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checking in, thanks hawkeye for all the impressive work in this OP and in the other threads you created

LaCumparsita wrote:Bump. Same question. Although it seems to me that we can attach it under the "Diversity Statement" section.

Yeah, they just get a PDF with all the info in your application. Its not labelled except for however you label it. Just upload where you can and preview, you'll see how it will look to them.

I know this has probably been discussed before, but is there any point in writing a Why Stanford essay? Is it seen as pandering since its reputation speaks for itself?

Conventional TLS wisdom is that SLS won't give you any boost for writing a Why SLS. SLS does seem pretty needy re: specific LORs, though, so maybe a well-written Why SLS will give them the attention they crave. (not really)

UG finally submitted the Dean's Cert. I'm all but PS.

Submitted: 9/15

Complete:

Decision:

I know this topic has been mentioned before, but I can't find it on TLS after some searching.

So far, I've sent a pretty non-school specific PS to most schools, and almost to the word it takes up the recommended two pages. I could tweak a few words here to include a word or two about Stanford (to tailor it to them as they like), but I'd risk it sounding fake. I don't think I could manage an effort to retool a whole paragraph or two.. What do you think?

ex. "...I have recognized how I will use a Stanford Law degree..." vs. "...I have recognized how I will use the law..."

SLS 1L here. Glad to see a solid handful of exuberant applicants on here so early. If you have any questions about SLS/applying/deciding on a school, feel free to PM me. I spent way too much time on this process last year, so hopefully some of my knowledge gained will be useful to you.

Looking at the discussion thus far, these thoughts might be helpful:
1) I don't know anyone that sent a "Why Stanford" supplemental essay.
2) The majority of people I have spoken with did not change their PS to name Stanford. Dean Deal can tell when someone just tacks on a "and that's why I want to attend Stanford," and from what I understand it neither hurts nor helps.
3) A specific LOR might serve as a signal to SLS that you are willing to go the extra distance for the school, but it is neither necessary or sufficient to get you in. I have some theories of how this signal may influence the app process, but they are based on pure speculation.
4) HYS (and CCN etc.) are more unique than people think when they first apply. You might get lucky and have your PS match the school's ethos, which could give you a boost (looking back, I suspect it helped me).

hth

Stig wrote:SLS 1L here. Glad to see a solid handful of exuberant applicants on here so early. If you have any questions about SLS/applying/deciding on a school, feel free to PM me. I spent way too much time on this process last year, so hopefully some of my knowledge gained will be useful to you.

Looking at the discussion thus far, these thoughts might be helpful:
1) I don't know anyone that sent a "Why Stanford" supplemental essay.
2) The majority of people I have spoken with did not change their PS to name Stanford. Dean Deal can tell when someone just tacks on a "and that's why I want to attend Stanford," and from what I understand it neither hurts nor helps.
3) A specific LOR might serve as a signal to SLS that you are willing to go the extra distance for the school, but it is neither necessary or sufficient to get you in. I have some theories of how this signal may influence the app process, but they are based on pure speculation.
4) HYS (and CCN etc.) are more unique than people think when they first apply. You might get lucky and have your PS match the school's ethos, which could give you a boost (looking back, I suspect it helped me).

hth

Thanks for the information stig!

I just wanted to confirm, Stanford doesn't have a status checker? They emailed me letting me know my file had been updated and was now complete, but I didn't get a log-in and didn't see anything on their website to indicate that they had one.....

soj wrote:Conventional TLS wisdom is that SLS won't give you any boost for writing a Why SLS. SLS does seem pretty needy re: specific LORs, though, so maybe a well-written Why SLS will give them the attention they crave. (not really)

UG finally submitted the Dean's Cert. I'm all but PS.

This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if my UG sent it/if Stanford got it?

Eichörnchen wrote: This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if my UG sent it/if Stanford got it?

I don't know that Stanford got it, but I know (hope?) my UG sent it because the person responsible for doing it told me he sent it.

Eichörnchen wrote:

soj wrote:Conventional TLS wisdom is that SLS won't give you any boost for writing a Why SLS. SLS does seem pretty needy re: specific LORs, though, so maybe a well-written Why SLS will give them the attention they crave. (not really)

UG finally submitted the Dean's Cert. I'm all but PS.

This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if my UG sent it/if Stanford got it?

Well I know they emailed me to let me know my file was "complete." I'm assuming its complete if they've received it, so if you have everything else in and don't get a complete email within a few weeks, I would inquire to ask what your app is missing.

MumofCad wrote: Thanks for the information stig!

I just wanted to confirm, Stanford doesn't have a status checker? They emailed me letting me know my file had been updated and was now complete, but I didn't get a log-in and didn't see anything on their website to indicate that they had one.....

No problem. They had one last year, I think they emailed you a link at some point with your login info (it isn't on the SLS website). Last year was the first year they did it, and, if I recall correctly, the process was: Under Review -> Decision Letter Sent (DLS). If you got a phone call/email from Dean Deal before the DLS, you were in, and if you got a DLS before a call/email, you were dinged/waitlisted.

ETA: First post from last year's thread has a lot of good info, including the link to the Status Checker (you still need the email with the login info from SLS, which may come later)

Also, the Dean's Letter will show up on the status checker if it is received.

Stig wrote:

MumofCad wrote: Thanks for the information stig!

