Yale 2010 Forum

[CoaltoNewCastle]

Can we assume that if we didn't get the waitlist e-mail today, a ding is in the mail?

Why do you people keep asking "Can we assume" questions? No, don't assume that. Good luck though.

[democrattotheend]

Can we assume that if we didn't get the waitlist e-mail today, a ding is in the mail?

Why do you people keep asking "Can we assume" questions? No, don't assume that. Good luck though.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Is there anyone else who has heard nothing so far?

[Swordsman]

Can we assume that if we didn't get the waitlist e-mail today, a ding is in the mail?

I would think so.

http://twitter.com/ylsadmissions

[GeePee]

tbh @ this point i'd almost prefer a ding, just so i could move forward...a WL would be good news for sure but definitely stressful. at any rate here's hoping that we all hear SOMETHING tomorrow.

Why are you so stressed when you know you want to be at HLS anyway?

[lt0826]

Just a few scattered (personal) observations on YLS. Some of this is obvious; some might not be.

(Note: I know some of you here will come out and say this is clearly "sour grapes" because I got ding'd... but, ummm, no. I'll try and be objective here).

* YLS is not the school to apply/go to if you want to pursue a career in the business field (quasi-legal or otherwise), and if you state that on your PS.
* YLS is not the school to apply/go to if your softs involve lengthy years of work experience in the corporate sector (NGOs, etc. are a different story).
* YLS is not the school to apply/go to if you thinks the adcom will look past yours numbers -- or give less credence to it.
* YLS is not the school to apply/go to if you are a non-trad (eg. age 28+).
* YLS is not the school to apply/go to if your pre-law accomplishments (ie. undergrad school, awards, accolades, etc) are sub-par or just not all that glamorous.

I realize that the glossy YLS class profile ( ) looks and reads like it's the picture perfect class of 180-200 students, given the vast array of extra-curricular experiences that people bring they will have you believe otherwise. But let's not kid ourselves here. When about half the class is admitted strictly based on numbers, one can only make an educated guess as to who much room is there for the "mature" applicants.

Which begs the question...

From all the literature that I have read, It seems as though the YLM is desperate to get students in to the accelerated 3-year JD/MBA program... I can't help but wonder... how many spots out of the class of 200 is actually reserved for the JD/MBAs? 10? 15?

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any non-trad non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted. Been a rough cycle for me given I had a super rough time in my early twenties and had a 2.8 when I returned to school a decade later. And while I finished with a 3.5 total when I returned to school and a 3.9 degree GPA at a top public school, I really saw very little of that being taken into account anywhere. As for softs, I am among the top in my field (verifiable), I've actually won some awards since returning to school, and I have a very diverse and unusual ethnic background, though not an URM. But that really didn't seem to factor in anywhere - Yale included - or else my screw-ups from 20 years ago just mattered more. I basically think my results were in line with my numbers - though I guess Harvard can still prove me wrong.

Oh and for what it is worth, my legal interests were in academia or public interest and I stated as much.

And in case it isn't obvious - dinged today. I was dreaming of attending YLS since returning to school and while I knew it would be a longshot, it is still very sad to see the dream die.

[Dignan]

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any [strike]non-trad[/strike] non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted.

Fixed. And, even if you were a URM, your 3.5 GPA would probably be too low for Yale.

[lt0826]

Thanks guys, I know the odds were against me, perhaps more so with my not so prestigous ug and being out of school for so long BEFORE graduating.

I will try again and I will heed the advice and not start the thread. I need all the help I can! It may not help Yale that much but I have a lot to add to my application by next cycle and hopefully I can choose from a full selection of great schools.

Good luck to all who are still waiting! It was nice meeting all of you, you are all going to be wonderful lawyers! I am just upset that you all going to get a year on me even though I am older!

GL next year r6 - I will be rooting for you as a fellow non-trad who apparently has some interesting stories per your profile. I am not waiting a year because for me I don't think much will change in the next year and I have some decent offers - though not H/Y/S quality (well not H yet - I guess I can still hope for that long shot to come through).

[tomhobbes]

Wasn't there a non-traditional, low GPA old guy that was accepted with a 2.8 or something and posted about it earlier in this thread?

[lt0826]

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any [strike]non-trad[/strike] non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted.

Fixed. And, even if you were a URM, your 3.5 GPA would probably be too low for Yale.

Probably. My advice is to not lose a parent and be a victim of a violent crime on top of being poor and working two jobs while attending school a year after graduating from high school. Because Y - the 3.5 GPA sucks - but given the last 2.5 years of school were flawless and 15+ years later, you would think the degree GPA (2.5 years of school) would count for something.

[CardinalRules]

Wasn't there a non-traditional, low GPA old guy that was accepted with a 2.8 or something and posted about it earlier in this thread?

