There is a legit chance I might not attend law school next fall (if there is no school that can minimize my tuition).
If you have any questions, ask. If you want to comment, go ahead. Please be respectful though.
Timeline:
9/28/11: Accepted to Thomas Cooley with 25% scholarship. Only took them 2 weeks to come to their decision.
10/3/11: Widener sent me an email telling me my application is incomplete. bullshit. I didn't even bother responding to their email, I'm not high on Widener anyways.
10/24/11: I sent MSU an email asking them to hold off my application because I want to take the February 2012 LSAT. Still no words on other law schools. UDC did send me a status checker Info few days ago.
11/01/11: Accepted to Florida Coastal via online status checker. I checked today (11/02) and got accepted yesterday. This is my first acceptance that included personal statement and LORs (since Cooley doesn't check it). I have to see how much they offer scholarship money (if they do).
11/07/11: Accepted to South Texas college of law via email notification. However, i apply there for Spring 2011 semester, not Fall. This is the only school I apply for spring semester, which I regret. I should have apply for Fall 2012 semester. No info on scholarship so I'm assuming none. I also emailed Florida Coastal about when I can expect to receive acceptance package, admission told me about 2-3 weeks they will start sending out those packages. I want to see the scholarship trap they possibly offer me.
11/08/11: Withdrew from South Texas. I'm not ready to go to school for the spring semester. STCL is top 3 for me but I want to hear out other decisions as well. Rushing a decision is never smart. I also intend on applying to Toledo, i've been going back and forth on whether I should apply there or not. I might not go through with it though. I sent Pace for fee waiver, if I do get one I think I'm going to shoot an application there.
11/11/11: Florida Coastal offically sent me an acceptance email. They offered $12,500 scholarship renewable each year with the stipulation that I maintain at least 2.9 GPA . I don't know if 2.9 GPA in law school is difficult to maintain or not, i have no clue on how GPA system works in law schools. I'm slightly leaning towards no, but I have plenty of time to decide since 1st deposit isn't till April. I have a good feeling about Toledo for some odd crazy unknown reason even though it's been only couple of days since I've sent an app there.
11/14/11: Nothing new. Just got a confirm from Toledo that they received my app. I accidentally apply there part-time *palm smack*. I wanted to apply full-time. If they accept me, hopefully they will let me in as full-time. Also a nice scholarship from Toledo wouldn't hurt. Help a poor Asian immigrant please. Also, tomorrow is the last day (unless they changed the deadline) for Hofstra ED applicants. I know I'm probably going to be a reject from Hofstra by Dec 15th, but never say never.
11/18/11: Accepted to Dayton via email. No scholarship info so probably none. Applied to Pace couple of days ago. I plan on applying to CUNY (always have) but not right now, much much later in the cycle.
11/29/11: Nothing new. I sent my app to CUNY Law School. CUNY Law is the only school (so far) that did not waive my fee, so I had to pay 76 bucks for it. I am currently in review at Toledo, Hofstra, and I believe Pace as well, or soon to be.
12/14/11: Rejected by Hofstra via status checker. Not surprised, doesn't really hurt. Even if I was accepted, I would haven't gone there tbh. In other news, I am officially registered for the Feb 2012 LSAT.
12/15/11: So apparently Toledo wants to hold off my app till I get my Feb LSAT score back. This is not what I wanted. I emailed them few days ago asking not to do this. I rather face a rejection than holding off till March, getting accepted, and no scholarship money. I have a feeling other law schools will do this. Only school I do not have problem doing this is CUNY. MSU is already doing this since I asked them to do this back in October, which is perfectly fine. So I might not get another decision till March.
12/16/11: So I decided to check the University of D.C. status checker because I haven't checked in the longest. I found out I was admitted on 12/13 (3 days ago). Cool Cool I suppose.
12/23/11: I really doubt I'm going to hear any decisions today, so I want to wish everyone a HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a HAPPY NEW YEARS. Be safe, have fun, share the good times with your love ones, and remember...to make the new years eve night a legendary one. I really doubt I will hear a decision anytime soon, after Feb LSAT scores are released probably. Anyways have a good holidays once again.
