Yale c/o 2017 Applicants (2013-2014 cycle) Forum

[The-Specs]

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[t-14orbust]

Good luck bros. Applying to Yale is a hell of a ride. Let me know if you have questions that I may or may not be able to answer.

What do you think was the single most important thing you did to get accepted? Your numbers are good but not exacly stunning. Was it your essays? Your LoRs?

I was going to answer this but I don't want to give any information he wouldn't like being shared. Basically: he was a K-JD BAWSS that demonstrated high academic ability

I don't think he'll mind me mentioning that due to his UG BAUSness he got incredible LORs. His PS and 250 were no joke either.

[Cicero76]

Good luck bros. Applying to Yale is a hell of a ride. Let me know if you have questions that I may or may not be able to answer.

What do you think was the single most important thing you did to get accepted? Your numbers are good but not exacly stunning. Was it your essays? Your LoRs?

I was going to answer this but I don't want to give any information he wouldn't like being shared. Basically: he was a K-JD BAWSS that demonstrated high academic ability

I don't think he'll mind me mentioning that due to his UG BAUSness he got incredible LORs. His PS and 250 were no joke either.

This made me lol. Pretty hard. T14orbust is being nice; mostly the single most important thing I ever did was to make an impression on a specific professor. Despite my (sophomore year) apathy in his class (my perfect essay grades could not save my grade from the B it deserved for a lack of exam studying), he saw something in me and asked me to work with him. That one professor became my mentor and busted his ass to a degree not justified by his paycheck to convince me to apply myself. He inspired me not only to work harder, but also to form relationships with other professors. The two LORs that resulted put my meh numbers into Yale territory.

In terms of "academic ability"... I'm a good writer. I'd say it's probably what I'm best at. I'm fairly smart, but writing is what gets professors excited, their excitement about you is what drives your academic performance--or at last it is in my case. I perform far better when I'm trying to impress someone who is invested in my work product. So I'd say focusing on writing, e.g., significant writing projects such as a thesis, is the best thing you can do in terms of academics and attracting mentors.

TLDR: Major in liberal arts (smaller class sizes in upper division courses means a better chance at getting close to profs) and find a professor who actually cares about teaching and mentoring. They exist, but you have to offer them something in return: your potential.

When did you apply and when did they render a decision?

I applied in November, after the horribly-delayed Oct. LSAT scores came out. I was admitted in April, about 10 days before ASW.

Yes, I had given up all hope by then. But they gave me an extra-large travel stipend for ASW so all was well

[t-14orbust]

This made me lol. Pretty hard.

lol your education portion of your resume was pretty impressive dude. Definitely above average. I felt bad about what I've done and I have a much higher gpa lol

[Cicero76]

This made me lol. Pretty hard.

lol your education portion of your resume was pretty impressive dude. Definitely above average. I felt bad about what I've done and I have a much higher gpa lol

Fair enough. I didn't know I wanted law school, so when I entered college I tried to craft my own "humanities" course of study with literature, history, and the classics. Wasn't the best idea for my GPA but I learned cool stuff.

If anybody else would like a look at my app materials like T14orbust got and can provide reasonable proof (i.e. an email address) that they're not a troll who will make my life miserable if I out to them, I'm happy to share.

[The-Specs]

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[t-14orbust]

This made me lol. Pretty hard.

lol your education portion of your resume was pretty impressive dude. Definitely above average. I felt bad about what I've done and I have a much higher gpa lol

Fair enough. I didn't know I wanted law school, so when I entered college I tried to craft my own "humanities" course of study with literature, history, and the classics. Wasn't the best idea for my GPA but I learned cool stuff.

If anybody else would like a look at my app materials like T14orbust got and can provide reasonable proof (i.e. an email address) that they're not a troll who will make my life miserable if I out to them, I'm happy to share.

Since he mentioned it himself now, and I know he's mentioned his theses in other comments, I'll lay it out for everyone (unless Cicero wants me to edit this comment, which I will). This bro triple majored, wrote TWO theses(netting awesome LORs in the process), won a bunch of academic awards in different departments, and still graduated on time. If that doesn't demonstrate high academic aptitude and intellectual curiosity, then we're all screwed. His extracurrics weren't extraordinary but still some pretty cool stuff. His PS was well written and tied a nice theme together for his app, but it was not exceptional. I liked his 250. Basically, I wasn't that surprised that he got in.

FWIW: I agree with the small class thing. That's how I ended up netting my 2 LORs, which I believe will be strong.

[Cicero76]

Since he mentioned it himself now, and I know he's mentioned his theses in other comments, I'll lay it out for everyone (unless Cicero wants me to edit this comment, which I will). This bro triple majored, wrote TWO theses(netting awesome LORs in the process), won a bunch of academic awards in different departments, and still graduated on time. If that doesn't demonstrate high academic aptitude and intellectual curiosity, then we're all screwed. His extracurrics weren't extraordinary but still some pretty cool stuff. His PS was well written and tied a nice theme together for his app, but it was not exceptional. I liked his 250. Basically, I wasn't that surprised that he got in.

