Should I write a Why essay? Forum
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Should I write a Why essay?
I have a 158 and 3.94, thinking about applying to Boston College and Emory. Apparently they are not my safe schools, but I do not know how "reach" they are. With my number, should I write a Why essay?
As for the topic, I want to write about their Study Abroad program that I really really want to involve, because my future career plan is very international and both school offer the countries that I wanna go. Also, I've studied abroad in undergrad, and had great experience out of that. Is this a good topic for Why essay?
Thanks!
As for the topic, I want to write about their Study Abroad program that I really really want to involve, because my future career plan is very international and both school offer the countries that I wanna go. Also, I've studied abroad in undergrad, and had great experience out of that. Is this a good topic for Why essay?
Thanks!
- cavalier1138
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
Wow. A lot of things to unpack here...
1. You're leaving huge amounts of money (and admissions to better schools) on the table by not retaking that LSAT.
2. BC and Emory are in radically different markets. What do you want to do with your degree? Where do you want to work?
3. A "Why [X]" essay is generally used to help prevent yield protection, not the opposite.
4. Study abroad programs are fun. But you shouldn't choose a school for a study abroad program, and studying abroad has very little to do with your future international career plan (if you're referring to practicing internationally, I'm even more confused by your school choices and your general interests).
So right now, your "Why [X]" essay is the least of your concerns and won't move the needle on admissions.
1. You're leaving huge amounts of money (and admissions to better schools) on the table by not retaking that LSAT.
2. BC and Emory are in radically different markets. What do you want to do with your degree? Where do you want to work?
3. A "Why [X]" essay is generally used to help prevent yield protection, not the opposite.
4. Study abroad programs are fun. But you shouldn't choose a school for a study abroad program, and studying abroad has very little to do with your future international career plan (if you're referring to practicing internationally, I'm even more confused by your school choices and your general interests).
So right now, your "Why [X]" essay is the least of your concerns and won't move the needle on admissions.
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- Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2017 4:13 pm
Re: Should I write a Why essay?
There is actually a study abroad program in BC, that you can get a LLM degree from the international university if you studied for another semester post-graduation. I guess it does make a difference for career..?cavalier1138 wrote:Wow. A lot of things to unpack here...
1. You're leaving huge amounts of money (and admissions to better schools) on the table by not retaking that LSAT.
2. BC and Emory are in radically different markets. What do you want to do with your degree? Where do you want to work?
3. A "Why [X]" essay is generally used to help prevent yield protection, not the opposite.
4. Study abroad programs are fun. But you shouldn't choose a school for a study abroad program, and studying abroad has very little to do with your future international career plan (if you're referring to practicing internationally, I'm even more confused by your school choices and your general interests).
So right now, your "Why [X]" essay is the least of your concerns and won't move the needle on admissions.
- cavalier1138
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- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2016 8:01 pm
Re: Should I write a Why essay?
No, I guess it really doesn't. LLMs are mainly there for schools to suck another year (or in this case, semester) of tuition out of willing students.thatcandoromg wrote:There is actually a study abroad program in BC, that you can get a LLM degree from the international university if you studied for another semester post-graduation. I guess it does make a difference for career..?cavalier1138 wrote:Wow. A lot of things to unpack here...
1. You're leaving huge amounts of money (and admissions to better schools) on the table by not retaking that LSAT.
2. BC and Emory are in radically different markets. What do you want to do with your degree? Where do you want to work?
3. A "Why [X]" essay is generally used to help prevent yield protection, not the opposite.
4. Study abroad programs are fun. But you shouldn't choose a school for a study abroad program, and studying abroad has very little to do with your future international career plan (if you're referring to practicing internationally, I'm even more confused by your school choices and your general interests).
So right now, your "Why [X]" essay is the least of your concerns and won't move the needle on admissions.
So again, what do you want to do with your degree?
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- Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:44 pm
Re: Should I write a Why essay?
How many times have you taken the lsat? Unless that 158 is your absolute maxed out score, you really owe it to yourself to retake, especially with that awesome gpa. It would be a terrible mistake not to.
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.cavalier1138 wrote:No, I guess it really doesn't. LLMs are mainly there for schools to suck another year (or in this case, semester) of tuition out of willing students.thatcandoromg wrote:There is actually a study abroad program in BC, that you can get a LLM degree from the international university if you studied for another semester post-graduation. I guess it does make a difference for career..?cavalier1138 wrote:Wow. A lot of things to unpack here...
1. You're leaving huge amounts of money (and admissions to better schools) on the table by not retaking that LSAT.
2. BC and Emory are in radically different markets. What do you want to do with your degree? Where do you want to work?
3. A "Why [X]" essay is generally used to help prevent yield protection, not the opposite.
4. Study abroad programs are fun. But you shouldn't choose a school for a study abroad program, and studying abroad has very little to do with your future international career plan (if you're referring to practicing internationally, I'm even more confused by your school choices and your general interests).
So right now, your "Why [X]" essay is the least of your concerns and won't move the needle on admissions.
So again, what do you want to do with your degree?
- cavalier1138
- Posts: 8007
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
Ignoring the jarring "apparently" at the front of that sentence...thatcandoromg wrote:Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.
Why are you applying to regional schools in Boston and Georgia if you want to work in New York or California? And do you know what "international law" looks like in practice? It very rarely involves actually practicing in a foreign country.
