URM 2013-2014 Cycle Thread Forum

[XicaDaSilva]

So I have to muster the energy to complete the following outstanding items:

Why statements for:
Columbia
UPenn
Berkeley
Michigan
Duke

I didn't think it was necessary for Harvard as I can explain why Harvard should I be granted the chance to have a JS1. I did one for Stanford and UVA. None for Chicago (they seem to prefer bare minimum), Georgetown or Northwestern (also have the opportunity to explain via interview). Cornell leaves room in their app to explain why I am interested, so I didn't bother here either.

Should I add any others?

I also need to write my AnBryce statement, after which I should be done on my end! I just need my LSAT score LSAC, please and thanks. Hoping for a Friday or Monday score release.

I've been considering writing unsolicited "Why" statements, but I'm trying to understand the value. How did you decide to write them?

[mandyjay11]

So I have to muster the energy to complete the following outstanding items:

Why statements for:
Columbia
UPenn
Berkeley
Michigan
Duke

I didn't think it was necessary for Harvard as I can explain why Harvard should I be granted the chance to have a JS1. I did one for Stanford and UVA. None for Chicago (they seem to prefer bare minimum), Georgetown or Northwestern (also have the opportunity to explain via interview). Cornell leaves room in their app to explain why I am interested, so I didn't bother here either.

Should I add any others?

I also need to write my AnBryce statement, after which I should be done on my end! I just need my LSAT score LSAC, please and thanks. Hoping for a Friday or Monday score release.

I've been considering writing unsolicited "Why" statements, but I'm trying to understand the value. How did you decide to write them?

I am for sure writing one for Penn and Duke because I truly have a connection to those schools for a number of reasons including location, programs, and faculty.

I got a waiver for Chicago and I read their website and it looks like they arent really thrilled with generic "why" statements and I really have no compelling "Why Chicago" so I probably won't write one.

I am only writing whys for my top choices and they are my top choices because I found something about their school to be particularly interesting.

[mandyjay11]

So I have to muster the energy to complete the following outstanding items:

Why statements for:
Columbia
UPenn
Berkeley
Michigan
Duke

I didn't think it was necessary for Harvard as I can explain why Harvard should I be granted the chance to have a JS1. I did one for Stanford and UVA. None for Chicago (they seem to prefer bare minimum), Georgetown or Northwestern (also have the opportunity to explain via interview). Cornell leaves room in their app to explain why I am interested, so I didn't bother here either.

Should I add any others?

I also need to write my AnBryce statement, after which I should be done on my end! I just need my LSAT score LSAC, please and thanks. Hoping for a Friday or Monday score release.

So you did a "Why Georgetown" or did you answer an optional question and just make it into a "Why G-town" statement ?

[XicaDaSilva]

I am for sure writing one for Penn and Duke because I truly have a connection to those schools for a number of reasons including location, programs, and faculty.

I got a waiver for Chicago and I read their website and it looks like they arent really thrilled with generic "why" statements and I really have no compelling "Why Chicago" so I probably won't write one.

I am only writing whys for my top choices and they are my top choices because I found something about their school to be particularly interesting.

Okay that makes sense - I am definitely going to write one for Penn. So much work left to do...

[californiauser]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

[EvMont]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I'm definitely not writing one. I'm writing why statements for some of the schools and possibly (probably) an addendum. I'm sure if I tried I could come up with something for the DS, but I just don't want to. I think at some point, it's just overkill.

[amb89]

\

[applelover]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I did one for almost every school I applied to.

[Mojosodope]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I only wrote them for schools that like YP: Duke, Michigan, UVA, Berkeley, Penn

[AAJD2B]

So I have to muster the energy to complete the following outstanding items:

Why statements for:
Columbia
UPenn
Berkeley
Michigan
Duke

I didn't think it was necessary for Harvard as I can explain why Harvard should I be granted the chance to have a JS1. I did one for Stanford and UVA. None for Chicago (they seem to prefer bare minimum), Georgetown or Northwestern (also have the opportunity to explain via interview). Cornell leaves room in their app to explain why I am interested, so I didn't bother here either.

Should I add any others?

I also need to write my AnBryce statement, after which I should be done on my end! I just need my LSAT score LSAC, please and thanks. Hoping for a Friday or Monday score release.

So you did a "Why Georgetown" or did you answer an optional question and just make it into a "Why G-town" statement ?

I didn't write one because Georgetown isn't really a top choice for me. Also, I am being lazy.

[californiauser]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I only wrote them for schools that like YP: Duke, Michigan, UVA, Berkeley, Penn

I see. I wrote "Why?" statements for all of those schools -- I feel better now

[AAJD2B]

Hey guys i have a few questions. I graduate in Dec from a state school and i am taking the LSAT in December. My junior and senior year has consisted of ALL online classes, meaning i have never met any of these professors. My freshmen year consisted of a couple face to face classes, but the class size was big enough to the point the professors probably have no idea who i am. So My plan was to take the LSAT in Dec and once i have my score use that as a reason to ask for reccomendations. Since our scores don't come out until Jan, if i were to wait until after the scores come out to get my recs sent in, would that be enough time for them to be sent with my apps. Is this even a possibility??? The schools i want to go to have a deadline of Feb. Also, are we required to send in evaluations? I have a 3.4 but i dropped a good amount of classes in my first two years due to stress balancing school and work. Plan on getting a 165-170 on LSAT. Thanks in advance

You should try and get your recs sent in early enough so by the time your December scores come in it would be a matter of just hitting send. Why would you need a score to get a rec? They can speak to your participation online and classwork product without needing a reason why you are applying to law school. Ask for recs today if you can.

