URM 2015-2016 Cycle Thread Forum

[ThePiedPiper]

I'm wondering would 750-850 words be too long for the Diversity Statement?

Mine is two pages, double-spaced, twelve point font.

Oh okay. Just making sure I am not over doing it.

[180kickflip]

I'm wondering would 750-850 words be too long for the Diversity Statement?

Mine is two pages, double-spaced, twelve point font.

Oh okay. Just making sure I am not over doing it.

Since most apps are now open, your best bet is to open the actual applications and read the requirements for each school. You'll probably find that writing multiple versions (1 and 2 page for example) will be beneficial/necessary.

[MarshallMarshal]

So many apps are open now but I'm retaking the October LSAT in hopes of getting a few points higher and breaking the 170 wall. Should i be nervous about applying in mid-November. Anyone think that will majorly hurt chances?

[alpha kenny body]

So many apps are open now but I'm retaking the October LSAT in hopes of getting a few points higher and breaking the 170 wall. Should i be nervous about applying in mid-November. Anyone think that will majorly hurt chances?

That's still considered relatively early. You're fine.

[LoganCouture]

So many apps are open now but I'm retaking the October LSAT in hopes of getting a few points higher and breaking the 170 wall. Should i be nervous about applying in mid-November. Anyone think that will majorly hurt chances?

Even one more point improvement = worth waiting until Nov (or Jan for people retaking in Dec).

good luck!

(and good luck to all the other 15-16 URMs also!!)

[alpha kenny body]

So many apps are open now but I'm retaking the October LSAT in hopes of getting a few points higher and breaking the 170 wall. Should i be nervous about applying in mid-November. Anyone think that will majorly hurt chances?

Even one more point improvement = worth waiting until Nov (or Jan for people retaking in Dec).

good luck!

(and good luck to all the other 15-16 URMs also!!)

How's S treating you?

[LoganCouture]

So many apps are open now but I'm retaking the October LSAT in hopes of getting a few points higher and breaking the 170 wall. Should i be nervous about applying in mid-November. Anyone think that will majorly hurt chances?

Even one more point improvement = worth waiting until Nov (or Jan for people retaking in Dec).

good luck!

(and good luck to all the other 15-16 URMs also!!)

How's S treating you?

haha well IMO 1L fall is worst at S (four doctrinals + lrw) but i'm very happy to be drowning in work here as opposed to anywhere else!

[gahogad]

Hi everyone! I'm checking in to report acceptances from Duke and UVA. AA male here. Good luck to all who are working on LSAT prep!

Also, OP, can we have a new poll (submission date plans, geographic location, ect.)?

[FairchildFLT]

Hi everyone! I'm checking in to report acceptances from Duke and UVA. AA male here. Good luck to all who are working on LSAT prep!

Also, OP, can we have a new poll (submission date plans, geographic location, ect.)?

Nice to see UVA making moves early this year. Congrats!

[lawschoolspeaks]

Checking in!

AA Female
Hoping to get a 170 on October test and send in app shortly after results are out

Hoping for a miracle Ivy acceptance or Georgetown

[chueca910]

Hi everyone! I'm checking in to report acceptances from Duke and UVA. AA male here. Good luck to all who are working on LSAT prep!

Also, OP, can we have a new poll (submission date plans, geographic location, ect.)?

ahh! congrats!! What are your stats if you don't mind?

[Skool]

Checking in!

AA Female
3.1 GPA (two study abroad semesters weren't included :/)
3 years big bank experience
Hoping to get a 170 on October test and send in app shortly after results are out

Hoping for a miracle Ivy acceptance or Georgetown

Keep in mind that an "ivy acceptance" is basically a meaningless distinction in the law school game. It might mean something to friends/family/coworkers but it's not a helpful distinction when deciding between law schools.

[AshburtonGrove]

Did anyone else get an invitation to apply to Duke through their Priority Track? (combo of fee waiver and getting a decision within 10 days of submitting). Is this a thing unique to Duke or do other schools offer this as well?

[chueca910]

Did anyone else get an invitation to apply to Duke through their Priority Track? (combo of fee waiver and getting a decision within 10 days of submitting). Is this a thing unique to Duke or do other schools offer this as well?

Yeah as far as I know yep this is unique to Duke. UVA does something similar (decision within two weeks) but that one is binding.

