Northwestern Law C/O 2016 (2012-2013 Applicants) Forum

[feralinfant]

Drinking in the west loop. Anyone else in the neighborhood?

[Ex Cearulo]

I just scheduled my on-campus interview. (I'm actually flying up to Chicago, doing the interview, then flying back the same day because it's literally the only day I can interview due to work).

Question: Does it look bad to go to the interview without the application otherwise complete and submitted? I'll bring my résumé of course, but I take the LSAT two days before the interview and I'm still waiting on a LOR. Just wondering if this is the norm or if it will look like I don't have my feces consolidated.

[alwayssunnyinfl]

I just scheduled my on-campus interview. (I'm actually flying up to Chicago, doing the interview, then flying back the same day because it's literally the only day I can interview due to work).

Question: Does it look bad to go to the interview without the application otherwise complete and submitted? I'll bring my résumé of course, but I take the LSAT two days before the interview and I'm still waiting on a LOR. Just wondering if this is the norm or if it will look like I don't have my feces consolidated.

I interviewed a few weeks ago and hadn't (and still haven't) submitted my app yet because I'm waiting on my LOR and for my LSAC fee waiver app to go through. The interviewer didn't bring up whether or not my app had been submitted, but I did because my LSDAS GPA is a good .8 points lower than my institution's and I felt I should bring that up when he asked about any weaknesses. He didn't even blink when I said I hadn't submitted my app yet, and it doesn't seem like this is at all uncommon.

[feralinfant]

I just scheduled my on-campus interview. (I'm actually flying up to Chicago, doing the interview, then flying back the same day because it's literally the only day I can interview due to work).

Question: Does it look bad to go to the interview without the application otherwise complete and submitted? I'll bring my résumé of course, but I take the LSAT two days before the interview and I'm still waiting on a LOR. Just wondering if this is the norm or if it will look like I don't have my feces consolidated.

I interviewed a few weeks ago and hadn't (and still haven't) submitted my app yet because I'm waiting on my LOR and for my LSAC fee waiver app to go through. The interviewer didn't bring up whether or not my app had been submitted, but I did because my LSDAS GPA is a good .8 points lower than my institution's and I felt I should bring that up when he asked about any weaknesses. He didn't even blink when I said I hadn't submitted my app yet, and it doesn't seem like this is at all uncommon.

This. I'm interviewing before I send in my application b/c I'm hoping to get a merit fee waiver. They sent me one last cycle but I don't think they've gone out this one and I e-mailed them but they wouldn't give me a code and told me I just had to wait till the end of this month/early next month for them all to go out.

Crumps told me you just write in your lsat and gpa on a little slip of paper they clip to your resume, I don't think they'd have your app in front of them even if you had sent it in.

On that note-When is Northwestern going to send out their damn fee waivers?

[shntn]

Crumps told me you just write in your lsat and gpa on a little slip of paper they clip to your resume, I don't think they'd have your app in front of them even if you had sent it in.

Correctamundo.

[Lear22]

I am wondering if anyone on this thread is planning to apply to the AJD prog?
I am trying to get any info on numbers of accepted students but I can't seem to find anything other than the prog's page on NU's site and there is no way to isolate it when searching at LSN (unless I don't know how to do it). I am trying to gather any info I can about accepted students in the last few cycles. Any help will bar greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[feralinfant]

interview is only hours away. Wasn't really nervous at all until right about now. Will definitely be having a cocktail afterward.

[shntn]

interview is only hours away. Wasn't really nervous at all until right about now. Will definitely be having a cocktail afterward.

It's really not bad, dude. But a cocktail after is still highly credited. Good luck!

[rinkrat19]

interview is only hours away. Wasn't really nervous at all until right about now. Will definitely be having a cocktail afterward.

It's really not bad, dude. But a cocktail after is still highly credited. Good luck!

+1
I've yet to hear anyone say "omg, that was intense!" after their interview. Basically everyone says it was easier/more relaxed than expected.

[feralinfant]

interview is only hours away. Wasn't really nervous at all until right about now. Will definitely be having a cocktail afterward.

It's really not bad, dude. But a cocktail after is still highly credited. Good luck!

+1
I've yet to hear anyone say "omg, that was intense!" after their interview. Basically everyone says it was easier/more relaxed than expected.

Yeah I'm not freaking out and I usually interview well, it's just this gap of time where I don't have anything to do while before I get on the bus and head downtown that is killing me.

