Transfer Dilemma

[monkeyhead5171]

Hi all - I created a new account since my last account was basically my name. I'm at a top 20 school and I applied to transfer to Harvard, Columbia, Chicago and Northwestern. I applied to Northwestern mostly as a way to negotiate scholarship with my current school. The other three schools I would strongly consider. I'm currently borderline top 10% (school doesn't disclose).

My dilemma is that I've been accepted to Northwestern but haven't heard from the other three and probably won't until after NW's deadline to accept this Monday. I don't want to use my silver bullet scholarship negotiation since NW will be less leverage than a Chicago or the like, but I also don't want to be locked out of the other three and then stuck with no leverage at my current school.

Advice?

[cinephile]

Can you deposit and Northwestern and withdraw if you get in elsewhere/get more $ at your current school?

[heeloftar]

Full disclosure: I am currently hoping for an admit to NU, but as it seems that a lot of schools will not do much in the way of negotiating scholarships with people contemplating transferring, don't deposit at a school unless you would want to go to it (or you might lose the deposit and not get any increased money from your current school)

[Xferr]

Wouldn't the increased scholarship from NU cover the cost of the deposit? If you think you can get at least $500 or whatever from negotiating over your NU acceptance, it covers itself and eliminates risk. Seems like you should just fork over the cash.

I guess it depends on how likely you think you'll be able to draw a scholarship out of NU. Clearly you thought it was likely enough to pay the $100 or so in app fees - is it likely enough to cover the $500 or so? Answer that and I think you have the answer to your question.

[FlanSolo]

Obviously not sure what NU's deal is, but NYU's intent to enroll form requires withdrawal from your current university. Can you deposit without doing so?

[ajaxconstructions]

Useless without knowing current school.

[CanadianWolf]

Agree that it would help to know your current law school.

[shock259]

I could be wrong, but I doubt it is going to make that big of a difference if you walk in to negotiate with an acceptance from NU vs Chicago/etc. NU is still a fantastic school. I think you just have to sell that you are serious about transferring.

Also, a lot of us haven't had much luck in negotiating extra money from our current schools this year. So be ready for that.

[monkeyhead5171]

Current school is Minnesota. NU allows me to deposit without withdrawing from my current school, so I do have that option.

But it's also an interesting thought that the difference in rank btwn NU and Chicago wouldn't matter to my current school. I just assumed it would - do you think that's true?

[Panama2014]

The difference between NW and the other schools you have applied to (for purely negotiation purposes) will not make a difference, if they are going to be "pursuaded" to keep you they are going to make the offer regardless.

I would make it now so you know whats on the table in case you are denied everywhere else and waited to long to negotiate.