Uhm, my very first post--I just learned about this site. and damn, this is addicting!!
Koercive, my unsolicited advice to you re: re-applying and for others who are doing the same. Don't just ask friends to read over your essays, ask someone who has a critical eye and KNOWS how to put together a great application! I had a friend (Harvard Law graduate) help me with my essays. This friend has helped other people get into competitive graduate programs including public policy, business, and law schools. Also, I did two mock interviews with experienced public speakers. (I went into the interview having heard all the questions and practiced the answers multiple times.) Hope this helps and hope I didn't come off too preachy. I wanted to offer some CONCRETE advice. PM me if you want to know more. I'll be happy to share the limited experience I have with the application process--or my friend's vast experience with the application process.
Accepted.
Postmarked: March 21st.
Dated March 19th.
Good luck to everybody!!