[emkay625]

So....friend of mine went to a law preview this past week and the NU person told her they evaluate clubs and internships just like full-time work experience. She then asked again to clarify if she understood, because she had always thought that it was not that way.

Is this a change this year? Or a new staff person? Or them trying to up their app numbers?

[alwayssunnyinfl]

So....friend of mine went to a law preview this past week and the NU person told her they evaluate clubs and internships just like full-time work experience. She then asked again to clarify if she understood, because she had always thought that it was not that way.

Is this a change this year? Or a new staff person? Or them trying to up their app numbers?

The cynic in me wants to say it's to up their app numbers. Especially since they have, plastered all over the admissions site, the percentages of their students with "post-graduate, full-time work experience."

[crumpetsandtea]

So....friend of mine went to a law preview this past week and the NU person told her they evaluate clubs and internships just like full-time work experience. She then asked again to clarify if she understood, because she had always thought that it was not that way.

Is this a change this year? Or a new staff person? Or them trying to up their app numbers?

If there is an actual change to admissions policies, it's not likely that any of us would be privy to it. We can only give advice based on the trends from the past years - any top sekrit stuff going on in the admission's office is going to be just as surprising to us as it will be to you or your friend.

[Samara]

So....friend of mine went to a law preview this past week and the NU person told her they evaluate clubs and internships just like full-time work experience. She then asked again to clarify if she understood, because she had always thought that it was not that way.

Is this a change this year? Or a new staff person? Or them trying to up their app numbers?

Depends on what the person meant by "evaluate." It would not be inconsistent with past policies if that meant something like accomplishments from club activities are treated as valuable as work accomplishments, but they are still looking for work experience. And I wouldn't be surprised if K-JDs are a significantly higher proportion of admits than matriculants.

[lgleye]

.

[alwayssunnyinfl]

Hi...... just offering my 2-cents, but you seem to be splitting hairs here...... don't give yourself a coronary......remember that they are well aware that not all WE is the same......... a few months of the "right" WE can outrank a year of sitting out an empty title..... your best bet is to relax and accept the fact that if you really have the stones, the Committee will let you in..

Samara already goes……… to Northwestern………………………………………………………………

[Ex Cearulo]

If you indicate your intention to apply ED on the electronic form used to schedule the on-campus interview appointment, is there any reason you can't complete the interview but then apply RD?

NU is my hands-down number one choice. I'd give up body parts to attend this school. However, I feel terrible about the LSAT yesterday and I need a great score to make up for my GPA (~3.2). I'm concerned that if I do indeed get a LSAT score below what's needed to be a strong splitter, but still apply ED, they'll straight-up reject my ED application and won't even consider me for RD with my December score. Hence, the reason for my question...I'm still going to interview on campus no matter what, but a low enough LSAT will force me to only apply RD so I can get my December score considered.

Thanks for any help/advice.

[rinkrat19]

If you indicate your intention to apply ED on the electronic form used to schedule the on-campus interview appointment, is there any reason you can't complete the interview but then apply RD?

NU is my hands-down number one choice. I'd give up body parts to attend this school. However, I feel terrible about the LSAT yesterday and I need a great score to make up for my GPA (~3.2). I'm concerned that if I do indeed get a LSAT score below what's needed to be a strong splitter, but still apply ED, they'll straight-up reject my ED application and won't even consider me for RD with my December score. Hence, the reason for my question...I'm still going to interview on campus no matter what, but a low enough LSAT will force me to only apply RD so I can get my December score considered.

Thanks for any help/advice.

I don't think they just flat reject any ED applicants; pretty sure you'd just get rolled into the RD pile.

If it really worries you, just call the admissions office after your (RD) application is in and tell them that even though you indicated ED on the interview form, you'd like to confirm that you want your app considered for RD admission. But I don't think it matters.

[Ex Cearulo]

I don't think they just flat reject any ED applicants; pretty sure you'd just get rolled into the RD pile.

I was hoping their policy was to auto-roll to RD all ED decisions not accepted/waitlisted, but, unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. See 4th paragraph: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/admissi ... cation.pdf If it was the case, I'd definitely apply ED no matter what if for nothing more than to make a symbolic statement that I'm dead serious about NU being my first choice school. Alas, apparently your application can be so hopeless that they don't even want to look at it again, lol. I'd hope if I had a not-stellar LSAT that with my work experience and a solid personal statement they'd give me a second look during RD, but I don't want to risk it if my LSAT score is poor.

