George Mason 2011 Applicants Forum

[3|ink]

I called Dean Price (anonymously), and she said that GMU's scholarship budget is so low, if she feels an applicant will likely not attend, she waitlists them. If she's "sure" they won't attend, she rejects them. I have to give her a lot of credit though, she was very candid and did offer to set up a time with me to go over my application to tell me why I was rejected.

What determines a scholarship budget? Is it endowments? Is it usual for a state school to have a lower scholarship budget than the norm?

[androstan]

Oh, I have "decision rendered" on my status checker. It's written at the top instead of being down in one of the boxes next to "application status:". My checker is pretty much empty. I've been just looking down in the boxes for something instead of reading the top, so I have no idea when it started saying a decision has been rendered.

But the fact that I don't have an e mail or phone call...

[thewarflamingo]

Oh, I have "decision rendered" on my status checker. It's written at the top instead of being down in one of the boxes next to "application status:". My checker is pretty much empty. I've been just looking down in the boxes for something instead of reading the top, so I have no idea when it started saying a decision has been rendered.

But the fact that I don't have an e mail or phone call...

+100000000000000000 what gives GMU!?!?!?!

[3|ink]

Oh, I have "decision rendered" on my status checker. It's written at the top instead of being down in one of the boxes next to "application status:". My checker is pretty much empty. I've been just looking down in the boxes for something instead of reading the top, so I have no idea when it started saying a decision has been rendered.

But the fact that I don't have an e mail or phone call...

I think the decision status was updated for everyone this morning. The phone call/email comes later. I wouldn't lose hope yet.

[gdane]

Hurricane!!!! I read your post, checked my e-mail, and FREAKED out when I saw an e-mail from George Mason. LOL
Acccepted via E-MAIL, no phone call.

In via email as well.

3.1/163.

I'll probably withdraw though. I have to see the financial aid stuff first though and that wont happen until next year.

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

[ndbrenner]

Hurricane!!!! I read your post, checked my e-mail, and FREAKED out when I saw an e-mail from George Mason. LOL
Acccepted via E-MAIL, no phone call.

In via email as well.

3.1/163.

I'll probably withdraw though. I have to see the financial aid stuff first though and that wont happen until next year.

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

Was it a personalized e-mail also?

[Capitol A]

I called Dean Price (anonymously), and she said that GMU's scholarship budget is so low, if she feels an applicant will likely not attend, she waitlists them. If she's "sure" they won't attend, she rejects them. I have to give her a lot of credit though, she was very candid and did offer to set up a time with me to go over my application to tell me why I was rejected.

What determines a scholarship budget? Is it endowments? Is it usual for a state school to have a lower scholarship budget than the norm?

A lot of endowment is invested, then overall budget is effected at least as much by the performance of investments as it is by total endowment (which is probably indirectly effected by performance of investments as well). While the market has picked up over the last year, this year's budget is effected more by last year's investment performance (at least this is the way it works in the non-profit company that I work for).

[HeavenWood]

I called Dean Price (anonymously), and she said that GMU's scholarship budget is so low, if she feels an applicant will likely not attend, she waitlists them. If she's "sure" they won't attend, she rejects them. I have to give her a lot of credit though, she was very candid and did offer to set up a time with me to go over my application to tell me why I was rejected.

What determines a scholarship budget? Is it endowments? Is it usual for a state school to have a lower scholarship budget than the norm?

A lot of endowment is invested, then overall budget is effected at least as much by the performance of investments as it is by total endowment (which is probably indirectly effected by performance of investments as well). While the market has picked up over the last year, this year's budget is effected more by last year's investment performance (at least this is the way it works in the non-profit company that I work for).

Bottom line: if you're above both 75th percentiles, answer question #15 (To what other law schools have you applied or do you intend to apply?) at your own peril. Your answers will be held against you.

Congratulations to everyone accepted, and good luck to everyone else waiting!

[gdane]

Was it a personalized e-mail also?

I dont what people mean by personalized, but it referred to me by my name and used present tense adverbs.

I feel really iffy toward this acceptance though. Still great to have one in the bag.

Good luck to everyone!

[zrcm18]

my Application only says complete, no decision rendered :/ and Ive been complete since 11/11......guess I should be expecting a ding...

[3|ink]

I called Dean Price (anonymously), and she said that GMU's scholarship budget is so low, if she feels an applicant will likely not attend, she waitlists them. If she's "sure" they won't attend, she rejects them. I have to give her a lot of credit though, she was very candid and did offer to set up a time with me to go over my application to tell me why I was rejected.

What determines a scholarship budget? Is it endowments? Is it usual for a state school to have a lower scholarship budget than the norm?

A lot of endowment is invested, then overall budget is effected at least as much by the performance of investments as it is by total endowment (which is probably indirectly effected by performance of investments as well). While the market has picked up over the last year, this year's budget is effected more by last year's investment performance (at least this is the way it works in the non-profit company that I work for).

Good call. I just wasn't sure the money came from endowment and whatever interest they accrue from it. I work for a non-profit entity as well. We went from 2.1 billion in assets to 1.35 in 2008.

[Capitol A]

I called Dean Price (anonymously), and she said that GMU's scholarship budget is so low, if she feels an applicant will likely not attend, she waitlists them. If she's "sure" they won't attend, she rejects them. I have to give her a lot of credit though, she was very candid and did offer to set up a time with me to go over my application to tell me why I was rejected.

What determines a scholarship budget? Is it endowments? Is it usual for a state school to have a lower scholarship budget than the norm?

A lot of endowment is invested, then overall budget is effected at least as much by the performance of investments as it is by total endowment (which is probably indirectly effected by performance of investments as well). While the market has picked up over the last year, this year's budget is effected more by last year's investment performance (at least this is the way it works in the non-profit company that I work for).

