Northwestern 2011 Applicants Forum

[boushi]

I'm looking for some advice regarding whether I should bother with my Northwestern interview. The thing is, I'm in DC right now and it's LA on Tuesday. Originally, I thought I'd be there by now, but plans have changed. I asked them about moving it to the east coast, but they said it's too late for that.

I ask whether I should bother, because I would seem to be on the edge anyway. I have a 170LSAT, 3.5 gpa, and a PHD. But I submitted late, on December 6th and didn't send any reference letters because I couldn't get that evaluation they wanted in time, and read the directions to mean that I couldn't get that, to send nothing.

So I would seem to already have two strikes against me. I also wouldn't accept the offer if there weren't some financial aid, as I've already gotten into UVA and couldn't take on the extra expense of living in Chicago. Northwestern's older student body does appeal to me though, as I would be in my 30s by the time I start.

So it would be rather inconvenient for me to get to LA earlier that I have scheduled, but I could do it. But if my chances are really low, then I won't bother.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Honestly, first you should submit your normal recommendations. I think there was some confusion over the new recommendation system, but the dean clarified via his blog that the CPE were not necessary, though the application itself seems to imply they are. I submitted with normal recommendations and was accepted earlier today.

Not sure about whether you'd get in or get money, but I think you should probably still do the interview and at least talk your interviewee. At this point, if you have a chance, it'll probably only be greatly burnished by making that earlier trip and subtly conveying your difficulties and misunderstandings to the interviewer.

These are good points - now I'm leaning towards going. The ref letter thing is frustrating because I had good ones, from professors I've worked with for the past seven years now. How do you send them at this stage? I tried assigning them on LSAC but it seems like they won't send since my app has already been submitted.

I read that NW really cares about the character of the students it admits, so I have to think that without ref letters or an interview, I'd most likely get the shaft.

I think in situations like this, your best bet is to call LSAC. They honestly seem really responsive to students in unforeseen pinches that their system wasn't designed to help. If they can forward the recommendations, maybe then just shoot NU an email to make sure they put them in your file post haste.

[rinkrat19]

About 7 minutes after Johann sent the tweet saying decisions were going out, I got an email from someone named Yohannes with the subject line "Sad but not surprising."

I almost pooped my pants.

I got this email! A certain political mailing list, right?

[dcwumpus]

About 7 minutes after Johann sent the tweet saying decisions were going out, I got an email from someone named Yohannes with the subject line "Sad but not surprising."

I almost pooped my pants.

I got this email! A certain political mailing list, right?

Yes! And I will no longer be voting for him because of the pain his campaign's email caused me yesterday.

[snldude]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I found a reasonable price, so I went ahead and booked the flight for my interview this week. I also emailed LSAC about the reference letters, but I'll call if they don't get back to me.

[Deuce]

About 7 minutes after Johann sent the tweet saying decisions were going out, I got an email from someone named Yohannes with the subject line "Sad but not surprising."

I almost pooped my pants.

I got this email! A certain political mailing list, right?

Yes! And I will no longer be voting for him because of the pain his campaign's email caused me yesterday.

This e-mail immediately preceded my Penn decision so when read in a row it says: "Wait List Invitation from Penn Law Sad but not surprising"

[Aggiegrad2011]

About 7 minutes after Johann sent the tweet saying decisions were going out, I got an email from someone named Yohannes with the subject line "Sad but not surprising."

I almost pooped my pants.

I got this email! A certain political mailing list, right?

Yes! And I will no longer be voting for him because of the pain his campaign's email caused me yesterday.

This e-mail immediately preceded my Penn decision so when read in a row it says: "Wait List Invitation from Penn Law Sad but not surprising"

You really needed to screenshot that because that's pure win. Except the wait-list invitation part.

[dcwumpus]

This e-mail immediately preceded my Penn decision so when read in a row it says: "Wait List Invitation from Penn Law Sad but not surprising"

Amazing. Sorry about the waitlist - but amazing.

[LttleBlakDress]

I'm looking for some advice regarding whether I should bother with my Northwestern interview. The thing is, I'm in DC right now and it's LA on Tuesday. Originally, I thought I'd be there by now, but plans have changed. I asked them about moving it to the east coast, but they said it's too late for that.

