Negotiating with GTown

[julie2012]

Hi everyone!

I got into UCLA, Cornell and GTown without money and am on the WL at Chicago. I want to go to GTown (I have my reasons so please don't waist your time telling why Cornell is better / why GTown sucks / whatever.)

I am wondering what the best negotiating strategy is for money from GTown? I will def write another love letter to Chicago but it's unlikely I'll get in. I know GTown is stingy and my numbers are slightly below median so it doesn't look good. At the same time, could Chicago WL be worth sth? I'm guessing UCLA and Cornell without money doesn't do anything for GTown, right?

-> Should I tell GTown about Chicago while I'm still on the WL or only if I get in?
-> Should I put down GTown deposit (and obviously mention Chicago) / can I still negotiate once I've paid the first deposit?

[WhiteyCakes]

Don't tell them you've been WL anywhere. Saying "I'm not good enough to get into Chicago" isn't a big selling point.

[justonemoregame]

Has G-Town made fin. aid decisions? I suppose I would wait at least until you get a decision post-yellow form. That's not yet available is it?

[julie2012]

WhiteyCakes, thanks for the advice!

justonemoregame, I thought the yellow form was for need based aid rather than merit based scholarships? I don't qualify for anything need based because I'm international

[iMisto]

WhiteyCakes, thanks for the advice!

justonemoregame, I thought the yellow form was for need based aid rather than merit based scholarships? I don't qualify for anything need based because I'm international it doesn't exist.

[turn left]

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[iMisto]

I think it can get you something from Gtwn. They won't match it, but they may throw something your way.

Is it worth it though? Hmm

[turn left]

I think it can get you something from Gtwn. They won't match it, but they may throw something your way.

Is it worth it though? Hmm

Thanks for the response.

I don't think they'll match it either but it should get me somewhere. I also have a significant offer from USC and am anticipating one from Vandy as well (maybe Cornell too) so I'm hoping that combo gets me something decent from Gtown.

[julie2012]

Another question: I just was awarded a $60,000 from GW.

Will this be any good at GTown or is GW too far down the totempole to interest GTown?

By how much would I have to negotiate the GW offer upward to get GTown interested?

[poichi]

GT have been quoted elsewhere on this forum saying that they only consider merit offers from peer schools, and by that they mean other lower-T14 schools. I would take that to the extreme that GW could offer a full ride and GT wouldn't care, though with apps down so much who knows if the situation would be that extreme.

[risa]

Georgetown sent out a batch of emails to some admitted students last Friday informing those who were under consideration for merit scholarships and basically asking for information about how much money would need to be on the table for you to pick GULC. It's discussed in this thread/page and going fwd: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=191564&start=1850

I'm not sure if the OP here got that Friday email or whether GULC's willingness to negotiate would depend on whether they were considering you for a merit award in the first place?

[Unagi]

Hey!
I'm also international and applied last year. Went from 0 to 90k at GULG, all merit based, no yellow form.
PM if you want talk more!

[manofjustice]

I've dealt with Gtown so take my advice.

Step 1) Stall like a motherfucker. "UChi is still evaluating; I want to make a full commitment but am able to place a deposit at only one school, but I cannot know for sure what I will do until all schools have gotten back to me."

The poster above saying a UChi waitlist is not useful is wrong. Every school is worried about late-season poaching.

Fill out their stupid form. See if you'll get need-based.

Ask for the aid. You don't get anything you don't ask for. It's simple. But DO NOT ask until your stalling has run out!

There is an issue, however. The issue isn't that you're not yet accepted at UChi and are only on the waistlist. The issue is no other school has yet given you money.

The advice for everyone is to work from the bottom-up. Pay attention to those schools you would never go to. Lean on um, get your money, and then tell the school a rank above: hey, how can I go to your school when the school right below you is offering so much money. Then that school gives you money. Rinse-and-repeat up the ladder.

Every school has shitty employment prospects for servicing a quarter of a million dollars in debt. SAY SO! Be classy about it, but if you don't actually explain your reasoning, the AdComs will assume you are just posturing and couldn't have a spine. They WANT YOU. They just want you on the cheap. To the extent you don't get your money and go to another school, they just made a miscalculation. To a certain point, they'll give you all the money they think is actually required to get you to come. Your job is to convince them that what you actually require is a lot, no bull shit.

But I don't know your numbers. Although keep in mind that schools must readjust their medians down this cycle. And "not awful" is the new "good." So even if you're below median, lean hard. If you are above median with your LSAT, you have a 10-inch: act like it. If you are above both medians, you should not be even entertaining an offer of less than 75% tuition at any school outside of the top 10; 50% tuition at any school outside of the top 5, and 33% tuition at any school outside of the top 2.

Why so extreme? Because the market for legal education has collapsed. Literally. There is no way to understate this. To go to almost any school at full price is to buy a home in 2009 at 2007 prices: just plain dumb.

[manofjustice]

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[julie2012]

Thanks for all this info! I'll try to stall as much as possible!

Georgetown sent out a batch of emails to some admitted students last Friday informing those who were under consideration for merit scholarships and basically asking for information about how much money would need to be on the table for you to pick GULC. It's discussed in this thread/page and going fwd: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=191564&start=1850

I'm not sure if the OP here got that Friday email or whether GULC's willingness to negotiate would depend on whether they were considering you for a merit award in the first place?

Thanks for this too. I did receive the e-mail and told them I want to be considered yesterday.

Hey!
I'm also international and applied last year. Went from 0 to 90k at GULG, all merit based, no yellow form.
PM if you want talk more!

PM'ed