uc davis waitlist essay example

Successful UC Davis Waitlist Essay Example

You’re waitlisted! That means you still have a chance of getting accepted!

But to get accepted, you’ll have to show UC Davis that you’re a good fit for their school. This guide shows how to write a UC Davis waitlist essay that gets you in and shows an example of what a successful waitlist essay looks like.

Note: You should simply be using this essay example as a guide and inspiration on how to format the content and structure of your waitlist essay. Copying this essay would be cheating. We highly recommend having at least 3 admissions experts ( or well-trusted counselors if you can’t afford one ) look over your essay.

If you haven’t already, we also suggest taking a look at the University of California Waitlist Page for information on the rules!

UC Davis Waitlist Question: “Please briefly tell us why you feel UC Davis is the right place for you to continue your education. Please limit your response to 200 words. Note that you will only be able to submit your essay once, so please review it carefully before submitting.”  

The waitlist question can be scary here. Here’s why:

• Firstly, you are only limited to 200 words maximum.
• Secondly, most students only ever really have a surface-level understanding about why they want to attend university to begin with.

We’re quite proud of this one! Below is a successful UC Davis waitlist essay example from a student who was accepted into the department of engineering. Hey! That must mean that a waitlist essay like this is pretty good! After all, the department of engineering is one of the most competitive to get accepted into in Davis.

Without further ado, here’s our successful UC Davis waitlist essay.

Professional College Application Help.

Contact us. we'll get to you within 24 hours. , uc davis waitlist essay for department of engineering.

“My interest in UC Davis stems from its top-notch facilities and extensive research opportunities. With highly trained professors and high-tech facilities, Davis is the perfect place for me to improve my engineering skills and contribute to the field. In Ready Set Connect, I provide tech support, mostly in social media to elders and people with little technological knowledge. In the program, my group is currently developing a website to provide easier social media access to elders in our community, so they can connect with their families, wherever they are. The different opportunities available at Davis can help me pursue more research to better my community. For instance, I imagine bringing the website I am working on to be more accessible and more secure with research from Professor Chen-Nee Chuah’s RUBINET. With Davis’s resources, I aim to make technology more accessible to everyone, starting with the local elders. I want to continue my research on different programs even though I am farther away from my community. Davis is my top choice; I believe the school will challenge me and allow me to push the boundaries of current engineering to improve the lives of people in the future.”

As we said, this essay example was a pretty good one. They were able to use this to get accepted into one of the more competitive departments in UC Davis.

In the following list, we’re going to show some of the things you can get out of this essay and how you can apply it into your own.

Remember: Implementing these factors into your own essay isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get accepted off the waitlist. Since the essay becomes the primary determining admissions factor in the waitlist, you can’t afford critical errors.

Why This Waitlist Essay Worked

The essay example shows what the writer has been up to either it be in the classroom or outside. In this example, the activity of the program outside of school shows how engage the writer is in the engineering field. Any extracurricular, internship, or programs that you could have done over the year or years can help in distinguishing yourself from the rest of the essays since this is a unique experience that only you can have.

We actually firmly believe that this is the core reason that the student was able to get accepted into UC Davis for engineering to begin with. They weren’t just any student focusing on academics; they were able to stretch their skills to apply it practically in everyday life.

The experience of being in a program and making a website shows that the writer is dedicated to investing the time to be part of something that relates to the department that the writer wants to get into.

Reasons Why YOU Fit Into The School

How exactly do your talents fit in with this school? You’ll have to be able to say that, but also briefly. Don’t forget: you only have at most 200 words in this waitlist essay. Show them how you go with the grain instead of against the grain to have a good advantage against the rest of the admissions pool.

To be fair, the student here did speak about what Davis could provide for them at the beginning of the essay, which for us would be a big “no-no.” You want to make sure the beginning is interesting enough to capture the reader’s attention, so that means don’t say anything they already know about like the strengths of their facilities.

The admissions officer who reads the essay does not need to be reminded about the greatness of the school. Therefore, focus on how your talents can resonate with the help of the school. This is about how YOU are a great fit for the school and your admissions to the school will be most fruitful for the world. A general rule that schools follow is this: Students who are a great fit and who do great things typically improve our reputation. We need a good reputation to earn every dollar of our grant money.

