Also keep in mind that MSU is one of the few schools to be as transparent as they are with employment statistics.

Not to contradict you or antagonize like a troll...

but do you come to this conclusion based on reporting data methodology? I find reported salary and employment indices generally humorous, but it is comforting to know MSU is putting in effort at being responsible and ethical.

In their employment numbers, they have all of their graduates accounted for so we know how many are employed vs. unemployed. By their own admission, they don't have everyone's salaries so I'd take that with a grain of salt. Unlike a lot of schools, they don't report numbers without citing the source and telling you their method of gathering the information.

Has anyone negotiated a 75% scholly to full scholly with Michigan State? This is my best option right now, but I'm torn between putting a deposit down or taking a year off to retake the LSAT. I'd much rather never look at a practice LSAT again.

Well, it sounds like you don't really want to go to MSU. Don't go to a law school because it has accepted you, go because it makes sense for what you want. Many people on this very forum have waited it out a year to take the LSAT again. It may be worth it. What if you retake and find yourself looking at top 30 schools? That is life changing, or can be life changing.

Lesson of the story, don't "settle" on a law school.

Huh. Got an email today.... MSU wants to call me on the phone.

Anyone have this happen? And why are they calling me? For an interview?

Withdrawing my application and going to Colorado. I had a full scholly, so hopefully one of you gets it. Good Luck!

Awesome. More cash. We give you thanks.

I just received an e-mail stating that they are not yet able to offer me a full scholarship. Very disappointing.

I got an email saying they are unable to offer me the scholarship they had originally offered.

I just got off the phone with them. They said they will have the best admit year ever at the school, with regards to incoming numbers for LSAT/GPA. They had more deposits than expected (more than expected are my words), but basically they are getting a large number in matriculation. AFA as money, I was told due to the higher scores and number of apps they are first looking deep into the application to see who reeaaaalllly wants to go to MSU. Especially this late in the cycle. Those are the people they will probably give money to.

F#cking criminal behavior, IMO. That actually makes me a little bit upset at them....

WHAAAAT? Maybe with more withdrawals you'll be re-offered it? I thought MSU had clear GPA/LSAT cut-offs so you were pretty much guaranteed a scholarship if you met the cut-off. That's awful.

As far as the employment stats, I was coming on here to rave about MSU. Although their posted stats are already pretty transparent and detailed, I e-mailed career services about statistics regarding those students from recent years who went into prosecution. I e-mailed them at 7pm last night and at 8am this morning, a man got back to me. He dug through 2010 and 2011 graduates and was able to provide me with exactly how many grads got prosecutorial jobs. I'm torn between MSU and one other school, but their quick replies and ridiculous helpfulness has been really attractive to me.

Also, if any perspective (or already confirmed students) could help me out, what do you guys think of East Lansing/Lansing?

I was underwhelmed by it, but maybe I didn't get a good enough look at it. Are there things to do in the area. I saw a few bars. Are there any art museums, campgrounds, ultimate frisbee courses, fishing areas, shopping centers, etc. in the area? I'm potentially moving there with my girlfriend. We're from Chicago and used to constant new places to visit. Luckily, I love the outdoorsy things (boating/camping/fishing), but she's a straight-up city girl. Do you think she'll be unhappy?

Also, at ASD I noticed a few gunners. I got the impression that they were arrogant. Do you think that MSU students are generally friendly? I'm tatted up and hate being judged at first glance. MSU seemed a little...frattish.

MSU is "Frattish." It is a big state school, obviously. Central Michigan is a very pretty area, all 4 seasons, etc. BUT, it is kinda "small town" in its mindset and entertainment values. I wouldn't want to live there permanently, but for 3 years? Hell, yes. Great BIG10 sports atmosphere and the campus really is nice. It's not Michigan, but so what?

I don't mind a big state school. I did my undergrad at U Iowa, which has just as much of a Big 10 atmosphere. I love football, so I'm all about it.

Do you have personal experience with people in the area? Do you know how the general vibe towards LGBT people are? (i.e. would I get trouble or dirty looks if my gf and I walked around holding hands.) Iowa was in a small town area (although I believe it's a bit bigger than Lansing), but it was extremely liberal and accepting. I just want to gauge what I'm getting into.

I have never lived there but had family from Michigan. Been there.

