Wisconsin 2010 Application Cycle Forum

[MoS]

Anyone get scholarship info yet?

No but if you're out of state your chances of getting a scholly is slim to none.

Really? That's not cool

[Chiglaw]

I'm finishing up my app for Wisconsin right now but have a few questions.

First, what are my chances with a 3.51/162 early honors grad at UIUC as an Illinois resident? I have some pretty solid softs but nothing over the top. I'm hoping to end up practicing in Chicago so UW and UIUC are my focuses, but I'm pretty sure UW is more in line with my numbers.

Second, I saw someone mention a "Why Wisconsin" addendum. I didn't see any mention of such an addition on the application but I could be wrong. Should I add that with my stats and since I'm pretty set on Wisconsin?

Lastly, the personal statement is a bit odd. A lot of other schools have a pretty open ended "tell us about yourself" prompt but Wisconsin seems to be focused on "how do you meet our stated criteria" so I was planning on starting from scratch with this one. How have some of you admitted students approached this?

Thank you so much for any help!

[superflush]

Second, I saw someone mention a "Why Wisconsin" addendum. I didn't see any mention of such an addition on the application but I could be wrong. Should I add that with my stats and since I'm pretty set on Wisconsin?

Maybe they just added in anyway.

[beebs]

Just got my acceptance packet, and no scholarship info.

My GPA is above median, LSAT well above the 75th, WI resident, UW for undergrad. Packer fan since birth.

Maybe it comes later, or just not at all. Who knows?

[Panther7]

Just got my acceptance packet, and no scholarship info.

My GPA is above median, LSAT well above the 75th, WI resident, UW for undergrad. Packer fan since birth.

Maybe it comes later, or just not at all. Who knows?

I agree, wtf, where is the scholarship?

BTW, filling out app as we speak!

[JCougar]

I'll be applying here in a couple of days. I'm probably borderline, but I would qualify for in-state, so this would be a great opportunity for me.

Stats are 162/2.95 (3.15 degree). I was born, went to high school, and went to undergrad in Wisconsin. Haven't lived there for 6 years, but my parents still do, so I qualify for in-state. I have a graduate degree plus three years of work experience at two pretty big-name companies. I've also been elected treasurer of the county Democratic party where I live, which is an unpaid position I take care of on top of my job. Hopefully, that will add to my volunteer cred. I did a lot of political volunteering in 2004 and especially 2008.

I'm hoping that being at median for the LSAT will give me a reasonable chance, because that GPA is obviously horrible. Given my WE and MS degree, I'm hoping that Wisconsin's increased focus on LSAT median will help me out here. I'm also probably retaking the LSAT in February, because my ultimate target is to work in Chicago Biglaw. My goal was to get into WUSTL or UIUC, but I'm thinking that even if I got in to either of those schools, my cost will be significantly lower at Wisconsin, and my prospects for Chicago Biglaw would not be incredibly higher ITE. Probably going to have to finish top 10% or so at Wisconsin or top 30% at either WUSTL or UIUC to have a shot. All three are not good bets, so I might as well hedge and take in-state tuition while I can, espeially knowing that I can fall back on diploma privilege and the Milwaukee market if necessary. Anyway, I've been to Madison many times, and it's about as perfect a city as you can get. So here's to hoping that I can get in even with a 162 worst case scenario.

[lewis louis]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

[coolkatz321]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

You'll get a full scholarship. Count on it.

Edit: Deleted for my poor choice of words.

[tamlyric]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

You'll get a full scholarship. Count on it.

And no, I'm not kidding. I just hope you're better-suited for law school than the 148/3.1 AA they gave a full ride to last year. Believe me, she's doing very, very poorly.

Did you seriously just say this?

[coolkatz321]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

You'll get a full scholarship. Count on it.

And no, I'm not kidding. I just hope you're better-suited for law school than the 148/3.1 AA they gave a full ride to last year. Believe me, she's doing very, very poorly.

Did you seriously just say this?

What's with the eye roll? Wisconsin gives out full scholarships to URMs and ignores other applicants. This is a pretty well-documented fact.

I have no problem with affirmative action, but I do have a problem when they give a full ride to someone who shouldn't even get in, and then they perform like total crap in law school.

[Slimpee]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

You'll get a full scholarship. Count on it.

And no, I'm not kidding. I just hope you're better-suited for law school than the 148/3.1 AA they gave a full ride to last year. Believe me, she's doing very, very poorly.

Did you seriously just say this?

What's with the eye roll? Wisconsin gives out full scholarships to URMs and ignores other applicants. This is a pretty well-documented fact.

I have no problem with affirmative action, but I do have a problem when they give a full ride to someone who shouldn't even get in, and then they perform like total crap in law school.

You're either currently in, or just out of, undergrad, aren't you?

[lewis louis]

lol

Also: I hope you're better suited for law school than the other kid who got in off the waitlist. He is doing very, very poorly.

Makes sense, right?

[Panther7]

Wisconsin is a huge Affirmative Action whore. I think most residents know this. The population of the state is 91% white, yet UW claims one of the most diverse student bodies anywhere.

Although I don't see the point of calling specific individuals out on this...

[lewis louis]

Wisconsin is a huge Affirmative Action whore. I think most residents know this. The population of the state is 91% white, yet UW claims one of the most diverse student bodies anywhere.

Although I don't see the point of calling specific individuals out on this...

So. What are my chances? I can't tell if i should take any of the posts so far with any validity. Scholly? No scholl?

