-Non-traditional student who has just recently return to school to finish my bachelors degree.
-Deans list while taking 15 credit hours, working 2 jobs, and volunteering.
-Have worked full-time over the past ten years in IT and telecommunications
-I also have a criminal record from when I was 19 which includes disorderly conduct, loitering, MJ possession.
3/16/2010 While I realize that the odds are extremely stacked against me with my numbers I decided to give it a try anyway. I believe the soft factors that I do have in my favor are my extremely strong ties to the community, political and civic engagement, my non-traditional status and my upward trajectory GPA.
Only thing I can do is give it a shot. If i don't get accepted to any schools I plan on finishing a 1 year masters degree program at Arizona State University and try again next year.
3/22/2010 received a rejection EMAIL from Charlotte School of law. My first rejection thus far. I thought responses came via snail mail, but oh well. I appreciate the quick notification non-the-less.
Keeping all my extremities crossed
3/23/2010 Applied to Southern University after reading kbear80's profile. She was accepted with 145/2.04 which gives me hope that these numbers truly do NOT define who we are and what our ability will be.
3/31/2010 I arrived home to a fat envelope from Cooley School of Law awaiting me in the dark and desolate crevices of my mail box. After working two jobs, exhausted and ready to relax my calloused hands quickly grabbed the envelope and proceeded up to my apartment. Once I got home I calmly set down at the cluttered dining room table filled with this weeks homework assignments from school while my nerves finally got the best of me and I ripped open the envelope quickly scanning the letter for any signs of "I'm sorry to inform you", after seeing nothing of the sort I got excited only to read the request for further information surrounding my criminal history. Aw that monster in the closet from 15 years ago has reared its ugly head once again. However I wasn't scared because I'd prepared myself for such inquiries with every possible document the court could produce in anticipation fore the scrutiny of my past transgressions. The next day at work I quickly got my documents in order and sent PDF copies to both admission counselors listed on the paperwork.
The waiting game continues................
4/1/2010 Well it's Aprils fools day but that wasn't the case when I got a 3 sentence rejection letter from Willamette Law School.
Really was not hoping to move to Oregon but some options would be nice..........No biggie, the waiting game continues
4/3/2010 Rejected by Arizona State University by mail.
Can't say I was surprised.
4/6/2010 Rejected by Florida Coastal via Email. Rejection is not something one gets used to
4/8/2010 Got wait-listed by Phoenix School of Law, which is actually my school of choice and desire as I can see it from looking out my living room window! However I'm staying positive because at least its not a rejection. I think it's time for some politicking!!
4/10/2010 REJECTED by the University of Toledo! I don't quite understand why schools solicit you to apply (while they are fully aware of your numbers), then reject you. Only thing I can think of is my criminal history may play a factor.
Have put some serious thought into the possibility of relocating for Law School and have decided that I do not want to. I have a lot invested here in Phoenix as far as political, professional, and social contacts that would be extremely beneficial in getting a job post law school. So I am going to put most of my eggs in the Phoenix School of Law basket. Even though I was waitlisted I think I can sway the committee with some good ole politicking
4/12/2010 Came home to a mailbox stuffed with a large manila envelope from Cooley. When i seen a stamp on it that said "Important Tuition" information I knew it was some good news. Hell, I've had so much bad news that I deserve some good news for a change.
FULLY ACCEPTED, on the condition of probation (cannot get into any kind of trouble with the law, due to my previous criminal record), and I cannot take more than 9 credit hours at a time
4/15/2010 - Rejected by Ave Maria via small white envelope.
4/21/2010 - Received an email from Steve Jones offering a seat into the AAMPLE program for Coastal, Phoenix, and Charlotte Schools of Law. I am not going to update these schools with "accepted" like some, because that's simply not the case.
I totally against the summer conditional programs, because of the cost, and dim prospects. I'd much rather expend that time, money, and energy into retaking the LSAT
4/26/10 - I received a letter from Louisville that my application was put on hold till they've had a chance to review their full incoming student body. At least it wasn't another rejection!!
