Penn State 2011 Applicants Forum

[plt06]

Just got the email! I applied on 12/8. I'm surprised by how fast that came back.

haha same here.

Ditto. Second fastest turn around I've seen (FSU was faster by a few days).

[gin]

Were those all the acceptances for today?
Also, do you know if there were any rejections?
I've been UR for a month now, but i guess I shouldn't complain since my numbers aren't the best

[Cmart050]

Accepted today! So far 3/3 with PSU, FSU, and Barry (I know, I know, I wasn't expecting to get accepted anywhere because of my GPA, hadn't known of LSN, Law School Predictor, etc.)

While covering my undergrad football team I had the chance to go with them to Penn State about 3 years ago and my goodness was it a nice campus. Seemed like a great place, but I will be honest it will take a lot of $$$ to get me up there as FSU is better ranked and far cheaper.

[Chouchous]

I still have not heard from Penn State and I've applied way back the first day applications were accepted. Congrats to all that got in today!

[caligulove]

in via email today 2.9/161

[jayman6]

In 12/16 via email. 3.78/162.

[NicRen]

in via email today 2.9/161

Can I ask when you went complete? I went complete on 11/23 with 2.91/162, and want to take your admission as a good sign. Was there anything particularly special about your app?

[Peekay80]

in via email today 2.9/161

Can I ask when you went complete? I went complete on 11/23 with 2.91/162, and want to take your admission as a good sign. Was there anything particularly special about your app?

I believe caligulove is a URM.

[caligulove]

in via email today 2.9/161

Can I ask when you went complete? I went complete on 11/23 with 2.91/162, and want to take your admission as a good sign. Was there anything particularly special about your app?

I believe caligulove is a URM.

That's right I am. Also have an interesting personal statement highlighting my interest in public service. The thing I've learned about applying to schools with weak numbers is that if someone sees something they like, you'll get in. I'm 5 for 5 so far at McGeorge, PSL, JMLS, Penn State, Hofstra. PSL and JMLS are jokes but I'm taking the other three as a good sign that I might get in somewhere like USD, or Loyola Chicago. I'm giving McGeorge serious thought based on the scholarship I got. Of course I have no idea if Penn State will offer me any money but we'll see.

[jayman6]

I've been hearing all over that I should avoid Penn State. I've heard they have low bar passage rates in a state with five law schools and a tanking economy and terrible legal job market. Plus, they don't give out much money and full price at total cost of attendance estimates are over 170k. What has anyone else been hearing?

[2Serious4Numbers]

I've been hearing all over that I should avoid Penn State. I've heard they have low bar passage rates in a state with five law schools and a tanking economy and terrible legal job market. Plus, they don't give out much money and full price at total cost of attendance estimates are over 170k. What has anyone else been hearing?

unless i heard, "we are happy to have granted you a full ride" this acceptance email is being sent directly to gmail's trash blackhole

[ran12]

I've been hearing all over that I should avoid Penn State. I've heard they have low bar passage rates in a state with five law schools and a tanking economy and terrible legal job market. Plus, they don't give out much money and full price at total cost of attendance estimates are over 170k. What has anyone else been hearing?

I've heard some of those things too. However, people have also told me that b/c Penn St has such big name recognition as a school in general and so many alums, that by default your employment prospects aren't that bad.

[calilaw]

Penn State competes with several similarly ranked schools in Pennsylvania, plus UPenn and other T14 grads which may be searching for jobs in this economy. Add to that the fact that Penn State is more rural than the other law schools (further from the bulk of the jobs), and they are at a disadvantage.

[jayman6]

I've been hearing all over that I should avoid Penn State. I've heard they have low bar passage rates in a state with five law schools and a tanking economy and terrible legal job market. Plus, they don't give out much money and full price at total cost of attendance estimates are over 170k. What has anyone else been hearing?

I've heard some of those things too. However, people have also told me that b/c Penn St has such big name recognition as a school in general and so many alums, that by default your employment prospects aren't that bad.

So you think laywers will hire someone from their alma mater just because they went to the same school when they could hire a U Penn or UVA grad for probably the same salary in this economy? I'm not buying it.

[swilson215]

So you think laywers will hire someone from their alma mater just because they went to the same school when they could hire a U Penn or UVA grad for probably the same salary in this economy? I'm not buying it.

