Candyman134 (2022-2023)

**Will be attending the Institute of World Politics to earn my Masters in Stategic Intelligence Studies starting in the fall of '09**

-Working 2 years for the Public Defender's Office in Raleigh.
Decided to take some time off after college just to get a break
-Dean's List twice in college
-Lots of community service and also coming from a bit of a disadvantaged background (not a minority however)
-Quite a few soft factors and a pretty good PS so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Little extra advice to those who aren't in the field:

Working at the Public Defender's Office has really been a great blessing in disguise. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with some of the best lawyers in the state and feel that I have had a true introduction to the real world of law. Almost unanimously everyone says the real world is nothing like what you learn in law school.... NOTHING. There is no class teaching you how to deal with clients and if you go into the criminal field that is about 75% of your average day. My desire to attend law school has waned significantly over the past 18 months due to seeing what the field is actually like for public and private attorneys practicing criminal law. My advice for those that are interested in law school would be to take a few days and shadow someone who is in the field that you want to go into. Law school is too long, too hard and way too expensive to go through unless you REALLY want to do it. This doesn't mean I still don't have a strong desire to go through it, but just a warning to those that are going in blind.

7/28: Thought this process was long over with. Just got a call from Widener telling me I've been accepted to the full time day program in Wilmington..... little late for that.

4/8: Just a heads up, I wrote a very nice letter to NCCU letting them know how much I appreciated the opportunity to attend. I withdrew my acceptance to give some other hopeful a chance at a really good education. NCCU really is a top notch school and if I ever do decide to get my JD then they will be at the very top of my list. I encourage all those that were accepted to attend because you won't find a better bang for your buck. Congradulations to all those that were accepted to law school. I felt, in a way, that we were going through this together and it made the waiting a little bit easier. Good luck next year and hopefully you'll be able to give advise to those that come behind you.

3/25: After some long conversations with many of the attorneys in my office, my parents and my girlfriend I have decided to accept the invitation to attend the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC. I will be working towards a masters in Strategic Intelligence Studies and will continue on to earn my PhD. This is an opportunity I could not pass up and everyone at my office was extremely helpful in making my decision. If your curious the website is www.IWP.edu. I am holding on to NCCU for a few more days as a backup but will update everyone when I completely decide. I'm more then happy to answer questions and I wish everyone the best of luck.

3/17: After a relaxing weekend in Charleston, SC (wonderful city btw for those that are interested in Charleston School of Law) I come back to see that I've been waitlisted at Widener. Kinda confused about this one but will stay on the waitlist. Looks like my cycle is coming to a close and will let everyone know what I decide as soon as I know. Decided to remove my name from consideration from Dayton and STCL.

3/9: First deadline is fast approaching (April 1) and I still haven't made up my mind 100%. I'm definitely leaning to IWP but NCCU is so very tempting as well. Still waiting for Widener which actually make a difference. Anybody know ANYTHING with them? They aren't helpful on the phone and at this point its really getting aggravating.
3/9 Part 2: Waitlisted a Dayton. Good chance I will not be heading to Ohio in this economy. I love Ohio and I have a lot of family in Columbus but the way things are going I just can't see starting a career up there.

3/5: Waitlisted at South Texas, not much more to add.

3/2: Visited IWP over the weekend and was VERY impressed. Due to many factors I'm leaning towards this school. Will make a final decision in the next few weeks. Withdrawn from Texas Southern.
3/2 Part 2: Admitted to JMLS:A, kinda of a moot point but still kinda nice.

2/24: Dinged at IU, not to much of a suprise (its the 1 school I figured if you look back at 12/12 that I wouldn't get into). At this point I'd say my cycle is pretty much over except for Widener and John Marshall to a lesser extent. I'm going to take a tour of IWP this weekend and I'm hoping its something I'll like. Will report in on Monday to let you know.

2/17: Decided to withdraw from NESL. Basically no chance of going up to Boston at this point (school and living expenses a little to high) and I figured someone else could use the spot. Still waiting on my final 5 schools. No idea what is taking them but Indiana says I am in review. Good luck to everyone!

2/4: Accepted to the Institute of World Politics in DC for a Masters in Strategic Intelligence Studies. This is my other option besides law school and its a great feeling having options!

2/2: Waitlisted at NESL. Little bit of a surprise but I suppose I have nothing to complain about. Looking forward to Widener and IWP decisions.

1/25: I seem to have a weird habit of saying something about waiting and hearing something back very soon there after. Accepted into Charlotte via snail mail. I've very skeptical about this but my girlfriend is very happy. I am EXTREMELY worried about financial aid and I'm going to have to visit to get this figured out. As always good luck to everyone!!

