duodora (2022-2023)

Now that my cycle is over:

I applied dual degree (with master's in environmental management), which explains my odd school selection. When I was figuring out where to apply, I couldn't find many other dual degree students on LSN, and really had no idea how that would influence my cycle. Hopefully this will give at least a little info to future dual degree students. I wrote my personal statement about how I transitioned from "hard" science to an interest in environmental law, with reasonably clear career goals and and plans to work in public interest.

Ok, more about me:

-year-long *very* atypical study abroad program
-president of environmental club on campus
-board positions on College Democrats
-worked 16-20 hours/week through undergrad (crap job)
-radio show for a couple of semesters
-some odd summer stuff: paleontology trip one summer, started a knitting/crocheting craft booth for one summer
-cofounded another environmental group on campus
-couple of very small scholarships/awards

That's about all I can come up with now, please send me a message if you want any more info!

Let's see--specific dates:

I sent in all my applications by 10/31 (within a span of about 2 days). I went complete at most schools by 11/3 or so (although other schools, like Stanford, took their sweet time letting me know).

Scholarship Dates:

Levy at Penn: Notification for nomination 1/15 (wrote essay), notification of scholarship 3/4

Mordecai at Duke: Notification of nomination 12/2 (about a week after I was notified of acceptance), interviewed 2/5, Dean Hoye called just under a week after I interviewed.

Dean's Scholarship at Michigan: The notification came some time in January when I was at home

Other Thoughts:

Just try to keep in mind that it's a bit flaky. It is what it is, and every admissions person is going to view each applicant differently. I know that's pointing out the obvious, but during the middle of a cycle, it's easy to lose sight of that.

Stanford: Found out I was waitlisted a few days after I withdrew. Don't really want to speculate why; only want to comment that with Stanford, it might be really important to write those targeted rec letters, and really show them in your PS why you would go there. I didn't really do any of that stuff, and it probably at least somewhat influenced my waitlist.

Finally: TLS. It's a good resource, and it's probably preferable to have spaz moments in the company of anonymous people online (who understand) than boring your friends and family (who probably won't understand). That said, there is a LOT of misinformation floating around. People will tell you you won't get into Yale without a Rhodes scholarship, writing a best selling book, or winning a Nobel Prize--but it's (obviously) not true. Just remember, most of the people floating around there are 0Ls too--they don't know much more than anyone else (even if they pretend they do). Just take it all with a grain of salt, and do what works for you.