firstcor1313 (2022-2023)

It is important to note that my LDAS GPA included a very, very crappy run in my first 2 years of community college. So from 2000 to 2001, I was averaging a 1.47 - HORRIBLE. From then on I was a 3.59 average and completed my B.S. in electrical engineering at UNH in 2007. In a strange twist, I now am a member of the industry advisory board for the engineering program I got a 1.47GPA in.

My softs are strong. Excellent resume with constant advancement. Over 6 years of working full time and going to school at night (and keeping a 3.59ish GPA).

Tips on Suffolk:
My focus thus far has been gaining admittance to Suffolk University. Along the way I have acquired a few tips that others might find helpful.

1. Ask for a tour QA with admissions. They will always assign a member of the admissions committee to greet you. This gives you an excellent opportunity to make a good impression.

2. Get a 157 on the LSAT. It seems as though any 157 and GPA over 2.7 is auto-admit. Odd note: I have seen a few people with very low LSAT's get in this year. If you look at years prior, acceptances were only given with a score of 152ish and better. I would venture to say that 99% of people who score below a 150 on the LSAT get rejected. (Check the graphs on this site if you don't believe me)

3. If you receive an acceptance letter, but no scholarship offer, write a letter to the Dean of Admissions. In Suffolk's case, that would be Gail Ellis. I have read several accounts of others getting good results using this tactic. On a side note, quite a few people have reported receiving an offer up to a month after the acceptance. Note: I'm not going to be afraid to request scholarship reconsideration even prior to a month elapsing from acceptance. We're in March, dangerously close to deadlines for other scholarship offers received, and there is no point in holding back.

4. If your LSAT GPA is too high (163 a 3.5ish), you will probably not see a scholarship offer. It seems that this phenomenon is due to most people withdrawing from Suffolk because they have secured admittance in a more competitive school. If this is you, and you want a scholarship offer, use my suggestion in point 3.

Fine print: Do not take my words as the gospel. You are welcome to email me on this site if you want.

Good luck to all Suffolk applicants. Also, for NESL people, you may be seeing me if Suffolk is unable to provide scholarship funding.

HISTORY:

3-18-10 The verdict is in. It looks like there will be no scholarship from Suffolk. Received an email today in response to my letter. It looks like NESL is my best (and only) option now.

3-3-10 After getting rather impatient, I went ahead and called Suffolk Admissions. It takes generally 2 days for mail from Boston to reach my NH Address. The lady was kind enough to inform me the letter was sent Monday Morning - not the prior Thursday they had told me. *ARGHHH* I am so impatient! I don't blame them though, last week was a nightmare weather wise.

UPDATE: Letter arrived today. Large color folder containing acceptance letter, letter of intent and financial aid notices. I will be drafting a letter to the Dean and mailing it in a few days.

2-27-10 After getting a little concerned with Suffolk's delay, I called them to determine application status. They said a letter was mailed Thursday - nothing came this afternoon (Saturday). The lady told me I would be 'very happy', so I know I got in... however... lets see if they have a scholarship offer.

On a side note, the mail-lady pulled past my house. I eagerly trudged through the fresh snow only to find my mailbox empty...

2-9-10 For the sake of being accurate, I adjusted the complete date on my Suffolk application. I technically 'sent' everything on the 28th, but they didn't get a revised LDAS report until the following work week of 1/4/10.

2-6-10 Letter received from NESL. Extremely gracious offer of 15k/year scholarship.

1-28-10 Large envelope received from NESL. First acceptance! Mentions merit scholarship info inclosed, however, I couldn't find anything. The acceptance letter included a nice hand-written reference to my personal statement, nice touch.