International Applicants 2012-2013 Forum

[nkime]

Hi everyone!

I'm an international student (French) and will be applying in Fall 2013 for 2013/2014 cycle. I haven't taken the LSAT yet.
If you don't mind I have a few questions, and I thought international applicants probably know the answers better than US applicants. (Sorry if this is a little off topic...)

1) Are there any international applicants here whose mother tongue is not English ? If so, are you perfectly fluent, and did you take the TOEFL or some other test to prove it ?
My English is good and I try to improve everyday, but it is still far from perfect which scares me a little...

2) Do you have any idea of how international transcripts are reviewed ? Do you feel like your evaluation actually reflected your grades ?
I am afraid that I won't get a "superior" because the French grading system is tough (basically, you can't get a GPA higher than 15/20, which would probably translate into a B at most), and even though my grades are good, my school doesn't rank students so LSAC won't know what my grades are worth compared to other students...

3) Is your personal statement related to the fact that you're an international applicant / Do you explain why you want to attend law school in the US ?

4) How did you prep for the LSAT ? Would you advise to take an online course ?

Sorry for asking so many questions but I'm kind of anxious. Feel free to answer only some of them if you want to, and I'd love to hear any other advice you might have.

Best of luck to everyone, and congratulations for those of you who already got accepted into some schools !

1) For me, English is my 2nd language and it's not perfect. But whether your English is perfect or not, you have to take TOEFL if you graduated a college outside US because many law schools require TOEFL score. Some top schools don't require TOEFL, so if your LSAT score is high enough, you don't have to take it.

2) Sorry, my country has a similar grading system to the US system so I have no idea about it. But I think you're not the only applicant from France and LSAC knows how to understand French grading system.

3) Yes. A friend of mine who went to American law school advised me to explain the reasons why I want to study the law at "American" law school in my essay. I think you should prepare the reasons anyway because we international students will get this kind of questions a lot from job interviews.

4) Unlike other international applicants on this post, my LSAT score is not high enough to enter T14. So other guys may answer this question.

Good luck!

[estellejade]

Hi everyone!

I'm an international student (French) and will be applying in Fall 2013 for 2013/2014 cycle. I haven't taken the LSAT yet.
If you don't mind I have a few questions, and I thought international applicants probably know the answers better than US applicants. (Sorry if this is a little off topic...)

1) Are there any international applicants here whose mother tongue is not English ? If so, are you perfectly fluent, and did you take the TOEFL or some other test to prove it ?
My English is good and I try to improve everyday, but it is still far from perfect which scares me a little...

2) Do you have any idea of how international transcripts are reviewed ? Do you feel like your evaluation actually reflected your grades ?
I am afraid that I won't get a "superior" because the French grading system is tough (basically, you can't get a GPA higher than 15/20, which would probably translate into a B at most), and even though my grades are good, my school doesn't rank students so LSAC won't know what my grades are worth compared to other students...

3) Is your personal statement related to the fact that you're an international applicant / Do you explain why you want to attend law school in the US ?

4) How did you prep for the LSAT ? Would you advise to take an online course ?

Sorry for asking so many questions but I'm kind of anxious. Feel free to answer only some of them if you want to, and I'd love to hear any other advice you might have.

Best of luck to everyone, and congratulations for those of you who already got accepted into some schools !

1) For me, English is my 2nd language and it's not perfect. But whether your English is perfect or not, you have to take TOEFL if you graduated a college outside US because many law schools require TOEFL score. Some top schools don't require TOEFL, so if your LSAT score is high enough, you don't have to take it.

2) Sorry, my country has a similar grading system to the US system so I have no idea about it. But I think you're not the only applicant from France and LSAC knows how to understand French grading system.

3) Yes. A friend of mine who went to American law school advised me to explain the reasons why I want to study the law at "American" law school in my essay. I think you should prepare the reasons anyway because we international students will get this kind of questions a lot from job interviews.

4) Unlike other international applicants on this post, my LSAT score is not high enough to enter T14. So other guys may answer this question.

Good luck!

Thank you for your answer and good luck to you too !

If anyone has anything to add, I'll be happy to hear it

[poichi]

By "international applicants", I mean those of us who did UG abroad and thus do not have a true LSDAS GPA, regardless of the immigration status.

Just found this thread. Glad someone started it and defined "International". Seen some applicants with a GPA that describe themselves as international. Not sure if they are foreign citizens who are then going to law school from college in the US or are just applying from overseas as US citizens.

168/Above average/UK. Good to see you all.

[poichi]

duplicate :/

[vishwanath15]

165 lsat, INDIAN.... top choice till now amid the acceptances is Boston College.
Anyways... just wondering despite the economy bouncing back.. slowly... how exactly are the employment opportunities for us 'International Students' at present? Also, what options do we have outside of the Big Law.

