Kesquire (2022-2023)

My undergrad GPA could have been better if I had not had to work three jobs at a time to put myself through school.

I have eight years of professional experience and have won numerous awards in my respective field.

First-generation college student.

For the record, my most recent LSAT (12/08) was 143. The one I took in 2003 was a 146. I have taken it four times during the course of the last eight years, and my highest score was 147 in 2000....which is the one for which I studied the least. This time, I studied almost every day for a little more than two months. I did not use a paid prep course. I don't think the score would change much for me, if I took it again (perhaps I could reach 150 or 152 at most?) but I have eight years of professional experience, and have won numerous awards in my field, so I am hoping that counts for a lot. I did not expect my LSAT to be lower than the last time. I am not a minority, but came from an economically challenged background /large family/ first-generation college student. Given my excellent professional experience, but relatively lower scores, I applied to around 41 schools to diversify my chances of getting accepted. Please pray for me, and good luck to everyone!!

Three rejections so far from Baylor, FL Coastal U and Loyola Chicago. A litle surprised about the FL Coastal rejection.

02-04-09: Received a letter today from Creighton that said my application is "on hold," and that the admissions committee would review it a second time in April or May. It's a bit confusing, but I guess perhaps "on-hold" is a step below being waitlisted. Has anyone received a letter before saying their app was "on hold" and would receive a second review? I know it sounds luke-warm, but this actualy pumped me up a little today given that I've gotten three rejections thus far. If anyone has insight on "on hold" app status or what that means, I'd be appreciative! Thanks.

02-10-09: Two more rejections from U of Arkansas -Fayetville and from FL Intl Univ. FIU is my second rejection now from a fourth-tier school, and I admit I am starting to get worried. I have grown addicted to applying to law schools. I keep adding "just one more" to the list thinking that that might be the school I "would have" gotten into. I am sure you all can relate. Still, I really wish I could just get an acceptance letter so I would know I am going to law school in the fall for certain. That would be a giant weight off my shoulders.

02-13-09: Rejected a couple of days ago by Drake University. Stung a bit, but holding tight.

02-14-09: Got another "hold" letter, like the one I got from Creighton. This time it was from Thomas Jefferson in San Diego. TJ calls the file "deferred." "A final decision may not be made until June or as late as two weeks before classes begin." This letter sounds more positive than the hold letter I got from Creighton for some reason. I think "hold" and "deferred" are basically the same thing....a step below being waitlisted. TJ's letter says, "While being deferred for further consideration is not a guarantee of admission, it is probably that several applicants in this category will be offered admission." They clearly state that there is no need to supplement the file or contact admissions.

Overall, given that I have not received any offers of admission as of yet and have gotten six rejections, I am pretty psyched about the hold letters, however lukewarm they might be. It would be really nice, though, to get an acceptance somewhere just to know I am going. Thanks to all below for their comments and support. Good luck! I'll keep updating as I receive info.

02-18-09: ACCEPTED at Southern Illinois University!!!!!!!! I'm very happy to have "one under the belt" as they say on this site. I can start to think about the fall as a little more concrete. I also received a few more rejections, as you can see. But, truly, they don't sting as bad as before.

03-05-09: I was initially sent a "rejection" from FL Coastal U. But now, they sent me an email saying I can have a spot in their summer conditional program. Essentially, between 20-50 percent of the people who pay an extra $3500 to be part of an online summer course are admitted to the law school based on getting at least (I believe it was 2.5 gpa) in the two online summer courses that are supposed to tell them if you are fit for the law school courses. The final exam is in June, and that means I would not know if I were being admitted until probably July. I have been admitted to SIU, and FL Coastal is a fourth tier, just like SIU....but being in warm weather sounds REALLY appealing. Does anyone have an opinion on these summer conditional programs? Or does anyone have an opinion on going to FL Coastal versus SIU?

03-19-09: I haven't heard anything else for what seems like an ETERNITY. I would really like to get the rest of my decisions in so I can seal my fate --for the next three years at least--, wherever that may be. Does anyone else notice that it's been quiet lately? From my experience, the letters seem to come in pairs or groups. Mr. Postman are you on vacation? Maybe a little delayed after St. Paddy's day?

4-2-09: I have been offered a place in the St. Thomas Summer Contingency program. I basically would have to pay an extra $1500 and spend a month in Miami taking a course two hours a day. At the end, students in the top 20 percent of the class are offered admission. I had also been offered a place in the summer program for FL Coastal, but rejected the offer since I had already gotten in at SIU. This is a bit different since the school is in a great city, Miami. I am a little nervous about networking opportunities and job prospects coming out of SIU since the town only consists of 20,000 people. Academically, SIU seems great. And I can tolerate a small town for three years, but I don't necessarilly want to work/live in the Midwest. Any thoughts on these contingency programs or the difference between St. Thomas and SIU? Obviously, debt would be much lower at SIU, which is a huge plus. Advice is appreciated!

4-6-09: Today I received two letters. One from UMKC, a rejection. Another from Hamline in Minneapolis saying I have been put on the school's Waitlist. I am now waitlisted at GoldenGate and Hamline. I am a little bit surprised that I did not get into Hamline straight away because they are women/minority centered and offered me a free application. They also are trying to beef up their health care law program, and that's a field I have some experience in....so it will be interesting to see what happens. Minneapolis is a great city. I wish these schools that have waitlisted me or put my app on hold or deferred or offered me the summer program would offer more black and white decisions sooner rather than later. It's easier to me if this decision is made for me! I guess right now, I only really have one choice...and that's SIU...unless I want to go through the summer program at St. Thomas. I need to let them know by April 15. I've asked to speak with a student who went through the program, and they are supposed to get back with me this week. SIU seems like a wonderful school. It's only the small and rural nature of the city that concerns me. I spoke with an admissions assistant at St. Thomas the other day, and after I told him I had gotten into one school already, but was thinking about the St. Thomas summer program, he told me how difficult the summer program was and that I should go with the "sure bet." I thought that was kind of interesting that he would almost discourage me from coming there....hmmm. Even if I did the program, I wouldn't find out until late June/early July if I get in or not! That's a really LONG time to wait to know where I will be this fall....especially when you consider finding housing and time to move and so forth. Any advice or comments are appreciated. Good luck to everyone!