smshdbrd (2022-2023)

Work experience all four years in undergrad.
Two years full time work experience while in undergrad.
Volunteer work.
LORs from two professors and boss.

Applying across the board and hoping for some positive feedback.
Hoping my GPA makes up a bit for my not so hot LSAT score.
Just to clarify, any scholarships are per year, not total except for U Iowa.

04-26-08 - I checked my award letter and saw that Wisconsin upped my fellowship!!! It's now full tuition plus stipend! I am so glad with my decision to accept Wisconsin's offer and am excited to spend the next few years in Madison.

04-14-08 - Well this is the end everyone! I went to Wisconsin over the weekend, loved everything about the school and have decided to attend. The people there were amazing and I could see myself living there for a long time. My wife loves her program and will have many opportunities after graduating. Wisconsin is the big cheese in the area and I have no worries about securing a job after graduation. Plus, the full tuition fellowship really eases the burden of attending law school. I hope everyone was able to attend the school of their dreams and no one had to settle. Good luck in 1L and see you Badgers in the fall.

Hey everyone! So I would like some opinions, I have it narrowed down to Wisconsin and UNC. I am pretty sure UNC is going to match Wisconsin's scholarship. So if cost is not a factor, should I favor UNC or Wisconsin? I am willing to practice in either area so there is no favor in that aspect. Thanks for the advice everyone!

04-01-08 - So I'm going to Yale...April Fool's! Eh, not funny, but in other news, I received a waitlist at Chicago and a priority waitlist at Virginia. Since I won't be getting a decision prior to April 14th, they are out of the running. I have been accepted to Fordham but losing my car is not something of interest to me. Seems like UNC is handing out scholarships but they don't seem to be too hefty. It seems more and more like Wisconsin is my place. I am going to the ASW and the LEO banquet at Wisc next week. Hope everyone is doing well.

03-26-08 - So Northwestern offered me an acceptance in two years if I work for those two years. I do not think I am going to take it. I have worked plenty of jobs in the past from high school all through college and I'm simply tired of working jobs I have little interest in or no future. It's looking like Wisconsin for me and I am really excited. I worry about my belly though...all that beer and brats! My wife LOVED Wisconsin and can get any job she wants after her PhD program which takes some stress off of me to get such a high paying job. Also, the full tuition scholarship is mighty helpful and also allows me to take positions doing more interesting work at less pay because of a lack of loans. GO BADGERS!!!

Just got into UNC...that muddies my life up so badly! ARRGGHHH!!!

03-17-08 - So I am still waiting on Northwestern and Chicago before I make a decision. The decision has come between full ride at Wisconsin and NU/Chicago if I get in. I have heard some positive buzz from NU which is keeping my hopes up. It's going to be difficult to decide but I am grateful to have choices.

03-12-08 - Full tuition at Wisconsin. I would prefer Wisconsin over Iowa. This is probably where I am going and I couldn't be happier! Wow, I feel so good right now.

03-06-08 - Hey everyone! Well my has certainly gotten better! I received a Law Opportunity Fellowship which is full tuition for three years plus a research assistant wage for the second and third years. Just wow. I would only have to handle living expenses which are menial in Iowa City. This might seal the deal except for Emory pulling through.

03-02-08 - Hey everyone! Just wanted to update yall on my cycle. The wifey has gotten into Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Iowa, Wisconsin and will probably get into Emory too. I threw an app at UNC just in case but it's looking like it's going to be a battle between Iowa, Wisconsin and Emory. I would be happy at any of these and I'm excited for our future together.

02-25-08 - *sigh*

02-20-08 - So wow. I got a lot of answers back but I guess I can't call them answers. It worries me because I have to have answers by April 7th or so. I'm hoping for either NU, Chicago, Duke or Cornell to come through before then and it will really cement my decision.

02-11-08 - In at Iowa!!! I'm so excited! Found out that because my wife would be working for the Biology Dept. that I get in-state tuition! What a great start to the week! Also received a waitlist from GW and a deferral at Fordham. Seems like Fordham is being a little stingy this cycle. Iowa is climbing up my list all things considered.

02-09-08 - A lot of silence this week. Its getting pretty late and I really would like to start making some decisions so hopefully next week will be better. I got another deferral from Minnesota which doesn't really make sense but whatever. My wife got into Iowa in a PhD program, so hopefully I get in too!

02-02-08 - Received a scholarship from Tulane. I am so confused as to how this admissions process works. Full tuition at Colorado but only 1/3 tuition at Tulane? Rejected from Georgetown but waitlisted at Penn? I'm not going to question it, just run with it.

