Negotiating scholarships works!!!!! Forum

[vbc515]

Has anyone tried negotiating with Emory? I called Admissions to ask what their policy was and they told me to write the dean with whathever information I thought was relevant...but from what I've been reading on TLS and otherwise, apparently Emory goes back and forth between a strict non-negotiation policy to a policy where you are welcome to try, but highly unlikely to be successful. Anyone have a personal experience or insight they could share with me? Thanks!

[kroakstool]

Has anyone tried negotiating with Emory? I called Admissions to ask what their policy was and they told me to write the dean with whathever information I thought was relevant...but from what I've been reading on TLS and otherwise, apparently Emory goes back and forth between a strict non-negotiation policy to a policy where you are welcome to try, but highly unlikely to be successful. Anyone have a personal experience or insight they could share with me? Thanks!

I emailed them with a better offer from a higher ranked school and didn't get a boost of any type. I might try again later but I'm not holding my breath.

[mcdeeremitch]

This might have already been answered but what is a good time to email again after not hearing anything after you email your negotiation letter...one week?....two weeks?

[vkgarrett]

This might have already been answered but what is a good time to email again after not hearing anything after you email your negotiation letter...one week?....two weeks?

I got a letter about 2 weeks after i sent my initial request... so maybe wait 3 weeks?

[jlz111]

Does anyone have a negotiating letter ? I just got a scholarship from Brooklyn and want to see if I can get one from miami

[rahrah]

Does anyone have a negotiating letter ? I just got a scholarship from Brooklyn and want to see if I can get one from miami

Check pages 17 & 18

[buckythebadger]

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

[advocate1]

Any advice on how to incorporate these things into a letter?

Admission to t-14's
Full tuition at t-30's
GPA increase of more than .05 since they accepted me (this is the one that I haven't seen much if anything on)

Thank you!

[rwhyAn]

Any advice on how to incorporate these things into a letter?

Admission to t-14's
Full tuition at t-30's
GPA increase of more than .05 since they accepted me (this is the one that I haven't seen much if anything on)

Thank you!

I don't mean to sound like a dick, but you got into a t-14 and received a full-ride at a t-30, and because of this, I figure that you must be kind of bright. What's up with everyone asking for letter templates and what not? Can nobody draft a letter nowadays? When I wrote mine, I just did it on my own, and I was successful. Just come across as polite and professional, and use some common sense. Make it original.

[bobbyh1919]

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

That sounds too aggressive. I would try "if the stipulations cannot be removed, I would find myself in a difficult financial situation and would be forced to explore other options" or something. I can definitely see where your approach would be more effective, but in general I would recommend not being so forceful when asking for money.

[noleknight16]

How hard is it to lower the amount of $$$ in exchange for reduced or no stipulations at all???

[landla]

How hard is it to lower the amount of $$$ in exchange for reduced or no stipulations at all???

Rather than you suggesting to give up the money, I'd suggest telling them that you will find it difficult to attend with the stipulation. They may say sure and remove it with the same amount (especially if you tell them of better offers) or say sure but we're lowering your amount (I haven't seen this anywhere on TLS, but it is possible I guess) - but you don't want to be the one that suggests less money.

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

That sounds too aggressive. I would try "if the stipulations cannot be removed, I would find myself in a difficult financial situation and would be forced to explore other options" or something. I can definitely see where your approach would be more effective, but in general I would recommend not being so forceful when asking for money.

I was going to suggest the same. Phrase it with positives rather than negatives.

[mtyler19]

[newtothegame]

Admittedly don't know much about this whole process...but does anyone know if $20k a year at W&L would be something I could use as even the slightest leverage to draw some $ from schools like GW and BU?

[USMCMatt]

Admittedly don't know much about this whole process...but does anyone know if $20k a year at W&L would be something I could use as even the slightest leverage to draw some $ from schools like GW and BU?

It might...they aren't TOO far apart in the rankings. You might be able to get 10k outta one of them. It is absolutely worth asking...

[wfudeacons2005]

Just negotiated from 0 to 20K per year as a PT student at Suffolk thanks to this thread.

[DaftAndDirect]

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

That sounds too aggressive. I would try "if the stipulations cannot be removed, I would find myself in a difficult financial situation and would be forced to explore other options" or something. I can definitely see where your approach would be more effective, but in general I would recommend not being so forceful when asking for money.

