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AJD decisions should be coming out today, and I think it will be useful to have a thread for discussing AJD-specific topics. First topic, by how much do you feel the benefits of the program (namely, one less year of opportunity cost) outweigh the risks? I think the biggest risk is not having enough meaningful internship experience, which is a key factor in securing post-grad employment. However, it's been said that the employment outlook for AJD grads is as good if not better than 3-yr JD grads. Granted, this is based on a small sample size since the program is still in its infancy. Another risk, albeit less important imo, is the smaller peer network. What are your thoughts?

Spreadsheet a la LS22

I really hope they don't make us wait until Monday! This is definitely my top choice program, so the waiting is killing me!

Leo wrote:I really hope they don't make us wait until Monday! This is definitely my top choice program, so the waiting is killing me!

Ditto! AJD applicant. Submitted on November (waiver deadline) but took the Dec. LSAT and has been complete since 1/3/2014.

I'm curious about the career implications as well. I have very useful IP experience, so I'm marginally confident about my ability to secure employment coming out of school. My top choice would be to pursue a career in academia, so my goals during school are going to be around publishing, securing clerkship, etc. NU has a program for aspiring academics, but I'm not sure how the AJD program intersects with this option. In the best case scenario, I get to begin to sorting through these considerations some time this evening. Fingers crossed for *positive* decision soon.

Any idea how many people apply for this program?

I remember their website says around 200 apps

Leo wrote:Any idea how many people apply for this program?

Leo wrote:Any idea how many people apply for this program?

Two years ago it was ~100, last year was ~160. This year...who knows? It seems to be growing in popularity, so my guess would be somewhere between 160-200?

I'm unequivocally a fan of the AJD. Really ingenious by NU (if you ask me) - provides an avenue to attract candidates with WE that otherwise would be steered to top-10 MBA programs. Brevity (# of summers, condensed course work, smaller peer group) doesn't worry me in the least - all that matters in the current law school model is your 1L grades and your summer as a BigLaw Associate - and the AJD distills the program down to nearly that (or as close to that as is possible with ABA regulations). And anything that shifts the OCI evaluation criteria more towards seller pre-JD WE (rather than exclusively 1L grades) is a net positive (which the AJD does by holding OCI after only one semester - which is much like MBA programs in the timing of recruiting's start).

So yeah, Pros significantly outweigh the Cons (imo) if you have the elite-MBA quality WE (but want a JD).

mx23250 wrote:

Leo wrote:Any idea how many people apply for this program?

so my guess would be somewhere between 160-200

My guess as well. And I bet this program continues to grow in popularity. Hopefully so - for it might drive institutional change in law school's structure (should be two years across the board, and half as expensive).

Just curious--did many TLS'ers apply for AJD with a GMAT score? As a matter of chance, I happened to have scores for both tests available to submit. I like the idea of opening the doors to GMAT types. Should make for a more diverse and interesting peer group.

Hey everyone, really glad that we have a spot just for AJD applicants now. I made a spreadsheet for us to keep track of key metrics. Credit due to lawschool22. Please fill in the spreadsheet with your stats. The link is in the OP.

kcdc1 wrote:Just curious--did many TLS'ers apply for AJD with a GMAT score? As a matter of chance, I happened to have scores for both tests available to submit. I like the idea of opening the doors to GMAT types. Should make for a more diverse and interesting peer group.

I did not apply with a GMAT score.

Didn't apply with a GMAT.

BTW, smart idea. this way I can just check here with you guys instead of sifting with the general thread.

Snowboarder1588 wrote:Didn't apply with a GMAT.

BTW, smart idea. this way I can just check here with you guys instead of sifting with the general thread.

+1 thanks for doing this! Especially the spreadsheet!

No movement on my status checker today. I'd be willing to wait another month if it meant an admission.

Status is still Complete as of 1/21... now I start to doubt if today is the day for AJDs...

Leo wrote:AJD decisions should be coming out today, and I think it will be useful to have a thread for discussing AJD-specific topics. First topic, by how much do you feel the benefits of the program (namely, one less year of opportunity cost) outweigh the risks? I think the biggest risk is not having enough meaningful internship experience, which is a key factor in securing post-grad employment. However, it's been said that the employment outlook for AJD grads is as good if not better than 3-yr JD grads. Granted, this is based on a small sample size since the program is still in its infancy. Another risk, albeit less important imo, is the smaller peer network. What are your thoughts?

Spreadsheet a la LS22

Leo - Thank you for creating this!

Hi,

Just curious how many AJDers here had the chance to interview? Did anyone write any optional essays?

Apigcanrun wrote:Status is still Complete as of 1/21... now I start to doubt if today is the day for AJDs...

Guys, have patience! Decisions aren't uploaded until the end of the day. Also, Johann will tweet one way or the other, so his silence so far today means there is still hope.

sphillycheese wrote:Hi,

Just curious how many AJDers here had the chance to interview? Did anyone write any optional essays?

I wrote two optional essays - one on Why Northwestern? The other, I believe, was a diversity statement. I also interviewed on campus in September.

sphillycheese wrote:Hi,

Just curious how many AJDers here had the chance to interview? Did anyone write any optional essays?

According to the spreadsheet, most of us interviewed. Personally, I think my interview was terrible. I wish I had known about TLS at the time, then maybe I would have been more prepared.

sphillycheese wrote:Hi,

Just curious how many AJDers here had the chance to interview? Did anyone write any optional essays?

Did an off-campus interview with an alum in my area, and it went quite well.

Wrote the diversity statement.

I wrote a diversity statement and included a few sentences of Why NU in my PS. Not sure how much the diversity statement is really worth as a white male tho. Didn't make any big claims--basically just said that my WE would make me useful to peers interested in IP law, so I would have some small utility to the student body.

kcdc1 wrote:Just curious--did many TLS'ers apply for AJD with a GMAT score? As a matter of chance, I happened to have scores for both tests available to submit. I like the idea of opening the doors to GMAT types. Should make for a more diverse and interesting peer group.

Nope. No GMAT but I got an MBA and MA with 10+ years of IP work. Hoping that's good enough to offset something in my favor.

deuceindc wrote:

sphillycheese wrote:Hi,

Just curious how many AJDers here had the chance to interview? Did anyone write any optional essays?

Did an off-campus interview with an alum in my area, and it went quite well.

Wrote the diversity statement.

Likewise. I did all the optionals.