merci beaucoup Forum

[cylon_clone]

I'm applying to most of the t-14 schools because I received a bunch of fee waivers (which I know doesn't mean a lot).

I was waiting for Dec LSAT scores and a LOR, so didn't get the apps out until January - which will probably hurt my chances.

Softs are average: leaderships positions (w/ awards), diverse volunteer work and internships, worked while in undergrad, LGBT.

Decent LORs, pretty good PS and DS that deal with motivation, volunteer work and overcoming tough upbringing, etc.

So what do you think of my chances at:

Stanford - dream school
Berkeley - dream school
Michigan - would love to go here
Cornell - would love to go here
Duke - got a PT, but not sure if that'll increase my chances enough
NYU - they say they don't have rolling admissions, so maybe the later app won't be too much of a disadvantage? (yes, I know my chances are already slim at NYU).
??

I do have Howard (that I hope to squeeze some money out of) and a couple of others as a safeties in case everything goes wrong in my cycle...

[b33eazy]

Stanford- reasonable chance
Berkley-almost a lock (you have a STRONG chance of getting in)
Michigan- You're getting in
Cornell - You're getting in
Duke - good chance
NYU- reasonable chance

At the very least you'll get into one of these schools.

[Transferthrowaway]

Throw apps to Harvard and Yale, too.

[BlakcMajikc]

Throw apps to Harvard and Yale, too.

yep.

[AS33]

Apply to all the top schools you can. Check out my cycle if you need assurance.

[clarion]

Well your softs sound better than mine (which are essentially non-existent) so although I'd offer my profile as an additional frame of reference for you, when looking at Michigan and Berkeley in particular, know they'll be far more partial to you than to me. But yeah I'd say your chances at most of those schools will be pretty good. I am NOT so sure about Yale because, unlike Harvard, they don't tend to take URMs with lower scores as often because they're too busy taking the few URMs who get the 170+ scores lol. I only offer that info because they don't give merit fee waivers and so the extra money spent might not be so useful. But if you can afford it, then definitely go for it

Harvard I'd say is a must, especially since most of us URMs haven't heard back yet since generally they wait until later in the cycle to accept us. (And yes, I realize that in advocating this, you may very well take my spot, but I'm okay with that )

Anyways, good luck to you and shoot for the moon! You've earned it

[yngblkgifted]

Stanford- reasonable chance
Berkley-almost a lock (you have a STRONG chance of getting in) You're getting in...trust me.
Michigan- You're getting in
Cornell - You're getting in
Duke - good chance
NYU- reasonable chance

At the very least you'll get into one of these schools.

[cylon_clone]

Thanks all for the helpful advice. So far I've gotten into Duke. Obviously, I have a few more weeks before I hear back from the other dozen schools, but I'm optimistic. If nothing else, I'd be happy with Duke. (Although a Michigan, Stanford or Berkeley acceptance would make the decision especially difficult).

I considered applying to Harvard and Yale, but honestly, I have no desire to go to school in New England - no matter how high ranking the school. And the need-based fee waiver forms for the schools are a hassle. (At least Stanford lets you complete and send it online and gets back to you in a week).

[b33eazy]

Thanks all for the helpful advice. So far I've gotten into Duke. Obviously, I have a few more weeks before I hear back from the other dozen schools, but I'm optimistic. If nothing else, I'd be happy with Duke. (Although a Michigan, Stanford or Berkeley acceptance would make the decision especially difficult).

I considered applying to Harvard and Yale, but honestly, I have no desire to go to school in New England - no matter how high ranking the school. And the need-based fee waiver forms for the schools are a hassle. (At least Stanford lets you complete and send it online and gets back to you in a week).

There's nothing wrong with that. New England/New Haven are very cold places. If you prefer warm places, Cali would be a great place for that. As a matter of fact, I would say you're almost a shoe-in for Berkley and have a decent shot at getting into Stanford. Also, I should add that Stanford is comparable on ratings to Harvard or Yale, so it really wouldn't matter in regards to employment, they are all similar in that regard.

[cutecarmel]

Are you just now applying? If so, your chances are lower at all of these because a lot of seats have already been filled, and now they are probably raising the standards to fill the remaining seats.

I wouldn't go to Howard (but that's just me)

You missed the priority deadline for NYU's scholarships (I know because I was going to apply, but then decided against it because I missed the deadline and there is no way I can afford the sticker)

I think your best chance is at Cornell, but the above posters might no a bit more about your chances at the other schools you listed.

[cutecarmel]

.

[BlakcMajikc]

OP, if you reapply next cycle, I would blanket the entire T14 (minus H/Y because of your personal preferences). Not sure why you wouldn't throw apps to MVP and G.

Don't safety at Howard. Safety by blanketing all the top-40 schools in the region where you would want to practice. (ie, if you are thinking Cali, then UCLA, USC, etc., If you don't mind the midwest, then WUSTL, UIUC, or Indiana, etc., southeast then Emory, Vandy etc.)

[cylon_clone]

OP, if you reapply next cycle, I would blanket the entire T14 (minus H/Y because of your personal preferences). Not sure why you wouldn't throw apps to MVP and G.

Don't safety at Howard. Safety by blanketing all the top-40 schools in the region where you would want to practice. (ie, if you are thinking Cali, then UCLA, USC, etc., If you don't mind the midwest, then WUSTL, UIUC, or Indiana, etc., southeast then Emory, Vandy etc.)

I applied to most of the t14 (as well as other schools on your list - UCLA, WUSTL, etc). This includes MVP and G. I applied to NYU because of a fee waiver, although I didn't know the scholarship deadline expired. The cost-of-living is way too high there for me to consider it without some scholarship $$ to balance out the difference. New York is awesome, but it's not an extra 50K in living expenses worth of awesome - especially considering I don't want to work in NYC. And the city would be a major distraction to studying.

I think I can get a full ride at Howard, but from what's being said on the board, it looks like you have to stay in the top 15% to keep the full scholarship for all 3 years? Sounds like a money grab and a bunch of unnecessary stress. Howard as a safety is now out of the question. I think I would be happy at Duke. So if Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, and maybe Cornell doesn't happen, I'm going to Duke.

[JustE]

Throw apps to Harvard and Yale, too.

yep.

+1 You're good. Good luck.

[JustE]

OP, if you reapply next cycle, I would blanket the entire T14 (minus H/Y because of your personal preferences). Not sure why you wouldn't throw apps to MVP and G.

Don't safety at Howard. Safety by blanketing all the top-40 schools in the region where you would want to practice. (ie, if you are thinking Cali, then UCLA, USC, etc., If you don't mind the midwest, then WUSTL, UIUC, or Indiana, etc., southeast then Emory, Vandy etc.)

And this. Your safties are the bottom half of the T-14. I'd shoot apps to top 40 regional schools only for $$$$ leverage.