Cornell c/o 2020 Applicants (2016-2017) Forum

[proteinshake]

Checking in!

Anyone writing a "Why Cornell" essay??

I think I might be. But people have said that cornell's app asks you "why are you applying to cornell?" So I think some will argue that a Why Cornell essay is a waste but idk.

the section on the app limits you to three sentences, so it's not much. if you wanna write more then yeah a Why X would make sense I suppose.

also, the app is open.

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

Checking in!

Anyone writing a "Why Cornell" essay??

I think I might be. But people have said that cornell's app asks you "why are you applying to cornell?" So I think some will argue that a Why Cornell essay is a waste but idk.

Just checked my application from last year, and you're right...they had a "Why Cornell" section in their application but it only gave you room for 2-3 sentences lol

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

Checking in!

Anyone writing a "Why Cornell" essay??

I think I might be. But people have said that cornell's app asks you "why are you applying to cornell?" So I think some will argue that a Why Cornell essay is a waste but idk.

the section on the app limits you to three sentences, so it's not much. if you wanna write more than yeah a Why X would make sense I suppose.

also, the app is open.

Yeah...I think I'm going to write a separate "Why Cornell" essay. I don't think I have the writing ability to express everything in 2 brolic sentences lol

[Mikey]

Checking in!

Anyone writing a "Why Cornell" essay??

I think I might be. But people have said that cornell's app asks you "why are you applying to cornell?" So I think some will argue that a Why Cornell essay is a waste but idk.

the section on the app limits you to three sentences, so it's not much. if you wanna write more than yeah a Why X would make sense I suppose.

also, the app is open.

Yeah...I think I'm going to write a separate "Why Cornell" essay. I don't think I have the writing ability to express everything in 2 brolic sentences lol

Yeah haha. Go for it, good luck!

[Bigredbear]

Current student - happy to answer questions here or individually.

[Mikey]

Current student - happy to answer questions here or individually.

Thanks for this! How are the professors at Cornell? What is the student body environment like?

[runthetrap1990]

Current 3L checking in. Happy to answer any questions!

[Bigredbear]

Thanks for this! How are the professors at Cornell? What is the student body environment like?

Hah, some big questions : P

From my experience the professors are incredibly enthusiastic and enjoy teaching; they want to see their students do well. Could be in part because Ithaca doesn't have the happenings of a big city. The professors are here for the school.

I'm not sure how to describe the student body with one sweeping brush... however I think Dean Ingram and Cornell admissions try to bring in students who will contribute to a positive atmosphere. It is smaller in size than most other T14s so you'll get to know your classmates well. This is reflected a bit in the admissions process with the interview. I like that the school takes into account intangibles.

but defer to the more experienced Cornellians itt for more specifics ~

[poptart123]

For any current students checking this thread: What is Cornell's reach like outside of NYC in your experience? I know there is a lot of self selection, but if you could speak about employment for students you know not targeting NYC that would be appreciated!

[PrezRand]

Would prefer UT over Cornell but checking in

[lg77]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

[proteinshake]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

yeah, but it's not like it matters if you don't put one then decide to apply to it later.

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

Just a caution though, on the app for my absolute safety (I was above the 75% for both LSAT/GPA), I stupidly listed almost of the schools I applied to (all of which were ranked much higher) and got waitlisted. I'm pretty sure that listing all the schools had something to do with my getting waitlisted even though schools would adamantly deny that it matters (hint: Yield Protect).

[lg77]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

Just a caution though, on the app for my absolute safety (I was above the 75% for both LSAT/GPA), I stupidly listed almost of the schools I applied to (all of which were ranked much higher) and got waitlisted. I'm pretty sure that listing all the schools had something to do with my getting waitlisted even though schools would adamantly deny that it matters (hint: Yield Protect).

That's really good to know! Thanks!

[Mikey]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

Just a caution though, on the app for my absolute safety (I was above the 75% for both LSAT/GPA), I stupidly listed almost of the schools I applied to (all of which were ranked much higher) and got waitlisted. I'm pretty sure that listing all the schools had something to do with my getting waitlisted even though schools would adamantly deny that it matters (hint: Yield Protect).

What would happen if someone didn't list any schools?

[brinicolec]

Just an FYI, there's a "Why are you applying to Cornell" question in the app!

[Thomas Hagan, ESQ.]

Checking in. For the section where it asks you "Are you applying, or have you applied, to other law schools? If so, please list them," are you guys listing all other schools you're applying to?

Just a caution though, on the app for my absolute safety (I was above the 75% for both LSAT/GPA), I stupidly listed almost of the schools I applied to (all of which were ranked much higher) and got waitlisted. I'm pretty sure that listing all the schools had something to do with my getting waitlisted even though schools would adamantly deny that it matters (hint: Yield Protect).

What would happen if someone didn't list any schools?