I would like to emphasize that my extracurriculars were not extraordinary. Extracurriculars are the most overrated thing in the world in non-TLS circles. People will go on and on about how you need to do this or that, be president of XYZ, and save children in Africa. I don't think that's true. As long as your resume shows that you didn't sit in a dorm playing League of Legends seven days a week, you're probably fine. Everyone's going to have the same 2-5 organizations they participated in. The best thing you can do is try to make them fit into an overarching narrative of who you are and what you believe in that extends through your application.

EDIT: On the other hand, my classmates range from software engineer at Google to concert pianist to medical researcher to assistant to an ambassador. So YMMV, insane softs and 'extracurriculars' do clearly help in some way at Yale. But I'm living proof that there is room for vanilla KJDs who are pretty good at school to exist alongside the superstars, so go for it.

[Ti Malice]

I just assumed 173/3.8 is either URM or Amazing Softs. Is that unwarranted?

Neither is necessarily the case. Non-URM applicants do get in here with median and below-median stats even without special softs. A combination of an exceptional PS and 250 and tremendous LORs can be enough.

Wouldn't you call "an exceptional PS and 250 and tremendous LORs" special softs?

No.

[tirakon]

Almost-1L here, wishing you all good luck!

I'm happy to answer questions, although not to the extent that I out myself.

[Kimikho]

Well, I was going to check in, but seeing Cicero's stats/education history has just about convinced me to stick out the five-year plan and finish my thesis/second degree/honors requirements. Good luck everyone! I'll be creepily lurking on here throughout the year :].

[t-14orbust]

Well, I was going to check in, but seeing Cicero's stats/education history has just about convinced me to stick out the five-year plan and finish my thesis/second degree/honors requirements. Good luck everyone! I'll be creepily lurking on here throughout the year :].

get dem LORs. You have to remember that it was the whole package. Plenty of people have honors theses. Good luck

[Cicero76]

Well, I was going to check in, but seeing Cicero's stats/education history has just about convinced me to stick out the five-year plan and finish my thesis/second degree/honors requirements. Good luck everyone! I'll be creepily lurking on here throughout the year :].

get dem LORs. You have to remember that it was the whole package. Plenty of people have honors theses. Good luck

This exactly.

[jrsbaseball5]

Hey Cicero (or anyone else who feels like chiming in) what do you think the pros/cons are of an Oct vs. Dec. sitting for the LSAT? My GPA is above 75% at Yale and I'm working on an honors thesis that I need to finish this semester so I'm toying with the idea of taking the test in December so that I can have it as my sole focus from about mid-October until the test date. If it helps at all in this discussion I'm a MA applicant.

Thanks!

[Cicero76]

Hey Cicero (or anyone else who feels like chiming in) what do you think the pros/cons are of an Oct vs. Dec. sitting for the LSAT? My GPA is above 75% at Yale and I'm working on an honors thesis that I need to finish this semester so I'm toying with the idea of taking the test in December so that I can have it as my sole focus from about mid-October until the test date. If it helps at all in this discussion I'm a MA applicant.

Thanks!

You should be fine taking it in December.

[mandyjay11]

http://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/profile.htm

Have you guys seen 2016's class profile? I like how they displayed the GPA and LSAT admit scale.

[The-Specs]

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[t-14orbust]

Hey Cicero (or anyone else who feels like chiming in) what do you think the pros/cons are of an Oct vs. Dec. sitting for the LSAT? My GPA is above 75% at Yale and I'm working on an honors thesis that I need to finish this semester so I'm toying with the idea of taking the test in December so that I can have it as my sole focus from about mid-October until the test date. If it helps at all in this discussion I'm a MA applicant.

Thanks!

You'll be fine. I was even contemplating taking february. Someone got in after applying on the deadline, I think it was honeybadger but don't quote me on that. He said he pulled an all-nighter to finish his 250 and submitted. They really seem to be true to their claims that admissions chances will be the same regardless of when the app is submitted.

[Ti Malice]

Hey Cicero (or anyone else who feels like chiming in) what do you think the pros/cons are of an Oct vs. Dec. sitting for the LSAT? My GPA is above 75% at Yale and I'm working on an honors thesis that I need to finish this semester so I'm toying with the idea of taking the test in December so that I can have it as my sole focus from about mid-October until the test date. If it helps at all in this discussion I'm a MA applicant.

Thanks!

Time of application has no effect on your admission chances for YLS. Take the test when you're most prepared, and submit the app once it's as good as you can possibly make it.

[wtrc]

Check out what Asha posted on Slate... http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/ ... naked.html

[Sourrudedude]

Check out what Asha posted on Slate... http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/ ... naked.html

So I guess she won't be following Karen Buttenbaum to Spivey Consulting.

[t14splitter]

Check out what Asha posted on Slate... http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/ ... naked.html

So I guess she won't be following Karen Buttenbaum to Spivey Consulting.

+1

[Sourrudedude]

You guys should also check out Asha's most recent blog post. It has links to what she considers her most helpful previous posts in regards to preparing apps.

[NapoleonXV]

Anyone have any idea when application will be released?

[The-Specs]

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