Notre Dame Law School c/o 2018 (2014-2015 applicants) Forum

[yossarian]

Hey guys checking in. Submitted 1/20. I know there is a separate section for this but what chances do you think I have at getting in. I have a 3.74 gpa and have only taken the lsat once with a 159. I'm coming straight out of a medium size public undergrad and have average softs but strong LORs. I also wrote a strong why ND essay and am Catholic. I'm thinking around 15% chance accept?

I know this doesn't answer your question - but with your gpa I feel the BEST advice at this point is withdraw and retake - 3 to 4 practice tests a week up until the LSAT (minimum 30) and you'll break 165 - with your gpa you could be looking at potential t14 and money t25

Yes. TITCR here on TLS. And I agree with it. But to address your post, your estimation of your chances is probably about accurate.

To add to the sit out a cycle/retake bit. Also, I would advise using the time to 1) make sure you want to do law and that you are actually informed of what it entails. and 2) develop either one very concrete career goal/path or map a couple you would be satisfied with. This will help to make sure you aren't just rolling the dice with that 15% when applying. Helps to solidify purpose and make better decisions. NOTE: I'm not saying you don't have these now, but many K-JDs don't, and I think that aspect is as valuable as the retake.

[Nonconsecutive]

Hey guys checking in. Submitted 1/20. I know there is a separate section for this but what chances do you think I have at getting in. I have a 3.74 gpa and have only taken the lsat once with a 159. I'm coming straight out of a medium size public undergrad and have average softs but strong LORs. I also wrote a strong why ND essay and am Catholic. I'm thinking around 15% chance accept?

If you're open to it (which you should be) a retake will likely net you better odds of acceptance, plus a scholarship at ND. Not to mention open other potential avenues.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

Just got my Notre Dame admissions packet:

Notre Dame is rooted in the conviction that nature and reason are the true sources of law and the only adequate foundations of human rights, the equality of all people, and the inviolability of human dignity. Notre Dame is thus a community whose unity springs from dedication to truth and justice, a shared vision of the dignity of the human person and, ultimately, the person and message of Jesus Christ.

Section: Logical Reasoning
Question Type: Paradox

[SparkyZZZ]

Just got my Notre Dame admissions packet:

Notre Dame is rooted in the conviction that nature and reason are the true sources of law and the only adequate foundations of human rights, the equality of all people, and the inviolability of human dignity. Notre Dame is thus a community whose unity springs from dedication to truth and justice, a shared vision of the dignity of the human person and, ultimately, the person and message of Jesus Christ.

Section: Logical Reasoning
Question Type: Paradox

I did some research, and it turns out there are a few non-Catholic law schools out there; a couple in Indiana even.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

Just got my Notre Dame admissions packet:

Notre Dame is rooted in the conviction that nature and reason are the true sources of law and the only adequate foundations of human rights, the equality of all people, and the inviolability of human dignity. Notre Dame is thus a community whose unity springs from dedication to truth and justice, a shared vision of the dignity of the human person and, ultimately, the person and message of Jesus Christ.

Section: Logical Reasoning
Question Type: Paradox

I did some research, and it turns out there are a few non-Catholic law schools out there; a couple in Indiana even.

Just spoke to someone from Notre Dame. They said many professors open class with a prayer. That's cool...sorta.... Wish I knew before I applied...

Edit: wasn't trying to necessarily go in Indiana. From Chicago and trying to go home, was looking at well regarded school with ins to the Chicago market.

[Winston1984]

That is a big turn-off, sure about that? Just seems strange.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

That is a big turn-off, sure about that? Just seems strange.

I feel ya, same for me, idk, that's what one NDLS student told me.

Edit: btw, love your Nietzsche avatar! I was a philosophy major and Nietzsche is my boy!

[Winston1984]

That is a big turn-off, sure about that? Just seems strange.

I feel ya, same for me, idk, that's what one NDLS student told me.

Edit: btw, love your Nietzsche avatar! I was a philosophy major and Nietzsche is my boy!

