URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread Forum

[anervouslsater]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

Don't worry. Cycles are unpredictable for URMs, and I was recently accepted to a better school than one that rejected me.

Keep the faith!

[notorious_mig]

Am I a dumb idiot for not writing a diversity statement? I touched on my ethnicity briefly in my PS (###latinidad###) but now I'm regretting not actually writing a diversity statement that addresses head-on the impact that being Latina has had on me (in ways that I keep discovering even now as an adult). This has been haunting me worse than every photograph ever taken of me in middle school. So I'm trying to decide if maybe in like March I should send a diversity statement to schools I haven't heard from? I just sent in an update super recently about a conference I got accepted to so idk what to do UGH help pls or alternatively cry while eating bread with me

I definitely think it was a mistake not to write one... but I wouldn't worry too too much about it. In the end, whatever schools you're applying to get to add one additional person of an underrepresented ethnic background by admitting you, which is what they care about most. If there are any schools you think you're a very borderline or reach candidate, that might be an area where not having written a diversity statement to push you over the edge could bite you, though.

Damn. Do you think it's too late to send one in? Slash is it too soon after sending my conference update this week?

I sent in diversity statements to a few schools after I had been in review for like 3 months and they all got back to me within 24 hours letting me know they'd added it to my file. If you haven't gotten a decision yet, just send it to the admissions office and ask for them to add it.

eta: I have no idea if they will care, but I think the worst case scenario (them not accepting you because you sent them updates on your file too frequently) sounds a bit extreme. but idk.

Omg that is really really really good to know...I think I'll crank out a solid diversity statement this weekend and send it in to the schools I'm waiting on still. Thank you so much!!!

You're welcome Good luck!

Thank you kindly! (:

[Mr_Chukes]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

[uhwrestler]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

also got dinged at duke....but not to worried didnt really want to go there

[sfn91]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

I guess "denied" is better than "rejected." But yeah I was like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZEnI3s4CMQ

[Mr_Chukes]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

I guess "denied" is better than "rejected." But yeah I was like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZEnI3s4CMQ

I feel you on that fam. Right now my tops are looking like USC or Berkeley. Still waiting to hear from Berkeley though. I'm miffed as to why I haven't heard form UCLA yet though.

[lawpotato]

Just caught the UCLA waitlist email :,)

[dyebri]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

I guess "denied" is better than "rejected." But yeah I was like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZEnI3s4CMQ

I feel you on that fam. Right now my tops are looking like USC or Berkeley. Still waiting to hear from Berkeley though. I'm miffed as to why I haven't heard form UCLA yet though.

what are your numbers

[AJ1010]

Am I a dumb idiot for not writing a diversity statement? I touched on my ethnicity briefly in my PS (###latinidad###) but now I'm regretting not actually writing a diversity statement that addresses head-on the impact that being Latina has had on me (in ways that I keep discovering even now as an adult). This has been haunting me worse than every photograph ever taken of me in middle school. So I'm trying to decide if maybe in like March I should send a diversity statement to schools I haven't heard from? I just sent in an update super recently about a conference I got accepted to so idk what to do UGH help pls or alternatively cry while eating bread with me

I definitely think it was a mistake not to write one... but I wouldn't worry too too much about it. In the end, whatever schools you're applying to get to add one additional person of an underrepresented ethnic background by admitting you, which is what they care about most. If there are any schools you think you're a very borderline or reach candidate, that might be an area where not having written a diversity statement to push you over the edge could bite you, though.

Damn. Do you think it's too late to send one in? Slash is it too soon after sending my conference update this week?

I sent in diversity statements to a few schools after I had been in review for like 3 months and they all got back to me within 24 hours letting me know they'd added it to my file. If you haven't gotten a decision yet, just send it to the admissions office and ask for them to add it.

eta: I have no idea if they will care, but I think the worst case scenario (them not accepting you because you sent them updates on your file too frequently) sounds a bit extreme. but idk.

Omg that is really really really good to know...I think I'll crank out a solid diversity statement this weekend and send it in to the schools I'm waiting on still. Thank you so much!!!

You're welcome Good luck!

Thank you kindly! (:

Am I the only one who thinks that as a URM you dont have to write a diversity statement? I didn't write one (I'm AA), and I've been accepted to Columbia, U Chicago, Duke via PT, U Penn, Berkeley and Michigan. I also had my JS1 in December. My numbers arent crazy high either.

[armc808]

Looks like a lot of URMs (and non-URMs for that matter) are getting WL'ed at Duke. They seem to be more selective this year...

[PrezRand]

Looks like a lot of URMs (and non-URMs for that matter) are getting WL'ed at Duke. They seem to be more selective this year...

That sucks.

[chasima]

[Mrocky2]

Also I think this heavily depends on the topic of your PS, mine had not one thing about race, socioeconomic status, circumstances etc. so I definitely wrote a DS, but some people combine these things in the PS so its your call on that. Super random though, if someone is in the DS writing mood it also can double as the statement for 1L firm jobs, you all are far away from that but I liked that I didn't have to worry about writing one again lol

[Mr_Chukes]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

I just got a Duke ding lol. They didn't say denied though. That's kinda fucked up. Still waiting on UCLA. No word lol. SC loved me though.

