Admissions Blog

This Week in Questions - November 5, 2010

It's hard to believe its November already!  Recruiting season is winding down and soon we will begin application review.

As a reminder, for those of you applying, you can check the status of your application via our online status check.  This is also the method we use to distribute decisions, so please ensure you can login and that your contact information is up-to-date.

And now after a restful week off, we present, This Week In Questions:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: I'm a bit confused about the E-Signature on the application.  Do I need to send in a signed original document?

A: Beginning last year, we made the switch to a completely paperless admissions process.  Though the transition was a tough one, it's worked out quite well in the long run and we're happy to say that we are still in the paper free game. As a result, everything can be turned in electronically, from the application, to the optional CPE form. 

However, there is that pesky little line at the bottom of your application that asks for a signature.  Not to worry!  Filling this in electronically, i.e. typing in your name, is the solution.  We no longer require that you print and send an additional signature page.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: I am going to be a freshman in college soon, and I'm trying to figure out what I want and give myself goals. Can you give someone like myself advice on how to prepare for law school?

A: This is a question that we get quite often, especially at recruitment events and while we admire those who wish to get a head start and set goals for themselves, if you haven't even started college yet, you still have plenty of time.  However, we can offer a few general tips, for the eager beavers out there:

1. Get involved - Find ways to involve yourself either within your College or University or within your community.  Not only is this impressive on an application, but it may lead you to an interest you would not have otherwise known about.
2. Do what you want, but do it well - Many of those thinking about Law School believe that you must have a specific major and follow a particular path in your undergraduate education.  This is simply not true.  While it helps to have an idea of what interests you, there is no specific formula.  We don't only admit those who were Political Science majors and had internships in law firms.  Find a major that you are passionate about, something that interests you, and do well at it.
3. Take your time - It's no secret that Northwestern Law values work experience.  Take time out during and after your undergraduate career to think about your interests.  You may find that there are aspects of your work you want to explore further or vice versa, things you thought would interest you, that don't.

This Week in Questions - October 22, 2010

This coming week will be the proverbial calm before the storm in our recruiting schedule.  You can find us (and even ask us questions) in Indiana (Notre Dame, Univ of Indiana), Wisconsin, and right here in Illinois (Chicago Forum).

As part of this push we'll be putting together a special "day in the life" post, to give you an inside look into what recruiting is like for us.

Also, as a reminder, we're now on Tumblr and will be posting news, vlogs, and pics from the road.  We promise some interesting, perhaps even entertaining content.  Follow us, don't miss out!

And now we present, This Week In Questions:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: I am currently preparing my applications for fall 2011 and am very interested in interviewing with Northwestern Law.  I am from [insert country or city name here], however I will be visiting Chicago in December.  Though I checked your website and tried to schedule an on-campus interview, there were no slots available on the days I will be there.

A: December is a busy time for our on-campus interview program and we're receiving a ton of inquiries from all you folks who are anxious to schedule something.  Historically, we add schedules a month at a time, a month in advance, which would put the December schedule on tap for the end of next week.  We'll send out a Tweet and update our Facebook Status, when the dates are posted, so be on the lookout.

However, should the case arise that we post the December dates and you still cannot find availability, please be aware that we cannot make special exceptions, or "squeeze you in."  This is also the case, should you book your travel before scheduling an interview.  We do recommend checking back frequently, as there will be cancellations and open spots will become available.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: I am interested in your school.  Where do I start?  (aka: Tell me about Northwestern Law.)

A: This is a question we get quite frequently and in nearly every format -- by email, phone, and in person.  It is also one of the most annoying for us to answer.  No offense, but look at the question, really look at it.  If someone came up to you and asked "Tell me about [insert your name here]", would you find it an easy question to answer?  In most cases, it would be difficult without some kind of jumping off point.  For instance, "What do you do for a living" or "Where do you go to school?"  We ask for the same courtesy when asking about Northwestern Law.  We know you have specific questions you want answered about your specific interests.  Do you want to know about a program?  A student org?  Or maybe you are curious what we are best known for.

If, however, you wish to learn more about the school in general, please feel free to peruse our website.  This allows you to browse a bit more and then perhaps hone in on your specific interests with a follow-up call/email/meeting with one of our staff.  Using this approach will also most likely garner you a more in depth answer, as the little question above is a little too vast to target the information you really want to get to.

This Week in Questions - October 15, 2010

After a short break, we are back at recrutiment this week.  Look for us in Boston, Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah.

Also, of note, we're now on Tumblr and will be posting news, vlogs, and pics from the road.  We promise some interesting, perhaps even entertaining content.  Follow us, don't miss out!