01/26/12: Yesterday night, I withdrew from Cooley. Today I checked my application status checker for Pace, and it says Decision rendered - mailed. Odd. My LSAT is weak for Pace and I am currently scheduled to take the February LSAT. I can't imagine that I would get accepted when I'm sure the school knows I'm taking the LSAT in two weeks. So it's looking like a reject. I guess maybe there is something wrong with the app?
01/28/12: Rejected from Pace via mail. It's okay, deep down I knew I wasn't going to Pace either way. The only decision that will upset me at this point would be a rejection from CUNY
03/09/12: Two news. First, accepted to Toledo. Second, Dayton offered 16,000 a year (renewable) scholarship.
03/18/12: Three things. I got the acceptance package from Toledo. No scholarship. I don't think I'm going there paying full prize. Second, I withdrew from Florida Coastal many days ago. They re-up my scholarship offer to $22,500 after I withdrew. I have to tell them again that I appreciate the offer but I would like to withdraw. And third, denied at CUNY. argh.
03/29/12: Received a mail from Dayton today, with scholarship increase to 20K a year (renewable with stipulation of 2.95 GPA). I withdrew from Dayton and UDC today. 95% sure at this point I won't be attending law school for this fall.
04/30/12: I will not enter law school this Fall. I will re-apply next cycle, so stay tune for a new account.
Please Wait...........
Stay away from cooley man. Have you done research on their reputation? its horrible! Retake the lsat if u have to but trust me dont go to cooley unless you want to teach at community college like most of their grads do here in michigan
- BLACKMAN1Yeah I do not plan on going to Cooley. Just applied to at least have a safety. 85% chance I am going to take the LSAT again, I know I've underachieved in 2 lsats. I am so much better than a 149, I know it. Just need to study better and hopefully the prep course helps me.
- idontpaymyharlotsYou might not have to retake. I see you getting in at UDC. You're an asian male and i see they are lacking at that demographic. 18 asian females only 9 males.
- BLACKMAN1Maybe but regardless, I want to go to at least T2 law school. D.C. is T4 and competition would be fierce with American. Unless D.C. offers full scholarship out of the blue, I would highly consider it. Still think I could get 160 minimum though, so i want to take the LSAT again. Highest Practice Test score was 157, was averaging mid 150s before the 2nd LSAT.
- idontpaymyharlotsI see you are applying to UDC too. I plan to practice criminal law and open my own firm so UDC is my top choice. I would graduate with little to no debt. What is your top choice?
- John C.I want to be criminal or immigration lawyer. My top 2 choices are MSU and Hofstra. I just sent MSU an email to hold off my application because I plan on taking the February LSAT. My top choice I suppose would be Hofstra, though I would like to go out of state.
- idontpaymyharlotsPick up Powerscore's Bibles. LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible and LSAT Logic Games Bible. I live and die by those books. I took the LSAT 2 times BEFORE I bought these books. Had I known about them before taking it the first time, I don't think I would've had to retake it 2 more times. By the time I hit page 20, the lights came on and bells and whistles went off! I got them both for $20 each on ebay.com! Just a suggestion!
- bethbeth519beth, my sweetheart, I am currently taking the powerscore prep course. So I have the books, an instructor, and plenty of practice tests I can study off. Thank you for the suggestions anyways.
- idontpaymyharlotsWell excuuuuuse me! LOL. Just teasing you. That's cool. As I said I was just sharing because I know there are some people out there, like me, that weren't aware of the Bibles. Good luck on your prep! I'll be watching!
- bethbeth519I work for a criminal defense firm here in DC so I am going to stay in the area. The two partners went to UDC Law and are doing quite well. They said the clinics helped and the little debt was a huge plus. If you plan to do immigration/criminal law make you keep your debt low. There is an associate at my firm with 100k plus debt from U of Richmond. She said it wasn't worth it.
- John C.I understand the tuition being low but remember, I live in NY. I have to think about both tuition and cost of living. I heard it wasn't expensive but basically if you add COL, it is like a full tuition.
- idontpaymyharlotsnot to mention UDC is regional from what I understand, I would like to work in NYC after graduation.
- idontpaymyharlotsA lot of UDC Law grads I know own their own small firms or work for the govt. If you want to work for a big firm in NYC then I would another school. The school puts an emphasis on trial law and courtroom skills.