I suppose that you mean someone experiencing the descent towards senility that begins in the mid-30s.

[Dignan]

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any [strike]non-trad[/strike] non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted.

Fixed. And, even if you were a URM, your 3.5 GPA would probably be too low for Yale.

Probably. My advice is to not lose a parent and be a victim of a violent crime on top of being poor and working two jobs while attending school a year after graduating from high school. Because Y - the 3.5 GPA sucks - but given the last 2.5 years of school were flawless and 15+ years later, you would think the degree GPA (2.5 years of school) would count for something.

It's possible that it counts for something but that it doesn't count for enough to get into Yale. There are thousands of highly qualified applicants vying for 200-250 offers; most of these people have something going for them.

[CardinalRules]

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any [strike]non-trad[/strike] non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted.

Fixed. And, even if you were a URM, your 3.5 GPA would probably be too low for Yale.

Probably. My advice is to not lose a parent and be a victim of a violent crime on top of being poor and working two jobs while attending school a year after graduating from high school. Because Y - the 3.5 GPA sucks - but given the last 2.5 years of school were flawless and 15+ years later, you would think the degree GPA (2.5 years of school) would count for something.

It did. You almost certainly went to faculty review, which happens to very few 3.5s. Your bitterness is understandable, but remember that there are many other people with fascinating stories (cf. r6) who are in your position. You're not the exception to a rule.

[crackberry]

Dignan - did you hear today?

[lt0826]

Don't know your numbers but it is true that there doesn't seem to be any [strike]non-trad[/strike] non-URMs with lower GPAs admitted.

Fixed. And, even if you were a URM, your 3.5 GPA would probably be too low for Yale.

Probably. My advice is to not lose a parent and be a victim of a violent crime on top of being poor and working two jobs while attending school a year after graduating from high school. Because Y - the 3.5 GPA sucks - but given the last 2.5 years of school were flawless and 15+ years later, you would think the degree GPA (2.5 years of school) would count for something.

It did. You almost certainly went to faculty review, which happens to very few 3.5s. Your bitterness is understandable, but remember that there are many other people with fascinating stories (cf. r6) who are in your position. You're not the exception to a rule.

I realize that and am also not too surprised by the results. My pity party will be over with tomorrow I am sure. I am actually pretty excited about my current first choice of where to attend (assuming I get the expected Harvard rejection as well) and can at least be comforted by the fact that I will have less debt when I am done with LS. And Y - part of the bitterness comes from those like r6 also being passed over as well. I guess I would actually feel better if I saw someone on LSN in a similar situation accepted into Yale. I suspect there were many of us with interesting stories, backgrounds and accomplishments who do not look strong at first glance who applied to Yale. And perhaps one got in and just isn't on LSN. I hope that is the case.

[februaryftw]

1. Condolences to all who have been waitlisted or rejected. That said, if you were/are in the running for Yale you're probably going to an elite school anyways (remember that!).

2. Does anyone know how faculty reviewers are determined? Random? Or if you have specific interests, will professors in your field be more likely to be the one looking at your application?

[CardinalRules]

1. Condolences to all who have been waitlisted or rejected. That said, if you were/are in the running for Yale you're probably going to an elite school anyways (remember that!).

2. Does anyone know how faculty reviewers are determined? Random? Or if you have specific interests, will professors in your field be more likely to be the one looking at your application?

The bolded is TCR.

[crackberry]

lt0826 - if it makes you feel any better, there was definitely someone (like tomhobbes said) who posted on here a while ago (in March I think) that he'd gotten in with a 179 and a 2.XX. He was in his thirties and had an interesting story. I don't remember his exact GPA, but it was definitely sub-3.0.

[Dignan]

Dignan - did you hear today?

PM'd.

[r6_philly]

I feel like I should provide a little perspective now that the decision is out. I have hinted it at this, but I decided not to put it out there at the time. I have no desire for anonymity, I am who I am.

I am not bitter. I don't know how much credit I would give myself if I was a Yale professor or admissions director.

I am that poor guy who was homeless as a teenager after getting kicked out by a relative/guardian, who was almost a murder victim after being raped. Some guy whose first job was holding a tray giving out chicken samples in from of a chinese food place in the mall while living in a train station after work. Someone who has a GED and took 13 years to finish freshman year but sprinted through the last 3 years of college in 1.5 years with a 4.0.

My brain was injured during birth, my mother almost died and it was thought that I would be developmentally challenged. I had severe allegy and immune deficiency and athsma that kept me in the hospital for 2 years before I was 10. We were told more than once that I would not live until 18.

You can say that I have not been lucky at all in life. Or I have been extremely lucky to be able to survive and achieve many things I have desired and dreamed about.

