IN at University of Iowa Forum

[greentrees]

To anyone on this thread: due to everyone bombarding it with highly positive opinions, I'm now leaning towards applying...post priority deadline. Despite my low LSAT score, I'm thinking about writing a letter to the admissions office asking to have my fee waived...any idea how to go about doing this?

Only because I don't want my question to get lost in all this hoopla.

I am under the impression that Iowa does not give fee waivers as a general practice (but I could be wrong). It can't hurt to try (by emailing or calling admissions?) but I would not be optimistic--especially at such a late date. Also, if you're serious about applying I don't think you should delay your application unnecessarily.

[Anonymous0L]

To anyone on this thread: due to everyone bombarding it with highly positive opinions, I'm now leaning towards applying...post priority deadline. Despite my low LSAT score, I'm thinking about writing a letter to the admissions office asking to have my fee waived...any idea how to go about doing this?

Only because I don't want my question to get lost in all this hoopla.

I am under the impression that Iowa does not give fee waivers as a general practice (but I could be wrong). It can't hurt to try (by emailing or calling admissions?) but I would not be optimistic--especially at such a late date. Also, if you're serious about applying I don't think you should delay your application unnecessarily.

+1 I agree with Greentree on this one.

[rainmaker614]

To anyone on this thread: due to everyone bombarding it with highly positive opinions, I'm now leaning towards applying...post priority deadline. Despite my low LSAT score, I'm thinking about writing a letter to the admissions office asking to have my fee waived...any idea how to go about doing this?

Only because I don't want my question to get lost in all this hoopla.

I don't think they offer fee waivers normally. I received an invitation to apply from them (why I originally applied) and it was one of those messages that was worded like a fee waiver but left the free application part out. Regardless, I think if you have financial circumstances that warrant a fee waiver and explain that to the admissions office, you'd probably get one. I've never heard of a school that straight denied anyone that asked for a fee waiver because of financial circumstances.

[greentrees]

To anyone on this thread: due to everyone bombarding it with highly positive opinions, I'm now leaning towards applying...post priority deadline. Despite my low LSAT score, I'm thinking about writing a letter to the admissions office asking to have my fee waived...any idea how to go about doing this?

Only because I don't want my question to get lost in all this hoopla.

I don't think they offer fee waivers normally. I received an invitation to apply from them (why I originally applied) and it was one of those messages that was worded like a fee waiver but left the free application part out. Regardless, I think if you have financial circumstances that warrant a fee waiver and explain that to the admissions office, you'd probably get one. I've never heard of a school that straight denied anyone that asked for a fee waiver because of financial circumstances.

Aren't financial-based fee waivers requested/processed through LSAC generally?

(Okay, now I am just looking for reasons to distract myself from working...)

Edit: I really have no idea how this works on a case-by-case basis with schools.

[rainmaker614]

The LSAC fee waiver is granted for people with EXTREME need (it is very hard for most people to get). Most schools will grant fee waivers to people that demonstrate need but aren't "needy" enough for LSAC's fee waiver (which every school will accept).

[greentrees]

The LSAC fee waiver is granted for people with EXTREME need (it is very hard for most people to get). Most schools will grant fee waivers to people that demonstrate need but aren't "needy" enough for LSAC's fee waiver (which every school will accept).

Ah, okay.

[scott82]

Remember kids, practicing law requires you to be logical, not biased.

Yummy Vanilla Corn Cakes anyone?

Silly Iowans.

Can I get a free year supply of corn?? I'll send you a cow for all that farming trouble.

Got it.

[Hook 'Em]

To anyone on this thread: due to everyone bombarding it with highly positive opinions, I'm now leaning towards applying...post priority deadline. Despite my low LSAT score, I'm thinking about writing a letter to the admissions office asking to have my fee waived...any idea how to go about doing this?

Only because I don't want my question to get lost in all this hoopla.

I sent an e-mail to the admissions office in late January requesting a merit-based fee waiver. They replied that they only grant fee waivers to students with an LSAT above 166 or a GPA above 3.8 (not 100% sure on the GPA). I think that students requesting a fee waiver have to send in a paper application with a copy of their LSDAS report to prove their eligibility for the waiver. I would definitely check with the admissions office.

[pomona]

So by similarly ranked, I assume you mean the following:

22*. Emory
22*. Notre Dame
22*. U of Minnesota
25. Washington & Lee
26. BC
27*. U of Iowa
27*. U of Illinois
27*. Fordham
30*. William & Mary

and you selected Iowa?

Yes. You sound so incredulous.

Yes, you'll find that Jwatson is full of helpful, well-thought-out, informative, insightful, and good-natured comments.

