URM 2012-2013 Cycle... let's go! Forum

[Bankrupt257]

My School List:

Reaches:
Penn
UVA
Cornell
GULC

Moderate Reach:
WM
W&L
Wake
Emory
GW

*Decent Shot:
Howard
URichmond
Syracuse
AU

* Out of this bunch, Id probably choose Howard because of OCI

All of this is dependent upon my LSAT in October. But even if i get a 175 or a 155, these are the only schools im applying to or I am not going.

[lawprospie]

What's up fellow URMs?

Black male checking in here.

I have a 3.61 LSAC GPA, attended a USNWR top ten university, graduated with honors in my major, will have one year of mangement consulting experience at a well-known firm, and recieved student leader awards during undergrad.

I'm taking the LSAT in October. Hopefully, I'll do well.

I intend to apply to all the top 14 law schools; but I really can't finalize a list without a LSAT score. Also, I really want to do the SEO Corporate Law program.

[Bankrupt257]

I think SEO program is only for college seniors

[lawprospie]

^ Really; those of us with work experience can't apply for the program? I don't remember reading that. And when I spoke to a black law student at the university I attended for undergrad, he said about half of the SEO people had work experience.

[californiauser]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I'm finding this harder than writing my PS.

[Bankrupt257]

Diversity Statements?

Whats that? And for what schools? I have never seen that.

[thelawschoolproject]

Diversity Statements?

Whats that? And for what schools? I have never seen that.

You generally write Diversity Statements (DSs) in order to explain how your diverse perspective can contribute to the legal community at a specific school. Some URM applicants write specifically about their heritage or racial issues that they've faced, however writing about coming from a different socio-economic class than middle-America is also acceptable. Honestly, anything that positions you as being "different" from the norm can be used in a DS. I know that last cycle Northwestern really encouraged all students (even those who didn't think they had any diversity) to try and craft one.

[Bankrupt257]

You cant just include that in the personal statement?

[dowu]

You cant just include that in the personal statement?

Nope. There are page limitations. The PS would be too short if you tried including a DS in that same statement.

[thelawschoolproject]

You cant just include that in the personal statement?

Nope. There are page limitations. The PS would be too short if you tried including a DS in that same statement.

Plus, it gives you more of an opportunity to introduce who you really are to the adcommm. I submitted a PS, a DS, and a statement of disadvantage. To some schools, I later submitted "Why X" essays, and I would say that I had positive results.

[Psib337]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I'm finding this harder than writing my PS.

I am but I'm most likely going to do it on socio-economic diversity instead of racial/ethnic diversity just because that's the type of diversity that I think I have more to say about and from my experience it's just as, if not more, important.

[astrodoggy]

applying to nine of the top fourteen and beyond that, focusing on the top Cali feeder schools for the LA market.

[astrodoggy]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I'm finding this harder than writing my PS.

I actually had fun with my diversity statement. I think I managed to display how my experiences being black and LGBTQ identified has played a role in my development as a person. Don't let it stress you out.

[The Greyest Goose]

.

[lawprospie]

^Thanks; would have sucked to miss out on SEO.

[sharktankdean]

Good luck to you all this cycle. Hopefully this thread is more active than my cycle's. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[TrialLawyer16]

Good luck to you all this cycle. Hopefully this thread is more active than my cycle's. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks! Congrats on Harvard by the way, I think I remember you saying that was your dream school and you were possibly on the wait list at some point(?). Glad to see everything turned out well for you!

[sharktankdean]

Good luck to you all this cycle. Hopefully this thread is more active than my cycle's. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks! Congrats on Harvard by the way, I think I remember you saying that was your dream school and you were possibly on the wait list at some point(?). Glad to see everything turned out well for you!

Thanks! Hopefully you end up at your top choice!

[BlaqBella]

I think SEO program is only for college seniors

Untrue. Applicants with post-grad work experience are welcomed to apply.

[astrodoggy]

Filling out the Cornell app. eeek! it's feeling very real now.

[EttaJ]

Filling out the Cornell app. eeek! it's feeling very real now.

After reading this forum for so long, the feeling is quite surreal.

Checking in for this cycle. I am trying to get my essays together so that I can submit an early application. I am so happy to be done with everything LSAT related. Good luck to all the October test takers..you will do great!

[bromance]

I think SEO program is only for college seniors

Untrue. Applicants with post-grad work experience are welcomed to apply.

This is correct, however last cycle it seemed like many of those with 3+ years work experience didn't fare very well in the end, regardless of what school they ended up depositing at...anyways good luck to everyone, I look forward to reading about your collective successes in the months ahead!

[jcan91]

Filling out the Cornell app. eeek! it's feeling very real now.

After reading this forum for so long, the feeling is quite surreal.

Checking in for this cycle. I am trying to get my essays together so that I can submit an early application. I am so happy to be done with everything LSAT related. Good luck to all the October test takers..you will do great!

Man I wish I could say the same. With every practice test I wish more and more that I had just sucked it up and taken the LSAT in June like I planned. Oh well, I know I had no chance back then anyway.

*Game face back on.* Here's to a great cycle guys!

[lawprospie]

While at work, I was thinking about this whole PS and DS thing or perhaps I should say....a PS that basically discusses how my background has shaped my thinking and the things I'm invovled in versus a diversity statement. I ran a search and the general thought on this seems to be fragmented. However, I still wanted people's opinion on this. My gut is telling me to be succint and write one really strong, well-crafted statement. Yet, I keep on thinking "Are they expecting a AA male to have a diversity statement."

*Instead of thinking about this, I should really just be studying for the LSAT

[BlaqBella]

I think SEO program is only for college seniors

Untrue. Applicants with post-grad work experience are welcomed to apply.

This is correct, however last cycle it seemed like many of those with 3+ years work experience didn't fare very well in the end, regardless of what school they ended up depositing at...anyways good luck to everyone, I look forward to reading about your collective successes in the months ahead!

Bromance, care to elaborate on what you mean by "didn't fare very well" ?