Vanderbilt 2013 Forum

[Hopefullawstudent]

...4.0's do sometimes find a way to overcome LSAT's that are a few points below the median.

In typical fashion, numbers are king here in TLS land... But seriously, the point you're making is obvious. A good GPA OFTEN overcomes LSATs that are below the median. I invite you to look at the 25% LSAT scores of top schools. Berkeley wins with a solidly low 164. Duke 165. UCLA 164. UT 164. And do not tell me that these are all URMs. That is simply incorrect.

Hence, high GPAs overcoming low LSATs is a rule, not an exception. And, nowhere in the data can you point to a 4.0 being any more "magical" than a 3.90. If anything, the strength of one's UG institution is a much more relevant "hidden" factor than "Ommmigosh he/she has a 4.0... get out the golden stationary..."

(Sorry for sounding like a C, but I'm just so sick of hearing hearsay about the numbers. Peoples' points about numbers at the median mattering are certainly correct though.)

-HL

[MarkRenton]

Take a look at some LSN's, when a score is 3 points below the median, you normally see a lot of red dots. Except for the 4.0's, a bunch of them always sneak in. This is true at a lot of schools. Like, I think Michigan always takes a bunch of 166/4.0's. It really shows a lot of determination and consistency. Plus, 4.0's are just so rare. It really plays like a great soft factor.

Is my 3.98 really different then a 4.0 I mean really? I have never recieved a B in my college career and I have only gotten two A-'s I don't think it is different.

I'm sure you'll be viewed just like a 4.0. I was trying to theorize about such minute differences - just making a general point. Also, I'm sure many of the 4.0's who report great acceptances on LSN are actually 3.98's who chose to round up.

[MarkRenton]

...4.0's do sometimes find a way to overcome LSAT's that are a few points below the median.

In typical fashion, numbers are king here in TLS land... But seriously, the point you're making is obvious. A good GPA OFTEN overcomes LSATs that are below the median. I invite you to look at the 25% LSAT scores of top schools. Berkeley wins with a solidly low 164. Duke 165. UCLA 164. UT 164. And do not tell me that these are all URMs. That is simply incorrect.

Hence, high GPAs overcoming low LSATs is a rule, not an exception. And, nowhere in the data can you point to a 4.0 being any more "magical" than a 3.90. If anything, the strength of one's UG institution is a much more relevant "hidden" factor than "Ommmigosh he/she has a 4.0... get out the golden stationary..."

(Sorry for sounding like a C, but I'm just so sick of hearing hearsay about the numbers. Peoples' points about numbers at the median mattering are certainly correct though.)

-HL

I disagree, I think institution matters less than people would like to believe. But you're right to point out that this is largely all hearsay. Everything that we (all of us) say has to be taken with skepticism. I'm only speaking from what I've witnessed - take it for what it's worth.

[rocross1]

Take a look at some LSN's, when a score is 3 points below the median, you normally see a lot of red dots. Except for the 4.0's, a bunch of them always sneak in. This is true at a lot of schools. Like, I think Michigan always takes a bunch of 166/4.0's. It really shows a lot of determination and consistency. Plus, 4.0's are just so rare. It really plays like a great soft factor.

Is my 3.98 really different then a 4.0 I mean really? I have never recieved a B in my college career and I have only gotten two A-'s I don't think it is different.

I'm sure you'll be viewed just like a 4.0. I was trying to theorize about such minute differences - just making a general point. Also, I'm sure many of the 4.0's who report great acceptances on LSN are actually 3.98's who chose to round up.

I think Im just gonna start rounding everything, bills down and grades up.

[Hopefullawstudent]

...4.0's do sometimes find a way to overcome LSAT's that are a few points below the median.

In typical fashion, numbers are king here in TLS land... But seriously, the point you're making is obvious. A good GPA OFTEN overcomes LSATs that are below the median. I invite you to look at the 25% LSAT scores of top schools. Berkeley wins with a solidly low 164. Duke 165. UCLA 164. UT 164. And do not tell me that these are all URMs. That is simply incorrect.

Hence, high GPAs overcoming low LSATs is a rule, not an exception. And, nowhere in the data can you point to a 4.0 being any more "magical" than a 3.90. If anything, the strength of one's UG institution is a much more relevant "hidden" factor than "Ommmigosh he/she has a 4.0... get out the golden stationary..."

(Sorry for sounding like a C, but I'm just so sick of hearing hearsay about the numbers. Peoples' points about numbers at the median mattering are certainly correct though.)

-HL

I disagree, I think institution matters less than people would like to believe. But you're right to point out that this is largely all hearsay. Everything that we (all of us) say has to be taken with skepticism. I'm only speaking from what I've witnessed - take it for what it's worth.

Not to start an argument here, but I will tell you that of all of the T20s outside of HYS, I have it on very good word that Vandy cares rather significantly where you went to UG. It is part of the "what is your pedigree?" culture at Vandy among other things.

I haven't verified this, but the word in Chicago is that graduating from Michigan UG is a "soft" factor at Vandy. I know many Michigan UG alums in the Chicago area who applied to Vandy. Of the five that applied, four were admitted. Granted, this may be a coincidence. But strange to hear such a random rumor even exists.

[MarkRenton]

I trust you on that. I was talking more in general, but this is a Vandy thread.