Thank you! Hopefully the law school isn't like that. It is one of my top choices for sure, but praying before classes would be too much for me and Nietzsche.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

That is a big turn-off, sure about that? Just seems strange.

I feel ya, same for me, idk, that's what one NDLS student told me.

Edit: btw, love your Nietzsche avatar! I was a philosophy major and Nietzsche is my boy!

Thank you! Hopefully the law school isn't like that. It is one of my top choices for sure, but praying before classes would be too much for me and Nietzsche.

I would hope so too, but the person I spoke with is a law student there (NDLS, like I mentioned). Btw, will PM you for numbers just out of curiosity if you don't mind, because it was a good choice for me too until I spoke to this student.

[ndirish2010]

Several professors do start class with a prayer, most notably Rick Garnett and AJ Bellia (there may be others that I didn't have but these are two prominent ones). Most profs can be seen at Mass quite often, even during the week. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you probably should look elsewhere. It is a strong part of our culture, although nobody is forced to participate. However, compared with the undergrad experience religion is fairly minor.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

Several professors do start class with a prayer, most notably Rick Garnett and AJ Bellia (there may be others that I didn't have but these are two prominent ones). Most profs can be seen at Mass quite often, even during the week. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you probably should look elsewhere. It is a strong part of our culture, although nobody is forced to participate. However, compared with the undergrad experience religion is fairly minor.

Thanks for the note. I don't mind my professors being religious whatsoever. I do think I'd be uncomfortable with it in the classroom. No disrespect meant, I appreciate the forwarning.

[Winston1984]

Several professors do start class with a prayer, most notably Rick Garnett and AJ Bellia (there may be others that I didn't have but these are two prominent ones). Most profs can be seen at Mass quite often, even during the week. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you probably should look elsewhere. It is a strong part of our culture, although nobody is forced to participate. However, compared with the undergrad experience religion is fairly minor.

Did you find that your non-Catholic and non-religious classmates felt uncomfortable? Or is it subtle enough that it doesn't really bother anyone?

[ndirish2010]

Several professors do start class with a prayer, most notably Rick Garnett and AJ Bellia (there may be others that I didn't have but these are two prominent ones). Most profs can be seen at Mass quite often, even during the week. If this is not something you are comfortable with, you probably should look elsewhere. It is a strong part of our culture, although nobody is forced to participate. However, compared with the undergrad experience religion is fairly minor.

Thanks for the note. I don't mind my professors being religious whatsoever. I do think I'd be uncomfortable with it in the classroom. No disrespect meant, I appreciate the forwarning.

None taken, I realize it is not for everyone. I am not religious at all, but I loved the environment at Notre Dame for six years. I think too many people come to NDLS and are for some reason surprised about the Catholic environment and really don't like it. I'd like to prevent that from happening to people on here.

[SparkyZZZ]

Well, I would imagine that if you don't go around mocking the deeply held religious beliefs of others like Lebrarian did and just blithely assume everyone agrees with you or won't be offended, then you will be fine.

I can't imagine going on a BYU thread and saying something bad about LDS or on a Berkeley thread and ripping on Karl Marx.

[ndirish2010]

Well, I would imagine that if you don't go around mocking the deeply held religious beliefs of others like Lebrarian did and just blithely assume everyone agrees with you or won't be offended, then you will be fine.

I can't imagine going on a BYU thread and saying something bad about LDS or on a Berkeley thread and ripping on Karl Marx.

LOL love the analogy there. Anyway, better to mock Catholicism here than come to Notre Dame and do it in person. A lot of people grew up in areas where almost nobody was actually religious and it is a shock to them that a lot of people take religion very seriously. When these people get to Notre Dame, they are in for a rude awakening if they lack tolerance.

[Lebrarian_Booker]

Well, I would imagine that if you don't go around mocking the deeply held religious beliefs of others like Lebrarian did and just blithely assume everyone agrees with you or won't be offended, then you will be fine.

I can't imagine going on a BYU thread and saying something bad about LDS or on a Berkeley thread and ripping on Karl Marx.