This goes a bit with the need for brevity, though that goes with all steps of the admissions essay writing process. You have to be straightforward and forthright about your words in this one, without boring your admissions officers of course. Sure, they can spare a drop of attention for a 200 word essay. The admissions officers are spending time taking your college application a second consideration. That’s like getting your homework back and having to look at all the problems again! Long story short, that’s a lot of work.

So they’re most probably going to look through your work with brief, scanning eyes. What do you do? You can’t fit deep, poetic imagery into 200 words; even if you could, it wouldn’t be a good idea in the waitlist essay. Well, you have to not only be direct, but you have to have the proper diction, sentence structure diversity, and general writing style to provide the admissions officers with a connotation. A positive one; one that unconsciously shows you as a person who is capable and can prove that they’re the right student for UC Davis.

Questions about the UC waitlist essay? Need a second look before you press the submit button? PenningPapers provides one free expert admissions essay check to maximize your admissions chances. Simply fill out the sidebar form, or contact us through email to schedule a consultation!  

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

College essay editing services from professionals, sign up for a free 30-minute phone consultation. we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

Deferred or Waitlisted? How to Write a Letter of Continued Interest

What’s covered:, what is a letter of continued interest, what do colleges want to know about students who have been waitlisted or deferred.

• A General Outline For a Letter of Continued Interest

Example of a Strong Letter of Continued Interest

• What Are Your Chances of Acceptance If You’re Deferred or Waitlisted?

For students who are waitlisted or deferred from a top-choice college, the application process can seem frustrating or even discouraging. If you’ve received a letter placing you on the waitlist or deferring your early admissions application, you are probably feeling some combination of disappointment and impatience.

You now have to wait even longer to find out if you’ve gotten into the school of your dreams. And worse still, the odds of being accepted off the waitlist are even slimmer than the regular acceptance rate. While you may be feeling powerless, rest assured that there is something you can do during the interim to improve your chances of being accepted.

Writing a letter of continued interest is a smart thing to do if you’ve been waitlisted or deferred. In this post, we’ll explain what one of these letters entails, how you should go about writing one, and even include an example to inspire your writing. 

If you’ve been waitlisted or deferred, this generally indicates a few things about you as an applicant. First, the good news—the college thinks you’re worth a shot. They believe that you might be a strong candidate. Of course, this doesn’t come without a caveat. Generally, if you’re on the waitlist, the admissions committee is not entirely convinced that you’re going to be a positive contribution to the incoming class. While they recognize your potential, they have more qualified or compelling candidates, and until they hear back from them, they cannot guarantee that they have a place for you.

A letter of continued interest is exactly what it sounds like. It lets the college know that you are still interested in attending, even if you have to wait longer to find out. It also updates the college of any achievements you’ve accomplished since your original application and hopefully convinces them that you will indeed be a positive contributor to the freshman class.

In general, there are two pieces of information that can help to tip the scale in your favor. Think of it this way: colleges want to fill their freshman class with highly qualified, successful students. To do this, they need to cast a net that’s both wide enough to fill the class, yet fine enough to select only the students who will be truly successful. It’s a careful balance.

So, these colleges generally want to know two things about you. First, are you capable of succeeding at the school in question, and second, will you attend if you are offered a spot?

What To Include In a Letter of Continued Interest

Your letter of continued interest should answer these two questions in a way that is affable and genuine. It should also express gratitude for being offered a place on the waitlist or a deferred decision, because this serves as evidence of positive personality traits, like perseverance and the ability to rise above adversity.

You want to convey to the college that you haven’t been sitting around moping over the fact that you weren’t immediately accepted; if anything, you are even more motivated. Tell the school about recent accomplishments like how you worked your AP Physics grade up to an A+ in the third quarter or how you placed first at the state DECA competition in February.

