SMU 2011 Forum

[Thirteen]

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.

This, and they might give you a refund if you explain your situation. Call the admissions office tomorrow and explain your situation.

[JRDallas11]

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.

+1

You need to be above the median for GPA or LSAT or else they won't give you a second thought...unless you've cured cancer or started Facebook, then they might consider you. As much as SMU says they look at the applicant "holistically" they work the numbers just like many of the other schools. And when you're teetering in the mid-to-high 40's in the national rankings, you can bet they are paying a lot of attention to numbers, especially given how many more applicants are applying to law school these days.

[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.

This, and they might give you a refund if you explain your situation. Call the admissions office tomorrow and explain your situation.

They are actually very, very nice if you call with questions. I know some schools can be snippy, but I never had an issue with admissions here.

[Burgstaller04]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

[thewarflamingo]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine is 3 paragraphs which is about a page long. I haven't submitted yet, does this seem too long?

[Burgstaller04]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine is 3 paragraphs which is about a page long. I haven't submitted yet, does this seem too long?

The app says "a brief paragraph". Mine's about 1/3 of a page, single-spaced.

[thewarflamingo]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine is 3 paragraphs which is about a page long. I haven't submitted yet, does this seem too long?

The app says "a brief paragraph". Mine's about 1/3 of a page, single-spaced.

Well mine is a page double-spaced (half a page single-spaced) so mine isn't too much longer than yours then. hmm maybe I should cut it down a little...I just have so many reasons for why SMU lol

[kalvano]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine was literally 3-4 lines.

I have family in the area, my family has gone to SMU, I live in the D/FW area.

[HBK]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine was a half of a page, double spaced. I figured they wanted an honest answer, with minimal fellating.

[abarrios]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

Mine was literally 3-4 lines.

I have family in the area, my family has gone to SMU, I live in the D/FW area.

This is what I plan on doing. Just one paragraph. I really don't have any compelling reasons to want to go to SMU and I don't want to sound like I'm BSing.

[thewarflamingo]

ok I just cut mine to half a page double-spaced. I'm hoping to submit my application tomorrow.

[Thirteen]

New guys: Anyone written a "Why SMU?" yet? How long was it?

Old guys: How long was yours?

My essay was a little over a page, double-spaced. the first half-page or so was general stuff about the location of the school in Dallas, opportunity to network with alumnus in the area, course and clinical offerings, etc. I turned down a spot in the Class of 2012, so I used the last half of my essay to explain why I didn't go, talk about my love for the school, and assure the admissions committee that I would attend if admitted. If you know that you want SMU, don't be afraid to tell them so.

[annelise88]

When we apply through LSAC, they send all required portions of the application, right? Like, should we be sending our "Why SMU" to LSAC, correct?

Sorry, I'm sure I come off as incredibly uninformed, but I am honestly a bit confused.

[Burgstaller04]

When we apply through LSAC, they send all required portions of the application, right? Like, should we be sending our "Why SMU" to LSAC, correct?

Sorry, I'm sure I come off as incredibly uninformed, but I am honestly a bit confused.

Yep, you can attach it to your file just like you do with your PS and resume. Just make sure to label it. It'll send it all at one time.

[Cmoss]

i spent 15 minutes talking to an SMU rep at our local Law school fair. she shed some light on a few things and has me very excited to apply!

[annelise88]

Ok, great! Thanks!

[brose]

Submitted mine last Friday. Now to join the wait...

[thewarflamingo]

Just submitted

[Burgstaller04]

Just submitted

dangit. I'm waiting on a fee waiver. I don't have money smu. Love me anyway?

[kalvano]

Just submitted

dangit. I'm waiting on a fee waiver. I don't have money smu. Love me anyway?

Did you get a mailer from them? Like a big brochure or a lovely laminated card?

If so, they might have a fee waiver attached to that.

[Burgstaller04]

Just submitted

dangit. I'm waiting on a fee waiver. I don't have money smu. Love me anyway?

Did you get a mailer from them? Like a big brochure or a lovely laminated card? If so, they might have a fee waiver attached to that.

Nope. my first LSAT blew. They think i'm dumb. hopefully i can prove them wrong in a week.

[kalvano]

They think i'm dumb.

Remember that feeling and hold on to it. That way, in Legal Writing, you will have a basis for comparison.

[JDLaf]

Applied last week...extreme stretch for me but hopefully they take a holistic approach to my application!

[Thirteen]

Applied last week...extreme stretch for me but hopefully they take a holistic approach to my application!

Good luck!

[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!

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.

+1

You need to be above the median for GPA or LSAT or else they won't give you a second thought...unless you've cured cancer or started Facebook, then they might consider you. As much as SMU says they look at the applicant "holistically" they work the numbers just like many of the other schools. And when you're teetering in the mid-to-high 40's in the national rankings, you can bet they are paying a lot of attention to numbers, especially given how many more applicants are applying to law school these days.

Hopefully it weighs in the decision. I'm waiting on my last LSAT score from 10/10, but my previous LSAT was at the median. I've got several years in regional management experience with a national company, and I've started my own company - so hopefully that helps some. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the info.