URM 2014-2015 Cycle Thread Forum

[DiniMae]

any urm-js2 action yet?

I'm not sure that too many of our URM frequent posters are sitting on a JS1 right now. I think some folks just got their JS1 invites?

I have a js1 this week and it seems like it takes at least a month before js2

[Oskosh]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

[LoganCouture]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

[Oskosh]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

Yeah, I definitely think an LSAT re-take would benefit me. I'm just very impatient, at least when it comes to waiting another year to begin law school. But I do know how important it is to get your finances straight, and to get into really good schools that will guarantee that you can pay off whatever debt you incur. :p I think the essays are the stronger part of my application.

[ballcaps]

any urm-js2 action yet?

I'm not sure that too many of our URM frequent posters are sitting on a JS1 right now. I think some folks just got their JS1 invites?

I have a js1 this week and it seems like it takes at least a month before js2

yeah, this seems right, although several non-urms (what are those people called?) were accepted today after about 3 weeks.

looks like zero urms got in today, so i'm chill.

[cc78]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

It's good that you've disciplined yourself to simply not go if you're options are not where you need them to be. Take heart, the LSAT wasteland should work both ways (again, as LC said, I don't know your numbers), it makes the URM with an above median LSAT the rarest of rare commodities, but it also means that there will be plenty of spots available at higher ranked than expected schools for folks with lower LSATs. in 2012-2013 HLS was rejecting 3.8x/162 African-Americans. This cycle they just admitted a 3.8/162...

[cc78]

yeah, this seems right, although several non-urms (what are those people called?) were accepted today after about 3 weeks.

looks like zero urms got in today, so i'm chill.

Sorry for not remembering, ballcaps, but are you sitting on JS1? If so, you're right to stay calm, could be they are doing URM JS2s together?

[DiniMae]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

I have to say I disagree somewhat. I think the fact that I have "unique" softs (whatever that means on TLS) is what's getting me into some of these schools. And I spent a lot of time on my essays. I wrote like 15 versions of tailored PSs and did all the optional essays (within reason). Granted, my GPA is 3.7-3.75 but that's not stellar. And my LSAT.......well........If they had an April one I'd retake. I think URMs as a whole are unpredictable. We have so many varying factors.

[DiniMae]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

It's good that you've disciplined yourself to simply not go if you're options are not where you need them to be. Take heart, the LSAT wasteland should work both ways (again, as LC said, I don't know your numbers), it makes the URM with an above median LSAT the rarest of rare commodities, but it also means that there will be plenty of spots available at higher ranked than expected schools for folks with lower LSATs. in 2012-2013 HLS was rejecting 3.8x/162 African-Americans. This cycle they just admitted a 3.8/162...

Yea someone just updated HLS with a 157/3.9.

[cc78]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

I have to say I disagree somewhat. I think the fact that I have "unique" softs (whatever that means on TLS) is what's getting me into some of these schools. And I spent a lot of time on my essays. I wrote like 15 versions of tailored PSs and did all the optional essays (within reason). Granted, my GPA is 3.7-3.75 but that's not stellar. And my LSAT.......well........If they had an April one I'd retake. I think URMs as a whole are unpredictable. We have so many varying factors.

I have to say that I am incredibly sad that a GPA as good as this one is "not stellar" in the law school world. I'm in the same range and I busted my natural behind to get it and I'm sure you did to get your GPA too, Dini. Sorry, mini-rant.

[cc78]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

It's good that you've disciplined yourself to simply not go if you're options are not where you need them to be. Take heart, the LSAT wasteland should work both ways (again, as LC said, I don't know your numbers), it makes the URM with an above median LSAT the rarest of rare commodities, but it also means that there will be plenty of spots available at higher ranked than expected schools for folks with lower LSATs. in 2012-2013 HLS was rejecting 3.8x/162 African-Americans. This cycle they just admitted a 3.8/162...

Yea someone just updated HLS with a 157/3.9.

Whoa, just whoa...

[ballcaps]

yeah, this seems right, although several non-urms (what are those people called?) were accepted today after about 3 weeks.

looks like zero urms got in today, so i'm chill.

Sorry for not remembering, ballcaps, but are you sitting on JS1? If so, you're right to stay calm, could be they are doing URM JS2s together?

yup, had my interview mid-january. went well fwiw.

and it does seem like they're working with somewhat-defined groups (super-high lsats, urms. etc.)

i mean, there must be some kinda rhyme/reason to all this...right?