- John C.I do want to a criminal lawyer, but still would like to do so in NYC. I understand DC is not ideal but I don't think it's impossible. A lot of networking and internships.
- idontpaymyharlotsWell, if you want to be a criminal lawyer school name does that matter as much. For example, at the DC Public Defender Service there are studens from UDC Law (Supervising attorney), Yale, Georgetown etc. If I was you I would focus on debt versus name. A lot of skills needed for the field comes from natural ability. No law school can teach you that. One of the big reasons I am picking UDC is because of the clinics. Remember practical experience is key.
- John C.not*
- John C.of course, my biggest concern is being as less debt as possible. however, if i get accepted to Hofstra (long shot i know), I would go to Hofstra because their PT tuition would be equal or less than DC's tuition + COL. If DC does somehow offer me good scholarship money, I would go. Casey Anthony's lawyer went to St. Thomas law so I understand natural ability matters. But a good law teaching is still important.
- idontpaymyharlotsGood law teaching is everywhere buddy. From Hofstra to UCLA, all of the professors teach from the same law books.
- John C.If good teaching is everywhere, then why are some of the school's bar passage #s awful? It could be the students but just like anything else in this world, there are the goods and the bads. There are good professors and the bad ones. I do think quality teaching is important.
- idontpaymyharlotsIF U ATTEND COOLEY WITH YOUR NUMBERS THAN I'M LIABLE TO SLAP THIS S%%T OUTTA U.. U CAN GET INTO MUCH BETTER SCHOOLS THAN WHAT YOU ARE APPLYING TO.. JUST WRITE A GREAT PS AND RESUME
- cooljackI was just kidding with you bro. No harm intended
- cooljackCongrats on Florida Coastal! I like seeing people on my "watch" list getting those acceptances rolling in! :)
- bethbeth519Well, I think a lot of goes into the quality of the students. Fortunately, UDC Law bar passage rates have been close to 90% lately so I won't have that problem. Law school is what you make and you will soon understand that.
- John C.Your GPA is a little higher, my LSAT is a little higher. I think we're pretty comparable and it makes me happy to see where you've been admitted so far - we have some of the same schools. Good luck!!
- SKellerlol, she probably was referring to me and the comment that I posted on BLACKMAN1 page, and also the my rant about Charlotte school of Law on my page. On my page, anyone can see that I was joking. I used the Denzel Washington training day speech..lol
- cooljackI wasn't referring to anything anyone has commented on my page. Oh, and I have deleted comments as well, although none have been crazy comments thus far. However, I was referring to how some people "carry on" on their own profiles. Vulgar language and/or the bitterness as a result of being rejected from a school, etc. I guess I just believe that once you put something out there online, it's out there. There's nothing wrong with being upset over a rejection, although it is to be expected regardless of your numbers, the way you express that disappointment is a BIG indicator, to me, of who you really are. But then again, I'm a fan of presenting myself in the classiest way possible and being appropriate regardless of circumstances. Hopefully, this clarifies my comment for you.
- bethbeth519I agree. I believe in saying what you need/want to say as long as you're not rude, offensive, or inappropriate in any other way about it.
- bethbeth519I can see your logic and I believe "inner fire" is a good thing. But at the same time, if I were on an admission committees, it'd make me wonder "How would this person conduct themselves at my school if something didn't go the way they wanted it to?" *Scratching my head thinking Virgina Tech scenario*. Nonetheless, it is what it is. I can only be responsible for how I carry myself.
- bethbeth519Congrats on South Texas. I still havent received anything from them :(. BTW you and I are about the same lol. 6 feet 185lbs and play lots of sports haha. Did i meantion ASIAN? Do you plan on going to south Texas for Spring 2012? or defer? I only applied there because they were the only local law school to offer spring enrollment. Hopefully I will be able to get in.
- chimac07I apply there because the tuition is cheap, and has a good reputation from what i've read and researched. I'm not sure if I am going there, I have to make my decision by Nov 23rd or something. Have to discuss this with friends, families, and my harlots.
- idontpaymyharlotsYeh tuition is relatively cheap. But keep in mind, if you dont plan on practicing in Houston, dont go.... They only have a good reputation in houston, no where else. Anywhere else, they are just another t4 school. This is why the school is attractive to me because it places well in Houston which is where I am from and also where i would like to practice.
