Director of Admissions

[ndiver]

Recently at the Atlanta forum, I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of Admissions for my TOP choice school. She was very nice and spent at least twenty minutes telling me why I should definitely apply - which shocked bc of my numbers (LSAT). I think my experience as a veteran sparked her interest. After mentioning my militiary experience, she placed a * next to my name on the event roster and told me to call her and she would set me up out there.

My question is this... Does that mean anything and if so I email her now that my file is complete or would that seem desperate?

Did anyone else have a really enthusiastic conversation at the forum?

[cardman]

I would definitely e-mail or call the director.  I had a similar experience with a Director of Admissions at a law school conference in California.  A couple days after talking to her, I emailed her to thank her for her time and express reservation about my low LSAT score (for that school).  She prompty replied and assured me they have a thorough review process and that I am a strong applicant regardless of my score.  She then encouraged me to apply by waving the application fee (something that definitely would not happen at this school with my LSAT score).

I'm not sure if I'll actually get in, but it is never bad to have a personal (or, at least, somewhat personal) relationship with the person who holds all the power to admit and deny.

HTH

[ndiver]

I would definitely e-mail or call the director.  I had a similar experience with a Director of Admissions at a law school conference in California.  A couple days after talking to her, I emailed her to thank her for her time and express reservation about my low LSAT score (for that school).  She prompty replied and assured me they have a thorough review process and that I am a strong applicant regardless of my score.  She then encouraged me to apply by waving the application fee (something that definitely would not happen at this school with my LSAT score).

I'm not sure if I'll actually get in, but it is never bad to have a personal (or, at least, somewhat personal) relationship with the person who holds all the power to admit and deny.

HTH

Thanks

You did a smart thing by contacting her right away. It has been almost two months since I spoke with her.

I guess it can't hurt to try...

[ndiver]

Maybe I'll call/email her since I need to update my app. anyway!!!

[midjeep]

I did something similar with one of the schools that waitlisted me last year. I didn't get in last year, but I sent an email update for my application and a sincere thank you. She talked to me throughout the summer about how I could get in if I reapply next year but would need to increase my LSAT. She was being very honest and sincere about my chances and recommended programs for me. She told me that she could pretty much guarantee that if I scored 15 points higher I would be admitted. I only scored 8 points higher, but I know I wouldn't have tried without her comments and support so I thanked her for that (hope it didn't sound too sappy, but it was the truth). The 8 point increase still puts me way below its bottom 25% LSAT, but I figured it is worth a shot and reapplied again this year.

[dcdjr23]

I had a similar experience with one of my top schools.  My LSAT was one point below the 25% mark, but my GPA was near the 75% mark.  I visited the school, the director went on and on about my work experience, my strong GPA, and stated "You would be a very competitive applicant."

A couple of emails and a $50 application fee later I got dinged at the school.  I even had a recommendation letter from an associate judge who was one of my mentors in undergrad and is an alumni at the school.

I hope the experience for you works out different.  I just walked away feeling like they were more interested in getting me to send in my $50 application fee than they were in admitting me to their school.  Then again, maybe they just placed more emphasis on my LSAT and not my GPA or 10+ years corporate work experience.

[nygal2626]

Hey All.

I had a similar experience this year.  I hope that it doesnt end badly, but I know that its unrealistic to actually expect an acceptance from this school.  Its a top 10 school, and I am 5 pts below their 25%. ... my GPA is fine, but due to my LSAT I am no where near competitive for this school.  Anyway after I received my LSAT score, I emailed this dean of admissions (as i had been in communication with her throughout my app process), and she said that though due to my score I am not obviously  an "auto admit", but there have been people that she has accepted with my score in the past.. and a few already this admissions cycle.  And she said that this would be a case where, they look at everything else (i.e. why this school, what you interest is in studying, your ps, writing ability, etc.)  I dunno, I applied anyway like an idiot...  i mean really do I expect an acceptance?  No.  But as she also said to me, you never know unless you actually apply.  Yeah I might have blown $65 on this application, but at least I'll know that i gave it a shot when i get my rejection letter instead of always thinking, I wonder what if?  There are reasons why we call them our dream schools.

[midjeep]

Hey All.

I had a similar experience this year.  I hope that it doesnt end badly, but I know that its unrealistic to actually expect an acceptance from this school.  Its a top 10 school, and I am 5 pts below their 25%. ... my GPA is fine, but due to my LSAT I am no where near competitive for this school.  Anyway after I received my LSAT score, I emailed this dean of admissions (as i had been in communication with her throughout my app process), and she said that though due to my score I am not obviously  an "auto admit", but there have been people that she has accepted with my score in the past.. and a few already this admissions cycle.  And she said that this would be a case where, they look at everything else (i.e. why this school, what you interest is in studying, your ps, writing ability, etc.)  I dunno, I applied anyway like an idiot...  i mean really do I expect an acceptance?  No.  But as she also said to me, you never know unless you actually apply.  Yeah I might have blown $65 on this application, but at least I'll know that i gave it a shot when i get my rejection letter instead of always thinking, I wonder what if?  There are reasons why we call them our dream schools.

Well if anything it will make our acceptances into these schools even better. I have talked to a few current 1Ls at various schools and they said that the individuals who were waitlisted or truly appreciated being at their particular law school, were in the top of their class.

[ndiver]

I had a similar experience with one of my top schools.  My LSAT was one point below the 25% mark, but my GPA was near the 75% mark.  I visited the school, the director went on and on about my work experience, my strong GPA, and stated "You would be a very competitive applicant."

A couple of emails and a $50 application fee later I got dinged at the school.  I even had a recommendation letter from an associate judge who was one of my mentors in undergrad and is an alumni at the school.

I hope the experience for you works out different.  I just walked away feeling like they were more interested in getting me to send in my $50 application fee than they were in admitting me to their school.  Then again, maybe they just placed more emphasis on my LSAT and not my GPA or 10+ years corporate work experience.

Its disturbing that they will play with your emotions like that without considering your devotion and intensity.

I have a feeling that I am being played too... It would not be the first time I have been scammed!!

[Troy McClure]

I just walked away feeling like they were more interested in getting me to send in my $50 application fee than they were in admitting me to their school.

Bingo.  The people at these forums are there to sell their schools.

Let's look at Harvard.  $75 app fee.  7,274 applicants according to LSAC.  That's over $500k they make every year.