Michigan c/o 2020 applicants (2016-17) Forum

[lsa16]

How many LORs did you all submit? I know they require 1 but recommend 3. I have my app ready to go and 2 LORs ready, but my 3rd recommender is being really flaky. I'm wondering if it's really worth holding up my app for the 3rd LOR or if I should just submit with the 2.

Also, did anyone else not do a Why Mich essay because they wanted to answer 2 other questions instead? I have an Academic Record essay related to an illness I had in undergrad as well as a Diversity essay that I think are really important. Since they limit you to two I'm not planning on submitting a Why Mich essay. Is this a huge mistake?

bump

This is just speculation, but I imagine with that much written material they will be able to tell if you are a good fit for the school without a specific Why Michigan essay....and I tend to think that the 'Why X' essays are generally at least in part just there to see if someone cares enough to write another page - if you are submitting two different optional essays you are still demonstrating that. Again, not an expert though.

In terms of LORs, it depends on what content you think you are missing. My slowest recommender was a professor from my master's program, but because she was the only one writing about that time period in my life I felt it was important to wait. If you are waiting on one of two from different undergrad professors (or some similar situation), maybe that isn't as important?

[forum_user]

To try and get TT back on track, can we all appreciate for a second how hip and savvy Michigan's outreach is? I.e. their status check email: If there's an error on your page, "we must conclude that someone blew it.... Heads will, of course, roll."

Definitely makes them feel so much more approachable and less stuffy. It's a little thing, but totally bumps them up a notch in my book.

[NotAGolfer]

How many LORs did you all submit? I know they require 1 but recommend 3. I have my app ready to go and 2 LORs ready, but my 3rd recommender is being really flaky. I'm wondering if it's really worth holding up my app for the 3rd LOR or if I should just submit with the 2.

Also, did anyone else not do a Why Mich essay because they wanted to answer 2 other questions instead? I have an Academic Record essay related to an illness I had in undergrad as well as a Diversity essay that I think are really important. Since they limit you to two I'm not planning on submitting a Why Mich essay. Is this a huge mistake?

bump

This is just speculation, but I imagine with that much written material they will be able to tell if you are a good fit for the school without a specific Why Michigan essay....and I tend to think that the 'Why X' essays are generally at least in part just there to see if someone cares enough to write another page - if you are submitting two different optional essays you are still demonstrating that. Again, not an expert though.

In terms of LORs, it depends on what content you think you are missing. My slowest recommender was a professor from my master's program, but because she was the only one writing about that time period in my life I felt it was important to wait. If you are waiting on one of two from different undergrad professors (or some similar situation), maybe that isn't as important?

Thanks. Yeah, I'm waiting on a second undergrad professor (I already have one UG prof LOR and one employer LOR). Not sure how much a 3rd letter would really add or not.

[brinicolec]

To try and get TT back on track, can we all appreciate for a second how hip and savvy Michigan's outreach is? I.e. their status check email: If there's an error on your page, "we must conclude that someone blew it.... Heads will, of course, roll."

Definitely makes them feel so much more approachable and less stuffy. It's a little thing, but totally bumps them up a notch in my book.

They got kudos from me when I got that nice packet in the mail with that 100 reasons to pick UMich thing

[Keilz]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

[lsa16]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

Did you just recently create an LSAC account? If they do periodic searches through the CRS system maybe you weren't yet registered last time they did one. I imagine you can email and ask for electronic versions of their promotional materials at the very least.

[Keilz]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

Did you just recently create an LSAC account? If they do periodic searches through the CRS system maybe you weren't yet registered last time they did one. I imagine you can email and ask for electronic versions of their promotional materials at the very least.

Nope, had one for years and I've gotten a fee waiver from every T20 except HYS Columbia. Do you know if they accept solicitations?

[lsa16]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

Did you just recently create an LSAC account? If they do periodic searches through the CRS system maybe you weren't yet registered last time they did one. I imagine you can email and ask for electronic versions of their promotional materials at the very least.

Nope, had one for years and I've gotten a fee waiver from every T20 except HYS Columbia. Do you know if they accept solicitations?

Hm. No, I'm not sure, sorry. I would guess that as long as you're polite about it they wouldn't mind you at least asking for one even if they ultimately say no for some reason, especially because the admissions department seems pretty down to earth based on their emails and promo material, but maybe better to take advice from someone who's tried to solicit before.

