Does applying early affect when I will get my decision? Forum

[Troianii]

I assume the straightforward answer is: "(usually) no". My understanding is that most law schools will not really start even reviewing apps until November, and that even then they're going to focus on early decision apps. From what I've heard of the process, they'll usually work from the top to bottom of files, not in the order received, but in the order of most competitive. And so, again - from my understanding (not stating that this is a fact, rather this is something I'm trying to verify) - someone with a very competitive application, for whom a college is essentially a safety [so for example, someone who is competitive for the T14 applying to UNC], they very well might get a decision sooner and, likewise, someone who really has no chances [so someone who has an application competitive for Syracuse applying to any T14], they will may well get a decision quickly - a rejection letter.

Is this generally correct? Is there any advantage to applying earlier? My interest in applying early isn't to get a boost in admissions chances, but to get a decision sooner. Speaking for myself, I'd like to be able to tell friends and family where I'm going by early to mid spring (February or March), and don't want to be hanging on for a decision late April. For a RD application in before November, can an applicant typically expect an answer before March? I realize that obviously some schools will take their sweet time, but I'm asking in general here.

[Mullens]

The answer is yes. Most schools have rolling admissions and earlier apps get earlier decisions. If you are a marginal candidate, it might take longer to get a decision. The first waves of rejects usually also go out later than the first wave of admittances.

[Scalvert]

That's what I'm experiencing. I got all my apps in the first couple of days after they opened. I had quick acceptances where both numbers were over median. I got a decision about a week ago (after some people who applied much later than I did) at a school where ny LSAT was below med but GPA was above 75th. I haven't heard anything from the 3 t14s I applied to - I have not been rejected anywhere though -yet.

[Troianii]

Thanks for the responses. I got most of my apps in within the last 30 days, so it'd be nice to at least have some acceptance letters in hand by Christmas.

[Scalvert]

Thanks for the responses. I got most of my apps in within the last 30 days, so it'd be nice to at least have some acceptance letters in hand by Christmas.

Did you apply to W&M?

[Troianii]

Thanks for the responses. I got most of my apps in within the last 30 days, so it'd be nice to at least have some acceptance letters in hand by Christmas.

Did you apply to W&M?

^_- 90% sure I did. I've sent in over 20 apps already and plan on sending a few more before November 1st, so im actually a tad hazy on where i did apply. But every app so fsr was with a fee waiver - muahahaha!

[Scalvert]

Thanks for the responses. I got most of my apps in within the last 30 days, so it'd be nice to at least have some acceptance letters in hand by Christmas.

Did you apply to W&M?

^_- 90% sure I did. I've sent in over 20 apps already and plan on sending a few more before November 1st, so im actually a tad hazy on where i did apply. But every app so fsr was with a fee waiver - muahahaha!

You should get a quick response from them. They have been getting back to people after a couple of days, although it might slow down now that Oct scores are out.

Haha! I only had to pay one fee! (I think it was UVA, I probably shouldn't have bothered because it'll probably go towards a waitlisting lol)

[BigZuck]

I applied to the University of Chicago on September 9th. I was waitlisted January 23rd. I was rejected from the waitlist October 2nd.

[Troianii]

Thanks for the responses. I got most of my apps in within the last 30 days, so it'd be nice to at least have some acceptance letters in hand by Christmas.

Did you apply to W&M?

^_- 90% sure I did. I've sent in over 20 apps already and plan on sending a few more before November 1st, so im actually a tad hazy on where i did apply. But every app so fsr was with a fee waiver - muahahaha!

You should get a quick response from them. They have been getting back to people after a couple of days, although it might slow down now that Oct scores are out.

Haha! I only had to pay one fee! (I think it was UVA, I probably shouldn't have bothered because it'll probably go towards a waitlisting lol)

Sweet! I'd actually be happy to go to W&M - they have a great veterans clinic, and that'd something I'd love to be a part of. Of course, that's something to be a part of during law school (not much of a career in that), but I'd love to be a part of it. If there was a real career in that - veterans advocacy - then I'd go for it, but I've got to put food on the table.

In any case, I look forward to hearing from W&M, but don't expect a fast response. I'm in their gray area - neither a shoe in nor obvious deny.