What does it mean to be on the waitlist for law school?
Asked by: Arianna Bins | Last update: August 29, 2023Score: 4.2/5 (15 votes)
If you've been waitlisted, it means the law school has offered acceptances to the number of applicants it can accommodate, but nonetheless thinks you are qualified to study there.
Is it common to be waitlisted for law school?
However, you should try your hardest to not obsess over being on a waitlist, as this, combined with constantly contacting the admissions office, will likely have a negative effect on your admissions chances. Many law school applicants are placed on a waitlist, so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
How likely are you to get off a law school waitlist?
Realistically, your chances of getting of a law school waitlist this cycle are slim. There are simply so many people on the waitlists that your odds of being the one to get off are not high. Though if your stats are within the school's median numbers, you are more likely to get off the waitlist.
What is the difference between waitlist and hold in law school?
Being waitlisted is an official application decision. Most times, waitlist decisions come later near or after deposit deadlines once the school has a better sense of how the incoming class is shaping up. Most times, however, you will receive a hold decision (admit/deny/waitlist) before the deposit deadlines.
What does it mean when a university puts you on a waitlist?
A college may put you on a waitlist. This can happen when you meet the admissions requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place.
The Law School Waitlist: What It Means & How to Get Admitted
Is waitlist better than rejection?
Getting on a waitlist is not a rejection — waitlisted students still have a shot at earning admission to the school. College waitlist statistics from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) show that 43% of postsecondary institutions used a waitlist during the 2018-19 school year.
What percentage of waitlisted students get accepted?
As a rule of thumb, around 10% of students who are waitlisted at an elite universities will ultimately earn admission. This, of course, can vary from year to year. There are years when some colleges, like Dartmouth College for the Class of 2025, don't turn to their waitlists because they don't need to fill seats.
Why did I get waitlisted law school?
Being on the waitlist means they still think your application is strong and you might be accepted at a later date. However, if you are starting law school with the next wave, then it is important to continue looking at other options in the event you are not accepted to your top choice.
Is waitlist acceptance binding?
Keep in mind that college waitlist offers aren't binding. You won't be required to attend the college if they accept you from the waitlist.
How do you respond to a law school waitlist email?
This can be as simple as “Thank you for your consideration. I'm still very interested in your school, and I'm grateful for a place on the waitlist.” Don't use those exact words, though, or it will sound like you've copied them from the internet, which would be true. I see you just wrote “LOCI.” What's that?
Is it hard to get hired out of law school?
Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.
How quickly do law schools make decisions?
Most law schools will start sending out decisions around 2 months after an application is submitted, but this time may be shorter or longer depending on the school, and the time of year you submitted the application.
How many law students drop out?
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), the attrition rate for first-year law students was 17.3% during the 2019-2020 academic year. However, this is significantly lower than the previous ten years, where the average attrition rate was 22.2%.
Do most waitlisted students get accepted?
While many colleges will waitlist hundreds or even thousands of students, not all of those students will accept a spot on the waitlist, making the pool and the chances of getting in slightly better in some cases. According to NACAC, 20% of all students who chose to remain on waitlists were ultimately admitted.
What is the highest law school acceptance rate?
Cooley Law School. This law school currently has a law school acceptance rate of about 85 percent, making it the US law school with the highest acceptance rate. Unlike schools like Yale and Stanford that require a minimum GPA of 3.80 and a minimum LSAT score of 169, Thomas M.
How many law school applicants get accepted?
Admission to law school is competitive. Of all people who apply to law school, about 55 to 60 percent are accepted at one or more schools. In other words, about 40 percent of all applicants to law school aren't able to go because they aren't admitted anywhere.
Is a waitlist a soft rejection?
If a student is waitlisted, it usually means that a school feels the student is a good fit, but the school is constrained by class sizes. Keep in mind, however, that some schools use waitlist offers as “soft rejections.” The waitlist offer is more of a “courtesy” and they have no intention of admitting you.
Is getting waitlisted impressive?
Getting waitlisted at a college certainly isn't a bad thing—your application was good enough to not get rejected! —but it's definitely an uncomfortable place to be. After all, when you're on the college waitlist, you don't know whether you'll be admitted or not, and that alone is anxiety-inducing.
Is there a downside to accepting waitlist?
There are three primary drawbacks to being waitlisted: Your chances of being admitted off the waitlist are typically low. Although numbers in recent years have increased for waitlist admissions, they're still markedly lower than if your student were to have been accepted in the initial wave of applicants.
What happens if you don't get accepted into law school?
You can wait for a year or two and then try again, or you can change your career plans. Note that there are choices (e.g. earning a graduate degree) that allow you to keep both of the preceding options open.
Can you apply to law school while waiting for LSAT score?
The short answer is to submit your application as early as you can. However, don't expect admissions offices to review it, and a decision to be made, until after they receive your new LSAT score.
Can you defer a waitlist offer law school?
Students who are granted a deferral request will typically be allowed to defer for only one year; very few schools allow longer deferments. Students who are accepted off of a waitlist typically do not have the option to request a deferment.
What not to do when waitlisted?
Waitlisted students can accept or reject the offer presented by the college. However, don't take up a spot on the list if you're not planning on attending the school anymore. You'd be taking the spot away from another student who may be more interested.
Why are so many students getting waitlisted?
Schools use waitlists to ensure that they can remain selective while still knowing that they will be able to fill their freshman class, even if yield drops a bit. If fewer students enroll than were anticipated, the school can turn to the waitlist to fill the gaps.
Do grades matter for waitlist?
Deferred and Waitlisted Students
Colleges and universities look for consistency or improvement when you're in this position, so don't slack. If you had a significantly lighter course load or let your grades slip, it's unlikely that will impact a school's decision to admit you.