Anyone understand Northwestern's CPE Form? Forum

[CycleTank]

I don't understand what they want: it says to send it to NU, and then on their twitter they say send to LSAC. I have already collected my recommendations so I'm not sure how this is going to work(e.g. how would LSAC process the forms?).

Getting real worried.

[CycleTank]

Oh yeah, the other thing is the form says to include a real letter of recommendation with the form...but then the twitter says only include the form(that the form IS the LOR).

Thanks to anyone who can help me out. Dying to get into the program there!

[Eugenie Danglars]

Deep breath Cycle. It's going to be ok. I would imagine that it's always right to go with what it says on the application over what someone posts on twitter. The form says the recommneder sends the form to you, all sealed up, then you send it to Northwestern. They will send you both the form and the LOR in the envelope.

It doesn't state it, but I imagine you could submit the LOR online and then mail in the career form.

[ZombiesAhead]

So NW seriously would rather have a CPE from my current employer than ANY of my academic LORs?

And if I don't submit a CPE, then they don't want ANY LORs?

[RTFM]

--LinkRemoved--

--LinkRemoved--

These links apologize for and clear up the discrepancies between instructions.

I think we're going to have to ask our recommenders to fill the CPE out, even if they've already written a LOR. Hopefully it will be easy enough for them to just cut and paste part of the LOR into each CPE question. The blog post is pretty clear that they do NOT want letters, although it does say that if you feel like you have a really awesome letter feel free to send it in (though I'm really not sure if they would read it, and they will probably look more favorably on candidates who do what they ask).

Has anyone called Northwestern and asked them about the CPE? It would be great to hear some of the questions you asked/answers you got.

[Hannibal]

Well, that's cool you can still submit the usual LOR. Not sure I want to based on the way they word it though.

[DearCan]

I called NW about this. What I was told was that they prefer the recommender to fill out the CPE form online and submit it online.

If you go to the "Apply" page on their website under "Accelerated JD" there is a link to the online form. I don't know why. I'm applying regular JD, but this is where they decided to put the form. I was told to send this link to my recommender and have them fill it out. It seemed to me that they don't want a LoR at all, and if they receive one through LSAC aren't really likely to read it period.

I probably won't even consider this CPE unless I get waitlisted.

[RTFM]

Did you happen to ask if a recommender can submit the CPE form online before you submit your application?

I meant to call and ask them today, but I was at work from 6:30-4:30 PST

[DearCan]

Did you happen to ask if a recommender can submit the CPE form online before you submit your application?

I meant to call and ask them today, but I was at work from 6:30-4:30 PST

No unfortunately I didn't. Honestly, I don't like this form. It seems to me like it could easily be forged. But, since Northwestern will consider your file complete without the form, I would advise having your recommender complete and submit the form before you submit your application.

[RTFM]

But, since Northwestern will consider your file complete without the form, I would advise having your recommender complete and submit the form before you submit your application.

That's what I was thinking.

No unfortunately I didn't. Honestly, I don't like this form. It seems to me like it could easily be forged.

I completely agree! Although I guess that's why they specify no personal e-mail addresses... they probably e-mail to confirm, and it's harder to forge a professional e-mail address. But still.

[DearCan]

But, since Northwestern will consider your file complete without the form, I would advise having your recommender complete and submit the form before you submit your application.

That's what I was thinking.

No unfortunately I didn't. Honestly, I don't like this form. It seems to me like it could easily be forged.

I completely agree! Although I guess that's why they specify no personal e-mail addresses... they probably e-mail to confirm, and it's harder to forge a professional e-mail address. But still.

True, but not every employer has a professional email. My employer of three years in undergrad has a hotmail account.

[testmachine45]

I did ask them. I called them.

I personally think the CPE is totally bonkers(can u imagine if all schools did this on a different form?). It's also difficult for people to fill out....and the online thing provides no confirmation.

What are you looking to know? You just have the recommender do the online form and submit it. Make sure it goes b4 ur app.

[testmachine45]

The other thing thats dumb is that the CPE form says to send ur LOR with that CPE form, so people think they need both the CPE and the LOR, whereas the CPE is actually the LOR.

[testmachine45]

also my recommenders havent filled out the cpe form yet on the website, after writing me strong recs. so i dont want to bother them but whatever, guess i have to.

[DearCan]

I don't think they want academic input period. If you have a professor commenting on your career they may find it disingenuous and lacking credibility. I want to go to Northwestern, but I must say I'm not really happy with this. Considering the amount of questions I would say they didn't give this new system a whole lot of thought.

[RTFM]

I want to go to Northwestern, but I must say I'm not really happy with this. Considering the amount of questions I would say they didn't give this new system a whole lot of thought.

I'm in complete agreement.

[IAFG]

I don't think they want academic input period. If you have a professor commenting on your career they may find it disingenuous and lacking credibility. I want to go to Northwestern, but I must say I'm not really happy with this. Considering the amount of questions I would say they didn't give this new system a whole lot of thought.

lol it doesn't get better once you enroll either. red tape combat is worth it though, i love it here

[DearCan]

I don't think they want academic input period. If you have a professor commenting on your career they may find it disingenuous and lacking credibility. I want to go to Northwestern, but I must say I'm not really happy with this. Considering the amount of questions I would say they didn't give this new system a whole lot of thought.

lol it doesn't get better once you enroll either. red tape combat is worth it though, i love it here

I love to hear this. I'm applying ED to Northwestern. Haha, despite how I feel about the CPE.

[glacierfrost]

Love how the online CPE form is done through Survey Monkey.

Anyone else feel that the CPE can totally be forged? It's not that hard to get a "professional" email address.

[shanemahsa]

LAME!