you can find me at www.top-law-schools.com! Forum

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:30 pm

For those who haven't applied, when is your target date?

Hand · Post by **Hand** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:34 pm

Chris McCandless wrote:For those who haven't applied, when is your target date?

ASAP. Realistically, end of the month?

schmelling · Post by **schmelling** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:43 pm

Post removed.

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:45 pm

schmelling wrote:
hereisonehand wrote:
Chris McCandless wrote:For those who haven't applied, when is your target date?
ASAP. Realistically, end of the month?

You guys are solid. As in six days hence? I've only got the bare bones of my personal statement. I write best under pressure, but I just don't feel any sense of pressure yet. It's frustrating. I really want to get my things in by Thanksgiving, though, if not sooner.

schmelling · Post by **schmelling** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:56 pm

Post removed.

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:00 pm

You guys are awesome! Definitely some good encouragement. One thing I loved about lurking on TLS during LSAT prep was that other people's better scores always motivated me study more. I need this kind of motivation for personal statements and apps!

Hand · Post by **Hand** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:56 pm

Chris McCandless wrote:
schmelling wrote:
hereisonehand wrote:
Chris McCandless wrote:For those who haven't applied, when is your target date?
ASAP. Realistically, end of the month?
You guys are solid. As in six days hence? I've only got the bare bones of my personal statement. I write best under pressure, but I just don't feel any sense of pressure yet. It's frustrating. I really want to get my things in by Thanksgiving, though, if not sooner.

I just don't think it's worth it to spend too much time on writing a PS, as it's probably not going to make much, if any, difference. I have four attempts at a PS that I abandoned halfway in, but hope to have my first applications out by the end of next weekend (the ones that require supplemental essays will take a little longer). My numbers, letters & softs are all good so I feel it's just a matter of not having the PS count against my application.

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 3:09 pm

hereisonehand wrote:I just don't think it's worth it to spend too much time on writing a PS, as it's probably not going to make much, if any, difference. I have four attempts at a PS that I abandoned halfway in, but hope to have my first applications out by the end of next weekend (the ones that require supplemental essays will take a little longer). My numbers, letters & softs are all good so I feel it's just a matter of not having the PS count against my application.

That's a good perspective. I'm concerned that my numbers are good enough for money, but for personal financial reasons I really want close to a full scholarship at the lower T14. I feel like the difference there is going to be softs, and I'm really stressed about making my personal statement a strong part. But I know it's better to submit early with an imperfect personal statement than late with a perfect personal statement, so I'm conflicted.

WichitaShocker · Post by **WichitaShocker** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:25 pm

My applications have been in Adcomm purgatory for a month now, and I am now completely convinced that I am getting dinged at every school I applied to... I hate this waiting, applying is worse than the LSAT!

suppy183 · Post by **suppy183** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 5:07 pm

Chris McCandless wrote:For those who haven't applied, when is your target date?

The goal is November 15th. The personal statement is killing me though- I really just need to hammer out a first draft before the end of the weekend...

TX_UH · Post by **TX_UH** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 8:06 pm

Since we're on the subject of PS composition issues, anyone else having a rough time keeping it within maximum page limits?

Most of my applications limit the PS to 3 pages, which has been manageable, but the limit for Texas is 2 and now the struggle is real

PeanutsNJam · Post by **PeanutsNJam** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:21 am

hereisonehand wrote:I just don't think it's worth it to spend too much time on writing a PS, as it's probably not going to make much, if any, difference. I have four attempts at a PS that I abandoned halfway in, but hope to have my first applications out by the end of next weekend (the ones that require supplemental essays will take a little longer). My numbers, letters & softs are all good so I feel it's just a matter of not having the PS count against my application.

I would disagree. I think that the PS is one of the primary reasons why people who are at/above median are rejected, and people who are below median are accepted. I think it's especially important for splitters like me who are below 25th GPA and above 75th LSAT. It's definitely more important than letters/awards imo, since those things are natural by-products of a high GPA/long time WE. PS is how you communicate "this is why you should accept me despite me not being above both medians.

