Anyone else applying to law school or grad school?

[SarahLovesJS]

Anyone else out there applying to law school or grad school? I am done with all the essential apps and deciding on the last one or two (getting late obviously haha). I am so nervous about it!

 

[swimmer]

Good luck Sarah!
I can only vaguely remember that insane time in my own life, but DH is in the process with business schools and it is so difficult, the essay writing is cake, but where to go and committing yourself to years of this... When I did it I was single and just sent out apps, ready to move anywhere. You are in a partnership now and that takes it to a very different level, making joint decisions is more than twice as complex as the impact will be felt by you both. Are you applying in the DC area? Or are you both thinking of relocating? Sorry if I missed that very imp info.
Good luck with all of your endeavors!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Thank you swimmer! I''m applying to most of the VA and DC schools, but not all I think that would be a bit too expensive lol. If we end up in NoVa it will mean relocating and FI (then DH) finding a new job which concerns me in this market. He assures me it''s no problem because there''s always jobs up there, but I am like umm you''ve seen the news right? Most of the other schools mean he could keep his job and just add a commute until he found a new one or decided to find a new one. It is definitely more complicated now..I''ve actually decided not to apply to Yale at this point at least partially for that reason. He seems less concerned about things being fair for him than I am. He has a good job and it is stable (at least at this point his company seems to be doing fine) and I am concerned about the potential of him switching and then losing the job months later due to unexpected lay-offs or what if he absolutely hates the new job? I would feel like I was the one that put him in that situation. All kinds of worries, right? Anyway, thank you again and good luck to your DH!

 

[WishfulThinking]

GOOD LUCK, SARAH!! I will be sending dust your way until you hear back from schools.

As you know I''m not applying right now, but it looks like I will begin to apply for PhD programs in just 9 short months.

Wifey is doing it this cycle, so I can relate a bit to what you''re going through! I hope yours have been a bit less stressful than hers have, but I imagine it''s not fun no matter what the circumstances.

I can VERY much relate to trying to balance your applications with your FI and his work, etc. It''s really tough on us too. S is applying to a bunch of places, but unless we want to go long-distance [which is a possibility but not a preference] I will have more limited options. However, I am more flexible in terms of the programs I am looking for. There''s not much that can be done, so now we sit and wait for admissions to come back!

So, so, so much luck. You deserve to get into the best of the best schools you apply to-- go get ''em!

 

[AmberGretchen]

Well, it seems like it was just yesterday but really it was a little over 5 years ago, but I certainly remember the anxiety.

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and offer another thought that it really will work out, even if its not clear how right now. These things seem to have a way of falling into place, and I am confident that will be the case for you - you have worked so hard, and you completely deserve all the opportunities that will soon come your way. If I could offer one piece of advice about applications and the whole decision process, it would be to really try to keep in mind, as you learn more about the schools and make your choice, what feels like the best fit for you in terms of academic offerings and also of the people you''d be interacting with. I really think these two factors can help determine your happiness and success, so very important to pay attention to.

Wishful - I''ll be sending tons of the good luck and dust to your wifey as well - I''m sure the two of you will make it work, but I completely understand the incredible anxiety in the meantime - it is so tough just not knowing what your life will look like in a year or two!

 

[NovemberBride]

Sarah,

Good luck! If memory serves me correctly, you are currently at UVA, right? I am not applying right now (I am a practicing attorney), but I actually went to UVA not that long ago and applied to law schools during my 4th year. I ended up at a DC school, and considered several in the area and have friends and colleagues who attended most of the schools in the area (GU, GW, American, Catholic and GMU) and am happy to answer any questions you might have. Where are you applying if you don''t mind sharing?

 

[akw94]

Hi Sarah,
I remember the application process for law school. Good luck! I''d say why not apply to all the schools you''re interested in. You don''t have to accept but at least it keeps your options open.

Good luck!!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Good luck Sarah!

I was in your shoes (albeit without any commitments to take into account) only a couple years ago. I don''t know if you''ll want to hear this, but waiting for responses is the hardest, mostly because it''s out of your hands. But I''m sure things will work out and I hope you get good news soon!

