you can find me at www.top-law-schools.com! Forum

[nickhalden]

There's an unbelievable twenty-two Dillards on LSN alone this cycle. Ignoring the sole URM, their stats are:

174/3.96 75th Percentile
172/3.92 Median
169/3.88 25th Percentile

There were twenty-six Dillards in 2013-2014 on LSN. Ignoring the five URMs, their stats were:

173/3.99 75th Percentile
172/3.93 Median
171/3.9 25th Percentile

The medians make it look like they're running essentially the same cycle (with the exception of the number of awards), but the difference between 25th percentile LSATs is very, very stark. Based on these numbers, I don't accept the argument about a new preference for high GPA over high LSAT.

[Beanie14]

Congratulations to all the new Dillards! That's awesome.

[Dipper]

There's an unbelievable twenty-two Dillards on LSN alone this cycle. Ignoring the sole URM, their stats are:

174/3.96 75th Percentile
172/3.92 Median
169/3.88 25th Percentile

There were twenty-six Dillards in 2013-2014 on LSN. Ignoring the five URMs, their stats were:

173/3.99 75th Percentile
172/3.93 Median
171/3.9 25th Percentile

The medians make it look like they're running essentially the same cycle (with the exception of the number of awards), but the difference between 25th percentile LSATs is very, very stark. Based on these numbers, I don't accept the argument about a new preference for high GPA over high LSAT.

via Imgflip Meme Maker

[Hand]

nickhalden can I call you for any future spreadsheet making I need doing? you seem really adept.

[nickhalden]

nickhalden can I call you for any future spreadsheet making I need doing? you seem really adept.

Haha sure! I really wish LSN let you export the entire field to an Excel document.

So I broke down the people who received $100-120k scholarships. There have been five in 2014 on LSN, so based on the recent poster who fell in that category, I'll dub them the KissMyAxe Five (a la the Keating Five haha). Their 2014-2015 stats are:

174/3.88 75th Percentile
173/3.87 Median
171/3.8 25th Percentile

There were nine non-URM applicants who fell into the KissMyAxe Five ( ) in 2013-2014. Their stats were:

178/3.9 75th Percentile
170/3.88 Median
169/3.76 25th Percentile

I don't really have thoughts on the data, just wanted to throw it out there. It looks like on a whole you get into the KissMyAxe Five by having a sub-3.9 GPA, but this cycle there's some poor SOB who got into it with a 174/3.98. Of note, the people getting Dillards this week (at/below Median with high GPA) would have only gotten into the KissMyAxe Five last year.

[KissMyAxe]

nickhalden can I call you for any future spreadsheet making I need doing? you seem really adept.

Haha sure! I really wish LSN let you export the entire field to an Excel document.

So I broke down the people who received $100-120k scholarships. There have been five in 2014 on LSN, so based on the recent poster who fell in that category, I'll dub them the KissMyAxe Five (a la the Keating Five haha). Their 2014-2015 stats are:

174/3.88 75th Percentile
173/3.87 Median
171/3.8 25th Percentile

There were nine non-URM applicants who fell into the KissMyAxe Five ( ) in 2013-2014. Their stats were:

178/3.9 75th Percentile
170/3.88 Median
169/3.76 25th Percentile

I don't really have thoughts on the data, just wanted to throw it out there. It looks like on a whole you get into the KissMyAxe Five by having a sub-3.9 GPA, but this cycle there's some poor SOB who got into it with a 174/3.98. Of note, the people getting Dillards this week (at/below Median with high GPA) would have only gotten into the KissMyAxe Five last year.

Ouch, that stings to be the namesake of people who received underwhelming scholarships. But I admit the name works and I am proud to represent them. 100-120k for life bros! Maybe I can start a club there if I choose it.

[EvergreenStateLady]

There's an unbelievable twenty-two Dillards on LSN alone this cycle. Ignoring the sole URM, their stats are:

174/3.96 75th Percentile
172/3.92 Median
169/3.88 25th Percentile

There were twenty-six Dillards in 2013-2014 on LSN. Ignoring the five URMs, their stats were:

173/3.99 75th Percentile
172/3.93 Median
171/3.9 25th Percentile

The medians make it look like they're running essentially the same cycle (with the exception of the number of awards), but the difference between 25th percentile LSATs is very, very stark. Based on these numbers, I don't accept the argument about a new preference for high GPA over high LSAT.

The 75th Percentile and the Median look very similar to last year, but their 25th Percentile for Dillards have definitely changed quite a bit from last year. They are definitely giving Dillards to people with lower GPA and LSAT scores than last year. Thanks for the data! UVA tends to do more YP than any other t14 school, maybe they have decided to give a greater number of Dillards to people who they think are more likely to choose them over a t6 school. Some of the people who have great LSAT and GPA may not be getting Dillard's because of YP. I know one of the purposes of Dillard's are they are supposed to help convince people with good scores to choose them over a t6 school but maybe they decided to change things up and only give a certain amount of Dillard's to people in the different percentiles?

