Penn State Dickinson School of Law 2011 Forum

[Zarain]

Where do you want to practice?

[jomallix]

Ok, I'm accepted to both schools. I really like Penn State and State College. They've surged in national prestige recently and there's a lot promise for more.

On the other hand, Villanova is a great school, their median LSAT and GPA numbers are higher and they're it's really close to Philly.

Has anyone else here been accepted to both schools? Would anyone like to speculate on which would be the better school to have attended 20 years from now? (In terms of experience and national prestige)

[Herbellis]

I really want to practice in California. UNLV is a relatively new law school, though ranked pretty high. I love the Penn State idea, but I don't know what sort of pull they have in California. Plus I'll miss my family and my fiance is finishing up her first year at UCLA. I'm lost.

[aguyingeorgia]

I plan on raiding Carlisle this summer and spending time with PSU students.

[Zarain]

UNLV has pretty bad placement outside of Las Vegas. They have a good Casino Law program. Penn State is a rising star and will surely rise in national reputation. Many people think they will be a top 40 or even a top 30 school in 10 years with all of the insane amount of money they are investing, the most in law school history actually. They are already a higher ranked school. UNLV is cheaper so you can take that into consideration. Its really up to you and your personal preferences. Both schools wont currently give you much of an edge in California.

[melbel08]

I plan on raiding Carlisle this summer and spending time with PSU students.

Thank goodness I made the right decision and chose to attend the Carlisle campus!

[Mambuto O'Malley]

I got into UNLV. That makes things difficult. I don't know. Any ideas?

Like it has been said before, it all depends on where you want to practice. Does PSU have any "pull" in CA.....no not really. Does UNLV....no not really. What types of law were you considering practicing and which school will help you best in that goal? Was there any scholarship money involved (perhaps you can negotiate with PSU or UNLV and get some additional money). Additionally, if you do have your heart set on practicing in California perhaps you should consider attending law school in that state. If that currently is not an option then perhaps consider which school would give you an advantage in transferring. The disclaimer of course is never go to a school you would not be happy receiving a degree from but its food for though nonetheless.

[Penn bound 2011]

I chose State college. This thread is making me consider the Carlisle location with a little more scrutiny. As it stands, State college is not bad at-all. Additionally, I have to voice some concern about there being only 26 people in the facebook group. That is weak. I'm looking forward to meeting y'all when classes begin in the fall.

[Mambuto O'Malley]

Coming from San Diego, Carlisle is a reeeaaalll change. But its not a bad one, just different.

I mean, its raining here! Never rains in San Diego

[skylar]

Going back to LSAT Hater from the first page, I've just had a similar experience with Penn State. I'm almost exactly on their median numbers, applied in November, and only got word TODAY. Yes, May 23rd, LONG after the class was full. After them telling me for months, when I called from FRANCE every two weeks, that the admissions committee had my file and would get me an answer in one or two weeks.

Not even a waitlisted letter. About two weeks ago, I finally got an email saying, "Are you still interested in Dickinson?" Umm...no, I just like calling your office because your secretaries are nice (though they are). Another two weeks pass by and I get this via email, complete with the fact that it was obviously un-proofed (not like it's a professional letter or something):

May 23, 2008

Dear Ms. _________,

I have news for you....at this time, I would like to present the following opportunity to you. Though our full time class is filled however, we do have a few openings in our part time day program in the Carlisle campus.

I would encourage you to review the information on our website at http://www.dsl.psu.edu/admissions/parttimefaq.cfm. Our part time program has proven to be very attractive as students maybe eligible to move to full time status as early as the beginning of their second semester. If you are interested accepting our offer to join the JD part time day program, please let me know by the close of business on Friday, May 30th.

We realize that this late in the cycle you may have finalized other plans for the coming fall. If in fact, you have made plans and are no longer interested in Penn State would you be so kind as to let me know. Your attention to this would be appreciated. Also, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dean Janice Austin


I applied for full-time at University Park, so they offer me exactly the opposite, and only give me 7 days to decide. This is the most unprofessional treatment I've ever received from a university. They got my uncensored observations in return for their offer.

I wish all of you luck at Penn State, and I hope you will be happy, but beware that if they treat one student this terribly, they'll probably treat others with this much disregard and disrespect. I never thought the law school admissions process could make me feel like a last-minute Prom date.

[arich24]

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that Skylar:( that doesn't sound like the Penn State I know at all...everything has been super friendly and professional. I think the new rankings really took a toll on the admissions office with tons of extra people applying and...they filled up their class without having to pull from the waitlist, and I think it really took everyone by surprise. I truly am sorry and I hope, if this isn't what you choose, that you are happy with your other options!!

[skylar]

Haha, heck no I'm not taking that offer! That offer was a slap to the face!

I'll be very happy at McGeorge School of Law, with a nice scholarship and a very kind admissions office who was actually fighting for me to come, like every other school I applied to (of eight). That's part of why this whole thing is so freaking weird.

Good luck, and let's hope this was all a freak accident of some kind! At least now I know rather than the months I've spent waiting for an answer, and instead finding out I was rejected by proxy when people posted on here that the class was full and closed. I'm just glad it's over!

[Flybywire]

After reading this thread I have a quick question -- would it be correct to assume that if you're on the WL the chances of getting in are virtually non-existant? The reason I ask is because I was considering making a drive up to University Park next week to take a look at the school. However, if I have little or no chance of getting off the WL it seems somewhat pointless to drive up there and use all that gas.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Zarain]

I would ask if there are any part-time openings left because they are giving special offers of part-time enrollment to a select few on the wait-list. Anyone who accepted this offer has first priority on the full-time waitlist should any spots open up. Otherwise, I think your chances are slim to none.

[Flybywire]

Thanks for the response! I'm not really interested in part time, so I suppose I'll just see how the WL goes -- although I'm certainly not expecting anything. I'm glad I found this out now though, rather than making an 8 hour (round-trip) drive up there if I have little chance of getting in.

Thanks again.

[arich24]

Personal question...but I'm in a panic...how much in loans per year are you taking out? I have 20,500 in Unsub/sub staff, and am trying to figure out if an addition 25,000 Grad PLUS is too much or just about right compared to everyone else?

[Herbellis]

After reading this thread I have a quick question -- would it be correct to assume that if you're on the WL the chances of getting in are virtually non-existant? The reason I ask is because I was considering making a drive up to University Park next week to take a look at the school. However, if I have little or no chance of getting off the WL it seems somewhat pointless to drive up there and use all that gas.

Thanks in advance for your input!

I got into Indy off the waitlist, so I know it happens. You have to understand that a lot of the top prospects are leveraging a few factors right now and probably have 5 or 6 schools on the line. That means there are thousands of applicants that at least 3 or 4 schools think are attending their program. Those students are playing school against school trying to maximize scholarship money. Some even are on the waitlist for their dream school. A lot of students also don't bother to withdraw from the back up schools once they get accepted, so who knows how many schools have phantom attendees that won't drop off the grid until early July. It's the circle of law school. HakunaMata

Also, I wouldn't bag on the PT program at Penn State. I actually was attracted by that. You can be gauranteed a spot in full time if you have a decent GPA. Also the PT day program at Penn State lets you take more classes than many other PT programs, so you won't be all that far behind when you make the switch, especially if you take a couple classes your first summer. Food for thought.

[cjdemet]

Hi there. I am a rising 2L in Carlisle. I came across this thread while randomly carousing the internet. If anyone has any questions about Carlisle, feel free to send me an email and I'll be glad to help out if I can. cjd223@psu.edu.