JohnnyTrojan08 (2022-2023)

Since graduating, I've become a member of the 2008 Teach For America Corps - NYC, where I teach special education math to eighth graders in the Bronx. I also am finishing a master's degree in teaching while working full time. On the side, I run an LSAT tutoring service and blog (www.zenof180.com), and interned at the Innocence Project last summer, a non-profit organization that works to overturn wrongful convictions and reform the criminal justice system.

Letters of recommendation from my Teach For America mentor and thesis advisor from masters degree at CUNY - City College.

2/8 - e-mail from admissions office at Stanford requesting that my transcripts from grad school be sent to LSAC. CUNY doesn't expedite shipping of transcripts, and takes 5-7 business days to process. Argh.

2/12 - e-mail from Assistant Dean of Admissions at Harvard, asking for a phone interview for 2/16. I will be there!

2/16 - brief phone interview with JR from Harvard. He likes TFA. A lot.

2/16 - snail mail acceptance from USC. Envelope so small I thought it was a rejection; instead, it promises more will follow. Oh, alma mater.

2/17 - Harvard e-mail that almost made me pass out, since they reject/hold by e-mail. It was just a completion notice. Apparently that's happened to lots of people who have either been accepted, held, or not heard for months. So it means nothing, I hope.

2/23 - Stanford has received my updated LSAC reports (with the transcripts ordered on 2/8, so a 15 day turnaround), and I'm officially under review. Personal e-mails from Stanford throughout the process, such a nice touch.

2/24 - Call from UCLA Dean of Admissions Robert Schwartz, ~7:30pm EST... with a full, 3 year scholarship! Obviously USC is out of the picture completely without a similar offer. The first time I feel like I have a good option for next year.

2/26 - Withdrew from USC.

3/8 - JR2 at 3:11pm EST. 30 second voicemail about congratulations and future contact types (e-mail and student website).

3/17 - Financial aid documents complete at Harvard.

3/29 - Financial aid award notification from Harvard.

3/30 - Withdrew from UCLA.

4/1 - Sent updated resume and LOCI to Stanford.

4/10-12 - Harvard ASW. Amazing.

4/19 - Withdrew from Stanford.

4/20 - Wrote seat deposit check for Harvard. Cycle complete!