Another good thing to include is a reiteration of why you are still interested in the school. Maybe you visited the campus over winter break and fell in love with the humanities library with original manuscripts from acclaimed writers. If the school has been in the news recently for a scientific breakthrough that excites you, tell them about how eager you are to work with the faculty to further that research.

What NOT To Include In a Letter of Continued Interest

We get it; you’re probably feeling frustrated and disappointed. Maybe you feel inadequate or powerless. Talking to friends and family, venting to your peers, or taking it out on the athletic field are all great ways to express these totally valid emotions.

The letter of continued interest is not the place for these feelings, though. Keep your focus on the positives and don’t let any of those negative feelings show through in your letter.

Also avoid talking about other schools you have been accepted to. Harvard won’t think any better of you if you tout over them you earned a spot at Yale. The focus for this letter should be on the school you are addressing, that’s it. Yes you might have other options at your disposal, but you need to convince the college of your undying interest, so don’t mention any other colleges.

A General Outline For a Letter of Continued Interest 

Introduction.

In your introduction you should thank the admissions committee for reviewing your application and let them know that you are still interested in attending. Remember to formally address the letter to the admissions committee, or even better, if you know the recruiter for your school or region address your letter to them. 

Be warm, cordial, and respectful in your introduction—don’t start by berating the admissions committee for rejecting you. While you can mention your disappointment, make sure you counter that with more positive emotions to keep the letter forward-thinking and hopeful.

Updates on Accomplishments

Here, you’ll provide information about your accomplishments since you submitted your original application. Do not repeat accomplishments or any information already on your application—the admissions committee already has this information and if you submit it again, it will look like you haven’t achieved anything since. Limit your updates to 2-3 topics and be sure to explain briefly what the update is, what level of accomplishment it illustrates, and how it has contributed to your overall character/development.

When considering what you want to update the admissions committee on, try and pick things that relate to your overall application theme. If you wrote about your interest in politics in your essays, tell the school how you recently won a Model UN competition and, as a result, got to visit the UN Headquarters in New York where you got to envision yourself as a diplomat, negotiating treaties on that floor.

Your accomplishments don’t have to be purely academic or extracurricular either. Maybe you lost a family member to cancer and since then you have clarity in pursuing oncology. You could also share an independent project you’ve taken up or a new skill you’ve taught yourself in the past few months.

Personal Element

Just as your college essay needs to be personal, so does your letter of continued interest. After you’ve demonstrated your recent accomplishments, make sure to include some details that humanize you and set you apart from the rest of the waitlist pool. Think about it this way: colleges receive hundreds of these letters, how can you make yours memorable?

Infuse your personality into the letter, whether that be through humor or a personal story that shows qualities like perseverance or curiosity. 

Humble Closing

At the end of your letter, you want to reiterate your desire to attend the school and your gratitude to the admissions committee for their time and for taking a chance on you. Just as with the opening, you want to end respectfully and positively. 

Dear College of My Dreams, (obviously you would put the actual college name here)

I would like to sincerely thank the College of My Dreams Admissions Committee for taking the time to look through my application amongst the thousands of applicants and offering me an opportunity to be on the waitlist. College of My Dreams is still my dream school, and if accepted off the waitlist, I would happily attend. I would like to take this opportunity to display my continued interest in CMD and update the Admissions Committee on some of my accomplishments since applying.

Since applying in January, I have been making substantial progress on my research project for Intel ISEF. My project seeks to test whether statistical regression and neural networking can predict geo-political conflicts in developing nations. I have been developing an algorithm to analyze such patterns using a framework of a naïve Bayes classifier under the guidance of Mr. CollegeVine, the Technology General Manager at CollegeVine Tech LLC.

This project has completely changed my perceptions of the unique dynamics implicit in a complex geo-political struggle. Additionally, I have gained an even greater appreciation for computer science’s broad applicability to solve qualitative challenges, while feeding my lifelong curiosity about international relations. It would be nice if I could eventually achieve my goal of making basic predictions about such conflicts… I wouldn’t complain either if my program found itself in the CIA’s computer system one day!