I guess "denied" is better than "rejected." But yeah I was like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZEnI3s4CMQ

I feel you on that fam. Right now my tops are looking like USC or Berkeley. Still waiting to hear from Berkeley though. I'm miffed as to why I haven't heard form UCLA yet though.

what are your numbers

3.426 and 156. My writing was excellent though .

[AJ1010]

@chasima

I agree. I think some people overemphasize its importance, and I don't think it would be accurate to make it seem like neglecting to write a DS will negatively affect your chances. Some people/sources make it sound like deciding not to write a DS is crazy. If you write a lackluster or average diversity statement, I think it would weaken your application. I did not feel like I had a strong or compelling story to tell, so I decided against it.

[sfn91]

"After careful consideration of all aspects of your file, the Admissions Committee regrets to inform you that your application for admission to UCLA School of Law has been denied."

DENIED. Lol.

Don't worry. Cycles are unpredictable for URMs, and I was recently accepted to a better school than one that rejected me.

Keep the faith!

Thanks! I was kind of down Saturday thinking about it, but I've noticed the unpredictability of URM cycles, and am just going to let it go. My application has definite strengths, but also some drawbacks (C&F). I am not trying to get too attached to any one school, and being placed on reserve at Cornell while other qualified applicants were denied makes me think those drawbacks in my application are not insurmountable.

I think my cycle will be dependent on who reads my application (of course, that's obvious, but I think some admissions committees at schools will be turned off by my "story" and others won't, so it's hard to know which!).

[PresidentIJohnson]

For those of y'all with W/E post-undergrad, what did yall do? Thought about applying to Law School right after undergrad but with an increasing amount of Law Schools (and firms) wanting work experience post-undergrad, I decided to gain some experience in the interim.

[20171lhopeful]

For those of y'all with W/E post-undergrad, what did yall do? Thought about applying to Law School right after undergrad but with an increasing amount of Law Schools (and firms) wanting work experience post-undergrad, I decided to gain some experience in the interim.

I don't think it's so much what you did, but if your WE supports the type of story your pitching to law schools. I took 6 years off, and most of my experience was PI oriented (ngo and field work abroad), with the exception of my 2 years as a BL paralegal. I would definitely take time off if you can...it gives you more to write about in your app, and makes you more competitive. finally it draws attention from your numbers, which was the case for me.

[lnsl123]

.

[sfn91]

For those of y'all with W/E post-undergrad, what did yall do? Thought about applying to Law School right after undergrad but with an increasing amount of Law Schools (and firms) wanting work experience post-undergrad, I decided to gain some experience in the interim.

I've been working for over 5 years but not with the deliberate intent of applying to law school. I've been at four companies in very different industries and roles but it has led me to a good place. I am ready for law school in a way that I wasn't before. I would do what you're interested in doing versus something you think will look good in an application.

+1

I would not have been ready for law school had I applied a few years ago. I have a much clearer understanding of what I want to do as a lawyer thanks to WE. It may not be the case for everyone, but I think I would have made some huge mistakes had I gone straight through or after a year.

[aspiringesq.elle]

I've been lurking this forum for a while but I decided to just post about my application cycle. Recently got dinged from a super reach and a super safety of mine....I really don't know how to feel about this. Can't say it wasn't a jab to my confidence but I've managed to bounce back.

I'm just ready for this whole process to be over. I have four applications that are currently under review and I check my status checkers every 5 minutes....it's getting kind of unhealthy at this point.

[S.Picquery]

I've been lurking this forum for a while but I decided to just post about my application cycle. Recently got dinged from a super reach and a super safety of mine....I really don't know how to feel about this. Can't say it wasn't a jab to my confidence but I've managed to bounce back.

I'm just ready for this whole process to be over. I have four applications that are currently under review and I check my status checkers every 5 minutes....it's getting kind of unhealthy at this point.

Did you only apply in January? I ask because I've calmed down so much in the past few months since applying. I just have no spoons left.

[aspiringesq.elle]

I've been lurking this forum for a while but I decided to just post about my application cycle. Recently got dinged from a super reach and a super safety of mine....I really don't know how to feel about this. Can't say it wasn't a jab to my confidence but I've managed to bounce back.

I'm just ready for this whole process to be over. I have four applications that are currently under review and I check my status checkers every 5 minutes....it's getting kind of unhealthy at this point.

Did you only apply in January? I ask because I've calmed down so much in the past few months since applying. I just have no spoons left.

Yep! I applied to the super reach on January 24th and the super safety on January 14th. I'm sure I'll have some decisions back within the next few weeks and hopefully that'll calm me down a bit

[S.Picquery]

Yep! I applied to the super reach on January 24th and the super safety on January 14th. I'm sure I'll have some decisions back within the next few weeks and hopefully that'll calm me down a bit

That's almost definitely it. Don't sweat it in the meanwhile, you just applied late in the cycle.

[Mr_Chukes]

It feels like the stars are aligning and I'm starting to know my choice for attendance.