2011 - 2012 URM Application Cycle Forum

[lsdream]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

Congrats!!!

[Geneva]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! If I knew you in real life, I would throw you a party right about now. SLS is incredible! I totally agree w/ u that S>H. So now that you are in...PM me your secret/suggestions? did u do a LOCI/when did u submit and go under review?

[cylon_clone]

Can we all just come to a consensus that Harvard is better than Stanford. And anyone who gets into both should choose Harvard...

And no, I am not saying this because Stanford is my #1 choice and the less people to commit to Stanford, the better my chances...

[sharktankdean]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

congrats!!! since Stanford refuses to accept me...i'll just live through u

[MyLegendLives]

I think the point of discontent for Hispanics tends to be how we are ignored as a group. We make up the largest growing demographic in the U.S. yet are disproportionately represented in most major fields and higher education. Yet in terms of poverty and incarceration our representations are high. The issue here isn't about proportions to the population rather why there is less of a boost for us. In essence diversity doesnt and isn't fully encompassed by AA as we are all diverse given our backgrounds and many share the same life experiences. Although this is an aside I wish someone with the know would just be blunt and let us know why there are differences for Hispanics.

A number of things. Between TrialLawyer16's answer and my answer you do have a partial explanation. It doesn't seem like you're fully acknowledging either of our posts. Affirmative Action is very much a black box so no one will be able to give you the answer you seem to be searching for.

[TrialLawyer16]

My hypothesis is AA + NA = URM, Hispanics = secondary URM (as there is some slight difference between them and white applicants).

You'd be surprised.

Not to be a stickler, but this is not my quote. I don't agree with that statement

[TrialLawyer16]

Something that surely contributes to the disparity you're noting at Harvard is that while hispanics make up over 16% of Americans, they only made up about 8.7% of all law school applicants as of Fall 2010. Blacks made up over 11% of applicants in Fall 2010.

Wouldn't that mean Hispanics should be given a larger boost as the applicant pool is smaller, in proportion to the population?

Also, I can't really search the ABA data right now, but I know for a fact that Harvard is not representative of most top schools when it comes to the proportional size of it's AA population. I believe Columbia and NYU, which are both known for being more diverse, have AA populations in the 7-8% range, this is all off the top of my head though.

Columbia All Hispanics 77 or 5.7% African American 103 or 7.7%
NYU All Hispanics 103 or 7.2% African American 110 or 7.7%

Again the total number of Hispanics (including non-PR and non-MX) is less than AA.

My hypothesis is AA + NA = URM, Hispanics = secondary URM (as there is some slight difference between them and white applicants).

You'd be surprised.

I have not looked at NA cycles, but if you are suggesting that they to do not receive a boost, or recieve one similar to PR/MX, please extrapolate.

I would like to add, the reason I am discussing this is because when I did my research on where to apply I used LSP along with TLS and LSN. I looked at URMs, which are pretty much bunched together, and I shot to high. Now I only have 2 acceptances out of like 20 apps because of it. I feel it should be made clearer that PR and MX applicants do not receive the same boost as AA. Future PR and MX applicants should understand that AA, NA, PR, and MX are NOT equal, that using LSP with URM checked will not give you any semblance of an accurate report, that LSN must be used only with your race (which is extremely difficult to find for PR and MX), and that basically you shouldn't expect your cycle to turn out like an AA's cycle and than get disappointed when it is closer to a white applicants cycle.

Just because they list "All Hispanics" on that site does not mean that the individual schools actually view all hispanics in the same light when reading applications. The URM boost has been believed to apply to PRs and MX, so just because hispanics as a whole account for 16% of the general population literally means nothing in this context. Somewhere along the line through seeing countless cycles, it has been generally accepted on TLS that URMs are AA (males>females) >/= NA > PR/MX. It is very common knowledge on this site that the only URM comparable to AA is NA (if that), but the NA boost has been shown to be a little erratic. I read your cycle results so far earlier and sorry to hear that it hasn't turned out the way you've hoped, but I think you possibly need to look at what else in your application could have turned off adcomms. Yes, there is a URM boost, but it's a boost not a guaranteed admission at any school. There are people on LSN with 180s and 3.5+ GPAs who got no higher than maybe DCNG. You're correct, that even a white male with your numbers, no work experience, and no softs at all would get in to some of the schools you've been wl/rejected/heard nothing from. That's even a bigger reason why if I were you I would look for possible red-flags/negative points in your application and not simply conclude there is no boost. You also stated you did not write a DS earlier, which considering you were searching for a URM boost could possibly be a huge negative. Maybe you applied late, maybe it was something on your Facebook/twitter page - who knows, but you didn't aim too high. There is something else there.

[MyLegendLives]

Just because they list "All Hispanics" on that site does not mean that the individual schools actually view all hispanics in the same light when reading applications. The URM boost has been believed to apply to PRs and MX, so just because hispanics as a whole account for 16% of the general population literally means nothing in this context. Somewhere along the line through seeing countless cycles, it has been generally accepted on TLS that URMs are AA (males>females) >/= NA > PR/MX. It is very common knowledge on this site that the only URM comparable to AA is NA (if that), but the NA boost has been shown to be a little erratic. I read your cycle results so far earlier and sorry to hear that it hasn't turned out the way you've hoped, but I think you possibly need to look at what else in your application could have turned off adcomms. Yes, there is a URM boost, but it's a boost not a guaranteed admission at any school. There are people on LSN with 180s and 3.5+ GPAs who got no higher than maybe DCNG. You're correct, that even a white male with your numbers, no work experience, and no softs at all would get in to some of the schools you've been wl/rejected/heard nothing from. That's even a bigger reason why if I were you I would look for possible red-flags/negative points in your application and not simply conclude there is no boost. You also stated you did not write a DS earlier, which considering you were searching for a URM boost could possibly be a huge negative. Maybe you applied late, maybe it was something on your Facebook/twitter page - who knows, but you didn't aim too high. There is something else there.

