Stanford C/O 2020 Applicants (2016-2017 Cycle) Forum

[ProductofUnreality]

Stanford's thread is always the chillest. I wonder if it's because of the black box that is the admissions process, or because of the people who apply.

Finally went UR. Don't know when I was complete. Submitted my app mid Sept, but needed one extra LoR because I'm a reapplicant. No clue if that set me back or by how much, but oh well. Way ahead of last year's pace still.

Good luck, folks.

By UR, do you mean "Submitted for Review"? Or is there a distinct status actually called "Under Review" or something of the like? I've been at "Submitted for Review" since 10/28...

Submitted for review, sorry. IIRC that's all we get until decisions come out.

[nuseri134]

Could any 1Ls speak to the grading system at Stanford? What percentage pass versus high pass?

4L, not a 1L, but I like to think I'm qualified.

Hard cap of 40% Honors. They target 30%, though.

any idea on how many people get RCs though?

[ArtistOfManliness]

Could any 1Ls speak to the grading system at Stanford? What percentage pass versus high pass?

4L, not a 1L, but I like to think I'm qualified.

Hard cap of 40% Honors. They target 30%, though.

any idea on how many people get RCs though?

As in response to your other thread: Rs are practically unheard of. A couple of professors are known for being okay with giving them, but they are certainly the exception, and the administration makes sure that they don't teach any 1L classes.

[zaetoroftheprotoss]

Could any 1Ls speak to the grading system at Stanford? What percentage pass versus high pass?

4L, not a 1L, but I like to think I'm qualified.

Hard cap of 40% Honors. They target 30%, though.

Current 2L. It's 30% Hs for doctrinal classes, 40% for seminars with exams, and 50% for seminars with final (R) papers. Top 1-2 students in most classes get book prizes (if the instructor wants to award them); these are noted on the transcript.

But from what I can tell, grades are mostly arbitrary. Beyond the few kids who ace every class (and will likely clerk for SCOTUS), most people end up in a band around the H/P cut-off where on a good day, you are given an H and on a bad day, you get a P. As such, grades mean somewhat less here than they may at a school where the gradations are finer (e.g., A vs. A- vs. B+). Coupled with the demand for SLS students in the open market, this greatly alleviates the stress on 1Ls in searching for summer positions and then at OCI for 2L SA recruiting.

As in response to your other thread: Rs are practically unheard of. A couple of professors are known for being okay with giving them, but they are certainly the exception, and the administration makes sure that they don't teach any 1L classes.

From what I've been told anecdotally, RCs rarely happen outside of instances where the student is actively disrespecting the professor (e.g., writing a 1 page exam answer for a 4 hour exam).

[hammy393]

submitted 11/12, status checker changed to "Submitted for review" on 11/18

[dietcoke1]

new poll!

[carlos_danger]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

[dmc1275]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

[RictusErectus]

Poll results = lawl. It's pretty obvious who's regularly stalking this thread.

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Besides my diploma and eventual law degree, the Stanford rejection letter is probably the most expensive piece of paper I'll ever purchase.

[curry1]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Besides my diploma and eventual law degree, the Stanford rejection letter is probably the most expensive piece of paper I'll ever purchase.

wedding certificate, passport?

[Assasindowntheavenue]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

+100

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Besides my diploma and eventual law degree, the Stanford rejection letter is probably the most expensive piece of paper I'll ever purchase.

wedding certificate, passport?

Just let me use my hyperbole! hahaha

[carlos_danger]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Ya I feel that. The big emphasis they put on alum LoRs makes it feel like not going to a super elite undergrad is a handicap.

[eck456]

Stanford's thread is always the chillest. I wonder if it's because of the black box that is the admissions process, or because of the people who apply.

Finally went UR. Don't know when I was complete. Submitted my app mid Sept, but needed one extra LoR because I'm a reapplicant. No clue if that set me back or by how much, but oh well. Way ahead of last year's pace still.

Good luck, folks.

Wait, did you find stanford spcific requirements for reapplicants somewhere? or just submitted a new LOR to change it up? I'm also a reapplicant and submitted a new LOR from my current grad program (dual degree/ policy) but didn't see anything specific about having to do that

[jjcorvino]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

That is definitely one of the reasons I didn't even attempt to apply to Stanford (besides them not being splitter friendly). The Stanford letter was too much hassle for an almost guaranteed rejection.

