URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread Forum

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Hobbesy

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Hobbesy » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:56 am

dietcoke1 wrote:
Hobbesy wrote:Submitted my deposit to
hammy393 wrote:don't forget to celebrate.

congrats to you both!!!!!
Thank you!!! Same to you! :D

Hobbesy

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Hobbesy » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:01 am

Hi-So - ArshavinFan wrote:So as a disclaimer to people - People still get accepted/interview requests to T13/14 schools late.

I just got 1 acceptance and an interview. I'm in shock.
Oh yeah, people told me Columbia got back to them HELLA late.
I think if your app is good they try to hold the decision for some withdrawals/deadlines so they can see if they can squeeze you in instead of waitlist you. Probably a lot of battling in the admissions office. Just my theory.

YBF-W

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by YBF-W » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:07 am

chewinggum wrote:
lnsl123 wrote:
chewinggum wrote:Does anyone know if NYU/Columbia have gpa floors?
If they do, my acceptances would suggest it's relatively low.
Would you mind PM me your stats?
+1

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presidentspivey

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by presidentspivey » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:10 am

YBF-W wrote:
chewinggum wrote:
lnsl123 wrote:
chewinggum wrote:Does anyone know if NYU/Columbia have gpa floors?
If they do, my acceptances would suggest it's relatively low.
Would you mind PM me your stats?
+1
I'd like to hop on this PM train as well. Choo choo.

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presidentspivey

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by presidentspivey » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:15 am

presidentspivey wrote:
YBF-W wrote:
chewinggum wrote:
lnsl123 wrote:
chewinggum wrote:Does anyone know if NYU/Columbia have gpa floors?
If they do, my acceptances would suggest it's relatively low.
Would you mind PM me your stats?
+1
I'd like to hop on this PM train as well. Choo choo.
On a similar note, if someone has what they think is the HLS floor or close to it, I'd love to get a PM of your stats.

lnsl123

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by lnsl123 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:21 am

presidentspivey wrote:
YBF-W wrote:
chewinggum wrote:
lnsl123 wrote:
chewinggum wrote:Does anyone know if NYU/Columbia have gpa floors?
If they do, my acceptances would suggest it's relatively low.
Would you mind PM me your stats?
+1
I'd like to hop on this PM train as well. Choo choo.
Eh I'm way too lazy this morning to do PMs. I had a 3._ undergrad GPA. I'm also several years out so perhaps it played a less significant role in my acceptance.

But I'm generally skeptical of GPA floors for URM candidates, especially if you're suggesting it's a hard floor. It would seem stupid for a school to reject a candidate solely because their undergrad GPA didn't pass a certain threshold.
Last edited by lnsl123 on Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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dietcoke1

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by dietcoke1 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:26 am

yeah I really doubt most schools have any kind of floor. obviously, the lower the GPA, the harder it will be but if you can craft a narrative through out your application explaining the GPA or how the GPA is not indicative of how law school will be then some schools will respond to that. (assuming your LSAT is where it needs to be)

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Mr_Chukes

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Mr_Chukes » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:36 am

Exactly never let a GPA scare you away from applying. If the other parts of your application are great, they will look right over it. Their medians still give them room for some low GPAs.

I remember I called USCs admissions office asking if they had a GPA or LSAT floor and they calmly told me no. That they look at the whole application and most schools should. That you shouldn't be discouraged by your numbers. If you really want to go apply.

lnsl123

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by lnsl123 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:44 am

I really have learned to take law school admissions folks at their word. I don't see why they would have a reason to lie. If they say they look at the whole application, I really do believe they read every part. While numbers are important, it's not the only thing they look at. Which is why it's difficult to look at someone else's numbers and make a call on your own chances.

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renc56

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by renc56 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:46 am

Echoing all of the above. (except I had a low LSAT score)

If you have any type of history of WE, some type of long-term volunteer commitment/organizing/advocacy, and/or have something interesting about you (e.g. immigration, first gen, LGBTQ+, and/or demonstrate that you bring diversity from your presence and your thoughts) - you should be fine. While GPAs are important, a lot of URMs tend to be splitters (lower GPA, higher LSAT) and they get into the highest T-14 schools or wherever they're aiming.

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Mr_Chukes

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Mr_Chukes » Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:46 am

lnsl123 wrote:I really have learned to take law school admissions folks at their word. I don't see why they would have a reason to lie. If they say they look at the whole application, I really do believe they read every part. While numbers are important, it's not the only thing they look at. Which is why it's difficult to look at someone else's numbers and make a call on your own chances.
One of my friends has median GPA at USC and UCLA and an LSAT score above 75ths. They got waitlisted at both USC and UCLA :( . Law school admissions aren't as predictable as everyone thought.

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chewinggum

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by chewinggum » Tue Apr 18, 2017 11:51 am

.
Last edited by chewinggum on Sun Jun 04, 2017 2:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

rwajo12

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by rwajo12 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:03 pm

Dip wrote:I deposited at GW but still haven't heard from NYU, Columbia or Fordham yet . anyone else in a similar situation?
I also deposited at GW but still waiting to hear from NYU. Heard back from Columbia and Fordham.

