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Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:30 pm
by drawstring
Does anyone know if adcoms ever tell rejected applicants why they didn't get in or what the weaknesses of their application were, particularly if am applicant expresses an intention to re-apply? I'm assuming the answer is no, but I'd like some input anyway.

Thanks!

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:04 am
by NoDayButToday
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Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:08 am
by SFrost
If they do I'd love to know why I was rejected GULC... Great interview and good numbers for them. Their gigantic class just didn't have room, huh?

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:06 pm
by WaltGrace83
"This year, we received a number of qualified applications...[insert bullshit reason here]"

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:08 pm
by ph14
As other posters have indicated, you're not likely to get an honest response. Odds are you will just receive a generic response. It's probably not even worth your time to try. Instead, ask someone whose judgment you trust and who is willing to be honest to review your application materials (minus your letters of recommendation, most likely).

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:37 pm
by drawstring
ph14 wrote:As other posters have indicated, you're not likely to get an honest response. Odds are you will just receive a generic response. It's probably not even worth your time to try. Instead, ask someone whose judgment you trust and who is willing to be honest to review your application materials (minus your letters of recommendation, most likely).
Ya I figured that much.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:40 pm
by Clearly
I asked schools I intended to reapply to, and was surprised that a handful of them were just straightup honest and helpful. You just have to ask right.

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:41 pm
by drawstring
Who did you contact and how specific were they about your file?

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:43 pm
by Clearly
deans of admissions, a few were generic, one in particular was really kind and reread my application and talked about its strengths and weaknesses. These people are human too, if you can position the favor as you want to reapply and are dedicated to that school, and ask for genuine opinions, at least a few will give them to you.

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:51 pm
by drawstring
Good to hear!

Do you have any idea as to whether it may be more difficult at an HYS school?

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:12 pm
by rosebowlchamps100
I'm about to try this. Any idea what I should stick in the subject line?

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:50 pm
by NoDayButToday
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Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:31 pm
by SPerez
I've always done this. I usually don't do it until later in the summer, though, when the cycle is pretty much over. I'm able to do this because my applicant volume isn't crazy high, though. One would probably not be as successful at top-tier schools, but that's just a guess.

I try to be as specific as I can, but the majority of cases it comes down to a crazy low LSAT and horrible grades. On occasion I've been known to mark up a personal statement when I have time and an applicant's writing is particularly bad just so they can see WHY their writing is bad. (The nature of writing is such that it's often hard for a weak writer to understand what's wrong with their writing without actually seeing it.)

Re: Will adcoms tell applicants why they didn't get in?

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:41 pm
by phillywc
I don't think it could hurt to ask but I wouldn't expect anything helpful.