Notre Dame Law School c/o 2021 Applicants (2017-18) Forum

[DaydreamNation]

Ranked #20 by US News (tied with Iowa)

Class of 2020 Stats:
LSAT: 157 - 164 - 165
GPA: 3.51 - 3.73 - 3.83
198 1Ls matriculated in Fall of 2017


(The above is from LST)


(The above is from LSN)

Application Information
- Application opened September 1st with an ED deadline of November 15th.
- The optional essays tend to be highly recommended, especially if you are a URM or will be applying ED.
- Decisions have historically begun rolling out in mid to late December.
- Per this page and emails sent out by the school, it appears that application fees have been waived for all applicants this cycle.

Links:
NDLS Application Link
NDLS Application Information
NDLS FAQ
LSN Page
LST Admissions Report

Previous Threads:
2020 Applicant Thread
2019 Applicant Thread
2018 Applicant Thread
2017 Applicant Thread

Here is a great Q&A thread from ndirish2010: Alumni taking questions

Much thanks to UltimateSplitter for the c/o 2020 thread, from which I pillaged heavily to create this post!

[joeyjoe83]

Checking in!

[ammsps093]

Checking In!

[LAWSB]

checking in, application complete, fingers crossed!

[hamshotfirst]

Checking in! Are people writing both a "Why ND" essay and a "Different Kind of Lawyer" essay? I planned on writing Why X for most top schools I apply to but I don't want to inundate them with essays if the Why X isn't that necessary.

[urmlaw17]

How accepting is Notre Dame of URM's and LGBT students?

I am hesitant to apply here. Thank you!

[GotLost]

hesitantly checking in. not sure if I plan on applying yet or not

[magic]

Checking in! Still working on the app but I hope to send mine in by mid-October.

Checking in! Are people writing both a "Why ND" essay and a "Different Kind of Lawyer" essay? I planned on writing Why X for most top schools I apply to but I don't want to inundate them with essays if the Why X isn't that necessary.

I am writing a "Why NDLS" statement, not sure about the DKL statement yet.

[KPUSN07]

Checking in! Still working on the app but I hope to send mine in by mid-October.

Checking in! Are people writing both a "Why ND" essay and a "Different Kind of Lawyer" essay? I planned on writing Why X for most top schools I apply to but I don't want to inundate them with essays if the Why X isn't that necessary.

I am writing a "Why NDLS" statement, not sure about the DKL statement yet.

I did the same thing - no DKL

[Versailles1919]

Checking in! ND is my top choice. Hoping the cycle goes well for everyone!

[DaydreamNation]

Checking in! ND is my top choice. Hoping the cycle goes well for everyone!

It's cool that you're hyped about ND, but may I ask why? Based on your previous posts, with your GPA if your Sept score get into the mid-160s you're going to get into some t14 schools

[seanbodonovan]

Checking in. I applied in early September. I already have offers from UGA and Alabama, but I'm holding out.

[Versailles1919]

Checking in! ND is my top choice. Hoping the cycle goes well for everyone!

It's cool that you're hyped about ND, but may I ask why? Based on your previous posts, with your GPA if your Sept score get into the mid-160s you're going to get into some t14 schools

I appreciate the compliment for sure, but I guess it just comes down to personal preference. I really enjoy ND's philosophy around admissions and legal practice. I also like their Energy and Environmental law program, and their global law concentration. But we'll see how the cycles turns out.

[Ron.Swanson]

Checking in! Beautiful campus. I recommend visiting even if you don't end up going.

[Zero Hedge]

Checking in.

[audrinainlaw]

Checking in! For those of you who have visited, can you tell me more about South Bend/the campus community? Their website boasts about their tight-knit community (as does every other law school) but was that the case when you visited? I'll definitely visit if I get in (fingers crossed) but I'm still curious about South Bend's livability.

[KPUSN07]

When do they start handing out decisions?

[sabraph]

When do they start handing out decisions?

Submitted Thursday! Does anyone have an answer to this? ^

[amta]

When do they start handing out decisions?

Submitted Thursday! Does anyone have an answer to this? ^

first decision last year was 12/8, per LSN.

[sabraph]

So my status is incomplete because I'm registered for the December LSAT even though I didn't report that to them because I want them to review my app with my September score. Their website doesn't say I can email and ask to be marked complete even though I'm registered for a future exam. I may be overthinking, but is there any negative connotation they can attach to me is I asked them to ignore the December registration?

[para219]

So my status is incomplete because I'm registered for the December LSAT even though I didn't report that to them because I want them to review my app with my September score. Their website doesn't say I can email and ask to be marked complete even though I'm registered for a future exam. I may be overthinking, but is there any negative connotation they can attach to me is I asked them to ignore the December registration?

This exact situation happened to me in a previous cycle. They will not review your app if you have a future LSAT registration on file. So you will either have to withdraw from December for them to review your app ASAP or wait until January to go complete.

[hamshotfirst]

So my status is incomplete because I'm registered for the December LSAT even though I didn't report that to them because I want them to review my app with my September score. Their website doesn't say I can email and ask to be marked complete even though I'm registered for a future exam. I may be overthinking, but is there any negative connotation they can attach to me is I asked them to ignore the December registration?

You can email them. I'm registered for the Dec test as well, but I emailed them and they said they'd consider my app with my current score. You don't have to withdraw or wait.

[hamshotfirst]

So my status is incomplete because I'm registered for the December LSAT even though I didn't report that to them because I want them to review my app with my September score. Their website doesn't say I can email and ask to be marked complete even though I'm registered for a future exam. I may be overthinking, but is there any negative connotation they can attach to me is I asked them to ignore the December registration?

This exact situation happened to me in a previous cycle. They will not review your app if you have a future LSAT registration on file. So you will either have to withdraw from December for them to review your app ASAP or wait until January to go complete.

I'm not sure if it's changed this year, but this doesn't appear to be the case for this cycle. I'm also registered for the Dec test, and I emailed them asking for them to review my app with my current score, which they agreed to do, and my app isn't suspended.

[Lexigator]

Checking in! For those of you who have visited, can you tell me more about South Bend/the campus community? Their website boasts about their tight-knit community (as do every other law school) but was that the case when you visited? I'll definitely visit if I get in (fingers crossed) but I'm still curious about South Bend's livability.

Current 1L, I can't really compare to other schools, but I can say this place is very social and students seem to be pretty close. Professors are very accessible and set up coffee dates and have no problem giving 1 on 1 time. I've done wine tasting at one professor's house. Frankly I love it here. It's a bit like high school in some aspects, but I'm also a bit older. Any specific questions please let me know

[audrinainlaw]

Checking in! For those of you who have visited, can you tell me more about South Bend/the campus community? Their website boasts about their tight-knit community (as does every other law school) but was that the case when you visited? I'll definitely visit if I get in (fingers crossed) but I'm still curious about South Bend's livability.

Current 1L, I can't really compare to other schools, but I can say this place is very social and students seem to be pretty close. Professors are very accessible and set up coffee dates and have no problem giving 1 on 1 time. I've done wine tasting at one professor's house. Frankly I love it here. It's a bit like high school in some aspects, but I'm also a bit older. Any specific questions please let me know

I'm an older student as well, this is very helpful! I'll definitely have more questions for you if I get in. Thanks!!