Honestly, I think it might be likely. Like, obviously if you have someone at the bottom of the class at a T2 and someone in the top 10% at at T14 there's no contest, but with similar grades and resumes I can see nepotism rearing its (maybe not so) ugly head in a comparison for hiring.

I mean, generally speaking jayman is right, on paper someone from UPenn will look way better to a firm than a PSU grad, but on a case by case basis I can see where an alumnus might make a decision in favor of their alma mater.

[hurricane10]

Obviously PSU is not going to place as well as T-14's but man there seems to be a lot of PSU hate and I'm not saying that I'm likely to go to PSU but the fact is, the brand name of PSU is important and will definitely help you get a job.

I've been hearing all over that I should avoid Penn State. I've heard they have low bar passage rates in a state with five law schools and a tanking economy and terrible legal job market. Plus, they don't give out much money and full price at total cost of attendance estimates are over 170k. What has anyone else been hearing?

I've heard some of those things too. However, people have also told me that b/c Penn St has such big name recognition as a school in general and so many alums, that by default your employment prospects aren't that bad.

So you think laywers will hire someone from their alma mater just because they went to the same school when they could hire a U Penn or UVA grad for probably the same salary in this economy? I'm not buying it.

And yes, it does matter. Graduating from a T-14, especially for mid-law firms makes you a flight risk in the eyes of a lot of employers. Some employers might not like the personality types coming from top law schools. Every law school has things working against them in this economy.

I know this article is in regards to the undergraduate school but it explicitly states this point that a lot of job recruiters DO IN FACT prefer PSU kids over ivy league candidates:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 63352.html

[boilerup89]

Yeah to discredit PSUs amazingly loyal alumni is a mistake. Really its one of their biggest selling points.

On a more random note my current school is number 4 on the recruitment list yay

[JDHopeful]

What are job prospects in Philly like for Penn State grads?

[justhockey31]

What are job prospects in Philly like for Penn State grads?

Now I am not sure of this but I would imagine that Philly would be tough even for Penn State grads due to the fact that they would have to compete with UPenn, Temple, and Villanova (maybe even seton hall and some rutgers grads as well).

[HeavenWood]

What are job prospects in Philly like for Penn State grads?

Now I am not sure of this but I would imagine that Philly would be tough even for Penn State grads due to the fact that they would have to compete with UPenn, Temple, and Villanova (maybe even seton hall and some rutgers grads as well).

Not Seton Hall, but definitely Rutgers Camden, Widener and Drexel.

[JDHopeful]

What are job prospects in Philly like for Penn State grads?

Now I am not sure of this but I would imagine that Philly would be tough even for Penn State grads due to the fact that they would have to compete with UPenn, Temple, and Villanova (maybe even seton hall and some rutgers grads as well).

Not Seton Hall, but definitely Rutgers Camden, Widener and Drexel.

You think Widener and Drexel hold more clout in Phila than Penn State?

[HeavenWood]

What are job prospects in Philly like for Penn State grads?

Now I am not sure of this but I would imagine that Philly would be tough even for Penn State grads due to the fact that they would have to compete with UPenn, Temple, and Villanova (maybe even seton hall and some rutgers grads as well).

Not Seton Hall, but definitely Rutgers Camden, Widener and Drexel.

You think Widener and Drexel hold more clout in Phila than Penn State?

Not more clout, but the number of additional grads they pump out creates more competition. If you can't get into any better local schools, Penn State can still bring you back to Philly if you have strong ties to the region (but Temple, Villanova, and even Rutgers would still be preferable options).

[Rgaliana]

Now I am not sure of this but I would imagine that Philly would be tough even for Penn State grads due to the fact that they would have to compete with UPenn, Temple, and Villanova (maybe even seton hall and some rutgers grads as well).

Not Seton Hall, but definitely Rutgers Camden, Widener and Drexel.

You think Widener and Drexel hold more clout in Phila than Penn State?

Not more clout, but the number of additional grads they pump out creates more competition. If you can't get into any better local schools, Penn State can still bring you back to Philly if you have strong ties to the region (but Temple, Villanova, and even Rutgers would still be preferable options).

Yep. Based upon my conversations with PSU students, the idea is if you know you want Philadelphia in your future, your summers need to be spent working there. There are a ton of PSU grads in Philadelphia, though less than Temple and others.

[JDHopeful]

Understood; thanks for the info!

[lawschool12345]

still waiting for a response, still under review
submitted app 11/1
with 3.65 ugpa and 158