Is 3 PSs for NYU app too much, even if... Forum

[musicalmissionary]

So NYU is my top choice but my LSAT score falls way short (156). However, I'm hoping that my 10 years of work experience, my experience launching and managing a nonprofit, and my overall story should still give me a good chance of standing out if presented properly.

I guess I'm technically supplying 2 PSs for the main part of the application and a third that is required for consideration of the Intellectual Property Law Scholars Program. One of the main ones is a 2-page (691 words) Diversity Statement telling the story of how I was raised Catholic but recently converted to Islam to marry my Saudi wife (it's a pretty cool story) and the other main PS is a 1-page (345 word) "Why NYU?" statement.

Anyone have experience with submitting 3 PSs in a similar situation?

[hncsarge34]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother sending an application to NYU. To answer your question, I would just make sure that each essay serves a specific purpose. It's going to be hard to avoid redundancy.

[bk1]

Even a URM is unlikely to get more than a WL with that number. Hate to be blunt, but if you're not then I wouldn't put so much time into something that is 100% out of the question. If you really really want NYU the best thing you could do for yourself is put that time into studying for a retake.

[hncsarge34]

So NYU is my top choice but my LSAT score falls way short (156). However, I'm hoping that my 10 years of work experience, my experience launching and managing a nonprofit, and my overall story should still give me a good chance of standing out if presented properly.

I guess I'm technically supplying 2 PSs for the main part of the application and a third that is required for consideration of the Intellectual Property Law Scholars Program. One of the main ones is a 2-page (691 words) Diversity Statement telling the story of how I was raised Catholic but recently converted to Islam to marry my Saudi wife (it's a pretty cool story) and the other main PS is a 1-page (345 word) "Why NYU?" statement.

Anyone have experience with submitting 3 PSs in a similar situation?

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-co ... ograms.htm

[musicalmissionary]

I'm well aware of how long my odds are. While it's my first choice, I'm not holding my breath. UMiami is my most likely target, considering my MBA is from there. But I have a knack for making the improbable happen so I'm going to give it a shot. I might not be an under-represented minority on paper, although I am Hispanic (that isn't considered under-represented these days, is it?). But my combination of education (engineering/design/mba) and real life experience (running a nonprofit) definitely constitute an under-represented law student profile. So it's worth $100 to me to find out if my story sticks with them.

[bk1]

Fair enough, $100 would be worth even a .0000001% chance to me. But as I said, if you really want in then you should be expending this effort to retake the LSAT as the return on points there is astronomically greater than even a LOR from a higher power or a PS hand-crafted by James Joyce.

[Columbia Law]

Flame?

[bk1]

Flame?

I think that's a bit premature.

[musicalmissionary]

I don't detect any flaming. Just a very narrow view of the law school application process typical of the echo chamber this forum has a tendency to foster. That wasn't even intended to be insulting, just my personal observation. Like I said, I am not hanging my hopes on NYU. I'm just not one to follow conventional wisdom. And I happen to have an extra $100 lying around.

Oh yeah, and I decided not to retake because I work over 50 hours a week and I'd rather spend $100 on a prayer than $1,000 on a prep course. And I'll be more than happy with UMiami if my prayer goes unanswered.

[bk1]

I don't detect any flaming. Just a very narrow view of the law school application process typical of the echo chamber this forum has a tendency to foster. That wasn't even intended to be insulting, just my personal observation. Like I said, I am not hanging my hopes on NYU. I'm just not one to follow conventional wisdom. And I happen to have an extra $100 lying around.

Oh yeah, and I decided not to retake because I work over 50 hours a week and I'd rather spend $100 on a prayer than $1,000 on a prep course. And I'll be more than happy with UMiami if my prayer goes unanswered.

I don't think it's narrow to be realistic about your odds here and that retaking is the only way that will change.

Self-study books aren't that expensive. Plus it has the benefits of providing you with higher chances of scholly money at UMiami.

[musicalmissionary]

I hear ya. The recommendation to retake is clearly valid.

I appreciate the advice. I'm just going to see what happens. Maybe I have some kind of weird luck. Maybe not.

[Grizz]

I wouldn't go to Miami without something resembling a full scholarship. I recommend a retake.

[tea_drinker]

I understand as someone who is working full time and has a family ( as you mentioned your wife), spending time studying for the LSAT can be challenging. So good luck with your app.

Honestly, I wouldn't bother sending an application to NYU. To answer your question, I would just make sure that each essay serves a specific purpose. It's going to be hard to avoid redundancy.

I agree with this. Try not to repeat ideas, and as long as you do that, you should be okay. Also, pay attention to the essay length since if I remember correctly NYU does not have a page limit for the PS.

[Shaggier1]

If you really want NYU, the only real way is a December retake. They are very much a numbers-focused institution...

[clintonius]

I am Hispanic (that isn't considered under-represented these days, is it?).

How has nobody addressed this? Hispanic may or may not be URM, depending on the type -- if you're Mexican or PR, you will most definitely receive a large URM boost. If not, then you probably won't.

All that to say, either way, you're probably not getting NYU.