URM 2015-2016 Cycle Thread Forum

[MajinBuu]

Apply earlier this time - it may improve your chances. Do you think any other part of you application wasn't as strong as it could have been?

Mid january

[JazzyMac]

Hi Y'all, just stopping by to say good luck! I applied 14-15 and had a relatively successful cycle with sub-median stats. I doubt I'll be on TLS much, but if you have questions, feel free to PM me and I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Rooting for y'all!

Your cycle was pretty fucking awesome... TELL US YOUR SECRETS

haha, thanks. I would say, generally, these things worked for me:

1) Strong Essays: I wrote a 2-page personal statement, a 1-page diversity statement, a 1-paragraph LSAT addendum (I took it 3 times, and I also used this addendum to tell more about me--one adcom even wrote on my admission letter about this addendum because he related to it, so basically, everything in your app is an opportunity to show who are you), and a 1-paragraph school-specific essay for most schools, but especially the ones I was most interested in attending. All of my essays were genuine and my personal statement showed some vulnerability, which I think worked well for me.

2) Strong Recommendations: I put together a packet for each of my recommenders that included my resume, draft of personal statement, statement of 'why law school', and a letter to the recommender that formally asked for a recommendation, but also reminded them of various aspects of our relationship to jog their memory about certain things I wanted them to mention (sometimes I said explicitly that I'd like them to cover a certain point), and I included deadlines for when I wanted them to turn it in. I had one prof, an employer, and a professional mentor.

3) Theme: I have a demonstrated commitment to leadership and community development, particularly within diverse communities, that seemed to grab attention from many adcoms. So I would say, demonstrate something that you do in life and how a legal career makes sense to further your cause (you can do this with interests in firm/private life or with interests in PI).

4) Show, Don't Tell: Rather than merely listing things about yourself, look at the application like an interview. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and have sort of a conversation with the adcom. Assume you won't have an in person interview and this is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the adcom.

Of course, this is just my view of what worked for me. It could be different for you.

Edit: I want to include that while my stats were below medians (often even below 25ths), they weren't atrocious in comparison to ALL people applying, especially for people from my socioeconomic background. They are for sure low by TLS standards, but I think that goes to show that adcoms pay attention to more than just stats if you can convince them to.

#Like

[ggnobbq]

Apply earlier this time - it may improve your chances. Do you think any other part of you application wasn't as strong as it could have been?

Mid january

None that I can think of. I have multiple takes but I don't think that's a huge issue. I don't have stellar softs either, more like average. LSN shows other ~3.5/165 MA URMs get shut down, as well. I've also seen them get WL'd at CCN but later admitted to one of them. Either way, i hope i kill it in October and cop a 170+ and not be in this situation again.

[lollsat]

Does anyone here know of any TLSers that are 170+ URM applicants for this cycle? (PM if necessary) A lot of the posters I see are 167-169 (myself included), but I'm not sure I've seen anyone post stats higher than that. There were at least 5 I think last cycle, and I expected more with the rise in apps.

I'll get back to you in October. Lol fingers crossed

[ltowns1]

Does anyone here know of any TLSers that are 170+ URM applicants for this cycle? (PM if necessary) A lot of the posters I see are 167-169 (myself included), but I'm not sure I've seen anyone post stats higher than that. There were at least 5 I think last cycle, and I expected more with the rise in apps.

I'll get back to you in October. Lol fingers crossed

Ha ha...you said it!

[PrezRand]

anyone here applying for a dual degree?

[Shiv3rs-n-Ice]

anyone here applying for a dual degree?

I'm thinking about it. If I wear to do it, I would get an MBA (Finance).

[PoopNpants]

When are you guys considering submitted apps? I'm thinking November unless I need to re-take in December, and if it's the latter than probably December.

[Shiv3rs-n-Ice]

When are you guys considering submitted apps? I'm thinking November unless I need to re-take in December, and if it's the latter than probably December.

I want to have everything submitted before thanksgiving. But like you said, that's only if I don't have to re-take in December.

[cdotson2]

When are you guys considering submitted apps? I'm thinking November unless I need to re-take in December, and if it's the latter than probably December.

I am hoping to have all of my apps submitted by the first week in October. I want to start hearing back in December.

