UVA c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle) Forum

[shntn]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

[danitt]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote about growing up in the hoodest of hoods and police brutality.

[Br3v]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

Was it law related? Did you use the same one for multiple schools?

[Yukos]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

Was it law related? Did you use the same one for multiple schools?

I used the same PS for every school except Berkeley (expanded it and added a section about Boalt specifically). Mine was about a relationship with a professor but it entailed talking a bit about my decision to go law school anyway.

[shntn]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

Was it law related? Did you use the same one for multiple schools?

Nope, not really law related except for discussing how it changed my way of thinking critically and drove me to succeed.

It's not going to be winning any Pulitzers, and I really hope it doesn't play a make-or-break role for any of my apps. That said, I'm happy enough with it. And used it for all schools.

[Br3v]

what is everyone writing there PS on?

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

Was it law related? Did you use the same one for multiple schools?

Nope, not really law related except for discussing how it changed my way of thinking critically and drove me to succeed.

It's not going to be winning any Pulitzers, and I really hope it doesn't play a make-or-break role for any of my apps. That said, I'm happy enough with it. And used it for all schools.

So I am going to use this momment to answer a fundamental question I have. What exactly is a PS? Is the point just to give the Adcom the feeling that they know you? So in essence it can just be a random story about something that has happened in your life? Completley undrelated to the legal field or law school? Because that is my understanding of it.

Also, when I hear people talking about "Why UVA" essays, does that mean that they have chosen their PS to be a Why UVA?

Yuko thank you for your input as well!

[shntn]

So I am going to use this momment to answer a fundamental question I have. What exactly is a PS? Is the point just to give the Adcom the feeling that they know you? So in essence it can just be a random story about something that has happened in your life? Completley undrelated to the legal field or law school? Because that is my understanding of it.

Also, when I hear people talking about "Why UVA" essays, does that mean that they have chosen their PS to be a Why UVA?

Yuko thank you for your input as well!

Let's not stray too far from the topic of UVA, but yes, a PS can be whatever you want. I didn't take the "Why Law" approach since I felt it would, for me, come across as a bit transparent. I'd rather them know more about me, more than my application and resume show.

And I think "Why UVA" is usually a separate essay, but I have heard of some incorporating that angle into their PS and leaving it at that. It's your call either way, but working in the basics of your PS and a convincing "Why UVA" (or whichever school it is) story would be some extra work. Good luck with whichever approach you take.

[Yukos]

I wrote mine about a significant moment from my teens, the subsequent reflection I did, and how it shaped me as a person.

Was it law related? Did you use the same one for multiple schools?

Nope, not really law related except for discussing how it changed my way of thinking critically and drove me to succeed.

It's not going to be winning any Pulitzers, and I really hope it doesn't play a make-or-break role for any of my apps. That said, I'm happy enough with it. And used it for all schools.

So I am going to use this momment to answer a fundamental question I have. What exactly is a PS? Is the point just to give the Adcom the feeling that they know you? So in essence it can just be a random story about something that has happened in your life? Completley undrelated to the legal field or law school? Because that is my understanding of it.

Also, when I hear people talking about "Why UVA" essays, does that mean that they have chosen their PS to be a Why UVA?

Yuko thank you for your input as well!

I think the PS can accomplish a lot of things:

1) MOST IMPORTANT: Demonstrate your writing ability. Obviously this is an essential part of being a lawyer, and a lot of college graduates are shockingly bad at writing.
2) Make you a human and not just an LSAT/GPA combination
3) Emphasize something that's not on your resume or might be hidden
4) Show your ability to be thoughtful, objective and logical, even about your own life.
5) (Optional) If it's unclear from your resume (you jumped around jobs a lot; you had a great career in a different field), give a compelling reason why you're going to law school at this moment.

I didn't really plan on attacking 5, it just dovetailed into my theme anyway. I think the most important part is to write about something interesting in a compelling way. Of course, it should show off something about you -- your logical ability, perseverance, ethics, whatever -- but adcomms are reading so many of these just having a good hook can make you standout (I think).

Another reason I chose my topic is because a lot of top schools (Yale and Berkeley come to mind) have faculty review for apps. I think professors could identify with the relationship I had with this specific prof and so maybe it'll speak to them more than most. At least that's my hope

I wrote a separate Why UVA and added it as an addendum. I know a lot of people have a paragraph dedicated to Why X, and I'm sure this can work if the transition makes sense, but in my PS it would've been weird as hell.

