Apply Point Admissions Consulting

Final statistics from the Law School Admission Council showed that the total number of applicants for Fall 2024 matriculation was up 5.7 percent from 2023. Read more about the uptick in the Reuters article linked below. #lawschooladmissions #prelaw #lawschoolapplicant #applypoint

We have an important sensitivity reminder for you as you write your essays and prepare for interviews. In your stories, don’t make others small. We caution you to be aware of, and avoid, using language that places others beneath you. Think broadly: this could include patients, classmates or group project members, or clients at a nonprofit where you volunteered. Honestly, some applicants who make this mistake are jerks. They use language that glorifies themselves and belittles patients, classmates, and colleagues all the time and therefore don’t realize that there’s anything wrong with using it in their Personal Statement/Essays/Interviews. But many applicants are trying so hard to cast themselves as benevolent that they miss the fact that they’re casting others as nothing but the lucky receivers of their gifts. When you’re writing about how you related to someone you helped, don't forget: you’re writing about an exchange you had with a peer.

Considering submitting a Round 1 MBA application for Yale SOM? Assistant Dean for Admissions Bruce DelMonico shares some advice for approaching the application in the link below. #MBAadmissions #MBAapplication #applypoint

Yesterday, Columbia Medical School announced that P. Roy and Diana Vagelos have gifted the school $400 million dollars to expand biomedical research.

On the blog this week, we're focusing on recommendation letters. Stop by for daily tips on how to make the most of this component of your #MBAapplication. #applypoint #MBAadmissions

Due to the rolling admissions at most law schools, prospective law students should submit their application materials as early as possible in the admissions cycle. But, if early is good, is early decision (ED) even better? Well… it’s complicated. We’ve summarized the pros and cons to applying early decision:   Pros: - Applying ED will place you in a smaller “yield protection” applicant pool than applying regular decision. This can advantage you if you’re seeking to gain access to a “reach” school, as you have clearly demonstrated a commitment to the program and will definitely attend if admitted. Schools are always interested in protecting their yield. Do note that some schools grant automatic scholarships to all students admitted early decision, which increases the competitiveness of their ED round (Northwestern and Berkley).  - If you have a slightly lower than a school’s average GPA or LSAT score, applying ED may help you to gain admittance to a school you may not have otherwise.  - You will receive an expedited response—an accept, reject, or move to the regular decision pool. If you are moved into the regular decision pool, your preference for the program, shown through your ED application, may benefit you as schools are looking for applicants who will accept their admission offers. Cons: - ED deadlines come… early. You will need to finalize all of your application materials, which includes recommendations and test scores, earlier. For most ED deadlines, you’ll need to complete the LSAT/GRE by October (confirm the deadlines on the school admissions page).  - By committing to the law school, you are giving up your ability to negotiate for scholarships. In fact, we recommend that you do not apply ED if financial assistance is an important factor for you. This is unless you are applying to one of the programs (Northwestern Pritzker or Berkeley) that award assistance to all early admittances, and you are comfortable with that financial award.  - You may not be able to defer your matriculation to the school, if admitted via ED. If the option to defer is important to you, confirm with the admissions office their policy on deferrals prior to submitting your application.  - You cannot change your mind. Your admissions decision is binding (you are contractually obligated to withdraw your other applications) and you must matriculate at the school if you receive an ED acceptance…even if you find out that you’ve been accepted to a more appealing program. The bottom line is that applying ED requires a great deal of commitment on your part. While it can bolster your chances for admission in some cases, you want to be 100 percent sure that you would attend a particular program regardless of financial aid. #prelaw #lawschooladmissions #lawschoolapplicants #shouldIapplyearly? #applypoint

#MedSchoolApplicants, We're dedicating the Apply Point blog to secondary essays this week! Check out our blog for daily posts on the most common questions as well as our guidance on crafting strong responses.

#MBAapplicant? Chicago Booth's Admissions team shares common myths regarding the MBA application process. Click the link below.

#MBAapplicant? You may be wondering how to address the optional question you're seeing on your applications, typically worded something like this: If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here. (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance). This essay is for additional context around a weak spot in your application. Did you get a C in calculus? Or withdraw from your courses your sophomore year to help a family member? Do you feel that your lackluster GMAT score isn’t indicative of your abilities? If you are going to address a low grade in an analytical course or a low GMAT score, don’t make excuses. Spend the majority of your word count demonstrating your ability to excel in rigorous academic or professional environments by using specific examples. Provide information on similar classes in which you achieved excellent grades or give details about a professional pursuit that resulted in success. If you are speaking to a more sensitive situation, perhaps a big mistake or legal issue that impacted your GPA, spend approximately 20 percent of your essay addressing the situation. Then use the remaining 80 percent on the actions you took to improve and what happened as a result. Do not make excuses, simply address the situation, placing the emphasis on what you learned. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, taking accountability and moving forward demonstrates maturity. #MBAadmissions #BusinessSchoolApplicant

Here's to new beginnings, endless opportunities, and memories waiting to be made. Please join us in welcoming the Tuck Class of 2026 to Hanover🌲