I also continued my role as a leader on the varsity basketball team this winter. Recently I was named the Northeast Elite Team MVP and was named to the All-East All Star Team. In February, I scored 34 points in our league playoff game and was recognized as the national player of the week by Basketball Weekly. We are currently gearing up for the league championship game, so lately I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym, getting in peak shape and practicing my free throws. (That one I missed against our cross town rivals earlier this year continues to haunt me!)

Finally, I have stopped trying to beat my nine-year-old sister on the Wii. Even as the captain of my school’s basketball team, I still lose miserably whenever she chooses to play me in the digital version. I’ve now realized my best efforts are futile and I’m focusing on time and efforts on more fruitful pursuits.

CMD has distinguished itself as a top institution for me, and I am continuously in awe as I read about its amazing work in helping students achieve their dreams. I would like to thank the Office of Undergraduate Admissions once again for reviewing my application, and I would eagerly matriculate if offered a position in the Class of 2027.

Sincerely, 

(Physically Sign Your Name Here) 

What Are Your Chances of Admission If You’re Deferred or Waitlisted?

Usually, the likelihood of deferred applicants getting accepted is akin to those applying through the regular decision process. The pool of applicants for early action or early decision typically comprises the most competitive contenders of the admission season, thus making a compelling application more noticeable during the regular decision phase.

The probability of acceptance from the waitlist fluctuates based on the specific school and the admissions cycle. Broadly speaking, securing a place from the waitlist at an elite institution like Stanford is quite slim, but these odds improve significantly at schools that are less competitive. Regardless of being deferred or having been accepted, a letter of continued interest can boost your chances. College admissions can be challenging given the multitude of factors involved, especially when trying to seek an estimate of your chances of admission. However, CollegeVine’s innovative chancing engine simplifies this process. By incorporating a wide array of variables, including standardized test scores, GPA, and even extracurricular activities, this tool calculates your personalized probability of admission to your chosen school.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, uc berkeley waitlist essay.

Hi everyone, I just got waitlisted at UC Berkeley, and now I need to write a waitlist essay. Can anyone share some advice or examples of what to include in this type of essay? It would be super helpful!

Hello! I can understand that you're eager to put your best foot forward with the waitlist essay. Here are a few tips and suggestions on how to approach this essay to increase your chances of getting off the waitlist:

1. Express your continued interest: Start by mentioning how much you want to attend UC Berkeley and why it's your top choice. Be specific about the programs, courses, professors, or extracurricular opportunities that match your interests and aspirations.

2. Update your achievements: Mention any new accomplishments or updates to your academic record or extracurricular activities since submitting your application. This could include improved grades, new awards, or leadership positions in clubs or organizations.

3. Demonstrate personal growth: Reflect on the time since submitting your application and describe how you've matured, developed new interests, or deepened your understanding of your intended major. This can show that you're proactive and constantly striving for self-improvement.

4. Highlight your unique contribution: Explain why you would be a great addition to the campus community and how you plan to contribute positively to the UC Berkeley experience. Share unique perspectives or experiences that showcase your ability to enrich the campus environment.

5. Keep it concise: Waitlist essays don't need to be very long. Aim for around 500 words to effectively communicate your thoughts without overwhelming the reader.

6. Edit and proofread: Ensure your essay is well organized and free of grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or typos. You want to present a polished piece of writing that reflects your strong interest in the school and attention to detail.

Remember to remain optimistic and genuine as you write your essay. Don't be overly aggressive or pleading in your tone. Instead, focus on the reasons why you're excited to become a part of the UC Berkeley community and emphasize your positive attributes. I hope these tips help you craft a waitlist essay that stands out. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Application FAQs

** COSMOS is planning for a full residential in-person 2024 program. In case of sudden circumstances that prevent in-person instruction of the planned curriculum, COSMOS may decide to change the instructional format, temporarily or for the remaining duration of the program to, e.g., remote instruction to complete the program for the affected students **

PROGRAM FAQ

What if I receive different information from different COSMOS sources?

Immediately contact the COSMOS Statewide office .  While COSMOS strives to provide precise, accurate, and updated information, the program communicates from several sites across the state and through various media.  All these sources may not be updated or informed at the same time.  The COSMOS Statewide office is the final arbiter and issuer of superseding information in cases of inconsistency or uncertainty, and it is the COSMOS Statewide office that will resolve the matter. 

