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The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:14 am
by neonx
Hey guys,
I love this community, and I was a frequent poster last year. I learned so much from this web site, and now I want to give back. (I'm currently a 1L at Stanford who had favorable cycle with a 168/3.8X last year.)
I'm offering three personal pieces advice for those who are currently applying at the last minute and/or still awaiting decisions. They worked for me.
1. WRITE LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST. I wrote over ten LOCIs for many, many schools (including 3+ for Stanford and Harvard -- the latter of which I eventually received an WL/JR1 offer in late August.)
2. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT RESUME LENGTH. My resume was over three pages. Do not get fooled into conforming toward the "one page resume" bit (unless it's for Northwestern.)
3. TAKE CREATIVE RISKS. If your numbers are below 25th percentile for LSAT, GPA, or both, take some risks. I wrote unorthodox diversity and personal statements which I think worked to my benefit. If you're a strong prose/narrative writer, show the admissions committee.
Also, take advantage of all the "scholarships" out there (USC, NYU, come to mind specifically!). SEO is a great program for minority/diversity applicants.
Good-luck, TLS!
neonx
P.S. The TLS community from last year's cycle currently at SLS is wonderful! I hang out with some ex-posters every week. =) I hope everyone gets a chance to go to the ASW TLS meet-ups and make some fabulous friends!
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:20 am
by Yeshia90
You're aware that you probably had the best cycle in recorded history, right?
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:21 am
by NoleinNY
neonx wrote:Hey guys,
I love this community, and I was a frequent poster last year. I learned so much from this web site, and now I want to give back. (I'm currently a 1L at Stanford who had favorable cycle with a 168/3.8X last year.)
I wanted to give three personal pieces advice for those who are currently applying at the last minute and/or still awaiting decisions. They worked for me:
1. WRITE LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST. I wrote over ten LOCIs for many, many schools (including 3+ for Stanford and Harvard -- the latter of which I eventually received an WL/JR1 offer in late August.)
2. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT RESUME LENGTH. My resume was over three pages. Do not get fooled into conforming toward the "one page resume" bit (unless it's for Northwestern.)
3. TAKE CREATIVE RISKS. If your numbers are below 25th percentile for LSAT, GPA, or both, take some risks. I wrote unorthodox diversity and personal statements which I think worked to my benefit. If you're a strong prose/narrative writer, show the admissions committee.
Also, take advantage of all of the "Scholarships" out there (USC, NYU, come to mind specifically!)
Good-luck, TLS!
neonx
P.S. The TLS community from last year's cycle currently at SLS are wonderful! I hope everyone gets a chance to go to the ASW TLS meet-ups and make some fabulous friends!
Diversity statement? Are you a URM?
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:23 am
by Tom Joad
Thanks neonx. I don't know if I could bring myself to writing that many LOCIs. I hate to seem like a nag, but still thanks for the advice.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:24 am
by neonx
NoleinNY wrote:neonx wrote:Hey guys,
I love this community, and I was a frequent poster last year. I learned so much from this web site, and now I want to give back. (I'm currently a 1L at Stanford who had favorable cycle with a 168/3.8X last year.)
I wanted to give three personal pieces advice for those who are currently applying at the last minute and/or still awaiting decisions. They worked for me:
1. WRITE LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST. I wrote over ten LOCIs for many, many schools (including 3+ for Stanford and Harvard -- the latter of which I eventually received an WL/JR1 offer in late August.)
2. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT RESUME LENGTH. My resume was over three pages. Do not get fooled into conforming toward the "one page resume" bit (unless it's for Northwestern.)
3. TAKE CREATIVE RISKS. If your numbers are below 25th percentile for LSAT, GPA, or both, take some risks. I wrote unorthodox diversity and personal statements which I think worked to my benefit. If you're a strong prose/narrative writer, show the admissions committee.
Also, take advantage of all of the "Scholarships" out there (USC, NYU, come to mind specifically!)
Good-luck, TLS!
neonx
P.S. The TLS community from last year's cycle currently at SLS are wonderful! I hope everyone gets a chance to go to the ASW TLS meet-ups and make some fabulous friends!
Diversity statement? Are you a URM?
LGBT.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:26 am
by neonx
Tom Joad wrote:Thanks neonx. I don't know if I could bring myself to writing that many LOCIs. I hate to seem like a nag, but still thanks for the advice.
Just my personal advice. I remember sending a LOCI and receiving an admissions offer the next Friday (e.g. Penn, Duke, Cornell come to mind.) Could be coincidence.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:35 am
by Kimberly
neonx wrote:Tom Joad wrote:Thanks neonx. I don't know if I could bring myself to writing that many LOCIs. I hate to seem like a nag, but still thanks for the advice.