[DG2016]

Checking in! I'm so excited that this cycle is finally here. AA female, ivy undergrad, 3.8 gpa, 170 LSAT, a few years of WE. I'm really interested in Stanford, Harvard and Columbia, but scholarships/grants are going to determine where I attend school. Good luck everyone.

[alpha kenny body]

Checking in! I'm so excited that this cycle is finally here. AA female, ivy undergrad, 3.8 gpa, 170 LSAT, a few years of WE. I'm really interested in Stanford, Harvard and Columbia, but scholarships/grants are going to determine where I attend school. Good luck everyone.

Enjoy Yale, Harvard, or the Hamilton at Columbia

[ThePiedPiper]

Checking in! I'm so excited that this cycle is finally here. AA female, ivy undergrad, 3.8 gpa, 170 LSAT, a few years of WE. I'm really interested in Stanford, Harvard and Columbia, but scholarships/grants are going to determine where I attend school. Good luck everyone.

Welcome to the thread. You're going to have an amazing cycle.

[DG2016]

Thanks all. I'm hopeful that good things are headed my way but one never knows.

[kevgogators]

Hoping for some advice from people who may know more than I do.

I'm a PR applicant with a 166/3.4x (3.7 uGPA). I want to apply is cycle and am targeting the t14. I was originally planning on retaking the LSAT in Dec and applying with those new stats.

However, I was recently told of some old LSN report that attempted to quantify the URM boosts, and apparently concluded that the boost for a Puerto Rican is approximately 6 points--comparable to that of an AA.

If there is any merit behind that, I think I should strategize differently. I'm now considering applying with my current numbers and perhaps updating with my Dec score once it's released.

I guess my questions are;

(1) Is applying now, as opposed to later, a bad idea?
(2) There seems to be virtually no anecdotal data on PR boosts, but plenty for AA and MA. Does anyone know more about this?

[AnonymousApplicant]

Hoping for some advice from people who may know more than I do.

I'm a PR applicant with a 166/3.4x (3.7 uGPA). I want to apply is cycle and am targeting the t14. I was originally planning on retaking the LSAT in Dec and applying with those new stats.

However, I was recently told of some old LSN report that attempted to quantify the URM boosts, and apparently concluded that the boost for a Puerto Rican is approximately 6 points--comparable to that of an AA.

If there is any merit behind that, I think I should strategize differently. I'm now considering applying with my current numbers and perhaps updating with my Dec score once it's released.

I guess my questions are;

(1) Is applying now, as opposed to later, a bad idea?
(2) There seems to be virtually no anecdotal data on PR boosts, but plenty for AA and MA. Does anyone know more about this?

I'm honestly skeptical that the PR boost is anything like what it is for AAs. Nevertheless, even if it really is that way, what you should do depends on what T14s you are trying to get into. Assuming the PR boost is like the AA boost, every school except HYS is guaranteed. Even H is a strong possibility, though not guaranteed. Y is out but S, I don't know. A few extra points on the LSAT though would definitely help.

[180kickflip]

Hoping for some advice from people who may know more than I do.

I'm a PR applicant with a 166/3.4x (3.7 uGPA). I want to apply is cycle and am targeting the t14. I was originally planning on retaking the LSAT in Dec and applying with those new stats.

However, I was recently told of some old LSN report that attempted to quantify the URM boosts, and apparently concluded that the boost for a Puerto Rican is approximately 6 points--comparable to that of an AA.

If there is any merit behind that, I think I should strategize differently. I'm now considering applying with my current numbers and perhaps updating with my Dec score once it's released.

I guess my questions are;

(1) Is applying now, as opposed to later, a bad idea?
(2) There seems to be virtually no anecdotal data on PR boosts, but plenty for AA and MA. Does anyone know more about this?

I'm honestly skeptical that the PR boost is anything like what it is for AAs. Nevertheless, even if it really is that way, what you should do depends on what T14s you are trying to get into. Assuming the PR boost is like the AA boost, every school except HYS is guaranteed. Even H is a strong possibility, though not guaranteed. Y is out but S, I don't know. A few extra points on the LSAT though would definitely help.

This is completely wrong. A 166/3.4 AA isn't a likely admit at Berkeley, nevermind a guarantee. Same goes for all of CCN. Just look at the last few years cycle result spreadsheets on here, and you'll have a decent idea of where people get in.

