Fordham Waiting Room Forum

[Lolek]

Wow, what a crazy and disturbing story. I got rejected from one of my safeties and thought about sending them something like you did ("Dear American: wtf? Love, bw"). But then I just got nervous that if I asked them what was wrong with my app they'd say something awful ("frankly, you came off like a real douche") and make me even more paranoid about the rest of my cycle. Good for you for overcoming that.

Haha, it would be better to know than wonder about why you got denied at a safety. IMO

[beef wellington]

Wow, what a crazy and disturbing story. I got rejected from one of my safeties and thought about sending them something like you did ("Dear American: wtf? Love, bw"). But then I just got nervous that if I asked them what was wrong with my app they'd say something awful ("frankly, you came off like a real douche") and make me even more paranoid about the rest of my cycle. Good for you for overcoming that.

Haha, it would be better to know than wonder about why you got denied at a safety. IMO

Yeah...I dunno, I'd already submitted all my apps, and I was already in at a better school, so I just let it be. Ironically I had applied for a JD/MA joint degree and I got into the MA program. Pretty bizarre.

[yaffa9423]

That story makes no sense. Why would someone get rejected because of a mess up with their LOR's? Does Fordham even require LORs?

[nygrrrl]

That story makes no sense. Why would someone get rejected because of a mess up with their LOR's? Does Fordham even require LORs?

No, not required.

[H. E. Pennypacker]

That story makes no sense. Why would someone get rejected because of a mess up with their LOR's? Does Fordham even require LORs?

No, not required.

It could be one of those things where they set it up that way to see who doesn't send them in, and then maybe they ask was this person too lazy, could he not find anyone to write him / her a good letter, etc.

Hopefully some of you will get some good news to start the weekend!

[umichgrad]

Friday Friday Big Apple Pie Day!

[englawyer]

That story makes no sense. Why would someone get rejected because of a mess up with their LOR's? Does Fordham even require LORs?

No, not required.

It could be one of those things where they set it up that way to see who doesn't send them in, and then maybe they ask was this person too lazy, could he not find anyone to write him / her a good letter, etc.

Hopefully some of you will get some good news to start the weekend!

i believe the dean has actually said he thinks LOR are useless.

[rockthelaw]

That story makes no sense. Why would someone get rejected because of a mess up with their LOR's? Does Fordham even require LORs?

No, not required.

It could be one of those things where they set it up that way to see who doesn't send them in, and then maybe they ask was this person too lazy, could he not find anyone to write him / her a good letter, etc.

Hopefully some of you will get some good news to start the weekend!

i believe the dean has actually said he thinks LOR are useless.

Here's the actual interview question and answer from Dean Brown, as posted on TLS:

Letters of Recommendation

TLS: Applicants often have difficulty choosing and approaching potential recommenders. Can you offer some general advice regarding letters of recommendation?

Fordham does not require letters of recommendation. We find that they are usually too generic to be of use, and often the recommender barely knows the applicant. If there is a perceived weakness in the application, however, it can be useful to have a recommender explain it. If there are real strengths or things that the recommender an so to add to the student’s story – that is a plus

TLS: Does the admissions committee come across letters of recommendation that actually hurt an applicant’s chances of admission? If so, what sort of letter should be avoided? How often do you find letters that really stick out from the crowd, and what do these letters consist of?

Students need to ask their recommenders whether they can write something positive! Every year, there are a handful of letters stating: “I do not recommend this person.” It’s not an auto-ding, but it does make us take a hard look at the applicant. We usually call the recommenders to confirm that they actually wrote these negative letters.

Link to the full interview: http://www.top-law-schools.com/stephen- ... rview.html

[rockthelaw]

So, I think the point is that recommendations written by someone with whom you do not have a strong relationship, or who doesn't know your strengths, personality, and career goals, do not help you in the admissions process. A letter from someone who knows you well might help, but it's not guaranteed to bump you from a maybe to an admit.

[nygrrrl]

So, I think the point is that recommendations written by someone with whom you do not have a strong relationship, or who doesn't know your strengths, personality, and career goals, does not help you in the admissions process. A letter from someone who knows you well might help, but it's not guaranteed to bump you from a maybe to an admit.

^^^THIS.
I read that interview, too - and I tailored my LORs because of it. 2 very specific individuals who could speak to how my (bizarre!) WE would contribute to my performance in LS and to why I was applying to Fordham, now.
(And fwiw? I LOVED Dean Brown for this response - I mean, I've always thought this. Who's going to submit a BAD LOR? I've read a lot of them in my day... and they really are all pretty much the same. "S/he is going to be a wonderful contribution to your program/etc" )

[nygrrrl]

Friday Friday Big Apple Pie Day!

<3 !!!!
Piiiiiiieeeeeee......
YUM

[JusticeHarlan]

I like that he uses "auto-ding," not "automatic rejection." The idea that admissions people use our jargon is amusing. I wonder if they would say "TITCR" when they agree with each other on an applicant's fate

Ah well, anything to help with the monotony of status checker checking.