[MoMettaMonk]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I wrote one because my PS was about something totally unrelated. Is anyone else freaking out about the Yale 250?

[sassybassy]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I wrote one after speaking with the NYU dean. Although he said it's not required, I got the vibe that it's a good idea. I took the "How would you add to the diversity of the student body" question literally though and used the extra space to talk about the diversity of my experiences, how they make me unique, and how the add to my perspective on life and scholarly issues. There's noone else with my combination of experiences - ergo, I'm diverse. P.S. I'm AA too.

I didn't want to take the "You told Harpo to beat me" route. (Lol. I don't know what that's supposed to mean)

[MoMettaMonk]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I wrote one after speaking with the NYU dean. Although he said it's not required, I got the vibe that it's a good idea. I took the "How would you add to the diversity of the student body" question literally though and used the extra space to talk about the diversity of my experiences, how they make me unique, and how the add to my perspective on life and scholarly issues. There's noone else with my combination of experiences - ergo, I'm diverse. P.S. I'm AA too.

I didn't want to take the "You told Harpo to beat me" route. (Lol. I don't know what that's supposed to mean)

[amb89]

Hey guys i have a few questions. I graduate in Dec from a state school and i am taking the LSAT in December. My junior and senior year has consisted of ALL online classes, meaning i have never met any of these professors. My freshmen year consisted of a couple face to face classes, but the class size was big enough to the point the professors probably have no idea who i am. So My plan was to take the LSAT in Dec and once i have my score use that as a reason to ask for reccomendations. Since our scores don't come out until Jan, if i were to wait until after the scores come out to get my recs sent in, would that be enough time for them to be sent with my apps. Is this even a possibility??? The schools i want to go to have a deadline of Feb. Also, are we required to send in evaluations? I have a 3.4 but i dropped a good amount of classes in my first two years due to stress balancing school and work. Plan on getting a 165-170 on LSAT. Thanks in advance

You should try and get your recs sent in early enough so by the time your December scores come in it would be a matter of just hitting send. Why would you need a score to get a rec? They can speak to your participation online and classwork product without needing a reason why you are applying to law school. Ask for recs today if you can.

TBH i assumed professors would be unwilling to write a rec for someone they have never met. Im not even sure how to approach it.

[Quan292]

Is everyone writing diversity statements?

I already submitted my apps and didn't send one, now I'm second guessing myself. I don't feel like I have anything exceptional to write about.

AA male for what it's worth.

I did, but ist more about growing up poor than it is about my race.
I think I may hold out on Why statements for if/when I get waitlisted.

[Brettanomyces]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

[BentleyLittle]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I keep going back and forth on writing a DS. I think my PS covers my ethnic/socio-economic background sufficiently. I don't want to be redundant and give adcoms more to read just for the sake of it.

[Brettanomyces]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I keep going back and forth on writing a DS. I think my PS covers my ethnic/socio-economic background sufficiently. I don't want to be redundant and give adcoms more to read just for the sake of it.

I'm writing one for sure.

I really want to make it clear that I'm black/brown and poor. I could write a book about it.

[sassybassy]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I keep going back and forth on writing a DS. I think my PS covers my ethnic/socio-economic background sufficiently. I don't want to be redundant and give adcoms more to read just for the sake of it.

I'm writing one for sure.

I really want to make it clear that I'm black/brown and poor. I could write a book about it.

I'm curious, are you MA and AA? Black/brown

Also, I've always wondered about this angle. How are you using your mixed heritage and poor upbringing to discuss how you'll add diversity to the student body?

[BentleyLittle]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I keep going back and forth on writing a DS. I think my PS covers my ethnic/socio-economic background sufficiently. I don't want to be redundant and give adcoms more to read just for the sake of it.

I'm writing one for sure.

I think we could co-author that! haha
I really want to make it clear that I'm black/brown and poor. I could write a book about it.

[californiauser]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I'd rather not write one than write one that underwhelms.

[lemons]

I don't understand the logic behind not writing a "why X" statement.

Aren't you scurred of getting YP'd? It seems to happen every year.

Also, why not write a DS?

Aren't you afraid it'll hurt you?

I'd rather not write one than write one that underwhelms.

yeah, i'm kinda in agreement with californiauser... i don't know that a ds that basically says "i'm a person of color, admit me!" helps, especially if ethnicity is mentioned in the ps. it's kinda like with letters of rec.. i was told by an admissions person that 2 is good unless the third shows something different from the rest of the application. it makes me think that adcomms don't like redundancy

also, californiauser, what part of cali are you from? I grew up in a suburb of LA, and most of my family is in East LA

[lemons]

Also, tonight is Scandal! i'm supposed to be writing my 2nd PS but instead I am on here

Did anyone see this:http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainmen ... -1.1495307