[tram988]

Decision mailed 1/7!! I'm nervous

[cr073137]

Decision mailed 01/07!!! Is there any way I can find out before? Should I call?

[kittenmittons]

Decision mailed 01/07!!! Is there any way I can find out before? Should I call?

Go on a 4 day bender

[tram988]

Decision mailed 01/07!!! Is there any way I can find out before? Should I call?

What are your stats? I'm curious to see what #'s got DM today.

[Chromakey]

Decision 1/7!!!! I had to check three times just to make sure that little box actually had a date in it. Been complete since 10/16. There's an ugly knot in my stomach that I guess I'll have to live with for the next six or seven days. God, I'm nervous

[cr073137]

Decision mailed 01/07!!! Is there any way I can find out before? Should I call?

What are your stats? I'm curious to see what #'s got DM today.

Hahaaha, yeah... I'm a big splitter, way over 75th in GPA, way under 25th in LSAT. But I have really good softs, (and Im not just saying that) LOR from the school president (which was also my honors senior thesis adviser). And an very important director of a research center where I work. I'm URN and int'l student. Also winner of several national, international, and school wide awards. And I worked on my PS and DS for over 2 months (Im in love with them). I interviewed, and met the dean and talked with him for a long time on one occasion.

But my friend from my school got in with similar scores and with less softs, so will see.

[tram988]

Yeah I consider myself in the same category-- great softs/LOR's/ PS. I am not an URM however. We will see. Hopefully we both get in!

[holydonkey]

Decision 1/7!!!! I had to check three times just to make sure that little box actually had a date in it. Been complete since 10/16. There's an ugly knot in my stomach that I guess I'll have to live with for the next six or seven days. God, I'm nervous

To help focus our anxiety. If it's an admit package, it's supposed to take 2-4 days to reach you. If it's a letter, it'll probably be 4-7 days. So if you don't hear in 4 days, that's the appropriate time to start freaking out.

[tram988]

Decision 1/7!!!! I had to check three times just to make sure that little box actually had a date in it. Been complete since 10/16. There's an ugly knot in my stomach that I guess I'll have to live with for the next six or seven days. God, I'm nervous

To help focus our anxiety. If it's an admit package, it's supposed to take 2-4 days to reach you. If it's a letter, it'll probably be 4-7 days. So if you don't hear in 4 days, that's the appropriate time to start freaking out.

Great! Do they send the admit package priority mail?

[manbearwig]

Decision 1/7!!!! I had to check three times just to make sure that little box actually had a date in it. Been complete since 10/16. There's an ugly knot in my stomach that I guess I'll have to live with for the next six or seven days. God, I'm nervous

To help focus our anxiety. If it's an admit package, it's supposed to take 2-4 days to reach you. If it's a letter, it'll probably be 4-7 days. So if you don't hear in 4 days, that's the appropriate time to start freaking out.

Or, if it's me, it'll be who knows when no matter what. :/ I don't go back to school until the 24th, and I'm not sure how often they forward mail home.

[holydonkey]

Decision 1/7!!!! I had to check three times just to make sure that little box actually had a date in it. Been complete since 10/16. There's an ugly knot in my stomach that I guess I'll have to live with for the next six or seven days. God, I'm nervous

To help focus our anxiety. If it's an admit package, it's supposed to take 2-4 days to reach you. If it's a letter, it'll probably be 4-7 days. So if you don't hear in 4 days, that's the appropriate time to start freaking out.

Great! Do they send the admit package priority mail?

yes

[cr073137]

Does anyone knows if they say any information if we call? I mean, I know they dont like it when people do that if you are admitted, what can they do revoke it? and if you were rejected, at least now you know, they cant reject you twice! I have never felt so anxious, I like surprises, but is not really a surprise if they already told me its in the mail.

[panadera]

Does anyone knows if they say any information if we call? I mean, I know they dont like it when people do that if you are admitted, what can they do revoke it? and if you were rejected, at least now you know, they cant reject you twice! I have never felt so anxious, I like surprises, but is not really a surprise if they already told me its in the mail.

No they won't. I'm away from both my current and permanent address and won't be back to them until July. I called and they said that the only way you can get your decision is in the packet they send.

I didn't tell them my name or any information so I doubt this is a "I won't tell you because I don't want to reject you on the phone" thing.

[MarkRenton]

If you're not going to be around for a substantial amount of time, like July, maybe one could switch their official address and then ask for a copy of the decision to be remailed.

[Hopefullawstudent]

Good luck to all of you!

[panadera]

If you're not going to be around for a substantial amount of time, like July, maybe one could switch their official address and then ask for a copy of the decision to be remailed.

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm actually working on all that right now. But my first thought was to call and ask, and then do the actual logical steps next. (Like finding a new address first.)

I'm assuming it's a bad decision and am holding off asking a friend to head to my house and read it when it arrives.

But thank you again Mark. And good luck to any other applicants!

[Veritas]

still at complete since 10/30...

good luck!!

[najumobi]

Decision mailed 01/07!!! Is there any way I can find out before? Should I call?

hey could you tell me when you went complete?

[statuscheckerssuck]

Decision sent today as well. I am 166 and 3.8 complete on 11/20

There have been no rejects posted on lawschoolnumbers as of yet. Good or bad sign for us?