[nygrrrl]

I like that he uses "auto-ding," not "automatic rejection." The idea that admissions people use our jargon is amusing. I wonder if they would say "TITCR" when they agree with each other on an applicant's fate

Ah well, anything to help with the monotony of status checker checking.

AdComs are PEOPLE, Just Like Us! hee hee

[umichgrad]

I like that he uses "auto-ding," not "automatic rejection." The idea that admissions people use our jargon is amusing. I wonder if they would say "TITCR" when they agree with each other on an applicant's fate

Ah well, anything to help with the monotony of status checker checking.

"Dear nygrrrl/goosey/alan shore, ITT: ur admitted! congratz! The Adcomms look forward to welcoming you @ Fordham's ASW n we sincerely appreciate ur patience. Sry we took so long---lolwut? We rly liked umichgrad's customized baked goods, bribery FTW! Neway, we <3 u guys even tho ur 0Ls, now u can ditch the Bitter Pessimism thread, and come to Fordham c/o2013! Love, Fordham Adcomms. Edit: In before OS!!"

[paminator]

Thank goodness for CuteOverload archives...

[nygrrrl]

I like that he uses "auto-ding," not "automatic rejection." The idea that admissions people use our jargon is amusing. I wonder if they would say "TITCR" when they agree with each other on an applicant's fate

Ah well, anything to help with the monotony of status checker checking.

"Dear nygrrrl/goosey/alan shore, ITT: ur admitted! congratz! The Adcomms look forward to welcoming you @ Fordham's ASW n we sincerely appreciate ur patience. Sry we took so long---lolwut? We rly liked umichgrad's customized baked goods, bribery FTW! Neway, we <3 u guys even tho ur 0Ls, now u can ditch the Bitter Pessimism thread, and come to Fordham c/o2013! Love, Fordham Adcomms. Edit: In before OS!!"

srsly roflmfao

[SAE]

This may not be groundbreaking, but looking at LSN, I just realized that the last batch of decisions went out nearly 3 weeks ago (1/11).

[Steve Zissou]

What does Fordham think about GPA supplement/explanations?

Anyone know? I'm waitlisted and desperate... Are my freshman grades really going to haunt me the rest of my life?

[JusticeHarlan]

What does Fordham think about GPA supplement/explanations?

Anyone know? I'm waitlisted and desperate... Are my freshman grades really going to haunt me the rest of my life?

Per the interview linked upthread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/stephen- ... rview.html

TLS: In what circumstances should an applicant include an addendum to explain his or her low GPA or LSAT score? What should this addendum include?

An addendum should be short and direct. Don’t whine! Be forthright, and use your judgment, if there is something about your application you feel the school should know.

[. . . ]

TLS: How much will an upward grade trend positively influence the likelihood of admission?

Upward grade trends are taken into consideration. I understand that some people scramble to find their footing in college, and this is something we all can relate to.

Whether that bears out in the actual process, I can't say, but that's what their associate dean of admissions says.

[Cardboardbox]

TGIF!

Another day of waiting, another day of hoping all you sexy people still waiting get that acceptance! (and here's to hoping for some positive movement on that waitlist too! )

[even2flow]

AdComs are PEOPLE, Just Like Us! hee hee

That's a dirty lie and you know it.

[AlanShore]

I like that he uses "auto-ding," not "automatic rejection." The idea that admissions people use our jargon is amusing. I wonder if they would say "TITCR" when they agree with each other on an applicant's fate

Ah well, anything to help with the monotony of status checker checking.

"Dear nygrrrl/goosey/alan shore, ITT: ur admitted! congratz! The Adcomms look forward to welcoming you @ Fordham's ASW n we sincerely appreciate ur patience. Sry we took so long---lolwut? We rly liked umichgrad's customized baked goods, bribery FTW! Neway, we <3 u guys even tho ur 0Ls, now u can ditch the Bitter Pessimism thread, and come to Fordham c/o2013! Love, Fordham Adcomms. Edit: In before OS!!"

Haha! I wish! Okay I'm in Miami this weekend for competition. It will be a nice distraction. Plus is is freeeeeezing in the northeast right now.

[PhantaManta]

Do u guys think that since I applied to the full time program at Fordham and no one has gotten in with my numbers in the recorded history of LSN that they will consider me for part time automatically and then admit me just to make me feel happy?! I hope so.

[goosey]

tick...tock....tick....tock...*head explodes*

[nygrrrl]

Do u guys think that since I applied to the full time program at Fordham and no one has gotten in with my numbers in the recorded history of LSN that they will consider me for part time automatically and then admit me just to make me feel happy?! I hope so.

No.... but if they do, in fact, reject you, you may ask to be reconsidered for the PT program. Good luck!

edit: I just realized that I answered your very funny, clever post like a... well, like a POST!
Let me revise my response....

TOTALLY! They are totally going to do that because they will see how awesome you are and gosh darn it, they just want to make you happy! Yes, they will!