Admissions Interactions: Commitment Deadlines and Extension Requests
Admissions Digest, 03.08.2022
What's Going On in the Admissions Cycle Right Now?
Admissions offices are still issuing decisions, they’re reviewing admitted students for scholarship consideration, and they may be starting to entertain negotiation or reconsideration requests. They’re also hosting admitted student events, sending out reminders about commitment deadlines, and facilitating meetings with their committees and deans to ensure that they’re making their goals for the cycle. They may be connecting admitted students with each other online, connecting admitted students with housing offices, or coordinating with other departments for current student and faculty outreach.
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Discussion
This week, our discussion continues on interactions with the law schools in terms of commitment deadlines and extension requests.
We are now less than a month away from some of the earliest commitment deadlines assigned to candidates who did not apply to early decision programs. As you approach these deposit due dates/commitment deadlines, there are some important things to keep in mind, especially if you are in the process of negotiating scholarship offers, requesting an initial award, planning trips to visit campuses that have offered a seat, and/or collecting additional information that could help you select the institution that is the best fit for you.
In working through these processes, candidates may find that they could benefit from some additional time before they make a commitment. In these instances, candidates may reach out to a school to request that they grant an extension to the commitment/deposit deadline to allow the candidate to complete whatever process they are working through—whether they are trying to receive a response to a scholarship increase request, they hope to receive more time to allow them the chance to visit the campus, or they’ve been named a finalist for a scholarship elsewhere and are going through an interview process (like the BLOS award at Berkeley or the AnBryce at NYU). Extension requests are not always granted, but it is worth it to ask.
How do you ask for an extension?
Typically, an email to the admissions office is sufficient. Some schools provide instructions on who those requests should be sent to (e.g., they may have a different email address specifically for admitted students, or a specific AO is designated their contact person). Other schools may have you submit a request via an online form. Make sure that you’re following any instructions provided by that institution—these may be found on an admitted student website portal or via admitted student materials that were mailed or emailed. If you don’t have any clear communication about extension requests, call the admissions office.
What timing is most appropriate for an extension request?
Make your request as soon as you know that you need an extension. It’s not a good idea to wait until the day that your deposit is due to make that request. AOs need time to actually consider your request. Whether you can ask for more than one extension is going to depend on the school and the circumstances that apply to your situation.
What information do I need to provide schools with for my extension request?
Within your email, provide the ask, the amount of time you hope to receive, and the reason for the request. AOs will use their discretion in allotting time based on the reasoning that you provide. If the school’s admitted student weekend ends two days after your commitment deadline and you want to be able to make your decision after your visit, a couple of extra days after the event concludes would be a reasonable request. If you’ve been told you’ll receive a scholarship offer within a few days of your deadline, asking for an additional week is not unreasonable—you want to make a decision with all of the information you can possibly have at your disposal, and we get that. An additional month is typically not a reasonable request.
When are extension requests not appropriate?
Most schools will not grant an extension simply because you haven’t heard from all of the other schools on your list. Similarly, they won’t grant extensions because you are hoping to be pulled off of another school’s waitlist. These kinds of requests are indications that the school considering the extension request is not your first choice. Once they know that, they have zero incentive to continue holding a seat when a candidate on their waitlist will gladly accept it.
What happens if you get to your final deadline and don’t have all of the information you need?
This is the hard part—you’re going to have to make a decision based on the information that you do have. Think about your list of priorities and consider the information that you know for sure. Are the unknowns dealbreakers if they don’t come to fruition? Would you want to commit to a specific school even without knowing that final piece of information? This is where all of your research and interactions and visits come into play. Beyond the name of the school, the award amount, the reputation—where do you believe you will be happy and thrive? Where can you best build community? Where will you feel most supported? Often you know which school is the best fit without having all of the information—trust yourself.
We will cover waitlist offers and summer melt in the next newsletter. Stay tuned!
7Sage on Clubhouse
Join 7Sage admissions consultants on Clubhouse on Wednesday, March 9 at 8 p.m. ET for a panel discussion on scholarship offers, making scholarship reconsideration/negotiation requests, and preparing for or extending commitment deadlines. There will be time reserved for Q&A. RSVP for the event and join Club 7Sage here.
7Sage Webinar: What to Expect as a 1L
On Wednesday, March 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET, join us for a panel featuring former 7Sagers who will share what to expect as a 1L (and how to survive). We will include time for a Q&A session. The event will be recorded and will later be available via our website and on YouTube. Register here.
7Sage Webinar: Combating Test Anxiety + LSAT Tutoring Giveaway
On Thursday, March 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET, join the 7Sage Tutoring Team for a webinar about "Combating Test Anxiety,” which will include time for a Q&A session. One attendee will be awarded a free hour of LSAT tutoring service. You must be registered to attend! Register here. For more information on 7Sage LSAT Tutoring services, click here.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Duke Law is offering law student-guided tours on Mondays and Fridays at 2 p.m. ET. Tour size is limited, so registration is advised. Register here.
Notre Dame Law is offering in-person visits for prospective and waitlisted applicants on Mondays, which include a class observation, admissions information session, and student-led tour. Visits are limited to 10 people at a time. Register here.
UCLA Law is offering online information sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:15 p.m. PT. Register here.
WashU Law in St. Louis is offering meetings with admissions, virtual open houses, and live-streamed events. For more details and to sign up, click here.