GULC $$$ vs Reapply to CCN

[mew777]

I'd appreciate input from you guys.

Non-urm male, 167, 174/3.75

$40,000 each year at GULC.

While in undergrad always wanted to go HYS or CCN. Messed up on my first LSAT (pt average was 175) and did pretty well second time (couldn't apply to CCN this cycle because I had to retake).

Few things to consider:

1) Looking for DC and NYC biglaw. Not really interested in clerkship.

2) Undergrad gpa upward trending, maxing out at 3.85 as a senior, and 3.75 cumulative.

3) Currently getting a MA in IR. Grad school gpa really bad - barely graduating level. Would this hurt my chance significantly? Or do law schools not care about grad transcripts?

4) Will graduate almost with ZERO debt from GULC, but not sure about going there.

5) Columbia ED chances next cycle? Will Columbia be as generous as GULC with scholarship? Money is a huge issue for me.

EDIT: currently waitlisted at MVP's. Applied way too late (mid-Feb)

[KirkwoodGAO]

I'd appreciate input from you guys.

Non-urm male, 167, 174/3.75

$40,000 each year at GULC.

While in undergrad always wanted to go HYS or CCN. Messed up on my first LSAT (pt average was 175) and did pretty well second time (couldn't apply to CCN this cycle because I had to retake).

Few things to consider:

1) Looking for DC and NYC biglaw. Not really interested in clerkship.

2) Undergrad gpa upward trending, maxing out at 3.85 as a senior, and 3.75 cumulative.

3) Currently getting a MA in IR. Grad school gpa really bad - barely graduating level. Would this hurt my chance significantly? Or do law schools not care about grad transcripts?

4) Will graduate almost with ZERO debt from GULC, but not sure about going there.

5) Columbia ED chances next cycle? Will Columbia be as generous as GULC with scholarship? Money is a huge issue for me.

No dude. Of course Columbia won't be as generous with scholly money. GULC is barely 14. CLS is 4.

[bhan87]

Tough one, but I'm strongly leaning towards free GULC. If you did get in CCN (ED or RD), you will probably be paying sticker or close to it. GULC sticker is an iffy option, but free GULC is pretty solid.

[Knock]

I'd appreciate input from you guys.

Non-urm male, 167, 174/3.75

$40,000 each year at GULC.

While in undergrad always wanted to go HYS or CCN. Messed up on my first LSAT (pt average was 175) and did pretty well second time (couldn't apply to CCN this cycle because I had to retake).

Few things to consider:

1) Looking for DC and NYC biglaw. Not really interested in clerkship.

2) Undergrad gpa upward trending, maxing out at 3.85 as a senior, and 3.75 cumulative.

3) Currently getting a MA in IR. Grad school gpa really bad - barely graduating level. Would this hurt my chance significantly? Or do law schools not care about grad transcripts?

4) Will graduate almost with ZERO debt from GULC, but not sure about going there.

5) Columbia ED chances next cycle? Will Columbia be as generous as GULC with scholarship? Money is a huge issue for me.

Great chance at CCN next year, i'd basically guarantee you will get one of them. You also have a shot at H. It's pretty hard to beat Columbia for NYC biglaw, and you have a shot at seeing some money from them.

If I were in your shoes I would blanket the T-14 with regular decision applications. You will have better options, including probably MVP with $$.

But GULC near full-ride is a pretty good offer, no one would blame you with taking it. It depends on your personal debt aversion level.

[vanwinkle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WCFUGCOLLU

[BrianGriffintheDog]

Well, you can't have it all. Either save $ & settle for something lower (i.e. GULC) or pay a shit load of money & go for something higher (i.e. Columbia). With that being said and even with potential huge debt with Columbia, I think it will open up more doors down the road compared to the GULC.

[FlanAl]

no one thinks that the grad school gpa will have any effect? I mean re-applying early seems good if you've done something impressive in your year off but if you have a negative soft?

[mew777]

no one thinks that the grad school gpa will have any effect? I mean re-applying early seems good if you've done something impressive in your year off but if you have a negative soft?

this is exactly what i'm worried about.

i started my grad program right after undergrad. how would adcoms look at a guy who used to have 3.8's in undergrad but suddenly began to get 3.4's in grad school? hmm....

