GTownHopeful (2022-2023)

Study Abroad in Rome
Peer Mentoring
Workshop/Discussion Leading
File Clerk
Pre-Law Fraternity

Scholarship Info:

UC Hastings: combo of need based grant and scholarship, renewable based on need (sounded pretty routine)
ND: scholarship, good academic standing to renew
IU-Bloomington: scholarschip, good academic standing to renew
Loyola LA: schoarship, top 30% to renew

LESSONS LEARNED/GENERAL ADVICE

1) Do the extras. I wrote two addenda (LSAT and GPA), Personal Statement, Diversity Statement (I'm non-URM, but wrote about my family's Italian Deli/my heritage; just cause you're white, doens't mean you're not diverse), an LOCI to USC and an additionaly LOR after being WLed at USC. I think the softs made the difference in getting in off the WL so early.

2) Negotiation works. Apply to safety schools that have a history of giving money in order to leverage money from other target schools. The higher ranked the school the better it is: e.g. IU-Bloomington jumping to #23 probably helped me.

3) Apply Early. I applied Mid November-Mid December. This was good, but could have been better. Aim for late Oct/early Nov. (or earlier if you took an earlier LSAT than Oct).

4) Widdle down your list BEFORE you apply. Knowing that I want to work in LA should have made me realize that I shouldn't apply to BC/BU (strong regionally, but not as comparable nationally).

5) Have patience. It took USC from 11/18 to 3/2 to just OPEN my file and then another month to make a decision. Made it harder cause this was my top choice at that point.

6) While in undergrad, do what you love, not what you think the law schools will love. Both passion and absence of passion show plus they dont care as much about quantity as they do quality in ECs.

Because of a whirlwind of events I decided to ED to UCLA. Don't let my username fool you. haha

12/12/10: Deny e-mail from UCLA. Thought I would at least get waitlisted. A little bummed, but still optimistic.

12/17/10: Invitation to apply for the Public Service Scholarship at Boston College. TLS people seem to think it was sent to all applicants. Would be an enticing offer though.

12/23/10: Came home to a big envelope from Loyola. In with an $87,000 scholarship over three years. I would have to stay in top 30% of the class. First acceptance! I can officially say that I am going to law school!

01/14/11: Another acceptance! Indiana University-Bloomington! I was happily surprised at the amount of the scholarship. The package also included a hand-written note from the dean, which I thought was an awesome personal touch.

01/18/11: In at Boston College! I saw "decision rendered" via status checker over the weekend, but they didn't tell me what their decision was. I woke up this morning to find a video e-mail message congratualting me. Excited about another acceptance!

01/27/11: In at Hastings! Got a message on my phone from the assistant dean of admission. Excited for another CA acceptance.

01/28/11: Rejected from Texas. Kind of surprised because my GPA/LSAT are near the medians. Not that upset. Looking to attend a CA school at this point anyways.

02/04/11: Waitlist e-mail from BU. I decided to withdraw. I know I want to practice in LA and I feel that BU is not ranked high enough to carry significant weight in that market.

02/10/11: Rejected from U Chicago via e-mail. Not at all surprised. This was my highest reach school and it would have been a surprise to get in.

02/25/11: Rejected from Duke. Disappointed, but not the end of the world. It would have been a surprise to get in.

02/25/11: Yes!! IN AT Notre Dame! Excited about this decision! Highest ranked school I've gotten into so far! At this point it's Hastings vs. ND for practice in LA.

03/01/11: Deny e-mail from Berkeley. I am a bit disappointed. When I first applied I thought I had no realistic chance, but as the time went on and I remained a candidate for admission, it gave me hope for a WL. Oh, well. It's all good.

03/02/11: Put "on reserve" at Cornell. It's not an official waitlist since they dont put together their waitlist til later.

03/02/11: FINALLY "In Review" at USC. At least someone is looking at my file!

03/09/11: Sent an LOCI to USC.

03/18/11: In at Davis via e-mail inviting me to an Admitted Students Reception.

04/05/11: Withdrew from Boston College.

04/08/11: Waitlisted at USC.

04/13/11: Sent deposit to ND! I am excited!

05/11/11: IN OFF THE WAITLIST AT USC!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!