2011-2012 Cycle Applicants! Forum

[MumofCad]

I have a question of my own for those of you with fresher LSAC experiences. (The teacher becomes the student!) Does anyone know roughly how long it took between sending your transcript and getting the LSAC confirmation email? I don't for one second trust my CC whose two classes I took as a HS student will get my LSAC GPA over a very unfortunate threshold that I didn't realize I was below when I applied this past year. (As an aside, besides it just helping me out, for those of you thinking of hiding any grades in your past, do not do it. Even though these 2 grades will help me and there's no reason why I didn't submit them last year except for blissful ignorance that they existed (since my current UG didn't count them, and they were way more like HS courses in my mind), it could have been seen as a failure to disclose on my part for C&F.)

Anyways, TL;DR: How long did you guys have between sending transcripts and receiving notification of their existence from LSAC? It's been ~2 weeks now so I'm a bit nervous, especially because of the 1-2 processing on top of everything else. Trying to figure out how long to wait before I go bug my CC about it.

I would go back and scour their website again for a hidden fee (if you haven't already). I also am missing a CC transcript I didn't realize I had from high school. I read their initial page on how to request a transcript, followed the directions and waited three weeks. I never heard a word. I was about to go back and bug them, but decided to search their website again. It is horribly disorganized and in another section called "fees" about two pages down from the directions for getting a transcript, it said there was a $5 fee for each transcript. I had to resend a check and another form. I guess they weren't even going to contact me to rectify the situation. Glad I quit waiting and went hunting! If its not in 2 weeks from now, I will call them.

[descartesb4thehorse]

I have a question of my own for those of you with fresher LSAC experiences. (The teacher becomes the student!) Does anyone know roughly how long it took between sending your transcript and getting the LSAC confirmation email? I don't for one second trust my CC whose two classes I took as a HS student will get my LSAC GPA over a very unfortunate threshold that I didn't realize I was below when I applied this past year. (As an aside, besides it just helping me out, for those of you thinking of hiding any grades in your past, do not do it. Even though these 2 grades will help me and there's no reason why I didn't submit them last year except for blissful ignorance that they existed (since my current UG didn't count them, and they were way more like HS courses in my mind), it could have been seen as a failure to disclose on my part for C&F.)

Anyways, TL;DR: How long did you guys have between sending transcripts and receiving notification of their existence from LSAC? It's been ~2 weeks now so I'm a bit nervous, especially because of the 1-2 processing on top of everything else. Trying to figure out how long to wait before I go bug my CC about it.

I would go back and scour their website again for a hidden fee (if you haven't already). I also am missing a CC transcript I didn't realize I had from high school. I read their initial page on how to request a transcript, followed the directions and waited three weeks. I never heard a word. I was about to go back and bug them, but decided to search their website again. It is horribly disorganized and in another section called "fees" about two pages down from the directions for getting a transcript, it said there was a $5 fee for each transcript. I had to resend a check and another form. I guess they weren't even going to contact me to rectify the situation. Glad I quit waiting and went hunting! If its not in 2 weeks from now, I will call them.

Lol after I panicked for 24 hours, I checked LSAC and they had it up. They didn't send an email letting me know they got it for about 3 more days though. And yea, I had paid the $5 fee. I actually went in to request it because people are usually more helpful when you're standing there waiting for them to get their work done.

[elibrarian]

3.83/171
2yrs WE in legal field

Favorite Reach School: UChicago
Favorite Target School: UMich
Favorite Safety School: Northwestern (hi, i belong in the Midwest)
In ten words or less, what you plan to put in your personal statement:
love of language, study abroad

Feels that I've been waiting forever and a day to apply this cycle.

[franklyscarlet]

A question for my fellow applicants. Northwestern is my goal, and I'm retaking in October so I have a chance! If I'm applying ED there, will it hurt to wait on my new LSAT score or should I apply right away?

[katie96]

A question for my fellow applicants. Northwestern is my goal, and I'm retaking in October so I have a chance! If I'm applying ED there, will it hurt to wait on my new LSAT score or should I apply right away?

