URM 2014-2015 Cycle Thread Forum

[LoganCouture]

So I was just thinking. I don't think that I will get many decisions for a while since I only have 4 semesters of grades. Doesn't it make sense that schools will just wait till I update transcripts before they make a decision? I'm bordering median at much of the t-14.

Maybe that's not a thing, idk. Somethin to think about

Graduating in 3 years? Idk if it matters. Depends on your LSAT probably. PM your stats?

[90convoy]

So I was just thinking. I don't think that I will get many decisions for a while since I only have 4 semesters of grades. Doesn't it make sense that schools will just wait till I update transcripts before they make a decision? I'm bordering median at much of the t-14.

Maybe that's not a thing, idk. Somethin to think about

Graduating in 3 years? Idk if it matters. Depends on your LSAT probably. PM your stats?

PM'ed

[LoganCouture]

So I was just thinking. I don't think that I will get many decisions for a while since I only have 4 semesters of grades. Doesn't it make sense that schools will just wait till I update transcripts before they make a decision? I'm bordering median at much of the t-14.

Maybe that's not a thing, idk. Somethin to think about

Graduating in 3 years? Idk if it matters. Depends on your LSAT probably. PM your stats?

PM'ed

Thanks! And I also think that Duke requesting the fall grades has made you worry too much. You're gonna have a great cycle when all is said and done.

[Flokkness]

edited

[lexsi340]

MA female checking in for the URM cycle!

Just received my first acceptance at Berkeley -- very very lucky and happy to stop here if the dream school doesn't end up liking me!

LSAT: 165
GPA: 3.7

Best of luck to everyone.

Congratulations! I've heard Berkeley is amazing

Thanks! Quite grateful.

[cc78]

I wouldn't call it high profile like some of the crazy resume items that HYS-bound students have. I've seen some insane gunner OL resumes. I'm a working stiff in comparison. Job was a modest leadership role for a pilot pre-arraignment diversion program to get indigent clients into housing/services rather than further sucked into the judicial system (and to get chronic minor offenders out of it), coordinating with the SA/OPD/judge/police/local gov't/etc. Really a heck of a program, was sad to leave. Plus working in drug court, working as a dependency case manager, interning with OPD for a year, working with addicts, youth mentoring, group home manager, Scared Straight-type program, etc... all sorts of cool resume stuff that K thru JDs have none of. Not by design, not a gunner, just ended up doing a lot of different things WE-wise.

Will just see how it goes. Hopefully we'll all get lucky.

Well I am definitely no admissions officer, but your WE sounds pretty compelling to me. There could be a bunch of reasons Columbia is asking for the LOR from your employer: they may prefer a more recent take of who you are if you've been out of school for a while; they may need one more piece of evidence on the positive side to sway an admission committee; or they could just be doing some kind of verification/diligence on unique employment? Either way, don't stress. With your platinum GPA and a decent LSAT, you're going to be getting plenty of good news.

[jemthey17]

Hi folks...

There's been some movement with NYU. I got a DLS yesterday and I can log into the admitted students site. I definitely agree that this thread will pick up steam once schools start responding.
URM, <25th LSAT, >50th GPA

Congratulations!

I'll share some of my good news. In at Berkeley, Michigan, UVA, Georgetown and Duke. JS1 and interview at UChicago. Unbelievably excited about all of it. Can't believe how fortunate I have been.

When did you get your JS1 and how did it go?

PM'd

[LoganCouture]

I wouldn't call it high profile like some of the crazy resume items that HYS-bound students have. I've seen some insane gunner OL resumes. I'm a working stiff in comparison. Job was a modest leadership role for a pilot pre-arraignment diversion program to get indigent clients into housing/services rather than further sucked into the judicial system (and to get chronic minor offenders out of it), coordinating with the SA/OPD/judge/police/local gov't/etc. Really a heck of a program, was sad to leave. Plus working in drug court, working as a dependency case manager, interning with OPD for a year, working with addicts, youth mentoring, group home manager, Scared Straight-type program, etc... all sorts of cool resume stuff that K thru JDs have none of. Not by design, not a gunner, just ended up doing a lot of different things WE-wise.

Will just see how it goes. Hopefully we'll all get lucky.

Well I am definitely no admissions officer, but your WE sounds pretty compelling to me. There could be a bunch of reasons Columbia is asking for the LOR from your employer: they may prefer a more recent take of who you are if you've been out of school for a while; they may need one more piece of evidence on the positive side to sway an admission committee; or they could just be doing some kind of verification/diligence on unique employment? Either way, don't stress. With your platinum GPA and a decent LSAT, you're going to be getting plenty of good news.

That also sounds like above average WE to me. But as for the reason Columbia wants the rec, see here:

http://web.law.columbia.edu/admissions/ ... on#Letters

How many letters of recommendation should I submit and from whom?

Columbia requires two letters of recommendation to complete your application. We expect applicants currently in school or recently graduated (i.e., applying within less than approximately one year of receiving their degree) to submit two academic letters from faculty who can provide insight about their candidacy. Academic letters should come from individuals who have taught applicants in the classroom or have evaluated applicants in a significant academic capacity. Applicants with substantive work experience who are not recent graduates must submit one professional letter and at least one academic letter of recommendation. While the Committee will accept more than two letters of recommendation, we suggest that applicants use discretion when determining the appropriate number of letters to submit.