COSMOS is limited to California High School Students only. Please review the program policy for additional information. If you have questions, please get in touch with Statewide directly.

APPLICATION

Can I apply to multiple campuses? No. You may only apply to one campus and select one first-choice cluster and one second-choice cluster.

Will SAT or ACT test scores be used for admission? No. COSMOS will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions or awarding financial aid.

Can I apply if I have attended COSMOS before? No.

What is a CASSID? This is your California student identification number. Please ask your school registrar or counselor if you don't know this number.CASSID does not apply to out-of-state or international students, 

How do I know if my high school class meets the cluster prerequisites? Admissions decisions and clusters are administered at the campus level. Don't hesitate to contact the campus directly if you have any questions regarding prerequisites. Please carefully review cluster information on the campus websites.

How to submit the application fee? The application fee is payable only in the Parent/Guardian Portal. Parents will be notified by email that they can create a login and password. They can then make payments, submit their electronic signature (and submit optional financial aid information).

I applied last year. Can I use my same login ID? Yes. You will need to create a new application each year, as the application may vary yearly, but you may log in with the same account.

If admitted, do I have to live on campus? Yes, The residential experience is an integral part of the program, and all students are required to live on the campus they are admitted to.

Is the application fee refundable? No, the $42 application fee is a non-refundable administrative fee. Please review the program policy page for additional information. 

Is the program cost refundable? No, all COSMOS payments are non-refundable after the due deadline. Please review the program policy page for additional information. 

MISSED DEADLINES

Can I send late application materials? Due to the competitive nature of our program and to create a fair application process for all, we do not accept late materials or payments. Materials must be submitted by the posted deadline for application review. Late materials received will render your application incomplete and not be reviewed for admission.

What if my school is on holiday during the week of the deadline? As many schools have holiday schedules during January, plan and speak with your teachers and transcript officials early to avoid school closures. Unfortunately, we do not accept late materials.

APPLICATION ESSAY

What should I write in my application essay? The essay is your statement about yourself. You tell us what you want us to know about you, simple as that.

Is there a word limit to the essay? Yes, it is given by the text box in the application.

Is there a word limit to the cluster choice essay(s)? Yes, it is given by the text box in the application.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Does applying for financial aid affect the admissions decision? No. The reviews of admission and financial aid are done separately.  Please review the financial aid page for additional information. 

When will I know if I've received financial aid? Financial aid notification will come with your admission decision.

Where do I send my financial aid application and supporting materials? COSMOS Statewide will evaluate financial aid upon admissions recommendations of the faculty. All financial aid documentation must be sent directly to the Statewide Office.  Please see here for the mailing address.  COSMOS is not responsible for lost, held, or damaged mail. COSMOS is not responsible for delivery errors via carrier or incorrect shipping info. PLEASE CHECK YOUR INFORMATION, and do not request receiving a signature upon delivery. COSMOS strongly recommends registered or certified mail with tracking.  

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Do the recommendations need to come from a STEM teacher? Yes  — one MUST be a  STEM teacher ; Counselors or other individuals who can speak to your academic achievement are acceptable as a SECOND (non-required) recommendation.

What information will I need to request teacher recommendations? 1) Your teachers' names and 2) their work email addresses.  Upon completing the reference portion of your application, teachers will be notified that they have been requested to submit a recommendation on your behalf.

Will teachers be asked to submit or upload a letter? Teachers will be asked to answer several questions about the applicants' performance and abilities in STEM-related topics and rank them in relation to their peers. There will be an optional text box for additional comments, but there is no requirement for a formal letter of recommendation requirement.

Will I know when my teachers have submitted a recommendation on my behalf? Yes, you can see if a recommendation has been submitted on your login checklist.  

My teacher didn't get an email to upload their recommendation. Some school districts mark certain emails as spam. Please have your teacher request the school or district IT staff to whitelist our email. 

When are teacher recommendations due? All references must be submitted by the application deadline.

