Top Law Schools

I don't think that I have seen a thread for American yet (for this cycle)....So I guess I will start it.

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Listed below are the application deadlines for the fall 2012 entering class.

•November 15: Application deadline for anyone applying for the early decision option. For more information please click here.

•January 16: Application deadline for Public Interest/Public Service Scholarship applicants.

•March 1: Deadline for Need Access application for a WCL need-based grant. Need Access information can be found on the financial aid office.

•March 1: Deadline for FAFSA as application for federal aid. Forms are available on-line from the financial aid office.

•March 1: The priorty application deadline

My app is pretty much finished, just gotta scrounge up some dollars for the app fee. Thanks for the list of deadlines!

vpintz wrote:My app is pretty much finished, just gotta scrounge up some dollars for the app fee. Thanks for the list of deadlines!

No problem! Good luck =)

Did my undergrad here and have spoken with the Dean about law school apps happy to answer any questions about the area or school, though I'm obviously not as knowledgeable as a law student there.

Got some questions via PM. Feel free to do that if you have a quirky question and I'll post responses here.

1) The Dean seemed to stress that a good PS should let them know why the applicant wants to go to law school and what they brought to the table.

2) As for being a more holistic or numbers based school, I would say based on the general culture of the university that they tend to have a particular student in mind. I could be biased because I came from the SIS program, but the university as a whole prides itself on service and activism. I don't think you'd be hurt if you have these attributes.

3) The law campus is smaller and just down the road (maybe a mile) from the main uni campus. Both are in northwest DC, almost to Chevy Chase, MD. You can't get safer and still be in DC. I'm from rural Oregon and I never felt even a hint of danger strolling around any time at night. You can't buy a condo for less than a million within 3 miles of the school. Most of the housing is ambassadorial or high level diplomatic staff, and at least at the uni, you will find many of their children in your classes. This is by far the safest area in DC.

4) As for living, you have some options. I knew groups that rented housing (like AU's swim team) directly behind the law school. Other options could be Chevy Chase apartments or there are apts right by the main campus.

went complete on Friday! and the wait begins...

I am waiting for my October score, but American's PT program is first on my list. I'm so happy to hear that the area is safe, and I look forward to waiting with the rest of you.

Arizona State applicant checking in.

I know the DC area is a top choice for me and my fiancé. Hope I don't come off as rude by asking these questions, but here we go:

Does being further off from the downtown area provide for any hindrances regarding job placement or networking? ANd then the same question but with regards to the fact that the other two law Schools in the area are indeed higher ranked than American.

Also, i don't think its any secret that American is a slightly left leaning student body and faculty focused on public service and human rights. I am not a closed minded or ignorant individual, but my views do not exactly line up with that mindset and I am not particularly interested in public service (already a sell-out if you will ha). Does this actually play a role in the law school lifestyle? Should I look elsewhere is public service type law is not in my goal lists?

Again, not trying to sound rude or insulting or close-minded, just trying to get some answers.

Thank you to any and all that can help me out and good luck to all of you in the coming months!

Checking in. Went complete about 2 weeks ago!

ZeffKay wrote: Does being further off from the downtown area provide for any hindrances regarding job placement or networking? ANd then the same question but with regards to the fact that the other two law Schools in the area are indeed higher ranked than American.

Answer is no to this question. Georgetown is AWFUL in terms of transportation. GWU is great because you can walk many places, but the housing costs are sky high. AU is very easy to access the entire city from. DC is not a big city and has a great public transport system. Almost all AU undergrads intern in the city - I did 3 myself from Capitol Hill to Embassy Row. AU provides a free shuttle service from campus to the Tenleytown Metro stop. That's on the red line, as is most of interest in DC. Very quick and easy, loads of apartment options a few stops up or down on that line.

ZeffKay wrote:Also, i don't think its any secret that American is a slightly left leaning student body and faculty focused on public service and human rights. I am not a closed minded or ignorant individual, but my views do not exactly line up with that mindset and I am not particularly interested in public service (already a sell-out if you will ha). Does this actually play a role in the law school lifestyle? Should I look elsewhere is public service type law is not in my goal lists?

I don't think a public service orientation translates into a particular ideology - I found all sorts of ideologies represented while attending. As for public service, yes, you will find many with this orientation at the school, but I would say its just as much about being active and having impact as being committed to public service per se. In general, AU students are just very very active sorts that like to see their academics dovetail into real-world impact and experience. That was my impression anyhow.

In general though, I think you should look broadly at lots of law schools. AU might not be the right fit for you, though I think it still has good employment prospects outside of public interest stuff.

Has anyone gone under review yet? I've been sitting at application complete for about two weeks now. I checked lsn and it seems they'll start releasing their first batch up acceptances mid to late next week...

PersuasiveCharm wrote:Has anyone gone under review yet? I've been sitting at application complete for about two weeks now. I checked lsn and it seems they'll start releasing their first batch up acceptances mid to late next week...

Mine still says incomplete- waiting for future test. I retook October and my score was released almost 2 weeks ago. I might call them Monday.

PersuasiveCharm wrote:Has anyone gone under review yet? I've been sitting at application complete for about two weeks now. I checked lsn and it seems they'll start releasing their first batch up acceptances mid to late next week...

Where is my review?

I've been complete for a month now. Does American's status checker usually go into review before receiving a decision or is it one of those that just goes straight to decision?

cph4life wrote:I've been complete for a month now. Does American's status checker usually go into review before receiving a decision or is it one of those that just goes straight to decision?

I just checked out the previous threads from past cycles and it looks like you just go straight to decision. First batch of decisions should be coming out this week.

checking in!

someone pleaseee post when they get a status change saying decision made.

Mine is incomplete and waiting on a rec. Heard from my prof that he got it in the other day, so now it's in LSAC's hands to distribute it in a timely manner. Chances of that happening? Fairly low.

Mine still says "application received" on 10/27. I have no app issues at all and went complete within a few days at other schools. Is this a problem for anyone else?

lrslayer wrote:Mine still says "application received" on 10/27. I have no app issues at all and went complete within a few days at other schools. Is this a problem for anyone else?

Mine is still waiting for my LSAT score that was released over 2 weeks ago. They told me to call back if it's still not showing up in 2 more weeks because they do everything by hand. I don't get it.

neeko wrote:

lrslayer wrote:Mine still says "application received" on 10/27. I have no app issues at all and went complete within a few days at other schools. Is this a problem for anyone else?

Mine is still waiting for my LSAT score that was released over 2 weeks ago. They told me to call back if it's still not showing up in 2 more weeks because they do everything by hand. I don't get it.

i think i will probably call them next week.

anyone get a fee waiver??

no fee waiver for me. i sent it in on oct 29. received oct 31. complete on nov 3rd.

beauTfully_free wrote:anyone get a fee waiver??

Nope. But I didn't attempt to solicit one if that's what you're asking...So I'm not sure if they do give them out if they are solicited. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try.

I believe last year American issued its first decisions on Nov 10.