From what I understand, it does not matter whether you apply the first day apps open or if you apply the day before the ED deadline--it is more important to take your time and submit a complete and concise application package. Therefore, so long as your new LSAT score makes it in by the ED deadline, it should be fine to wait for it.

[bball1997]

GPA: 3.8
LSAT: 174
straight from UG

tentative 1st choice: Chicago (want to live/practice in midwest)
targets/reaches: YHSCNM
safety: get a real job

[Eichörnchen]

I'm late to the party on this thread. Sorta demonstrates my overall admissions progress. I've been so LSAT-obsessed that I kinda forgot all about the whole admissions thing...

GPA: 3.9

Reach: Harvard/Stanford. With my current PT scores this section is for (Out of) Reaches
Target: UVa, Duke, [Columbia, NYU, UChicago - semi-reaches?]
Safety: George Wash, BU

PS: Still not 100% sure (Yea I haven't done my first draft yet. AHHH! ) but probably about language acquisition

Softs: Some "leadership" positions in undergrad, blah blah. Standard fare.

Now I have so much to panic about...crappy LSAT scores, asking for LORs, my PS...I am so behind.

[MattLiv12]

Hey all. First post on TLS.

3.7/176

Reach: H
Targets: CCNMVP
Safeties: Cornell/Gtown/Vandy/WUSTL

PS: Something on WE w non profits abroad

Typical Undergrad EC + 1 year WE

Anyone know if a year of study abroad is even a positive on an app anymore or if it's so common so as to be neutral?
Also My gpa was 3.85+ each semester domestically and 3.35 or so during my year abroad. Should I write an addendum explaining I was traveling frequently/working two jobs/grading system was different or just let that go?

Thanks and good luck all fellow 11/12 cycle applicants

[descartesb4thehorse]

Hey all. First post on TLS.

3.7/176

Reach: H
Targets: CCNMVP
Safeties: Cornell/Gtown/Vandy/WUSTL

PS: Something on WE w non profits abroad

Typical Undergrad EC + 1 year WE

Anyone know if a year of study abroad is even a positive on an app anymore or if it's so common so as to be neutral?
Also My gpa was 3.85+ each semester domestically and 3.35 or so during my year abroad. Should I write an addendum explaining I was traveling frequently/working two jobs/grading system was different or just let that go?

Thanks and good luck all fellow 11/12 cycle applicants

Were you out of school for your 1 yr WE or studying along with it? I think in the latter case it's not exactly seen as WE.

Other than that, seems like working with non-profits while abroad will give you an edge over typical "I went to Spain for a semester and took classes in English and only socialized with other Americans" study abroad experience. Definitely write the addendum, although you won't need it for any of your safeties/most of your targets.

Other than that, just write why Xs for some targets to avoid YP and I think you'll have a pretty decent cycle.

[descartesb4thehorse]

PS: Still not 100% sure (Yea I haven't done my first draft yet. AHHH! ) but probably about language acquisition

Out of curiosity, what is this? ESL?

[Eichörnchen]

PS: Still not 100% sure (Yea I haven't done my first draft yet. AHHH! ) but probably about language acquisition

Out of curiosity, what is this? ESL?

No, I started studying a language because I was curious about my family "roots" and now (about) 10 years later I'm fluent. I figured that is probably my best example of dedication and hard work over a long (lonnnng) period of time.

[MattLiv12]

Hey all. First post on TLS.

3.7/176

Reach: H
Targets: CCNMVP
Safeties: Cornell/Gtown/Vandy/WUSTL

PS: Something on WE w non profits abroad

Typical Undergrad EC + 1 year WE

Anyone know if a year of study abroad is even a positive on an app anymore or if it's so common so as to be neutral?
Also My gpa was 3.85+ each semester domestically and 3.35 or so during my year abroad. Should I write an addendum explaining I was traveling frequently/working two jobs/grading system was different or just let that go?

Thanks and good luck all fellow 11/12 cycle applicants

Were you out of school for your 1 yr WE or studying along with it? I think in the latter case it's not exactly seen as WE.

Other than that, seems like working with non-profits while abroad will give you an edge over typical "I went to Spain for a semester and took classes in English and only socialized with other Americans" study abroad experience. Definitely write the addendum, although you won't need it for any of your safeties/most of your targets.