Hmm that's a great question. I have no idea, but it would for sure look shady.
I wouldn't worry too much about this, but I'm only listing a couple of schools that I'm applying to and will be sure to add many that are ranked lower than Cornell. Cornell is one of my top choices (even above some schools that are ranked higher), but I don't want them to think that it's not because I listed higher ranked schools.

[proteinshake]

Who here is a reapplicant?

[zeglo]

.

[poptart123]

Wow the Cornell thread is really popping comparatively.

[RamTitan]

So....would it still be wise to write a Why X essay?

[RamTitan]

For any current students checking this thread: What is Cornell's reach like outside of NYC in your experience? I know there is a lot of self selection, but if you could speak about employment for students you know not targeting NYC that would be appreciated!

I'm also interested in this

[proteinshake]

For any current students checking this thread: What is Cornell's reach like outside of NYC in your experience? I know there is a lot of self selection, but if you could speak about employment for students you know not targeting NYC that would be appreciated!

I'm also interested in this

not sure if this really answers the questions but relevant:

"People go all over. Internationally, I've heard of London, Oslo, Paris, Hong Kong and Japan. Many also stay in the US and I know people who did externships in San Diego, DC, NYC, and Phoenix. I think you can pretty much go wherever you want as long as the externship/academic program meets broad requirements."

- Cornell student in the 2019 thread

[Lavitz]

Thanks for this! How are the professors at Cornell? What is the student body environment like?

Hah, some big questions : P

From my experience the professors are incredibly enthusiastic and enjoy teaching; they want to see their students do well. Could be in part because Ithaca doesn't have the happenings of a big city. The professors are here for the school.

I'm not sure how to describe the student body with one sweeping brush... however I think Dean Ingram and Cornell admissions try to bring in students who will contribute to a positive atmosphere. It is smaller in size than most other T14s so you'll get to know your classmates well. This is reflected a bit in the admissions process with the interview. I like that the school takes into account intangibles.

but defer to the more experienced Cornellians itt for more specifics ~

Are you a 1L?

The professors are fine. I don't think there's going to be much variation among the T-14 regarding professor quality. Some big names, some lesser names, some more interested in teaching and interacting with students than others. This is a slight variation on the question but: there has certainly been a push for more professor-student interaction, which has been nice. 1L class sizes have (mostly) been capped at 2 sections per class, which is about 60 students. In theory, it should encourage professors to get to know the students in their classes better. I wasn't necessarily a fan of this change for various reasons, but I haven't experienced what it's been like, so I won't comment on the merits. Your small section professor should invite you over to their place for a section meal, which is cool. My favorite program was the take a professor to lunch program, because I would go out to eat with a professor, order the most expensive thing on the menu, and the school would pay. Lastly, I will add that every time I asked professors for a letter of recommendation or to call a judge for me, professors were more than willing to help.

ETA: The faculty at-home seminars are also cool. Got one credit for showing up to a prof's house 4 times in a semester, eating free dinner and discussing works of literature and Battlestar Galactica.

I liked the student body. Tight knit community. Easy to get to know everyone. For folks who love joining student orgs, there is definitely an excessive amount of clubs for a school this size.

For any current students checking this thread: What is Cornell's reach like outside of NYC in your experience? I know there is a lot of self selection, but if you could speak about employment for students you know not targeting NYC that would be appreciated!

Do you have a specific market in mind? I can rattle off anecdotes about people at/below median who got jobs in X states, but as a general proposition, I'd just say it depends on ties, interviewing skills, and hustling. If you have ties to an area, don't mind doing your own mailing, and aren't awkward in interviews, you should be able to get a job in most states (unless your grades are really bad, and even then that's mostly just applicable to biglaw). Most of the OCI stuff will be NYC firms, a bunch from CA and DC, a few from DE, PA, NJ, London, upstate NY, and some others that interview for all offices and you would specify which you're interested in. Then there are separate Boston and DC job fairs. For others, you'd probably have to do your own legwork. Again, most people I know who wanted a certain market got it. Notable exceptions would be people well below median who probably would have preferred CA but had to bid NYC instead.

not sure if this really answers the questions but relevant:

"People go all over. Internationally, I've heard of London, Oslo, Paris, Hong Kong and Japan. Many also stay in the US and I know people who did externships in San Diego, DC, NYC, and Phoenix. I think you can pretty much go wherever you want as long as the externship/academic program meets broad requirements."

- Cornell student in the 2019 thread

Getting an externship in an area is pretty easy from any law school. I mean, maybe we're more flexible with the international stuff. And getting an externship somewhere might help with employment, but you'd only be able to extern in 2L or 3L, and by then OCI is over, so if you're externing in a place you don't already have a job, you'd be doing it in the hopes of changing markets or getting a non-biglaw job in that area. But generally speaking, ability to extern somewhere /=/ ability to get a job somewhere.

[poptart123]

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