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jellyjar wrote:Not sure if this was helpful, but I interviewed on campus last week. I took a tour beforehand, and it was great, but the interview totally took the wind out of my sails. I've been told I'm a decent interviewer, but boy, this was difficult. Chatted with an assistant director of admissions, and she was giving me absolutely nothing. Literally like talking to a wall. So that was definitely a downer. Just be prepared that you may not be able to work off of your interviewer.

this was my experience as well, but off-campus. i was really feelin NU but my interviewer was not at all equipped to answer my questions and was soooooo not down for small talk/any authentic conversation/smiling

Submitted the (terrible) video interview. Really wish I had gone with the alumni interview; especially since there are two NU alums at my fed internship

OakBrook2021 wrote:Submitted the (terrible) video interview. Really wish I had gone with the alumni interview; especially since there are two NU alums at my fed internship

I can't get the Flash to work consistently enough on my computer to do it. I tried on Friday morning, and couldn't even get the second practice question to record. I'm going to call on Monday and see if they're willing to let me try another option. I'd selected the video option because I live far enough out in the country that it sounded better than driving over an hour to get somewhere they might have alumni, but that's feeling like a big mistake.

Yeah, the vid interview was a disaster. Wouldn't work at all in Opera, and when I switched to Firefox it froze uploading the last response and I had to redo it. I feel like my answers sucked too.

Definitely sounds like people who did the alum interviews had better experiences

OakBrook2021 wrote:Definitely sounds like people who did the alum interviews had better experiences

I mean personally I did the online interview and it went pretty smoothly. I will say that you feel pretty rushed since you have a minute to answer the question so the 30 second prep time they give you is crucial in order to do well. In my opinion I think nailing the online interview gives you a better boost than nailing an alumni interview because alumni interviews are usually pretty relaxed while with this online format you have to be pretty quick on your feet. So if you don't mind a little bit of pressure and have a fast enough internet connection to do it, I'd definitely recommend going with the online interview.

OakBrook2021 wrote:Definitely sounds like people who did the alum interviews had better experiences

I think you're right. It's not that you *can't* do well at the online, but why not take the chance to meet and impress an alum (and get your questions answered) if you can? Obv. if not possible geographically, that's one thing, but I can't imagine choosing the online over the in-person. I loved my in-person interview.

Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

pbsdotcom wrote:Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

What're your numbers and career goals?

Anon-e-miss wrote:

pbsdotcom wrote:Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

What're your numbers and career goals?

167/3.9. Career goals pretty basic, big Law and maybe public interest down the line. I know NU could get me where I want to go but I do sometimes think I’d be happier in a college town. Not a City person really. But it would probably be worth it for the scholarship and to avoid debt right?

pbsdotcom wrote:Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

I'm applying ED. I'm below their median GPA and well above the 75th for LSAT. I think that puts me in the running although not a sure thing- hard to tell since not many people with similar numbers have posted on Law School Numbers for ED.

But a big part of my decision is that I live in Chicago and strongly prefer to stay here during law school and after. I'm really enthusiastic about NU specifically and I am risk averse. Not sure it's a good idea if you're not. Have you visited the school or at least been to Chicago? It's right downtown, definitely a big city vibe. Where do you want to live/practice? (And if you don't like big cities in general, does big law make sense as a goal?)

As to whether it's your best chance for scholarship money, that's harder to gauge. If I were you I'd spend a lot of time on LSN to get a sense of what you might expect from other schools, ultimately only you can weigh how much risk and debt you're comfortable with.

For people that did the online interview, how long did it take you to go complete?
Completed the interview over two weeks ago and I'm still "incomplete." I sent an email last week asking if there was an issue with my interview that required my attention and I haven't heard anything back....
Thanks

pbsdotcom wrote:

Anon-e-miss wrote:

pbsdotcom wrote:Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

What're your numbers and career goals?

167/3.9. Career goals pretty basic, big Law and maybe public interest down the line. I know NU could get me where I want to go but I do sometimes think I’d be happier in a college town. Not a City person really. But it would probably be worth it for the scholarship and to avoid debt right?

Yeah, I'm a 0L so I don't want to give any sort of definitive advice on this. If you think you'd be unhappy at NU then I wouldn't do it. If you think you would be fine in Chicago and are debt averse, it may be a good move. You're unlikely to get 150k or more at any T13 with your numbers. NU ED is probably a bit of a reach with your LSAT score so there's a good chance you would be deferred to RD anyways. Personally, if you're having second thoughts about applying ED, it might not be the best idea for you.