Other than that, just write why Xs for some targets to avoid YP and I think you'll have a pretty decent cycle.

Hey thanks for the info. I was going to write why Xs for the targets but what is YP? Not familiar with all of the acronyms on TLS yet.

[Eichörnchen]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

[disco_stu]

.

[MattLiv12]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

Thanks. Should YP really be a legitimate concern with a 3.7? 3.7 is never above the 75th at my targets (generally at median or slightly below), even if LSAT is above all of the T14 75th. I'll write the why X for CCNMVP anyway, but really not sure how much of a concern this should be...

[freestallion]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

Thanks. Should YP really be a legitimate concern with a 3.7? 3.7 is never above the 75th at my targets (generally at median or slightly below), even if LSAT is above all of the T14 75th. I'll write the why X for CCNMVP anyway, but really not sure how much of a concern this should be...

Well, I don't think you need to write them for CCN, but you definitely should for MVP.

[descartesb4thehorse]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

Thanks. Should YP really be a legitimate concern with a 3.7? 3.7 is never above the 75th at my targets (generally at median or slightly below), even if LSAT is above all of the T14 75th. I'll write the why X for CCNMVP anyway, but really not sure how much of a concern this should be...

Well, I don't think you need to write them for CCN, but you definitely should for MVP.

This. When I said be cautious and write Why Xs for your safeties and some of your targets, I did mean MVP. They have a history of YPing more than CCN. (MP also more or less require it in their additional essays.) I also don't understand not doing it if you're forewarned what can happen to your app if you don't. You're already spending so much time getting good LORs, writing a PS and maybe a DS, and studying for the LSAT. These additional essays shouldn't take more than a few hours to write and you'll be helping your future self by doing research that will be important when it comes to choosing a school. Not for you specifically, but a lot of people seem utterly aghast by the idea that they should write Why Xs. I don't see why anyone would choose to ignore something that is relatively easy and not time-consuming but can (for certain schools in certain situations) help out your app almost as much as a good LOR or PS. You want to give the adcomms a reason to like you and see you as different than your peers, and this is a pretty decent way of doing it.

[MattLiv12]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

Thanks. Should YP really be a legitimate concern with a 3.7? 3.7 is never above the 75th at my targets (generally at median or slightly below), even if LSAT is above all of the T14 75th. I'll write the why X for CCNMVP anyway, but really not sure how much of a concern this should be...

Well, I don't think you need to write them for CCN, but you definitely should for MVP.

This. When I said be cautious and write Why Xs for your safeties and some of your targets, I did mean MVP. They have a history of YPing more than CCN. (MP also more or less require it in their additional essays.) I also don't understand not doing it if you're forewarned what can happen to your app if you don't. You're already spending so much time getting good LORs, writing a PS and maybe a DS, and studying for the LSAT. These additional essays shouldn't take more than a few hours to write and you'll be helping your future self by doing research that will be important when it comes to choosing a school. Not for you specifically, but a lot of people seem utterly aghast by the idea that they should write Why Xs. I don't see why anyone would choose to ignore something that is relatively easy and not time-consuming but can (for certain schools in certain situations) help out your app almost as much as a good LOR or PS. You want to give the adcomms a reason to like you and see you as different than your peers, and this is a pretty decent way of doing it.

Sounds good. Do you suggest personalizing the PS for every school as well as writing why Xs? I've heard it is best to tailor PS as much as possible to the actual school, not just the same PS with Harvard/UVA/Penn/etc. filled in where appropriate.

Also, since we are on the topic of MVP vs CCN, I'm actually much more concerned with MVP admissions than CCN, as MVP seem more holistic and GPA-centric than CCN. Even if I get CCN I will probably be paying close to sticker and would much prefer MVP with a bit more money than CCN. Not expecting a ride anywhere in the T14 with a 3.7, but half somewhere would be nice and I'd probably jump at it anywhere but Cornell/Duke/GULC. Thanks again for all the advice.

[acadec]

YP = Yield Protect, aka not being accepted because the school thinks that with your stats, you'll pick a better school and are using them as a safety.

