divine angst

The University of Chicago is unable to offer me a place in their class of 2008.

As the title of this post suggests, this was not an unanticipated outcome. My numbers are WAY low for Chicago and, this year, they seem to be focusing strongly on numbers (at least, if you believe Law School Numbers).

And also, as the title of this post states, in some ways, I am very sad—I have a strong interest in teaching, and Chicago is noted for producing legal academics.

But in other ways, I am not so sad. Mr. Angst says he would have been uncomfortable with me spending so much time in a marginally safe part of Chicago, although I think if I decided to attend UoC, he would have made his peace with that. Part of me wonders also how well I’d fit in at Chicago. I’d like to think that I would thrive in such a serious academic environment but I also think I need lots of vibrance in my life. Perhaps UoC could have provided that, in the “work hard, play hard” way—but perhaps not.

I’m trying not to write things that give off an air of sour grapes—after all, this wasn’t an unexpected ding. But some of the things I hear coming out of my mouth or ringing through my mind have that tone—mostly because I’m attributing things to UoC that I don’t necessarily know are true. I hear myself saying I would be unhappy there because I have libertarian leanings; because I tend to think more like a businessperson than an academic. And I have no idea if any of these statements are true.

But I know this: I was up against some very talented people. Not getting into Chicago isn’t a huge ego blow. I’m glad I tried, even after my LSAT. I’m sorry I didn’t get in, but I’m also glad I don’t have to choose between NU and UoC.