[asuddenarborealstop]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

Did you just recently create an LSAC account? If they do periodic searches through the CRS system maybe you weren't yet registered last time they did one. I imagine you can email and ask for electronic versions of their promotional materials at the very least.

Nope, had one for years and I've gotten a fee waiver from every T20 except HYS Columbia. Do you know if they accept solicitations?

I successfully solicited. They were very quick to respond.

[Keilz]

I haven't received a fee waiver from Michigan, or that mailed packet. Do they accept solicitations? Wondering why I haven't heard from them It would be nice to learn more about the school - they've never emailed me and emails are actually the first thing I check when I'm researching a school I'm interested in.

Did you just recently create an LSAC account? If they do periodic searches through the CRS system maybe you weren't yet registered last time they did one. I imagine you can email and ask for electronic versions of their promotional materials at the very least.

Nope, had one for years and I've gotten a fee waiver from every T20 except HYS Columbia. Do you know if they accept solicitations?

I successfully solicited. They were very quick to respond.

Thanks for the reply. They said if I was registered for CRS and qualified it would appear, but my app doesn't say waived. I guess I'll wait to see if I have a hidden one but I doubt it.

[longpig]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm waiting on a second undergrad professor (I already have one UG prof LOR and one employer LOR). Not sure how much a 3rd letter would really add or not.

I'm wondering about this too. I'm just gonna get an employer LOR and I'm honestly pretty sure she's gonna write more or less a form letter. Should i even bother submitting it? like does it actually look bad if the LOR is that un-personal?

[brinicolec]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm waiting on a second undergrad professor (I already have one UG prof LOR and one employer LOR). Not sure how much a 3rd letter would really add or not.

I'm wondering about this too. I'm just gonna get an employer LOR and I'm honestly pretty sure she's gonna write more or less a form letter. Should i even bother submitting it? like does it actually look bad if the LOR is that un-personal?

I feel like an impersonal letter just doesn't add anything to your app because they're looking for more insight into you through the LORs

[Keilz]

What's the consensus on optional essays? Is it detrimental to not include one?

[poptart123]

What's the consensus on optional essays? Is it detrimental to not include one?

I heard for Mich you should include a Why Mich essay

[88234]

Any thoughts on when they'll start coming out this year?

[ponderingmeerkat]

Any thoughts on when they'll start coming out this year?

Based on the mylsn.info timeline charts, the first acceptances start to roll out in November.

[Earlskies]

Any thoughts on when they'll start coming out this year?

Monday

[brinicolec]

What's the consensus on optional essays? Is it detrimental to not include one?

I think there's certain schools that like to see them (UVA, Penn, here) but I'm not sure if it's DETRIMENTAL to not include one.

[notsolawful]

Joining the Michigan thread. Definitely in my top 2 schools. I would ideally like to find out before the new year.

[curry1]

Anyone get a decision? It seems like the first decisions have come out right around now in past cycles.

[lawcapture]

Anyone get a decision? It seems like the first decisions have come out right around now in past cycles.

not yet... last year the emails went out at midnight on 11/3 I believe. I'm thinking either midnight tonight, 3pmish tomorrow, or Friday midnight. You are right, based on past cycles I'd be shocked if there are no decision waves this week.

[ponderingmeerkat]

Just pressed go on my application. Time to watch for those decision waves over the next few weeks.

[Lawschool305]

Anyone get a decision? It seems like the first decisions have come out right around now in past cycles.

not yet... last year the emails went out at midnight on 11/3 I believe. I'm thinking either midnight tonight, 3pmish tomorrow, or Friday midnight. You are right, based on past cycles I'd be shocked if there are no decision waves this week.

Great now you gave me something to think about all week lol!

[TexasENG]

.

[notsolawful]

Anyone get a decision? It seems like the first decisions have come out right around now in past cycles.

not yet... last year the emails went out at midnight on 11/3 I believe. I'm thinking either midnight tonight, 3pmish tomorrow, or Friday midnight. You are right, based on past cycles I'd be shocked if there are no decision waves this week.

Great now you gave me something to think about all week lol!

Hmm, hope to here something or at least see some movement on the tracker soon.

I wish I submitted in September now. I just got my status checker recently and not even complete. Good luck to all of you! You gonna kill it.