Dip

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Dip » Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:37 pm

rwajo12 wrote:
Dip wrote:I deposited at GW but still haven't heard from NYU, Columbia or Fordham yet . anyone else in a similar situation?
I also deposited at GW but still waiting to hear from NYU. Heard back from Columbia and Fordham.
Nice! Would you attend NYU if you were accepted ?

crookedsmile

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by crookedsmile » Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:27 pm

Regarding the GPA floor at some of these schools, I applied with a 3.54 and am in at H/CLS with WL at SLS. Def don't let what seems like a (way) below 25th GPA prevent you from applying.

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hammy393

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by hammy393 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:37 pm

re: GPA floors

Remember that the #s below the 25 percentile do not change a law school's median, the 25, or the 75 in any way whatsoever. So if you're already below the 25, your LSAT/GPA are being judged solely as a barometer of your ability to handle the rigor of law school and of your potential, and not as a number that can lift up the school's 25, median, or 75 for the USNWR rankings.

In the case of someone with a GPA below the 25, transcript/grade trends/undergrad are especially crucial. A school with a 25 percentile GPA of 3.8 would (in a vacuum) hypothetically prefer someone with a 3.5/Ivy undergrad/huge upward trend vs someone with a 3.6/generic state scool/clear downward trend.

Since both the 3.5 and 3.6 are below the 25th, neither candidate would change the school's 25/median/75, so they need to look at the context of the GPA to figure who might be more ready for law school

In crookedsmile's case, his 3.54 might include a huge upward trend (think 3.8+ in the final couple years) at an elite undergrad - which would "prove" to CLS/HLS that even though he has a 3.54, he's capable of handling the rigor

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Drea

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by Drea » Tue Apr 18, 2017 7:50 pm

hammy393 wrote:re: GPA floors

Remember that the #s below the 25 percentile do not change a law school's median, the 25, or the 75 in any way whatsoever. So if you're already below the 25, your LSAT/GPA are being judged solely as a barometer of your ability to handle the rigor of law school and of your potential, and not as a number that can lift up the school's 25, median, or 75 for the USNWR rankings.

In the case of someone with a GPA below the 25, transcript/grade trends/undergrad are especially crucial. A school with a 25 percentile GPA of 3.8 would (in a vacuum) hypothetically prefer someone with a 3.5/Ivy undergrad/huge upward trend vs someone with a 3.6/generic state scool/clear downward trend.

Since both the 3.5 and 3.6 are below the 25th, neither candidate would change the school's 25/median/75, so they need to look at the context of the GPA to figure who might be more ready for law school

In crookedsmile's case, his 3.54 might include a huge upward trend (think 3.8+ in the final couple years) at an elite undergrad - which would "prove" to CLS/HLS that even though he has a 3.54, he's capable of handling the rigor
"3.5/Ivy undergrad/huge upward trend" - 'twas me to a T. In at H and waitlisted at S. And I agree with your reasoning.

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by crookedsmile » Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:09 pm

hammy393 wrote:re: GPA floors
In crookedsmile's case, his 3.54 might include a huge upward trend (think 3.8+ in the final couple years) at an elite undergrad - which would "prove" to CLS/HLS that even though he has a 3.54, he's capable of handling the rigor
Oh I can handle the rigor 8)

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hammy393

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by hammy393 » Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:11 pm

crookedsmile wrote:
hammy393 wrote:re: GPA floors
In crookedsmile's case, his 3.54 might include a huge upward trend (think 3.8+ in the final couple years) at an elite undergrad - which would "prove" to CLS/HLS that even though he has a 3.54, he's capable of handling the rigor
Oh I can handle the rigor 8)
:shock:

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presidentspivey

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by presidentspivey » Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:13 pm

crookedsmile wrote:
hammy393 wrote:re: GPA floors
In crookedsmile's case, his 3.54 might include a huge upward trend (think 3.8+ in the final couple years) at an elite undergrad - which would "prove" to CLS/HLS that even though he has a 3.54, he's capable of handling the rigor
Oh I can handle the rigor 8)
Oooooh myyy

rwajo12

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by rwajo12 » Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:01 pm

Dip wrote:
rwajo12 wrote:
Dip wrote:I deposited at GW but still haven't heard from NYU, Columbia or Fordham yet . anyone else in a similar situation?
I also deposited at GW but still waiting to hear from NYU. Heard back from Columbia and Fordham.
Nice! Would you attend NYU if you were accepted ?
Without a doubt, it's an excellent school. The debt will
definetly repay itself

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SybillAnnDorsett

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by SybillAnnDorsett » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:18 pm

HarvardHopeful95 wrote:In at Columbia, Chicago, NYU, Duke and Georgetown. Just waiting on Harvard to reject me :)
You don't know that they'll reject you! Seems you've got a good shot based on overall cycle performance :)
Rooting for you!

Also where are you depositing while you wait for H to accept you?

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mt2165

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by mt2165 » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:52 pm

Know I'm pretty late in the game but if anyone wants any advice with the deadline approaching I'm more than willing to help. AA Male @ Cornell heading to Biglaw.

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renc56

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by renc56 » Thu Apr 20, 2017 4:18 pm

Debating on quitting my job asap and just buying a one-way ticket to anywhere/camping in the woods OR getting Hulu and letting my mind and body atrophy

tough decisions

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dietcoke1

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Re: URM 2016-2017 Cycle Thread

Post by dietcoke1 » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:14 pm

renc56 wrote:Debating on quitting my job asap and just buying a one-way ticket to anywhere/camping in the woods OR getting Hulu and letting my mind and body atrophy

tough decisions
why not ..... both?

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