Is it the application fee that''s holding you back from applying to all of your schools? Have you looked into school or LSAC fee waivers?

 

[purselover]

I didn''t apply to law school but SO is a law student so I saw first hand the stress it causes, so I just want to wish you and your FI best of luck!

 

[kcoursolle]

Best of luck! I am currently in a grad program, but I remember how stressful that time was!

 

[mrscushion]

I''m applying to grad school, too! Interview decisions mid-month, final word in March. Good luck to you!

 

[Haven]

Good luck to you, Sarah, and to everyone else applying!

I''ve been the the app rounds for a few grad degrees now, and I definitely remember the anxiety and the anticipation. Here''s hoping that you get good news soon.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 1/8/2009 9:41:58 PM
Author: mscushion
I''m applying to grad school, too! Interview decisions mid-month, final word in March. Good luck to you!

Ooh - good luck mscushion - I really hope you get your interviews and acceptance from schools you are excited about!

 

[anchor31]

I''m in the middle of applying for grad school... I''m uber-nervous too!

Went to see professors today to get reference letters, but one of them isn''t there...

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Thank you y'all that wished me luck and huge luck and PS dust to everyone else applying (including Wishful's wifey) as well! I am sure we all need it!

November: Thank you so much! I am applying to most of the DC schools and schools in VA, yep that's where I am so since FI works in Cville I am trying to stay nearby or not make too drastic of a change. I am hoping to get into at least 2 or 3 of the 7 I applied to..lol. My luck couldn't be bad enough to get into 0, right?

Anyway, I will definitely let you know where I get in so you can help point me in the right direction!

Brown.Eyed: I got fee waivers for some schools, but I didn't try the LSAC fee waiver for the LSAT..annd by then I figured it was too late to do it for schools. Oh well. FI helped me pay for them to be honest since he's got a full-time job and whatnot. So he convinced me to finish the last two apps if he'd pay for them.

Thank you again!

 

[anchor31]

Good luck, Sarah, Wishful's Wifey and mscushion! It's good to know we'll be able to have a bit of a support group.

What's everyone applying for? I'm applying for a MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science) in two universities, and a DEIA (Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment - which is more closely related to my B.Sc. in biology) in another.

Aren't the application costs horrid? Since English is my second language and I haven't studied in English in my post-secondary studies, I have to write an English proficiency exam to get into McGill or Concordia for grad school, and it costs 208$!! Add to that the 80$, 90$ and 100$ application fees for the three programs I'm applying for and the postage fees (registered mail, of course), it adds up to a lovely 500$.

My parents offered to pay for them, but I don't know if I should accept or not. I've been married since August and I feel like the cord should be cut. Thoughts?

Anyway, I'll have everything ready and in the mail on Thursday. My online forms are sent already. So the waiting begins... Eurgh.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 1/12/2009 8:38:56 PM
Author: anchor31
Good luck, Sarah, Wishful''s Wifey and mscushion! It''s good to know we''ll be able to have a bit of a support group.

What''s everyone applying for? I''m applying for a MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Science) in two universities, and a DEIA (Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment - which is more closely related to my B.Sc. in biology) in another.


Aren''t the application costs horrid? Since English is my second language and I haven''t studied in English in my post-secondary studies, I have to write an English proficiency exam to get into McGill or Concordia for grad school, and it costs 208$!! Add to that the 80$, 90$ and 100$ application fees for the three programs I''m applying for and the postage fees (registered mail, of course), it adds up to a lovely 500$.

My parents offered to pay for them, but I don''t know if I should accept or not. I''ve been married since August and I feel like the cord should be cut. Thoughts?

Anyway, I''ll have everything ready and in the mail on Thursday. My online forms are sent already. So the waiting begins... Eurgh.

Ditto on the well-wishes and the horrid cost! It''s ridiculous. I think LSAC shows my current total at like $540 something so we''re about even.

I thought about doing dual programs, but now I am glad I just picked the J.D. man that would be even more app fees potentially!

Anyway, here''s a bit more dust for safe mailing and good news!

 

[WishfulThinking]

Good luck to everyone who is applying!! And thanks for the dust for Wifey, I will let her know it''s coming her way.

