Nsqui '21–'22 app cycle Class of 2025 class year

Jan. 2021 LSAT Flex (considered retaking, as I would like to minimize debt - however, I told myself that I would be satisfied with a 170+ before going into the test and felt that I should maintain that perspective. My PT average over the 12 or so tests that I took leading up to the January administration was a 171, so while I had scored more highly on some PTs, I felt that the 171 was nevertheless a fair and accurate depiction of my abilities. Furthermore, I did not continue to study during the weeks leading up to my score release, so the prospect of getting back into the LSAT was particularly daunting).

1 yr. full-time work experience in STEM field (Information Technology in an enterprise environment) + 2 and 1/2 yrs part-time experience in same field (worked throughout undergrad).

B.A. in Philosophy (Graduated in 3 years). First-Gen college student. **LGBTQ**+ (Bisexual).

Mixed (African-American / White) but not URM (white-passing; I marked only white on my applications). However, I did focus my PS on how my heritage and my maternal family members’ struggles motivated me to go into law (I hope to eventually work on criminal / social justice policy reforms). Did not write a DS (felt it would mirror my PS too closely).

Softs are **very mediocre (no organization involvement, closest I have was being a member of the UF Ultimate Frisbee team. My lack of involvement was primarily due to COVID forcing school into an online format for an entire year, but also due to my graduating early and working** throughout my time in school). As such, I’m hoping that my work experience will carry my résumé. Where possible, I wrote Why X’s that connected my technology work background to my goals in law and each school’s particular offerings. My plan is to work in technology law / biglaw to start my career so that I can find my footing and generate the economic capital necessary to pursue my criminal / social justice projects. My Why X’s elaborated on this (I did not have room to do so in my PS) and also made note of the technology law offerings provided by each school (I presented my desire to engage with these resources and imparted my belief that they would be integral to my ability to realize my stated goals in the legal field).

I’ll detail below the optional essays I wrote for each school.

Stanford - Wrote the optional 250 about what period in time you would most want to return to. Wrote and sent LOCI immediately after receiving WL notice. 8/29 Update - Released from the WL via email.

Harvard - Nothing extra.

Columbia - Nothing extra. Made no efforts to get off the WL.

UChicago - Nothing extra. Made no efforts to get off the WL.

NYU - Wrote Why NYU which discussed NYU / the state’s tech offerings. Made no efforts to get off the WL.

UPenn - Wrote Core Values. Made no effort to get off the WL.

UVA - Nothing. (I’ll pretend like this is why I got the WL). Made no efforts to get off the WL.

Berkeley - Extended my PS to 3.5 pages (just added more substance to the content of my original one) and wrote what I hope was a very convincing Why Berkeley** (referenced Dean Chemerinsky’s comments about racial justice and discussed how they echoed the sentiments of my PS, noted Berkeley’s ample technology offerings, and suggested that they could help me to marry my two passions together [i.e. working on social / racial justice issues in the tech industry]). Post Decision Update** - pain. I would’ve attended at sticker, probably, just because the school had been such a major dream of mine. Would have also made efforts to get off the WL here if they actually utilized their WL.

Duke - Wrote Why Duke which focused on Duke’s tech center. UR3 on 12/2. Got Decision Made, Watch for Email on 1/4 but did not receive an email for 2 days afterwards. Finally called Duke’s office and was told that my application had not had a decision made yet, and then was told to send in an email showing that my status checker had Decision Made on it. Ended up getting a WL a few hours later that night (and then Duke did a massive WL drop the next day). Made no efforts to get off the WL.

UMich - Wrote optional essay about what skill I possess that will help me in law school. I think my optional was a bit unfocused, though I do stand behind the content of what I wrote. Probably could’ve used some more time in the oven. Date never updated and address did not go long before my WL. Made no efforts to get off the WL.

Cornell - Wrote Why Cornell (not tech related). 4/12 Update - Despite the nonsense that occurred with my application, I am committed! Cornell’s offer was simply too hard to turn down given its employment statistics and the resources of the school. Go Big Red!

UCLA - Nothing extra; first (and possibly only, it seems) T14 A of the cycle. Quickly becoming a more likely destination for me considering how my cycle has panned out.

GTown - Nothing (I regret not doing the Top 10 list, as after my group interview with Dean Andy I feel much more compelled to possibly attend). The WL here stung a bit. Made no efforts to get off the WL.

UT Austin - Nothing (I considered doing a Why X, but ultimately decided not to as the application did not seem to have an overt place for one). Pretty excited about this A :)

Vandy - Nothing extra (fee waiver).

USC - Nothing extra.

UF - My alma mater. Wrote Why UF. Interviewed for Ethos of Excellence on February 1st; received text from Dean Rosenbury awarding the scholarship on Tuesday, March 22nd.

ASU - No app fee, waived CAS fee. My safety school. Wrote Why ASU only after being placed on hold for lacking connection to Arizona.

u/Nsqui on Reddit, if anyone has questions in the years and cycles to come!