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[imawakenow]

Another slightly off topic: does anyone know how law school admissions work?

LSAT scores and undergraduate GPA (and by extension quality of undergraduate institution) rule the day.

I don't know if we can post links to other sites here, but google "law school" and "discussion board." You will find extensive discussion about all things law school related.

[eriro]

Thank you!

[kr4453]

This may seem a bit naive, but based on what I've read in this thread, is it safe to assume that if one hasn't heard from schools that are already sending out offers for interviews/acceptances it's not all bad? Several of the schools which I applied to are making contact with students but I haven't heard anything. I've been rather distraught about it, and I'm hoping that it's not entirely over...

Also, how common is giving a place on the waitlist? I was told that I was 4th on the list for a program, but I'm not sure how to take that.

[studentz]

How important is the reputation of one's undergraduate institution? I attend a state school, specifically a California State University (CSU) for those of you who are familiar with the California public school system. I am hoping to offset this with a strong GPA, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. I have also worked two professors as a research assistants and have completed a research internship with the McNair scholars program. Would this overcome the reputation of my undergrad institution?

[copper]

How important is the reputation of one's undergraduate institution? I attend a state school, specifically a California State University (CSU) for those of you who are familiar with the California public school system. I am hoping to offset this with a strong GPA, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. I have also worked two professors as a research assistants and have completed a research internship with the McNair scholars program. Would this overcome the reputation of my undergrad institution?

This is far more important than scholastic reputation.  Couple that with a strong record of your personal performance and you'll be fine.  I think this is generally true, but may vary across fields (I'm in life sciences).

[doppelganger]

How important is the reputation of one's undergraduate institution? I attend a state school, specifically a California State University (CSU) for those of you who are familiar with the California public school system. I am hoping to offset this with a strong GPA, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. I have also worked two professors as a research assistants and have completed a research internship with the McNair scholars program. Would this overcome the reputation of my undergrad institution?

Yes, it can.  You have all the hallmarks of a good grad-student-to-be. 


It's all a giant crap shoot at some level.  There are people making these decisions.  They are just as weird as your extended family.  People are strange fickle creatures. 

The admissions committee chair might have dated a vengeful bunny-boiler from your undergrad, and if so, there's not a damn thing you can do to make them admit you because they have a visceral reaction to the name.  You can't control that. 

[yemaya]

This may seem a bit naive, but based on what I've read in this thread, is it safe to assume that if one hasn't heard from schools that are already sending out offers for interviews/acceptances it's not all bad? Several of the schools which I applied to are making contact with students but I haven't heard anything. I've been rather distraught about it, and I'm hoping that it's not entirely over...

Also, how common is giving a place on the waitlist? I was told that I was 4th on the list for a program, but I'm not sure how to take that.

Waitlists depend on the institution.  It's not necessarily bad that you haven't heard yet.  You may be on a short list for the second round, or some schools may not have sent out all of their decisions yet.  There are plenty of schools that don't notify until the end of March.  Your best bet is to find an outlet for that stress and anxiety so that you don't drive yourself crazy.

[d_w_s]

not sure if someone already posted something similar, but i'll chime in on how my institution used to do it

apps received, immediately (within a week of deadline) copied by admin assistant.
Committee, consisting of at least 3 faculty members PLUS voluntary faculty (usually numbers up to 7 faculty total) PLUS any and all grads who are willing to participate throughout the whole process settle on a time to meet. Usually it takes 8 hours to go through everything.  Slide work is viewed separately from digital work.  Usually, digital work gets more time (video viewing takes longer, but 5 minutes is max the committee really gives)
everyonoe ranks their faves by YES/NO/MAYBE. 
votes are tallied. top 20 or so are viewed AGAIN by ALL faculty and any grads who shall participate.
faculty vote and give some credence to grad opinions, though their voice obviously doesn't count as much as faculty voice.
ranked list is called beginning with number one, and moving down the line. sometimes they get to the lower ranked folks because other people accept other offers.
Usually comes down to a better location or deal at another school.
whole process is normally done by early April.