Duke c/o 2015 Applicants (2011-2012 cycle) Forum

[madvillain]

First, don't panic. There have been 2 other people in this thread asked to explain an anomaly in their PT app. They wouldn't ask if they were just going to reject you, so there's that.

Second, write what is honest and keep it simple. If there is no reason, there is no reason. Just say you took the LSAT three times because your scores did not meet your expectations based on practice tests. Unfortunately, you weren't able to translate much higher scores on PT into an official score. No worries.

On the GPA addendum, make it mature and focus it on the positive. Try something like "As I approached the end up my undergraduate career, I was increasingly focused on out-of-classroom priorities....explanation of how exciting/interesting/etc your grad program was and that you had whatever sporting commitments.....then close with something like, With the maturity that comes from age, I now regret that I did not perform up to my usual standards in that less semester due to this loss of focus. However, I do not believe that those grades are a reflection of my ability as can be seen from the vast majority of grades I achieved throughout my undergraduate career." That is what I would do, along those lines.

+1 Good advice

As always, Mum is right. I myself was asked for more information regarding an incomplete/fail grade in my freshman year by Dean Hoye. However Mr. Hoye made it very clear that he just wanted some more information to verify the decision which the committee had basically already arrived at. I told him the truth, that I made a silly mistake and didn't drop the class as I intended, and he was very prompt with an admissions reply the next day. I would definitely recommend just telling them your story without unnecessary embellishment- they will understand that everyone's circumstances are different. Good luck.

[hreback]

Just got my "Welcome to Duke" email. App went complete on 10/18 and heard back around 7:30pm on 10/27. So excited! GPA 3.97 and LSAT 170 in case anyone wanted more numbers.

[arez]

similar to above, applied 10/17, complete 10/18, in tonight! As everyone else has noted, it provides a nice safety blanket for the rest of the cycle

[MiamiOxford]

similar to above, applied 10/17, complete 10/18, in tonight! As everyone else has noted, it provides a nice safety blanket for the rest of the cycle

RD or PT?

[androidhu]

First, don't panic. There have been 2 other people in this thread asked to explain an anomaly in their PT app. They wouldn't ask if they were just going to reject you, so there's that.

Second, write what is honest and keep it simple. If there is no reason, there is no reason. Just say you took the LSAT three times because your scores did not meet your expectations based on practice tests. Unfortunately, you weren't able to translate much higher scores on PT into an official score. No worries.

On the GPA addendum, make it mature and focus it on the positive. Try something like "As I approached the end up my undergraduate career, I was increasingly focused on out-of-classroom priorities....explanation of how exciting/interesting/etc your grad program was and that you had whatever sporting commitments.....then close with something like, With the maturity that comes from age, I now regret that I did not perform up to my usual standards in that less semester due to this loss of focus. However, I do not believe that those grades are a reflection of my ability as can be seen from the vast majority of grades I achieved throughout my undergraduate career." That is what I would do, along those lines.

+1 Good advice

As always, Mum is right. I myself was asked for more information regarding an incomplete/fail grade in my freshman year by Dean Hoye. However Mr. Hoye made it very clear that he just wanted some more information to verify the decision which the committee had basically already arrived at. I told him the truth, that I made a silly mistake and didn't drop the class as I intended, and he was very prompt with an admissions reply the next day. I would definitely recommend just telling them your story without unnecessary embellishment- they will understand that everyone's circumstances are different. Good luck.

Thank you Mum and Madvillain! This is super super helpful. You guys are the best! T-T I'll keep you guys updated.

[arez]

similar to above, applied 10/17, complete 10/18, in tonight! As everyone else has noted, it provides a nice safety blanket for the rest of the cycle

RD or PT?

PT

[medialoop]

Just got in 10/28 PT. File went complete 10/20. 174/3.9x for anyone who's interested, and my personal statement was pretty crappy (I've worked on it quite a bit since then).


So nice to be in so early in the cycle! Good luck to everyone still waiting.

[thederangedwang]

a sad story about my lack of oral communication skills, lol.....so there was a law school fair at my school and duke was there, keep in mind that i have already been admitted through pt, so i go up and meet the guy as a courtesy

Me: Hi how r u?
Duke: Great, how can I help u?
Me: Actually, I've already been admitted, maybe you could just tell me more about Duke?
Duke: Congrats, I'd love to! (he then proceeds to tell me a lot about duke)
Me: *standing awkwardly thinking of another question to ask
Duke: so do you have any questions?
Me: *panicking cause I havent thought of any questions yet, I look at the Duke law brochure on the desk and pick one up and I say "do you mind if I take one of these?
Duke: You should already have one in your admission packet
Me: panicking i say, "yeah i know, i just havent read it yet, its on my to do list, as soon as i say this i give myself a mental facepalm
Duke: stares blankly at me...."maybe you should read it"
Me: panicking more now, "yeah I know, I've just been busy with my other applications"
Duke:..................


YEPPPPP, i screwed that one up royally.....on the brightside, i may have just opened up another admissions slot for u guys....

