DLH '23–'24 app cycle Class of 2027 class year

**Updates in Italics: **
(03/04/2024) Offered Sumners Scholarship at SMU on 03/01/2024. The Sumners Foundation is a private foundation (not through SMU) that offers full tuition and fees, a living and textbook stipend, and sponsorship to attend a variety of civic engagement/policy-related events. Scholarship is conditional on remaining in the top third of your class (which they support you in doing) and attending a handful of events each year. A separate application is required, and the interview process is extensive.
The school itself also offered a Dean’s Scholarship, valuated at $150,000. I believe this scholarship is not conditional, but I am not certain.

*(02/27/2024) I had an updated transcript sent to LSAC a few weeks ago to include a winter semester course, raising my GPA from 3.87 to 3.89. I suspect this may have, or will have an impact on the timing of my remaining decisions (YLS, UChicago, Duke).*

Reach out and ask good questions.

My application submission dates are quite staggered because I did my best to give each application the thought and time it deserves (considering I have only applied to schools I genuinely would be happy attending).

To my recollection, I did virtually all optional essays, with Duke being the one notable exception. Both my PS and other written statements largely covered the topics of the optional statement, so I elected not to write them to save myself from being redundant and the admissions team from unnecessary reading.

(As someone who is not yet on the other side of this cycle) my best advice is to genuinely involve yourself with the schools that interest you. Go to the virtual information sessions and topical seminars, and reach out to current students or professors if the opportunity presents itself. There is something to be learned from everyone and everywhere.

I'm beyond grateful to have each of my acceptance and waitlist decisions, and I will continue to update my profile with further decisions and scholarship offers as the cycle continues. Feel free to reach out!