Michigan (AKA Hogwarts) c/o 2016 Applicants Thread 2012-2013 Forum

[Eichörnchen]

I was excited to get a fee waiver in a letter via snail mail yesterday, complete with a little handwritten note by Dean Z. Nice touch U of M.

[dsn32]

I was excited to get a fee waiver in a letter via snail mail yesterday, complete with a little handwritten note by Dean Z. Nice touch U of M.

Yeah I absolutely loved this!

[Just]

I was excited to get a fee waiver in a letter via snail mail yesterday, complete with a little handwritten note by Dean Z. Nice touch U of M.

So what's the deal for UM's hidden fee waivers?

[thelaststraw05]

I'm a rising 2L. I wanted to make sure that you all saw this thread:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 4&t=106319

You can ask current students (we have 1Ls/2Ls/3Ls represented) anything you want to know about Michigan or Ann Arbor generally.

[pandamonium13]

Checking in... good luck everyone!

[AllDangle]

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[06102016]

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[06102016]

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[AllDangle]

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[culturaln]

No fee waiver here. I signed up for CRS after the June scores were released, so I'll probably have to e-mail them about it.

Just checking in.

And I also signed up after the June score came out, and yesterday I got the same hand-signed, noted letter from Zearfoss. So yours might be in the mail. (Pretty classy thing to do, too -- sure beats all the emails.)

[06102016]

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[Eichörnchen]

I was excited to get a fee waiver in a letter via snail mail yesterday, complete with a little handwritten note by Dean Z. Nice touch U of M.

So what's the deal for UM's hidden fee waivers?

Hmm, sorry, I'm probably not the best to ask. Mine just came in the letter I got via snail mail.

[Lavitz]

Received the brochure/letter/waiver/handwritten note today. Can't wait to spend the long weekend writing my Michigan essay(s).

[06102016]

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[AllDangle]

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[06102016]

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[Lavitz]

So Michigan is seeming more and more legit. I started writing my "Why Michigan" statement today. I filled up a page without even touching on academics. My girlfriend and I have a big dog we're taking with us and it's probably easier to find adequate housing, Ann Arbor seems like the kind of college town I missed out on at my UG institution, my grandma's an alum and would be crazy proud of me for going, blah blah blah.

I'm considering just throwing in one or two sentences about how awesome they are academically, maybe touching on the transnational requirement and how it seems like a good idea, and then making the rest about personal reasons.

Any thoughts on this?

Sounds like a good idea to me. If you have enough unique personal reasons to fill up a page, then you should definitely include as many of them as possible. But of course, throwing in academic reasons for attending would be wise, especially if you focus on things unique to Michigan or which Michigan seems to value (which you can figure out by looking through the pamphlet they sent). So showing appreciation for the the transnational requirement would probably be a good idea. Also, if you're interested in specific clinics or study abroad programs or clerking, you may want to use your academic sentences discussing those areas.

One last thing: you may want to consider including something about how you would contribute to Michigan's culture / reputation, or at least something persuading them that you're a good "fit." Rather than focusing entirely on why you want Michigan, I think you should also give Michigan a reason for wanting you. That's just my opinion though.

ETA: The actual wording of the "Why Michigan" essay prompt suggests the same:

Say more about your interest in the University of Michigan Law School. What do you believe Michigan has to offer to you and you to Michigan?

[Crowing]

Checking in - I definitely really like the admissions crew at UMich.

[VasaVasori]

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[tyler.durden]

So what's the consensus on the optional essays? Is it necessary to complete one to show you are actually interested? Does it come off lazy or uninterested if you don't? What do you guys think?

[thelaststraw05]

So what's the consensus on the optional essays? Is it necessary to complete one to show you are actually interested? Does it come off lazy or uninterested if you don't? What do you guys think?

2L here. I have no kind of inside path to the admissions department, but I would submit the optional essay if you have anything to say beyond what is on the website. It shows interest and lets them know if you'll b a solid fit or not.

[Eichörnchen]

So what's the consensus on the optional essays? Is it necessary to complete one to show you are actually interested? Does it come off lazy or uninterested if you don't? What do you guys think?

2L here. I have no kind of inside path to the admissions department, but I would submit the optional essay if you have anything to say beyond what is on the website. It shows interest and lets them know if you'll b a solid fit or not.

Hi, this is probably a dumb question, but is there any difference between selecting "Either summer or fall term start" or "Fall term start only"? Should I leave my options open by selecting the former?

[culturaln]

Hi, this is probably a dumb question, but is there any difference between selecting "Either summer or fall term start" or "Fall term start only"? Should I leave my options open by selecting the former?

I believe the difference is whether you would be willing to begin in the summer or only in the fall. If you select the 'either-or' option you're agreeing to be considered for the summer class, and will attend if admitted. (I think people do try to wriggle out of it, but I'm not sure how successful it is -- Zearfoss doesn't seem to like it [edit: it being the wriggling out of summer start], http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/851/ ... w-Schools/#.) It can help a little, I gather, if you do select the summer option, http://www.law.umich.edu/prospectivestu ... erstarters.

[Eichörnchen]

Hi, this is probably a dumb question, but is there any difference between selecting "Either summer or fall term start" or "Fall term start only"? Should I leave my options open by selecting the former?

I believe the difference is whether you would be willing to begin in the summer or only in the fall. If you select the 'either-or' option you're agreeing to be considered for the summer class, and will attend if admitted. (I think people do try to wriggle out of it, but I'm not sure how successful it is -- Zearfoss doesn't seem to like it [edit: it being the wriggling out of summer start], http://www.lawcrossing.com/article/851/ ... w-Schools/#.) It can help a little, I gather, if you do select the summer option, http://www.law.umich.edu/prospectivestu ... erstarters.

Ooohhhh got it. That makes sense. I didn't realize it meant you would definitely attend for summer if admitted for it. Thanks!

[SaintsTheMetal]

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