SMU 2011 Forum

[kalvano]

They definitely favor the LSAT in admissions.

[mbusch22]

according to LSN, last cycle there were only a few people with a 164 or higher who didn't get in to SMU, including GPAs down to around 2.5. I would say 165+, with a polished and well crafted application, and your chances are good.

sort of true, but considering the very small percentage of people who actually post their admission results on LSN, I don't think that's a fair assumption. Additionally, there seem to be a lot more acceptances than denials on that graph, which clearly isn't an indication of reality.

Also, FWIW, i know two kids who had 163 and 164 and 3.5's and 3.6's who didn't get in. I doubt they felt the need to share their results on LSN.

They do, like most schools, favor LSAT more often than not. (not in my case)

[Burgstaller04]

This may be a dumb question but i'll ask anyway............ If I'm taking the LSAT this weekend and I'm already signed up for the next one in December should I still apply to SMU before December? I'm almost positive that my score is going to much higher come Christmas time. Also on top of that my GPA will be higher too since im sure ill be getting straight A's this semester. The GPA is really my biggest concern.

You can apply earlier. There's a place on the application that says you are taking it again. They won't review it until they get that score too. You can also have your school send in updated transcripts to show your better GPA too.

[kalvano]

Although SMU is glacially slow if you don't do the EA admissions.

[Thirteen]

according to LSN, last cycle there were only a few people with a 164 or higher who didn't get in to SMU, including GPAs down to around 2.5. I would say 165+, with a polished and well crafted application, and your chances are good.

sort of true, but considering the very small percentage of people who actually post their admission results on LSN, I don't think that's a fair assumption. Additionally, there seem to be a lot more acceptances than denials on that graph, which clearly isn't an indication of reality.

Also, FWIW, i know two kids who had 163 and 164 and 3.5's and 3.6's who didn't get in. I doubt they felt the need to share their results on LSN.

They do, like most schools, favor LSAT more often than not. (not in my case)

http://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/S ... AC6660.pdf

This shows the data for for 93% of the applicants of the most recent class on which there is data (can't tell if it's for the class of 2012 or 2013). 155 of the 166 applicants with a LSAT score between 165 and 169, 23 of the 26 between 170 and 174, and 3 of the 4 between 175 and 180 were admitted. Marionberry's post is credited.

[ArchRoark]

according to LSN, last cycle there were only a few people with a 164 or higher who didn't get in to SMU, including GPAs down to around 2.5. I would say 165+, with a polished and well crafted application, and your chances are good.

sort of true, but considering the very small percentage of people who actually post their admission results on LSN, I don't think that's a fair assumption. Additionally, there seem to be a lot more acceptances than denials on that graph, which clearly isn't an indication of reality.

Also, FWIW, i know two kids who had 163 and 164 and 3.5's and 3.6's who didn't get in. I doubt they felt the need to share their results on LSN.

They do, like most schools, favor LSAT more often than not. (not in my case)

http://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/S ... AC6660.pdf

This shows the data for for 93% of the applicants of the most recent class on which there is data (can't tell if it's for the class of 2012 or 2013). 155 of the 166 applicants with a LSAT score between 165 and 169, 23 of the 26 between 170 and 174, and 3 of the 4 between 175 and 180 were admitted. Marionberry's post is credited.

How would I go about finding that information/pdf for other law schools?

[Thirteen]

How would I go about finding that information/pdf for other law schools?

It's on the lsac.org website.

http://officialguide.lsac.org/release/O ... fault.aspx

[JRDallas11]

Interesting that the deadline for early decision this year is November 1st (all materials due by Nov. 15th) versus December 1st/15th for last year. And LOR's are strictly optional this year and no longer required.

Hoping the earlier ED will mean less competition. But realize it could very well mean the opposite.

Getting my PS ready and hoping for the best on the Oct. LSAT results.

[HBK]

Since he never said (I don't think) that he is in section 002, I find it very amusing that both of you could be together in Torts class right now.

I decided to edit that comment for apparent reasons.

He is in Section 002. Even if he was in our section, it would make no difference to me.

BTW, Kal, shouldn't you being paying attention to Professor Martin instead of looking at TLS? Haha

That's why I didn't quote it.

As far as Professor Martin, this is the 4th time he's gone over self-defense. I think I got it.

I took a quote from him today about the jackass in the restaurant... if he threatens other guests or property:
"Then you pull 77 out of your back pocket, throw in a little 63, and go at it."

He's a hoot.

But it was pretty terrible last week or the week before where all his hypos were almost verbatim from the previous class- the Christmas party one.