Good call. I just wasn't sure the money came from endowment and whatever interest they accrue from it. I work for a non-profit entity as well. We went from 2.1 billion in assets to 1.35 in 2008.

Right; and the budget for 2011 may be up again, but they can't start spending the money they have made this year just yet. Not to mention the fact that a lot this year's investment earnings are likely going to be needed to cover unforseen budget shortfalls, because when your business is operated this way a lot of your budgeting is done on speculation.

[Flett]

my Application only says complete, no decision rendered :/ and Ive been complete since 11/11......guess I should be expecting a ding...

Mine says the same, but I'm still hopeful. Similar numbers to a few of the people who just got accepted today +URM status, so maybe they just haven't gotten to us yet. *Crosses fingers and hopes*

[androstan]

Ha! Accepted just now via phone call.

Now I have the GMU/American eternal debate.

[GentlemanJim]

In via snailmail.

3.3/165

[3|ink]

Ha! Accepted just now via phone call.

Now I have the GMU/American eternal debate.

Grats!

I don't understand why anyone would debate this. Even if you disregard the minor rank difference, GMU (22k) is almost half the cost of American(41k).

Median salary isn't a good indicator of a school's potential IMO. A better school is more likely to get you those highly competitive (but lower paying) clerk positions. Also, a lot of Mason students probably end up practicing in western Virginia where the cost of living is low while American students are more likely to practice in Maryland and DC. Maryland has 5 counties that are among the 20 richest in the USA. I think VA has two (Fairfax and Arlington).

[androstan]

Ha! Accepted just now via phone call.

Now I have the GMU/American eternal debate.

Grats!

I don't understand why anyone would debate this. Even if you disregard the minor rank difference, GMU (22k) is almost half the cost of American(41k).

Median salary isn't a good indicator of a school's potential IMO. A better school is more likely to get you those highly competitive (but lower paying) clerk positions. Also, a lot of Mason students probably end up practicing in western Virginia where the cost of living is low while American students are more likely to practice in Maryland and DC. Maryland has 5 counties that are among the 20 richest in the USA. I think VA has two (Fairfax and Arlington).

I'm not a VA resident so the difference is 36k vs. 40k... 12k total.

[kjadkins]

Now I'm starting to regret putting down where else I applied. I'm screwed if Mason YPs that much and I don't get in to any of my reach schools or anything. I'm not, like, WAY above their medians or anything, but if they think that I think I'm overqualified they might just ding me anyway. Unless URM might help protect me from YP? Who knows. This whole process is such a crapshoot.

[3|ink]

I'm not a VA resident so the difference is 36k vs. 40k... 12k total.

I may be reading this wrong, but I think GM will only cost 22k in tuition for out-of-staters. http://www.law.gmu.edu/financing
They display the cost of living in the area, but tuition alone is 22k.

American tuition is $40,584 before living expenses. http://www.top-law-schools.com/american ... y-law.html

when combined with room& board and other expenses, the total cost of attendance for the 09-10 year comes in at $62,791.

[androstan]

I'm not a VA resident so the difference is 36k vs. 40k... 12k total.

I may be reading this wrong, but I think GM will only cost 22k in tuition for out-of-staters. http://www.law.gmu.edu/financing
They tack on additional costs for living expenses and the like, but tuition alone is 22k.

American tuition is $40,584 before living expenses. http://www.top-law-schools.com/american ... y-law.html

when combined with room& board and other expenses, the total cost of attendance for the 09-10 year comes in at $62,791.

You are reading this wrong. Annual FT out-of-state tuition for GMU is $36,278,00.

[3|ink]

I'm not a VA resident so the difference is 36k vs. 40k... 12k total.

I may be reading this wrong, but I think GM will only cost 22k in tuition for out-of-staters. http://www.law.gmu.edu/financing
They tack on additional costs for living expenses and the like, but tuition alone is 22k.

American tuition is $40,584 before living expenses. http://www.top-law-schools.com/american ... y-law.html

when combined with room& board and other expenses, the total cost of attendance for the 09-10 year comes in at $62,791.

You are reading this wrong. Annual FT out-of-state tuition for GMU is $36,278,00.

My bad. Read too quickly

Wow. I'm getting a better deal for in-state than I realized.

[androstan]

I'm not a VA resident so the difference is 36k vs. 40k... 12k total.

I may be reading this wrong, but I think GM will only cost 22k in tuition for out-of-staters. http://www.law.gmu.edu/financing
They tack on additional costs for living expenses and the like, but tuition alone is 22k.

American tuition is $40,584 before living expenses. http://www.top-law-schools.com/american ... y-law.html

when combined with room& board and other expenses, the total cost of attendance for the 09-10 year comes in at $62,791.

You are reading this wrong. Annual FT out-of-state tuition for GMU is $36,278,00.

My bad. Read too quickly

Wow. I'm getting a better deal for in-state than I realized.

If I were a VA resident this would be a no-brainer. It will also be a no-brainer if I get into GWU. I'm a MD resident unfortunately and UMD doesn't have much in the way of IP.

[3|ink]

If I were a VA resident this would be a no-brainer. It will also be a no-brainer if I get into GWU. I'm a MD resident unfortunately and UMD doesn't have much in the way of IP.

GL on your GW application. I would have applied there, but every predictor out there said my numbers were too low. It's definitely a fine school.

[YankeesFan]

Im complete as of 11/11 too and no movement on my status. I think they just havent gotten to us yet.

[onepass]

I've been complete since 11/23. Did I see people who went complete in late November get decisions already?

And damn, I did fill out the question asking where else I was applying. I can't remember what I put. Usually, I attempt a fine range of schools, with the school I'm applying to being somewhere in the middle of that range. Don't want to make them think they are the ultimate reach but can't have them thinking they are the safety either.