- chimac07I definitely wouldn't mind living in Houston, lol. It's going to be a tough decision. This cycle might be an experimental one if I do well for February LSAT so we'll see.
- idontpaymyharlotsOhh ok. Yeh Houston is great. I hate the feb LSATS.. All the practice ones i took were the lowests ones for some reason. Historically harder. Why not the december LSAT?
- chimac07is Feb harder? I didn't know that. not sure dec would be good, im taking a prep course and i want to study right this time around.
- idontpaymyharlotsyeh just google it real quick and you will see what i am talking about.
- chimac07Thank you for the kind words. Congrats on the acceptances and please take your time in deciding where to go. Also, good luck with the retake.
- babyetimoNo I haven't received my acceptance package yet from Coastal.
- luvya683You withdrew from Widener before a decision was rendered? Why, if you don't mind me asking?
- bethbeth519because they told me my app was incomplete, so i never bothered responding back. i didn't officially withdrew but if i figured i didn't do what they asked me, it's automatic.
- idontpaymyharlotsyeah, I got mine right away. Thy didn't offer you any scholly?
- cooljackWell maybe its because I am a Texas native..but Dude Y did u withdraw???? They have a loan repayment system and South Texas has one of the lowest tution and the starting salary for students in Houston from that school is like 80,00 a year. Remember that's Houston, they have the BEST housing prices in the country, Its almost the same as making 150k in New York.. Dude they offer the best salary to cost of living in ALL of the schools you are applying to
- cooljacki realize that, that's why they were top 3 school if you read my timeline. however, i want to see majority of the decisions before i make one, i dont want to rush into it. i can always apply for fall 2012 semester as well since this was spring 2012, they told me they will give me a fee waiver if i decided to re-apply.
- idontpaymyharlotsI know, right! But it's totally not my fault...lol. Why don't you call the admissions committees to each of my listed schools and stalk them about my apps...lol. Just kidding. I know the acceptances are coming. Patience is a virtue I'm still trying to master!
- bethbeth519Easy for you to say mister i-already-have-four-acceptances! Lol. I'm trying to relax...but the suspense is kiiilllllling me! I'm sure nothing else will happen until after the schools have their finals, maybe. *Shrug* Thanks, nonetheless, for the reassurance! Lol
- bethbeth519Thanks looking to improve score first ..bf I just settle... I want to be in Cali
- NieseneCongratulations on all of your acceptances! I'm so jealous you've heard back already! :)
- cookiemonster123thank you! looking forward to great cycles for the both of us! why don't you apply to some schools in sunny california? :)
- cookiemonster123are you signed up for the December LSAT as well as the February one? I'm definitely thinking of taking the February one to increase my chances but I'm afraid that it would hurt my chances because of rolling admissions... any thoughts?
- cookiemonster123I applied to nyls because they emailed me giving me a fee waiver, but I did read pretty negative reviews from tls... so it's not exactly on my list of top law schools :( anyways, thanks for the info on new york law schools as i'm from CA and have no idea which schools are decent. I think I'm definitely going to apply to more schools if the current ones fall through.
- cookiemonster123on a positive note, at least you have schools who have accepted you so regardless you'll be able to go to law school! :) but good luck, regardless!
- cookiemonster123yeah, tls pretty much makes me feel like a number failure :(
- cookiemonster123true, but some info is useful, nonetheless. :)
- cookiemonster123just fyi and I could be wrong, but I heard that Florida Coastal purposefully gives quite a lot for scholarships that are renewable each year, however the grading curve is so strict that it makes it nearly impossible to maintain the GPA necessary to continue receiving the scholarship... but based on the curve, clearly a few people manage to maintain a necessary GPA, but not many http://www.fcsl.edu/career-services/grading-policy hope this helps :)
- cookiemonster123UDC-DCSL is probably the best out of your list because of the money and public sector connections. Really good for public defenders/prosecutors. Widener places pretty well in Delaware. I would stay away from Florida Coastal and Cooley though.
- J. C. Chingreat personal statement(war victim), great LORs( two from state senators) 1 from united state senator, worked at a law firm for years, I was president of 5 different school ORGs, I led a non profit volunteer ORG for 6 years. I wrote 3 addendums for grades and lSAT. I also interned for 4 years at various offices for public officials such as mayor, DA, senators , etc.. I hope that helps .