Only two people on LSN have done ED with your numbers. One got it, and one (charger21 who is a regular poster on these forums) was waitlisted and then accepted with a 90k scholly, fwiw.

Olive Juice wrote:

pbsdotcom wrote:Are many of you applying ED? I’ve been struggling with this decision for awhile and every time i think I’ve decided i get worried it’s the wrong decision. I’m slightly below their median lsat and at the 75th for gpa, so I know I won’t be seeing money like their ED scholarship anywhere else, but i was really hoping to avoid a big city for law school. I’m hoping to attend a school ranked in the 8-10 range and the employment prospects are relatively similar within these four schools, but would love to not be sinking in debt. I also know there’s a very good change I wouldn’t get it at all, but just want to be confident in my decision if I go for it.Would love any and all advice/insight!!

I'm applying ED. I'm below their median GPA and well above the 75th for LSAT. I think that puts me in the running although not a sure thing- hard to tell since not many people with similar numbers have posted on Law School Numbers for ED.

But a big part of my decision is that I live in Chicago and strongly prefer to stay here during law school and after. I'm really enthusiastic about NU specifically and I am risk averse. Not sure it's a good idea if you're not. Have you visited the school or at least been to Chicago? It's right downtown, definitely a big city vibe. Where do you want to live/practice? (And if you don't like big cities in general, does big law make sense as a goal?)

As to whether it's your best chance for scholarship money, that's harder to gauge. If I were you I'd spend a lot of time on LSN to get a sense of what you might expect from other schools, ultimately only you can weigh how much risk and debt you're comfortable with.

To both of you who responded, thank you so much! Sorry for being vague, trying to stay anonymous as much as possible. It’s not that i hate all big cities, but I don’t like the one I’ve been living in for awhile and was hoping for a big change. I actually just went to Chicago for a weekend and visited NU. I got a neutral vibe - the building is cool and the area seems fine. Didn’t sway me one way or the other really.

I guess ultimately I’m having trouble discerning where I’ll actually be happy. Before learning about the ED option my goal was a more rural, campus vibe, but after learning about the scholarship i started thinking about how burdensome debt can be, and how nice it would be to have some weight lifted from that. Might be worth forgoing the college campus for three years. I don’t have much basis for thinking I’d be happier one place or another - it seems like all these schools develop strong communities for people who aren’t from the area. I’m sure i would be happy anywhere, and let’s be real, I’m going to be spending more time in the library than I will enjoying the area. I know I’m putting way too much thought into something that seems unlikely anyway, i just want to make sure in the slim chance i do get in ED I’ll have no regrets and be really psyched.

PostNihilist wrote:For people that did the online interview, how long did it take you to go complete?
Completed the interview over two weeks ago and I'm still "incomplete." I sent an email last week asking if there was an issue with my interview that required my attention and I haven't heard anything back....
Thanks

If I remember correctly, I went complete the very next day. If I were you I would probably call the admissions office just in case.

PostNihilist wrote:For people that did the online interview, how long did it take you to go complete?
Completed the interview over two weeks ago and I'm still "incomplete." I sent an email last week asking if there was an issue with my interview that required my attention and I haven't heard anything back....
Thanks

I interviewed in person around 10 days ago and mine is incomplete. I e-mailed today and they said: "We are processing many applications during this time, so I am sure it is just a delay. If there is anything missing, we will reach out as needed."

ED applicant checking in. Interview will be on campus in a couple weeks. I did the online interview a few cycles ago and royally flubbed it.

Any places I should check out?

Hey,

Does anyone know about how employment gaps look to the NU admissions committee? I have decent work experience, not like the president's intern, but like good jobs where I was promoted. I left to study for the LSATs and just do other things with my life. Young - that's really the only time you can do that. But I guess I'm a bit worried since NU is so into work experience. Thoughts? Thoughts on how to explain the 6 month employment gap?

People who requested an off-campus interview -- I was contacted by my interviewer today and we agreed on a date and time, but when I went to the off-campus interview portal to input that info, it says that no interviewer has been assigned to me yet. Has this happened to anyone else? Confused...

