Northwestern Law C/O 2016 (2012-2013 Applicants) Forum

[twinkletoes16]

Essays to be considered for scholarships.

+1
I'm running out of ways to rephrase "I'm broke"

+1 what do they want exactly? do they want to know how much is in my checking account? they're getting needaccess so they'll be able to see everything in #s so not sure what I need to do in word format for it...

It's all about who can make the best kool-aid

"i eat pbj sandwiches so i can pay rent"

[DoveBodyWash]

It's all about who can make the best kool-aid

"i eat pbj sandwiches without the jelly so i can pay rent"

FTFY

[nsideirish]

We don't have to worry about NeedAccess until after acceptance, correct? Even if we hear back after Feb. 28?

Is there a list of schools that require NeedAccess anywhere?

[rinkrat19]

We don't have to worry about NeedAccess until after acceptance, correct? Even if we hear back after Feb. 28?

Is there a list of schools that require NeedAccess anywhere?

I think if you get accepted late, you have 2 weeks or something to complete NeedAccess. And in case you haven't looked at it yet: it is a HUGE pain. This is not FAFSA that takes 10 minutes once you've filed your taxes.

Schools that require it: --LinkRemoved--
(I was going to say it was just private schools, but that's definitely wrong.)

[shntn]

I know it says 300-500 words for each essay, but I'm a bit short of that and already at cringe-inducing levels of redundancy. This feels like busy work.

[DoveBodyWash]

I know it says 300-500 words for each essay, but I'm a bit short of that and already at cringe-inducing levels of redundancy. This feels like busy work.

It's okay, i doubt they're gunna count the words or anything. If you're a few words short it shouldn't matter.

+10 to the bolded.

[shntn]

I know it says 300-500 words for each essay, but I'm a bit short of that and already at cringe-inducing levels of redundancy. This feels like busy work.

It's okay, i doubt they're gunna count the words or anything. If you're a few words short it shouldn't matter.

+10 to the bolded.

But seriously, these essays are heinous. If I didn't strongly suspect, on account of the fact that they have both my financial information and application sitting on file, that this was just a formality that probably won't matter, I'd be ashamed to send them in. Guh.

[az21833]

are these essays online anywhere? how many are there and how many words each? these are required just for standard merit aid? wtf??

[rinkrat19]

From Johann's G+ last spring:

Now that we are getting close to the financial aid deadline- four quick thoughts:

1) Do it! AND do it before the deadline!

The first thing we look at is whether or not the application made the deadline. After that, we will go through the finances and the strength of the application. If the application did not make the deadline, we will move it to the bottom of the pile. If you don't try, you will be eligible for nada.

2) From this point on, if you are admitted, you have ONE WEEK to turn in your financial aid materials!

You will receive a financial aid e-mail a few days after admittance. In the e-mail, you will be given an EXACT deadline for your essays and Need Access. Those admitted from hold will be eligible for scholarship funds.

3) We do not consider parental financial information on Need Access.

4) Submitting other offers from other schools has ZERO impact-- if you don't submit our own application by the deadline (see #1 and #2).

Next week, we are going to dig in and tackle the fin aid process. Reading those essays took a bit more work than in recent years. Some of the essays were really good. Some were, well... let's say they may have a negative impact.

Financial aid stuff: The Criteria

Admits- my guess is that most of you are waiting on pins and needles to hear from us regarding scholarships. Consider this post an introduction or preamble to the main event which will be rolled out the next few days.

At Northwestern Law, scholarships are determined based on three factors: a) strength of file; b) needs analysis; c) essay responses.

a) Strength of File- The same as the admissions criteria. However, you are now being compared against other admits (much tougher pool)

b) Needs Analysis- This was based on the Needs Access form using our own formula based on a traditional needs analysis. We did not count ANY parental information in the needs calculation (outside of what was known as an outside contribution). The vast majority of applicants had a high degree of need.

c) Essay Responses- This was the downfall for a lot of applicants. When you think of the word "essay" it conjures up an image of a multiple paragraph well-thought response, NOT what was turned in by a good number of you. I could do a very long post on the mistakes that applicants made. There were issues with both scope and substance. There were a few flip responses that made committee members quite angry. If you do not take the process seriously, well.... you know where this is going.

[az21833]

great so for those of us who are still waiting there is no way to get started in advance because its all on ASW, and we only have one week after we get in to do it all?