[poichi]

I think it depends on your immigration status, i.e. whether you can get a green card or you have to get a US employer to sponsor you for a work visa. Unfortunately there is not a lot of information out there for international applicants as far as I know.

[wisteria]

I think it depends on your immigration status, i.e. whether you can get a green card or you have to get a US employer to sponsor you for a work visa. Unfortunately there is not a lot of information out there for international applicants as far as I know.

You are absolutely right. From what I've heard though, immigration status doesn't seem to hurt much at least for those at T14 when it comes to finding summer associate positions. Those firms hire SAs with possible formal employment in mind, so at least they are willing to consider international students.

[poichi]

What implications are there for those with student visas (probably F-1) wanting to take SA positions? From what I can tell, pre-authorization from USCIS might be necessary. Does anyone know how forthcoming they are?

I have a green card myself but it's still useful info.

[wisteria]

What implications are there for those with student visas (probably F-1) wanting to take SA positions? From what I can tell, pre-authorization from USCIS might be necessary. Does anyone know how forthcoming they are?

I have a green card myself but it's still useful info.

F-1 holders use CPT work permit to take SA positions. As far as I know, unlike OPT which is authorized by USCIS generally after graduation, CPT authorizations are issued from the school and thus much easier to get.

[poichi]

2) Do you have any idea of how international transcripts are reviewed ? Do you feel like your evaluation actually reflected your grades ?
I am afraid that I won't get a "superior" because the French grading system is tough (basically, you can't get a GPA higher than 15/20, which would probably translate into a B at most), and even though my grades are good, my school doesn't rank students so LSAC won't know what my grades are worth compared to other students...!

I was admitted to Michigan yesterday with "Above average". However, I graduated more than four years ago. I don't think it's a big deal though, if you can post a good LSAT score (especially in your case if English is not your first language) then I think you're good to go, as long as the rest of your application is in line. The LSAT is stressful and difficult enough without the added language barrier.

Wisteria mentioned that their applications are taking longer to be decided on, but based on her (his?) numbers (plus a "superior") I can only see acceptances eventually

[adeel]

above average/ 163 - Pakistan

Have applied to:

Wisconsin
Wake Forest
William and Mary
W and L
UC Davis
Emory

No replies as yet. Any chances of admission with scholarships?

[nari]

Good to see you all international applicants
I have a question to ask.
Do law schools give us international calls when they notify acceptance? For example, I know the dean of admissions at UCLA personally calls admitted students who are in the states. But does he also give out calls to international students despite the time-zone difference?

[gabriella97]

Do schools usually give out CPT permit to international students to work as an SA in a private law firm in the US? If it varies from school to school, does anyone know what Columbia's situation is?

F-1 holders use CPT work permit to take SA positions. As far as I know, unlike OPT which is authorized by USCIS generally after graduation, CPT authorizations are issued from the school and thus much easier to get.[/quote]

[11am]

Checking in. Happy to see this thread.

166/Above average/7-yrs WE in IB and PE

Haven't heard back from any schools yet. Starting to kill me slowly....
Good luck to all the international applicants!

BTW, is it true that decisions for international applicants are pushed back to the late phase of the process? i.e. after reviewing US applicants?

[11am]

2) Do you have any idea of how international transcripts are reviewed ? Do you feel like your evaluation actually reflected your grades ?
I am afraid that I won't get a "superior" because the French grading system is tough (basically, you can't get a GPA higher than 15/20, which would probably translate into a B at most), and even though my grades are good, my school doesn't rank students so LSAC won't know what my grades are worth compared to other students...!

I was admitted to Michigan yesterday with "Above average". However, I graduated more than four years ago. I don't think it's a big deal though, if you can post a good LSAT score (especially in your case if English is not your first language) then I think you're good to go, as long as the rest of your application is in line. The LSAT is stressful and difficult enough without the added language barrier.

Wisteria mentioned that their applications are taking longer to be decided on, but based on her (his?) numbers (plus a "superior") I can only see acceptances eventually

Congratulations poichi!
I am hoping that Michigan will indeed do a holistic approach with my WE and essays and smile at me, despite my relatively low LSAT.
When did you apply? When did the updates take place?

[wisteria]

BTW, is it true that decisions for international applicants are pushed back to the late phase of the process? i.e. after reviewing US applicants?

I feel this is somewhat true, but I don't really have solid evidence. My cycle is much slower at many schools compared to US applicants who have similar numbers and submitted around the same time.

[wisteria]

Do schools usually give out CPT permit to international students to work as an SA in a private law firm in the US? If it varies from school to school, does anyone know what Columbia's situation is?

I'm pretty sure Columbia gives out CPT just fine. But you can always check with their international office.

[danitt]

BTW, is it true that decisions for international applicants are pushed back to the late phase of the process? i.e. after reviewing US applicants?