38981928 wrote:People who requested an off-campus interview -- I was contacted by my interviewer today and we agreed on a date and time, but when I went to the off-campus interview portal to input that info, it says that no interviewer has been assigned to me yet. Has this happened to anyone else? Confused...

When did you get the email that your interviewer had been assigned? I had a similar problem (I couldn't access the off-campus interview portal) but the issue went away after a couple of days. I told my interviewer about it and he said that NU sometimes "blocks" students from accessing the portal to give interviewers a little time frame in case they want to back away from the commitment. That way they can cancel before you even look at their info.

Not sure if that's what's happening here, but I would probably give it another day before emailing NU about it.

AlPastor wrote:

38981928 wrote:People who requested an off-campus interview -- I was contacted by my interviewer today and we agreed on a date and time, but when I went to the off-campus interview portal to input that info, it says that no interviewer has been assigned to me yet. Has this happened to anyone else? Confused...

When did you get the email that your interviewer had been assigned? I had a similar problem (I couldn't access the off-campus interview portal) but the issue went away after a couple of days. I told my interviewer about it and he said that NU sometimes "blocks" students from accessing the portal to give interviewers a little time frame in case they want to back away from the commitment. That way they can cancel before you even look at their info.

Not sure if that's what's happening here, but I would probably give it another day before emailing NU about it.

Wait wait wait. We're supposed to input information into the portal? Good to know....

Edit: Jk. I thought you were saying we had to put a location and you really spooked me there!

Has anyone done the on-campus interview? Mine is next week!

AlPastor wrote:

38981928 wrote:People who requested an off-campus interview -- I was contacted by my interviewer today and we agreed on a date and time, but when I went to the off-campus interview portal to input that info, it says that no interviewer has been assigned to me yet. Has this happened to anyone else? Confused...

When did you get the email that your interviewer had been assigned? I had a similar problem (I couldn't access the off-campus interview portal) but the issue went away after a couple of days. I told my interviewer about it and he said that NU sometimes "blocks" students from accessing the portal to give interviewers a little time frame in case they want to back away from the commitment. That way they can cancel before you even look at their info.

Not sure if that's what's happening here, but I would probably give it another day before emailing NU about it.

Hmmm I actually haven't gotten an email saying that my interviewer was assigned! All I got was my application receipt/status checker. Maybe my interviewer was just super quick about contacting me before even confirming with Northwestern that she wanted to do it? I've only really communicated with her assistant and not her (except for the preliminary email she sent me introducing herself) so maybe they're super busy or there's a delay

Walliums wrote:Has anyone done the on-campus interview? Mine is next week!

Yes! I interviewed with a student, it was great. I think it's also possible to have it with an admissions person. I highly recommend doing the tour and sitting in on a class too, while you're there, if the schedule works with your interview time! That gave me a great feel for the school.

The interviewer had a pretty long list of questions to draw from, and seemed to be picking and choosing based on my resume. The expected stuff (Why NU, why law) and some job-interviewy type questions ("tell me about a time you've handled conflict at work"). Nothing too out of left field, and very friendly.

Olive Juice wrote:

Walliums wrote:Has anyone done the on-campus interview? Mine is next week!

Yes! I interviewed with a student, it was great. I think it's also possible to have it with an admissions person. I highly recommend doing the tour and sitting in on a class too, while you're there, if the schedule works with your interview time! That gave me a great feel for the school.

The interviewer had a pretty long list of questions to draw from, and seemed to be picking and choosing based on my resume. The expected stuff (Why NU, why law) and some job-interviewy type questions ("tell me about a time you've handled conflict at work"). Nothing too out of left field, and very friendly.

I also did one, and I second doing the tour (and would have done a class if I had time). I interviewed with an assistant admissions person, and it wasn't great. Very one sided, didn't feel like a conversation at all. Questions I can remember:
- Why law?
- Why NU?
- Tell me about yourself (how do you spend your time, etc.)
- Favorite and least favorite classes (I'm K-JD, so that might be for people still in undergrad)
- A time you were on a team
- A time you were on a team and it didn't go well (I thought it was odd that she made these two completely separate questions, but whatever)
- Are you organized?
- What's your biggest weakness?
- What is something you'd like the committee to know that isn't completely apparent on your application?

Hope that helps! The school is gorge, Chicago is very cool (visiting was my first time in the city), and the students seem really nice and collegial.