If it really worries you, just call the admissions office after your (RD) application is in and tell them that even though you indicated ED on the interview form, you'd like to confirm that you want your app considered for RD admission. But I don't think it matters.

Agreed. If I find out indicating ED for the interview and then only applying RD is not frowned upon, I'll likely contact them about it when the time comes.

[lgleye]

.

[crumpetsandtea]

I don't think they just flat reject any ED applicants; pretty sure you'd just get rolled into the RD pile.

I was hoping their policy was to auto-roll to RD all ED decisions not accepted/waitlisted, but, unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. See 4th paragraph: http://www.law.northwestern.edu/admissi ... cation.pdf If it was the case, I'd definitely apply ED no matter what if for nothing more than to make a symbolic statement that I'm dead serious about NU being my first choice school. Alas, apparently your application can be so hopeless that they don't even want to look at it again, lol. I'd hope if I had a not-stellar LSAT that with my work experience and a solid personal statement they'd give me a second look during RD, but I don't want to risk it if my LSAT score is poor.

If it really worries you, just call the admissions office after your (RD) application is in and tell them that even though you indicated ED on the interview form, you'd like to confirm that you want your app considered for RD admission. But I don't think it matters.

Agreed. If I find out indicating ED for the interview and then only applying RD is not frowned upon, I'll likely contact them about it when the time comes.

Sorry to hear about yesterday (was it really that bad?)..... Keep in mind that ED apps are deemed completed and reviewd soon after the interview, while RD's don't get looked at until Jnuary. Don't wanna discourage you but according to LSN, poli-sci's with your GPA will need an LSATaround 174+ to qualify........ and that's most likely at sticker. Therefore, if NU is really your 1st choice, I'd make the switch NOW if you're unsure of yesterday's LSAT, just so you're protected.

I really, really want to know who you are IRL.

ETA: Oh, and to Hawgdriver - the above statement is FALSE. I applied ED in early November/late October, was held (2.8/176) and then was accepted in late December. They most definitely review held ED candidates before January.

ETA2: I may have read the statement wrong...but either way I don't think it's true, I'm fairly sure some RD-ers got in before the end of the year, but you'd have to check LSN to confirm.

[alwayssunnyinfl]

I really, really want to know who you are IRL.

Just look for the guy with the broken . button..

[crumpetsandtea]

I really, really want to know who you are IRL.

Just look for the guy with the broken . button..

[Samara]

Agreed. If I find out indicating ED for the interview and then only applying RD is not frowned upon, I'll likely contact them about it when the time comes.

You're fine. Interviewing has nothing to do with the ED/RD distinction. I told them at my interview I was uncertain whether I would apply ED or not and they acted totally cool about and it didn't seem to hurt me at all. You can get straight up rejected from ED, but if you tell them you are retaking in December, they will wait to review your app after then. Have you submitted your app yet? If not, I would interview now and submit your app after you decide to retake or not.

I also really want to know who lgleye is IRL. I'll have to keep an eye out for you.













I'll see myself out.

[Fabulist]

If you indicate your intention to apply ED on the electronic form used to schedule the on-campus interview appointment, is there any reason you can't complete the interview but then apply RD?

NU is my hands-down number one choice. I'd give up body parts to attend this school. However, I feel terrible about the LSAT yesterday and I need a great score to make up for my GPA (~3.2). I'm concerned that if I do indeed get a LSAT score below what's needed to be a strong splitter, but still apply ED, they'll straight-up reject my ED application and won't even consider me for RD with my December score. Hence, the reason for my question...I'm still going to interview on campus no matter what, but a low enough LSAT will force me to only apply RD so I can get my December score considered.

Thanks for any help/advice.

I came very close to cancelling my LSAT after taking it (I was that stressed) and got a 170, which was 5 points higher than the prior practice test. An unknown score is just that, and I would not modify your plans based on a gut feeling after exiting that test. If you're at all eligible for RD or even wait list, they won't boot you out of the pool on spite: they want as many people in the pool so they can give themselves options later on. If you have a non-zero chance of getting in RD/WL, I would be shocked if they ding you after ED: they have 0 incentive to if you're at all a qualified applicant. Also, they're going to love your work experience.