1/22: Waiting, waiting, and more waiting. Widener says they won't have an answer for me till February and IWP says they will have an answer for me tomorrow. Besides those 2 phone calls I've laid off calling people.

1/1: Happy New Year! Filling out my FAFSA application has really opened my eyes to the expense of law school. I finally decided that if the school doesn't have federal financial aid then I just can't do it. That knocks out CSoL, they are just way to expensive and what I've been told about how expensive they really are has hit home.

12/30: Nothing new to report. So much for the promises of getting some kind of word before Christmas. Unorganized may be the key word, I just couldn't believe how often and how many applications fall between the cracks. I work for a State agency with a heavy case load so I can understand how things fall in the cracks once in awhile but come on. *Sigh* sorry just felt like I needed to vent a little. Hopefully I'll get some news after the winter break. Hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year.

12/12: Been a rough week, dinged at Drexel. Honestly, I'm not suprised at any of these because all of them were stretch schools and 2 of the 3 I really wasn't excited about. Application for IWP went out this week as well and this PhD program is really starting to be something I want to do.
Part 2: So after taking a look at the numbers for these rejection schools I have no idea what I was thinking. However, I have taken a look at my other pending schools and I think I have a pretty good shot at 6 of the 7.

12/10: Dinged at Akron via email, again a school that I probably wouldn't have gone to and I did apply because it was free but it still hurts the ego a bit. Glad to finally get some responses even if they aren't the way I wanted.

12/7: Dinged at Baltimore, first one hurts but it was a bit of stretch school anyway. Funny thing is if I was accepted I probably wouldn't have attended but it was still good to try.

12/4: Called Charlotte to just get an update. Application was in shambles on the woman's desk, she is putting it together and will get it out for review. Not very impressed but I'm glad I called.

11/25: Akron emailed me stating that my application is out for review, looks like most who have a completed application went out today as well. Almost done applying to my grad school programs as well. Everybody have a great Turkey Day!!

11/20: Accepted at Texas Southern. Was a little bit of a safety school but its good to know I have choices. Notice came via email. Will have to look a little more at their program. Also found out I got a fee waiver from Regent, anybody know much about them?

11/14: Had a few updates such as applications recieved and completed, nothing big. Basically playing the waiting game at this point as well as applying to a unique grad school program that I'm interested in. So far its looking like nobody has heard anything significant yet. I guess we'll all keep playing the waiting game.

11/1: Got an email from the Dean of FCSL. Offered to waive my application fee and give me a $15000 scholarship. Does anybody know anything about them doing stuff like this? I assume if I'm being offered a scholarship then that means I would be accepted.

10/27: Talk about being on Cloud 9!!! Just got the letter of acceptance to NCCU. Came in a regular sized envelope but it was stuffed with papers so keep a look out. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else!!

10/24: I hate this waiting game so much. I know I have a long ways to go but it still sucks.

10/20: Recieved email from Akron saying they have recieved my application and will have decisions mailed no earlier then the first week in November.

10/16: Called NESL to check on application. Was told they have recieved it and is complete and to expect a decision late November or early December. Also finished UofAkron.

10/15 (2): AHHHHH I just heard from Charlotte that my application is complete, its been reviewed and that I get the decision within a week. Is this good news? Bad news? Anybody have any thoughts PLEASE? EDIT: Looks like false alarm after I called to ask, nothing has been sent.

10/15: Called Texas Southern to check to make sure my file was complete. They told me it will be December at the earliest that I will get a decision because they review applications in bulk. Not my first choice school to begin with but still a bit of a pain.

10/14: Called Baltimore today to find out status of application. They told me I was complete and should have a decision the second week of November. Sadly this is one of my stretch schools so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Also, finished New England finally, took so long because the application was down. Called NCCU to find out status; file is complete and out for review. Called Widener and got the same thing. Looks like most of these schools will have an answer for me sometime in November.

10/8: Been getting lots of stuff in the mail but none of it confirms that my application is complete *sigh* I know everything is in because I got the confirmation from JMLS that my application is complete. Franklin Pierce finally came out and I'm working on that application now. Anybody having problems with NESL application? I'm not able to pull it up anymore for some reason. Right now its all quiet on the rumor front but I'll let you all know if I hear anything as long as you do the same.

9/26: First ones are away. Any idea when I will hear about when they got them and when they are complete (yes, everything is done and in)? Going a little slow on the others because I'm waiting for NESL, FP and South Texas to actually come out with their applications. Any other school recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

Also, for those looking for a site where they can find more numbers, check out Chiashu.com. The site may not be as personal but they do have more numbers and have predictions on where you might get in with your numbers. Can't attest to its accuracy but its interesting to look at..