Duke University School of Law C/O 2019 Applicants Forum

[amthegoat]

Hi guys, quick question: Just wrapped up the fall of my senior year, and my GPA went from .02 below the median to .02 above the median. I assume that I am fully blowing this out of proportion, but this radio silence is killing me. Is it worth reaching out with a copy of my unofficial transcript or nah?

[lymenheimer]

Hi guys, quick question: Just wrapped up the fall of my senior year, and my GPA went from .02 below the median to .02 above the median. I assume that I am fully blowing this out of proportion, but this radio silence is killing me. Is it worth reaching out with a copy of my unofficial transcript or nah?

I wouldn't think they could do anything with an unofficial one. But an official one is like $15 (from my school at least) and may make you a stronger candidate, so this is a case where I would advise updating your transcript, even though you will have to do one more to matriculate. You could always email the admissions dean. He has been very nice and chill in each of my communications with him. Ask him if they could accept an unofficial or even what he would suggest (he might give some insight on their median goals this cycle - if so, report back here ).

[amthegoat]

Hi guys, quick question: Just wrapped up the fall of my senior year, and my GPA went from .02 below the median to .02 above the median. I assume that I am fully blowing this out of proportion, but this radio silence is killing me. Is it worth reaching out with a copy of my unofficial transcript or nah?

I wouldn't think they could do anything with an unofficial one. But an official one is like $15 (from my school at least) and may make you a stronger candidate, so this is a case where I would advise updating your transcript, even though you will have to do one more to matriculate. You could always email the admissions dean. He has been very nice and chill in each of my communications with him. Ask him if they could accept an unofficial or even what he would suggest (he might give some insight on their median goals this cycle - if so, report back here ).

Thanks! I am reaching out now. Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript. Will definitely keep everyone updated if they say anything about medians

Update: So they are on holiday until next week.

[lymenheimer]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

[Generally]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

[lymenheimer]

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

'scuse me sir, you've been mighty absent lately. you don't get to return and troll the concerned applicants just whenever you feel like it!

[lolRCscrewyou]

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

'scuse me sir, you've been mighty absent lately. you don't get to return and troll the concerned applicants just whenever you feel like it!

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[amthegoat]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

Yes, I may or may not have lost my mind for a moment...

[Generally]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

Yes, I may or may not have lost my mind for a moment...

lol sorry to be harsh, but for real. People with legitimate bad grades are half the time cautioned about sending addendums because it can often annoy adcomms. If your only bad grades are Bs from early on I am pretty confident an addendum is just going to cause eye rolls.

[amthegoat]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

Yes, I may or may not have lost my mind for a moment...

lol sorry to be harsh, but for real. People with legitimate bad grades are half the time cautioned about sending addendums because it can often annoy adcomms. If your only bad grades are Bs from early on I am pretty confident an addendum is just going to cause eye rolls.

Thanks for the info! Will not do for any other apps then--hopefully this one doesn't hurt me too much.

[clarf]

Debating whether to include a quick addendum explaining some early B's on my transcript.

Don't do this. They're Bs...and they were early...You want to look at my transcript? (you don't) + no addendum and I was accepted

Writing an addendum for early B's will probably make it less likely you are accepted.

Yes, I may or may not have lost my mind for a moment...

lol sorry to be harsh, but for real. People with legitimate bad grades are half the time cautioned about sending addendums because it can often annoy adcomms. If your only bad grades are Bs from early on I am pretty confident an addendum is just going to cause eye rolls.

I made mostly C's my first year, and withdrew from all classes except one my second semester due to diagnosed but unmedicated depression and anxiety, as well as financial hardship. Did that warrant the one-page addendum I wrote, or am I going to get some eye rolls?

[lymenheimer]

I made mostly C's my first year, and withdrew from all classes except one my second semester due to diagnosed but unmedicated depression and anxiety, as well as financial hardship. Did that warrant the one-page addendum I wrote, or am I going to get some eye rolls?

Depends on your GPA. It will likely elicit some sighs for having to read a full page of addendum, but it's possible you'll get some eye rolls in there as well. hth

[clarf]

I made mostly C's my first year, and withdrew from all classes except one my second semester due to diagnosed but unmedicated depression and anxiety, as well as financial hardship. Did that warrant the one-page addendum I wrote, or am I going to get some eye rolls?

Depends on your GPA. It will likely elicit some sighs for having to read a full page of addendum, but it's possible you'll get some eye rolls in there as well. hth

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

[lymenheimer]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

[clarf]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

Ooof. Oh well, worse things can happen on an app. Thanks for the info.

[Generally]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

[lymenheimer]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

Yea. My only point was that a fairly strong gpa doesn't require an addendum. I get the use of one in this case, or to HYS, but a 3.6 by itself is a quality GPA.

[clarf]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

Probably a 3.85-3.9. =/

[clarf]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

Yea. My only point was that a fairly strong gpa doesn't require an addendum. I get the use of one in this case, or to HYS, but a 3.6 by itself is a quality GPA.

Is a 3.6 a decent GPA? I'm always at below median or so for T14.

[lymenheimer]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

Yea. My only point was that a fairly strong gpa doesn't require an addendum. I get the use of one in this case, or to HYS, but a 3.6 by itself is a quality GPA.

Is a 3.6 a decent GPA? I'm always at below median or so for T14.

3.4x here. I mean I know how medians work but still...

[Generally]

Graduated with a 3.6. It's a pretty striking change the following year when I was able to get medication. My GPA steadily rose, and my semester GPA never fell below a 3.8 for my last two years.

Yea. That's gonna get some eye rolls. Maybe not as many as just getting the bad grades, since you were diagnosed, but your final cumulative gpa wasn't significantly lower than the 3.8 that your grades never fell below your last two years. I'm not gonna say you were wrong to write your addendum, since you have a legit reason other than "I made a B when I was younger".

I think an addendum there can be ok, since you had a legit reason and it seems there was a drastic difference. What would your GPA had been if you did as well during those bad semester as you did later on?

Probably a 3.85-3.9. =/

I'd have written a addendum for that personally. You would have been over medians if not for that semester or two and you have a medical reason.

[oliverotis]

Have any non-mordecai folks received login info to schedule interviews?

[jennydotj]

Have any non-mordecai folks received login info to schedule interviews?

I think we just sign up for a slot ourselves? There's a link on the ASW financial aid section (Step 3) where you can sign up for an interview slot. Haven't tried logging on, but they give you info about your login.

EDIT: Just signed up for mine. The first available slot was 1/26!

[lymenheimer]

Have any non-mordecai folks received login info to schedule interviews?

I think we just sign up for a slot ourselves? There's a link on the ASW financial aid section (Step 3) where you can sign up for an interview slot. Haven't tried logging on, but they give you info about your login.

Yea. You don't get login info. You get instructions for fin aid stuff, and go to the login site and whatnot yourself (and do login yourself). You can also cancel your scheduled date, so it might be best to go ahead and schedule a date/time. They are getting full, quickly.

eta: sad that I know this b/c "non-mordecai folk"

[WaitersIsland]

On Duke's application it mentions that it considers all LSAT scores and believes the average is the best indicator for success, then mentions writing an addendum for large score increases. Do they really do this, or do they just look at the highest score like every other school? FTR I had a 13 point increase from my 1st to 2nd test.