01-30-08 - Hey everyone. Got into Tulane today and they said to keep an eye out for a scholarship. Come the middle or end of February I am going to withdraw from the schools I know I won't be attending. I feel bad doing it considering they took a chance on me but I have to make the best decision for me. I hope everyone is doing well and getting into their dream schools.

01-28-08 - On hold at Northwestern...is that a waitlist or a deferral? They said they'll get back to me in May?!?

01-25-08 - Accepted at Wake Forest! I have to take this weekend to finish the FAFSA and other financial aid stuff...ugh...but at least it'll be done!

01-23-08 - Hey everyone. Not a lot new to share. Waitlisted at Penn which was surprising considering the rejections from Mich and GULC. Hope everyone is doing well.

01-19-08 - Hey everyone! I'm back from my honeymoon and it was awesome. Came home to some not so bueno news which you can all see above. I guess you can't win them all but the Emory acceptance was really uplifting. So far my wife and I have Wisconsin, Emory and Chicago-Kent (She has Northwestern) in common so it's good to know we have options.

01-16-08 - Well I'm officially married and it feels great. I was also accepted to Wisconsin and Chicago-Kent. I'm really excited about Wisconsin but it will be hard to turn down the money from Colorado. I have also gone to decision at Michigan and Vanderbilt, two reaches. It isn't looking too good for Michigan but I'll keep you all updated. Thanks for all the kind words.

01-05-08 - Happy New Year! *crickets* Not a lot of news but I'm getting married next week and that is better than any news from a law school.

12-28-07 - Received a full tuition scholarship from Colorado...ooo...

12-27-07 - Sent off the final two applications. I managed to finally scrounge up the 150 bucks to do so. Keeping my fingers crossed!

12-26-07 - Busy day today! Some eh news and some great news. Minnesota put me on hold (seems to be the norm except for the auto-admits) and Colorado sent me an acceptance! Thanks for all the support and I hope it leads to more.

12-25-07 - Merry Christmas!

12-12-07 - Deferred at UC Berkeley. Keeps the hope alive. Getting married in one month exactly which is really exciting. Lots going on, hoping for at least one acceptance but we'll see...

12-04-07 - December? Already? Jeez.

11-30-07 - I've gone complete at Minnesota, Berkeley and Georgetown. I'm really excited for Minnesota and I could really see myself going there. I see a lot of people are stopping by and scoping my page but no one is leaving comments! Don't be afraid to leave some words of encouragement or advice.

11-27-07 - Haven't heard a lot of news but I'm just being anxious. I received some good stuff from Duke which is a school I would love to attend. I hope everyone had a joyous holiday and continued luck in this cycle.

11-19-07 - My last LOR finally came in after some difficulties and LSAC has already sent it out to a few schools. I'm also complete at Wisconsin which is great. I'm hoping for a few more fee waivers from schools I've yet to apply to but we'll see. Good luck everyone again.

11-16-07 - Gone complete at a few more schools. This waiting game is tough but I have so much on my plate that I don't notice sometimes. Planning a wedding, helping my fiancee apply to grad schools, working full time, going to school full time and not to mention all the curveballs life likes to throw my way...it's so much that sometimes I look up and a month has gone by...

11-12-07 - Attended the law school forum and it was really informative. Most schools were really friendly and had a lot of good things to say about their schools. Only a few left a bitter taste in my mouth but overall it was a great experience.

11-08-07 - I had my Northwestern interview today and I really enjoyed it. It was really informative and my interviewer had a lot of really good things to say about the school. I am glad Northwestern does this for its prospective students and has really distinguished itself from the pack. Also spoke to someone in the Admissions department at Indiana Bloomington, they are also very friendly. Applied there today as well.

11-06-07 - I've applied to about half of my schools. I guess the hard part comes now...waiting...

11-05-07 - So I applied to the schools that have sent me a fee waiver. I'm hoping for some positive responses...and any words of encouragemnt are appreciated.

11-02-07 - Still waiting on my last LOR...sigh...but got a Virginia fee waiver which is always nice. When I checked the mail today, there was a Cornell fee waiver as well! I wasn't considering them but with a fee waiver, I'd be more than happy to apply. Happy November everyone...the march to turkey day begins!

10-31-07 - Another LOR went through which puts me one step away from finally applying. I hope everyone has a great Halloween and congrats to all those who are already receiving acceptances!

10-29-07 - Have finished most applications, I'm just waiting on LSAC to process my LORs. I hope everyone has a great cycle. Good luck everyone!