| Topic Name: |
How much are applications increasing??? |
| Message Name: |
good show mr. james |
| Date Posted: |
11/14/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
but I also figured that the message was more about stress and obsession than anything you can actually find out about and that therefore a little reassurance would be welcome... I'm in the same boat as you - probably in the pile most places but stressing out anyway. ;-)
I don't see how the stats you are looking for will help you that much. From what I understand, once you are in the pool that is getting scrutinized, it's no longer about the numbers published in those reports - it's about the unquantifiable factors (i.e. being an all American, having an advanced degree, spending two years in the peace corps, running your own business, etc. etc. ad infinitum ad astra).
Remember that even in the top 3 there are still automatic admits - so the top of the pile probably isn't as daunting as you think. The people who were Rhodes Scholars or paraplegics who were the valedictorians of their classes are not in the pile, they are accepted outright.
The point of there being a pile is so that the numbers can become become a secondary consideration. Everyone in the pile is in the same ballpark, if I understand the process correctly. This is why it's important to write a compelling statement (and essay in the case of YLS), have stellar LORs and have things that give you some texture.
Sounds like you have the texture part down. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the stats I would spend more time making sure my recommenders are writing compelling letters, drafting statements and getting editorial advice from friends and colleagues.
I know this wasn't what you were looking for, but I hope it helps anyway.
Good luck. |
| Message: |
I completely agree that once people land in the pile of apps read by faculty members, the game changes from a number crunch to a selection of folks with distinct qualities.
YLS is predicting a hike of apps from around 3,500 last year to over 4,000 this year. Since the bulk of those apps will have stellar numbers, the fine lines to draw between unique individuals will be the determining factors among thick and thin envelope recipients (digo yo).
What's more, since the increase will probably reflect the trend of recent grads deciding to enter LS rather than the "real world" and not "real world" defectors to LS, it will be crucial for us working folks to distinguish ourselves through our jobs/grants/grad school experiences.
Perhaps the only lingering comparative issue for someone who received a BA in the early 90s would be LSAT scores on the 48 scale. That puppy was reputedly much easier to ace than the current 180 test, but I think all schools now require a sample of the latter test for all applicants.
Word to writing our way through the stresses of the waiting game!!!
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