American c/o 2015 Applicants (2011-2012 cycle)

[futurejdgirl]

To everyone who was accepted off the waitlist:

Please take some time to seriously consider whether attending this school at full price is a smart decision. The Cost of Attendance (CoA) for the Washington College of Law is a staggering $70,204 for the full-time program and $55,832 for the part-time program, per year. (http://www.wcl.american.edu/finaid/cost.cfm).

This is the cost to attend a school that is eclipsed by two other powerhouses in the very same city, Georgetown and George Washington and another Top-14 school nearby (UVA). In addition, American shares its market with peer schools such as the University of Maryland and George Mason, both of which are significantly cheaper than American.

Upon graduating that JD degree you paid $200,000 for (and thats a conservative estimate) will place you in a DC market flooded with recent graduates from much more competitive schools in one of the worst job markets the legal "industry" has seen in years.

When I first decided I wanted to go to law school, American was my first choice. I always liked the school and I love the city. However, there is no way this school is worth attending without any scholarship. I know I'm going to sound like the typical TLS broken-record, but if this is the best school you can get into, please consider taking a year off to prepare for and re-take the LSAT. If you can push 163+ you're in at American with money, AND also have likely to get money from better schools with better job prospects. TLS is full of materials and guides on how to ace the LSAT. I believe anyone who prepares properly can break 160 without much trouble. Also, applications to law schools have been going down steadily and there is no reason to suggest this trend won't continue next year so you will be competing against a less-accomplished applicant pool.

I hope I haven't offended anyone ITT. Congrats on making into American. I only want to make you consider if attending at full-price is really something you want to burden yourself with. $200,000+ in debt is no small thing to shake off, especially with American's bleak job prospects.

Curious - are you a current student there, what made you decide to post this warning?

[diegoforlan10]

Curious - are you a current student there, what made you decide to post this warning?

No, I'm a 0L former prospective student. Like I said in my post - I wanted to go to American since Day 1 of my law school application process. I was accepted and initially hell-bent on attending at sticker. Another poster on TLS slapped some sense into me and convinced me to consider other options. I'm grateful he did that, because I'm now in a much better law school situation. You can PM me for details if you want. I just wanted to possibly help others make the best possible decision for themselves.

I realize now that my post is in poor taste and comes off as offensive given that this is the American University thread, but if one person ends up retaking their LSAT and going to a better school/American with money because of my post, then it's worth it.

I don't want to derail this thread. American is a great school and I am very fond of it. Just make sure to consider the debt you are taking on if you attend at sticker price. I won't post about this again.

[Intranetusa]

American University didn't even tell me whether I was accepted, denied, or on the waitlist. I want my $70 application fee back! >_<

[jessedvhs]

I won't post about this again.

Fantastic! Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhkNLHictW8.

[shintopig]

American University didn't even tell me whether I was accepted, denied, or on the waitlist. I want my $70 application fee back! >_<

Definately contact them. My admissions counselor (probably assigned by last name) was helpful in answering all of my pre-acceptance questions. That's pretty odd, but I do know they accept apps up until May 1st (I think?).

I won't post about this again.

Fantastic! Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhkNLHictW8.

Haha, some nice advice. The 2015 Applicant Board may not be the best place to discuss the price-point of American and how you think its too expensive. There are plenty of other posts with lots of T-14 gunners who are available to mindlessly agree with you.

[Miami?]

I won't post about this again.

Fantastic! Now http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhkNLHictW8.

I am continuously amazed by the level of hate/rudeness transmitted through so many of these threads. If someone doesn't like somebody's post or doesn't agree with it, just skip over and go to the next one. What is the big deal? Why so bloody mean? Can we please show some civility here? After all, the whole point of these forums is to share ideas, whether or not they are agreeable to every single last person here.

[maxmart2012]

Any movement off the WL lately?

[Gavel]

Any movement off the WL lately?

+1

[Gavel]

we have movement! just got rejected after being on the waitlist.

good luck to those remaining!

[Miami?]

Hi, does anyone know whether someone who is accepted off the wait list could defer admission to the following year? Or can only regularly-admitted students enjoy that benefit of deferring?

[shintopig]

Hi, does anyone know whether someone who is accepted off the wait list could defer admission to the following year? Or can only regularly-admitted students enjoy that benefit of deferring?

I'm almost positive that I read on their website that you can't defer if you're accepted off of the waitlist; you have to accept & send in the deposit within 24 hours. Check it yourself on the waitlist website or e-mail them.

[maxmart2012]

Has anyone heard of any WL movement lately?

[Miami?]

Has anyone heard of any WL movement lately?

+1

[nellie_bly]

Just withdrew my acceptance. Good luck to those on the waitlist!

[illy22]

Withdrew recently, threw back $$$$ into the pool.

Hope you guys get good news!

[Lookingforanswers]

Withdrew today from the PT program, hope it goes to one of you all!

[Amoore114133]

Just got in off the waitlist, but I doubt I will be attending. At least you know there is movement going on for those waiting.

[maxmart2012]

Just got in off the waitlist, but I doubt I will be attending. At least you know there is movement going on for those waiting.

Did they email you before they called? or just a call?

[Amoore114133]

ya they sent me one of those feeler emails yesterday asking if I was interested. Then called today.

[maxmart2012]

ya they sent me one of those feeler emails yesterday asking if I was interested. Then called today.

ok thanks

[androstan]

--LinkRemoved--

24% non-employed, among other horribles.

That is all.

[shintopig]

--LinkRemoved--

24% non-employed, among other horribles.

That is all.

Why the heck are you posting on here? This is the wrong place to post all that crap; no one is interested in your "insight".

Get off and start another thread where you can rant all you want ad nauseam.

[maxmart2012]

Another week of waiting.. Anyone getting any feedback from admission's?

[thenaj88]

I am 2L in DC, and I was on the waitlist at American back before the 2011-2012 academic year. I'm so glad I accepted at my current school and didn't accept a spot on the waitlist.

I am happy where I am, I have FAR LESS debt then I would if I had been accepted and decided to attend WCL, and I have a 2l SA position lined up for the summer.

People just don't get it....

You are going to come out of school with almost 3/4 million in debt.

Think about that.

American is incredibly expensive and many of their students CANNOT find work upon graduation.

Make sure to REALLY REALLY REALLY consider your financial situation before you take on $200,000 of debt that is **NON-DISCHARGABLE in BANKRUPTCY**

[z0rk]

I am a part-time student at WCL and unlike the above poster I am happy to be here. I won't be coming out of school with 250k in debt, because I work full time and don't take out 7.9% interest loans to pay for my rent, groceries, etc. I work as a paralegal in the DC area, and I will graduate with 4 additional years (on top of my many years prior) of paralegal experience. I also saved my own money in advance of law school.

WCL is an excellent school with proven emphasis on experiential learning and a strong public interest law program (particularly in international affairs). For those who have an interest in these areas of law I say this: take all the money talk from the naysayers and trolls with a grain of salt. Of course you need to be realistic about debt, but that is a consideration with any school. Be smart, plan well, save up, and work hard.