[kevgogators]

Hoping for some advice from people who may know more than I do.

I'm a PR applicant with a 166/3.4x (3.7 uGPA). I want to apply is cycle and am targeting the t14. I was originally planning on retaking the LSAT in Dec and applying with those new stats.

However, I was recently told of some old LSN report that attempted to quantify the URM boosts, and apparently concluded that the boost for a Puerto Rican is approximately 6 points--comparable to that of an AA.

If there is any merit behind that, I think I should strategize differently. I'm now considering applying with my current numbers and perhaps updating with my Dec score once it's released.

I guess my questions are;

(1) Is applying now, as opposed to later, a bad idea?
(2) There seems to be virtually no anecdotal data on PR boosts, but plenty for AA and MA. Does anyone know more about this?

I'm honestly skeptical that the PR boost is anything like what it is for AAs. Nevertheless, even if it really is that way, what you should do depends on what T14s you are trying to get into. Assuming the PR boost is like the AA boost, every school except HYS is guaranteed. Even H is a strong possibility, though not guaranteed. Y is out but S, I don't know. A few extra points on the LSAT though would definitely help.

I'm very skeptical as well, which is precisely why I don't want to jump the gun and apply prematurely if it'll hurt me.

I'm not necessarily gunning for T6 because I can't expect that w/ my numbers (although that'd be bomb), but would be ecstatic with acceptances (and $-$$) to Duke and Penn + NCG. I had assumed that my numbers were completely noncompetitive, but perhaps I'm underestimating the power of URM + early app. I'd likely retake in Dec regardless, for scholarship prospects alone.

I guess my final question comes down to;
As a PR applicant with a 166/3.4, should I apply now and update later vs. apply later with new score?

[kevgogators]

Someone posted the link for the "quantifiable" data!

https://web.archive.org/web/20130522135 ... _boost.php

According to this, AA actually has an 8 point boost vs. a 5 point boost for PR. Makes more sense to me.

My question still stands though...

[AnonymousApplicant]

Someone posted the link for the "quantifiable" data!

https://web.archive.org/web/20130522135 ... _boost.php

According to this, AA actually has an 8 point boost vs. a 5 point boost for PR. Makes more sense to me.

My question still stands though...

180kickflip seems to disagree with me, but I'm simply basing what I'm saying on AAs that I personally know who've gotten into T6 schools with sub-165 LSATs, though with higher GPAs than 3.4, and with the hard data that's available which says that you can practically count the number of AAs scoring at the 165+ level on one hand. Still, your low GPA might be what does you in at the end of the day, because if you had a 3.5+--and if, again, PRs are evaluated the same way as AAs--than you'd be guaranteed H with a good shot at H and S. In any case, I doubt that it matters so much when you apply this cycle. My older sibling got HYS a few years ago with a much lower GPA than yours but with a 170+ LSAT. You should at least try the same. Retake in December and if you can get, say, a 168+ you'd be on much better ground, despite your GPA.

[kevgogators]

Someone posted the link for the "quantifiable" data!

https://web.archive.org/web/20130522135 ... _boost.php

According to this, AA actually has an 8 point boost vs. a 5 point boost for PR. Makes more sense to me.

My question still stands though...

180kickflip seems to disagree with me, but I'm simply basing what I'm saying on AAs that I personally know who've gotten into T6 schools with sub-165 LSATs, though with higher GPAs than 3.4, and with the hard data that's available which says that you can practically count the number of AAs scoring at the 165+ level on one hand. Still, your low GPA might be what does you in at the end of the day, because if you had a 3.5+--and if, again, PRs are evaluated the same way as AAs--than you'd be guaranteed H with a good shot at H and S. In any case, I doubt that it matters so much when you apply this cycle. My older sibling got HYS a few years ago with a much lower GPA than yours but with a 170+ LSAT. You should at least try the same. Retake in December and if you can get, say, a 168+ you'd be on much better ground, despite your GPA.

I agree, I've even seen/read of several AA gaining admissions to Y with a 165 or similar on the URM in/out threads. I guess nothing is guaranteed, but it seems far from uncommon. And wow! Congrats to your sibling...would you mind sharing if it was low/mid/or high 170's?
Also, what kind of URM are you?