NYU Law: Unfair treatment of applicants Forum

[NYU-88]

As an LL.M. applicant, I have been made to look foolish by being rejected. I am posting my experiences to warn future applicants of NYU Law.

On March 14, I received an email from the Graduate Admissions stating that the Admissions Committee was impressed with my academic and professional credentials, but found that my English language test score was below the NYU minimum requirement. The Committee invited me to submit an updated score report so that it would reconsider my application. I therefore immediately signed up for several language tests. After intensive preparation, I was very pleased to achieve and submit a test score exceeding the minimum requirement. On May 22, I was informed that the Committee was unable to offer me admission.

I acknowledge that the Committee did not expressly guarantee admission upon receipt of an updated score report. But one could reasonably expect that if the Committee encourages an applicant in March to retake a language test involving a stressful and expensive process, an offer of admission would be issued upon receipt of a high test score. Anything else would be to make a mockery of an applicant who has taken significant steps to meet the Committee’s request. Because of the unfair treatment that I have received by the Committee, I will not reapply to NYU Law next year.

For future LL.M. applicants: If you are in the same situation as I was, then be aware that submitting a test score exceeding the minimum requirement will not secure you a place on the LL.M. Program. More important, do not decline your offers from other law schools (which I unfortunately did because of my reasonable expectation of admission).

[Nova]

As an LL.M. applicant, I have been made to look foolish by being rejected. I am posting my experiences to warn future applicants of NYU Law.

On March 14, I received an email from the Graduate Admissions stating that the Admissions Committee was impressed with my academic and professional credentials, but found that my English language test score was below the NYU minimum requirement. The Committee invited me to submit an updated score report so that it would reconsider my application. I therefore immediately signed up for several language tests. After intensive preparation, I was very pleased to achieve and submit a test score exceeding the minimum requirement. On May 22, I was informed that the Committee was unable to offer me admission.

I acknowledge that the Committee did not expressly guarantee admission upon receipt of an updated score report. But one could reasonably expect that if the Committee encourages an applicant in March to retake a language test involving a stressful and expensive process, an offer of admission would be issued upon receipt of a high test score. Anything else would be to make a mockery of an applicant who has taken significant steps to meet the Committee’s request. Because of the unfair treatment that I have received by the Committee, I will not reapply to NYU Law next year.

For future LL.M. applicants: If you are in the same situation as I was, then be aware that submitting a test score exceeding the minimum requirement will not secure you a place on the LL.M. Program. More important, do not decline your offers from other law schools (which I unfortunately did because of my reasonable expectation of admission).

they only promised to "reconsider"

they owed you nothing

[03152016]

you declined other offers?
why
sounds like you jumped the gun

anyways that sucks and all but i don't think they'll care if you don't apply again
not really their fault
they probably just filled their seats by the time you got back to them with a test score

[Nova]

if you don't attend anywhere in the fall, it's in your best interest to reapply. Adcomms have nothing to do with your law school exeperiance beside playing gate keeper.

[03152016]

also it sounds like they were kind of doing you a favor in reassessing your application to begin with

idk the nyu ppl have been super good to me this cycle
you should consider giving it another go

[NYU-88]

As an LL.M. applicant, I have been made to look foolish by being rejected. I am posting my experiences to warn future applicants of NYU Law.

On March 14, I received an email from the Graduate Admissions stating that the Admissions Committee was impressed with my academic and professional credentials, but found that my English language test score was below the NYU minimum requirement. The Committee invited me to submit an updated score report so that it would reconsider my application. I therefore immediately signed up for several language tests. After intensive preparation, I was very pleased to achieve and submit a test score exceeding the minimum requirement. On May 22, I was informed that the Committee was unable to offer me admission.

I acknowledge that the Committee did not expressly guarantee admission upon receipt of an updated score report. But one could reasonably expect that if the Committee encourages an applicant in March to retake a language test involving a stressful and expensive process, an offer of admission would be issued upon receipt of a high test score. Anything else would be to make a mockery of an applicant who has taken significant steps to meet the Committee’s request. Because of the unfair treatment that I have received by the Committee, I will not reapply to NYU Law next year.

For future LL.M. applicants: If you are in the same situation as I was, then be aware that submitting a test score exceeding the minimum requirement will not secure you a place on the LL.M. Program. More important, do not decline your offers from other law schools (which I unfortunately did because of my reasonable expectation of admission).

they only promised to "reconsider"

they owed you nothing

True. I am just arguing that a basic sense of fair play was violated by rejecting me. If the Committee is not serious about offering admission, then it should refrain from encouraging an applicant to go through an expensive process to meet the Committee's request. Anyway, I will now embark on a job search after having graduated from law school in my home country.

[brazleton]

.

[daleearnhardt123]

If this isn't a flame it's pathetic.

Imagine "Firm A sent me a letter telling me they're impressed with my credentials but to submit an updated writing sample. I toiled long and hard putting together a new one, and at the very least it met the minimum page limit. I also declined offers of employment elsewhere. Then, Firm A REJECTED me after receiving the update. Can you believe that? Never apply to Firm A."

[snagglepuss]

But one could reasonably expect that if the Committee encourages an applicant in March to retake a language test involving a stressful and expensive process, an offer of admission would be issued upon receipt of a high test score.

This is so wrong. This is how you should've interpreted the situation, "If the Committee encourages an applicant to retake a language test, then a higher [passing] test score is necessary but not sufficient for receiving an offer of admission."

When they told encouraged you to retake the language test, neither the timing of their message nor the difficulty/stress/expense of the test meant anything to them. You wishfully read what you wanted to be the case into the situation. Reapply next year with improved credentials - I hope you receive a better outcome.

[jacki3]

Show them how good you are by winning in litigation

[rion91]

never decide where you go to law school depending on admissions

[igo2northwestern]

Hmmm, I might be the only person on this forum sympathetic to the OP.

[ph14]

I'm sympathetic to the OP, but this is definitely learning a life lesson the hard way.

[transferror]

I'm definitely sympathetic to the OP, but this is definitely learning a life lesson the hard way.

Been there

[ph14]

I'm definitely sympathetic to the OP, but this is definitely learning a life lesson the hard way.

Been there

As have I. It's not any fun.

[wingding]

As an LL.M. applicant, I have been made to look foolish by being rejected.

Nope, you were made to look foolish by acting like a fool (making assumptions) and then pointing out to everyone that you acted like a fool.

I have zero sympathy.

[CardozoLaw09]

Reapply