gkentch (2022-2023)

Views: 10730 User Since: 05/13/06

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F - Fee Waiver A - Attending W - Withdrawn D - Deferred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
Stanford University Rejected Type: RA Sent: 10/26/06 Rec: 10/30/06 Comp: 11/16/06 Inter: -- Dec: 04/30/07 Upd: 17 years
University of Michigan Ann Arbor Accepted A Type: RA Sent: 10/26/06 Rec: 11/03/06 Comp: 11/14/06 Inter: -- Dec: 11/20/06 Upd: 17 years
Yale University Rejected Type: RA Sent: 11/09/06 Rec: 11/15/06 Comp: 11/22/06 Inter: -- Dec: 04/25/07 Upd: 17 years
University of California Berkeley Accepted W Type: RA Sent: 11/09/06 Rec: 11/14/06 Comp: 12/05/06 Inter: -- Dec: 12/07/06 Upd: 17 years
Cornell University Accepted W Type: Sent: 10/23/06 Rec: 10/24/06 Comp: 11/01/06 Inter: -- Dec: 12/08/06 Upd: 17 years
Lewis and Clark College F Accepted W Type: RA $89,000 Sent: 11/03/06 Rec: 11/06/06 Comp: 11/13/06 Inter: -- Dec: 01/17/07 Upd: 17 years
University of Pennsylvania Accepted W Type: Sent: 10/23/06 Rec: 10/25/06 Comp: 11/08/06 Inter: -- Dec: 12/22/06 Upd: 17 years
Harvard University Rejected Type: RA Sent: 10/23/06 Rec: 10/25/06 Comp: 11/09/06 Inter: -- Dec: 03/22/07 Upd: 17 years
Northeastern University F Accepted W Type: $25,500 Sent: 10/27/06 Rec: 11/08/06 Comp: 01/03/07 Inter: -- Dec: 01/11/07 Upd: 17 years
University of Washington Accepted W Type: RA Sent: 11/03/06 Rec: 11/20/06 Comp: 11/29/06 Inter: -- Dec: 01/19/07 Upd: 17 years
University of Chicago Accepted W Type: RA Sent: 10/23/06 Rec: 10/24/06 Comp: 11/03/06 Inter: -- Dec: 02/08/07 Upd: 17 years

Applicant Information

  • LSAT: 165
  • LSAT 2: -
  • LSAT 3: -
  • GRE : -
  • LSAC GPA: 4.03
  • Degree GPA: 3.88
  • School Type: Reed College
  • Major: Classics

Demographic Information

  • City: Portland
  • State: Oregon
  • Race: white
  • Gender: Man
  • Non-Traditional Applicant: Yes
  • Years out of Undergrad: -

Extra Curricular Information

EMPLOY
I've been graduated for two-plus years now (three full years from B.A. to law school matriculation), so I've been working. Much of that in a real law firm, too, then for a public interest legal services group. There have also been stops as, variously, a humanities research assistant, bike messenger, and office manager for a small private school.

HONORS, AWARDS, etc.
PhBK, $1,500 college prize for senior thesis, Dean's List equivalent, offbeat but unspectacular volunteer experience, offbeat extracurricular activities

-----------
If you're curious about the personal statement that helped me get into five schools with an LSAT score at or below their 25th percentile, check out:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4353&start=75
My user name at TLS is run42; mine is the statement with, well, my admissions numbers at the top, plus an ancient Greek joke about weasels.

-----------
For what it's worth:
I got a lot of fee waivers. I didn't ask for any of them; they all came via the LSAC. Anyway, they were from the following schools:
University of Alabama, University of Arizona, Ave Maria, Baylor University, Brooklyn Law School, Campbell University, University of Cincinnati, Cleveland State University, College of William and Mary, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Drake University, Emory University, Florida Coastal, Hofstra University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Indiana University Bloomington, University of Kansas, Lewis and Clark, Liberty University, Loyola University New Orleans, University of Miami, Northeastern University, Ohio State University, University of the Pacific, Penn State University, Pepperdine University, Quinnipiac University, University of Richmond, Rutgers State University Camden, Santa Clara University, St. Louis University, University of St. Thomas - Minneapolis, Temple University, University of Toledo, University of Utah, Valparaiso University, Vanderbilt University, Vermont Law School, Washington and Lee

