SMU C/O 2017 (2013-2014 Applicants) Forum

[BVest]

So do you do one write-on for all three and list the journals in the order you want them or how does it work?

Yes. LR gets first pick, and then the other two have their choices. The calls usually start from LR on Saturday morning and everything is wrapped up by the following Wednesday.

It takes about 4-6 weeks to grade the write-on.

It may change year-to-year as to what day invites go out. This past summer the first calls went out on a Wednesday late afternoon (7/10). But, yeah that was about 6 weeks after write-on (which seems to occur over the weekend one week after finals end). I think LR was set by the next night but the other two took a few days longer as there was some trickle-down effect. (They overlapped invitations, so the LR kids were turning down International and S&T, opening up other places. Obviously LR has much higher yield for their invites).

[deebanger]

How many firms go to SMU OCI? How deep into class do they typically hire from?

60-75 first round, 12-20 second round. You'll need to be top third to have a shot at an OCI spot, typically. The bigger and nicer the firm, the higher up you need to be.

would you say this is the same for UH too? thanks!

[TheJanitor6203]

How many firms go to SMU OCI? How deep into class do they typically hire from?

60-75 first round, 12-20 second round. You'll need to be top third to have a shot at an OCI spot, typically. The bigger and nicer the firm, the higher up you need to be.

would you say this is the same for UH too? thanks!

No clue at all. I never even considered UofH.

[EpyonBlood]

Greetings TLS. I'm a new poster but have been visiting TLS for a long time. I'm seeking advice:

I applied for Early Decision with 157/3.5. I know my numbers are a bit below but I have been told that I have a great Personal/Diversity Statement as well as other powerful softs (from extremely credible people).

I have yet to hear back from SMU. My question is based on anyone's experience, what does my situation look like? Is anyone else or know of anyone else in the past who has been in my boat?

I welcome and appreciate all advice.

Thanks.

Are you URM?

Sorry for the late reply - was out of town. I am not a URM. I appreciate everyone else's responses. I understand my numbers are not where they need to be, but I also know that people around my numbers have gotten in. As far as bringing something special to the table, I have a lot of moot court experience, and I have actually competed in a moot court that SMU Law participates in, so my experience there should be recognized by the law school (one would logically assume).

Has anyone on this thread at or around my numbers (157/3.5) been accepted, rejected or waitlisted yet for 2014 cycle? I am so anxious to hear from them!!

Thanks,
epyonblood

[TheJanitor6203]

Greetings TLS. I'm a new poster but have been visiting TLS for a long time. I'm seeking advice:

I applied for Early Decision with 157/3.5. I know my numbers are a bit below but I have been told that I have a great Personal/Diversity Statement as well as other powerful softs (from extremely credible people).

I have yet to hear back from SMU. My question is based on anyone's experience, what does my situation look like? Is anyone else or know of anyone else in the past who has been in my boat?

I welcome and appreciate all advice.

Thanks.

Are you URM?

Sorry for the late reply - was out of town. I am not a URM. I appreciate everyone else's responses. I understand my numbers are not where they need to be, but I also know that people around my numbers have gotten in. As far as bringing something special to the table, I have a lot of moot court experience, and I have actually competed in a moot court that SMU Law participates in, so my experience there should be recognized by the law school (one would logically assume).

Has anyone on this thread at or around my numbers (157/3.5) been accepted, rejected or waitlisted yet for 2014 cycle? I am so anxious to hear from them!!

Thanks,
epyonblood

As others have said, your numbers are too low. Others with your numbers have been accepted in the past but keep in mind those are exceptions to the rule. Your softs may help but fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, getting into law school is almost entirely a number game. Good luck to you.

[TheJanitor6203]

Also, check out LSN. http://smu.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats/1314

Two people, one with a 157 and one with 154 have been accepted this cycle but they had much higher GPAs.

[Saintsfan2017]

I was accepted with 158 lsat 3.74 gpa. So not too far off, good luck

[jts723]

Greetings TLS. I'm a new poster but have been visiting TLS for a long time. I'm seeking advice:

I applied for Early Decision with 157/3.5. I know my numbers are a bit below but I have been told that I have a great Personal/Diversity Statement as well as other powerful softs (from extremely credible people).

I have yet to hear back from SMU. My question is based on anyone's experience, what does my situation look like? Is anyone else or know of anyone else in the past who has been in my boat?

I welcome and appreciate all advice.

Thanks.

Are you URM?

Sorry for the late reply - was out of town. I am not a URM. I appreciate everyone else's responses. I understand my numbers are not where they need to be, but I also know that people around my numbers have gotten in. As far as bringing something special to the table, I have a lot of moot court experience, and I have actually competed in a moot court that SMU Law participates in, so my experience there should be recognized by the law school (one would logically assume).

Has anyone on this thread at or around my numbers (157/3.5) been accepted, rejected or waitlisted yet for 2014 cycle? I am so anxious to hear from them!!

Thanks,
epyonblood

Here are some people with similar numbers who applied to SMU:

Waitlisted 158 3.55 http://lawschoolnumbers.com/rlgrant
Waitlisted 158 3.53 http://lawschoolnumbers.com/charlie.black
Waitlisted 158 3.53 http://lawschoolnumbers.com/dst14
Waitlisted 157 3.55 http://lawschoolnumbers.com/NSolo
Waitlisted 157 3.50 http://lawschoolnumbers.com/SMUAlumn

Not sure how well that's going to copy/paste (on my phone), but I doubt you'd be an auto-reject. Your best bet would probably be to retake in February and shoot for 160 or above, especially if you want $$.