If you're above both medians, fuck draw an elephant in paint and submit it in your PS, you're in.

That said, is anybody willing to give my resume a look-over/proofread? Critique?

rebexness · Post by **rebexness** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 1:37 am

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 9:07 am

PeanutsNJam wrote:If you're above both medians, fuck draw an elephant in paint and submit it in your PS, you're in.

I'm above both medians for my target school, but I'm really gunning for a good scholarship. Don't PSs play a key role in scholarship offers?

PeanutsNJam wrote:That said, is anybody willing to give my resume a look-over/proofread? Critique?

Yes! I sent you a PM with my email.

antiworldly · Post by **antiworldly** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 11:28 am

rebexness wrote:
WichitaShocker wrote:My applications have been in Adcomm purgatory for a month now, and I am now completely convinced that I am getting dinged at every school I applied to... I hate this waiting, applying is worse than the LSAT!
This is the hell I am in currently.

Amen to this. Hopefully by the time November is finished there will be a bit more clarity.

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 2:03 pm

Reading my personal statement draft so far, I sound really vacilating and weak. Ugh.

Dream_weaver32 · Post by **Dream_weaver32** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 2:19 pm

Lots of big wordy-type words, simplify. I wouldn't say it sounds as you call it vulnerable. I would just simplify some of those words.

Lavitz · Post by **Lavitz** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 2:56 pm

Dream_weaver32 wrote:Lots of big wordy-type words, simplify. I wouldn't say it sounds as you call it vulnerable. I would just simplify some of those words.

This. Use simpler words. You sound overdramatic. Write as if you were having a conversation with the adcomm.

Chris McCandless · Post by **Chris McCandless** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 4:30 pm

Lavitz wrote:
Dream_weaver32 wrote:Lots of big wordy-type words, simplify. I wouldn't say it sounds as you call it vulnerable. I would just simplify some of those words.
This. Use simpler words. You sound overdramatic. Write as if you were having a conversation with the adcomm.

I don't know why I am so horrible at writing a personal statement. I think I'm a pretty good academic writer, but this stuff is just horrific. The personal statement took me forever last year as well. I just want to get something decent by November 15. Does the PS really not matter much if you're above both medians?

rebexness · Post by **rebexness** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 4:46 pm

Dream_weaver32 · Post by **Dream_weaver32** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 5:25 pm

Chris McCandless wrote:
Lavitz wrote:
Dream_weaver32 wrote:Lots of big wordy-type words, simplify. I wouldn't say it sounds as you call it vulnerable. I would just simplify some of those words.
This. Use simpler words. You sound overdramatic. Write as if you were having a conversation with the adcomm.
I don't know why I am so horrible at writing a personal statement. I think I'm a pretty good academic writer, but this stuff is just horrific. The personal statement took me forever last year as well. I just want to get something decent by November 15. Does the PS really not matter much if you're above both medians?

It's not an academic paper, I thought of mine as what I would say if they were sitting across the table from me. I'm not going to use big words when describing myself at dinner.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:13 am

antiworldly · Post by **antiworldly** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:16 am

smccgrey wrote:Submit GULC and GWU with one strong LOR or wait for the 2nd LOR, which is going to be pretty boring and generic?

Leaning towards just submitting with one, but submitting earlier.

It sounds like your second LOR is just a formality. if you don't think they'll make your application any more competitive, submit now. If there's any chance though that they will help you, I'd hold off. You'll gain more by having 2 good LOR than submitting a bit early.

HRomanus · Post by **HRomanus** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:53 am

smccgrey wrote:Submit GULC and GWU with one strong LOR or wait for the 2nd LOR, which is going to be pretty boring and generic?

Leaning towards just submitting with one, but submitting earlier.

Grey, you're done with your PS and essays already? I'm very jealous. Are you going to work throughout the app cycle or resign at some point?