Rejection letters for 1LSAs: worthless or slightly less than Forum

[bulinus]

So of the handful of places that have bothered to mail or email me, "Thanks, but we're good" letters have also indicated that I should apply for a 2015 SA. Is this boilerplate language, or an indication that I might be competitive for their bigger 2L program?

[soj]

boilerplate

[AntipodeanPhil]

It can be a bit confusing, especially because a lot of the firms will make statements describing you or your application in very positive terms in their rejection letters. But, as mentioned above, they send the same letter to everyone. Apparently every single person who applies has "excellent credentials," etc.

But, that doesn't mean they treat everyone the same. A lucky few will get two rejection letters from the same firm. Sometimes they don't spell you're name correctly, just to mix it up. And, if you're really special, you'll get a letter addressed to "[Insert Name Here]."

[2014]

I was rejected across the board when come pre-2L summer I re-mass mailed those firms that had sent me 1L rejection letters. Anecdotal but still strong evidence it's just boilerplate.

[Danger Zone]

It can be a bit confusing, especially because a lot of the firms will make statements describing you or your application in very positive terms in their rejection letters. But, as mentioned above, they send the same letter to everyone. Apparently every single person who applies has "excellent credentials," etc.

But, that doesn't mean they treat everyone the same. A lucky few will get two rejection letters from the same firm. Sometimes they don't spell you're name correctly, just to mix it up. And, if you're really special, you'll get a letter addressed to "[Insert Name Here]."

Don't forget the always fun "letter is dated as the day before your interview"!

[AntipodeanPhil]

Don't forget the always fun "letter is dated as the day before your interview"!

Of course - that's one of my favorites. I like it because it keeps you guessing - did they really reject me before meeting me, or was it just that they couldn't be bothered changing the date on the last letter they sent?

[downinDtown]

So of the handful of places that have bothered to mail or email me, "Thanks, but we're good" letters have also indicated that I should apply for a 2015 SA. Is this boilerplate language, or an indication that I might be competitive for their bigger 2L program?

I had quite the collection. A library you could call it. Most say the exact same thing, including that you should apply next year. That's the way they let you down softly: they give you a pillowed landing spot right before they push you off the ledge.

But a few do say something to the effect of, "if you're in the area over the summer, we'd love to meet with you." Those you could take advantage of, as it could give you a headstart in OCI. Or if you butcher it or end up not liking the firm, you save yourself that time later to bid/interview with other firms.