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
What are some un-regional law schools? Or where can I look for these information? Thanks a lot!!cavalier1138 wrote:Ignoring the jarring "apparently" at the front of that sentence...thatcandoromg wrote:Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.
Why are you applying to regional schools in Boston and Georgia if you want to work in New York or California? And do you know what "international law" looks like in practice? It very rarely involves actually practicing in a foreign country.
- UVA2B
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
Start with the T13, and the schools become increasingly more regional after that.thatcandoromg wrote:What are some un-regional law schools? Or where can I look for these information? Thanks a lot!!cavalier1138 wrote:Ignoring the jarring "apparently" at the front of that sentence...thatcandoromg wrote:Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.
Why are you applying to regional schools in Boston and Georgia if you want to work in New York or California? And do you know what "international law" looks like in practice? It very rarely involves actually practicing in a foreign country.
How many times have you taken the LSAT?
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
I really don't mean this to be insulting at all but it seems like you need to do a little more research about legal careers / employment and how your school choice will affect those prospects. As Cavalier mentioned, BC & Emory are considered regional schools that are not in either of the markets you are considering practicing in. Additionally, with a 3.94 you should not be settling for a 158, unless like I mentioned earlier, that is your absolute best after several takes and hard study.
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
I took one in June without much prepare, and cancelled.UVA2B wrote:Start with the T13, and the schools become increasingly more regional after that.thatcandoromg wrote:What are some un-regional law schools? Or where can I look for these information? Thanks a lot!!cavalier1138 wrote:Ignoring the jarring "apparently" at the front of that sentence...thatcandoromg wrote:Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.
Why are you applying to regional schools in Boston and Georgia if you want to work in New York or California? And do you know what "international law" looks like in practice? It very rarely involves actually practicing in a foreign country.
How many times have you taken the LSAT?
Then I took one in Sept and got 158, but I studied A LOT over summer. I messed up with the last LR (-13). I think it was because I drank a refresher at the beginning of the test so I burned out. I rarely drank those before.
I took one on December 2nd, but not feeling good about it. Cuz I happened to only sleep for 2 hours.
Ugh...feel like the actual LSAT is so so hard.
- UVA2B
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
The LSAT is hard. It's meant to be that way. But with proper study and preparation, most can conquer it.thatcandoromg wrote:I took one in June without much prepare, and cancelled.UVA2B wrote:Start with the T13, and the schools become increasingly more regional after that.thatcandoromg wrote:What are some un-regional law schools? Or where can I look for these information? Thanks a lot!!cavalier1138 wrote:Ignoring the jarring "apparently" at the front of that sentence...thatcandoromg wrote:Apparently I want to take the Bar in either California or New York, but do not have any "specific specific" area in mind yet. Prob intl law or IP.
Why are you applying to regional schools in Boston and Georgia if you want to work in New York or California? And do you know what "international law" looks like in practice? It very rarely involves actually practicing in a foreign country.
How many times have you taken the LSAT?
Then I took one in Sept and got 158, but I studied A LOT over summer. I messed up with the last LR (-13). I think it was because I drank a refresher at the beginning of the test so I burned out. I rarely drank those before.
I took one on December 2nd, but not feeling good about it. Cuz I happened to only sleep for 2 hours.
Ugh...feel like the actual LSAT is so so hard.
In response to your question in the other thread, given this: you're not at a point where an addendum does anything for you. DO NOT write an addendum. It'll come off poorly, I promise you.
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
Is the ranking of schools more important or the geography?SomewhatLearnedHand wrote:I really don't mean this to be insulting at all but it seems like you need to do a little more research about legal careers / employment and how your school choice will affect those prospects. As Cavalier mentioned, BC & Emory are considered regional schools that are not in either of the markets you are considering practicing in. Additionally, with a 3.94 you should not be settling for a 158, unless like I mentioned earlier, that is your absolute best after several takes and hard study.
With my numbers I am afraid that I can't get into any t20 law schools in CA or NYC. But if I focus on the rankings, then BC and Emory fall in the range of my numbers. If I focus on the geography, I might get into some NY/CA schools rank in 60s.
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Re: Should I write a Why essay?
I think the smart move is to retake the lsat. Utilize the resources on lsat page here and study hard. If 158 is the best you can score, so be it- but given your gpa I imagine you are capable of scoring well with proper preparation.thatcandoromg wrote:Is the ranking of schools more important or the geography?SomewhatLearnedHand wrote:I really don't mean this to be insulting at all but it seems like you need to do a little more research about legal careers / employment and how your school choice will affect those prospects. As Cavalier mentioned, BC & Emory are considered regional schools that are not in either of the markets you are considering practicing in. Additionally, with a 3.94 you should not be settling for a 158, unless like I mentioned earlier, that is your absolute best after several takes and hard study.
With my numbers I am afraid that I can't get into any t20 law schools in CA or NYC. But if I focus on the rankings, then BC and Emory fall in the range of my numbers. If I focus on the geography, I might get into some NY/CA schools rank in 60s.
In terms of rankings, the t13 are where you want to be ideally. Once you start dropping in the rankings, those schools serve the markets they are located in for employment purposes for the most part whereas a T13 will have a more national employment reach.
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