jsmalley (2022-2023)

*Currently 2+ years work experience as a full time mechanical patent examiner with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

*Volunteer with Center for Multicultual Human Serives, doing fundraising and helping immigration attorney with asylum trials.

*2 yrs. PSU American Society of Mechanical Engineers Officer.

*PSU Dance Marathon dancer (48 straight hours on my feet for children with cancer!), 2001.

*Internship with US Patent and Trademark Office, 2001.

*Internship with General Electric Power Systems, 1999.

*Part time jobs during 3 of 4 years of undergraduate.

*1 yr. PSU Rugby (B-side), 2001-2002.

*Currently play intramural ice hockey, Fairfax, VA.

*Family tragedy in college led to two poor semesters and is the subject of my personal statement. I also work a demanding patent examination docket which I know prevented me from performing better on the LSAT, and is the subject of an adendum.

*I'm playing the underdog card here, and all my applications are reaches. But I have a lot of work experience and relevant legal experience at the USPTO. Hopefully someone is feeling my game. If not, I'll be looking for LSAT study pals come June.

*****

I took the October 2004 LSAT.

*****

These, of course, mean nothing when your LSAT and grades aren't spectacular.

*****

Friendster: Jim Smalley

9/02/2005 - Temple and American have both started classes already, so I assume I'm not in. I'll post the formal dates when the letters get here. Thank you everyone for your help along the way. I won't be reapplying this year.

*****

5/20/2005 - George Washington Request for Reconsideration for night school is declined.

*****

4/30/2005 - Georgetown Request for Reconsideration for night school is declined.

*****

4/29/2005 - Waitlisted by American. Mailed in form. Went to bar. Talked to girls.

*****

4/25/2005 - Mailed in Temple Waitlist form.

*****

The Breakup: Art Imitates Life. An Act using quotes from an actual Waitlist Letter.

We join the protagonist, Mr. Smalley, as the rejection letter has just told him they can no longer see each other. Mr. Smalley fights for the life of the relationship and his pride.

Smalley: But, I thought we were perfect for each other? Were from the same town, Letter! We were going to be Tommy and Gina!

Temple Letter: We are unable to offer you a position in the 2005 entering class at this time. We would, however, like to offer you a position on the waiting list.

S: Waiting list? But, I thought I proved myself to thee, and thy family? I gave my life to this relationship! If not now, then when, my love?

TL: While we are currently unable to determine whether a place will become available for you, it has been our experience that spaces do become available between now and registration in mid-August.

S: Mid-August? My love, how could I last that long without thy warm body, thy loving touch? A whole summer without my sweet rose? Oh, dear father, how will I make it?

TL: Because Temple University Beasley School of Law must turn away so many qualified applicants each year

S (interrupting): So many applicants?! But, I thought you said I was the only one?

TL: the Admissions Committee is particularly interested in offering admission to applicants who have expressed a commitment to Temple.

S: Butthe rocks on your window in the middle of the night because I could not bear a moment without you? The rosesthe backrubs.the letters of recommendation and the carefully worded personal statement explaining why I feel I am qualified?

TL: If you are sincerely interested in attending Temple this fall, you must complete and return the enclosed form within three weeks.

S: But, why are you giving me deadlines? And a form? Ive already filled out a billion of them. I need not three weeks, my love, for I am right here, now, in front of thee, genuine, real

TL: You should feel free to submit any other additional materials or information that you think would assist the Admissions Committee in their effort to evaluate the unique merits of your candidacy.

S (gasping): I am taken aback my love, I do not understand how thou hast failed to see the true merits of my passion for thee.

TL: A statement describing your specific interest in and commitment to attending Temple Law School

S (interrupting): But I thought you were School of Law and not Law School?

TL: What?

S: Nevermind.

TL: would be especially helpful.

S: But, I already wrote a personal statement, and a letter explaining why I can only accept a full-time admission from Temple. What else could I possibly do to show you I want you?

Smalley walks toward the Temple Letter and places his hand on its shoulder. The Letter ignores his affection and continues...

TL: I understand that we are placing you in a difficult and unsatisfactory position.

S: NO SH*T! Im glad you feel comfortable sharing YOUR pain right now.

TL: Please be assured that we appreciate both your continued interest in Temple Law School

S (under his breath): School of Law

TL: and your patience in bearing with us through this long and difficult process.

S: Difficult? But you keep asking me for more and more info, and I do not know what else you need from me. I am torn, my love.

A slight rain begins. Mr. Smalleys head drops in anguish, his hand on the shoulder of the letter. The letter, however, has moved on to offer an acceptance to another suitor.

*****

04/01/05 - Temple Waitlist. Oh, but wait. I don't even remember how much the application fee cost, but I didn't even get a return envelope to mail the form in. Apparently, $60 wasn't enough to cover this. Make the total cost of my applicaton $60.37.
*****

3/22/05 - Small white email from LSN website, saying "we have received many applications for the "Top Users" this year; however, we are unable to extend a seat to many qualified applicants. Good luck with your future message board career." So it appears I will not be a "Top User" (3052 more views left to crack the list). I am filing a Request for Reconsideration for the part-time/evening division of the Top Users.