[brickman]

I do not think you should deprecate the anecdotal comments of coolkatz321; from everything that I have read about the UW admissions process, it seems that they are a "gamey" school that tries to play a lot of angles ultimately resulting in a rather insincere feeling. Personally, I do not know one way or another your chances of getting in, but I would not reject the advice to pursue an application.

UW loves their games, their numbers, and their waitlists, you might as well see if you can work your way in.

Best of luck.

[Panther7]

Wisconsin is a huge Affirmative Action whore. I think most residents know this. The population of the state is 91% white, yet UW claims one of the most diverse student bodies anywhere.

Although I don't see the point of calling specific individuals out on this...

So. What are my chances? I can't tell if i should take any of the posts so far with any validity. Scholly? No scholl?

Was referring to the other person, but I have no idea about you. Only advice I could give is to apply and see.

[coolkatz321]

lol

Also: I hope you're better suited for law school than the other kid who got in off the waitlist. He is doing very, very poorly.

Makes sense, right?

I hope so, too. But hey, I guess I won't know until school starts next fall! Granted, I didn't get a free ride, but I got the gist of what you're saying.

And despite what others are saying, you'll get in AND you'll get significant $$$. It's the way the UW admissions cycle runs. Good luck.

[tamlyric]

Yeah, im out of state, so no scholly, but my stats are 153, 3.31 URM AAmale. What do you all percieve my chances to be?

You'll get a full scholarship. Count on it.

And no, I'm not kidding. I just hope you're better-suited for law school than the 148/3.1 AA they gave a full ride to last year. Believe me, she's doing very, very poorly.

Did you seriously just say this?

What's with the eye roll? Wisconsin gives out full scholarships to URMs and ignores other applicants. This is a pretty well-documented fact.

I have no problem with affirmative action, but I do have a problem when they give a full ride to someone who shouldn't even get in, and then they perform like total crap in law school.

Sorry, I should I have been more clear. The eye roll -- which really didn't capture the emotion I wanted to convey but was the closest thing I could find -- was for pointing at a particular person and denigrating her. Even if the more general point you're making is well-taken, did you really need to throw a specific person under the bus in order to make it? Why not just make the statement in bold and stop while you're ahead?

[superflush]

Sorry, I should I have been more clear. The eye roll -- which really didn't capture the emotion I wanted to convey but was the closest thing I could find -- was for pointing at a particular person and denigrating her. Even if the more general point you're making is well-taken, did you really need to throw a specific person under the bus in order to make it? Why not just make the statement in bold and stop while you're ahead?

Eh, I don't think he is lashing out at this particular woman, rather the seemingly crazy way that Madison deals with their applicants (particularly their URM grab).

[lewis louis]

I think we can all agree that none of us are upset with coolkatz, but rather the way he approached it/the system itself. As for "Apply and see", I applied back in early december, so im one step ahead of you. I'll let you all know if coolkatz was right. Hope he is

[BearDownChicago]

I'm finishing up my app for Wisconsin right now but have a few questions.

First, what are my chances with a 3.51/162 early honors grad at UIUC as an Illinois resident? I have some pretty solid softs but nothing over the top. I'm hoping to end up practicing in Chicago so UW and UIUC are my focuses, but I'm pretty sure UW is more in line with my numbers.

Second, I saw someone mention a "Why Wisconsin" addendum. I didn't see any mention of such an addition on the application but I could be wrong. Should I add that with my stats and since I'm pretty set on Wisconsin?

Lastly, the personal statement is a bit odd. A lot of other schools have a pretty open ended "tell us about yourself" prompt but Wisconsin seems to be focused on "how do you meet our stated criteria" so I was planning on starting from scratch with this one. How have some of you admitted students approached this?

Thank you so much for any help!

Personal Statement

The application asks that you prepare a double-spaced, two to three page personal statement on separate pages or electronic attachments. Through the personal statement, the Admissions Committee looks for things about you that distinguish you from our other applicants. Don't be afraid to talk to us about an unusual experience. It is often these experiences, and your recounting of them, that can speak volumes to us about you, your level of self-reflection, your imagination, how you understand and engage the world around you, and what you could bring to the Law School. You are encouraged to write your personal statement in a narrative tone so that more of your personality and who you are comes through in the writing. You should envision the personal statement as your opportunity to have a "conversation" with the Admissions Committee, highlighting what you think is important. You may also want to use the statement to describe any special factors, problems, plans, or additional information you think might be useful to the Admissions Committee.


That's right from Wisconsin's application instructions. I don't see anything about meeting a certain criteria. Seems like you can submit whatever your standard PS is to meet their criteria.

[tamlyric]

Sorry, I should I have been more clear. The eye roll -- which really didn't capture the emotion I wanted to convey but was the closest thing I could find -- was for pointing at a particular person and denigrating her. Even if the more general point you're making is well-taken, did you really need to throw a specific person under the bus in order to make it? Why not just make the statement in bold and stop while you're ahead?

Eh, I don't think he is lashing out at this particular woman, rather the seemingly crazy way that Madison deals with their applicants (particularly their URM grab).

Yeah you're right, superflush; I stand corrected. Coolkatz's original post is a paradigm of compassionate and clear thinking.

[Veritas]

I concur with TL, because he is teh hawts.

[shanemahsa]

Yeah you're right, superflush; I stand corrected. Coolkatz's original post is a paradigm of compassionate and clear thinking.

This is what I love about TLS......

[bouakedojo]

.