werley86 (2022-2023)

Three studies abroad, speak two foreign languages, court intern, volunteer for summer recruitment program, teach Spanish and English to ESL children, participating in senior thesis program.

Numbers by schools with decisions reflect my choice among them without factoring in $$$$$. Numbers by schools without decisions are probability percentages.

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So, I found these two articles talking about choosing a law school and law school ranking systems. I have found them insightful and hopefully others struggling with tough law school choices will too:

"What rankings don't say about costly choices"
http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=900005508485

This article is something of a partial defense of ranking systems...well, sorta. This article asserts that though there are not large differences among similarly ranked schools (#14 vs. #5), there are in fact appreciable differences between schools with large differences (#50 vs. #5). It also speaks to the crippling effect of debt and urges students to consider money as a large factor. I think this is especially true when looking at schools in a similar block of ranking (T-14's, T-25's, T-50's, etc).

"'U.S. News' list: a curse"
http://www.law.com/jsp/nlj/PubArticleNLJ.jsp?id=1202426808461

For those not accepted to "designer" law schools, don't lose heart. There will still be plenty of eager employers and plenty of good jobs once we all get out. I think this is also relevant to those accepted to "designer" law schools but receive no money.

11/02: Accepted to Baylor with a full ride. Got a six day turnaround on the application...that was fast! =D

11/03: I thought I had a fee waiver to Vandy, but apparently I did not. They were not inclined to give me one either. Nuts to them! Put my last applications in at Duke and Columbia. No more apps! Whoop!

11/19: So, the above statement was not quite accurate. I just got done with U-Chicago. Hopefully THAT will be the last one. I am starting to get a bit anxious. I've been "under review" for a little over a week at some schools that have had quick turn-arounds on apps. t.u. - I'm looking at you!

11/20: IN AT UT!!!! Got the phone call today! This is a HUGE relief! I will really have to consider this one! Can't wait to see how the rest of the cycle goes. =D

11/21: I have not done so officially, but I can say with a degree of certainty that I will withdraw my application from Baylor. I'll leave SMU on the table to see what I get, but Texas is looking pretty right now. I think I would be a bit crazy to turn them down, even for money at Baylor.

12/12: In at Boston U via phone!

12/15: After thinking about it, I am holding on to Baylor and am now putting in an app to Notre Dame.

12/16: Went to "Decision" at UM. [Insert short dramatic tune here].

12/19: In at SMU with a full ride via phone! Packet will be sent out in early January. Still no word from UM.

12/20: I got an early Christmas present from UT via mail - $28.5 K Dean's Scholarship! $9,500 per year. =D

12/21: I love LSN! Found a web link to hack into UM admitted student site, and I am in!!!!! First T-10 down!!!

12/23: Penn status checker went to "Under Committee Review" today. Duke, UVA, and WUSTL are still MIA. The waiting game continues...

12/27: Withdrawing from Baylor as soon as I get back to school. I have no intention of going there and sitting on the seat scholarship will not serve me at all, so it's time to give it to some one who wants it.

12/30: Got my acceptance letter from SMU today in a regular sized envelope. Came back to College Station to find my Michigan packet. The jump drive with the movie was a nice touch despite the cheese music!

1/7: Complete at ND. I have had a long silence since Michigan, and it is deafening!
UVA, WUSTL, Duke - where the hell are you??? Rawr!

1/23: Got phone calls from UVA and Penn in the span of about five minutes! WOW! I'm in at an Ivy League school!

2/09: I am about to give up on WUSTL and Duke. Hoping the Chicago, Columbia, and ND will come through within the next week or so. Harvard...yeah, I am guessing no news is bad news at this point.

2/17: "Held" at Columbia. I have until April to impress them! Sending additional material. =/

ND decided to make my day a bit better by letting me in and throwing money at me. Yay!

2/18: From Duke - "A decision was made on Feb 17, 2009. You will be notified soon." No e-mail. Let me get that big 'ol "W" ready for you, Duke!

2/20: Got an e-mail offering me a spot on the waitlist at Duke.
HAHAHAROFLMAO...no. You suck, Duke. You have done nothing but shamelessly play the LSAT game this cycle, and I am willing to wager my bottom dollar that you will - yet again - have a shitty yield for your next class. You are overrated.

In other news, "Decision Pending" at UChicago!

2/23: IN AT CHICAGO! OMG!

In light of the above, I am withdrawing from the hold pool at Columbia. I'll wait and see on HLS, though I am less than hopeful.

3/11: Starting to narrow the list: withdrew from SMU today. Yay giving up free law school?

P.S. - If anyone from BU is reading this, I will be withdrawing from there by the end of next week if no money materializes. Sorry, but I am going to go to Chicago if I am going to go out of state for sticker price.

3/20: Got my finaid letter from UT today. Got another $14K in free money...sweet!

BU - you are toast after this. Thanks, but no thanks.

3/23: Just kidding, BU!

3/25: ZOMG, the good times keep on rolling! $30k from UVA!

Update: THANKS FOR RAINING ON MY HAPPY DAY, HLS. Whatever...it is just a country club with a law school attached to it...wouldn't have gone any way!

Update 2: Sorry ND, but you have been outgunned.

3/26: Hellz yea! Dean's Scholly from UM!

4/02: Look what the cat dragged in...

4/06: Matching request denied at UT. Why can't y'all make this any easier for me!

4/08: WUSTL: I wait on you for six months and that is all I get for my time? I see how much I truly mean to you.

Sorry UM, you're just not worth $150k to me.