I ask whether I should bother, because I would seem to be on the edge anyway. I have a 170LSAT, 3.5 gpa, and a PHD. But I submitted late, on December 6th and didn't send any reference letters because I couldn't get that evaluation they wanted in time, and read the directions to mean that I couldn't get that, to send nothing.

So I would seem to already have two strikes against me. I also wouldn't accept the offer if there weren't some financial aid, as I've already gotten into UVA and couldn't take on the extra expense of living in Chicago. Northwestern's older student body does appeal to me though, as I would be in my 30s by the time I start.

So it would be rather inconvenient for me to get to LA earlier that I have scheduled, but I could do it. But if my chances are really low, then I won't bother.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Honestly, first you should submit your normal recommendations. I think there was some confusion over the new recommendation system, but the dean clarified via his blog that the CPE were not necessary, though the application itself seems to imply they are. I submitted with normal recommendations and was accepted earlier today.

Not sure about whether you'd get in or get money, but I think you should probably still do the interview and at least talk your interviewee. At this point, if you have a chance, it'll probably only be greatly burnished by making that earlier trip and subtly conveying your difficulties and misunderstandings to the interviewer.

These are good points - now I'm leaning towards going. The ref letter thing is frustrating because I had good ones, from professors I've worked with for the past seven years now. How do you send them at this stage? I tried assigning them on LSAC but it seems like they won't send since my app has already been submitted.

I read that NW really cares about the character of the students it admits, so I have to think that without ref letters or an interview, I'd most likely get the shaft.

I think in situations like this, your best bet is to call LSAC. They honestly seem really responsive to students in unforeseen pinches that their system wasn't designed to help. If they can forward the recommendations, maybe then just shoot NU an email to make sure they put them in your file post haste.

Could you let me know what happens with those recs? I'm in the same boat and apparently LSAC is closed today...

[whathojeeves]

Could you let me know what happens with those recs? I'm in the same boat and apparently LSAC is closed today...

Same.

[FutureInLaw]

Some decisions this week, per Twitter. I hope the exclamation point means there will be some acceptances.

Get ready!

[krad]

Some decisions this week, per Twitter. I hope the exclamation point means there will be some acceptances.

Get ready!

Meee tooooo.
http://twitter.com/nulawadmissions is a source of anxiety

E: url fail

[ht2988]

Could you let me know what happens with those recs? I'm in the same boat and apparently LSAC is closed today...

I had a similar situation, at least in terms of sending in recommendations after my initial CAS file had been sent from LSAC to NU. One of my recommenders submitted her LOR to LSAC after my file had been sent, but NU will not accept any new LOR's from LSAC after sending the initial file. You have to have your recommender either mail or email it directly to the admissions office at NU.

[Aggiegrad2011]

I'm hoping my ding won't come until later this month :X

[mistermister]

date updated today.

[Aggiegrad2011]

date updated today.

Your "complete" date did? Which date? Am I missing a date?

I have:

"Your application was received on 11/3/2010 and is complete as of 12/1/2010."

[Gotti]

date updated today.

Your "complete" date did? Which date? Am I missing a date?

I have:

"Your application was received on 11/3/2010 and is complete as of 12/1/2010."

Yea mine updated from complete 12/6 to complete 12/28

[awilson11]

My complete date updated from 11/30/10 to 1/11/11 in the last hour.

[Aggiegrad2011]

ooooooh man. That's some serious business. :O

[mistermister]

date updated today.

Your "complete" date did? Which date? Am I missing a date?

I have:

"Your application was received on 11/3/2010 and is complete as of 12/1/2010."

yeup, complete date. my first update for NU.

[Madison425]

...

[Aggiegrad2011]

I guess I'm just a bit behind then... probably won't get any action on Friday. damn!

[awilson11]

From the NU Twitter update today and last week's wave, I'm guessing we should be expecting some late week decisions?

[sarahlawg]

Does NU not say "In Review"? And do the complete dates just change? Sorry if I missed this earlier.

I only had 1 complete date as the date after I submitted.

[marlow]

Hey guys! Was accepted last week after submitting first week of December. Coming fresh out of undergrad, no full time WE... wanted to give some hope to the rest of you out there! Good luck to everyone!

[krad]

Hey guys! Was accepted last week after submitting first week of December. Coming fresh out of undergrad, no full time WE... wanted to give some hope to the rest of you out there! Good luck to everyone!

Wow, congrats!