Categories: Wait lists, waitlist
Tags: law school application on hold
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It can be confusing – you’re not on a waitlist, you’re not just told a simple “yes” or “no.” When your law school application is being “held” it really just means more waiting. There can be a lot of reasons for this. The primary reason is that the school is waiting to get a sense of whether they’ve admitted too many or too few people at this point. In that way, it’s like a wait list. Therefore, you need to decide whether to pursue admission in the same way you would if you were waitlisted.
Here are some things you can do if your application is “on hold.”
1. If it’s feasible to arrange a campus visit, do so. Call the admission office and arrange a tour and classroom visit, and see if it’s possible to speak with an admission counselor.
2. You should absolutely update your application with accomplishments and activities since submitting your application.
3. Let the law school know that you appreciate that your application remains under review.
4. If you neglected to respond to an optional essay prompt for that application, you may wish to submit one at this time.
5. If you only submitted 2 LORs and no evaluations, and the school accepts more, consider adding a new perspective to your application through this outlet.
Here are some helpful posts by others regarding what you can do if your application is held for further review:
http://moststronglysupported.com/blog/law-school-admissions/law-school-admissions-the-waitlist-vs-the-hold/
http://www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa/blogs/entry-detail/index?blog_id=1461&entry_id=10964
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/admissions/2011/01/11/the-meaning-of-hold-2/
http://blog.law.northwestern.edu/admissions_blog/2010/03/just-keep-holding-on.html
http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/admissions/FAQ/admission_and_preparation.cfm#CP_JUMP_3326
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~csrc/students/gradschool/law/index.html#V <http://www.dartmouth.edu/%7Ecsrc/students/gradschool/law/index.html#V>
Categories: Advice, Financing a Legal Education, Law School Admission Trends, Law School Rankings, LSAT, LSAT Prep, Wait lists, waitlist
Tags: LSAT Prep, success stories, US News Rankings, waiting list
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Yes, I miss Glee. But in the meantime, it’s been an exciting few weeks and I want to share a few highlights with you. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. I was interviewed for US News’ article, “As Law School Tuitions Climb, So Does Demand.” It’s worth a read, just don’t get to caught up in the negative comments about law school. You know how I feel about those. But I do hope that the article inspires more of you to consider scholarships over rank, at least to some degree. (The article was even picked up by Above the Law).
2. Speaking of US News…. are you sitting down? This may shock a few of you who’ve been following my blog for a while. I am going to be the Law School blogger for US News. Starting August 1st, I’ll be writing weekly columns on all things related to the law school admission cycle. Pretty exciting stuff. And, yes, I’ll even be sharing my thoughts on rankings : )
3. Another waiting list success story: One of my favorite clients, (ok, they’re pretty much all favorite clients), just found himself at a crossroads. After working on law school applications with me for two years (he wasn’t happy with his LSAT the first time around and decided to wait), he was in his car, followed by a moving truck, on his way to Tulane Law. He was excited about Tulane: great school, nice scholarship, near his girlfriend’s family. Then, he was somewhere near my hometown in Alabama when he got the call – he was pulled from the waiting list at Emory!!! He called me, totally panicked, excited about the opportunity but feeling like this was a major curve. After asking what his girlfriend thought he should do (go to Emory) I told him, “You’re three hours from Atlanta- GO!” Here’s a situation where ranking prevailed - Emory is #20 and Tulane is #45, and he really loved Emory when he visited. I offer this story as encouragement for all of you who are still on wait lists: Fight, fight, fight!!!
4. I’ve been talking to a lot of people who are wondering whether it’s too late to get started studying for the October LSAT. The answer is my favorite of all answers – it depends. Are you working full time and going to school? Then, yes, it’s too much to start fitting LSAT prep into that mix. But if you have time to dedicate, give it a shot! If a month from now, in mid-August, you find you haven’t been able to dedicate yourself to the effort then put it off until December. But if you have time to really start concentrating on it, do it! I told one of my clients this week that, come Monday, I expect her to have a study schedule set up. If you take my advice on this, you won’t have to call me (or ask on the blog) telling me you didn’t prepare adequately for the October LSAT, terrified that December is too late in the game to be competitive.
Ok, that’s about it for today. I had a wonderful week in Maui, and this weekend we’ll be going to my husband’s 20th reunion for high school. I hope your summer is going well!