I disagree. I prefer to cut the bs. They know exactly what you're doing. Softening the blow invites more hemming and hawwing (and usually long emails from admissions telling you how great their school is even though they can't give you more money) and is basically just a waste of everyone's time. I'd stick with your original sentiment, and add a note that you're just doing your best to be a "smart shopper/consumer" when it comes to your legal education.

I haven't received responses from my outgoing negotiation emails yet, and don't yet have any results to back up (or refute) the above suggestion. It's just my opinion.

[buckythebadger]

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

That sounds too aggressive. I would try "if the stipulations cannot be removed, I would find myself in a difficult financial situation and would be forced to explore other options" or something. I can definitely see where your approach would be more effective, but in general I would recommend not being so forceful when asking for money.

I disagree. I prefer to cut the bs. They know exactly what you're doing. Softening the blow invites more hemming and hawwing (and usually long emails from admissions telling you how great their school is even though they can't give you more money) and is basically just a waste of everyone's time. I'd stick with your original sentiment, and add a note that you're just doing your best to be a "smart shopper/consumer" when it comes to your legal education.

I haven't received responses from my outgoing negotiation emails yet, and don't yet have any results to back up (or refute) the above suggestion. It's just my opinion.

That's how I felt as well. I know for sure that I won't attend without the stipulations being removed, so why soften my argument when I have nothing to lose? I feel like a lot of students make a half hearted attempt when trying to negotiate. So adcoms may just simply keep their offer on the table with the feeling that they still will probably matriculate to their respective schools. By giving them the ultimatum of removing the stipulations or withdrawing my application, I put the pressure back on them if they really want to me to attend their school.

Any other opinions on this would be appreciated. I've still yet to send out the email

[vkgarrett]

Would it be an alright idea to say that "Without the stipulations being removed, I will not be able to commit to this school and would ask for my application to be withdrawn".

I received the full ride scholly to Iowa with the top 1/3 stipulation. There really is no way I see myself there without the stipulations removed, so does this sound like an alright negotiation tactic to ask for your application to be withdrawn if they don't remove the stips?

That sounds too aggressive. I would try "if the stipulations cannot be removed, I would find myself in a difficult financial situation and would be forced to explore other options" or something. I can definitely see where your approach would be more effective, but in general I would recommend not being so forceful when asking for money.

I disagree. I prefer to cut the bs. They know exactly what you're doing. Softening the blow invites more hemming and hawwing (and usually long emails from admissions telling you how great their school is even though they can't give you more money) and is basically just a waste of everyone's time. I'd stick with your original sentiment, and add a note that you're just doing your best to be a "smart shopper/consumer" when it comes to your legal education.

I haven't received responses from my outgoing negotiation emails yet, and don't yet have any results to back up (or refute) the above suggestion. It's just my opinion.

That's how I felt as well. I know for sure that I won't attend without the stipulations being removed, so why soften my argument when I have nothing to lose? I feel like a lot of students make a half hearted attempt when trying to negotiate. So adcoms may just simply keep their offer on the table with the feeling that they still will probably matriculate to their respective schools. By giving them the ultimatum of removing the stipulations or withdrawing my application, I put the pressure back on them if they really want to me to attend their school.

Any other opinions on this would be appreciated. I've still yet to send out the email

What about instead of thinking of it as "forceful" think of it as factual. My letter to the financial aid was more of a.... "as you know, the economy is really rough, and unfortunately finances have to play a large part of my final law school decision" As far as the stipulations, maybe include something about how competitive law school is and how unsure the economy is, and maybe in a different you would feel comfortable taking it with the stipulations, but it's a risky choice with stipulations and the way the job market is... I wouldn't say that your application needs to be withdrawn because who knows what they will come back with... just be honest and practical.

[vkgarrett]

And just for reference, I did get my scholarship tripled!!

[kakaa001]

Got my 18k/nonrenewable scholarship (first year only) changed to an 18k/renewable scholarship with a 10k-first year additional bonus!!

Thanks to everyone who posts in this thread! The success stories and helpful tips are much appreciated!!

[mtyler19]

Would anyone mind reading over my letter real quick?

[USMCMatt]

Would anyone mind reading over my letter real quick?

sure...you can PM me if you like. I'm riding a desk today.

[mtyler19]

Would anyone mind reading over my letter real quick?

sure...you can PM me if you like. I'm riding a desk today.

Thanks!! PM'd

[Dead Parrot]

Would Kentucky be considered a "peer" school for trying to negotiate a better scholarship from Penn State?