[cc78]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

[Tr3]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

I have to say I disagree somewhat. I think the fact that I have "unique" softs (whatever that means on TLS) is what's getting me into some of these schools. And I spent a lot of time on my essays. I wrote like 15 versions of tailored PSs and did all the optional essays (within reason). Granted, my GPA is 3.7-3.75 but that's not stellar. And my LSAT.......well........If they had an April one I'd retake. I think URMs as a whole are unpredictable. We have so many varying factors.

I think strong numbers obviously help; but it does seem that adcoms care about softs and essays. Most of the handwritten notes I received commented on my writing ability and/or content of my essays. However, this could just be something they write on everyone's letters, idk, I just know they mentioned specific content from my essays. The one thing I'm concerned with (and I mentioned it in the Google group) is that sure URMs with "low numbers" (I mean come on, 3.7+ for some of y'all and 90th percentile LSAT = low??? UGH) is how $$$ will play out. It's nice to be admitted, but sad if I/you/we can't afford it (I realize everyone's budgets aren't the same, just saying). I've been pleasantly surprised with my cycle considering my numbers, but I also can't help but think a higher LSAT might have at least gotten me a JS1 (cries a bit on the inside).

Meh, it'll be fun to look at our spreadsheet once the cycle is over.

[Tr3]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

Congrats!

[jemthey17]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

Congrats, cc! Happy to see some news after a very slow day.

[cc78]

I think strong numbers obviously help; but it does seem that adcoms care about softs and essays. Most of the handwritten notes I received commented on my writing ability and/or content of my essays. However, this could just be something they write on everyone's letters, idk, I just know they mentioned specific content from my essays. The one thing I'm concerned with (and I mentioned it in the Google group) is that sure URMs with "low numbers" (I mean come one, 3.7+ for some of y'all and 90th percentile LSAT = low??? UGH) is how $$$ will play out. It's nice to be admitted, but sad if I/you/we can't afford it (I realize everyone's budgets aren't the same, just saying). I've been pleasantly surprised with my cycle considering my numbers, but I also can't help but think a higher LSAT might have at least gotten me a JS1 (cries a bit on the inside).

Meh, it'll be fun to look at our spreadsheet once the cycle is over.

I'm curious about this too. How will the schools fight for us? I think there has been a surprising lack of big time cash from T10 and above schools so far. I don't think anyone in the URM thread is sitting on a Dillard and no one yet has gotten a Vanderbilt, Hamilton, or Ruby (I am CONVINCED LC has a Hammy waiting for her). I'm increasingly thinking about how they decide who to chase and who not to.

[LoganCouture]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

I have to say I disagree somewhat. I think the fact that I have "unique" softs (whatever that means on TLS) is what's getting me into some of these schools. And I spent a lot of time on my essays. I wrote like 15 versions of tailored PSs and did all the optional essays (within reason). Granted, my GPA is 3.7-3.75 but that's not stellar. And my LSAT.......well........If they had an April one I'd retake. I think URMs as a whole are unpredictable. We have so many varying factors.

I have to say that I am incredibly sad that a GPA as good as this one is "not stellar" in the law school world. I'm in the same range and I busted my natural behind to get it and I'm sure you did to get your GPA too, Dini. Sorry, mini-rant.

+1, y'all should be proud of your GPAs because mine is similar and damn that shit was not easy.

I also want to say that I'm not disagreeing with you Dini - I just meant for those of us without super softs, boosting the LSAT can help tremendously.

[LoganCouture]

I think strong numbers obviously help; but it does seem that adcoms care about softs and essays. Most of the handwritten notes I received commented on my writing ability and/or content of my essays. However, this could just be something they write on everyone's letters, idk, I just know they mentioned specific content from my essays. The one thing I'm concerned with (and I mentioned it in the Google group) is that sure URMs with "low numbers" (I mean come one, 3.7+ for some of y'all and 90th percentile LSAT = low??? UGH) is how $$$ will play out. It's nice to be admitted, but sad if I/you/we can't afford it (I realize everyone's budgets aren't the same, just saying). I've been pleasantly surprised with my cycle considering my numbers, but I also can't help but think a higher LSAT might have at least gotten me a JS1 (cries a bit on the inside).

Meh, it'll be fun to look at our spreadsheet once the cycle is over.