*****

3/21/05 - Why do people write 'HYP?' I know what it stands for, but why denote your school under an acronym for three schools? Now, forgive me and all my law message board novicedom (it's a brand new word, starting..................NOW), but don't Harvard and Yale try as hard to distinguish themselves as possible? And the 'P', according to my misguided sources, is Princeton, easily the lowest of the three (relatively speaking). Why are they insecure about this, and why do they have to dilute the whole point of this website - giving people an indication of what their chances are - by bringing Harvard and Yale into the equation? All three are good schools...I don't get it. Then again, I suck. It's pretty well documented on this page, and every other source I've provided. I went to Penn State. Sometimes we like to be lumped together with Michigan and Ohio State. Ok, maybe PSU is the bastard child in this whole equation, as we have tried to pry our way into a years-old conference, and rivalry, only to be humiliated in every forum except women's fencing. So, from now on, as a show of how ridiculous I see 'HYP,' I'm creating the new acronym of 'MOP.'

*****

3/20/05 - Posted on the American University Washington College of Law website: "Our Committee on Admissions practices modified rolling admissions. There are some applicants who applied October- December who have not received a decision yet. The Committee on Admissions holds some files until they can compare them with more of our applicant pool. Now that our application deadline has passed, decisions on those pending files should be made by the first week in April."

Do you know what this means? I'M NOT OUT OF IT YET!!! The Smalls is still fighting for his life in the bottom of the ninth. Decision is coming shortly. If I don't make it, as you should all know by now, I'm back to the starting line - LSAT, applications, essays, more grandeur, credit debt...all the things we lost sleep over this past half year. If I have to go through it again, I'm getting a 180. And I know most of you would prefer someone of my arrogance to not be in your admissions class, if that happens. So, hope I get into American, another place I probably don't belong, and things will be fine.

*****

3/11/05 - Small white letter from GWU. I respond by saying, "God damn, how many times are you going to reject me??? But it was just a notice that they got my Request for Reconsideration. So I chilled...for a millisecond. Because I'm pretty sure they won't take me part-time, either, and that means I will, after all, get double-rejected. Do you realize what this means? Only I could find a way to get MORE REJECTION LETTERS THAN APPLICATIONS FILED!!!!

*****

3/08/05 - Temple email inquiry asking if I'd consider changing my status to part-time. I declined, hoping to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program at the USPTO or to retake the LSAT.

*****

03/06/05 - Arlington, VA (Reuters) - The Boston University rejection letter addressed to James Smalley finally made its way into town last night, to much pomp and circumstance, as hundreds of cheering citzens took to the streets with handfuls of confetti and children wildly blaring their kazoos. The rejection, well-expected, only needed to make the 444-mile journey from Boston to Arlington. "I kind of knew it was coming - I check law school numbers like every day, so we thought we would put together something nice, and receive it well as it made it's way into Virginia. There's no charm like Southern Charm," said Smalley, as he ate a leftover piece of fried chicken. The majority of the crowd gathered around 11 am, vying for the best spots along the curb. Around 1 pm, the crowd was in full gear, as the smell of barbeques filled the air. It was exactly 2:13 pm, when Bob, the mailman, pulled up in his white US Postal Service urban assault vehicle, with the letter. Said local citizen Mary Smith, who arrived here 5 am, "Everyone knew he didn't have a chance at that school, after the Boston College rejection letter. The two schools are basically the same. So we wanted to be here to give the letter the best Arlingtonian reception possible." Smalley didn't make it home until midnight, after another red-eye at the office. "Nothing says 'REJECTAFIZZLE' as a thin white envalope," he quipped.

*****

3/02/05 - New, real blog, http://smalley.blogs.friendster.com/smalley_fizzle_blogavizzl/

*****

2/07/05 - Eagles lose the Super Bowl, horrible week at work, and rejection from Boalt Hall...not that I wasn't expecting it, but it still sucks. What a great 24 hours of my life.

*****

1/26/05 - I have decided that since I'm not getting into a top school, I will instead try for the "Top Users" on this site. As of right now, I'm at 532 views. Only 1600 more to go, to crack the top 50...of course, assuming they don't get any looks. Wish me luck!

*****

1/25/05 - Rejected by George Washington; submitting a Request for Reconsideration for part-time admission.

*****

1/24/05 - I am filing a Request for Reconsideration of the Georgetown rejection, in hopes of being admitted to the part-time/evening division.

*****

1/23/05 - EAGLES are going to the SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!

*****

1/20/05 - a) Bush is inaugurated today, and I'm bitter. All I see around town are people wearing tuxedos and gowns.

b) All my remaining DC applications - AU, GWU, and GMU - are changed to part-time, because my employer, the USPTO (Bush is my boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss...or something like that...BITTER!) has reinstated the law tuition reimbursement program. Yes, working full time at the PTO is hard, not to mention going to law school at night, but I wouldn't be the first to have succesfully managed it. Hopefully I'll get in somewhere now.

*****

12/15/04 - UPenn large thick envelope. Open it up to find a letter that reads, "Just kidding! Your grades suck!"

*****

12/07/04 - Georgetown rejection letter comes with photo copied middle finger, and warning not to try to become upwardly mobile, or else! Drunken-ness and sulking soon follow.

*****

Seriously, can someone PLEASE tell me why people post their info, anonymously, without numbers? What's the point? Why are you here?

*****

I am that person who all the people who actually are getting into the good schools look to, to feel better about their application. I realize this. I use your profiles to find my username. All I do is scan the LSAT column (or GPA) and keep going until I see the one that really doesn't belong...that's mine! So, we have a mutual partnership here.

*****

The LSAT does not measure anything but your attention span. Studying for the LSAT can be simplified to a prescription for Ritilin. So, if you plan on taking the LSAT without any treatment for your ADD, don't. I'm learning the hard way.

*****

If Corona ever introduces the color changing beer cap, know that I am directly responsible...

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6634516.WKU.&OS=PN/6634516&RS=PN/6634516

*****