Point taken. I had only meant that I underestimated the religiousity of the institution.

[bostonbrewer]

Well, I would imagine that if you don't go around mocking the deeply held religious beliefs of others like Lebrarian did and just blithely assume everyone agrees with you or won't be offended, then you will be fine.

I can't imagine going on a BYU thread and saying something bad about LDS or on a Berkeley thread and ripping on Karl Marx.

180 metaphor.

[kyle010723]

Truthfully, being a none catholic my self, it never bothered me that some professors began classes with prayers. You are not asked to pray, you may do so, or you may simply sit there to show respect. I can understand some potential concern as far as Notre Dame being too conservative and professors may preach conservative agendas (which I can tell you they don't. Not even from Fr. Dailey, professors respect students' view and ideology and would not try to "brainwash" you, half of the time you cannot even tell a professor's ideology without looking up their CVs. However, if one is bothered by the fact that some professors begin classes with a prayer, then as others pointed out, there are many none religious law schools out there.

[Winston1984]

Truthfully, being a none catholic my self, it never bothered me that some professors began classes with prayers. You are not asked to pray, you may do so, or you may simply sit there to show respect. I can understand some potential concern as far as Notre Dame being too conservative and professors may preach conservative agendas (which I can tell you they don't. Not even from Fr. Dailey, professors respect students' view and ideology and would not try to "brainwash" you, half of the time you cannot even tell a professor's ideology without looking up their CVs. However, if one is bothered by the fact that some professors begin classes with a prayer, then as others pointed out, there are many none religious law schools out there.

This is much more reassuring. I guess it's just different for me, but if the professors aren't preaching, I can't imagine it bothering me. Do you feel like any of your other non-Catholic and non-religious classmates feel uncomfortable?

[kyle010723]

I can reassure you, even from my professor (Fr Dailey) who is a clergyman, he never once mention anything negative about abortion or homosexuality or any topics of controversies. And as previously pointed out, Professor Bellia is one of the professors the start classes with prayers. He is probably one of the most liked professors by students.

Unless you are repulsive to all prayers or the simple fact that there is a crucifix in every room, the "religious aspect" of the school really shouldn't bother you at all.

I am not going to tell you that religion is not a part of the school because it is. But it is not what they're teaching. One goes to law school to learn laws, not theology.

[Winston1984]

Do you feel that your Catholic classmates are fairly open-minded as well? Thank you very much for taking the time to answer questions.

[mx23250]

Do you feel that your Catholic classmates are fairly open-minded as well? Thank you very much for taking the time to answer questions.

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[kyle010723]

Do you feel that your Catholic classmates are fairly open-minded as well? Thank you very much for taking the time to answer questions.

I dont know how to answer that question. People dont walk around asking if you are pro-life or pro-choice. In fact, I don't even know who is Catholic and who isn't. Regarding organizations, I think people go to them just for the free foods. You dont have to be pro-life to go to Jus Vitae, just like you dont have to be hispanic to join the hispanic student group. Here is a pro tips, the Federalist Society has the best food and often bring in the most well known speakers. But they dont even ask you if you are a liberal or a conservatives when you are munching on Chipotle or Chick-fil-a!

[Winston1984]

Do you feel that your Catholic classmates are fairly open-minded as well? Thank you very much for taking the time to answer questions.

I dont know how to answer that question. People dont walk around asking if you are pro-life or pro-choice. In fact, I don't even know who is Catholic and who isn't. Regarding organizations, I think people go to them just for the free foods. You dont have to be pro-life to go to Jus Vitae, just like you dont have to be hispanic to join the hispanic student group. Here is a pro tips, the Federalist Society has the best food and often bring in the most well known speakers. But they dont even ask you if you are a liberal or a conservatives when you are munching on Chipotle or Chick-fil-a!

Haha that sounds good!

[kyle010723]

And as an added bonus, you all will witness one of the largest building project in Notre Dame history. This was just announced today.

http://crossroads.nd.edu