[Harvette]

I wouldn't call it high profile like some of the crazy resume items that HYS-bound students have. I've seen some insane gunner OL resumes. I'm a working stiff in comparison. Job was a modest leadership role for a pilot pre-arraignment diversion program to get indigent clients into housing/services rather than further sucked into the judicial system (and to get chronic minor offenders out of it), coordinating with the SA/OPD/judge/police/local gov't/etc. Really a heck of a program, was sad to leave. Plus working in drug court, working as a dependency case manager, interning with OPD for a year, working with addicts, youth mentoring, group home manager, Scared Straight-type program, etc... all sorts of cool resume stuff that K thru JDs have none of. Not by design, not a gunner, just ended up doing a lot of different things WE-wise.

Will just see how it goes. Hopefully we'll all get lucky.

Well I am definitely no admissions officer, but your WE sounds pretty compelling to me. There could be a bunch of reasons Columbia is asking for the LOR from your employer: they may prefer a more recent take of who you are if you've been out of school for a while; they may need one more piece of evidence on the positive side to sway an admission committee; or they could just be doing some kind of verification/diligence on unique employment? Either way, don't stress. With your platinum GPA and a decent LSAT, you're going to be getting plenty of good news.

That also sounds like above average WE to me. But as for the reason Columbia wants the rec, see here:

http://web.law.columbia.edu/admissions/ ... on#Letters

How many letters of recommendation should I submit and from whom?

Columbia requires two letters of recommendation to complete your application. We expect applicants currently in school or recently graduated (i.e., applying within less than approximately one year of receiving their degree) to submit two academic letters from faculty who can provide insight about their candidacy. Academic letters should come from individuals who have taught applicants in the classroom or have evaluated applicants in a significant academic capacity. Applicants with substantive work experience who are not recent graduates must submit one professional letter and at least one academic letter of recommendation. While the Committee will accept more than two letters of recommendation, we suggest that applicants use discretion when determining the appropriate number of letters to submit.

Lol did not submit this last cycle. Neither did a friend of mine, and we had no problem. Both out of school for many years. Unless it is a new requirement.

[Flokkness]

Lc39 - that was the first thing I checked mate. Thanks for doing the leg work though! It's an interesting policy. No other school has asked for that. Not a problem to get an employer letter, just causing a delay on going complete (which kinda stinks when your chances are virtually nonexistent to begin with, lol).

Sorry to commandeer the thread without offering any real updates... you guys rock, good luck again!

[cc78]

Lc39 - that was the first thing I checked mate. Thanks for doing the leg work though! It's an interesting policy. No other school has asked for that. Not a problem to get an employer letter, just causing a delay on going complete (which kinda stinks when your chances are virtually nonexistent to begin with, lol).

Sorry to commandeer the thread without offering any real updates... you guys rock, good luck again!

Wha? Why in the world would you think your chances are remote? Unless your LSAT is REALLY low, you have a good to great shot at CLS. An AA/male with a 3.93 is extremely rare in the applicant pool.

[LoganCouture]

Lc39 - that was the first thing I checked mate. Thanks for doing the leg work though! It's an interesting policy. No other school has asked for that. Not a problem to get an employer letter, just causing a delay on going complete (which kinda stinks when your chances are virtually nonexistent to begin with, lol).

Sorry to commandeer the thread without offering any real updates... you guys rock, good luck again!

I bet you have better chances at Columbia than you think!

And I don't think they make decisions on RD folks until the end of January anyway so going complete later shouldn't really be an issue.

[ballcaps]

invitation to yls web seminar with asha?

[Tr3]

In at UCLA earlier today. =)

[LoganCouture]

invitation to yls web seminar with asha?

I got something like this earlier in the cycle (beginning of October?) open to current students/alums at a couple schools, including my alma mater. Not sure if yours is something similar or an entirely separate webinar?

and Tr3, congrats on UCLA!!!

[cc78]

In at UCLA earlier today. =)

Congrats! May you receive tons of $$ as well.

[90convoy]

invitation to yls web seminar with asha?

Got it too. U doin it?

[Flokkness]

In at UCLA earlier today. =)

Awesome, congrats!

Admitted at one of my safeties, William & Mary, just notified by email (no offer yet). Not too major, but it's gonna be a long dead zone on decisions so any movement at all is teh awesome!

[Tr3]

Thanks LC, CC, and Flokkness! Good luck and congratulations on your acceptances thus far!

[WeeBey]

Received some mail from Columbia's BLSA and an email from Chicago's BLSA encouraging me to apply. I'm tempted to apply, but NU early decisions should be coming out next week and I'd rather not waste the money.

Is mid-december too last to send out apps?

[sashafierce]

Good luck to all the URMs taking the test on Saturday

[LoganCouture]

Received some mail from Columbia's BLSA and an email from Chicago's BLSA encouraging me to apply. I'm tempted to apply, but NU early decisions should be coming out next week and I'd rather not waste the money.

Is mid-december too last to send out apps?

No. I think quite a few people will be sending in apps once Dec LSAT scores are released (official score release on Jan 5 so maybe they'll come out around Dec 29 or so). You shouldn't worry about it, IMO.

[ballcaps]

invitation to yls web seminar with asha?

Got it too. U doin it?

missed it, haha. too bad i have a full-time job.

[MadwomanintheAttic]

Good Luck to all my fellow test takers tomorrow. Let's kill it

[109catherine]

Hi all, long time lurker checking-in. Got my first acceptance this morning to Michigan! Beyond excited. Submitted most apps starting mid-November. Also interviewed with WashU last week. Message me for details and best of luck to everyone still working on apps/taking the LSAT tomorrow.