AFA LGBT people? Well, someone else may be better to ask, but....

I would guess it has the same "tolerance" that Iowa has. That is, Iowa is conservative as a state, but a university student body is almost always liberal in how it treats its minorities. On my earlier point, central Michigan isn't really that different from Texas, where I'm from. But, sheesh, Iowa isn't particularly progressive area either. I wouldn't worry about it, but it ain't San Francisco. They have plenty of LGBT organizations on campus, law school, too.

I'm sure you would get looks, though. Hell, I'd look! I'd look at your tats, your girlfriend, you. And I'm pretty liberal, socially speaking. But so what? I look at lots of things, especially women. I highly doubt you would have any trouble whatsoever! Still, maybe someone who actually goes there will chime in.


EDIT: I just looked at your numbers. I think you should play MSU for a full ride. You are lesbian and have an LSAT right at their full scholly range (161). The GPA isn't bad, either, being at their median. Anyway, full ride would be great.

Haha. thanks. I don't mind inquisitive looks. My gay friend got her face smashed at a bro bar last year (an isolated incident in Iowa), and I guess it's been in the back of my mind while looking at law schools.

They offered me a 75% tuition. I e-mailed them, requesting for them to remove the stips or give me more money. They responded by saying that because I was way above median, I should have no problem maintaining my scholarship and that unfortunately they had no additional money to offer. Although I would've preferred more money, I really enjoyed MSU. I really like their strong clinical programs, dedicated faculty, and nice facilities (especially that amazing courtroom). Unfortunately, LGBT seems to be over-represented in law schools so I doubt using that would've given me much of a boost.

Are you leaning towards MSU or are you still undecided?

I'm not IN at MSU...they called me today and asked me if I was still interested. It was kinda weird, but I got some good info. I'm thinking they will admit me, the guy said that he was just making sure that I liked the school. I wrote about the conversation in a post at the top the page.

Basically, I love MSU. But, judging from other posts on this page, it doesn't look like they will be giving out a whole lot of money anymore this year. I would definitely go for the labor masters and JD combo.

AFA your friend getting her face smashed, I don't know what a "bro bar" is. Is that a frat boy bar? In any event, I personally don't go to places like that for the very reason that I might get into it with an idiot. My face is way too handsome to chance it! You may have to join the gay student clubs to find out where to go. Or, you could go to places without "bros".

Wait, is a "bro bar" a gay man bar? I'm am confused on the lingo... In Austin I walked into a bar called the "Boys Cellar" by mistake. Walked right up to the bar and asked for a Sam Adams. I knew something was up when he brought me a coaster with a condom attached. Then I turned around and saw a hundred of the sweatiest men on Earth. Then I left. Was that a "bro bar?"

Sorry for missing that! I thought I'd read the recent posts. I even scanned it to make sure I didn't miss posts, but I must have still read over it. I'm sure if they interviewed you, you'll be good to go. That seems like a weird thing to do if they weren't wanting to admit you. I hope you enroll for the Fall class!

Yeah. Bro bar=frat boy bar. I actually end up getting along with a fair amount of bros. Some people react to alcohol weird. That's not an excuse, but I'm guessing a sober mind would have rationalized a little further.

hahahaha. woooow. i've been in a LOT of gay bars and I have never had a condom attached to my drink. I am so sorry for that experience! That's definitely not a bro bar though. Bro bar = huge muscular dudes with thick necks chasing skanks, fist-pumping, and one-upping each other on drinks. (I only do the last.)

Oh, I see now. A bro-bar is basically a place where dudes from Jersey Shore hang out. Nope,you will never find me there.

I'll definitely go to MSU if I'm not accepted off the Wash U WL and they give me money. Hoping for some nice cash, though.

haha. well put.
Good luck with Wash U!!!

Withdrew my admissions at my lower-choice today, and am planning on submitting my seat deposit for MSU before the 20th... Anybody else here on any other waitlists for other schools but plan on submitting their deposit for MSU just in case?

I put my deposit in at MSU but will also put it in at another school. I'm not waitlisted, but it's a similar strategy I guess. I just haven't fully decided yet. My indecisive nature is rearing its ugly head.

Haha well you have a few more weeks at least, so I wouldn't stress about it too much. Eventually you'll realize the right choice