I just wanted to confirm, Stanford doesn't have a status checker? They emailed me letting me know my file had been updated and was now complete, but I didn't get a log-in and didn't see anything on their website to indicate that they had one.....

No problem. They had one last year, I think they emailed you a link at some point with your login info (it isn't on the SLS website). Last year was the first year they did it, and, if I recall correctly, the process was: Under Review -> Decision Letter Sent (DLS). If you got a phone call/email from Dean Deal before the DLS, you were in, and if you got a DLS before a call/email, you were dinged/waitlisted.

ETA: First post from last year's thread has a lot of good info, including the link to the Status Checker (you still need the email with the login info from SLS, which may come later)

Also, the Dean's Letter will show up on the status checker if it is received.

Oh good! Thanks! All the rest seem to be using a standard one from LSAC routed through their sites so as soon as you applied, within 24 hours you got your status checker log-in info. Obviously we don't really need it for a few months, but its pretty reassuring. Glad to find out Stanford's will hopefully be coming. What would I do over my morning coffee besides neurotically checking status checkers with no hope of a change?

For the Dean's Certification, I'm assuming that the applicant is supposed to write in his or her own name and LSAC#, in addition to filling in the box at the top, before mailing it to the undergraduate Dean's Office, where they fill in the rest..? Just want to make sure I'm not filling out things I shouldn't be before I mail it off.

New info for everyone, just got my Stanford status checker. It is identical to the other schools' checkers.

For those wondering about the UG Cert, once you get your log-in, it has a list like Duke's with all the required components in the "Requirements List" - same format, all listed and with a red box and check mark when received. I was told mine was complete (through a previous email re: a possible missing foreign transcript, that was accounted for) and all are checked. Its a LENGTHY list though including:

$100 Application Fee
Resume
Personal Statement
Statement of Undergraduate Dean
Letter of Recommendation 1
Letter of Recommendation 2
Valid LSAT Score
Undergraduate Transcript
Graduate Transcript (if applicable)
Study Abroad Transcript (if applicable)
Misconduct Explanation (if applicable)
Letter of Good Standing (if applicable)

So you will know if they don't have the UG statement as it won't be checked. Glad to see mine was sent in - whew!

It also has my status listed as: "submitted for review" - I'm assuming this is Stanford's "application complete," because it doesn't actually say "under review." I could be wrong of course, just guessing they aren't reviewing this early and it will probably say this for at least the next month.

ETA: Found this from last year's thread in "facts": Q: Is "application submitted for review" the same as "under review" at other schools?
A: Yes; or at least, there is no "under review" status past "submitted for review" on the status checker.

I would still assume it doesn't mean much though since its way too early for apps to actually be under review in the sense that they have been at other schools. I looked back through the thread and while many early"submitted for review"ers (ie. early appliers) got swept up in the first round of admits, its not until the 2nd week of Dec when that goes down. So looking like "submitted for review" will be the status for at least the next 3 months or so (maybe even 7). It also seems that it won't change to anything else until long after you get the call from Dean Deal or the letter, so really, once complete there doesn't seem to be much need to check it.

Question about study abroad transcripts. From the Stanford website:

Transcripts showing any coursework of less than one year completed at another institution (including but not limited to, community college, study abroad, consortium, exchange program, or language courses) and which are not clearly indicated on the home transcript must be sent directly to Stanford Law School.

I thought my home transcript listed my abroad class names, but I just checked and my home transcript just says Study Abroad, X hrs, Satisfactory. In that case, is the "coursework of less than one year" "clearly indicated on the home transcript?" If not, I'm gonna have to brush up on my German and make a phone call first thing Monday.

minnesotamike wrote:Question about study abroad transcripts. From the Stanford website:

Transcripts showing any coursework of less than one year completed at another institution (including but not limited to, community college, study abroad, consortium, exchange program, or language courses) and which are not clearly indicated on the home transcript must be sent directly to Stanford Law School.

I thought my home transcript listed my abroad class names, but I just checked and my home transcript just says Study Abroad, X hrs, Satisfactory. In that case, is the "coursework of less than one year" "clearly indicated on the home transcript?" If not, I'm gonna have to brush up on my German and make a phone call first thing Monday.

I'm 98% sure they will want it. I had more info that that on my UG transcripts and they wanted mine.

Yay! Just went "complete."

.

Finally coughed up the 116 to apply to Stanford. Just waiting on Yale now.

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Finally coughed up the 116 to apply to Stanford. Just waiting on Yale now.

wow it's $100?? That is just outrageous.

Curious1 wrote:

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Finally coughed up the 116 to apply to Stanford. Just waiting on Yale now.

wow it's $100?? That is just outrageous.

Yeah, most expensive application by far. SO expensive.

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:

Curious1 wrote:

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Finally coughed up the 116 to apply to Stanford. Just waiting on Yale now.

wow it's $100?? That is just outrageous.

Yeah, most expensive application by far. SO expensive.

Here goes maxing out my credit card. Guess I'm scratching some people off my Christmas list.

Curious1 wrote:

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:

Curious1 wrote:

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Finally coughed up the 116 to apply to Stanford. Just waiting on Yale now.

wow it's $100?? That is just outrageous.

Yeah, most expensive application by far. SO expensive.

Here goes maxing out my credit card. Guess I'm scratching some people off my Christmas list.

No joke. Hoping for at least a WL for this kind of fee lolol.

Submitted! Had to wait until I got paid for this one.