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I am a splitter (*LSAT, * LSAC GPA, * Degree GPA), and expect a decision on my GULC ED in mid-November. Assuming I whiff, am I better served applying to UVA RD now, or waiting to until I hear back to apply ED?

Threads on this topic from prior cycles offer differing opinions, and I'd like to get a sense of the current thinking.

This is a fantastically helpful board, by the way - thanks for all of the advice!

If i were you...I would withdraw the ED to GULC. If you get in you will be paying full freight, which is a shit ton of money. I would apply RD to all the schools you want and then see what happens. Given your LSAT is about most T14's 75th you should get accepted to a couple places, albeit that might not happen right away. You can always change your RD application at UVA to ED if you really want to later on. Still not a great choice, but sure as shit better than sticker at GULC

Immediately withdraw your ED to GT.

I would RD everywhere (unless you've got an ace up your sleeve the form of a rich uncle or a GI Bill). You're going to pay your whole way with an ED decision, which is basically financial suicide.

Withdraw that ED app from GULC stat, switch it to RD, RD UVA, and be patient/be ready to ride a handful of waitlists and negotiate for scholarships. Good luck!

I chose GULC because it I currently work as a paralegal at BigLaw in DC, and it would allow me to stay at the firm continuously during school.

Assuming I keep my GULC ED, what you do think the best way to maximize my chances at UVA are?

Thanks for the advice!

LawMan16 wrote:I chose GULC because it I currently work as a paralegal at BigLaw in DC, and it would allow me to stay at the firm continuously during school.

Assuming I keep my GULC ED, what you do think the best way to maximize my chances at UVA are?

Thanks for the advice!

I would still at least switch ED to RD so you can negotiate. ED gives you zero leverage. Assuming you still want to go through with the ED though, I think I would apply RD right now to UVA and write a compelling Why UVA.

LawMan16 wrote:I chose GULC because it I currently work as a paralegal at BigLaw in DC, and it would allow me to stay at the firm continuously during school.

Assuming I keep my GULC ED, what you do think the best way to maximize my chances at UVA are?

Thanks for the advice!

Considering you will likely get in gulc ED, the best way to maximize your chances at attending uva is to get out of gulc ED. Unless there's something about gulc ED that i don't know. Unless you just wanted the acceptance to post on your fridge.

Withdraw. The. ED.

There is no benefit to you continuing to work as a paralegal during 1L, and unless the firm is literally paying for your tuition (not after the fact through a potential salary, actually paying your tuition bill right now), you are throwing away $300k by staying in ED.

That's the best way you can increase your chances at UVA, because when GULC accepts you, that's it.

cavalier1138 wrote:Withdraw. The. ED.

There is no benefit to you continuing to work as a paralegal during 1L, and unless the firm is literally paying for your tuition (not after the fact through a potential salary, actually paying your tuition bill right now), you are throwing away $300k by staying in ED.

But do I stand any realistic chance of a scholarship in the T14 with my abysmal GPA anyway?

I am making a substantial fraction of a first year's salary now, and staying at the firm would allow me to both (a) continue earning that salary, and (b) keep my foot in the door at the firm.

Also, is switching from ED to RD usually an auto-ding?

Really appreciate the guidance.

You're not allowed to work more than 10-15 hours a week in law school, iirc.
Or did you ED the evening program?

LawMan16 wrote:is switching from ED to RD usually an auto-ding?

No.

LawMan16 wrote:
I am making a substantial fraction of a first year's salary now, and staying at the firm would allow me to both (a) continue earning that salary, and (b) keep my foot in the door at the firm.

your grades are going to be so bad if you try to work FT and go to GULC FT. Your foot in the door will help you land a sweet, sweet (terrible!) contract position.

Everyone at this law firm went to law school - they understand you need to stop working to go to law school. If you've done good work there up to this point, your foot is already in the door. Don't ED to gulc. omg please don't ED to gulc.

Thanks, all - the consensus around here seems clear.

The issue I keep coming back to is that I am unlikely to get any money in the T14 in any case. I may get an admit somewhere else, but would be paying sticker there as well. So am I really throwing away 250k+ by using ED to increase my chances at GULC?