Thanks. Should YP really be a legitimate concern with a 3.7? 3.7 is never above the 75th at my targets (generally at median or slightly below), even if LSAT is above all of the T14 75th. I'll write the why X for CCNMVP anyway, but really not sure how much of a concern this should be...

Well, I don't think you need to write them for CCN, but you definitely should for MVP.

What's the consensus on Why Duke, GULC, or Cornell for applicants whose stats put them in the CCN/MVP range? Are lower T14 schools likely to YP or to give money on the basis of why x?

[zdamico]

I've been prepping at around 170 before too much intensive studying, so im hoping for a 170 plus on the October LSAT

Reach: Columbia/NYU
Target: Georgetown/GW
Safety: BU/Fordham

In case I bomb LSAT: Villanova (my undergrad school)

Except I'm not applying until 2012/2013. I am just way too eager, I cannot wait another year!

[rotaxkarter]

Checking in, can't wait for the cycle to start. 3.8x, 177

Reach: YHS
Target/Safeties: CCNM

4 yrs WE, IT Consulting.

[descartesb4thehorse]

Sounds good. Do you suggest personalizing the PS for every school as well as writing why Xs? I've heard it is best to tailor PS as much as possible to the actual school, not just the same PS with Harvard/UVA/Penn/etc. filled in where appropriate.

Also, since we are on the topic of MVP vs CCN, I'm actually much more concerned with MVP admissions than CCN, as MVP seem more holistic and GPA-centric than CCN. Even if I get CCN I will probably be paying close to sticker and would much prefer MVP with a bit more money than CCN. Not expecting a ride anywhere in the T14 with a 3.7, but half somewhere would be nice and I'd probably jump at it anywhere but Cornell/Duke/GULC. Thanks again for all the advice.

Hmm, I think one or the other is sufficient - why X or tailoring. Then again, tailoring could mean something like.. a PI-centric PS when applying to NYU, something about overcoming diversity for HLS, talking about your underdog Nobel Prize win for YLS, etc. You know, tailoring to fit what they've been known to look for in applicants. However, that seems like A LOT more work. Tailoring for me was a paragraph at the end of the PS for each school, but I usually kept these really light when I also did a Why X?

No way to guarantee money, but I think with tailored apps for MVP you're looking at significant $$$ at at least one of them.

[MattLiv12]

Sounds good. Do you suggest personalizing the PS for every school as well as writing why Xs? I've heard it is best to tailor PS as much as possible to the actual school, not just the same PS with Harvard/UVA/Penn/etc. filled in where appropriate.

Also, since we are on the topic of MVP vs CCN, I'm actually much more concerned with MVP admissions than CCN, as MVP seem more holistic and GPA-centric than CCN. Even if I get CCN I will probably be paying close to sticker and would much prefer MVP with a bit more money than CCN. Not expecting a ride anywhere in the T14 with a 3.7, but half somewhere would be nice and I'd probably jump at it anywhere but Cornell/Duke/GULC. Thanks again for all the advice.

Hmm, I think one or the other is sufficient - why X or tailoring. Then again, tailoring could mean something like.. a PI-centric PS when applying to NYU, something about overcoming diversity for HLS, talking about your underdog Nobel Prize win for YLS, etc. You know, tailoring to fit what they've been known to look for in applicants. However, that seems like A LOT more work. Tailoring for me was a paragraph at the end of the PS for each school, but I usually kept these really light when I also did a Why X?

No way to guarantee money, but I think with tailored apps for MVP you're looking at significant $$$ at at least one of them.

"underdog Nobel Prize for YLS" Brilliant. Haha.

Hey thanks a lot for all of this advice. It seems to be very solid and I will stick to it over the next month or so (hoping to have apps in by mid September). Best of luck with your cycle and I'll keep you posted on how this all turns out.

[oliverlovesyou]

Pipe Dreams: Boalt
Reach: Cornell/USC/UCLA
Target: BU/BC/WUSTL
Safety: med school.

PS: Something explaining why a music major is applying to their law school.

[Olive]

I'm looking forward to starting this cycle.

I applied in 2009 but decided to take off time so I'm reapplying now to several of the same schools.

4.0/167

I'm applying with my old score but retaking this December.

Good luck, everyone.