I'm curious about this too. How will the schools fight for us? I think there has been a surprising lack of big time cash from T10 and above schools so far. I don't think anyone in the URM thread is sitting on a Dillard and no one yet has gotten a Vanderbilt, Hamilton, or Ruby (I am CONVINCED LC has a Hammy waiting for her). I'm increasingly thinking about how they decide who to chase and who not to.

We have a couple of Dillards and Darrows ITT. Not to mention at least one Mordecai invite that I know of.

Congrats on the Texas scholly btw

[DiniMae]

Congratulations, LC! Still waiting to hear from other schools. Only two years out of college... if I don't hear good things from other schools/money situation, I might consider staying another year, since this is my first official cycle... I would just hate it if I shot myself in the foot.

I have thought of good diversity statements/personal statements/200 word essays, though. :p

If you're considering retaking, I definitely would urge you to consider reapplying next cycle. It is my humble opinion that essays have not mattered much (thus far) this cycle - believe me when I say mine are mediocre to average at best. And I did not write a DS either. If you're at all open to an LSAT retake (I don't know your stats though so maybe this is unnecessary advice) I would definitely do that.

This advice goes for anyone disappointed with their cycle thus far. I just think that in the current applications environment (high LSAT wasteland) it could pay off enormously.

Of course, I know many (most?) URMs ITT have better softs than me - I'm pretty much counting on my numbers so that does bias my advice.

Yeah, I definitely think an LSAT re-take would benefit me. I'm just very impatient, at least when it comes to waiting another year to begin law school. But I do know how important it is to get your finances straight, and to get into really good schools that will guarantee that you can pay off whatever debt you incur. :p I think the essays are the stronger part of my application.

Yes you seem very excited and that's great. But at 24(?) you have PLENTY of time. LS is not going anywhere. If you don't like the way this cycle pans out, retake, save more, do more, and reapply. I don't know how debt averse you are, but finaid awards & schollies are something to consider as your cycle pans out. You will be just fine. You're already doing quite well!

[DiniMae]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

Congrats! Does this cancel SLS?

[ballcaps]

I think strong numbers obviously help; but it does seem that adcoms care about softs and essays. Most of the handwritten notes I received commented on my writing ability and/or content of my essays. However, this could just be something they write on everyone's letters, idk, I just know they mentioned specific content from my essays. The one thing I'm concerned with (and I mentioned it in the Google group) is that sure URMs with "low numbers" (I mean come one, 3.7+ for some of y'all and 90th percentile LSAT = low??? UGH) is how $$$ will play out. It's nice to be admitted, but sad if I/you/we can't afford it (I realize everyone's budgets aren't the same, just saying). I've been pleasantly surprised with my cycle considering my numbers, but I also can't help but think a higher LSAT might have at least gotten me a JS1 (cries a bit on the inside).

Meh, it'll be fun to look at our spreadsheet once the cycle is over.

I'm curious about this too. How will the schools fight for us? I think there has been a surprising lack of big time cash from T10 and above schools so far. I don't think anyone in the URM thread is sitting on a Dillard and no one yet has gotten a Vanderbilt, Hamilton, or Ruby (I am CONVINCED LC has a Hammy waiting for her). I'm increasingly thinking about how they decide who to chase and who not to.

this is interesting. $$$ is the most powerful instrument schools have to shape their classes, but how they go about using it must depend largely on what the pool of accepted students looks like, and how those are likely to shake out.

i'm especially interested in how well schools can predict matriculation. i bet they're pretty good at it...

[ballcaps]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

Congrats! Does this cancel SLS?

[DiniMae]

yeah, this seems right, although several non-urms (what are those people called?) were accepted today after about 3 weeks.

looks like zero urms got in today, so i'm chill.

Sorry for not remembering, ballcaps, but are you sitting on JS1? If so, you're right to stay calm, could be they are doing URM JS2s together?

yup, had my interview mid-january. went well fwiw.

and it does seem like they're working with somewhat-defined groups (super-high lsats, urms. etc.)

That's interesting. Do you think they're grouping certain URMs together within an application period and making decisions then?
i mean, there must be some kinda rhyme/reason to all this...right?

[DiniMae]

Just got the Chancellor's Scholarship at Texas--full tuition...that definitely enhanced my day.

Congrats! Does this cancel SLS?

I kid! I kid!