ZRay1229]

Hey everyone. I'm playing the waiting game with the rest of you. I applied Early Decision.

Anyone else applying Early Decision?

[TommyK]

Hey everyone. I'm playing the waiting game with the rest of you. I applied Early Decision. I was worried about my numbers with a 161 and a 3.95 overall UGPA according to LSDAS (3.83 at OSU, 4.0 from 2 years at Columbus State). I felt that applying ED might give me the small boost I needed. Law School Predictor put my chances at 67% or "Strong Consider", but if I entered in that I was applying as an Early Decision applicant, it upgraded me to "Admit".

Anyone else applying Early Decision? or any opinions on my chances with these factors?

OSU says that it does not affect your chances. They say if you apply ED or regular, you'll have the exact same chance. I think you have a very solid shot; You're above the 75th percentile for gpa, and above the 25th percentile for LSAT. You'll be pretty competitive, but probably not because of early decision.

[Notor]

Hey everyone. I'm playing the waiting game with the rest of you. I applied Early Decision. I was worried about my numbers with a 161 and a 3.95 overall UGPA according to LSDAS (3.83 at OSU, 4.0 from 2 years at Columbus State). I felt that applying ED might give me the small boost I needed. Law School Predictor put my chances at 67% or "Strong Consider", but if I entered in that I was applying as an Early Decision applicant, it upgraded me to "Admit".

Anyone else applying Early Decision? or any opinions on my chances with these factors?

OSU says that it does not affect your chances. They say if you apply ED or regular, you'll have the exact same chance. I think you have a very solid shot; You're above the 75th percentile for gpa, and above the 25th percentile for LSAT. You'll be pretty competitive, but probably not because of early decision.

25th percentile was 161 for the Class of 2013. My bet is that he will get in late in the cycle. A fellow 1L I know had nearly identical stats and was under review from early November until nearly March before finally being accepted. Moritz is getting really picky about LSAT scores. They seem to favor balanced applicants over splitter/reverse-splitters, i.e. 3.7/165 is auto-admit with $$$, while a 170/3.1 or a 3.9/160 are going to be waiting until the class starts to fill up so the school can get an idea of where their numbers are going.

[lifestooquick]

My residency status finally updated They had me as out-of-state for awhile there, but it now says in-state.

[charlesxavier]

25th percentile was 161 for the Class of 2013. My bet is that he will get in late in the cycle. A fellow 1L I know had nearly identical stats and was under review from early November until nearly March before finally being accepted. Moritz is getting really picky about LSAT scores. They seem to favor balanced applicants over splitter/reverse-splitters, i.e. 3.7/165 is auto-admit with $$$, while a 170/3.1 or a 3.9/160 are going to be waiting until the class starts to fill up so the school can get an idea of where their numbers are going.

Where did you see that 161 is their 25th? According to what I saw on their website 160 is the 25th, 163 is the median, and 164 is the 75th.

[lifestooquick]

I drive by the law school at OSU everyday...I may or may not yell out "Please please please let me in" every time I drive by

[Spinozist21]

I drive by the law school at OSU everyday...I may or may not yell out "Please please please let me in" every time I drive by

Are you a current OSU undergraduate?

[lifestooquick]

I drive by the law school at OSU everyday...I may or may not yell out "Please please please let me in" every time I drive by

Are you a current OSU undergraduate?

Nope, I work in Cbus. My husband is a PhD student at OSU.

[Spinozist21]

I drive by the law school at OSU everyday...I may or may not yell out "Please please please let me in" every time I drive by

Are you a current OSU undergraduate?

Nope, I work in Cbus. My husband is a PhD student at OSU.

What department? What part of Columbus do you live in?

[mcubberly]

I drive by the law school at OSU everyday...I may or may not yell out "Please please please let me in" every time I drive by

i'm visiting over winter break. going to the michigan game this weekend!