Now, without further introduction, This Week In Questions:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: Will the using the December LSAT put me at disadvantage with your rolling admissions process?

A: Since the LSAT is administered four times a year, people often wonder what is the last possible test they can take.  The September/October test is easy enough to gage, as at that time we've just begun to accept applications; however the December and February exams are more difficult.  And let's just get this out of the way; unless you are waitlisted, June is WAY too late.

But before tackling which of the remaining tests are okay, let's focus on the why. Our admissions process is rolling, in a way: applications are reviewed based on the date your application was received and the later you apply, the fewer spots in the class remain.  Therefore, it is in your best interest to apply early. 

Given this formula, it is better for your application if you take the December test; however, we do accept the February exam as well.  That said, if you are taking the February exam, please note that your application may be completed after the deadline, and therefore subject to a longer wait period.  We suggest, if this is going to be the case for you, to turn in all other application materials ahead of time.  Then, when we receive your LSAT, your application is immediately completed and ready for review.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: Optional essay number three has a guideline of no more than 500 words. However, this could be well over 2 paragraphs. Do we follow the guideline of 500 words or one to two paragraphs for this essay?

A: We like to hammer home the message that you should always check the guidelines for personal statements and essays.  Many schools, including us, have specific lengths or formatting that is required and then we get to see just how well you follow instructions. 

Sometimes, these guidelines can get a little confusing as witnessed in the above question and it's difficult to know which side to come down on.  As a general rule, go with the word count, if specified.  Honestly, one or two paragraphs could turn out to be 3-4 pages, depending on who writes it and you don't want to give the committee an excessive amount of information, when they specified you should submit something abbreviated.

As a general note, this blog post typically hovers around 500 words.  So it is possible to get across a helpful amount of information in a shorter format.

This Week in Questions - October 8, 2010

First, a big shout out to everyone taking the LSAT tomorrow!  Good luck and we look forward to reading your addenda about the person beside you who wouldn't stop tapping their pencil on their desk.

And now on to a completely unrelated post!  This week we had quite a few questions regarding interviews:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: Do I sign up for an Interview before or after I've submitted my application? 

A: This is, quite honestly, a great question that often confuses many of our applicants.  This is closely tied with the question we posted on September 24, which asked if applicants were expected to send in their resume ahead of time.  Many applicants also believe that our interviewers need to look at their application before they interview.  Both are completely untrue and therefore you do not need to submit anything prior to your interview.  There is also no advantage to it taking place after you have applied.

So say you DO choose to have an interview before you apply; how is the report matched with your application?  Easy, we make note of when your interview took place (or didn't, for those of you who flake out, don't show up, and never notify us), add you to our database as an interviewee and it is automatically matched with your file when you apply.

All that said, you can interview either before or after you apply.  We do not prefer one or the other; it is completely up to you.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: Should I sign up for an Interview now or should I wait until my application has been reviewed and I am notified?

A: Considering our interview process is a part of the application process, we recommend that you do not wait until after your application has been reviewed to sign up.  An exception to this answer comes only in the form of waitlist interviews.  If you are placed on the waitlist and have not previously interviewed, you may choose to do so.

Sign-up for an On-Campus or Off-Campus Interview.

This Week in Questions - October 1, 2010

We're still on the road, answering questions from you in person; it's been great meeting everyone!  This week we'll be at UT Austin and Berkeley and look forward to meeting more of you!

While our reps were on the road, we fielded some great questions here at home base:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q:  I cannot find an off-campus interview location close to where I live, is it possible to have a phone interview?

A: The basic answer to this question is easy: No.  Given that our alumni network is dependent on our alumni volunteering, we do not control where interviews are offered and often there can be limited availability for some of our applicants.  Beyond securing an appointment with a nearby alum, you can choose to make a request at an alternate location or come to campus; phone interviews, for the bulk of the applicant population, are not an option.  However, there are cases in which this does not apply: If you are an international LLM applicant or are serving in the military abroad, we do offer Skype interviews with a member of our staff.  Unfortunately these are reserved only for the select populations mentioned above.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: Do you offer enrollment as a conditional student or student-at-large?

A: Wouldn't this be nice?  If you could try law school out and prove yourself before attending?  Unfortunately, while it's a nice concept, that's all it is.  Our Tax Program does offer non-degree courses for those attorneys seeking to enhance their knowledge in Taxation, but we do not have a student-at-large program.  To take classes at Northwestern Law, you must go through the application process, be offered admission, and fully enroll.

This Week in Questions - September 24, 2010

It was a fairly quiet week here, but we still managed to get our fair share of questions.  If you would like to ask us a question in person and are in Los Angeles, New York, or Philadelphia, stop by one of the many recruiting events in the area and see us!