[fnma2jd]

I noticed that SMU used to have their Part time medians on the FAQ section but took it off when they updated it. Full time medians slipped so I'm wondering if the part time dropped below 160.

[Doctolaw]

Okay, y'all. Just got my December score. Went from 164 in Oct to 171 in Dec!

So how do I handle this with admissions. I'd like to be considered for a higher scholarship amount. Just call and ask?

I'll be applying for the big named scholarships as well, but it would be nice (and by nice I mean amazing!) to go from $72 to $90 based on my new score.

Advice?

[TheJanitor6203]

Okay, y'all. Just got my December score. Went from 164 in Oct to 171 in Dec!

So how do I handle this with admissions. I'd like to be considered for a higher scholarship amount. Just call and ask?

I'll be applying for the big named scholarships as well, but it would be nice (and by nice I mean amazing!) to go from $72 to $90 based on my new score.

Advice?

I'm not sure about the appropriate way to go about that be careful of what you wish for..

If anyone is curious, I believe the scholarships work this way:

Sumner's (Full ride) - Top 1/3 requirement
35k - Top 1/3 requirement
30k - Good standing
24k - Good standing
Smaller scholarships

[Doctolaw]

Okay, y'all. Just got my December score. Went from 164 in Oct to 171 in Dec!

So how do I handle this with admissions. I'd like to be considered for a higher scholarship amount. Just call and ask?

I'll be applying for the big named scholarships as well, but it would be nice (and by nice I mean amazing!) to go from $72 to $90 based on my new score.

Advice?

I'm not sure about the appropriate way to go about that be careful of what you wish for..

If anyone is curious, I believe the scholarships work this way:

Sumner's (Full ride) - Top 1/3 requirement
35k - Top 1/3 requirement
30k - Good standing
24k - Good standing
Smaller scholarships

Good point. Maybe the jump from 30-35 isn't worth the extra stress, but up to full-ride? I'd be on board for some stress. Not sure I'd be in the running with my ugpa, even though my med school gpa was good. Anyway. It's a good day.

[kalvano]

What's your undergrad GPA? With a 171, you should seriously consider looking at UVA or similar.

[Doctolaw]

What's your undergrad GPA? With a 171, you should seriously consider looking at UVA or similar.

UGPA is 3.53. Med school 3.93.

I am an older mom with three kids, two in high school, a husband with a job, a house, an aging mother-in-law, and a dog, all right here in DFW. I would love Charlottesville and practicing law in D.C. Alas, it is not the path I have chosen.

ETA: We love Dallas. Actually chose to move here from D.C. 13 years ago when we were making some career changes. This is home and I will be very happy practicing law here. And I can live vicariously through my kids when they leave for school.

[kalvano]

Fair enough then. Good reasons to stay, although I meant go to UVA / Duke in order to come back to Dallas.

[Doctolaw]

Fair enough then. Good reasons to stay, although I meant go to UVA / Duke in order to come back to Dallas.

Well, you know, we have my husband's income, and I even have a few freelance writing clients here (which I guess I could do from anywhere). But pulling my kids out of high school is not really something we are willing to do, even if everything else was easy. They are both really successful and well-adjusted where they are. That's not something you mess with as a parent if you can help it. The young one would be no problem to pack up and move, lol!

Anyway, it sounds like everything you've written about SMU has been pretty positive, and my visit there was very positive. The students seemed happy. I'm really excited about it. I never really thought when I decided to become a stay at home mom that I would be 46 and heading to law school. I feel like I've been given a gift.

[kalvano]

Oh, I think you have very valid reasons for staying. I would definitely send an email asking to be considered for a merit scholarship based on your new LSAT, though.

[kobe1020]

I'm also thinking about asking about increase of scholarship...I had a hump from December not as stellar as docatlaw but enough to put me way ahead of 75%

[JRO1989]

I'm also thinking about asking about increase of scholarship...I had a hump from December not as stellar as docatlaw but enough to put me way ahead of 75%

Wow. You make me wish I had retaken. I hope you have an application at UT.

[bound]

My application has been held for my new score, which I now have. So I'm hoping that they get a jump on evaluating files again. When I contacted them Thursday to update them with the new score, the office was on vacation and will be until Monday the 6th. Ughhh this has been the longest wait ever.

[Doctolaw]

My application has been held for my new score, which I now have. So I'm hoping that they get a jump on evaluating files again. When I contacted them Thursday to update them with the new score, the office was on vacation and will be until Monday the 6th. Ughhh this has been the longest wait ever.

I bet they will be quick about it now with the score you got! Way to go!

[fnma2jd]

checking in! My app is officially in for the part time program. I'm kind of bummed about my december LSAT so depending on where the median for part time is this year, I may be retaking in june and applying next year.

[Doctolaw]

checking in! My app is officially in for the part time program. I'm kind of bummed about my december LSAT so depending on where the median for part time is this year, I may be retaking in june and applying next year.

Good luck. I know the bummed feeling you are having. I hope you don't have to retake.

[bound]

My application has been held for my new score, which I now have. So I'm hoping that they get a jump on evaluating files again. When I contacted them Thursday to update them with the new score, the office was on vacation and will be until Monday the 6th. Ughhh this has been the longest wait ever.

I bet they will be quick about it now with the score you got! Way to go!

Thanks Doctolaw!! They just updated it to completed sooo hopefully i'm not in for the long haul :/

[katkatkat12]

checking in...my application has been stuck on "complete" since 11/14 with no movement...I'm getting anxious!