I know GULC's placement has suffered in recent years, but I've been with my firm over nine years, and have a fantastic shot at an associate position in its DC office. So my calculus may be a bit different than many here.

If I switch my GULC app to RD, I worry that I'll lose out on a chance to go to a T14 school entirely.

ED'ing to GeorgeTTTown and getting accepted is (literally) a life ruining decision, unless you're the kind of person who enjoys sitting in an office working through mountains of documents for years to service quarter million dollar debt.

I'll echo what the rest of the posters have said and recommend a switch to RD.

Have you blown the deadline on Northwestern's ED? Look into it, because I've heard it's splitter friendly, and it's a great outcome. GWU ED might be worth looking into as well, as it comes with a full tuition scholarship.

acr wrote:ED'ing to GeorgeTTTown and getting accepted is (literally) a life ruining decision, unless you're the kind of person who enjoys sitting in an office working through mountains of documents for years to service quarter million dollar debt.

I'll echo what the rest of the posters have said and recommend a switch to RD.

Have you blown the deadline on Northwestern's ED? Look into it, because I've heard it's splitter friendly, and it's a great outcome. GWU ED might be worth looking into as well, as it comes with a full tuition scholarship.

This is good except for the bit about GW.

LawMan16 wrote:Thanks, all - the consensus around here seems clear.

The issue I keep coming back to is that I am unlikely to get any money in the T14 in any case. I may get an admit somewhere else, but would be paying sticker there as well. So am I really throwing away 250k+ by using ED to increase my chances at GULC?

I know GULC's placement has suffered in recent years, but I've been with my firm over nine years, and have a fantastic shot at an associate position in its DC office. So my calculus may be a bit different than many here.

If I switch my GULC app to RD, I worry that I'll lose out on a chance to go to a T14 school entirely.

you will get into another t14 for sure

curry1 wrote:

LawMan16 wrote:Thanks, all - the consensus around here seems clear.

The issue I keep coming back to is that I am unlikely to get any money in the T14 in any case. I may get an admit somewhere else, but would be paying sticker there as well. So am I really throwing away 250k+ by using ED to increase my chances at GULC?

I know GULC's placement has suffered in recent years, but I've been with my firm over nine years, and have a fantastic shot at an associate position in its DC office. So my calculus may be a bit different than many here.

If I switch my GULC app to RD, I worry that I'll lose out on a chance to go to a T14 school entirely.

you will get into another t14 for sure

Thanks for the vote of confidence! With money, though? For someone with strong connections to a BigLaw firm, why is a quarter of a million dollars in debt from GULC worse than the same amount from another T14?

I haven't blown the NU deadline, but their contract contains the following provision, which likely disqualifies me:

During this admissions cycle, I have not submitted and will not submit an application for Early Decision at any other law school nor will I enter into an Early Decision agreement with any other law school.

LawMan16 wrote:

curry1 wrote:

LawMan16 wrote:Thanks, all - the consensus around here seems clear.

The issue I keep coming back to is that I am unlikely to get any money in the T14 in any case. I may get an admit somewhere else, but would be paying sticker there as well. So am I really throwing away 250k+ by using ED to increase my chances at GULC?

I know GULC's placement has suffered in recent years, but I've been with my firm over nine years, and have a fantastic shot at an associate position in its DC office. So my calculus may be a bit different than many here.

If I switch my GULC app to RD, I worry that I'll lose out on a chance to go to a T14 school entirely.

you will get into another t14 for sure

Thanks for the vote of confidence! With money, though? For someone with strong connections to a BigLaw firm, why is a quarter of a million dollars in debt from GULC worse than the same amount from another T14?

I haven't blown the NU deadline, but their contract contains the following provision, which likely disqualifies me:

During this admissions cycle, I have not submitted and will not submit an application for Early Decision at any other law school nor will I enter into an Early Decision agreement with any other law school.

