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Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:42 pm
by JD Janitor
Background:
I have to make some potentially life altering decisions soon. I have been accepted to several t50-t70 schools. My GPA is 3.35 and my LSAT score is a 159 so I am not confident that I will receive any scholarship money. (assume I cannot retake for a year...well...because I cannot. Already took the test 3 times: 153, 159, withdraw) I do not have a burning desire to practice big law so all you "big law/t14 or bust" people don't need to comment.

Question:

If I was accepted to University of Arizona, could I request to delay my enrollment for one year, move there, work a shit job, and establish residency?
Same goes for any other school. How about Penn State? Request delay in enrollment, move to pennsylvania for a year, then begin school fall 2013.

Obviously if i kill a year I could retake, lets just assume i score the same 159. I am really just looking for an answer to this relocation question.



I know some schools may not grant the delay request but is it unheard of? Is there any specific t40-t70 school that is very likely to allow this? Under this plan, I would be able to save more money, lower tuition cost significantly, and potentially allow the economy one more year to improve. Thoughts...

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:49 pm
by 2LT_CPG
Enlist in the state's National Guard. Instant residency in most places. Some places waive tuition.

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:51 pm
by 2LT_CPG
Also, Penn State doesn't give an in-state tuition discount. Temple does though.

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:05 pm
by JD Janitor
2LT_CPG wrote:Also, Penn State doesn't give an in-state tuition discount. Temple does though.
I actually knew that....just throwing out random names but thank you.

Nation Guard huh? What is required to sign up and what are the responsibilities throughout the year? Would that really interfere with class and study time? or is it a one weekend a month thing? Actually very interested in that avenue if its realistic.

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:17 pm
by 2LT_CPG
It depends on your job and unit. Broadly speaking, the Guard is deploying less now because the wars are winding down. So it's not like it was in 2004-2008 when Guard units were deploying every other year to combat zones. But in reality it depends on the unit. Some units just getting back are restarting their cycles and won't even be geared up to deploy for another four years at least. Others are gearing up for deployments to weird places like Kuwait or Qatar.

So broadly speaking, you have to use this upcoming summer to go to Basic Training, and then you could probably get into a state's unit without going to your MOS school until the summer after this one. Email or call recruiters from the states your interested in, describe your situation, and they'll give you the details. Call the individual schools to ask about residency/tuition waivers. States like NJ, IL, and LA have full tuition waivers for Guard soldiers in their states, so a 4-year enlistment might not be an awful idea if you have no other options and you're unwilling to take on debt.

ROTC during law school is another option.

I'm an Army National Guard officer who commissioned through ROTC.

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:02 pm
by JD Janitor
2LT_CPG wrote:It depends on your job and unit. Broadly speaking, the Guard is deploying less now because the wars are winding down. So it's not like it was in 2004-2008 when Guard units were deploying every other year to combat zones. But in reality it depends on the unit. Some units just getting back are restarting their cycles and won't even be geared up to deploy for another four years at least. Others are gearing up for deployments to weird places like Kuwait or Qatar.

So broadly speaking, you have to use this upcoming summer to go to Basic Training, and then you could probably get into a state's unit without going to your MOS school until the summer after this one. Email or call recruiters from the states your interested in, describe your situation, and they'll give you the details. Call the individual schools to ask about residency/tuition waivers. States like NJ, IL, and LA have full tuition waivers for Guard soldiers in their states, so a 4-year enlistment might not be an awful idea if you have no other options and you're unwilling to take on debt.

ROTC during law school is another option.

I'm an Army National Guard officer who commissioned through ROTC.
I am extremely interested in this. I was seriously considering joining the military post undergrad and ultimately decided to put it off. Are you indicating that I could go through training this summer and still be able to enroll in law school this fall? or would I need to wait an additional year?

I actually just read a bunch of info on the guard's site. One concern is that you must be under 214lbs. Im 6'2 210. Its not fat (i have 6.5% body fat, bench around 390lbs and squat around 530). I would be very concerned that I may break that 214 lb threshold. In your experience, is the guard strict regarding this requirement?

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:05 pm
by eaper
http://www.top-law-schools.com/law-scho ... dency.html

This has some info helpful for you.

Re: Possible way to receive instate tuition in most places?

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:15 pm
by 2LT_CPG
Talk to a recruiter. They're all pretty scummy and they'll do what it takes to get you to enlist, but they won't BS you when it comes to enlistment requirements.

You're going to get taped on all your APFTs because of your body fat. And yes, the Army is strict about that kind of thing. The Army is downsizing over the next few years and the first people to go are going to be the ones who can't do basic things like pass PT tests or pass body fat percentage tapes.

But it's pretty common for younger soldiers to enlist before starting undergrad, go to BCT in between high school senior year and undergrad freshman year (during the summer), drill that whole year, then go to their MOS school the next summer. I don't see why that can't be replicated for law students. Check out the Air National Guard too... really short Basic Training.