And now on to this week's questions:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: I haven't applied yet and I am coming on campus to interview soon.  Should I send in my resume via e-mail beforehand so my interviewer can look at it?

A: This is a really great idea in theory, but in practice, not so much.  We ask that you bring a resume to campus with you for several reasons: To ensure that you are fresh in the minds of our interviewers, to reduce the chance of mix-ups or missing information, and to guarantee that we have the most up to date information.  Plus, as with job interviews, bringing a resume with you shows a certain level of professionalism -- one that we not only like to see, but pay attention to.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: It's been recommended to me to consult admissions officers at my top choices on the chances of getting in to their school.  I intend to apply regardless of my chances, but I would be eager to hear what an admissions officer has to say, in order to set my expectations accordingly.  Please let me know if this is common practice at Northwestern Law and I will supply any criteria needed to get an estimate.

A: Unfortunately, applying to law school is not like getting repair work done.  Though many schools publish their medians and entering class statistics, it is not common practice to give "estimates".  At Northwestern Law specifically, we take all aspects of your application into consideration and until those components are complete and ready for review, it is impossible to give any indication, one way, or the other.  Otherwise, we may be missing an important part of the puzzle that could, potentially, affect our decision.

This Week in Questions - September 17, 2010

Beginning today, we're going to try something new and a little different.  Throughout the week we'll be making note of some of the questions we receive.  Then, each Friday, we'll be sharing the results via blog, in hopes of helping anyone who might also be wondering that exact same thing.  Not to worry, we aren't going to out anyone, there will be no "John D. from Chicago writes..."

Now, for the week of September 17, 2010:

 

Most Frequently Asked

Q: LSAC says they won't process my CPE Form. What should I do?

A: Given our recent big announcement regarding Letters of Rec and the new optional CPE form, it's no surprise that this was one of our most asked questions.  Though we've recently published an in-depth post on the topic, we don't mind repeating the answer once again for clarification.

The CPE form is available as a pdf on our website, in an online format, and as a supplemental form via LSAC.  However, the form cannot be submitted via LSAC in an electronic format; it must be printed, filled out, and sent in as you would a normal Letter of Recommendation.  This is also the format we prefer to receive it in.

 

Things That Make You Go Hmm...

Q: Does the Admissions Committee look at all four undergraduate years, or just your best two?

A: Unfortunately, we cannot take only the best two years of undergraduate work under consideration.  Bummer, right?  Trust me, we've all had those semesters we wish we could forget -- the ones where we took a foreign language even though we know we shouldn't have -- but it's all a part of the bigger picture, one that we must look at. 

Typically, grades give us indications about trends in a person's academic career.  The first year or so, is for most, an adjustment and grades tend to rise from this point on; however, if this is not the case or if grades plummet for one reason or another we like to know (and an addendum to the cause is always helpful).  So, only picking out the best two, really doesn't give us much to go on.

Interview, The

Interview, The:  Most typically associated with undergraduate institutions and as a step in the employment process, it can also be a component of a Northwestern Law application.  We give our word that this isn't just another hoop for you to jump through; it does serve an important purpose.  Promise.

Our interviewing process is a great chance for us to get to know our candidates a little bit better, as there are some things that just don't come across in an application.  Much in the same way an employer wants to know you outside of relying on a resume.  Makes sense, right? 

In addition to the benefit for us, there is an added benefit for the interviewee.  Have questions? Want to see the campus?  Or perhaps meet a current student?  All of these can be accomplished with an interview.

Fabulous, you say?  Where can I sign up, you ask?  Not so fast.  There are some other important details you should know.

On-Campus Interviews

On-Campus Interviews are just that, held on campus in Chicago.  The interviewee comes to us and a member of our admissions staff or a student conducts the interview.  This is your best option if you want to see the campus, take a tour, and perhaps speak with a current student to find out what life at Northwestern is really like. 

Availability for this option is based solely on a pre-determined calendar (so there is no "working you in" on a full day) and time slots are added approximately one month in advance. 

However, this does mean you have to travel to Chicago.  If this is not an option for you, we do offer another solution.  First, however, please be aware that should you fly in for your interview, we suggest scheduling a time slot first, then booking your plane ticket.  As spots tend to fill up quickly, we can't guarantee that the date you want will be available if you book first, then sign-up.

Sign-up for an On-Campus Interview.

Off-Campus Interview

Our Off-Campus interview option is slightly different -- the interview comes to you, kinda.  At its foundation is an extensive Alumni Network, the interviewee is matched with a member, and the interview takes place on a time table set by both the alum and the applicant.

