What makes a non-traditional applicant? Forum
-
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:18 pm
What makes a non-traditional applicant?
I'm 26, have a wife and child, a year of WE in a big firm, and two years of mission service. Does that make me non-traditional in a way that might give me any slight boost? I realize that none of those items are in themselves unique, but I'm not a single 22 year old straight out of undergrad.
So, what makes a non-traditional applicant? I imagine it is completely relative and subjective, but I'm just curious as to the thoughts of the fine people of TLS.
So, what makes a non-traditional applicant? I imagine it is completely relative and subjective, but I'm just curious as to the thoughts of the fine people of TLS.
- Marionberry
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:24 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
You would certainly qualify as non-traditional, I think. I believe the cut-off is usually considered to be around 25, or married w/kids. I meet that criteria too, though unfortunately, I don't think we get any discernible boost for being non-trad.
-
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:18 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
While there most likely isn't any formulaic boost, I imagine that being non-traditional at least sets you apart from other applicants, which can only be a positive benefit when there are thousands of applicants. That is my guess anyway.
- gdane
- Posts: 14023
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 2:41 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
Youre definitely non traditional. You may not get as high a "boost" as URM's do, but if your numbers are right, and you display maturity, you definitely are looked at in a more positive light.
Good luck!
Good luck!
- fragged
- Posts: 238
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:52 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
AP-375 wrote:So, what makes a non-traditional applicant? .
If you have an extra limb, that's pretty non-traditional.
Other than that, I think the term is pretty broad. To me, traditional means you just graduated college and now you want to go to law school. Nontraditional means you have life/work experience in between your undergrad years and law school.
IMHO, I would say nontraditional students (generally) put more at risk by going to school - often times we have a family or a good career. I think this is where we get the boost. Numbers aside, adcomms know that if given the opportunity, we are probably going to commit and work hard because of what we are giving up to go back to school.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:48 am
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
I guess I fit into that category too, as I'm over 30 with a wife and two kids. I'm also a disabled veteran. I've outlined a few different approaches to my personal statement, though I've tried to include my military service, my disability, and my "non-traditional" status in each configuration. Is it advantageous for me to stress one of these elements more than another?
-
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 8:37 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
Borderline numbers then non-trad might matter.
If you are well below both medians then you don't have a shot.
If you are well below both medians then you don't have a shot.
- gwuorbust
- Posts: 2086
- Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:37 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
+1 cause this is righttazmolover wrote:Borderline numbers then non-trad might matter.
If you are well below both medians then you don't have a shot.
+100 cause correct advice given by a n00b for once.
numbers rule. non-trad status will not change that. below median you are looking at WL city and if below 25% dings are going to be ringing in... (unless URM,but that is for another thread).
-
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:20 pm
Re: What makes a non-traditional applicant?
I think all those elements would be excellent topics.Ascend wrote:I guess I fit into that category too, as I'm over 30 with a wife and two kids. I'm also a disabled veteran. I've outlined a few different approaches to my personal statement, though I've tried to include my military service, my disability, and my "non-traditional" status in each configuration. Is it advantageous for me to stress one of these elements more than another?