Or maybe since they have a new head admissions person he might still be getting the hang of what admissions at UVA are supposed to be like. I'm certain every school has a slightly different process and criteria for deciding admissions and scholarship money, maybe admissions and scholarships are going to just be a little more wonky than usual as he gets used to their process? Or maybe he has his own way of doing things so the way things are done are going to be a bit different from now on at UVA.

Well I hope people who this is their favorite school get in and good luck with getting Dillard's and other scholarship money.
If it's been more than two or three months and you still haven't heard anything yet about admittance I'd consider sending something similar to a LoCI especially people who think they haven't gotten in because of YP. I think a school wouldn't look badly at you doing so even if you haven't been waitlisted yet. After doing a lot of job interviews you find that showing continued interest really helps with getting a job and I hear it usually helps to get into schools as well. You just need to do it without seeming desperate.

[capsoccer]

Wait listed today via email. Not surprising LSAT<25 GPA>75

[xylocarp]

my issue with the YP theory is that several of the below median LSAT Dillards have said that they didn't write a Why UVA. so that doesn't really mesh. not that I have a better theory, haha

[Beanie14]

Further baseless speculation: are any of the new Dillards VA residents?

[nickhalden]

my issue with the YP theory is that several of the below median LSAT Dillards have said that they didn't write a Why UVA. so that doesn't really mesh. not that I have a better theory, haha

UVA probably guesses that a 168 getting a Dillard will definitely attend (and he or she would be crazy not to). Last cycle, 168/4.0s were getting just $105k. Forget TLS wisdom on retaking, waiting a cycle has as much benefit!

[xylocarp]

my issue with the YP theory is that several of the below median LSAT Dillards have said that they didn't write a Why UVA. so that doesn't really mesh. not that I have a better theory, haha

UVA probably guesses that a 168 getting a Dillard will definitely attend (and he or she would be crazy not to). Last cycle, 168/4.0s were getting just $105k. Forget TLS wisdom on retaking, waiting a cycle has as much benefit!

right, but I doubt every 168/4.0 is getting a Dillard, and I'm sure some of them wrote a Why UVA. so why give it to the ones who didn't write one if its all about YP?

[ChemEng1642]

lol still silence

submitted 10/27

[Kaizen428]

lol still silence

submitted 10/27

+1. 10/29..... Just ding me already...

[MagillaCutty]

Got in super early/quickly to UVA and I'm in love. But I'm dying for some scholarship info.

25th<GPA<50th, 75th<LSAT, excellent softs, spectacular interview. Bit of a splitter, although my academic recs call me an exemplary student in strong language.

I still haven't submitted FAFSA and NeedAccess, is that the hold up? Or am I not going to see anything?

When were you admitted?

Later November (within two weeks of submitting).

Timeline is about 2-3 months to get the scholarship offer for most people. Wouldn't worry yet.

Ten points to Gryffindor. Got my letter in the mail today. Not wanted I wanted, but something I can work with!

Thanks for the reassurance.

[hitherim]

Further baseless speculation: are any of the new Dillards VA residents?

na

[hitherim]

my issue with the YP theory is that several of the below median LSAT Dillards have said that they didn't write a Why UVA. so that doesn't really mesh. not that I have a better theory, haha

UVA probably guesses that a 168 getting a Dillard will definitely attend (and he or she would be crazy not to). Last cycle, 168/4.0s were getting just $105k. Forget TLS wisdom on retaking, waiting a cycle has as much benefit!

A very wise guess indeed.

[Hikikomorist]

.

[winterorange]

Maybe UVA just wanted to claim the most interesting applicant thread on TLS?

If by interesting you mean, panic-inducing.

[smile0751]

Further baseless speculation: are any of the new Dillards VA residents?

Nope. But I am enjoying the analysis as to why UVA was crazy enough to offer me (a mere 168!) a Dillard.

My money is on the theory that the dean lost his mind, but his incompetence is up there as a probable reason too.

Seriously, I think it's a mix of everything. I think they expanded the definition of a Dillard. Yes, some Dillard recipients may provide higher lsat or GPAs for the school. Others may provide unique softs and provide opportunities for UVA to brag about their "special" entering class. But I think TLS is very quick to discount softs. I don't mean to be a "special snowflake", but my LSAT is by far the weakest part of my application. I do feel fortunate to receive a Dillard, but I don't feel it's wasted or undeserved. Maybe some of you would scoff and say it's not in the schools best interest to offer a lowly 168 full financial support, but maybe schools care about their original purpose, providing the best education to the best students, and maybe there are ways outside of the lsat to prove scholastic success.