The only caveat for this option: availability is limited by the number of alums we have in a particular area.  Also, unfortunately for us, each alum does not agree to do an unlimited amount of interviews.  Because of this, it is important that you get a request in early.  Occasionally, if we see a huge demand early in the season, but a lack of interviewers in an area, we might send an admissions representative to conduct additional interviews there. 

And, to answer a frequently asked question: No, you cannot request to have an alum that you know interview you.

Request an Off-Campus Interview.

A little thing called CPE

Last week, in part two of our three part blog series on applying to Northwestern Law, we announced that we would no longer be requiring Letters of Recommendation. We would, however, be accepting (but not requiring) another optional form in their place -- the Career Progress Evaluation form.

It was at this point that many a reader threw up their hands in exasperation and exclaimed that they just didn't get it. Why no more Letters of Rec?  Why a special form?  Why Northwestern, why?

Not to worry, all shall be explained.

What is a CPE and why are you asking me for it?

First and foremost, please continue to be aware that the CPE is an optional submission, which is accepted in lieu of any letters of recommendation.  Now that we've cleared that up...

The Career Progress Evaluation form -- aka CPE -- is an evaluation of your professional work-related performance, which elaborates on topics such as project management and career focus.  As a school that openly prefers work experience, we believe the information we receive from this form is an asset to your application.  Basically, we are giving you the opportunity to tell us exactly what we want to know about you, as an applicant.

How does a CPE differ from a Letter of Recommendation?

The CPE is more like a questionnaire, than a letter.  We are asking specific, focused, questions about what we want to know.  Normal letters of rec are, for the most part, broad sweeping statements about an applicant, which may or may not be helpful to us.  

Submission: The who, what, and where.

You know what it is, but how do you to get it to us and in what form?

We realize there is, at this point, conflicting information on our website and in our instructions.  We're working to correct these, however, in the meantime, please use the following as a guide for submitting a CPE:

Form or Letter - It is highly recommended that you submit the CPE in its original form and not in the form of a letter, which addresses the questions asked.  Otherwise, we're drifting back to the generic letter of rec format.

How to Submit - It is again, highly recommended, that if you choose to submit a CPE, you do so through LSAC, as you would a typical letter of recommendation (you may NOT submit it electronically with your initial application).  While we do state that you or your recommender may send it directly to our office in a sealed envelope, we prefer reception though LSAC as it is a paperless process.  In addition, recommenders have the option of submitting the form online.

Okay, so, what if I still want to submit a Letter of Recommendation?

Understandably, we've been hearing this question a lot.  The truth: you can pretty much submit whatever you want to us, but we prefer the CPE.  However, if you have an awesome LOR and you feel your application just wouldn't be complete without it, then go ahead and send it.  Though please be aware that we will NOT be holding applications as incomplete for either CPEs or LORs, as both are now optional components.  Translation: build in time for submission, otherwise your application may be reviewed without it.

Still have questions?

Feel free to ask questions in our comments below, via email, or Twitter.

And so it begins - Part 3

Let's wrap it up people!  (For those of you who missed it: Part One and Part Two)

A Few Things for Everyone

One of the biggest tips we can dispense to you is apply early.  Our application cycle is what we call "modified rolling admissions".  What does this actually mean?  We review applications based upon the date you apply and render decisions periodically throughout the admissions cycle.  Please be aware that we do not have set dates, nor set days on which we release specific decisions.  In addition to applying early there is one other application component that is applicable to everyone:

Interviewing - We say interviewing with Northwestern Law is "Highly Recommended" and we say it for a reason.  While we realize not everyone can interview, we would like to think that everyone should.  Aside from your application, an interview is the best way for us to get to know you and vice versa.  We offer several options for those who wish to interview, which can be found on our Request an Interview page. Spots tend to fill up quickly, so don't wait until the last possible moment to schedule something.

And after you submit your application...

Status Check - Checking your status on-line is the most effective way to find out your current status, when you will receive a decision, and it is also the means by which you will receive your decision letter.  If you do not receive and initial email from us, please use the link above to request that the log-in information be sent to you. As the status check is updated every weekday, it will yield the same result as calling our office.

Stay Connected - Follow us on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook and most importantly add @law.northwestern.edu to your safe senders list.  We provide you with details via email that allow you to log-in to the status check.  This is also the way we inform you that you have a decision waiting.  In addition, we update Twitter and Facebook on days when we plan to send out decisions.

If you don't know, ask - Lastly, if you have questions about the process, please let us know.  You can contact us via e-mail, Twitter, Facebook or that old standby, the phone (312.503.8465).  Our comments section will also always be open on our blog posts.