I am sure I am not the only skeptics here. Remember kids, practicing law requires you to be logical, not biased. And thank you for the kind comments, Good Madrid.

I definitely agree with you that practicing law requires one to be logical. However, one can only hope you begin to understand this before entering the profession.

[NorseHawk]

In today via E-mail.

Really think I'm a good candidate for a full-ride.

3.83/168

Here's hoping some dough opens up before I have to pay my other seat deposit.

If I get a scholarship I'm thinking about renting a cornfield a few miles outside of town and building a baseball field. Anyone else in?

Definitely. I tried to get my grandparents to do this with their farm and they refuse. Apparently farmland is, like, valuable or something. Seems pretty selfish to me. Poor Shoeless Joe needs somewhere to hang out now that the real Field of Dreams is closed.

[crystalhawkeye]

I sent an e-mail to the admissions office in late January requesting a merit-based fee waiver. They replied that they only grant fee waivers to students with an LSAT above 166 or a GPA above 3.8 (not 100% sure on the GPA). I think that students requesting a fee waiver have to send in a paper application with a copy of their LSDAS report to prove their eligibility for the waiver. I would definitely check with the admissions office.

Yes. I e-mailed the Admissions Office to request a FW and they sent those requirements to me as well. For me, I sent in a transcript showing my GPA was above the necessary level (3.9 for GPA) and they approved it a few days later. I had to apply directly through the school's website and not LSAC, but it was no problem to do. This late in the game there's no telling, but if you meet the criterion, might as well go for it!

[isustudent]

Greentree -

Thanks for taking questions!

1) I am looking to clerk after graduation, at the highlest level my grades will allow. What rank do you have to be to get a federal appellate clerkship?

2) What was your housing situation like first year? For someone who likes to study at their apartment, do you suggest living with a law student, another grad student or living alone. What do most students do?

Thanks!

[rainmaker614]

Greentree -

Thanks for taking questions!

1) I am looking to clerk after graduation, at the highlest level my grades will allow. What rank do you have to be to get a federal appellate clerkship?

2) What was your housing situation like first year? For someone who likes to study at their apartment, do you suggest living with a law student, another grad student or living alone. What do most students do?

Thanks!

I'm only a 0L but I do know 2 people that did federal appellate clerkships. You are definitely aiming very high. Of the two people I know, one went to Columbia and graduated in the top 20% while the other went to American and was in the top 5% (and his fiancé's family was acquainted with the judge). Take from that what you may but I think common knowledge is that unless you're at a top 10 school, you need to be in the top 5% to even try for a federal clerkship.

However, the 8th district (where Iowa is a part of) encompasses the following states:
Arkansas Iowa Minnesota Missouri Nebraska North Dakota South Dakota
So that means you have little competition (WashU and UMinn are the biggest competitors).

But Iowa only places 5% in ALL clerkships and maybe half of that (being optimistic) are going to be federal. So I would say you would need to be one of the top 5 students (not percent) or have some great connections to get such a clerkship.

[greentrees]

Greentree -

Thanks for taking questions!

1) I am looking to clerk after graduation, at the highlest level my grades will allow. What rank do you have to be to get a federal appellate clerkship?

2) What was your housing situation like first year? For someone who likes to study at their apartment, do you suggest living with a law student, another grad student or living alone. What do most students do?

Thanks!

1) I think Rainmaker has the right idea but I would contact our Judicial Clerkship Advisor (http://www.law.uiowa.edu/careers/studen ... inator.php) to get a better idea.

2) The idea of living with another law student (especially if you like to study at your apartment) makes me cringe. I lived/live alone and it was the right choice for me. It really depends on your personality. There's a pretty even mix of students who live alone or with other law students. There's also a good number of students who live alone for the first year but then move in with other law students after 1L.

[hoosier1508]

In today via E-mail.

Really think I'm a good candidate for a full-ride.

3.83/168

Here's hoping some dough opens up before I have to pay my other seat deposit.

If I get a scholarship I'm thinking about renting a cornfield a few miles outside of town and building a baseball field. Anyone else in?

Congrats man.

So roughly how many people showed up for the ASD?

[mikeytwoshoes]

I met with my advisor's son today about Iowa. He works as in house council at a real estate company. He gave me his card and told me to emaiil him if I had more questions. I've decided to ask you guys what questions you have and submit the ones I find interesting. Ask away boys and girls.

[rainmaker614]

I met with my advisor's son today about Iowa. He works as in house council at a real estate company. He gave me his card and told me to emaiil him if I had more questions. I've decided to ask you guys what questions you have and submit the ones I find interesting. Ask away boys and girls.

