Penn 2011 Forum

[askyemcdonald]

Nothing today. Think good thoughts for tomorrow!

[delusional]

So I'm getting kind of desperate to hear from Penn, but I can't figure out what is going on. Looking at LSN, it seems like they have accepted only one person with an LSAT over 176. There are like ten pending. On paper, my numbers look YP-ish, but I really seriously want Penn, and not just as a bargaining tool - unless a higher ranked school offers more money, I'd love to attend. What can I do? I already sent an impassioned email and have not heard back from them.

Can I call? How can I start a conversation without sounding like a jerk? "Hi, I want to speak to someone important. Is the dean in?"

In general, how do y'all get meaningful information? When I call, I just get the person who answers the phone telling me that it's a normal wait time. If I get someone who can answer substantively, can I say, "I know that my numbers are competitive, and I want to reiterate that I also consider Penn a top choice" or will they just say that numbers aren't everything, and they'll turn me down anyway?

[OutCold]

So I'm getting kind of desperate to hear from Penn, but I can't figure out what is going on. Looking at LSN, it seems like they have accepted only one person with an LSAT over 176. There are like ten pending. On paper, my numbers look YP-ish, but I really seriously want Penn, and not just as a bargaining tool - unless a higher ranked school offers more money, I'd love to attend. What can I do? I already sent an impassioned email and have not heard back from them.

Can I call? How can I start a conversation without sounding like a jerk? "Hi, I want to speak to someone important. Is the dean in?"

In general, how do y'all get meaningful information? When I call, I just get the person who answers the phone telling me that it's a normal wait time. If I get someone who can answer substantively, can I say, "I know that my numbers are competitive, and I want to reiterate that I also consider Penn a top choice" or will they just say that numbers aren't everything, and they'll turn me down anyway?

Did you submit a "Why Penn" with your application?

I don't know the details of your email, so my advice is just going to ignore it for now (sorry haha). Really, the only thing you can do is write a "Why Penn" in the form of a LOCI and send it off to the admissions office. Use proper letter format, and make sure you put forth a convincing argument as to why Penn is a good fit for you and why you would choose it over all other schools. That's pretty much all you can do at this point. Penn has YP'ed a lot of people this year, so you definitely have a valid concern.

If the email you already sent was basically your LOCI, make sure that their response noted that they had placed it in your file. If your letter isn't in the file, the admissions committee won't see it.

Also, if you visit, I believe you can speak to someone at admissions. I really don't know anything about this or how helpful it would be though.

[chasgoose]

So I'm getting kind of desperate to hear from Penn, but I can't figure out what is going on. Looking at LSN, it seems like they have accepted only one person with an LSAT over 176. There are like ten pending. On paper, my numbers look YP-ish, but I really seriously want Penn, and not just as a bargaining tool - unless a higher ranked school offers more money, I'd love to attend. What can I do? I already sent an impassioned email and have not heard back from them.

Can I call? How can I start a conversation without sounding like a jerk? "Hi, I want to speak to someone important. Is the dean in?"

In general, how do y'all get meaningful information? When I call, I just get the person who answers the phone telling me that it's a normal wait time. If I get someone who can answer substantively, can I say, "I know that my numbers are competitive, and I want to reiterate that I also consider Penn a top choice" or will they just say that numbers aren't everything, and they'll turn me down anyway?

How bad is it going to be for me with just an arts and literature extra essay? It was Philadelphia specific if that helps at all...

[jrose5]

I read an interview with the dean of admissions talking about how the number of optional essays you write isn't important. Of course, admissions officers say all kinds of things...

[OutCold]

I only wrote one optional and it was the arts and literature one. Of course, I was in no danger of being YP'ed haha.

[neonx]

Got my grant e-mail today. Pretty nice number considering what peer schools are offering me.

[niederbomb]

I hope Penn gives me something good because I really want to go there.

Otherwise, it's going to be unjustifiable to turn down going to a lower Top 14 (UT) for free!!!

[or.....waiting a cycle]

[askyemcdonald]

Here's to hoping we hear some good news today!!!

[dj666]

Withdrew my application yesterday. Good luck to those of you awaiting a decision. I hope my withdrawal opens up a space for someone in this thread.

[jrose5]

Applied on 1/08. Checked LSN and it seems like most of the people who applied around then have heard back already (with WLs and rejections). I'm hoping this means my application was at least not an auto-reject or WL, but either way I feel a tad pessimistic. There were very very few acceptances on LSN last year from mid-march onwards.

[askyemcdonald]

Rejected by email. Way bummed.

[jrose5]

Rejected by email. Way bummed.

I'm sorry askyemcdonald. I got rejected today by another school, too. Feels crappy but hang in there!

[camelcrema]

WL e-mail. That's what I get for a halfhearted 'Why Penn'

[Excellence = a Habit]

You say that, until then you start wanting t-6, then t-3, etc...It never stops. Then you go to law school, and you want to be above the median, then top 1/3, then top 1/4, etc...Then you graduate, and you want any clerkship, then a state clerkship, then a federal clerkship, etc...Then you go for Big Law, and you want top 250, then V100, etc...Then you get hired as an associate, and then you want senior associate, then you want partner, then you want your name on the door, etc...

My future is killing me...

This is true, and also hilarious.

[askyemcdonald]

Rejected by email. Way bummed.

I'm sorry askyemcdonald. I got rejected today by another school, too. Feels crappy but hang in there!

Yes...Stanford yesterday...Penn today. My top choices eliminated quickly! But I do have Berkeley so I am trying to stay positive.

[jrose5]

Stuck at UR 2/11 and wondering when I'll get my second UR... feels like it's been forever.

[onepass]

Should I send an e-mail telling Penn that I'm out of the country and can no longer be reached at my phone number?

I guess I should somehow incorporate that into a letter of continued interest...

Is anyone even getting in at this point? It seems as though the class should be full...

[chasgoose]

So is Penn done for today? Did anyone get in?

[snichols16]

So is Penn done for today? Did anyone get in?

unc0mm0n1 did

[jrose5]

Is it a bad sign if there's a huge lag between UR1 and 2?

[snichols16]

Is it a bad sign if there's a huge lag between UR1 and 2?

It means whatever your anxiety decides it means. No method to the madness.

[jd20132013]

Just withdrew, was under review since 2/8..


I really liked Penn but at this point wasn't going to attend. I held on this long because I wanted to see their packet if I got in lol.

Hopefully it opens up for everyone else in this topic

[jrose5]

I recall seeing a number of us stuck at UR 2/11.

Why do I suspect this amounts to a "hold" from Penn? I think they're probably on the fence about us. Numerous rejections/WLs have been sent since then, and obviously we weren't in those batches. They clearly have reservations about admitting us, though. I'm thinking they are waiting for people to withdraw in order to make space for us, before giving us any kind of word.

Sad... Penn is one of my first choices.

[unc0mm0n1]

I recall seeing a number of us stuck at UR 2/11.

Why do I suspect this amounts to a "hold" from Penn? I think they're probably on the fence about us. Numerous rejections/WLs have been sent since then, and obviously we weren't in those batches. They clearly have reservations about admitting us, though. I'm thinking they are waiting for people to withdraw in order to make space for us, before giving us any kind of word.

Sad... Penn is one of my first choices.

I was 2/10 and got in last Friday. keep the hope man.