The name on the degree you have will be important for much longer than your first job, plus it's risky to bank on getting a job at your current firm. They probably aren't going to hire you if your are way below median at GULC. They also probably won't hire you if you get shitty grades at another lower t14. However, all other t14s, except Michigan perhaps, have much better employment stats than GULC. Even if you don't get any scholarship money, going to any other T14 would be better. I wouldn't be shocked if you got into one of CCN (with no money obviously and possibly off the waitlist). CCN at sticker isn't advisable, but it's much better than GULC at sticker. You might get a little money at lower T14's as well. Apply broadly with a very polished app and see what happens. Withdraw from GULC ED immediately.

Withdraw the ED application to Georgetown. Your presumption of not getting any money from the T-14 may be wrong. It's anecdotal, but last year I negotiated a $75k scholarship with Georgetown and I only had a 2.98 GPA and a 170 LSAT. I was able to negotiate this because of my acceptance to UVA.

There are others with similar GPAs as me/higher LSATs who got $75k+ at Northwestern and Michigan. While it's not the norm, it does happen.
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/nagster5
http://lawschoolnumbers.com/mpellenberger

PULL THE ED!!! LIKE 9AM BEFORE THEY DOOM YOU.

LawMan16 wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Withdraw. The. ED.

There is no benefit to you continuing to work as a paralegal during 1L, and unless the firm is literally paying for your tuition (not after the fact through a potential salary, actually paying your tuition bill right now), you are throwing away $300k by staying in ED.

But do I stand any realistic chance of a scholarship in the T14 with my abysmal GPA anyway?

I am making a substantial fraction of a first year's salary now, and staying at the firm would allow me to both (a) continue earning that salary, and (b) keep my foot in the door at the firm.

Also, is switching from ED to RD usually an auto-ding?

Really appreciate the guidance.

Someone should answer this.

PrezRand wrote:

LawMan16 wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Withdraw. The. ED.

There is no benefit to you continuing to work as a paralegal during 1L, and unless the firm is literally paying for your tuition (not after the fact through a potential salary, actually paying your tuition bill right now), you are throwing away $300k by staying in ED.

But do I stand any realistic chance of a scholarship in the T14 with my abysmal GPA anyway?

I am making a substantial fraction of a first year's salary now, and staying at the firm would allow me to both (a) continue earning that salary, and (b) keep my foot in the door at the firm.

Also, is switching from ED to RD usually an auto-ding?

Really appreciate the guidance.

Someone should answer this.

Yes, northwestern regularly offers 40-50k to super splitters. Further, nu at sticker is still a better deal than gulc at sticker. Further, if we're playing the ED for safety option, an ED to ccnp or at least uva is probable.

This part time idea sucks too btw. To the extent being a paralegal can open doors later to be an associate, that door has long been open and will remain so by your decade of service, there's no continuity requirement! If you try to work 20 hours a week while going to gulc you'll likely find yourself with bad grades hoping your firm will take you instead of with good grades hopefully picking between firms. You gain nothing strategically by working but risk quite a bit in vital hours. But pull the gulc ed anyway.

PrezRand wrote:

LawMan16 wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:Withdraw. The. ED.

There is no benefit to you continuing to work as a paralegal during 1L, and unless the firm is literally paying for your tuition (not after the fact through a potential salary, actually paying your tuition bill right now), you are throwing away $300k by staying in ED.

But do I stand any realistic chance of a scholarship in the T14 with my abysmal GPA anyway?

I am making a substantial fraction of a first year's salary now, and staying at the firm would allow me to both (a) continue earning that salary, and (b) keep my foot in the door at the firm.

Also, is switching from ED to RD usually an auto-ding?

Really appreciate the guidance.

Someone should answer this.

in addition to Clearly, the post 2 above yours answered this.

Thanks for the advice, all! I switched my GULC app to RD today, and am working on blanekting T14, save for HYS.

Would still love to go to GULC, but it makes sense to play the field a bit and let the process play out.

I know earlier is better - do you think I will be unduly prejudiced if I have the rest of my apps complete by next week?

LawMan16 wrote: I know earlier is better - do you think I will be unduly prejudiced if I have the rest of my apps complete by next week?

No.