Duke University School of Law C/O 2019 Applicants Forum

[ObiWahooKenobi]

Once you've been admitted, is there a deadline to apply for financial aid? I'm still waiting on my parents to give me their 2015 financial information...

I haven't seen a deadline from Duke, but several other schools have mid-February deadlines.

[oliverotis]

Has anyone done a non-mordecai scholly interview yet? What's the dealio?

[skimmilk]

Does anyone think sending a non-solicited "Why Duke" has made a significant difference in getting accepted/ scholarships? I applied a little bit late, early January, and am thinking about emailing a "Why Duke" this week. My LSAT is 168 and my GPA is between 25-50, so I could use a little bump. Thanks.

It isn't really "non-solicited." They provided an optional essay on the application to provide a "why duke/law school." If you didn't do it, you might want to send it in, especially if you are a borderline applicant who does not have the benefit of applying early or having PT. It seems that a lot of people have already been admitted via PT. They have just now started sending out decisions for non-PT applicants who applied early November. By the time they get to your application there will probably be limited spaces left. You shouldn't risk giving them any additional reason to reject (i.e. didn't take the time to do their "optional" essay when someone else with similar numbers did). But I could be wrong, it is just something to consider.

I suggest if you do chose to write a "why duke" that you google some samples online. I think Blueprint offers one. Also, I may be wrong, but you should try to stick to one page double spaced. Best of luck!

[threatlevelmidnight]

Non-PT finally had date change 1/20. Applied a few days before Thanksgiving. Don't have high hopes for Duke, but hopefully will get some kind of decision soon.

[OtterLaw]

Non-PT finally had date change 1/20. Applied a few days before Thanksgiving. Don't have high hopes for Duke, but hopefully will get some kind of decision soon.

Change from what to what? I've been "complete; ready for review" for a while.

[threatlevelmidnight]

Non-PT finally had date change 1/20. Applied a few days before Thanksgiving. Don't have high hopes for Duke, but hopefully will get some kind of decision soon.

Change from what to what? I've been "complete; ready for review" for a while.

It changed from 11/23 (the day I submitted) to 1/20.

[mpellenberger]

Non-PT finally had date change 1/20. Applied a few days before Thanksgiving. Don't have high hopes for Duke, but hopefully will get some kind of decision soon.

Change from what to what? I've been "complete; ready for review" for a while.

It changed from 11/23 (the day I submitted) to 1/20.

Still UR from 9/28 here. Sort of abandoned hope, but oh well! Plenty of other news.

[AnonymousPython]

Once you've been admitted, is there a deadline to apply for financial aid? I'm still waiting on my parents to give me their 2015 financial information...

You may already know this, but you can complete the Need Access with estimated numbers for now. My parents are notoriously bad about doing their taxes by April 15, so I figured it wasn't worth the wait and just talked them through filling out the estimates this weekend, and submitted last night. I think I'll have to update everything once we've all filed actual returns, however.

[lymenheimer]

Has anyone done a non-mordecai scholly interview yet? What's the dealio?

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/searc ... only&ch=-1

pages 1 and 2 will be helpful here.

[RZ5646]

Once you've been admitted, is there a deadline to apply for financial aid? I'm still waiting on my parents to give me their 2015 financial information...

You may already know this, but you can complete the Need Access with estimated numbers for now. My parents are notoriously bad about doing their taxes by April 15, so I figured it wasn't worth the wait and just talked them through filling out the estimates this weekend, and submitted last night. I think I'll have to update everything once we've all filed actual returns, however.

So I can fill it out based on 2014's numbers? I don't think much has changed.

[Tycho]

Once you've been admitted, is there a deadline to apply for financial aid? I'm still waiting on my parents to give me their 2015 financial information...

You may already know this, but you can complete the Need Access with estimated numbers for now. My parents are notoriously bad about doing their taxes by April 15, so I figured it wasn't worth the wait and just talked them through filling out the estimates this weekend, and submitted last night. I think I'll have to update everything once we've all filed actual returns, however.

So I can fill it out based on 2014's numbers? I don't think much has changed.

Yep.

[AnonymousPython]

Once you've been admitted, is there a deadline to apply for financial aid? I'm still waiting on my parents to give me their 2015 financial information...

You may already know this, but you can complete the Need Access with estimated numbers for now. My parents are notoriously bad about doing their taxes by April 15, so I figured it wasn't worth the wait and just talked them through filling out the estimates this weekend, and submitted last night. I think I'll have to update everything once we've all filed actual returns, however.

So I can fill it out based on 2014's numbers? I don't think much has changed.

Right... you should still be estimating 2015 (and 2016... wtf?!) numbers, but if the situation hasn't changed yet, the 2014 numbers should be close enough to use. At the top of each page, you'll just have to indicate that you're estimating the numbers on the 1040, as opposed to using a 1040 that's already been filed.

[urbanist11]

Haven't heard much about the mordecai but I did see one reported recipient on LSN for those being considered (not that I am)

[ramybamy]

Priority Reserve off of PT. 170 LSAT and 3.65 GPA. Extremely disappointed, as Duke was my top choice and myLSN showed a 90+% chance of getting in. What a punch to the gut

Anyone have any thoughts as to whatmight have happened? Something in my application they didn't like? Just too late in the cycle for someone with those numbers (which are good, but not great for Duke)....any input would be appreciated.

Same thing happened to me.. I was expecting to get in with my numbers so I'm a bit confused as well

Did you write a "Why Duke"? I heard not writing that gives good reason to put on priority reserve (though I wrote one and still got put on PR lol)

[MrBalloons]

Does anybody know how Duke sends their Welcome Packet? USPS or one of the parcel companies?

[lymenheimer]

Does anybody know how Duke sends their Welcome Packet? USPS or one of the parcel companies?

Pretty sure mine came in my mailbox, so USPS.

[ramybamy]

For anyone else who got put on Priority Reserve, did you email Duke letting them you'd like to accept a spot on the reserve list? Or is it just given that you have a spot on the list?

[Roosevelt]

Any ED2 out there, just found this thread.

[lymenheimer]

For anyone else who got put on Priority Reserve, did you email Duke letting them you'd like to accept a spot on the reserve list? Or is it just given that you have a spot on the list?

I think the decision email would let you know if they need an acceptance of the spot. For instance, Penn's says something like "let us know by Feb 1 if you would like to accept this spot, or we will assume you are withdrawing your application". If it says "you have been placed on the PR list" and nothing else, I would think you are fine.

[Tycho]

Does anybody know how Duke sends their Welcome Packet? USPS or one of the parcel companies?

Pretty sure mine came in my mailbox, so USPS.

+1. Mine came USPS.

[lymenheimer]

For anyone who has not done their research on Duke Law (or those who have), you may find this 4 episode mini-series quite enjoyable. Giving you the insight into the Duke Law School world that you may not get elsewhere:

School of Laws

[suli]

Any ED2 out there, just found this thread.

Me, hi, dying with anticipation.

[Roosevelt]

Any ED2 out there, just found this thread.

Me, hi, dying with anticipation.

Me too!

Maybe tomorrow, looking through last years thread? Good luck!

[SomeElleWoodsJoke]

.

[suli]

Any ED2 out there, just found this thread.

Me, hi, dying with anticipation.

Me too!

Maybe tomorrow, looking through last years thread? Good luck!

Ha well that just makes me want to vomit. Good luck to you too!