- cooljackhey J.C., I'll consider UDC when they offer me a nice scholarship.
- idontpaymyharlotsIf you decide on Cooley in Tampa, there is a Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooley-Law-Tampa-Campus/232452423469782?sk=wall that someone started, if you are interested.
- concordgatorThanks for the support, I hope you get into them as well. Best of luck to you!!
- BigJ88thank you, hoping cardozo will send me some love !! hope you get some great news from NY schools soon :)
- cookiemonster123You heard from Hofstra? I really want to go there. I hope I get it though:)
- iukwu12sorry to hear about hofstra, but good things will come soon! :)
- cookiemonster123is hofstra that bad? i applied as it's still in the top 100 schools... hope you get michigan state (so you don't have to take the lsat again.?)
- cookiemonster123I'm definitely not familiar with the NY area but wow, after googling that..i'm not so certain i'd want to stay in long island for 3 years...:( hope CUNY accepts you!! :)
- cookiemonster123ahaha yeah, not to mention the news of the "long island serial killer" probably isn't helping.. what part of NY are you from?
- cookiemonster123ahaha, I totally had to google who Spencer was! :) are you looking to commute from home? I would love to visit ny...which may happen...if I get into anywhere there... :) hope we get some good news before the holidays!
- cookiemonster123Good luck on your LSAT. It seems we have very similar numbers..Hoping for Pace or NYLS acceptance but this damn 149 is a killer..good luck
- john1986I'm sorry to hear that Hofstra. Honestly I would rather go to other law schools in the area. I have them ranked here as 6th. I told the school I would love to be admitted there and would write a letter and or essay if given the chance. *** Only told them that because I'm trying to get into most schools. Also I'm most likely going to go to Hofstra. (sorry again about that) Best of Luck. I'm hoping to get into Pace and CUNY.
- nyckiddoWell at least you have a solid number 1 school for the field you want to enter. CUNY Law is nice and cheap for us city folk. They waitlisted me for a low GPA. They are very very strict with admissions I hear. Simply by the numbers. If your LSAT and GPA aren't in their ranges it seems to be an automatic rejection and or waitlist. Well I wouldn't worry to much about it, you have a B+ GPA and an okay LSAT. I think you would honestly have a better chance than me. They would see your numbers as more well rounded than mine. Well best of luck. I will be watching your profile.
- nyckiddoYou seem like such a fun spirited guy! Best luck that you get into MSU! High hopes for 2012 :)
- Good Luckthank you jspencer. I really wouldn't mind getting accepted to MSU, though my #1 choice is CUNY. After CUNY, every other school is not ranked and it's fight to the death for the 2nd spot (I pretend it's like the show Spartacus).
- idontpaymyharlotsUDC and CUNY are very similar. Though I have met a lot of trial attorneys practicing in NYC particular Brooklyn. I have met a lot from CUNY here in DC. Both schools will give you a great education and are unique so rankings really don't matter. If you want to work in the courtroom these schools are the way to go.
- RichI'm not one for rankings whoring. I understand rankings exist and is a good basis for researching school and gauging what schools belong in what category. But ultimately an applicant should decide on what school is good for him/her. I've done a lot of research and currently CUNY is by far my #1 school. Location, cheap tuition, terrific clinics, and public interest focus. I'm going there if i get accepted.
- idontpaymyharlotsHey! Looks like we're in the same boat... I went complete at CUNY a little after you did and I'm anxiously waiting for that decision too... Definitely my first choice school. Like you said, reasonable tuition, great PI program, awesome location. I had called them a few days ago because it looked like they were missing pieces of my app, but it turns out that they're "just backlogged due to having many more applications than they have had in previous years." That makes me nervous! :/ Anyway, good luck! Fingers crossed for CUNY :)
- apslaw1031Thanks dear! Good luck on the remaining portion of your cycle! I'll still pop in and watch you guys from time to time. Hope everything goes the way you want.
- bethbeth519Did you receive your UDC decision by the status checker, e-mail, or letter in the mail?
- sheisdeterMINEdThanks! It was via status checker! My status date updated a second time after going in to review, and that was five days ago. Good luck!!
- merriweatherSo you're taking a yea off? What will you be doing? I am also considering next cycle
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