What's Going On in the Admissions Cycle Right Now?
As schools reopen this week, the waves of decisions being distributed to applicants will get bigger. Based on local public health guidelines, some schools may update safety protocols for upcoming visits and admitted student events.
FAQs from Students
Ready for last-minute application tips before you submit? We have them for you here.
Helpful Link
Wanting to consult our updated big law school info doc with the latest stats for every school? Click here.
Discussion
In continuing our discussion on interactions with AOs from last week, this week we’ll talk a little more about interactions within the context of admissions decisions and appeals.
While most schools will communicate their decisions via email, candidates can often also find out their decisions via their online status checker and/or through the U.S. mail. Some schools will make phone calls to communicate good news, so it’s a good idea to make sure that your voicemail inbox isn’t full should you miss the call.
I’ve had clients receive offers of admission via email and wonder whether a thank you email should be sent in response. While emails expressing excitement are always welcome, there’s absolutely no pressure to respond to acceptance emails unless there are instructions included that request some sort of confirmation of receipt. Due to the LSAC member law schools’ statement of good admissions and financial aid practices, no applicant is required to communicate a commitment to attend prior to April 1 unless they’ve been accepted to a binding early decision program or have a spring starting term.
If admitted, pay very close attention to all of the communications sent to you via U.S. mail and email. Often, there will be timelines communicated regarding when financial aid packages will be sent out, how to access information on scholarship negotiation or reconsideration packages, upcoming admitted student events, commitment deadlines, program opportunities, etc.
Additionally, alumni or student groups may reach out to welcome you or offer to answer any questions you might have, and faculty members may reach out to schedule time to chat and showcase specific clinics or research institutes. Take advantage of these opportunities—they’re meant to help you consider the full spectrum of offerings at each law school before you choose where you’ll spend the next three years.
Conversely, if a candidate receives an adverse admissions decision, some believe that if they retake the LSAT or have some new information to provide, their application will be eligible for reconsideration. It is important to communicate with the admissions office about their policies, as many schools make it a rule not to reconsider final decisions after they’ve been communicated. This means that the applicant’s next opportunity to present new information would be as a reapplicant in the next application cycle.
That being said, some schools will offer to provide reasons that indicate why a particular applicant was rejected, which can help a candidate improve their application in the next cycle. Typically, if this is offered, it’s available either during the summer months or after the cycle has concluded. This may be a conversation during a one-on-one appointment, via email, or over the phone. Some schools do not keep a record of notes, so they may not have specific indicators to share.
We’ll discuss waitlist offers, waitlist rankings, and LOCIs next time.
Events
On Thursday, January 6 at 9 p.m. ET, we are holding a 7Sage LSAT Tutoring webinar to discuss using the 7Sage score report tool to diagnose errors. One attendee will win a free hour of LSAT tutoring. For more information and to register for the webinar, click here.
We will resume Club 7Sage chats on Clubhouse in early 2022. Stay tuned for date announcements in January!
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Here are some of the upcoming recruitment events:
- The LSAC February Digital Forum will take place online on Saturday, February 5 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. This will include live and on-demand workshops as well as a digital law fair with schools from across the country (a list of participating schools is not yet listed). Register by February 3.
- Northeastern University is hosting an online information session on Thursday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Join admissions representatives to learn more about what sets Northeastern Law apart, their admissions process, and their co-op. Register here.
- NYU Law is hosting an information session to discuss the admissions process, application procedures, curriculum, and financial aid on Tuesday, January 25 at 3 p.m. ET. Register by Friday, January 21.