173 LSAT / 4.0 GPA with last minute applications Forum

[StrictlyBusiness]

I had a few issues with one of my rec letters and wasn't able to submit my apps until Jan 29th. Statistically I know I have a good shot, but realistically how much will my tardiness hurt me at schools with Feb 1 deadlines and do I even have a shot at Harvard or Chicago? What about Duke as a priority app?

I just read a similar thread but it was from a girl with much better intangibles like a Ivy league Masters degree (my ACC business degree doesn't really compare)

Overall what do you think my chances are? and unfortunately waiting for the next cycle would cost me $100k+ in parental support

[AriGoldButNicer]

I had a few issues with one of my rec letters and wasn't able to submit my apps until Jan 29th. Statistically I know I have a good shot, but realistically how much will my tardiness hurt me at schools with Feb 1 deadlines and do I even have a shot at Harvard or Chicago? What about Duke as a priority app?

I just read a similar thread but it was from a girl with much better intangibles like a Ivy league Masters degree (my ACC business degree doesn't really compare)

Overall what do you think my chances are? and unfortunately waiting for the next cycle would cost me $100k+ in parental support

your parents seem mean, and ill informed.

but you def. have a great shot at Chicago.

[StrictlyBusiness]

I had a few issues with one of my rec letters and wasn't able to submit my apps until Jan 29th. Statistically I know I have a good shot, but realistically how much will my tardiness hurt me at schools with Feb 1 deadlines and do I even have a shot at Harvard or Chicago? What about Duke as a priority app?

I just read a similar thread but it was from a girl with much better intangibles like a Ivy league Masters degree (my ACC business degree doesn't really compare)

Overall what do you think my chances are? and unfortunately waiting for the next cycle would cost me $100k+ in parental support

your parents seem mean, and ill informed.

but you def. have a great shot at Chicago.

Perhaps ill-informed, but I consider it not so mean that they'd be willing to commit in the first place.

Anyway thank you for your input. Is there any reason you specify Chicago as opposed to the other two, aside from their preference for LSAT's and possibly business majors?

[AriGoldButNicer]

I had a few issues with one of my rec letters and wasn't able to submit my apps until Jan 29th. Statistically I know I have a good shot, but realistically how much will my tardiness hurt me at schools with Feb 1 deadlines and do I even have a shot at Harvard or Chicago? What about Duke as a priority app?

I just read a similar thread but it was from a girl with much better intangibles like a Ivy league Masters degree (my ACC business degree doesn't really compare)

Overall what do you think my chances are? and unfortunately waiting for the next cycle would cost me $100k+ in parental support

your parents seem mean, and ill informed.

but you def. have a great shot at Chicago.

Ur gonna get Duke. I just wouldn't bet on harvard because u aren't so much better than their numbers (who is?) that it will compensate for tardiness in my opinion.
Perhaps ill-informed, but I consider it not so mean that they'd be willing to commit in the first place.

Anyway thank you for your input. Is there any reason you specify Chicago as opposed to the other two, aside from their preference for LSAT's and possibly business majors?

[StrictlyBusiness]

Ah thanks, I suppose that is at least partially reassuring, and at this point I'll take it.

[Nelson]

Applying this late hurts your chances across the board. Chicago is a prime example as they WLd a lot of people with stellar numbers last year this late in the cycle. Harvard has an enormous class so I would say you still are a virtual lock have a good chance there though.

You would be foolish not to reapply next cycle if you don't get a big scholarship at a T14 or HYS this cycle.

[redbullvodka]

I think you're Harvard-secure if you apply next cycle; you may even be now, but it's a definite next cycle. You don't serve to gain very much by the uniqueness (allegedly) of this cycle, as a 4.0/173 will dominate any application year. Do something fun for a year, then dominante next September.

[Tom Joad]

Strictly Business, great screen name and I wish you luck in your cycle even though you should wait until next year to apply so I don't have to compete with you.

I bet you get into Harvard though.

[StrictlyBusiness]

Strictly Business, great screen name and I wish you luck in your cycle even though you should wait until next year to apply so I don't have to compete with you.

I bet you get into Harvard though.

Well thanks everyone for you input. One last question though-

Will it help to add an addendum explaining my late applications to the schools I'm sending in apps to now, even if my reason is simply a pretty weak lost-in-the-mail issue? For those I've already applied to will it be beneficial to give their admissions a call and mention it for any reason?

