05-26-07: Bought my ticket to Oakland for next weekend so I can search for housing in Berkeley. This is really happening.
04-30-07: A few updates below and on the ECs. Hope this helps all future applicants.
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Applied late.
This whole process took longer than I expected.
(The PS took me FOREVER: 6 drafts on 5 different topics before I finally found one I liked. But maybe that's just me.)
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Sent: day the application was transmitted via LSAC
Received: day the school requested the report
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All scholarship amounts are aggregate, with the exception of Berkeley. The $27K from Berkeley is a combination of grants and scholarships received for the first year only. I've been told the grants are renewable for second and third years.
All fee waivers are merit-based. (They began arriving in my inbox back in September.)
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04-28-07: It's final: I'm going to Boalt. This was my number one choice all along, and I'm honestly shocked that things worked out the way they did. The last month has been about the financial details: how I'll afford law school. Now that Berkeley's come through with the best offer, and considering that their LRAP is now one of the best in the country, the decision was a no brainer.
I should also mention that Boalt seemed to me to have the most diverse and welcoming student body, and the administration has been fantastic. When I went to Boalt's ASW, the message and theme were different than at other schools. UT and Georgetown seemed to be trying to sell something (themselves, their rank, their city, job prospects, etc.). Boalt, on the other hand, had a decidedly different approach: "We're Boalt, this is what we're doing, this is where we're going, if you see yourself heading in a similar direction, then come here." This sentiment was highlighted by Dean Edley, who told all the "jerks and assholes that may have slipped through admissions" not to attend Boalt. In the end, I DO like where Boalt is going and what they're trying to accomplish. Apart from the necessary emotional angst that comes with all big decisions, this really was an easy choice.
Best of luck to everyone.
04-27-07: Withdrew from Northwestern. This was a tough call, as Northwestern is staffed by the friendliest, most professional staff of any of the schools I've dealt with. In the end, the money just wasn't there, and the thought of $190K in loans over three years makes me ill.
04-27-07: Went from "Deferred" to "Reserved" at Columbia, but I'll call it a waitlist. Better than a rejection. Snail mail small envelope.
04-24-07: Waitlisted at Duke. No word from these guys for months, and now an emailed waitlist invitation. I don't really like the idea of Durham anyway. Goodbye, Duke, and good luck with all of your priority admits (seriously, you guys may have shot yourself in the foot with that one).
04-13-07: Boalt's ASW: awesome experience, nice people, pretty cool town. Scale of 1 to 10, this was a about a 9. (For reference, UT's was a 1.5 and Georgetown's was a 6.)
04-13-07: Georgetown's financial aid package finally arrives. Mostly loans, but there was a nice dean's tuition grant for $31,650 over three years. However, even though I love D.C., it's not enough to make me go east coast.
04-6-07: Waitlisted at Penn. Too bad. I'll be withdrawing from there soon.
03-27-07: Just got off the phone with UT FinAid. The experience was TERRIBLE and now almost removes UT from my list of potential schools. I wasn't even asking for more money or "negotiating," but instead simply inquiring about the finaid process and when I could expect an update regarding my aid. The woman began by treating me like an idiot, then started raising her voice at me, until I told her I wanted to speak to her supervisor, at which point she apologized and explained, "oh, you know, it's still morning." Some apology.
03-23-07: IN AT BOALT!!! I'm ecstatic! Speechless! I really don't know what to say. Dean Tom sent me an email with the details. Unbelievable! Seriously ... wow!
03-23-07: Waitlisted by snail mail from Columbia. Nice letter from the dean with a real signature. I still have hope.
03-14-07: Email from assistant dean: I'm in at Northwestern! Small class size, laid-back students, heart of Chicago! Now if I could only afford tuition ...
03-12-07: Snail mail scholarship letter from UT ... $5k per year all three years.
03-07-07: Huge binder arrived in mailbox from Illinois. Unfortunately, no word about any $.
03-06-07: Booked flight and hotel for Georgetown's ASW. Really, really looking forward to visiting D.C. for the first time.
03-05-07: Confirmation: I'm in at Illinois. Large envelope with letter and glossy brochure.
03-02-07: Email from Boalt stating I've passed an initial review and my application has been selected for further consideration by the faculty admissions council.
03-01-07: In at Notre Dame, with a $12K per year renewable scholarship. Email from dean, which said a package was on the way.
03-01-07: GULC! You've got to be kidding me! Status checker site went to decision on 2/23. Small invitation-like envelope with personal message from dean. I'm still in disbelief.
02-24-07: In at Houston, along with a renewable $5K per year scholarship. Small thin envelope.
02-21-07: IN AT TEXAS! Wow! Small thin envelope that looks like it would contain a rejection notice. It's a big surprise to be accepted so quickly. Standard message with congratulatory remarks and info about tours and visiting campus.
How did you hear from Northwestern? Did it just happen today?