DingDongTheWitchIsDead '22–'23 app cycle Class of 2026 class year

Link to my reddit cycle recap where I talk about my decision and reasoning: **https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmissions/comments/12cou3v/super_splitter_cycle_recap_in_at_penn_uva_going/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3**

Used 7Sage for LSAT prep while working full time: 159 diagnostic –> 166 first take –> 174 second take

My biggest piece of general advice is to start early and chip away at everything. I wrote my personal statement and diversity statement over 4 total months. I had 6 drafts of different topics and waited a week then reread them all and went forward with the topic that I liked the most. By the end of my writing process, I had both essays nearly memorized. I did not use any paid consulting services.

I could’ve applied to more schools - I would have blanketed the T14, but I am moving to law school with my partner and only applied to schools in places where she would also want to live. As a super splitter, it is important to apply as broadly as possible.

I probably should not have so hastily withdrawn from my WLs. I did it immediately assuming 1) I would get at least a couple pennies from UVA or Penn and 2) I would get nothing off of the WL from the lower T14. I would still take sticker at UVA/Penn over sticker at Northwestern, Duke, or Georgetown, but if one of those schools threw me a scholarship off of the WL, then it would be a different conversation.

I had an LSAC Tier 1 fee waiver which was essential for offsetting the costs of the application process. It cost me $505 total to apply to the 15 schools, take the LSAT twice, and use 7Sage for 5 months.

Cycle recap:
UChicago**: Did not do any supplemental essays. WL is a better result than I expected here. Still withdrew from the waitlist - I would rather have UVA or Penn with whatever scholarship than UChi at sticker.**

Harvard**: Did not do any supplemental essays. First R of the cycle - not a shocker. On to the next one.**

UPenn**: Wrote the Core Values essay - it was the essay that I wrote that I liked the most - glad that Penn liked it too! I got the call around 12:45pm ET on a Thursday. This is my most surprising A IMO. I was not invited to interview for a Deans or Levy scholarship. Need-based grant offered on 3/15 in the afternoon over email. Requested need-based grant increase 3/28 after visiting on 3/24. Withdrew on 4/3, before hearing back about aid reconsideration, when I decided to commit to UGA.**

UVA**: Wrote a Statement of Interest. Interviewed on 10/18. Notified by phone call. I could not believe I heard back so fast and got the A! Truly an amazing surprise and a wonderful start to my cycle. $0 initial scholarship offer which I should have expected. Withdrew on 4/3 when I decided to commit to UGA.**

Michigan**: Wrote Optional Essay Nine, about the person I’d like to get dinner with. Not too shocked by the WL here since I applied so late. Alas.**

Duke**: Wrote a Statement of Interest. This WL hurt the most - they were one of my top choices. I of course have some great options to choose from but would have loved to have Duke in the mix.**

Northwestern**: Opted-in to the interview. Bummed about this waitlist – I was hoping for an A and a decent scholarship since I know they like WE and a high LSAT. I didn’t perform my best on the KIRA interview and think it hurt me. I wouldn’t take sticker here over UVA or Penn so I withdrew from the waitlist immediately.**

GULC**: Wrote top-10 list. Group interview on 10/29. Status date disappeared on 12/7. Not too surprised to get a waitlist here - I came away feeling not great about my interview. I was part of the “Special Group on the Preferred Waiting List.” Opted out of the waitlist since I already had a couple of acceptances that I would prefer to GULC off of the WL.**

WashU**: Did not do any supplemental essays. Interview on 11/1. Got the A just a few days later - very excited! I got the call from the admissions office before I got an email or any update in my status checker. Did a scholarship call about a week after acceptance and got scholarship offer about 7 weeks after that. Withdrew on 4/3 when I decided to commit to UGA.**

UMN**: Wrote a Statement of Interest. Got notified by phone call. Very excited to get this A! I loved everyone I talked with at UMN Law. The scholarship was a little less than I had hoped for. Withdrew on 4/3 as I had ruled it out from my final decision.**

UNC**: Did not do any supplemental essays. Not shocked by this hold but a little disappointed - I know they do this to a lot of Out-Of-State apps. Sent post-hold, pre-decision LOCI on 2/10/23. Final decision came by email. A little surprised I got the R instead of a WL but you can’t take anything for granted!**

GWU**: Did not do any supplemental essays. Went here for undergrad. Status date disappeared on 12/6. Notified by email. Scholarship offer came on 2/14 and was what I expected, so not enough to entice me. Withdrew on 4/3 as I had ruled it out of my final decision.**

UGA**:** Wrote a Statement of Interest. Notified by email. I have spent time in GA and worked there for years, so I was hoping to get in. Financial aid offer came about a month and a half after acceptance. Received the Tuition Equalization Scholarship which gave me the in-state tuition rate and a full tuition scholarship on top of that. Emailed the admissions team on 4/3 requesting a stipend and offering to commit if the stipend was added to my financial aid package. Received a call back shortly after from Dean Brown offering me a Graduate Assistantship which is $10k 2L and 3L. I accepted on the spot - excited and proud to be a Georgia Bulldog!

ASU**: Did not do any supplemental essays. Only applied because of the CAS Fee Waiver. Was hoping for a scholarship that I could use to negotiate at other schools. They put me on hold and asked me to do a supplemental application form which I completed. Notified by email. Got this A with a scholarship below what I was looking for. Withdrew on 12/12.**

UMD**: Did not do any supplemental essays. Rescinded this application the day I got my interview invite as I already had 4 other offers I would have rather accepted and did not want to waste my time or theirs.**