[kalvano]

Interesting that the deadline for early decision this year is November 1st (all materials due by Nov. 15th) versus December 1st/15th for last year. And LOR's are strictly optional this year and no longer required.

Hoping the earlier ED will mean less competition. But realize it could very well mean the opposite.

Getting my PS ready and hoping for the best on the Oct. LSAT results.

Not to be super picky, but it's not ED (unless something changed). It's EA, which just means you are guaranteed a decision by a certain date. ED means you have to go if accepted.

Highly recommend the EA, as SMU is very slow otherwise.

[Marionberry]

Do you know when people started getting EA decision last cycle?

[kalvano]

I believe it was guaranteed by January 31, but the deadline was December 15, so it may be earlier this year.

If you really care enough, search my post history around January 2010, and you'll find the exact date. They pushed it right to the deadline.

[chadwick218]

Does anyone know how the c/o 2012 faired in this year's OCI?

[kalvano]

Well, there aren't 2L's and 3L's hanging themselves from the rafters.

PM Betasteve, he can probably best answer that.

[Thirteen]

Do you know when people started getting EA decision last cycle?

I applied RD on 12/23 and was admitted on 2/25.

[JRDallas11]

Interesting that the deadline for early decision this year is November 1st (all materials due by Nov. 15th) versus December 1st/15th for last year. And LOR's are strictly optional this year and no longer required.

Hoping the earlier ED will mean less competition. But realize it could very well mean the opposite.

Getting my PS ready and hoping for the best on the Oct. LSAT results.

Not to be super picky, but it's not ED (unless something changed). It's EA, which just means you are guaranteed a decision by a certain date. ED means you have to go if accepted.

Highly recommend the EA, as SMU is very slow otherwise.

In the application they call it "Early Decision", hence the ED.

[kalvano]

Interesting that the deadline for early decision this year is November 1st (all materials due by Nov. 15th) versus December 1st/15th for last year. And LOR's are strictly optional this year and no longer required.

Hoping the earlier ED will mean less competition. But realize it could very well mean the opposite.

Getting my PS ready and hoping for the best on the Oct. LSAT results.

Not to be super picky, but it's not ED (unless something changed). It's EA, which just means you are guaranteed a decision by a certain date. ED means you have to go if accepted.

Highly recommend the EA, as SMU is very slow otherwise.

In the application they call it "Early Decision", hence the ED.

So they do. Just have to be different.

[JRDallas11]

Interesting that the deadline for early decision this year is November 1st (all materials due by Nov. 15th) versus December 1st/15th for last year. And LOR's are strictly optional this year and no longer required.

Hoping the earlier ED will mean less competition. But realize it could very well mean the opposite.

Getting my PS ready and hoping for the best on the Oct. LSAT results.

Not to be super picky, but it's not ED (unless something changed). It's EA, which just means you are guaranteed a decision by a certain date. ED means you have to go if accepted.

Highly recommend the EA, as SMU is very slow otherwise.

In the application they call it "Early Decision", hence the ED.

So they do. Just have to be different.

You or SMU?

[kalvano]

SMU.

[Burgstaller04]

As far as ED is concerned, we have to be complete before Nov 15th and they will get us a decision by the end of January, but we don't have to accept it by any certain time do we?

[Capitol A]

That's my understanding. There is not a binding aspect of any kind. They just promise to get you a decision in a "timely" manner if you get your app complete by a certain date.

[CSCS Trainer]

As was asked earlier in this thread - how much does work experience ( 10+ years ) and a graduate degree weigh in on the admissions at SMU? Thanks!

[kalvano]

As was asked earlier in this thread - how much does work experience ( 10+ years ) and a graduate degree weigh in on the admissions at SMU? Thanks!

Some, I'm sure. They commented on my work experience in my acceptance letter.

Not enough to admit you if your numbers aren't there unless the work is truly extraordinary.

[Burgstaller04]

I took the LSAT in June and got a 161. I asked for a fee waiver and got shut down. I retook in October with an average of about 169. If I get something close to that (fingers crossed) I would probably able to get a fee waiver by emailing them but I'm worried that if I get my score late on Friday and email them that I might not get the waiver until after the Nov 1 deadline for ED. Is it worth it to wait, or should I just pony up and pay?

[kalvano]

I took the LSAT in June and got a 161. I asked for a fee waiver and got shut down. I retook in October with an average of about 169. If I get something close to that (fingers crossed) I would probably able to get a fee waiver by emailing them but I'm worried that if I get my score late on Friday and email them that I might not get the waiver until after the Nov 1 deadline for ED. Is it worth it to wait, or should I just pony up and pay?

They are usually very quick to respond to emails.