Duke Priority Track Interview - An Applicant's Experience
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:22 pm
LSAT 175, GPA 3.7, MA Economics
If you've applied to Duke and they ask you for an interview, you might benefit from reading this. It may give you an idea of what it's all about.
I applied to Duke via their Priority Track process, through which you're supposed to get a decision within 10 days. On the 10th day I received an email requesting an interview. Not sure what this was about, I emailed the law school back seeking clarification and explaining that it would be very difficult for me to get to Durham until their winter break (I am a grad student in Boston). I offered to do a phone interview or a Skype interview, but they emailed me back explaining that they preferred to meet me in person but if that wasn't possible they could complete the review of my application without the interview. The whole thing was very vague; they offered no explanation about why they wanted to interview me. I'm a fairly non-traditional student student, so it didn't surprise me that they might want more information on me, but I found it strange that wouldn't be upfront about their questions or concerns.
At any rate, I scheduled a visit for January. When I met with an assistant dean he explained that they were concerned that perhaps I hadn't thought through what it would mean to be a lawyer. Apparently they feared I was being rash in my decision(?). It wasn't really an unreasonable concern; I was in the process of cutting short a PhD in economics. I explained my reasons for the switch, and we talked in general about my goals and about the school, then I was taken on a short tour of the law school. Upon leaving I was told to expect a decision in short order. Apparently I didn't convince them I was serious or had it through because a week or so later I received an email informing me that I had been but on the Priority Reserve list. At that point I withdrew my application.
I wouldn't say that I'm bitter about the experience. I actually kind of appreciate the thought and care they put into my admissions decision. I'm really just more annoyed. I spent four days driving to Durham and back and spent about $200 on gas for this interview. If they had simply told me that they had doubts about my sincerity or my motives or I could have addressed it in supplemental essay. If nothing else a phone interview should have sufficed. Regardless, I've been admitted to several other schools that I am, frankly, more excited about.
If you've applied to Duke and they ask you for an interview, you might benefit from reading this. It may give you an idea of what it's all about.
I applied to Duke via their Priority Track process, through which you're supposed to get a decision within 10 days. On the 10th day I received an email requesting an interview. Not sure what this was about, I emailed the law school back seeking clarification and explaining that it would be very difficult for me to get to Durham until their winter break (I am a grad student in Boston). I offered to do a phone interview or a Skype interview, but they emailed me back explaining that they preferred to meet me in person but if that wasn't possible they could complete the review of my application without the interview. The whole thing was very vague; they offered no explanation about why they wanted to interview me. I'm a fairly non-traditional student student, so it didn't surprise me that they might want more information on me, but I found it strange that wouldn't be upfront about their questions or concerns.
At any rate, I scheduled a visit for January. When I met with an assistant dean he explained that they were concerned that perhaps I hadn't thought through what it would mean to be a lawyer. Apparently they feared I was being rash in my decision(?). It wasn't really an unreasonable concern; I was in the process of cutting short a PhD in economics. I explained my reasons for the switch, and we talked in general about my goals and about the school, then I was taken on a short tour of the law school. Upon leaving I was told to expect a decision in short order. Apparently I didn't convince them I was serious or had it through because a week or so later I received an email informing me that I had been but on the Priority Reserve list. At that point I withdrew my application.
I wouldn't say that I'm bitter about the experience. I actually kind of appreciate the thought and care they put into my admissions decision. I'm really just more annoyed. I spent four days driving to Durham and back and spent about $200 on gas for this interview. If they had simply told me that they had doubts about my sincerity or my motives or I could have addressed it in supplemental essay. If nothing else a phone interview should have sufficed. Regardless, I've been admitted to several other schools that I am, frankly, more excited about.
Umad?