Nerdmo (2022-2023)

Views: 3226 User Since: 02/27/10

Application Information

F - Fee Waiver A - Attending W - Withdrawn D - Deferred
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# Law School Status Type $$$ Sent Received Complete Interview Date Decision Updated
University of California Los Angeles Accepted W Type: RA $66,800 Sent: 02/01/10 Rec: 02/01/10 Comp: 03/10/10 Inter: -- Dec: 03/22/10 Upd: 14 years
University of Southern California Accepted A Type: RA $75,000 Sent: 02/01/10 Rec: 02/01/10 Comp: 03/10/10 Inter: -- Dec: 04/14/10 Upd: 14 years
University of Pennsylvania Waitlisted W Type: RA Sent: 02/15/10 Rec: 02/16/10 Comp: 03/15/10 Inter: -- Dec: 04/30/10 Upd: 14 years
Yale University Rejected Type: RA Sent: 02/15/10 Rec: 02/16/10 Comp: 03/13/10 Inter: -- Dec: 04/15/10 Upd: 14 years

Applicant Information

  • LSAT: 170
  • LSAT 2: -
  • LSAT 3: -
  • GRE : -
  • LSAC GPA: 3.79
  • Degree GPA: 3.8
  • School Type: UC
  • Major: Film

Demographic Information

  • City: Southern Cali
  • State: California
  • Race: Non-URM
  • Gender: Man
  • Non-Traditional Applicant: Yes
  • Years out of Undergrad: 3-4 Years

Extra Curricular Information

I had several film positions in development, production and writing, and taught a class at our Uni while still an undergrad. I also was a professional whitewater kayaker while in school, and a martial arts instructor.

Since graduation, I started a commercial real estate brokerage, which I have been working in for the last 3 years.

Additional info & updates

THINGS I LEARNED IN THIS CYCLE:

1. Apply Early. I ultimately got exactly what I wanted, but I think applying very late would have really hurt my chances at more competitive schools had I wanted to apply.

2. Study like a fiend for the LSAT. I took over 40 practice tests. A few points can make a huge difference.

3. If you want to go to the school, but don't like the fin aid package, ask for more money. The sooner you do (and I recommend using competing offers) the better.

4. Post-Deposit Scholarship negotiations are the savior of those who apply late. A lot of money becomes available after the first deposit, and I had tremendous success getting strong offers at that point (both UCLA and USC offered me nothing prior to the deposit.) Just be sure to deposit at two competitive schools.
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3/1 - Got my LSAT score - 170. Definitely not a bad score, but it was actually worse than I had gotten on any practice test. Test-day jitters, I suppose...

3/15 - Received confirmations from all four that my application is complete and that USC is under review.

3/22 - Got a call from Asst. Dean Schwartz...in at UCLA! Looks like I get the choice to return to my Alma Mater! Heard back just 12 days after my application was complete...if only every school was so quick!

3/24 - UCLA admissions packet arrived...shiny!

4/6 - Lol $1160 scholarship offer from UCLA (one-time, non-recurrent, mind you). Guess that's what I get for applying late in the cycle...

4/14 - Decision Finalized at USC...now I just need to wait by my mailbox every day until it comes =)

4/15 - In at USC, out at Yale! I'm pretty impressed with the USPS at the moment...

4/16 - Under Review at Penn...could I actually be nearing the end of my cycle?

4/22 - Notified by USC that no financial aid will be made available until after the deposit date, and is still highly unlikely after that. Lame.

4/29 - 2nd IR at Penn...should hear back today/tomorrow...

4/30 - WL at Penn...not surprising, given my late application.

5/1 - And now it's down to post-deposit financial aid negotiations...hopefully I hear back later this week!

5/4 - WOW...$66,000 in additional scholarship aid at UCLA! Offered when I asked for reconsideration after the deposit...without negotiations. Life is good.

5/10 - $60,000 scholarship offer at USC...making the world a very confusing place right now...

5/11 - Renegotiated it up to $75,000! Looks like I'm going to be a Trojan!

Visitor Comments

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Congrats on UCLA!
Wednesday, December 30 2009 at 07:00 PM

That's fast turnaround. In my case, UCLA told me of the scholarship during the Schwartz call, whereas USC send a scholarship letter about 2 months after acceptance. Good luck!

Sunday, February 14 2010 at 07:00 PM

Thanks. I received the scholarship offer within a month after my acceptance letter, and i didn't do any sort of leveraged bargaining to get it. Congrats at UCLA btw. For some reason I STILL haven't heard back from them...hm..I'm PRETTY sure I submitted my UCLA application...

Congrats...
Thursday, February 18 2010 at 07:00 PM

on UCLA and USC! Are you leaning in any particular direction or still holding out for UPenn?

congrats!
Monday, January 25 2010 at 07:00 PM

thanks for the good wishes... i'm headed to ucla for sure - just deposited. got $ at georgetown but i can't justify leaving socal. what's your plan?

Thursday, February 18 2010 at 07:00 PM

Hi there, Yep, I am headed to UCLA. I live in the area and work right by Westwood, so I am familiar with the lovely little area that UCLA is set in. USC finally gave me the ax, but truth be told, I put down my UCLA deposit in March, so it just confirmed that I made the right choice. Well, good luck with your final decision - you can`t go wrong with either UCLA or USC, but perhaps I will see you in August!

Thursday, February 18 2010 at 07:00 PM

Excellent! Looking forward to it! Go UCLA!!

Thursday, February 18 2010 at 07:00 PM

Hey, out of curiosity, did you get scholarships, need-based grants or a combo of the two from UCLA? I got one but not the other... not sure if it is worth pursuing to see if they have anything else for me :)

Thursday, February 18 2010 at 07:00 PM

Thanks for the input! Looking forward to August (and quitting my job!) Are you applying for the summer program?

Sunday, February 14 2010 at 07:00 PM

Awesome choice on USC. As we close in on the end of the cycle, I am committed to NYU with a 1-year deferment due to a military assignment. Honestly, i REALLY REALLY want to be in California, but USC even w/ scholy isn't pullin from NYU atm. This is a very confusing time in my life. I'm considering re-taking LSAT in hopes I might be able to better my Cali prospects. It's my mission to end up there somehow! Happy about NYU regardless. Btw, you have an awesome list of activities - film, kayaking, martial arts. all things i'm very interested in. what kind of martial arts did you teach? just curious