Sarah, good to know you''ll be putting in the last few apps! Your FI is so sweet to help you out with the costs. The ridiculousness of doing both the JD apps and the dual degree programs was part of what convinced me not to bother with doing them concurrently. I''ll do the PhD and see whether I want/need the law degree once I''m finished with that. I want to be a professor, so I know for sure I will need the PhD, but am not yet sure if the JD will be useful. I am secretly living vicariously through you, though. While I''m not sure if I would really like law school I am still a bit enamored of learning about law!

Anchor, the programs you''re applying to sound very interesting! I have a friend who goes to McGill and he loves it. It''s a bummer that the English proficiency exams are so expensive. That''s a ridiculous fee.

Wifey has had somewhere around $700 total in fees, including the applications, sending scores and transcripts, and taking the GRE exam. She is applying to 5 schools and looking to get a PhD in Women''s/Gender Studies, Cultural Studies with a focus in Queer Studies, or Feminist Studies. I am excited for her, but jealous because I wish I was applying now as well! I plan to apply to some of the same programs, though, so it''s good we''re not applying the same year.

As for the application costs, I don''t think it''s a horrible idea if your parents help out with it. I am in a similar situation because we''re married also and trying not to be dependent on parents, but being in school is costly and our parents like to help out where they can because they understand how much the fees are and think it''s smart to invest in our futures.

I am sending positive thoughts and dust to all of you!

 

[anchor31]

Well, I wrote the English test this morning and the supporting documents to my applications were sent on Thursday. So I''m waiting! I hate waiting...

How are you gals doing? Are you all done too?

 

[Harriet]

As someone who''s done both, good luck!

 

[WishfulThinking]

Congrats on having all of your stuff submitted, Anchor! Good luck dust headed your way for successful applications! The waiting really is the worst part. Do you know when you will get a response back?

S is almost finished with hers and sending the last one out tomorrow. The first school she''ll hear back from should be early-mid Feb., but the rest don''t come back until March and April.

 

[Itgirl76]

I am prepping for the LSAT''s , I am attempting going to law school after 10 years of graduating from college Good luck!!! I can only imagine it is nerve wrecking

 

[bee*]

Best of luck to all of you applying! I went back to do veterinary and I''m now three years in. It''s definitely worth it!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/18/2009 1:09:26 AM
Author: Itgirl76
I am prepping for the LSAT''s , I am attempting going to law school after 10 years of graduating from college Good luck!!! I can only imagine it is nerve wrecking

Hi, I had a number of classmates who had gaps between university and law school. They all did well. Good luck!

 

[AmberGretchen]

Date: 1/18/2009 1:09:26 AM
Author: Itgirl76
I am prepping for the LSAT''s , I am attempting going to law school after 10 years of graduating from college Good luck!!! I can only imagine it is nerve wrecking

OOh - good luck, I''m sure you will nail the LSATs! There are a couple of people in my PhD program who took many years off between undergrad and graduate school and I think they''ve often done better, because they were more prepared in certain ways (emotionally, mentally) to deal with the stress and commitment.

 

[Harriet]

Yup, and they also seem to fare better in the working world.

 

[mrscushion]

Date: 1/12/2009 8:38:56 PM
Author: anchor31
Good luck, Sarah, Wishful's Wifey and mscushion! It's good to know we'll be able to have a bit of a support group.

What's everyone applying for?

Hi again, sorry, just saw this thread again. I'm applying to business school. I got in once before, but then a career opportunity came up that was too good to pass up. Now that I'm done with that, I'm re-applying. I hope they'll take me again. Applications are up many-fold this year due to the economy, so who knows what the competition is like. But I just heard last week that I advanced to the interview stage, so I'm hopeful. Congrats to everyone who submitted their materials and sorry to hear about the exorbitant fees. My application fees are also substantial.

ETA: I agree with the posts above about experience between undergrad and graduate school being a real asset. I now have two years more, and very different, experience under my belt than when I first applied and I think it will make a big difference.

 

[katamari]

Best of luck to Sarah, Mscushion, Anchor, and Wishful''s wife! Lots of dust! Good luck getting through the stress of applying -- it is definitely the worst part!