ADMISSIONS DECISIONS

When are admissions decisions available? See our Dates and Deadlines page for more information.

Does COSMOS have a waitlist? Yes

If not admitted, can I apply again? If you meet the 8-12th grade criteria, you may apply again if you've been denied. Your denial will not impact future applications to COSMOS. Do I need to send official transcripts? Official transcripts will be required of students who are admitted to the program. They will need to be sent by the acceptance deadline. The best option is to email the official transcript to the campus you will be attending. Please see below.

What are official transcripts? Official versions are often sent directly by your high school counselor or registrar through regular mail to the COSMOS program you are applying to (details provided in the application). Your school may also give you an official version of your transcript inside a sealed envelope for you to send yourself. If so, do not open this envelope; it must remain sealed to be considered official.

Where do I mail the official transcripts? You must send transcripts directly to the COSMOS program you are applying to. Official transcripts will be accepted via email but must be sent by a school official from their school email address to the correct campus address listed below.  

Do you accept electronic transcripts? Some schools use an online service like Parchment to send transcripts. These online transcripts are accepted as official if sent from your school to COSMOS. The Parchment site will let you know whether your school uses this service. If not, you must order them directly from the high school registrar or counselor. Plan to order these early in the application process or even before. Late transcripts are not accepted.

What does "postmarked" mean? Official transcripts (see above) and check payments must be at the post office, stamped, and mailed by the deadline. The post office (not necessarily COSMOS) must receive the materials by the deadline. Check your local post office for business hours.

Can I use Unofficial transcripts? Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to the application as a PDF before submission. They must be generated after the date the application opens.

Will I be required to show proof of vaccination to attend? Students must comply with the local campus vaccine policies while attending COSMOS. For details:

UC Davis:  https://campusready.ucdavis.edu/covid-vaccination

UC Irvine: https://shc.uci.edu/immunization-requirements/exemptions

UC Los Angeles:  https://covid-19.ucla.edu/ucla-covid-protocols/

UC San Diego:   https://returntolearn.ucsd.edu/vaccination/vaccination/index.html

UC Santa Cruz: https://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/services/immunizations.html

* OUT-OF-STATE-STUDENTS

Can I apply to COSMOS if I am not a California resident and/or an international student? No. COSMOS is limited to California students only. If your circumstances are unclear, don't hesitate to contact the COSMOS statewide office .

Are international students allowed to apply?   No. Please refer to the answer above regarding non-California residents.

* COSMOS is limited to California High School Students ONLY * (please refer to program policy page for additional information)

PAYMENTS  

For all credit card payments, a 2.5% transaction fee for each transaction applies. The transaction fee is charged by the third-party processor, not COSMOS, and is not refundable even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited, or charged back.

University banking policy dictates that we assess this charge separately from the program cost payments. Thus, you will be asked to submit multiple payments: 1) program cost payments and 2) transactions related to service fees.

If you choose to pay by credit card, you must submit both the payment and the service fee before the stated deadlines for your admission to be complete. Alternatively, you may choose to avoid the service charge by mailing a check or money order, postmarked by the stated deadline, to: 

COSMOS-Statewide Cashier's Office University of California PO Box 989062 West Sacramento, CA  95798-9062

Make check or money order payable to  " UC Regents"  (not COSMOS) . Please note on the check which campus you are applying to, i.e.,  COSMOS UCD , and include the applicant's name.

DISCLAIMER:    COSMOS is not responsible for lost, held, or damaged mail. COSMOS is not responsible for delivery errors via carrier or incorrect shipping info. PLEASE CHECK YOUR INFORMATION, and do not request receiving a signature upon delivery. Registered mail is recommended.

How Do I Apply to Law School?

• by Ryleigh J. Praker
• March 27, 2024

Well, here you are. You’ve decided you want to go to law school — but how do you get in? How do you know which schools to apply to? Will you need to take admission tests?

Having all these questions is normal. It’s also normal to feel lost and overwhelmed. But there’s nothing to be afraid of and no need for the process to seem opaque. Read on to learn about the application process, broken down into simple steps.