OR, maybe I shouldn't send my grad school transcript at all and pretend it doesn't exist unless law schools specifically ask for it?

[romothesavior]

no one thinks that the grad school gpa will have any effect? I mean re-applying early seems good if you've done something impressive in your year off but if you have a negative soft?

I doubt they'll care.

I'd reapply. Can't really hurt you.

[tea_drinker]

No MVP options?

[bk1]

no one thinks that the grad school gpa will have any effect? I mean re-applying early seems good if you've done something impressive in your year off but if you have a negative soft?

OP isn't reapplying to CCN, OP is applying to CCN. I guess the grad school thing could be a negative if the GPA is that bad but I doubt it, especially if it is a 3.4 like OP says.

I dunno whether reapplying is worth it. I would honestly only take a comparable or better offer from another T14 over GULC in this case and I'm not convinced that this is a sure thing. That being said, might as well try, right?

[trudat15]

Am I insane to think that a 174 retake with a 3.75 is going to get OP great money offers from the T14 next year, esp if OP applies early?

[nealric]

No debt is a pretty sweet thing.

Am I insane to think that a 174 retake with a 3.75 is going to get OP great money offers from the T14 next year, esp if OP applies early?

No, but I doubt OP will get a near full ride from a significantly better school. I don't think a 174/3.75 is going to get a Darrow/Mordecai type of deal- certainly not the Hamilton.

OP: I am a GULC alum in biglaw if you have any questions.

[Emma1]

Why are you doing so badly in your masters program? I believe most of the law schools only look at your undergrad scores ( that's what they report for US News consideration) but Harvard may have a problem with barely passing grades in a masters. Will this affect your scholarship at GULC? I would go where you really want to unless you are very debt adverse and would also blanket the T14 next cycle. GULC will probably give you the same offer and you can see what other acceptances and scholarships you will receive.

[mew777]

What if I turn down GULC this time? Would they still accept me next cycle?

[vanwinkle]

What if I turn down GULC this time? Would they still accept me next cycle?

Impossible to say for sure. The bigger question is, what if they accept you but don't offer you as much money next year?

If you want to graduate close to debt-free, like you said, GULC is a good choice.

[Emma1]

What if I turn down GULC this time? Would they still accept me next cycle?

Impossible to say for sure. The bigger question is, what if they accept you but don't offer you as much money next year?

If you want to graduate close to debt-free, like you said, GULC is a good choice.

I am sure they will accept you as long as you tell them that you decided to take a year off to work, etc( give them a good reason) and then make sure you tell them when you reapply. The question is whether they will give you a free ride again. No guarantees there. I'm sure you would get a decent $ but who knows what exact amount will be. So if you like Georgetown go with the free ride now. If you really want a chance with the other schools than I would reapply early. You might want to call career counseling at your undergrad. They may be able to answer some of your questions about your masters and if it will have any impact on law school. Check out law school numbers.com to get an idea what people are getting scholarshipwise at the schools you are interested in and with your numbers. Good luck!

[cubswin]

Take the money at Georgetown. If you end up with excellent grades, you can always try to transfer to HYSCCN.

[bk1]

Take the money at Georgetown. If you end up with excellent grades, you can always try to transfer to HYSCCN.

[skers]

You won't get nearly the same money at CCN. A scholarship is possible, but definitely not guaranteed. If you ED Columbia your chance of $ is zero.

Only you can really answer if CCN is worth 120k more to you than CCN. There's definitely something to be said for graduating debt free at a t15.

[Emma1]

T14

[rebexness]

[r6_philly]

Take the money at Georgetown. If you end up with excellent grades, you can always try to transfer to HYSCCN.

What's wrong with transferring?

[bk1]

What's wrong with transferring?

Should I talk about what I plan to do with my hypothetical lottery winnings too?

[r6_philly]

What's wrong with transferring?

Should I talk about what I plan to do with my hypothetical lottery winnings too?

If someone just gave you 120,000 free powerball tickets, sure.

The suggestion was if OP get good grades ... I don't see the harm in thinking that way since OP would be fine if grades are not good.