Chicago c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[2014]

USNWR is a valid reason but don't be a moron and list it explicitly. Reference the resources and faculty that come with being a top school or compare it favorably to its peers (ie location, class size, job placement, w/e). Those convey you are aware of USNWR while referencing the few merits of the ranking methodology rather than the overall stupid list.

[WalkingPlato]

App went complete Mid-November. No change in status since. No interview. Ouch.

[Big Dog]

I was under the impressions we were talking about listing listing USNWR as one of several reasons for applying.

See, that's the thing about those really short-answer questions/prompts. After spending countless hours polishing the personal statement, many applicants skip over the short answer q's and don't think them through.

Even listing USNews as one of ten reasons for applying is one wasted reason, and one in particular that top law schools do not want to see. But more importantly, it's a waste of a chance to show your fit for that LS -- what you, the applicant, bring to the table, what you can add to the class based on interests, etc.

[Crowing]

Obviously schools know that USNWR ranking is important to a lot of applicants; after all they put so much effort into gaming those rankings every year. But mentioning it is a wasted opportunity to distinguish yourself. What then distinguishes Chicago to you over CLS and NYU? Or even worse, does that mean that if you're admitted at HYS then Chicago is totally off your radar?

[Audeamus]

USNWR is a valid reason but don't be a moron and list it explicitly. Reference the resources and faculty that come with being a top school or compare it favorably to its peers (ie location, class size, job placement, w/e). Those convey you are aware of USNWR while referencing the few merits of the ranking methodology rather than the overall stupid list.

I would totally agree with you except that for Chicago's application they only give you a certain set of options for which you check a corresponding box...

[Audeamus]

I was under the impressions we were talking about listing listing USNWR as one of several reasons for applying.

See, that's the thing about those really short-answer questions/prompts. After spending countless hours polishing the personal statement, many applicants skip over the short answer q's and don't think them through.

Even listing USNews as one of ten reasons for applying is one wasted reason, and one in particular that top law schools do not want to see. But more importantly, it's a waste of a chance to show your fit for that LS -- what you, the applicant, bring to the table, what you can add to the class based on interests, etc.

How exactly are you supposed to do that when the question is set up as it is on the Chicago application?

[Big Dog]

^^seek out Chicago's online view book. They will list/emphasize what is (clearly) important to them. (Hint: the important terms are in marroon.)

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/prospective/viewbook

[Audeamus]

^^seek out Chicago's online view book. They will list/emphasize what is (clearly) important to them. (Hint: the important terms are in marroon.)

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/prospective/viewbook

Wait, it's possible I'm confused about what we were talking about. Are we talking about what you should say in a "Why Chicago" addenda? If we are, I'm totally with you. I thought we were talking about the question "What prompted you to apply to this law school" for which the answers are constrained by the options they provide.

[Lavitz]

^^seek out Chicago's online view book. They will list/emphasize what is (clearly) important to them. (Hint: the important terms are in marroon.)

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/prospective/viewbook

We're discussing a "check the boxes that apply" question and USNWR was one of the few options. Others included internet, school website, law school forum visit, relatives, pre-law advisers, etc. There were no options for ideas, community, faculty, clinics or Hyde Park.

I don't see how checking the USNWR box is going to make a significant difference, especially if you've conveyed genuine interest elsewhere in the app and in your interview.

[Audeamus]

^^seek out Chicago's online view book. They will list/emphasize what is (clearly) important to them. (Hint: the important terms are in marroon.)

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/prospective/viewbook

Wait, it's possible I'm confused about what we were talking about. Are we talking about what you should say in a "Why Chicago" addenda? If we are, I'm totally with you. I thought we were talking about the question "What prompted you to apply to this law school" for which the answers are constrained by the options they provide.

Additionally, I agree the "Academic Interest" question, which is a short answer, should absolutely not include any mention of rankings and should be highly specific to the applicant's interest in Chicago.

[2014]

USNWR is a valid reason but don't be a moron and list it explicitly. Reference the resources and faculty that come with being a top school or compare it favorably to its peers (ie location, class size, job placement, w/e). Those convey you are aware of USNWR while referencing the few merits of the ranking methodology rather than the overall stupid list.