[rinkrat19]

great so for those of us who are still waiting there is no way to get started in advance because its all on ASW, and we only have one week after we get in to do it all?

You can do FAFSA and NeedAccess. The rest is two 300-500 word essays for which you know the topics. What is preventing you from starting?

[DoveBodyWash]

Financial aid stuff: The Criteria

Admits- my guess is that most of you are waiting on pins and needles to hear from us regarding scholarships. Consider this post an introduction or preamble to the main event which will be rolled out the next few days.

At Northwestern Law, scholarships are determined based on three factors: a) strength of file; b) needs analysis; c) essay responses.

a) Strength of File- The same as the admissions criteria. However, you are now being compared against other admits (much tougher pool)

b) Needs Analysis- This was based on the Needs Access form using our own formula based on a traditional needs analysis. We did not count ANY parental information in the needs calculation (outside of what was known as an outside contribution). The vast majority of applicants had a high degree of need.

c) Essay Responses- This was the downfall for a lot of applicants. When you think of the word "essay" it conjures up an image of a multiple paragraph well-thought response, NOT what was turned in by a good number of you. I could do a very long post on the mistakes that applicants made. There were issues with both scope and substance. There were a few flip responses that made committee members quite angry. If you do not take the process seriously, well.... you know where this is going.

a) Great. The differences between admits is going to be very little since we're already a narrowed-down group.
b) So it substantively means very little since a "Vast majority" of us demonstrate need and, by definition, a "vast majority" of us can't receive merit aid.
c) I guess frustration with shitty essays is justified.

In sum, apparently whether or not we get merit aid to ease a massive loan burden is determined by how well we can re-phrase "I am broke and need money" into 500 words. But of course, we all know that it'll be determined by our numbers and our relative value to their medians. MOAR KOOL AID!

[az21833]

great so for those of us who are still waiting there is no way to get started in advance because its all on ASW, and we only have one week after we get in to do it all?

You can do FAFSA and NeedAccess. The rest is two 300-500 word essays for which you know the topics. What is preventing you from starting?

I couldn't find the topics listed , i think it said it was only on ASW. but yeah i can find out from someone who is already in. good call

[twinkletoes16]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

[talesofyore]

I couldn't find the topics listed , i think it said it was only on ASW. but yeah i can find out from someone who is already in. good call

Yeah, who wants to share the topics?

[jbagelboy]

Northwestern wrote to remind me to submit my scholarship/grant app -- I'm working on it bro!! Am I that late? freaked me out a little.

[jbagelboy]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

500 words in times new roman 12 is about 1.5 pages double spaced

[DoveBodyWash]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

[BigZuck]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

I've heard NU legitimately considers need more than any top school out of HYS but maybe that is a flame.

[twinkletoes16]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

not as much BS as georgetown this cycle though IMO

[DoveBodyWash]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

not as much BS as georgetown this cycle though IMO

Lol I think GULC will retain that title for awhile

[rinkrat19]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

I know several people who were genuinely surprised by getting scholarships last year, which weren't expected based on either need or pure numbers. They don't even have back stories that are all that amazing. What they did do is spend a lot of care and effort on their little essays, and "jump through all the hoops". NU seems to honestly value effort and enthusiasm.

[twinkletoes16]

jesus johann. only thing worse he could do would be to name names. way harsh. 500 words is about a page isn't it?

+1

Don't get me wrong I love NU. But making us jump thru these kinds of hoops when it's ridiculously clear that scholly will be determined by our numbers and then expressing that kind of self-righteous frustration really irks me.

not as much BS as georgetown this cycle though IMO

Lol I think GULC will retain that title for awhile

it's a dubious one

[Cobretti]

great so for those of us who are still waiting there is no way to get started in advance because its all on ASW, and we only have one week after we get in to do it all?

You can do FAFSA and NeedAccess. The rest is two 300-500 word essays for which you know the topics. What is preventing you from starting?

I couldn't find the topics listed , i think it said it was only on ASW. but yeah i can find out from someone who is already in. good call

AZ STAHP! Go back to the stanford and harvard threads where you belong!

[talesofyore]

great so for those of us who are still waiting there is no way to get started in advance because its all on ASW, and we only have one week after we get in to do it all?

You can do FAFSA and NeedAccess. The rest is two 300-500 word essays for which you know the topics. What is preventing you from starting?

Are the topics listed somewhere where people who haven't been accepted can see them?