5/11/2010 - Got rejected by Wayne State, and Southern. I must say I was a tad surprised by Southern. In the mean time I think I am going to send my deposit out to Cooley (JUST IN CASE)! I've decided I do NOT want to waste 25k on Masters Degree and wait on law school. I most certainly WILL be in law school this fall, no matter where. I keep going back n forth about moving out of state, but at this point I'm ready to sacrifice for what I want.
Having said that, I am extremely hopeful that I will get accepted into Phoenix School of Law, but I am preparing in case I don't
7/11/2010............Two Months later and I'm still waiting to hear back from Phoenix School of Law's waiting list. University of Detroit Mercy School of Law still hasn't made a decision in my application process and by far has been the longest decision making school that I applied to. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I'm really hopeful that I'll get into PSL so that I don't have relocate my life, but again if it comes down to it, I will be heading to MI to start Cooley or U of D in the FALL!
7/13/2010 - Officially got rejected from Phoenix School of Law! Damn, damn, damn!! I was really hoping it was in the stars for me to stay here in Phoenix and attend school 2 blocks away! Well at least I know what I'll be doing in the fall. The uncertainty has been killing me! I contacted Cooley today, and more bad news (well not that bad, but a small setback) The Ann Arbor Campus if FULL, which is where I needed to go because my family is there and I grew up there! So I will have to either live in Ann Arbor an commute to Lansing MI 60 miles each day.
I'm still waiting to hear from UofD Mercy School of Law as well. I contacted admissions today and asked them what the hell is going on, and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
This cycle has been a roller-coaster ride! I honestly believe that my criminal record served as real detriment to my application cycle. This is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I do thank God however for getting the one shot that I have been offered, and I will make the best of it. I will be at the top of my class guaranteed!
Good luck to everyone who worked so hard to achieve your dreams and goals!
7/15/2010 - Can you I tell you a story about how the Universe Works.............It works by keeping the faith, remaining positive, and not giving up! I had been fretting about going to Cooley because of the stigmatization surrounding the school, and the fact that the Ann Arbor MI campus was full which would have allowed me to live with family and go to school.
I just got ACCEPTED at University of Detroit Mercy for the Part-time evening program!! I'm sooo excited, this is right on time!! I will be attending!! Just put my 30 days notice in with my landlord and packing my ish as we speak! I'm headed back to MI
7/25/2010 - I just wanted to say that after reading several profiles of individuals with similar numbers as mine that I'm so GRATEFUL I didn't have to go through any AAMPLE, TAPS, or PREP programs this summer as condition to get into law school.
My hat goes off to those of you whom have made that sacrifice for your future
8/4/2010 - Okay, so my cars were packed to the brim full of my personal belongings ready for the auto transport guy to come pick them up to ship to Michigan. I get a call at 6:04pm from the Dean of Admissions @ Phoenix School of Law telling me she has a spot for me! I initially decline (I'm half sleep taking a nap from loading ALL day), I got to thinking it over and I'm like WHOA, this is what I wanted!!
So I call her back @ 6:45 but she's gone for the evening. I leave a message and email her that I'd like to reconsider.
Can you believe this roller coaster ride!!
So I'd loose my 500 deposit at U of D and my 350 apartment deposit for housing, but I wouldn't have to pay $1500 to ship my cars and things to MI.
This is CRAZY!!! Will keep you posted!
8/5/2020 - Just got off the phone with the Dean again, and she admitted me!! I'm staying in Arizona and attending Phoenix School of Law this fall!
8/6/2010 - Called my landlord to explain that I will NOT be moving out after all! He agreed to let me remain on a month to month lease. Like I said months ago, I can literally see Phoenix School of Law campus from my loving room couch!
Let this be a lesson to those who doubt what you can do or are capable of doing!
12/8/2010 - First semester of Law School is officially over! I'm so happy and blessed to have been given this opportunity! Law school is NOT some death defying feat that requires every cell in your body to be devoted to it. With a whole LOT of common sense, and an ounce of book smarts its entirely do-able!
`God Bless!
Hey!! Were you able to study at all for the LSAT or did you just take it without much prep? My diagnostic wasn't too far away from your score and I was able to make a big jump on the real thing due to extensive prep. If things don't work out this year would you consider retaking? I have some materials I could send you if you're interested...? Good Luck :)