Well of course ask what his opinions of the school are and what are the general opinions of attorneys on Iowa grads. You know, the usual employment prospect questions..

Other than that, did he just stumble into real estate law or did he focus on that in school? Where did he go to school? Graduate at the top of his class (if its not too personal of a question, depending on context)? Work at a firm before going in house?

On a side note, what geographical area does he work in?

Thanks!

[mikeytwoshoes]

Rainmaker, I think his background is irrelevant as is why he went into real estate law. He’s only going to answer questions about Iowa.

Please ask questions about Iowa that you don’t have answers to already.

[rainmaker614]

Rainmaker, I think his background is irrelevant as is why he went into real estate law. He’s only going to answer questions about Iowa.

Please ask questions about Iowa that you don’t have answers to already.

Sorry, I thought that his background would be relevant because it would provide some good evidence as to where an Iowa degree can take you (geographically and professionally). I asked about why he went into real estate law to see whether it was an Iowa JD that got him that position or his professional experience that got him it. I thought those would count as questions about Iowa, but no problem

Let us know how the convo goes...

[IpunchedCharlieRose]

It seems like I'm the only one here who didn't come away from ASD sold on Iowa. I left with a more favorable impression of the school overall, but I still wasn't convinced that Iowa is a good fit for me.

[crystalhawkeye]

It seems like I'm the only one here who didn't come away from ASD sold on Iowa. I left with a more favorable impression of the school overall, but I still wasn't convinced that Iowa is a good fit for me.

To be honest, although I've been touting my assuredness of Iowa + me, I am still really unsure. I liked the campus a lot more than MSU, but not as much as other schools I've visited. I'm mostly unsure about those RA positions - no one ever said definitively I would get one. What if I don't? Then I'm paying out the ass, one reason I'd be choosing Iowa over other options.
Aside from that, the campus is pretty visually lacking. There was a lot to do, and that was great, but it's... boring to look at, ugly even. And that work whistle? Ugh...

[IpunchedCharlieRose]

Yeah, these decisions are difficult. On the one hand, everyone I met - from professors (not to mention Byrd, who rules) to current students to prospective students - was pretty awesome. On the other hand, I think it's Boyd. For me, the building is just really underwhelming. And as much as they tout their library, I was kind of disappointed with the layout.

[Mitchske]

I received an E-Mail on Friday letting me know that I had been accepted.

I forgot to send Iowa my Fasfa information in Jan, so I am submitting something on the Fasfa website today. I'm not too late to receive loans am I?

[crystalhawkeye]

Yeah, these decisions are difficult. On the one hand, everyone I met - from professors (not to mention Byrd, who rules) to current students to prospective students - was pretty awesome. On the other hand, I think it's Boyd. For me, the building is just really underwhelming. And as much as they tout their library, I was kind of disappointed with the layout.

Yeah, same here. Hearing it touted as the "gem" of the school, I was expecting more. I liked the student carrols on the bottom floor and the fact that all 2/3Ls get them, but it still seemed pretty basic. Plus, the British-style rooms downstairs just seemed antique and unpleasant. No windows, very worn table-tops, small size (that's not a big deal). And the bigger room on other floors weren't much better. I may be biased because I'm comparing everything to W&L (which was gorgeous inside and out), but it was just not terribly welcoming.

I received an E-Mail on Friday letting me know that I had been accepted.

I forgot to send Iowa my Fasfa information in Jan, so I am submitting something on the Fasfa website today. I'm not too late to receive loans am I?

Congrats! And no, not too late at all.

[New Madrid]

Yeah, same here. Hearing it touted as the "gem" of the school, I was expecting more. I liked the student carrols on the bottom floor and the fact that all 2/3Ls get them, but it still seemed pretty basic. Plus, the British-style rooms downstairs just seemed antique and unpleasant. No windows, very worn table-tops, small size (that's not a big deal). And the bigger room on other floors weren't much better. I may be biased because I'm comparing everything to W&L (which was gorgeous inside and out), but it was just not terribly welcoming.

I know what you mean. While I liked the campus, I didn't love it. If only the law school were in one of those buildings on the Pentacrest...

Boyd needs a remodel inside, but overall I found it comfortable, if not breathtaking. Compared to Moritz, the library seemed immense with plenty of space to escape the talkers, study groups, etc.

I have to admit that I have still been considering Oklahoma mainly for the law library's beauty (ok, and because of family ties to the area). But OU ain't Washington & Lee. The fact that Iowa clearly is the better school in just about every respect finally spurred me to make the decision.