I feel this is somewhat true, but I don't really have solid evidence. My cycle is much slower at many schools compared to US applicants who have similar numbers and submitted around the same time.

I've had the opposite experience. The only school that I feel has really taken it's sweet time with my app is W&M. For the most part my cycle has been on par with the American applicants.

[wisteria]

BTW, is it true that decisions for international applicants are pushed back to the late phase of the process? i.e. after reviewing US applicants?

I feel this is somewhat true, but I don't really have solid evidence. My cycle is much slower at many schools compared to US applicants who have similar numbers and submitted around the same time.

I've had the opposite experience. The only school that I feel has really taken it's sweet time with my app is W&M. For the most part my cycle has been on par with the American applicants.

danitt, are you a citizen/green card holder or truly international? I'm wondering whether it has something to do with my "resident alien" status, as I will need an F-1 to attend.

[danitt]

BTW, is it true that decisions for international applicants are pushed back to the late phase of the process? i.e. after reviewing US applicants?

I feel this is somewhat true, but I don't really have solid evidence. My cycle is much slower at many schools compared to US applicants who have similar numbers and submitted around the same time.

I've had the opposite experience. The only school that I feel has really taken it's sweet time with my app is W&M. For the most part my cycle has been on par with the American applicants.

danitt, are you a citizen/green card holder or truly international? I'm wondering whether it has something to do with my "resident alien" status, as I will need an F-1 to attend.

Truly international. I live in the US but I'm here on a work visa so I will need an F-1 as well.

[wisteria]

Truly international. I live in the US but I'm here on a work visa so I will need an F-1 as well.

Ah I see. I guess there are other reasons holding my application cycle then.

[poichi]

above average/ 163 - Pakistan

Have applied to:

Wisconsin
Wake Forest
William and Mary
W and L
UC Davis
Emory

No replies as yet. Any chances of admission with scholarships?

Check out this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=191337

I think with just an LSAT score it is easier to predict: any schools where you are above the median LSAT, you should theoretically have a good chance at getting scholarships. However, some schools might place restrictions on scholarship money for non-Citizens or non-residents, so I think you would need to research the financial aid/scholarship pages at each school.

Do law schools give us international calls when they notify acceptance? For example, I know the dean of admissions at UCLA personally calls admitted students who are in the states. But does he also give out calls to international students despite the time-zone difference?

I remember reading about a UVA admit who was in Japan. They tried to call him, but it was a bad time because of the time difference. However, once they realized that he was in Japan, they sent a message apologizing for the phone call and said that he was admitted. I think if they know that you are overseas, they will email you instead. However there are schools that only inform you by mail, in which case you have to wait. I don't know about UCLA, but I am going to guess that if a school calls its US-based admits, then they will probably email overseas-admits instead, but I am just guessing.

Congratulations poichi!
I am hoping that Michigan will indeed do a holistic approach with my WE and essays and smile at me, despite my relatively low LSAT.
When did you apply? When did the updates take place?

Thanks It's definitely a great school. I applied in late November and went complete a week into December. I was admitted a month later. For me, I am expecting other T14 schools to take their time, because with a 168 I am below the median for most of them, so it will be difficult for me to say that schools are slow. Only think I can guess is that a UK education might not raise any questions as it has a good worldwide reputation. I also didn't apply particularly early, though November is not late either. I am in at Georgetown and Michigan so far and they are the only two T14 schools to make a decision.

Good luck with TOEFL stuff to everyone, anyway, if you have to deal with that. I haven't had to as I am a native English speaker, but some schools do have some strange policies. I emailed Penn State because their website says that ALL foreign-educated applicants MUST have a TOEFL score, which for UK/NZ/Aus/ROI/Canada/RSA etc. is absurd. They didn't seem to think it was a big deal and said most foreign applicants have a TOEFL score anyway.

[VeeD101]

Good to see you all international applicants
I have a question to ask.
Do law schools give us international calls when they notify acceptance? For example, I know the dean of admissions at UCLA personally calls admitted students who are in the states. But does he also give out calls to international students despite the time-zone difference?

Yes. I got a call last night from UCLA. Mind you, I am a Canadian applicant so its probably just as easy to call me as it is to call a number in the US.

[VeeD101]

By "international applicants", I mean those of us who did UG abroad and thus do not have a true LSDAS GPA, regardless of the immigration status.

Just found this thread. Glad someone started it and defined "International". Seen some applicants with a GPA that describe themselves as international. Not sure if they are foreign citizens who are then going to law school from college in the US or are just applying from overseas as US citizens.

168/Above average/UK. Good to see you all.

International applicants with GPAs are Canadian applicants. We are technically international but our GPA is calculated by LSAC and counts the same as that of US applicants.

[gabriella97]

Hi everyone,

I have a question. Do international students qualify for those diversity scholarship and programs at those biglaw firms? Assuming that they are non-white.