[PoopNpants]

When are you guys considering submitted apps? I'm thinking November unless I need to re-take in December, and if it's the latter than probably December.

I want to have everything submitted before thanksgiving. But like you said, that's only if I don't have to re-take in December.

Same, I'm thinking even if I gotta re-take in December than I could just indicate that to schools that I got another score on the way. I'm also hoping to do SEO as well so I'm mindful of that deadline too.

[PrezRand]

anyone here applying for a dual degree?

I'm thinking about it. If I wear to do it, I would get an MBA (Finance).

How much work experience do you have?

[180kickflip]

When are you guys considering submitted apps? I'm thinking November unless I need to re-take in December, and if it's the latter than probably December.

Im trying to have everything ready to press send the day apps open, but I'll still be sitting in either October or December, so who knows when they start processing everything.

[TheodoreKGB]

.

[Shiv3rs-n-Ice]

anyone here applying for a dual degree?

I'm thinking about it. If I wear to do it, I would get an MBA (Finance).

How much work experience do you have?

Not much, as of now only a year.

[MajinBuu]

I don't know how often people go to the LSAT prep forum on here but for everyone taking the LSAT in October or December I hope you are aware that as of August 15th you won't be able to buy pdf versions of PTs/ question anymore. This is especially annoying because some of the more recent tests haven't been released in book form by lsac.

I know that having the tests and questions types in pdf that I could print has been invaluable to my prep.

[cc1012]

Post removed.

[PrezRand]

anyone here applying for a dual degree?

I'm thinking about it. If I wear to do it, I would get an MBA (Finance).

How much work experience do you have?

Not much, as of now only a year.

Interesting. I was wondering what the average work experience might be for people pursuing an MBA/JD joint degree or even a MPP/JD

[cdotson2]

Shump92 wanted me to let everyone know that he has taken a temporary leave of absence from the TLS forums, but he will be returning.

[alpha kenny body]

Tr3 copped the AnBryce with a 3.5/164

[AshburtonGrove]

.

[PoopNpants]

I don't know how often people go to the LSAT prep forum on here but for everyone taking the LSAT in October or December I hope you are aware that as of August 15th you won't be able to buy pdf versions of PTs/ question anymore. This is especially annoying because some of the more recent tests haven't been released in book form by lsac.

I know that having the tests and questions types in pdf that I could print has been invaluable to my prep.

I know this is really gonna suck for those who don't have these kind of resources. I really saw my scorers improve a lot when I started drilling heavily.

[alpha kenny body]

Hey everyone, checking in. AA male w/3.75-3.8 GPA and 164. Planning on blanketing the top 14 plus a few others. Hoping to submit by early October. Best of luck to you all!

If you re-take and score 3 points+ higher, you'll more than likely get into Y or H. I think you're basically good for S and probably WL then Accepted to H, yet a re-take in October and submission by November could'nt hurt! Your cycle is going to be decent.

[chueca910]

I don't know how often people go to the LSAT prep forum on here but for everyone taking the LSAT in October or December I hope you are aware that as of August 15th you won't be able to buy pdf versions of PTs/ question anymore. This is especially annoying because some of the more recent tests haven't been released in book form by lsac.

I know that having the tests and questions types in pdf that I could print has been invaluable to my prep.

I know this is really gonna suck for those who don't have these kind of resources. I really saw my scorers improve a lot when I started drilling heavily.

@Poopnpants, are you mainly talking about LR or LG or even both. And how long after drilling did you see improvements (specifically LR)? The gains I've made with LR are pretty inconsistent so I'm deciding whether to get more pdf drilling packets or hold off because I hate seeing questions that I've already seen before when PT-ing or drilling by section.

[AnonymousApplicant]

Hey everyone, checking in. AA male w/3.75-3.8 GPA and 164. Planning on blanketing the top 14 plus a few others. Hoping to submit by early October. Best of luck to you all!

If you re-take and score 3 points+ higher, you'll more than likely get into Y or H. I think you're basically good for S and probably WL then Accepted to H, yet a re-take in October and submission by November could'nt hurt! Your cycle is going to be decent.

AshburtonGrove, I'd recommend you retake as well, not necessarily to improve your chances at HYS but to get a score that you can be proud of when you get to H, Y or S, for you will definitely be at one of them next fall.