University of Virginia School of Law 2011 Forum

[Da Stain]

Has anyone on here gone through UVA's admissions as an in-state. The "facts" we know are they historically reserve 40% of the class for in-state and in-state last year had a 33% acceptance vs. out-of-state's 22%.

Anyone with an idea on how the numbers work in the in-state process. A 1L friend said she'd heard of a few 165s. Is it possible/probable that because of their in-state requirements that the >25% LSAT numbers are basically in-staters?

I'm a 170/3.1 (3.4 Major) but I'm in-state. And I went to a competitive top 20 school.

Last year, they got just under 700 in-state apps vs. over 4,000 for regular. Can anyone speak to UVA or at least other state schools where similar admissions criteria exist.

HAHAHA. That was my 1st post ever on TLS.

Anyway,

1. Residency is pretty easy. Reigster your car, get a DL a year before classes start, but check the website to be sure.

2. Is it easier, not technically, but you're in a different part of the admissions pool. They aim to fill 40% of their class with residents, but keep in mind, many will do/have done what you are in establishing residency and so I don't think it is necessarily easier, just a bit different. As in, I got in with the numbers above, but others have had less luck.

[kritiosboy]

I see, thanks for the quick response. I might go for it.

[sockpuppet]

1. Residency is pretty easy. Register your car, get a DL a year before classes start, but check the website to be sure.

I remember reading on here once that UVA considers anyone living in DC as part of the "resident" pool as well. Anyone know if that is correct?

[Wellsfargowagon]

Move to VA before mid-August and you'll be golden for residency status.

And remember that Arlington counts as "Virginia," even though it's widely regarded as de facto DC. Probably because it was once a part of DC. Hence the squared shape. Then that whole "Civil War" thing happened.

Ugg, been staring at transcripts for way too long today. Need coffee.

[Wellsfargowagon]

I remember reading on here once that UVA considers anyone living in DC as part of the "resident" pool as well. Anyone know if that is correct?

It's almost certainly not. The first example that comes to mind is EmmyD, who lives in the District but ended up on the priority non-res waitlist.

[greygoose]

there isn't a way for us acceptees to get in-state after a year right?

[sialeeds]

there isn't a way for us acceptees to get in-state after a year right?

Based on what the financial aid lady said, no.

[cantwaitforuva]

there isn't a way for us acceptees to get in-state after a year right?

Not unless you have a spouse who works full-time in-state or your kids attend local schools, etc

[sockpuppet]

Last year, they got just under 700 in-state apps vs. over 4,000 for regular. Can anyone speak to UVA or at least other state schools where similar admissions criteria exist.

If that number for in-state applications is accurate, then looking at the numbers from last year gives:

Applied:

Resident (Assumed) 700
Other (Assumed) 4,738
Total 5,438

Accepted:

Resident 211
Other 1,093
Total 1,304

Rate:

Resident 30%
Other 23%
Total 24%

So it seems like a small but maybe material bump in your chances, as long as you land in the upper end of the resident applicant pool. If you're going to go to the trouble of moving there, then you should definitely use the binding early decision as well. It seems in general that ED residents fared well and got results much earlier in the cycle compared with non-residents and later applicants having similar numbers.

[Holly Madison]

there isn't a way for us acceptees to get in-state after a year right?

Based on what the financial aid lady said, no.

why not? i was planning on registering my car, getting a new driver's license, registering to vote, etc.

[Wellsfargowagon]

why not? i was planning on registering my car, getting a new driver's license, registering to vote, etc.

Because in the eyes of the Commonwealth, you're doing those things only because you've moved to Virginia to study. Residency status, according to them, is reserved for those with a longer history with Virginia, even if that history lasted only a year prior to enrolling.

[Holly Madison]

jerks.

[greygoose]

^
titcr

[sialeeds]

Hey man, I've lived in VA all 21 years of my life! I've earned my in-state status

Honestly, I think it makes sense... it sucks for you guys, but yeah. Otherwise, 100% of the class would be in-state by 2L. That makes no sense.

[greygoose]

CALIFORNIA!

W&M does an instate tuition fellowship which is kind of nice. if UVa did that, it would be the cherry on top of the regular cherry on the sundae.

[Da Stain]

Ultimately, the difference is marginal between resident and non-resident tuition (5k each year).

Sock, the DC resident thing I believe applies to undergrad only. And it basically mandates any state instituion treat DC residents as state residents for purposes of tuition only, and not necessarily admissions.

[gladiator]

And when you throw in the odds of getting outrageous tickets and penalties from the Virginia police as an in-state driver, being out of state might be better.

[sialeeds]

VA police are nuts! I got a ticket for turning right on red when the sign was apparently several feet behind the intersection (I even looked for the sign!) There wasn't a single car on the road, I turn, and out of the BUSHES comes MOTOCOP. Are you frikkin' serious?

I even had to include the incident on some of my law school apps. Lame.

[J-Rod]

VA police are nuts! I got a ticket for turning right on red when the sign was apparently several feet behind the intersection (I even looked for the sign!) There wasn't a single car on the road, I turn, and out of the BUSHES comes MOTOCOP. Are you frikkin' serious?

I even had to include the incident on some of my law school apps. Lame.

Is there somewhere I can find the lowdown on VA motor law? my car probably violates many VA laws so I should look into it ahead of time

[greygoose]

word, uva cops seem intense.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/

[J-Rod]

word, uva cops seem intense.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/

Looks like I should be ok.

[MissVirginia]

why not? i was planning on registering my car, getting a new driver's license, registering to vote, etc.

Because in the eyes of the Commonwealth, you're doing those things only because you've moved to Virginia to study. Residency status, according to them, is reserved for those with a longer history with Virginia, even if that history lasted only a year prior to enrolling.

and, preferably, those who have paid taxes in the commonwealth, or have parents who have... something that presumably does not happen in a year of graduate school... (according to my conversation with Fin Aid)

Hey man, I've lived in VA all 21 years of my life! I've earned my in-state status Honestly, I think it makes sense... it sucks for you guys, but yeah. Otherwise, 100% of the class would be in-state by 2L. That makes no sense.

At Ohio State they are. Some states offer residency to all grad students after 1 year (like Ohio)... yet another way Virginia is special!

[Wellsfargowagon]

Not to mention California.

[sialeeds]

I like my snobby state!

[Wellsfargowagon]

"Commonwealth," dear. Commonwealth. That's what truly captures the state's snobbery

Wait... Commonwealth's snobbery. D'oh!