[roguewave19]

a sad story about my lack of oral communication skills, lol.....so there was a law school fair at my school and duke was there, keep in mind that i have already been admitted through pt, so i go up and meet the guy as a courtesy

Me: Hi how r u?
Duke: Great, how can I help u?
Me: Actually, I've already been admitted, maybe you could just tell me more about Duke?
Duke: Congrats, I'd love to! (he then proceeds to tell me a lot about duke)
Me: *standing awkwardly thinking of another question to ask
Duke: so do you have any questions?
Me: *panicking cause I havent thought of any questions yet, I look at the Duke law brochure on the desk and pick one up and I say "do you mind if I take one of these?
Duke: You should already have one in your admission packet
Me: panicking i say, "yeah i know, i just havent read it yet, its on my to do list, as soon as i say this i give myself a mental facepalm
Duke: stares blankly at me...."maybe you should read it"
Me: panicking more now, "yeah I know, I've just been busy with my other applications"
Duke:..................


YEPPPPP, i screwed that one up royally.....on the brightside, i may have just opened up another admissions slot for u guys....

hahaha totally something i would do..

[vincanity1]

a sad story about my lack of oral communication skills, lol.....so there was a law school fair at my school and duke was there, keep in mind that i have already been admitted through pt, so i go up and meet the guy as a courtesy

Me: Hi how r u?
Duke: Great, how can I help u?
Me: Actually, I've already been admitted, maybe you could just tell me more about Duke?
Duke: Congrats, I'd love to! (he then proceeds to tell me a lot about duke)
Me: *standing awkwardly thinking of another question to ask
Duke: so do you have any questions?
Me: *panicking cause I havent thought of any questions yet, I look at the Duke law brochure on the desk and pick one up and I say "do you mind if I take one of these?
Duke: You should already have one in your admission packet
Me: panicking i say, "yeah i know, i just havent read it yet, its on my to do list, as soon as i say this i give myself a mental facepalm
Duke: stares blankly at me...."maybe you should read it"
Me: panicking more now, "yeah I know, I've just been busy with my other applications"
Duke:..................


YEPPPPP, i screwed that one up royally.....on the brightside, i may have just opened up another admissions slot for u guys....

Fantastic story

[Hopefully2012]

a sad story about my lack of oral communication skills, lol.....so there was a law school fair at my school and duke was there, keep in mind that i have already been admitted through pt, so i go up and meet the guy as a courtesy

Me: Hi how r u?
Duke: Great, how can I help u?
Me: Actually, I've already been admitted, maybe you could just tell me more about Duke?
Duke: Congrats, I'd love to! (he then proceeds to tell me a lot about duke)
Me: *standing awkwardly thinking of another question to ask
Duke: so do you have any questions?
Me: *panicking cause I havent thought of any questions yet, I look at the Duke law brochure on the desk and pick one up and I say "do you mind if I take one of these?
Duke: You should already have one in your admission packet
Me: panicking i say, "yeah i know, i just havent read it yet, its on my to do list, as soon as i say this i give myself a mental facepalm
Duke: stares blankly at me...."maybe you should read it"
Me: panicking more now, "yeah I know, I've just been busy with my other applications"
Duke:..................


YEPPPPP, i screwed that one up royally.....on the brightside, i may have just opened up another admissions slot for u guys....

hahaha amazing.

[vellum]

Accepted! PT Complete 10/19. Accepted 10/28.

[splbagel]

Admitted today! Priority track, application submitted 10/23.

3.79, 174, no "why Duke" essay

[Koalabear]

In today! Complete 10/21 . 170 / 3.92 PT app. No Why Duke.

[roguewave19]

Also got in today! PT submitted 10/24 in 10/30. 4.0 and 175, DS but no Why Duke.

[soj]

Admitted today! Priority track, application submitted 10/23.

3.79, 174, no "why Duke" essay

Congrats, bagel! You know what I'm gonna tell you ...

[80eight]

Got my acceptance package all the way in China today!

[seanPtheB]

Submitted last night via PT. Congrats to everyone who's been accepted already! Must feel good to have a t14 acceptance in the back pocket!

[sn20]

finally under review for non-PT! complete since 10/3.

[pineappledazzler]

Have been UR for non-PT since 10/24, so a week now - was complete 9/19. Cross fingers for a decision soon! Slightly scared I'll be YP'ed when I'd actually love to attend!

[mickeyD]

tagged. good luck everyone!

[androidhu]

Omg, my status changed to "decision made, watch for email." It's only day 6 so I'm pleasantly surprised. (completed on 10/25) I'm going to refresh my email like manic from now on!

[dakure]

Omg, my status changed to "decision made, watch for email." It's only day 6 so I'm pleasantly surprised. (completed on 10/25) I'm going to refresh my email like manic from now on!

Mine says the same thing. What time do emails come out?

[androidhu]

Uh oh. I got put on a Priority Reserve list. Got an email at 6:30pm.

[vincanity1]

Uh oh. I got put on a Priority Reserve list. Got an email at 6:30pm.

Really sorry to hear that, Android. You're in for some nice acceptances elsewhere, so I wouldn't be too bummed if I were you