Applying late? Forum

[mm89]

I know that admissions is based mainly on gpa & LSAT so if I have deadlines coming up for schools and I haven't perfected my PS, should I still submit so I have them in on time? Or should I wait and submit when I am done, even though it will be late? Am I ok as long as my PS isn't horrible? Or should I not take the chance.

[fliptrip]

Why can't you get the PS done in time?

[mm89]

Why can't you get the PS done in time?

I have a PS but it's not done. It's more like a rough draft and it needs to be edited. So I could submit it but it's not 100%, you know? I just don't know if that's going to big such a big deal or not.

[fliptrip]

It's going to be a huge deal, but I still don't see why you can't get it done. How soon are your deadlines? Today @ 5PM Eastern?

[BasilHallward]

If pressed you should have this done in a few hours. If all you're talking about is editing and not substance/structure, then get it done now and submit. The good PS has such a negligible impact on your admissions, so don't strive for perfection. A bad personal statement can really screw you sometimes though.

[GreatBraffsby]

Depends on your scores. A 3.8/172 URM is going to be desirable throughout the process. Something respectable but not stellar, like a 3.4/163, probably won't be as easy to sell. If you need merit scholarship dollars, applying this late really puts you behind the 8 ball unless you have excellent numbers.

Schools will likely take your acceptance money if you contact them, but honestly any application submitted post-Valentine's day will be viewed as "late" by the committee (last priority when it comes to scholarship $ and fringe acceptances). If possible, I would definitely wait until next September to submit in order to maximize scholarship opportunities. You could use that time to really polish your PS, improve your LSAT score, get more work experience, or save up money for law school.

[fliptrip]

^^This is right. If you have the right mix of stats you can even apply late to Harvard and get in. But, you're absolutely doing yourself the most favors if you apply early. Also, you wouldn't have to rush yourself on your PS.

[Cochran]

If pressed you should have this done in a few hours. If all you're talking about is editing and not substance/structure, then get it done now and submit. The good PS has such a negligible impact on your admissions, so don't strive for perfection. A bad personal statement can really screw you sometimes though.

I think that this is where most here on TLS get it wrong. For myself, I believe the PS, DS, Interview, ect. mean't everything. If you have a high enough score for admissions to at least consider and view your application, good writing can make a world of difference.

I will say that if it's between creating a perfect PS and missing the deadline or submitting on time with a lesser PS, the later is the way to go as it gives you a chance. I will also note that if you have exceedingly solid stats, the PS may not matter at all.

[fliptrip]

If pressed you should have this done in a few hours. If all you're talking about is editing and not substance/structure, then get it done now and submit. The good PS has such a negligible impact on your admissions, so don't strive for perfection. A bad personal statement can really screw you sometimes though.

I think that this is where most here on TLS get it wrong. For myself, I believe the PS, DS, Interview, ect. mean't everything. If you have a high enough score for admissions to at least consider and view your application, good writing can make a world of difference.

I don't see these two statements as being inconsistent with each other. If you don't have the numbers, you could write an award worthy PS and still not get in.

[mm89]

It's going to be a huge deal, but I still don't see why you can't get it done. How soon are your deadlines? Today @ 5PM Eastern?

Most are next week but I have one for today and I'm not sure if I should just submit my PS or wait one week until I have it done.

Depends on your scores. A 3.8/172 URM is going to be desirable throughout the process. Something respectable but not stellar, like a 3.4/163, probably won't be as easy to sell. If you need merit scholarship dollars, applying this late really puts you behind the 8 ball unless you have excellent numbers.

Schools will likely take your acceptance money if you contact them, but honestly any application submitted post-Valentine's day will be viewed as "late" by the committee (last priority when it comes to scholarship $ and fringe acceptances). If possible, I would definitely wait until next September to submit in order to maximize scholarship opportunities. You could use that time to really polish your PS, improve your LSAT score, get more work experience, or save up money for law school.

I haven't had as much time to work on my PS because I'm still in school & tried to spend my extra time on LSAT studying. And yes, money is important but the acceptance is more important to me. So I'm more concerned as to whether one week late is going to have a huge impact on my decision.

I am URM but I don't know if applying after the deadline will even count that in.

[fliptrip]

1. What are your numbers? What schools are you talking about?

2. I am still baffled. This is important, right? You should make time to get things done that are important. If you have to stay up all night to get this done, you do that. I don't understand just accepting being late as an option. Knowing that acceptances and scholarships hang in the balance should be all the motivation you need to get this done.

[mm89]

1. What are your numbers? What schools are you talking about?

2. I am still baffled. This is important, right? You should make time to get things done that are important. If you have to stay up all night to get this done, you do that. I don't understand just accepting being late as an option. Knowing that acceptances and scholarships hang in the balance should be all the motivation you need to get this done.

I know. I'm not trying to make excuses, it's my own fault. I took on too much thinking I could get everything done on time. The school I want to submit to today is Georgetown. I'm just thinking, like you said, I could work on it all day and night to get it done, but it would be lacking edits and being looked over by others. Is that worth turning in on time?

[GreatBraffsby]

One week won't likely make a difference and your URM status won't be affected. You'll still be the same candidate with the same numbers and an application at the bottom of the pile of applications to be read. If you are an URM with stellar numbers, that is going to be true in March, June and September and schools will do everything they can to get you to matriculate. On the other hand, if your application isn't out of this world, then being at the back of the line puts you at a disadvantage.

My advice is to think what percentile of applicants you are in. A URM with outstanding credentials is in the top 5% of desired applicants and schools will always fight to get that type of person. However, even if you're in the top 25/30% of all applicants, that means the rest of the people like you have been evaluated first. That means when your file gets read, the school has already extended a bunch of offers and money.

[fliptrip]

I think you should work as hard as you can to get it in as good a shape as you can and send that sucker to Georgetown before the deadline. I don't think what you're going to send is going to be abominable if you can have one person look over it just for spelling/grammar/cursory check.

[GMasters5]

I did my PS in about 3 hours, edited it in 2 hours with criticism from 3 people, and submitted the next day. There's no reason why you can't submit within 24 hours. Do you really want to go to law school? There will be plenty of times in your school and work career where you'll be pushed for time and have to submit a written document. Just get it done and submit. There are plenty of resources around here to get help with your PS, have you used them?

[jlk411]

One week won't likely make a difference and your URM status won't be affected. You'll still be the same candidate with the same numbers and an application at the bottom of the pile of applications to be read. If you are an URM with stellar numbers, that is going to be true in March, June and September and schools will do everything they can to get you to matriculate. On the other hand, if your application isn't out of this world, then being at the back of the line puts you at a disadvantage.

My advice is to think what percentile of applicants you are in. A URM with outstanding credentials is in the top 5% of desired applicants and schools will always fight to get that type of person. However, even if you're in the top 25/30% of all applicants, that means the rest of the people like you have been evaluated first. That means when your file gets read, the school has already extended a bunch of offers and money.

+1