Also Br3v your tar is awesome.

[06102016]

..

[lovejopd]

A "Why X" statement is typically in the form of an addendum. A PS is not only to give them the sense that they know you but to give them the sense that you know yourself. I don't know how everyone else feels, but I feel like it's a great way to weed out people who lack any self awareness whatsoever.

as for UVA specifically, it's a good idea to write a single page addendum about why you want to go to Virginia i.e. what programs or areas of scholarship you would like to explore there specifically, something about the physical environment, the composition of the student body. If you've already visited, great. You can work that in. I didn't visit and wrote a PS about some of the clinical/externship offerings there, as well as touching on insights gained from people on TLS about what sets UVA apart. Nothing spectacular, but something that conveys a genuine interest in the school.

There's a more detailed guide here.

HTH

Great info! Thx!
A couple of more question to ask

1. What should be the title of "Why UVA" addendum?
2. 1 page with 'double space"? Maybe 2-3 paragraphs fine?

Thank you!

[shntn]

As much as I like seeing an e-mail from "University of Virginia School of Law" and finding out it's just a newsletter, I'm unsubscribing from that shit.

[WhiteyCakes]

As much as I like seeing an e-mail from "University of Virginia School of Law" and finding out it's just a newsletter, I'm unsubscribing from that shit.

Well they only give bad news via email, so it being the newsletter is a good thing.

[alwayssunnyinfl]

As much as I like seeing an e-mail from "University of Virginia School of Law" and finding out it's just a newsletter, I'm unsubscribing from that shit.

Well they only give bad news via email, so it being the newsletter is a good thing.

The only way he's getting rejected is if they seriously stepped up their YP this cycle, or if he wrote "FERK YERRR ERNNN RERRRCHERRRDS" as an addendum.

[shifty_eyed]

As much as I like seeing an e-mail from "University of Virginia School of Law" and finding out it's just a newsletter, I'm unsubscribing from that shit.

Well they only give bad news via email, so it being the newsletter is a good thing.

The only way he's getting rejected is if they seriously stepped up their YP this cycle, or if he wrote "FERK YERRR ERNNN RERRRCHERRRDS" as an addendum.

He'd probably get a handwritten note on an acceptance packet saying how much they enjoyed his amusing addendum.

[shntn]

As much as I like seeing an e-mail from "University of Virginia School of Law" and finding out it's just a newsletter, I'm unsubscribing from that shit.

Well they only give bad news via email, so it being the newsletter is a good thing.

The only way he's getting rejected is if they seriously stepped up their YP this cycle, or if he wrote "FERK YERRR ERNNN RERRRCHERRRDS" as an addendum.

He'd probably get a handwritten note on an acceptance packet saying how much they enjoyed his amusing addendum.

As good a time as any to reveal the full depth of my 'burgers.

--ImageRemoved--

[alwayssunnyinfl]

I was so hopeful then

[Shiraz]

Accepted ED 10/12 via e-mail. 3.39/170, 2 years work experience.

See y'all in Charlottesville next year

[Rahviveh]

Have there been RD acceptances yet?

[Br3v]

Accepted ED 10/12. 3.39/170, 2 years work experience.

See y'all in Charlottesville next year

Congrats!!!!!!

[WhiteyCakes]

Have there been RD acceptances yet?

Not yet. The graph on the first page suggest some RD decisions were sent in Oct/Nov last year, but I'm not expecting anything until December.

[Yukos]

Have there been RD acceptances yet?

Not yet. The graph on the first page suggest some RD decisions were sent in Oct/Nov last year, but I'm not expecting anything until December.

It looks like there's a decent wave in November, but it's hard to know if some/most of those are people forgetting to mark ED. Still, I will be surprised if none of us have heard before December.

[Bucketseat]

Hey everyone — I've been lurking for some time, but am finally breaking into the realm of posting for a quick question.

I'm planning to ED to UVA as soon as I get my October score back (barring any unfortunate bombing, knock on wood, etc.). I already have LORs, PS, and a "Why UVA?" essay lined up, so it's looking like a Nov. 1 submit date at the latest. Given that, when do you think is reasonable to expect to hear back?

[Nickg415]

im pretty sure ED apps are guaranteed response within 14 days

[alwayssunnyinfl]

im pretty sure ED apps are guaranteed response within 14 days

They're talking about non-ED applications. And it's 15 days.

[Nickg415]

I'm planning to ED to UVA as soon as I get my October score back