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Quick resume: 3.6 UGPA, 161 LSAT, Michigan native, turned down offers from higher ranked schools like Wake Forest due to desire to live/work in Metro Detroit or Chicago, but fell short of top 30 in my applications (still on a few wait lists, but not holding my breath).

I was set to go to MSU (75%, 3.0 to maintain with an 80% retention rate, put down final deposit, my undergrad school), when Loyola contacted me after the 2nd deposit deadline and offered to double my scholarship (now 30k, 2.0 to maintain), reopening my decision process. Cost difference would only be roughly 5k per year (difference in living costs).

MSU has a personal comfort edge (familiarity, close to family, girlfriend etc) and offers an impressive DC program and study abroads (covered 75% by scholarship), but I was more impressed with Loyola's facilities, faculty, and reputation (though MSU has a nice law building/new clinical building with an improving rep, it still carries the association with the less than stellar former Detroit College of Law). Obviously, even an overcrowded Chicago market is more stable than the Detroit market, and while MSU had a perfect 31 for 31 students passing the Illinois bar in 2010, those 31 were only roughly 10% of the class (not sure about Loyola's placement in Michigan). I'm also kind of bitter with MSU law admissions for flatly refusing (multiple times) to bump up my scholarship to full tuition when I am above the scores used as criteria. Not sure if using my upgraded Loyola scholarship would do anything as a means of leverage.

I've gone back and forth on the two, and am looking for some objective opinions. I understand that retaking the LSAT is an option, but I'm fairly comfortable with the programs I've been accepted into and put deposits down on, and have planned out what should be manageable debt.

Loyola's extended deadline for the 2nd deposit ($500) is tomorrow, and with some back and forth going on, figured it couldn't hurt to ask on here.

Thanks.

RTM wrote:Quick resume: 3.6 UGPA, 161 LSAT, Michigan native, turned down offers from higher ranked schools like Wake Forest due to desire to live/work in Metro Detroit or the Chicago, but fell short of top 30 in my applications (still on a few wait lists).

I was set to go to MSU (75%, 3.0 to maintain, put down final deposit, my undergrad school), when Loyola contacted me after the 2nd deposit deadline and offered to double my scholarship (now 30k, 2.0 to maintain), reopening my decision process. Cost difference would only be roughly 5k per year (difference in living costs).

MSU has a personal comfort edge, but I was more impressed with Loyola's facilities, faculty, reputation (though MSU has a nice building/clinical building and the rep is improving fast in the state).

I've gone back and forth on the two, and am looking for some objective opinions. I understand that retaking the LSAT is an option, but I'm fairly comfortable with the programs I've been accepted into and put deposits down on, and have planned out what should be manageable debt.

Loyola's extended deadline for the 2nd deposit ($500) is tomorrow, and with some back and forth going on, figured it couldn't hurt to ask on here.

Thanks.

loyola because it seems like they aren't trying to take back the scholarship as 2.0 just means you don't screw up. 3.0 means you need to excel - i think it's set up to screw you.

You really should retake. That GPA is too good for MSU or Loyola. Between these two I might go to MSU because the Chicago market is way too crowded.

you must have messed up your app somehow for them to not give you a full ride. i'd say use loyola to try and get a full ride