Then again, I know nothing and Martinis are my best friend. Excuse me as I go get another drink....

[MagillaCutty]

Further baseless speculation: are any of the new Dillards VA residents?

Nope. But I am enjoying the analysis as to why UVA was crazy enough to offer me (a mere 168!) a Dillard.

My money is on the theory that the dean lost his mind, but his incompetence is up there as a probable reason too.

Seriously, I think it's a mix of everything. I think they expanded the definition of a Dillard. Yes, some Dillard recipients may provide higher lsat or GPAs for the school. Others may provide unique softs and provide opportunities for UVA to brag about their "special" entering class. But I think TLS is very quick to discount softs. I don't mean to be a "special snowflake", but my LSAT is by far the weakest part of my application. I do feel fortunate to receive a Dillard, but I don't feel it's wasted or undeserved. Maybe some of you would scoff and say it's not in the schools best interest to offer a lowly 168 full financial support, but maybe schools care about their original purpose, providing the best education to the best students, and maybe there are ways outside of the lsat to prove scholastic success.

Then again, I know nothing and Martinis are my best friend. Excuse me as I go get another drink....

I think there's definitely something to this. Someone mentioned above that there's one TLSer whose scholarship is way out of line with his stats, but, well... some people suck. Maybe that guy's interview was like chewing glass, you know?


I think the bigger thing that everyone is missing is The Rolling Stone Event. I think admissions might be a little panicked... it occurred right around when apps opened, and UVa's name was mud for a while there.

[LoganCouture]

Further baseless speculation: are any of the new Dillards VA residents?

Nope. But I am enjoying the analysis as to why UVA was crazy enough to offer me (a mere 168!) a Dillard.

My money is on the theory that the dean lost his mind, but his incompetence is up there as a probable reason too.

Seriously, I think it's a mix of everything. I think they expanded the definition of a Dillard. Yes, some Dillard recipients may provide higher lsat or GPAs for the school. Others may provide unique softs and provide opportunities for UVA to brag about their "special" entering class. But I think TLS is very quick to discount softs. I don't mean to be a "special snowflake", but my LSAT is by far the weakest part of my application. I do feel fortunate to receive a Dillard, but I don't feel it's wasted or undeserved. Maybe some of you would scoff and say it's not in the schools best interest to offer a lowly 168 full financial support, but maybe schools care about their original purpose, providing the best education to the best students, and maybe there are ways outside of the lsat to prove scholastic success.

Then again, I know nothing and Martinis are my best friend. Excuse me as I go get another drink....

I think there's definitely something to this. Someone mentioned above that there's one TLSer whose scholarship is way out of line with his stats, but, well... some people suck. Maybe that guy's interview was like chewing glass, you know?

[MagillaCutty]

Got to admit I laughed at that one. I'm not saying that IS why, just that it COULD be. This many candidates... at least one above-median candidate is a douchy frat bro who showed up for his interview still reeking of booze. Through the screen.

[KissMyAxe]

...............

[MagillaCutty]

Got to admit I laughed at that one. I'm not saying that IS why, just that it COULD be. This many candidates... at least one above-median candidate is a douchy frat bro who showed up for his interview still reeking of booze. Through the screen.

Still kind of a dick guess about me, but admittedly it might explain it if that were the case. However, I can confidently say my interview skills were not in question for financial aid. I did get into Chicago after the interview (still waiting to hear back from my JS1), and received a Hamilton after my interview with Columbia earlier this month. Still def. would have chosen UVA with the Dillard though. Also, my "interview" with UVA wasn't exactly what you'd expect. It was on the phone, and when I answered my interviewer (whom I'd already met and loved) welcomed me to UVA immediately. I thanked them profusely and they asked me if I had any questions, and then it was over.

I actually didn't read this thread thoroughly enough to see who exactly that candidate was, and I even meant to say LSN, not TLS. I'm definitely not saying your interview sucked. I do think you and the LSN person were inexplicable outliers. Both of you look like you've had success at other schools that require interviews, so it must not be like, horrible BO or swearing like a sailor or anything. And of course, high GPA/LSAT is pretty tightly correlated with Being Generally Responsible and Presenting Well, anyway.

My point is just that there's more to admissions than numbers. All of our theorizing is based on two factors which are highly predictive, but in that macro approach, we tend to forget that some people write the wrong school's name in their personal statement, or talk over their interviewer, or-- on the other side-- have really touching or impressive essays/letters of rec.

Also, congrats on the other schools, and hopefully UVA will reconsider if you come back to them with those letters in hand.