If you’re not sure about law school or want to learn more about what it’s like and whether you should apply, consider reading our article “ What You Need To Know About Law School .” If you don’t know much about law school, that article is a good place to start.

Applying to law school can be a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five steps to follow when setting off on your application journey.

1. Research many law schools

When searching for the right law school, there are a variety of factors you should consider. For example, you’ll want to think about location, cost of attendance and prestige. If you have an interest in a particular area of law, you should look for schools that have a strong program in that concentration.

As you build up your list of schools, you should organize them based on admissions statistics — acceptance rate, average GPA and average LSAT score. These factors will help you determine whether a school is in the safety, target or reach ranges for you.

A good place to start exploring law schools is the Law School Admission Council’s Official Guide . LSAC is an official organization on which law schools rely for admissions information coordination — sort of like the College Board for undergraduate institutions. LSAC administers the LSAT exam and manages the Credential Assembly Service, through which law schools accept applications.

2. Take the LSAT

The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test administered by LSAC. Offered several times throughout the year, the exam is divided into sections on reading comprehension, arguments and logic games. It’s designed to test your aptitude for the kind of reasoning that makes a good lawyer.

Your LSAT score will be a major factor law schools will consider when you apply. It will also offer a metric for you to determine whether a particular school is in your safety, target or reach ranges.

The LSAT is offered several times throughout the year. You should plan on taking it at least a few months before you send out applications, so you’ll have time to improve your score if necessary. Starting to prepare for the test at least two months in advance has been shown to improve outcomes. You’ll want to study the format of the test and, for the best results, take practice exams. You can start exploring official LSAT test preparation resources on the LSAC website.

3. Write a personal statement

In contrast to the LSAT’s quantitative metric of your aptitude, a personal statement offers a qualitative measure for schools. A personal statement is a short essay that you will submit with your application that discusses your personal history, interests, goals and strengths. It’s a chance for you to showcase what makes you unique.

For advice on this step, check out our article “ How to Write a Strong Personal Statement for Graduate School .” The UC Davis Office of Educational Opportunity and Enrichment Services also offers personal statement workshops and programs .

4. Request letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are another way for schools to qualitatively evaluate your academic success, work ethic and interests. They’re a way for you to stand out beyond the number on your LSAT report. Most schools will ask for two to three letters of recommendation, so start thinking early about who you’ll approach for them.

The key to receiving good letters of recommendation is building personal relationships with your professors and supervisors. Try out these tips:

• Attend office hours.
• Ask questions in class.
• Get involved in research.
• Share your interests.
• Ask for advice.

If you put in the effort to make genuine connections with them, your professors and supervisors will be happy to write passionate, personalized letters on your behalf.

For more advice on securing letters of recommendation, read our article “ How to Request Letters of Recommendation for Grad School .”

5. Keep on top of the admissions cycle

Just like applying to undergraduate studies, applying to law school is a lengthy process. You should plan to space out your application journey over at least six months. During this time, you’ll need to study for and take the LSAT, explore schools and prepare your application materials. Spacing the process out will allow you to keep a healthy balance with your studies and personal life.

Most law schools begin accepting applications in the fall of the preceding year and continue to accept them well into the spring. It’s recommended that you apply early in the cycle to have the best chance at securing a spot.

Now go on — you’ve got this

Applying to law school can be draining and nerve-wracking. Just remember that no matter what, you are good enough — it’s just about presenting your unique, talented self in the best way.

For more advice on the law school application process, read our article “ 6 Things I Wish I Knew When I Applied to Law School .”

How to apply to UC Davis School of Law

What you need to know about law school

R.J. Praker (she/her) is a third year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in professional writing and Russian . She currently works as a writing intern for UC Davis' Office of Strategic Communications and an academic peer advisor for the Department of Political Science . She also serves as chief copy editor at the Davis Political Review . R.J. is from Placerville, California and loves to hike in the Sierra Nevada with her family’s dogs.

Primary Category

UC Berkeley Freshman Class of 2028 Waitlist/Appeal Discussion

Guys do you have any idea bout how many applicants will be admitted from waitlist?

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.