+180

Once again I agree with everything TrialLawyer16 is saying.

[sharktankdean]

So b4 I go to bed I was wondering how many/ if any URMs applied to Yale. It seems that most people are really just comparing H and S.

[Davidbentley]

So b4 I go to bed I was wondering how many/ if any URMs applied to Yale. It seems that most people are really just comparing H and S.

Im in at H and still waiting on Yale and Stanford. I think, in general, yale is such a hit and hope that most people don't tempt fate by getting too boisterous about it.

[alwayslovely]

I had a great cycle!

[MyLegendLives]

So b4 I go to bed I was wondering how many/ if any URMs applied to Yale. It seems that most people are really just comparing H and S.

I applied to Yale really late in the cycle, still waiting on a response from both Stanford and Yale.

[sharktankdean]

as u can tell..the first thing i do when i wake up is check tls....cool i was just wondering.

[Dani.B]

Thanks everyone and congrats to everyone who is also done with their cycle.

I dont think SLS has had a big Urm wave, so all of those waiting shouldn't give up, it's been about 3 weeks since someone has reported an SLS acceptance on here, they can't be finished! I'm sure they're still making decisions.

[Dani.B]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! If I knew you in real life, I would throw you a party right about now. SLS is incredible! I totally agree w/ u that S>H. So now that you are in...PM me your secret/suggestions? did u do a LOCI/when did u submit and go under review?

Just in case others want to know I'll just post here

I submitted way back in October but my file didn't go complete until mid/late Jan when my school finally sent my Dean's letter. I didn't keep up with it because I didn't really think I had a chance and didn't even know if Stanford was going to receive my Dean's letter by the deadline. I didn't write a LOCI and I was totally surprised when I received a call from Palo Alto Feb 22nd.

[sharktankdean]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! If I knew you in real life, I would throw you a party right about now. SLS is incredible! I totally agree w/ u that S>H. So now that you are in...PM me your secret/suggestions? did u do a LOCI/when did u submit and go under review?

Just in case others want to know I'll just post here

I submitted way back in October but my file didn't go complete until mid/late Jan when my school finally sent my Dean's letter. I didn't keep up with it because I didn't really think I had a chance and didn't even know if Stanford was going to receive my Dean's letter by the deadline. I didn't write a LOCI and I was totally surprised when I received a call from Palo Alto Feb 22nd.

i have been waiting for this URM wave fore 3 weeks now...and so Dean Deal is disappointing

[FryBreadPower]

I think my cycle is done. Received substantial aid from Stanford today and since I'm already S>H I'm sure that's where I'm heading. Not sure if I'm going to sit around and wait for H

CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! If I knew you in real life, I would throw you a party right about now. SLS is incredible! I totally agree w/ u that S>H. So now that you are in...PM me your secret/suggestions? did u do a LOCI/when did u submit and go under review?

Just in case others want to know I'll just post here

I submitted way back in October but my file didn't go complete until mid/late Jan when my school finally sent my Dean's letter. I didn't keep up with it because I didn't really think I had a chance and didn't even know if Stanford was going to receive my Dean's letter by the deadline. I didn't write a LOCI and I was totally surprised when I received a call from Palo Alto Feb 22nd.

i have been waiting for this URM wave fore 3 weeks now...and so Dean Deal is disappointing

Bleeehh.

[Aqua]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

[MyLegendLives]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

[Aqua]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

This is sooo encouraging to read! I kind of get the YP theory, but feel like they could have also just waitlisted me for those purposes? I did write an optional essay and I sent in a LOCI...but maybe my LOCI was too over the top? Also I'm half German as well as half black. Maybe that makes me less URM in their eyes

[sharktankdean]

US NEWS should really take out yield as a criteria for their rankings. I think it does more harm than good and who really cares what % of admitted came. The thing that should matter is what those people who actually get in do with their degree.

[1212]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

Yup. Almost same situation here. In at Stanford, Chi, Columbia, NYU, etc and WL'ed at Penn.

[Geneva]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

Yup. Almost same situation here. In at Stanford, Chi, Columbia, NYU, etc and WL'ed at Penn.

URM cycles are so hard to predict. Do not understand how you got WL at Mich unless it's also YP? So crazy how rankings driven this whole process is

[FryBreadPower]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

Yup. Almost same situation here. In at Stanford, Chi, Columbia, NYU, etc and WL'ed at Penn.

Jelly.

[Mitterrand]

so bummed. just got dinged at penn.
my cycle so far3.8/165/AA female:
IN-Berkeley, Mich, GULC, UCLA (and several not T20 schools)
WL-Texas
Held-Columbia, Harvard
OUT-Penn
Anyone know why the hold at Harvard/Columbia but not even a waitlist offer at Penn? DO NOT UNDERSTAND:(

Not necessarily awful news. Penn is VERY protective of their yield. I know a Black female with a stellar application that was accepted at both Harvard and Stanford early this cycle and straight up DINGED at Penn. Penn has to believe that there's a chance you'll actually attend if accepted. So I'm betting you didn't write an optional essay, or they believe you'll attend a higher ranked school.

Yup. Almost same situation here. In at Stanford, Chi, Columbia, NYU, etc and WL'ed at Penn.

Yea, I'm in at Columbia and Chicago and still got WL at Penn and UCLA lol