I would totally agree with you except that for Chicago's application they only give you a certain set of options for which you check a corresponding box...

Fair enough, would say don't check that box.

[Big Dog]

We're discussing a "check the boxes that apply" question and USNWR was one of the few options. Others included internet, school website, law school forum visit, relatives, pre-law advisers, etc.

Right. And it shouldn't be too hard to rank order them in the preference of the Admissions reader(s).

(I can guarantee you that none of the admissions readers would check the 'USNews' box is they were applying to LS today.)

[20141023]

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[20141023]

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[one_by_one]

/

[Mr. Elshal]

'

Got this too and I was almost tempted, until I realized that once I got a BigLaw job out of a T14 I could by myself a hundred iPads. This is like that experiment where they sit a kid in front of a marshmallow and tell him he'll get another if he doesn't eat it for 20 minutes. I'm sure some kid will eat it, but it sure as hell won't be me.

[grapefruits]

USNWR is a valid reason but don't be a moron and list it explicitly. Reference the resources and faculty that come with being a top school or compare it favorably to its peers (ie location, class size, job placement, w/e). Those convey you are aware of USNWR while referencing the few merits of the ranking methodology rather than the overall stupid list.

I would totally agree with you except that for Chicago's application they only give you a certain set of options for which you check a corresponding box...

Fair enough, would say don't check that box.

Why tell an obvious lie about something stupid? I was pretty convinced when I was applying that they only asked as a test to see who would lie and who wouldn't. If I was reading apps I would definitely count not checking the box against an applicant. Be honest with yourselves, if Chicago was ranked 25th in usnwr none of us would have applied.

ETA: rather it would have, at the very least, significantly affected people's reasons for applying.

[Big Dog]

I was pretty convinced when I was applying that they only asked as a test to see who would lie and who wouldn't. If I was reading apps I would definitely count not checking the box against an applicant.

Except Chicago may not even care about where else you are applying. In another thread (or blog, I can't remember), someone reported that CRS has questions 'grouped', and if a LS wants an answer to one specific question, they have to accept the whole group of questions that come with that specific q, regardless if they care about the other q's.

Of course, the challenge will be to figure out which question(s) of the group, Chicago really cared about.

[Anonymous4444]

40 hours left until decisions.. im calling it

[Lavitz]

Except Chicago may not even care about where else you are applying. In another thread (or blog, I can't remember), someone reported that CRS has questions 'grouped', and if a LS wants an answer to one specific question, they have to accept the whole group of questions that come with that specific q, regardless if they care about the other q's.

Of course, the challenge will be to figure out which question(s) of the group, Chicago really cared about.

Yeah, it's actually on page 3 of this thread.

--LinkRemoved--
Thoughts on leaving #1 and/or #6 blank on section 8 of the app?

[Audeamus]

^^seek out Chicago's online view book. They will list/emphasize what is (clearly) important to them. (Hint: the important terms are in marroon.)

http://www.law.uchicago.edu/prospective/viewbook

We're discussing a "check the boxes that apply" question and USNWR was one of the few options. Others included internet, school website, law school forum visit, relatives, pre-law advisers, etc. There were no options for ideas, community, faculty, clinics or Hyde Park.

I don't see how checking the USNWR box is going to make a significant difference, especially if you've conveyed genuine interest elsewhere in the app and in your interview.

Precisely. Thank you, Lavitz. You're explanation was far clearer than mine.

[reallysearch]

During my interview, I was asked "as an ED applicant, how did you make this decision to commit to Chicago". I spent 8-10 minutes elaborating my answer and I think I was able to convince her that my commitment to Chicago was a well-informed decision.

I guess the whole "Why Chicago" question isn't just for YP, since I was ED and YP was not relevant. It felt like they were looking for people who want Chicago for the "right" reasons (besides USNWR ranking)

[nba101790]

So my application is still under "received," but there's a box under fees for a class deposit. Anyone else have this?

[Anonymous4444]

yeah everyone... page like 25 we had this
sorry

[nba101790]

yeah everyone... page like 25 we had this
sorry

Haha sorry for not reading through all 40 pages, but thanks for confirming.