[Liquox]

you'll probably kill some poor guy's chances at a spot with your late app, but do it anyways. you'll get something good.

[KingsBench]

Will it help to add an addendum explaining my late applications to the schools I'm sending in apps to now, even if my reason is simply a pretty weak lost-in-the-mail issue? For those I've already applied to will it be beneficial to give their admissions a call and mention it for any reason?

Don't addendum this.

And from your post it seems you've already submitted an application but if you don't get H, I'm with the others - take the year off and do something with yourself.

[sunynp]

Why would your parents not help you out if you wait a year? I would wait and see how your cycle goes and then talk to them again. I think if you can convince them that waiting a year will garner you better acceptances or large scholarships, they will listen to you. Don't assume that they won't help you if it is in your best interest to wait a year. I bet they are willing to listen to reason.

Also - don't do an addendum for the late LOR. It won't help you and would make you look a little lame.

[d.schoenfeld16]

I would love some tips on ways to convince parents of the benefit of waiting a cycle, because I am currently in the same boat (tho I am a splitter who applied fairly late instead of stellar stats all-around). It is like every rational argument I use on them goes in one ear and out the other.

[goldenflash19]

If they truly want what is best for you, then they'll let you take a year off. It's extremely generous that they are helping you, but this decision will shape the rest of YOUR life. For example, missing out on a school like H (I think you're in, but it's possible you won't be) and attending a lower T14 out of necessity could limit your chances at academia down the line. Also, you don't want to miss out on Chicago or Harvard, get a job you're not happy with, and then hate your life while wondering "what if?" Potential millions of dollars are at stake, and it's best to maximize your chances at success. It's definitely worth waiting a year if you don't get into YHS.

[Nelson]

I would love some tips on ways to convince parents of the benefit of waiting a cycle, because I am currently in the same boat (tho I am a splitter who applied fairly late instead of stellar stats all-around). It is like every rational argument I use on them goes in one ear and out the other.

Figure out a way to finance your professional school on your own without making your parents do it? That way you can act like an independent adult.

[Largo219]

I would love some tips on ways to convince parents of the benefit of waiting a cycle, because I am currently in the same boat (tho I am a splitter who applied fairly late instead of stellar stats all-around). It is like every rational argument I use on them goes in one ear and out the other.

Figure out a way to finance your professional school on your own without making your parents do it? That way you can act like an independent adult.

Don't think you can fault him for trying to avoid $100k worth of debt.

[Nelson]

I would love some tips on ways to convince parents of the benefit of waiting a cycle, because I am currently in the same boat (tho I am a splitter who applied fairly late instead of stellar stats all-around). It is like every rational argument I use on them goes in one ear and out the other.

Figure out a way to finance your professional school on your own without making your parents do it? That way you can act like an independent adult.

Don't think you can fault him for trying to avoid $100k worth of debt.

I can fault him for whining about not being able to convince his parents to do it for him on his terms.

[sunynp]

To help parents understand I would point them to reputable news sources- both the new York times and the wall street journal have fad articles in the past year. NPR just did a piece too, if they are NPR people. More and more legitimate news outlets are covering the story of the oversupply of lawyers and the competitive market. I also think having parents read Paul Campos' blog with the understanding that he is a tenured law professor should help. I'm not spamming his blog, I just think parents will go for the respectability of his information. I can't link to it directly here but it isn't hard to find.

[StrictlyBusiness]

I would love some tips on ways to convince parents of the benefit of waiting a cycle, because I am currently in the same boat (tho I am a splitter who applied fairly late instead of stellar stats all-around). It is like every rational argument I use on them goes in one ear and out the other.

Figure out a way to finance your professional school on your own without making your parents do it? That way you can act like an independent adult.

Don't think you can fault him for trying to avoid $100k worth of debt.

I can fault him for whining about not being able to convince his parents to do it for him on his terms.

Trust me I hear you all saying that the year wait is worth it in the long run, but when you're in those shoes it isn't quite that simple. For starters, I haven't been applying for full-time jobs and I'd be way behind in that process. I should also clarify that it isn't a situation where my parents would disown me for the year off, simply that I'm taking advantage of incredible generosity already, and it's not something I want to push to the limit.

I guess my point is that right now I don't see Harvard being 1 year of downtime and $100k of debt better than a Columbia or even Duke (assuming I'd get into any of them), so a year of wait just strikes me as a gamble. After all, if I don't get into Harvard this cycle, there is always the possibility of the same result a year from now.