linguist (2022-2023)

No great softs. Some PT WE: 4 years of computer repair work, 1 year as a webmaster, 6 months as a research assistant, about 3 years in medical office work, and 1 year trying to start my own business. Some very minor volunteer-type stuff. No awards or recognition.

*****

LSP odds for the schools I'm applying to, followed by outcome, in order of school preference.

* ND: Weak consider......................................(Admitted $$)
* UIUC: Weak consider...................................(Admitted $$)
* WUSTL: Weak consider...............................(Denied)
* Fordham: Deny............................................(Denied)
* Emory: Deny................................................(WLed)
* IU-B: Strong consider...................................(WLed)
* W&L: Consider............................................(Denied)
* UH: Consider...............................................(Admitted $$)
* L&C: Strong consider...................................(Admitted)
* Kent: Strong consider..................................(Admitted $$)
* NEU: Consider.............................................(Admitted $)

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Status checker dates:
02/15/12: UH
02/29/12: Fordham
03/01/12: ND
03/02/12: W&L and Northeastern
03/16/12: L&C
03/19/12: Kent
03/20/12: UIUC
03/26/12: WUSTL

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Final word:

I screwed up a lot this and last cycle. I initially let myself get psyched out by asking for LoRs from people I hadn't spoken to in years, and later by the prospect of writing personal statements. I applied extremely late, which was a huge risk, and I feel like I underestimated my application strengths a bit. I applied to too many T2 schools, for example. My initial listing even had a few T3 and even one T4 school; I'm glad I didn't waste my time and money on those.

It's true what they say for spiltters%u2014cast a wide net. For me, this should have meant applying to more schools in a smaller ranking range, rather than a couple schools in each ranking range. In retrospect, I wish I had applied to a few schools in the teens, taking bigger risks with the statements. For the most part, I sent the same personal statement to each school (UH got an earlier draft, and I kept 2-page and 3-page versions depending on each school's limits). I paid too much attention to LSP's predictions when I initially was selecting schools as well. Between the cycles, the predictions changed a LOT. Given my geographical region and the outcomes I experienced, I feel I should have given Northwestern, Michigan, and Chicago a try.

But do I regret this? Not so much. I'm very pleased with ND and am confident I will go far with a law degree from there.

Not a whole lot to say here. Splitting hard.

Graduated 5/08 from UIUC.

I took the LSAT in Dec. '10 and Jun. '11. The first time was somewhat under where I was PTing. Second time was towards the bottom of my PT range, but I'm not waiting.

Scholarship numbers are total over 3 years. Percentage scholarship dollar values are based on current tuition figures.

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Updates:
03/07/12: Under review at W&L. Decision promised for 3/29.

03/08/12: Under review at UH. Status checker says 3/10?

03/15/12: Kent never gave me status checker; they say to write after 7 days, and I got around to it today.

03/16/12: In at NEU via status checker. I never went under review. Notified by phone call and e-mail in the afternoon. $500 tuition deposit due 5/1.

03/16/12: Under review at Kent (did not receive notification until 03/19/12).

03/19/12: Fordham's status date changed; no status update.

03/21/12: Received invite to NEU's ASD on 3/31; $250 travel voucher offered. Not interested.

03/22/12: In at UH by e-mail. It's also up on status checker. ASD is on 3/30, not going because of airfare. $200 seat deposit due 4/15.

03/23/12: Under review at UIUC... be still my heart.

03/23/12: L&C status date updated, but no change in status.

03/26/12: ND status date updated, but no change in status.

03/28/12: Got NEU's admission packet (nearly 2 weeks after postmark). $10K/yr scholly contingent on maintaining "good academic standing". Works out to less than 25% for my first year's tuition, or about 15% of estimated first year's cost.

03/28/12: Kent status date updated, but no change in status.

03/29/12: Notified of UH scholly: $10K/yr plus in-state tuition. Works out to just over 50% off non-resident tuition for first year, contingent on maintaining a 2.9 cumulative, which they state equates to staying in the top 70% of the class.

03/30/12: In at UIUC by e-mail, notified of 50% tuition scholly. No info on stipulations yet. Missed the 3/30 ASD, but signed up for the 4/13 one. Getting reimbursed for my round trip mileage too (at $0.51/mile).

04/02/12: UH admit packet received. Postmarked 3/29. Notified that my admission is "conditional" upon the receipt of official records for my C&F disclosures. I thought I had submitted those with my application... apparently they want more?

04/02/12: Fordham denial letter received. Postmarked 3/29.

04/03/12: ND status checker reports "decision made", and that they don't give decisions by e-mail or telephone. Guess I have to wait for the snail mail. My friends suggest asking for a fax, but I don't feel like being a jerk.

04/04/12: In at Kent by status checker (had gone to "final review" earlier this day). No word on schollys yet.

04/04/12: L&C status date updated with no change in status.

04/05/12: UIUC scholly info arrived via mail. Postmarked 4/3. No stipulations whatsoever, and my tuition is guaranteed for all 3 years. Nice!

04/06/12: In at ND! What a HUGE ENVELOPE! Also notified of $18K/yr scholly, contingent on "good academic standing". $600 seat deposit due 4/20.

04/08/12: I've decided to attend ND. It was my first choice, and while UIUC offered me a better deal in terms of money, I feel that diversifying my educational background, and the higher prestige of ND in my target markets makes it the clear winner.

04/09/12: Withdrew from the schools that have admitted or waitlisted me, canceled my ASD registration for UIUC, signed up for ND's ASD, and sent both seat deposits in today. Woo!

04/10/12: In at L&C by e-mail. No scholly because they have "already disbursed" all their funds, but I could be reconsidered if I accepted immediately! Sure.

04/13/12: At ND's ASD. Mock lecture from Prof. Blakey? Oh hell yes.

04/14/12: Withdrew from L&C. It was tough to find the right e-mail address. It kept bouncing from what was on the website!

04/14/12: Got my ND award letter now that I got back from the ASD. No subsidized loans, but got the statutory maximum in unsubsidized loans. Looks like I'll need another ~$18K/yr in Grad PLUS or other loans.

05/01/12: Kent wrote me, offering another $3K/yr scholly to attend. Not happening.