[carlos_danger]

That is definitely one of the reasons I didn't even attempt to apply to Stanford (besides them not being splitter friendly). The Stanford letter was too much hassle for an almost guaranteed rejection.

Wait is it basically a guaranteed ding without the Stanford-specific letter? Or do you have a shot if you're above medians?

[HamlinMcgill]

I'm a 1L at SLS currently. Below both medians and didn't do Stanford-specific letters. So take that for what it's worth. None of my recommenders went to Stanford, so what were they supposed to say?

[curry1]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Ya I feel that. The big emphasis they put on alum LoRs makes it feel like not going to a super elite undergrad is a handicap.

I think that handicap exists at other places like YLS, and they don't ask for alum rec letters. Stanford's emphasis on targeted letters is just a manifestation of that mindset not a cause.

[jjcorvino]

That is definitely one of the reasons I didn't even attempt to apply to Stanford (besides them not being splitter friendly). The Stanford letter was too much hassle for an almost guaranteed rejection.

Wait is it basically a guaranteed ding without the Stanford-specific letter? Or do you have a shot if you're above medians?

From what I have read it is not an automatic no if you do not have them. They are "Highly Reccomended" which I take to mean that having them would put an applicant above another similar level of applicant.

[dmc1275]

What did y'all do for the Stanford specific LoR? I realized I don't know anyone who went to/worked at Stanford and just ended up using my same default letters that I sent to other schools.

Seriously absurd that they even like this. Pretty archaic means of evaluating applicants, many of whom you would hope aren't legacy applicants/applicants with some connection to Stanford. I just submitted my normal letters. It's a huge reach school for me, but still, come on, Stanford

Ya I feel that. The big emphasis they put on alum LoRs makes it feel like not going to a super elite undergrad is a handicap.

I think that handicap exists at other places like YLS, and they don't ask for alum rec letters. Stanford's emphasis on targeted letters is just a manifestation of that mindset not a cause.

Very true. Just I wish they'd have the decency to at least mask their elitism a little given their and all other law schools' stated "commitments to diversity."

[carlos_danger]

Ya I feel that. The big emphasis they put on alum LoRs makes it feel like not going to a super elite undergrad is a handicap.

I think that handicap exists at other places like YLS, and they don't ask for alum rec letters. Stanford's emphasis on targeted letters is just a manifestation of that mindset not a cause.

lol in that case I guess I might as well buy my Cooley gear now instead of waiting til fall

[jjcorvino]

Ya I feel that. The big emphasis they put on alum LoRs makes it feel like not going to a super elite undergrad is a handicap.

I think that handicap exists at other places like YLS, and they don't ask for alum rec letters. Stanford's emphasis on targeted letters is just a manifestation of that mindset not a cause.

lol in that case I guess I might as well buy my Cooley gear now instead of waiting til fall

Man, Cooley's matriculation rate is about to skyrocket.

[ProductofUnreality]

Stanford's thread is always the chillest. I wonder if it's because of the black box that is the admissions process, or because of the people who apply.

Finally went UR. Don't know when I was complete. Submitted my app mid Sept, but needed one extra LoR because I'm a reapplicant. No clue if that set me back or by how much, but oh well. Way ahead of last year's pace still.

Good luck, folks.

Wait, did you find stanford spcific requirements for reapplicants somewhere? or just submitted a new LOR to change it up? I'm also a reapplicant and submitted a new LOR from my current grad program (dual degree/ policy) but didn't see anything specific about having to do that

I sent them an email asking why I hadn't gone complete yet, they told me about the LOR and directed me to their admissions page. There's a section about reapplicants, but pretty much the only requirement was the new LOR if I remember correctly.

[eck456]

Stanford's thread is always the chillest. I wonder if it's because of the black box that is the admissions process, or because of the people who apply.

Finally went UR. Don't know when I was complete. Submitted my app mid Sept, but needed one extra LoR because I'm a reapplicant. No clue if that set me back or by how much, but oh well. Way ahead of last year's pace still.

Good luck, folks.

Wait, did you find stanford spcific requirements for reapplicants somewhere? or just submitted a new LOR to change it up? I'm also a reapplicant and submitted a new LOR from my current grad program (dual degree/ policy) but didn't see anything specific about having to do that

I sent them an email asking why I hadn't gone complete yet, they told me about the LOR and directed me to their admissions page. There's a section about reapplicants, but pretty much the only requirement was the new LOR if I remember correctly.

thanks! i'll check that out