Additional info & updates

"As you know, you apply to schools with the LSAT score you have. It's not the score you might want or wish to have at a later time."
- with apologies to the now-deposed Donald Rumsfeld

"You have a great voice, a great perspective, and a keen intellect."
- Someone in Michigan Admissions Office -- perhaps Sarah Zearfoss herself?! -- as written on my UM acceptance letter

"Competition [for admission] is stiff, but each year some applicants are pleasantly surprised to be admitted."
- Yale LSAC instructions

"Let's see... bills, postcard, Netflix, and -- oh -- what's this? Acceptance to Yale Law School? My, what a pleasant surprise. I feel a decorous frisson of pleasure at this surprising news. Oh, how pleasant, how very pleasant indeed."
- Hypothetical student, upon gaining admission to Yale

-------------------

(2006)

Nov. 20 - Accepted at Michigan, one of my top-few schools. Now that wasn't so bad.

Dec. 7 - Accepted, Boalt, in two days. Holy crap.

Dec. 8 - Accepted, Cornell. It's been quite a week.

Dec. 22 - Accepted, Penn.

(2007)

Jan. 3 - Withdrew from Chicago and Northwestern, as family, and similar personal reasons, make Michigan far more appealing as my Midwest option. Please don't comment to lecture me about the relative rankings of these schools, as, frankly, I don't particularly care.

Jan. 10 - Hold, Harvard. Guess they still know I'm alive, and don't want to reject me yet.

Jan. 11 - Accepted, Northeastern, with $8,500/year scholarship.

Jan. 17 - Accepted, Lewis & Clark, with full-tuition scholarship.

Jan. 19 - Accepted, U Washington.

Feb. 2- Hold, Chicago. Guess I misinterpreted that email from them, nearly a month ago, reading "Your application has been withdrawn [in response to my request that they do so]." That or their right hand doesn't quite know what the left is doing. Should I blithely get into Chicago by mistake (excuse me: "The University of Chicago: The Law School," as their letterhead has it), that would certainly be ironic.

Feb. 8 - Accepted, Chicago. There's just no getting through to some people.

March 22 - Rejected, Harvard. Hey, at least I made it this far.

April 23 - Withdrawn from everywhere save U of M. I'm going to Michigan next year, is the plan, and will be glad to do so. Okay, so I would be even gladder to go to Yale, and will work on finding out something from them, and from Stanford, within the week. But as it is, I'm prepared to send the seat deposit to Michigan imminently. Go Blue.

April 25 - Rejected via email (much appreciated at this stage, actually) from Yale. Michigan it is!

April 30 - Rejected, Stanford. Hail to the victors.

May 3 - Okay, so I know where I'm going to law school, I've filled this profile out with all my personal information to help later generations of applicants, and I'm probably never going to look at this site again. So if you leave me a comment, I probably won't see it. If you really, really need to tell me something, try emailing me at (my LSN username) at gmail etc. That is all. Go Blue.

Visitor Comments

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Keep the faith
Saturday, September 02 2006 at 08:00 PM

You will do better than you expect. So stay positive and show the schools what you are made of. I will be rooting for you.

Looks like We're in essentially the same
Sunday, September 03 2006 at 08:00 PM

I think the only thing that separates us is your volunteer work and 1 point on the LSAT. Here's to hoping we both get into our schools!

Way to go
Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

You sound like the diverse kind of candidate law schools love. Kudos for aiming high - and all those fee waivers! Wow. I got (let's count em) 5 sent to me through email. Five! I was going to go Classics as well... but the dept at my university wasn't good enough to entice me into it. You have my respect and admiration, though.

I didn't mean to imply
Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

...that 'aiming high' means you are in any way unqualified for these schools or should expect rejection. Just that, well, pretty much for any applicant (unless a Nobel Prize winner or a US president's offpsring), these schools (especially the top three) ARE aiming high, no matter your stats. I mean your application could be perfect and they still wouldn't be sure to accept you. Anyway, I do think you will do great and look forward to seeing how things go!

twins
Tuesday, February 28 2006 at 07:00 PM

looks like we're numbers twins. good luck this cycle! i hope we both get in where we want to!

