Starting school while still on waitlist elsewhere? Forum

[lmsf]

Does anyone have any experience with this? My program at NU starts in May and I'm waitlisted everywhere T4-T11. If I were to get off a waitlist after starting at NU and decide to go, is there an issue with having already started at one school? Can I finish the summer term at NU and transfer the classes to another school (the term finishes before another school would start)? Does it make sense to call the schools I'm waitlisted at now and explain the situation and ask for a definitive decision by early May? And is it an issue to stay on a waitlist while already starting at another school?

Also trying to figure out whether I should go elsewhere if eventually admitted. I really like NU and think it's a good fit, but then I wonder if I'm missing out on something or making a bad decision in case CCN or MVP call.

[Bumi]

If you quit the AJD program to come off the waitlist somewhere else, Johann will publicly shame you on twitter.

[Doorkeeper]

Considering the big scholarship you got for Northwestern, I wouldn't go somewhere else if you got off of a waitlist unless CCN both accepts you and throws a good amount of money at you.

[lmsf]

If you quit the AJD program to come off the waitlist somewhere else, Johann will publicly shame you on twitter.

Hahaha most likely ... I think I'm prob going to stay in the AJD program, I really loved NU's ASW.

I guess I'm wondering whether I'm bucking CW to go to the very best school you get into. Is there really such a big difference in opportunities between CCN MVPD and NU?

NU Pros:
- 2 yr program
- Loved ASW, felt it was a good fit
- Older students like me with WE (I feel like this makes a difference in making friends and how you feel you fit into the school environment, and I would think at most schools it's a little harder for an older student (28) ... but let me know if I'm wrong here)
- According to ASW, it's a very non-cutthroat, collaborative, gunner free zone (I'm assuming that's actually true and they didn't just hide all the gunners, and that the niceness is significantly higher than in other schools. For ex, I heard Columbia was really cutthroat).

Cons:
- AJD students have to take an extra class every semester while on a curve with regular JDs with less classes
- No 1L summer internship (though I assume that my previous work experience will make up for that)
- Less time for journals and clinics because of extra class load (AJD students still do these, it's just harder)
- I have relatives and friends in NY but not in Chicago (this would also be a con for any school other than C and N)
- I'm interested in PI and it seems like NU has less opportunities and variety than NYU and maybe also MVP

Considering the big scholarship you got for Northwestern, I wouldn't go somewhere else if you got off of a waitlist unless CCN both accepts you and throws a good amount of money at you.

The scholarship is a consideration, but I have a special financial situation so it's not really a deciding factor for me.

[lmsf]

Okay, case in point about the importance of fit: On the NYU thread right now there is a very lengthy argument about the unfairness of some schools not awarding A+s ...

Not judging or anything because I totally bugged a TA once about not getting an A+ in a class I had over 97% in when I was 21 ... but at the age of 28, that convo makes me wander if I'd fit in at a school where most people are straight/1 year out of undergrad. Anyone with this experience care to share their thoughts?

[Tiago Splitter]

Okay, case in point about the importance of fit: On the NYU thread right now there is a very lengthy argument about the unfairness of some schools not awarding A+s ...

Not judging or anything because I totally bugged a TA once about not getting an A+ in a class I had over 97% in when I was 21 ... but at the age of 28, that convo makes me wander if I'd fit in at a school where most people are straight/1 year out of undergrad. Anyone with this experience care to share their thoughts?

I was in this situation and fit in just fine. The median age at most places is like 24-25 and that's hardly different from 28.

[lmsf]

Okay, case in point about the importance of fit: On the NYU thread right now there is a very lengthy argument about the unfairness of some schools not awarding A+s ...

Not judging or anything because I totally bugged a TA once about not getting an A+ in a class I had over 97% in when I was 21 ... but at the age of 28, that convo makes me wander if I'd fit in at a school where most people are straight/1 year out of undergrad. Anyone with this experience care to share their thoughts?

I was in this situation and fit in just fine. The median age at most places is like 24-25 and that's hardly different from 28.

Hmm that's good to know. I'm going to try and visit some schools next week and get a better impression. How do you like Columbia? Is it true that it's very cutthroat?

[Tiago Splitter]

Okay, case in point about the importance of fit: On the NYU thread right now there is a very lengthy argument about the unfairness of some schools not awarding A+s ...

Not judging or anything because I totally bugged a TA once about not getting an A+ in a class I had over 97% in when I was 21 ... but at the age of 28, that convo makes me wander if I'd fit in at a school where most people are straight/1 year out of undergrad. Anyone with this experience care to share their thoughts?

I was in this situation and fit in just fine. The median age at most places is like 24-25 and that's hardly different from 28.

Hmm that's good to know. I'm going to try and visit some schools next week and get a better impression. How do you like Columbia? Is it true that it's very cutthroat?

Not cutthroat at all. Overall very chill.

[Kurst]

If I were to get off a waitlist after starting at NU and decide to go, is there an issue with having already started at one school?

Some girl did this last year at Michigan. She started in May, got off the waitlist at Chicago while enjoying Torts and Contracts, and promptly withdrew from Michigan and headed off to Hyde Park. Neither school was particularly pleased with her, but she's living her dream.

[lmsf]

If I were to get off a waitlist after starting at NU and decide to go, is there an issue with having already started at one school?

Some girl did this last year at Michigan. She started in May, got off the waitlist at Chicago while enjoying Torts and Contracts, and promptly withdrew from Michigan and headed off to Hyde Park. Neither school was particularly pleased with her, but she's living her dream.

Thank you! That's very helpful. I could see how that's inconvenient for Michigan but I don't see how it'd really be an issue for Chicago.

[Micdiddy]

If I were to get off a waitlist after starting at NU and decide to go, is there an issue with having already started at one school?

Some girl did this last year at Michigan. She started in May, got off the waitlist at Chicago while enjoying Torts and Contracts, and promptly withdrew from Michigan and headed off to Hyde Park. Neither school was particularly pleased with her, but she's living her dream.

Thank you! That's very helpful. I could see how that's inconvenient for Michigan but I don't see how it'd really be an issue for Chicago.

It's uncouth for sure. But yes ultimately if you're going where you want to go it's not going to make you lose much sleep.

[amsong]

[]

[Cobretti]

Okay, case in point about the importance of fit: On the NYU thread right now there is a very lengthy argument about the unfairness of some schools not awarding A+s ...

Hey now, we're discussing VERY important things in the NU thread.