Law School Discussion

How many of you here took 18 credits, getting all A's, while working 60 hours per week, and caring for a baby at home?...I may not have started an Internet company or saved the world while on a mission trip to South America but it does distinguish me from the average college student who works as a waiter/waitress...aka "soft factors"

WORST: By far, University of San Francisco. My GPA is right at their 75% percentile and my LSAT is at their median. About two months after I applied, I received an email from them that included the following

"At USF, we understand that for some applicants, traditional predictive measures of academic success such as an LSAT exam or your college record may not always be indicative of your true potential in law school.

Information that you provided to us in your personal statement leads us to believe that the ability to overcome significant obstacles in life related to social, cultural and/or economic adversity illustrate strong motivation and focus to succeed. Unfortunately, focus and motivation are not always enough..."

It then went on to invite me into their special admissions program. I was really really offended about this. In my diversity statement I addressed some adversity issues (i.e. growing up in a single family home without a ton of money & having a baby while still in college), but the whole point of my DS was to show that even though I had some challenges in my past, I had always persevered. Needless to say, I withdrew upon receiving that e-mail.

Another doozy was from DePaul University. This was nothing personal and they actually had good customer service and communications, but I received an alumni magazine from them and one of the alumni highlights was from a student who graduated in 2004. It said something to this effect: Student XYZ recently passed the Wisconsin Bar exam and is currently living in his mothers basements and delivering pizzas while figuring out what to do with his law degree" - I couldn't believe I was reading this...I don't know if it was a joke or not, but either way it was totally unfunny and I couldn't believe they would publish that. I really only applied there because of the good ole fee waiver anyway, but wow!

I look forward to meeting you all. Just applied for a really cool duplex - move in June 15th, crossing my fingers I'll get it!

Just an FYI, I just applied today for a GRADPlus loan.

I initially started out on my schools website for GRADplus loans...I went through the whole process, picked a lender from their list (the one with the best rates) and was DENIED. I was really upset about this because I have average credit, with absolutely no delinquences over 90 days ever and none those things that would cause me to be denied. The only reason my credit score isn't higher is because I have a fairly high revolving credit balance. They said they would send me a letter in the mail stating their reason for denial.

So I decided to try another lender, seperate from the online portal from my school and went to the student loan discount page on finaid.com, and slected one of the lenders with better terms, AFC Student loans http://www.academicfinancing.com/ and filled out there application. It turns out that this is same firm that holds my loans for UG and I was preapproved!

So if you don't have any luck witht he first place you try, try another. Its very strange, because I was under the impression that GradPlus loans didn't really take many credit factors in account.

I'm trying to help my hubby find a new job in the town where I am attending law school and helping him fill out a job app...it asks reason for leaving current position...Is it appropriate to say relocating so spouse can attend law school?

Normally I would think this is ok but places are so weird now with being PC and i dont think if thats too much information or what?