Categories: Advice, Application Timeline, Law Careers, Law School Admission Deadlines, Law School Admission Trends, Law School Location; Law School Rankings, Law School Rankings, Law School Resume Tips, Low LSAT, LSAT Prep, Uncategorized, Wait lists, waitlist
Tags: applying to law school, insider secrets getting into law school, law school podcast, LSAT Preparation
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I recently did a podcast interview for Insider Secrets : ”Getting Into Law School” - you can listen to it or read the transcript. In it, I discuss how to choose an LSAT prep program, choosing a law school, taking on debt, putting together your applications, resumes, wait lists, low LSAT scores, and about a thousand different things related to law school admission. I’m happy to take questions here and/or entertain your comments and thoughts.
Categories: Law School Rankings, Wait lists, waitlist
Tags: choosing a law school, law school waiting list, location versus ranking
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Success Story #1: Law School Waiting List Dreams Do Come True
I get a lot of comments on the blog asking whether a waiting list is a “soft-reject.” My response: only if you do nothing to follow up and campaign for yourself. Today, one of my clients called me with wonderful news – she was admitted off the WL into her dream school (a top 10 law school) with both an LSAT and GPA at the 25th percentile for that school. How does this happen? She didn’t take “no” for an answer. Even though the school said in its WL letter that they didn’t want additional materials and no follow-up was necessary, she followed up. She visited. She wrote persuasive, professional letters. She had additional, relevant letters of rec sent. She convinced the school she was a sure thing. Even though she wasn’t in the priority ranking of the WL, today, on June 15th, she was admitted to her dream school. Lawyers are advocates. Start by being your own advocate. Take action and you’ll never have to wonder “what if?”
Success Story #2: Choosing Your Right School, not U.S. News’ Right School
I have another client, let’s call him “Steve.” Steve applied to law school a year ago (without my help) and wasn’t happy with his results. He really wanted to go to Law School X (a top 25 USNWR law school). He didn’t get it. So about a year ago, we started working together. He ended up getting in to School X (with a scholarship) and also into a Top 15 law school. He has spent two months struggling with his decision. Top 15 school is far away, but sounds fun and prestigious. School X is close to home and a great fit for his career goals and social life. He visited both campuses. He talked to local prospective employers. He learned that they would rather hire someone locally who clerked with them during law school than someone from a more highly ranked law school. As I say in the book, “Don’t be a snob. Think about where you want a job!” Choosing his original dream school, right in his backyard, where he is already hooked into the legal community, is the right decision for Steve (no matter what USNWR might say).
Categories: Wait lists, waitlist
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Still waiting to hear from some law schools? Many law schools have deposit deadlines in the next few weeks, and it can be frustrating for people who are still in limbo with other schools. The short answer to this issue is that you are going to have to send a deposit somewhere and just risk losing it if a better option comes along
Here’s a pretty thorough post on this issue from last year’s blog. I call it April Angst:Deposits are Due and I’m Still Waiting.
Schools are, on the whole, slower to respond this year because of the huge influx of applications. Law schools are also using waiting lists to hedge their bets. If you are on a waiting list (or ten!) take 23 minutes to listen to this great podcast “Getting In From A Waiting List” and read this post about How Law School Waitlists Work.
Remember – fight your way in. (In my book, I call it “Launching Your Campaign to Get In“).
Categories: Advice, Wait lists, waitlist
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Law School Podcaster just released a great 23 minute podcast with advice for those of you on law school waitlists. I’ll admit, I was among those interviewed in the podcast and I have really enjoyed the content at Law School Podcaster lately, so if you haven’t checked out this site, I highly recommend it.
Categories: Advice, Wait lists
Tags: law school campus visit
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One of my clients sent me this e-mail over the weekend:
“I think you mentioned that the point of visiting a law school was to follow up about what you liked about the school. If during a visit, you aren’t able to see an admissions counselor, does that defeat this purpose (i.e. the ability to follow up), since the admissions counselor doesn’t have a face to the applicant, and there really isn’t a specific person you could write a follow up letter to? Also, does the admissions committee keep track of who visited to take a tour/class visit to guage the student’s interest in the law school (for admissions purposes)?”
The point of visiting a law school (before being admitted) is to show the school you are likely to actually attend. Due to yield rate concerns, schools are more likely to admit someone whom they believe likely to actually attend the school. Even if you don’t get to meet someone face to face, you should be able to work it and talk to students and take notes and follow up with a letter explaining what impressed you about the school. You can send it to the Dean or Director of Admissions at the school.
A smart law school keeps track of who is visiting; a smart applicant takes steps to make sure the school knows about the visit.
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Ann K. Levine, Esq., former director of law school admissions for two ABA approved law schools, is a law school admission consultant and owner of Law School Expert,