Now you can relax
Saturday, September 02 2006 at 08:00 PM

Good job on completing all your apps. Now don't panic if you don't hear from all of your schools next month. I just believe you will receive good news from a number of schools whether in November, December, or January. I'll keep checking on you. Stay positive!

Next!
Saturday, September 02 2006 at 08:00 PM

Great News! Michigan is an outstanding law school for an outstanding law school prospect like yourself. So congrats for this and more good news to come!

RE:GPA
Tuesday, February 21 2006 at 07:00 PM

Hey, Thanks for your help! Actually, my GPA stayed the SAME. boo~ Congrats on UMich. Wow, it seems like you are well on your way. 1 down, 11 to go! I am actually attending UW right now and the law school is fabulous! Plus you'll get used to rain. :)

location?
Tuesday, August 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

Well... I agree that choosing just where in the world to go is difficult. I am definitely not sure whether I want to live in Seattle for good. I feel like with UW, there isn't much opportunity to move out to east. *sigh* I wish it would all end very soon!

Prophetic musings?
Saturday, September 02 2006 at 08:00 PM

Not only can gkentch read, he can also write. So he just may receive that acceptance letter from Yale. However, a stoic reaction to a Yale letter of acceptance is most unlikely, since gkentch is very capable of jumping and yelling! Good vibes my friend.

Interesting situation...
Friday, November 17 2006 at 07:00 PM

I can only imangine how much it would HELP you for an adcom to see your profile (on top of great numbers!)... you have a great personality and sense of humor, and it shows even in this bland format,

Hey fellow 165 - er
Wednesday, July 12 2006 at 08:00 PM

So if Cornell's 25th percentile is 165, what does that means for us? Hmmm.

Congrats Man
Wednesday, July 12 2006 at 08:00 PM

I was just about to comment on YOUR comment regarding our chances on Cornell. And speak of the devil, you've been accepted. That's awesome dude. It's definitely among my top 3 choices.

Congrats Man
Wednesday, July 12 2006 at 08:00 PM

I was just about to comment on YOUR comment regarding our chances on Cornell. And speak of the devil, you've been accepted. That's awesome dude. It's definitely among my top 3 choices.

Yay!
Sunday, October 22 2006 at 08:00 PM

Hey, I saw that you got into Cornell, along with a lot of other wonderful schools, like Penn, which I would love to get into. I've also gotten into Cornell and my numbers are very much like yours. How do you think you got into Penn? I really hope I have some chance at Penn given that Cornell accepted me. Good luck to you, you're already doing so well!

Oops
Saturday, September 16 2006 at 08:00 PM

Meant to be logged in there...

I am impressed!
Sunday, October 22 2006 at 08:00 PM

How did you get into Penn? I would love to go there. My numbers are close to yours, but I feel like I will never get into Penn. I am so glad to see someone with numbers like mine get in, it gives me hope. Any advice? I didn't not apply EA, so I do not know when I will hear back. Congratulations!

!
Sunday, October 22 2006 at 08:00 PM

thank you for your reply! it's nice to know you didn't do anything too out of the ordinary with your applications. i was also very careful to proofread my applications and PS many times over. i have the disadvantage of still being an undergrad, which i fear makes me less diverse and experienced. i can't believe you've gotten into so many good schools, you must be so proud of yourself. any idea where you might want to go?

omg congrats!!
Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

I ought to spend more time checking up on my online friends and less time.. well, less time spent in the land of no internet. Huge congratulations on all your kick ass acceptances! I know you'd do awesome. Just waiting on Yale now eh? :P

Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

1 point in overtime. ONE point!!!! Arrghhhhhh. I hate Idaho... >:-(

!
Sunday, October 22 2006 at 08:00 PM

haha no problem, i deleted both of your comments just like you asked. i thought that i would find out where i wanted to attend just by visiting but i don't know how much that has helped so far. it seems that every school tells you that they are different and the students there are kind to one another.

Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

Yes, I hate Boise State. screw em all - quarterbacks, cheerleaders, people who beat OU - screw em all!!! we don't need em. haha. so, football aside... we have some co-acceptances already :) which of your schools are you leaning towards?

Lewis & Clark
Wednesday, December 27 2006 at 07:00 PM

Congrats, you're the first person I know of that got word from L&C. How'd they notify you of the details?

Congrats on your acceptances!
Monday, October 16 2006 at 08:00 PM

Your profile is very funny!

GPA
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

How do you get your GPA that high? ..Special classes? Honors?

great job
Thursday, January 04 2007 at 07:00 PM

Great numbers. How long did you study for the LSAT and how? Any personal advice? Thanks.

Congrats on L&C
Thursday, November 02 2006 at 07:00 PM

Thanks for the note, G. In my LSN lurking, I've seen evidence of your 'great voice' and 'keen intellect'...Good luck on HYS! Lysander of Athens, the one who loved Hermia (not Lysander of Sparta, the one who loved tyrants)

hey!
Sunday, October 22 2006 at 08:00 PM

I was considering sending Penn some additional material. Did you send anything extra other than the required materials? I feel as though I need to in order to make up for my LSAT score, which is the same as yours. You've applied to all of your school's as "white," right? If you have no diversity (in terms of race), that gives me a lot of hope. I wish I was as awesome of a candidate as you.

thanks
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

You didn't come off too patronizing. Not in the slightest, actually. I understand where you're coming from, so now when I'm doing some of the compulsive law-school prep things like this, I think twice. (If that makes any sense.) I'm pretty enthusiastic about the whole law school/career schpiel, and I'm definitely not jumping into anything blindly. That's why I'm on LSN. It helps me avoid anxiety attacks brought on by fear of not getting into law school. Ridiculous, I know. Thanks for the advice, though. =)

Hey
Wednesday, July 12 2006 at 08:00 PM

You have some incredible choices man. I'm really in awe and just want to congratulate you. I guess it all boils down to which coast you want to be on. Berkeley, Cornell and umich are in completely different markets. But you got the cream of the crop in each one so NIIICe!

one more...
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

Congrats on U of Chicago!

soft factors?
Thursday, January 04 2007 at 07:00 PM

not to discount your stats, but you are definitely beneath the low end for a lot of these schools when it comes to LSATs. Do you have any particular soft factors that you think put you over the top?

haha
Saturday, July 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

your chicago fiasco cracks me up. are you going to re-withdraw from them?

chicago
Tuesday, January 09 2007 at 07:00 PM

obviously chicago just really wants you, like that persistent person you keep trying to reject... your story is hilarious.

thanks!
Thursday, December 21 2006 at 07:00 PM

I just wanted to say that i think you are fabulous for withdrawing your app at NU (and chicago I suppose, for what it's worth haa). I would love to go to Northwestern, but my LSAT is lower than they like. Anyway, it is people like you-who know they aren't gonna go to school and thus, withdraw their app- that make me happy! Are you decided yet on where you are gonna go? You have so many great choices!

thanks for the response
Thursday, January 04 2007 at 07:00 PM

thanks for the thoughtful response about soft factors. I hope that you're right, as I find myself in a similar situation as you.

also...
Tuesday, January 09 2007 at 07:00 PM

you make me so happy because our numbers are very similar and you got in to so many schools that i'd like to get in to. it makes me feel so much better that people are getting in without 170+ LSATs. and about the harvard thing...i think it's a good idea. let's both do it and see if they come crawling to us.

also...
Tuesday, January 09 2007 at 07:00 PM

you make me so happy because our numbers are very similar and you got in to so many schools that i'd like to get in to. it makes me feel so much better that people are getting in without 170+ LSATs. and about the harvard thing...i think it's a good idea. let's both do it and see if they come crawling to us.

also...
Tuesday, January 09 2007 at 07:00 PM

you make me so happy because our numbers are very similar and you got in to so many schools that i'd like to get in to. it makes me feel so much better that people are getting in without 170+ LSATs. and about the harvard thing...i think it's a good idea. let's both do it and see if they come crawling to us.

