Well, first things first, still no updates from any schools for which I have been placed on a waitlist, unless you count Columbia sending multiple letters asking whether or not I would like to remain on their Reserve List. I think they have sent three different versions of this same letter by now, so I guess I am currently on their “Third Reserve” List. It might sound more selective, but in actuality it just means more frustration and is more of a hassle than staying on other waitlists. Quite honestly, I’m not entirely sure why Columbia keeps sending out these multiple “waitlist notices.” It just gets more and more upsetting every time I receive a letter from them even though I am positive, if accepted, I would not attend.

I was keeping my fingers crossed for a while with respect to the waitlist offers I have out at Stanford and Harvard (especially Stanford) but am now certain I will receive nothing more from them other than an rejection letter, if that. Not that I’m upset or anything and I’m not sure why I’m still harping on my admissions cycle. I’m really happy to be attending the University of Chicago for several reasons: 1) Chicago is a great city, 2) smaller class size (which means a lot to me as I come from a background rich in public schooling with large classes), 3) its reputation for academic rigor and intellectualism (law school isn’t simply a trade school for me, though I am looking to pursue corporate work), and 4) plainly put, its prestige (U of C, I think, deserves much more respect than US News affords it).

Another small update in my progression as a rising 1L is that I recently received some of my loan information. Yup, something like $55K borrowed in my first year. No big deal. I’m very thankful to have parents who are willing to support me at least somewhat during my time as a student so I hopefully won’t be in TOO much debt (only like $120K or so). My folks were also able to pay for my undergraduate education, with my grandparents’ help, way back when I was still an infant through some form of state tuition payment program – not sure how it works exactly. All in all, not a terrible financial situation even though I did manage to turn down a near-full-ride from a T14 school.

In reference to my work schedule, I’ve been working two jobs for over a month now and, to speak plainly: it sucks. I work double shifts (days where I work at both my unpaid internship and my BS paid job) at least two days a week and most of the time three to four days a week. On these special days I leave home at 8am and don’t return until 11pm. That’s a 15-hour day, not that I’m counting or anything.

But I did manage a small success in my internship. After extensive document review, legal research, etc., into a particular case one attorney assigned me, I finally submitted a memo to her providing the facts of the case, my analysis, and the conclusions/courses of action I recommended. She thought it was great! She even forwarded it to her supervisors so that they might take a look and further lavish me with praise. I think her exact words were: “This is so above and beyond my expectations; a very thorough and detailed analysis. If you had any doubts about your success in law school, I think that your performance here may put those worries to rest.” So like a said, a small success.

Lastly, and on a more personal note, I recently started dating a new girl, which has been great so far! But that also presents some problems, since I’ll be moving to Chicago in, oooohhhh . . . about six weeks. I’ve traditionally never been a believer in long-distance relationships, but for a few reasons I’m not so sure about that anymore. We even talked about this issue the other night, which was refreshing to get our opinions and viewpoints out into the open. I’m still not really sure where things are going to go with this relationship, but we both agreed that we thought we were very compatible and that we could see each other being together for a long time if given the right circumstances (at least, I think that’s what we agreed on . . . I’m not sure, she might correct me as she reads this column).

At this point, all I know is that I care about her very much and that I enjoy her company in whatever we do. One last thing I’ll note is this: coming from the Greek life (that’s Greek as in fraternity/sorority . . . not as in Athens, the Aegean Sea, etc.) I traditionally dated only sorority girls. Not to bash on sorority girls or anything (cuz I love ‘em) but this new girl is very different in that she’s actually (how should I put this?) . . . smart. Like I said, not to bash on anybody in particular, but in relation to the girls I have dated in the past, this girl definitely has more substance, is much more well-spoken, and can engage in thoughtful and meaningful conversations much more easily. All in all, I think things are going well and I’m really hoping that geographical distance won’t be the one thing that breaks us up.

See you all in August.

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