Just my personal advice. I remember sending a LOCI and receiving an admissions offer the next Friday (e.g. Penn, Duke, Cornell come to mind.) Could be coincidence.
What is the timing on these LOCI. There are a few schools I would love to hear from and have been waiting since I submitted on the first day apps were available. I know each of these schools have already extended offers to RD applicants. When should I send my first LOCI? And, should I send an updated CV with the LOCI (I do have good updates- new pubs).
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:36 am
by neonx
Kimberly wrote:neonx wrote:Tom Joad wrote:Thanks neonx. I don't know if I could bring myself to writing that many LOCIs. I hate to seem like a nag, but still thanks for the advice.
Just my personal advice. I remember sending a LOCI and receiving an admissions offer the next Friday (e.g. Penn, Duke, Cornell come to mind.) Could be coincidence.
What is the timing on these LOCI. There are a few schools I would love to hear from and have been waiting since I submitted on the first day apps were available. I know each of these schools have already extended offers to RD applicants. When should I send my first LOCI? And, should I send an updated CV with the LOCI (I do have good updates- new pubs).
After apps were "completed" (according to status checkers), I sent a short one-page LOCI once per month per school.
I submitted my resume once for each school, because there was a new place of employment.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 3:05 am
by Antrim
LSAT, GPA, and luck
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 3:06 am
by 3v3ryth1ng
neonx wrote:Hey guys,
I love this community, and I was a frequent poster last year. I learned so much from this web site, and now I want to give back. (I'm currently a 1L at Stanford who had favorable cycle with a 168/3.8X last year.)
I'm offering three personal pieces advice for those who are currently applying at the last minute and/or still awaiting decisions. They worked for me.
1. WRITE LETTERS OF CONTINUED INTEREST. I wrote over ten LOCIs for many, many schools (including 3+ for Stanford and Harvard -- the latter of which I eventually received an WL/JR1 offer in late August.)
2. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT RESUME LENGTH. My resume was over three pages. Do not get fooled into conforming toward the "one page resume" bit (unless it's for Northwestern.)
3. TAKE CREATIVE RISKS. If your numbers are below 25th percentile for LSAT, GPA, or both, take some risks. I wrote unorthodox diversity and personal statements which I think worked to my benefit. If you're a strong prose/narrative writer, show the admissions committee.
Also, take advantage of all the "scholarships" out there (USC, NYU, come to mind specifically!). SEO is a great program for minority/diversity applicants.
Good-luck, TLS!
neonx
P.S. The TLS community from last year's cycle currently at SLS is wonderful! I hang out with some ex-posters every week. =) I hope everyone gets a chance to go to the ASW TLS meet-ups and make some fabulous friends!
It's great to hear this advice! Thanks!
I particularly like the part about taking risks with the PS. Conventional wisdom on here is to play it conservatively with the PS. I can't for the life of me understand how that's supposed to help someone stand out. It looks like you had a great cycle, so I think some of those "conventional" applicants should be taking tips from you.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:02 pm
by r6_philly
Antrim wrote:LSAT, GPA, and luck
99%
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:06 pm
by citykitty
Yeshia90 wrote:You're aware that you probably had the best cycle in recorded history, right?
Nah, I'm crossing my fingers for CLS admit to best him.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:09 pm
by Yeshia90
citykitty wrote:Yeshia90 wrote:You're aware that you probably had the best cycle in recorded history, right?
Nah, I'm crossing my fingers for CLS admit to best him.
Neon's would still be better.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 10:56 pm
by thederangedwang
agree with everything except the 3 pg long resume...neon, u prob had 3 pages of worthy stuff...most people dont, especially people like me who r fresh outa undergrad.
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:01 pm
by cardinals1989
Any advice on getting into Stanford? Crossing my fingers for a response.

Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:08 pm
by r6_philly
cardinals1989 wrote:Any advice on getting into Stanford? Crossing my fingers for a response.

3.98
Re: The Three Best Pieces of Admissions Advice from 1L Student
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:23 am
by 3v3ryth1ng
thederangedwang wrote:agree with everything except the 3 pg long resume...neon, u prob had 3 pages of worthy stuff...most people dont, especially people like me who r fresh outa undergrad.
I think the point he's making is to not stress about keeping it all on a page. That's very helpful to me as my substantive experience is hard to fit on one page (I don't need 3). If you're fresh out of undergrad, you probably don't have much of a resume yet, and that's ok.