chicago
Saturday, July 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

on behalf of myself and all other chicago applicants, we thank you for withdrawing. if i somehow manage to get in, you have my thanks :) this cycle is not going too well for me so far..

congrats!!
Tuesday, December 12 2006 at 07:00 PM

AWESOME job so far!!!! i'll give you my right kidney for penn!!!!! juust kidding. sorta. ;)

FYI
Friday, September 01 2006 at 08:00 PM

I always had this idea that, if I got the Yale call, I would cool and sophisticated and say, "What a pleasant surprise!" Thought you might be interested in knowing that did not happen. When the guy told me he was calling from Yale to congratulate me, I replied, "seriously?!" and sounded like a total idiot. Luckily I don't think they revoke admissions offers for being incoherent on the phone. ;) Congratulations (?) on Chicago to you. Looks like you're having one nice cycle yourself.

congrats
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

I'm really pleased to see you have so many acceptances. Your profile confirms my sense that a rigorous undergraduate program, strong recommendations, and interesting work experience go a long way. Soft factors beyond URM-status really can tip the balance in the case of a borderline LSAT. Well done!

congrats
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

I'm really pleased to see you have so many acceptances. Your profile confirms my sense that a rigorous undergraduate program, strong recommendations, and interesting work experience go a long way. Soft factors beyond URM-status really can tip the balance in the case of a borderline LSAT. Well done!

also
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

I think the power of a well-written, well-conceived personal statement also should not be underestimated. There is so much bad writing out there, even among people with high numbers.

HYP
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

= Harvard/Yale/Princeton. It's a sort of annoying and pretentious acronym, but it's used a lot on this site, and I think it is a slightly more helpful generic designation than "Ivy." That is, I think for admissions purposes, it does make a difference if the B.A. is from Harvard vs. UPenn, for instance. That said, there are obviously schools that will be equivalent to HYP for many admissions offices -- Stanford (you'll see Stanford students indicate "HYPS" as school type), Swarthmore and a few other liberal arts colleges, etc. Maybe I should just have listed my specific school, which, for the record, was Yale.

unsolicited praise...
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

...is always welcome. Especially today, when I seem to have offended half of the posters on LSD with an inadvertantly insensitive question. Yeah. As far as mature perspectives go, all I can say is that it's probably not a coincidence that I am more than a couple years older than the typical law school applicant. I'd like to think that with age comes maturity and wisdom. Really, though, I'm just trying to reassure myself that there will be good things about still being in school at age thirty. (I'm not thirty yet, but I will be before I finish my J.D.)

thank you so very much
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

for all of your thoughts. what you sent me is more than impressive, and don't worry about my sharing it. I'm too grateful for any of that nonsense. Anyway, GL on Northwestern. I'm assuming you applied EA because it's one of your top choices? =)

hi!
Saturday, July 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

hello friend, just wanted to say hi and congratulate you once again on your acceptances! any idea on where you'll be heading this fall?

Congrats
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

on all of your latest acceptances! =)

...
Friday, September 29 2006 at 08:00 PM

hope the visits went well. any idea where you're heading next year?

Go Blue, Indeed!
Saturday, September 02 2006 at 08:00 PM

While you wait for Y and S, you do right by sealing the deal with Michigan. You've said all along that you wouldn't mind going there. Of course, I still hope that one or both of the other two come through for you. If they are smart, they will send you an acceptance letter pronto! In the meantime, stay the cool guy you are.

LAC
Monday, April 23 2007 at 08:00 PM

Hi, just wondering what Liberal Arts School you went to? I am considering going to the #6 LAC or the #2 or 3 public University. Would you have any advise for my predicament in light of the fact that I hope to go to Yale Law School

yale e-mail
Friday, October 20 2006 at 08:00 PM

yeah, I was pretty relieved to get the e-mail as well. it came just in time for bed.

one final congratulations
Wednesday, January 17 2007 at 07:00 PM

You've finally reached an ultimate resolve. I'm so happy for you! =)