J.D. Program Insight of the Week - Past Insights

Week of 5/4/2011

Following our deposit deadline, we are now able to say that the incoming class is at capacity. The commitments received so far met our class target. Although we may extend new offers in the summer, we do not know how many or when those offers will be necessary. At any rate, waitlisted candidates may arrange for informational meetings with a staff member by calling our office. (Other helpful information was listed in the February 4 Insight.)

Week of 2/16/2011

Several applicants have contacted us today to express concern over technical issues they faced when trying to submit their applications online via LSAC; although our posted deadline is February 15, this is not a hard deadline – candidates may still apply up until April 1.

Week of 2/4/2011

Our waitlist is unranked and only revisited starting in May; in the meantime, waitlisted candidates may supplement their applications and underscore their unique contributions to the community. Helpful options: short, free-topic essays; updated resumes and/or transcripts (the latter must be sent via LSAC); new letters of recommendation; monthly expressions of continued interest; new contact details.

Week of 11/1/2011

With the start of a new year, applicants—processing, under review, or admitted—should move forward with the steps required for future need-based financial aid analysis. First, please submit the 2011-2012 FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Penn's Federal School Code is 003378. Second, complete a financial aid application through NeedAccess at www.needaccess.org.

Week of 12/21/2010

The Law School and the Admissions Office will be officially closed from December 24, 2010, to January 3, 2011. Although the Admissions Committee will continue to review applications during the break, no decisions will be released prior to January 7. Best wishes during the holiday season and New Year, and safe travels.

Week of 12/8/2010

As per our rolling admissions process, Early Decision candidates will begin to receive decisions starting today and through December 22; Regular Decision candidates will also begin to receive decisions prior to December 22. It is our policy that every application is read by at least two members of the Admissions Committee – often times more than two. We appreciate your patience.

Week of 11/22/2010

The Admissions Committee will not be meeting this week, thus no decisions will be made or released. In fact, no decisions will be released prior to December 8, 2010. Have a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.

Week of 10/5/2010

The Admissions Committee does not require, but will accept, LSAC's new Evaluations. We will accept up to two (2) Evaluations; we will still require two (2) Letters of Recommendation, and accept up to four (4). Evaluations alone will not satisfy the Letters of Recommendation requirement.

Week of 8/25/2010

Merit-based fee waivers are made available automatically and in light of various criteria; we do not grant them following individual requests. Please make sure you have opted-in for LSAC's Candidate Referral Service; registered with the Credential Assembly Service; and sent your most recent transcripts to LSAC. If you apply and are subsequently granted a waiver, you may request a fee refund.

Week of 2/2/2010

Because our waitlist is unranked and only revisited starting in May, waitlisted candidates can seize this time to supplement their applications and underscore their unique contributions to the community. Helpful options: short, free-topic essays; updated resumes and/or transcripts (the latter sent via LSAC); new letters of recommendation; periodic updates and expressions of continued interest.

Week of 1/18/2010

Candidates may apply to Penn Law even if scheduled to take the February LSAT. Please note that the application must be received, although not necessarily completed, by February 15, 2010. Other supporting materials, including Letters of Recommendation and scores, may be sent afterward.

Week of 1/4/2010

With the start of a new year, applicants—processing, under review, or admitted—should move forward with steps required for future need-based financial aid analysis. First, please submit the 2010-2011 FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Penn’s Federal School Code is 003378. Second, complete a financial aid application through NeedAccess at www.needaccess.org.

Week of 12/21/2009

The Law School and the Admissions Office will be officially closed from December 25, 2009, to January 4, 2010. Although the Admissions Committee will continue to review applications during the break, no decisions will be released during this period. Best wishes during the holiday season and New Year, and safe travels.

Week of 12/14/2009

A glimpse into an applicant's time frame: Traditionally, it takes between 3 and 4 weeks for a file to complete and be placed in the queue for the Admissions Committee. The Committee does its best to have a decision rendered within 10 to 12 weeks of a file's completion. On an ongoing and rolling basis, financial aid determinations are announced starting the first or second week of March.

Week of 12/7/2009

Resumes are key application components. Do: focus on substance over form - it is okay to (reasonably) exceed the one-page limit and use bullet-points to provide important details and context. Don't: provide information about your high school record; ignore gaps in your resume's timeline (frank and updated information is crucial); include your SSN (LSAC number is preferred) or a general objective.

Week of 11/30/2009

Upon receipt of all required documents, an application is deemed complete and added to the queue of files to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. We will not delay the completion of a file for an additional letter of recommendation, or other supplemental documents. Furthermore, if a candidate plans to retake the LSAT and wishes to delay evaluation until the new score is reported, a candidate must make this request in writing.

Week of 11/23/2009

We appreciate your interest in the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and want to wish you safe and relaxing travels during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Admissions Committee will not be meeting this week, thus no decisions will be made or released.

Week of 11/16/2009

No special significance should be attached to an online date change once a file is under Committee review. Because we are a paperless office, a file will often be assigned, accessed, and reviewed a second (or third) time off-site, which is then reflected in our system.