I realized my childhood dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer after spending my entire 20's to do it. It took years of practicing, 4 hospital stays, and 1 out of body experience near death, but I did it. I won a national race.

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

[GeePee]

I feel like I should provide a little perspective now that the decision is out. I have hinted it at this, but I decided not to put it out there at the time. I have no desire for anonymity, I am who I am.

I am not bitter. I don't know how much credit I would give myself if I was a Yale professor or admissions director.

I am that poor guy who was homeless as a teenager after getting kicked out by a relative/guardian, who was almost a murder victim after being raped. Some guy whose first job was holding a tray giving out chicken samples in from of a chinese food place in the mall while living in a train station after work. Someone who has a GED and took 13 years to finish freshman year but sprinted through the last 3 years of college in 1.5 years with a 4.0.

My brain was injured during birth, my mother almost died and it was thought that I would be developmentally challenged. I had severe allegy and immune deficiency and athsma that kept me in the hospital for 2 years before I was 10. We were told more than once that I would not live until 18.

You can say that I have not been lucky at all in life. Or I have been extremely lucky to be able to survive and achieve many things I have desired and dreamed about.

I realized my childhood dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer after spending my entire 20's to do it. It took years of practicing, 4 hospital stays, and 1 out of body experience near death, but I did it. I won a national race.

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

That was one of the more inspiring stories I've heard in a while. You definitely convinced me

[lt0826]

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

Agreed. Both of us can at least say we tried. And you do indeed have an interesting story and overcame adversity. I am sure you will successful no matter what happens - you've made it this far - right?!

[r6_philly]

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

Agreed. Both of us can at least say we tried. And you do indeed have an interesting story and overcame adversity. I am sure you will successful no matter what happens - you've made it this far - right?!

You can't do anything unless you try!

Keep a positive attitude and don't let failure rule the day. There are always people who have it worse. I will never feel entitled, and I will always appreciate life, even failures. Just try harder. Or succeed through another path. Capable people will win at the end, if they try hard enough.

Good luck elsewhere! We are going to be future colleagues! (academia)

[RhubarbPie]

Can we assume that if we didn't get the waitlist e-mail today, a ding is in the mail?

Im pretty sure there were waitlists AND rejections by email yesterday, so no.

[tamlyric]

I feel like I should provide a little perspective now that the decision is out. I have hinted it at this, but I decided not to put it out there at the time. I have no desire for anonymity, I am who I am.

I am not bitter. I don't know how much credit I would give myself if I was a Yale professor or admissions director.

I am that poor guy who was homeless as a teenager after getting kicked out by a relative/guardian, who was almost a murder victim after being raped. Some guy whose first job was holding a tray giving out chicken samples in from of a chinese food place in the mall while living in a train station after work. Someone who has a GED and took 13 years to finish freshman year but sprinted through the last 3 years of college in 1.5 years with a 4.0.

My brain was injured during birth, my mother almost died and it was thought that I would be developmentally challenged. I had severe allegy and immune deficiency and athsma that kept me in the hospital for 2 years before I was 10. We were told more than once that I would not live until 18.

You can say that I have not been lucky at all in life. Or I have been extremely lucky to be able to survive and achieve many things I have desired and dreamed about.

I realized my childhood dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer after spending my entire 20's to do it. It took years of practicing, 4 hospital stays, and 1 out of body experience near death, but I did it. I won a national race.

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

Whatever happens from here, go forward with the knowledge that you kick ass.

+1

[Kretzy]

I feel like I should provide a little perspective now that the decision is out. I have hinted it at this, but I decided not to put it out there at the time. I have no desire for anonymity, I am who I am.

I am not bitter. I don't know how much credit I would give myself if I was a Yale professor or admissions director.

I am that poor guy who was homeless as a teenager after getting kicked out by a relative/guardian, who was almost a murder victim after being raped. Some guy whose first job was holding a tray giving out chicken samples in from of a chinese food place in the mall while living in a train station after work. Someone who has a GED and took 13 years to finish freshman year but sprinted through the last 3 years of college in 1.5 years with a 4.0.

My brain was injured during birth, my mother almost died and it was thought that I would be developmentally challenged. I had severe allegy and immune deficiency and athsma that kept me in the hospital for 2 years before I was 10. We were told more than once that I would not live until 18.

You can say that I have not been lucky at all in life. Or I have been extremely lucky to be able to survive and achieve many things I have desired and dreamed about.

I realized my childhood dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer after spending my entire 20's to do it. It took years of practicing, 4 hospital stays, and 1 out of body experience near death, but I did it. I won a national race.

I don't know if I am Yale material (I'd like to think so), but I do know that I always try my best. That's what counts most in life.

Whatever happens from here, go forward with the knowledge that you kick ass.

This. Seriously. I sincerely hope that you wind up somewhere excellent, and folks will be lucky to have you in class with them.