Boalt/NYU(sticker) or retake for $$$?? Forum

[francesfarmer]

I mostly agree that RTK would be an ideal scenario for OP but isn't HYS generally recommended for people who want to break into international human rights work?

By people who don't know what they're talking about, yes. NYU or Berkeley with less debt would be a much better call.

Is that because of the greater flexibility that comes with lower debt + the fact that OP isn't going to find work in international human rights law anyway?

Because of the proposed changes to PSLF, for PI people taking on big debt is a bad idea, and NYU/Berkeley are almost as good with elite PI placement as HYS, so the extra money is not worth it.

And what makes you think OP can't get a job in international human rights? Because people on TLS say so? OP is the exact kind of person who has a shot at it.

I agree that she's the exact right type of person for it, and if RTK becomes an option, that would be great for her. I just figure if she retakes and scores high, she can get into H more reliably than she can get RTK at NYU. And then she would have non-IBR-dependent LIPP and H. But maybe she has a good shot at RTK, I guess the people I know who have gotten it are pretty unremarkable.

And I'm probably projecting. If I were in her situation I would retake until I could get HYS.

[Redamon1]

Just to caution OP that a stronger LSAT won't necessarily result in more money at Boalt. Although Boalt does award merit $$ through its matching program and otherwise, it probably gives out less than peer schools and does so in a holistic manner. A retake may well be worth it, but I would recommend pushing as hard as possible for money this cycle with the schools that accepted you.

[lexi01]

Just to caution OP that a stronger LSAT won't necessarily result in more money at Boalt. Although Boalt does award merit $$ through its matching program and otherwise, it probably gives out less than peer schools and does so in a holistic manner. A retake may well be worth it, but I would recommend pushing as hard as possible for money this cycle with the schools that accepted you.

Hey, thanks. Do you know if Berkeley negotiates apart from the scholarship matching? I have no plans to submit the scholarship match application and wondering if there are other options.

Thanks everyone else for your helpful input. @buffalo, I like your idea of the addendum, hadn't considered that.

Re: June LSAT - I have a lot going on in my personal life, including selling a house/moving and lots of business travel throughout April. I can't give the June test my all and I don't want to end up with subpar performance yet again.

Re: HYS vs scholarships - let's just say I have been out of school for a long time and have gotten perspective for the very real effects debt can have on your life and psyche. Thus, I'd like to optimize goals vs. freedom from debt. As @worldtraveler said, I am not sure that HYS wins out here.

[Redamon1]

Just to caution OP that a stronger LSAT won't necessarily result in more money at Boalt. Although Boalt does award merit $$ through its matching program and otherwise, it probably gives out less than peer schools and does so in a holistic manner. A retake may well be worth it, but I would recommend pushing as hard as possible for money this cycle with the schools that accepted you.

Hey, thanks. Do you know if Berkeley negotiates apart from the scholarship matching? I have no plans to submit the scholarship match application and wondering if there are other options.

Not sure but there is no harm in trying.

[Tiago Splitter]

Re: HYS vs scholarships - let's just say I have been out of school for a long time and have gotten perspective for the very real effects debt can have on your life and psyche. Thus, I'd like to optimize goals vs. freedom from debt. As @worldtraveler said, I am not sure that HYS wins out here.

If you're over 29 your parents' income will have no impact on your grant awards at HYS. If you don't have substantial savings you're looking at 30-40k per year. This makes waiting and retaking an even better option.

[lexi01]

Re: HYS vs scholarships - let's just say I have been out of school for a long time and have gotten perspective for the very real effects debt can have on your life and psyche. Thus, I'd like to optimize goals vs. freedom from debt. As @worldtraveler said, I am not sure that HYS wins out here.

If you're over 29 your parents' income will have no impact on your grant awards at HYS. If you don't have substantial savings you're looking at 30-40k per year. This makes waiting and retaking an even better option.

Hmm, thanks for this info. I am over 29. I admit I hadn't done that research since most schools I applied to consider parents regardless of age.

[gma221]

If you don't have substantial savings you're looking at 30-40k per year.

I wish this were true. I just got my financial aid letter from SLS today, and they offered me less than $20k. My fiance makes a decent salary (I make diddly squat), but our assets are nil.

Also, lexi, I know I owe you a PM.

[lexi01]

If you don't have substantial savings you're looking at 30-40k per year.

I wish this were true. I just got my financial aid letter from SLS today, and they offered me less than $20k. My fiance makes a decent salary (I make diddly squat), but our assets are nil.

Also, lexi, I know I owe you a PM.

Damn, sorry to hear that, gma. I've heard from several others who were pretty disappointed with Stanford's financial aid offer. Is need aid negotiable?
I'm in a similar boat with my SO. They make a decent salary, which makes relying on LRAPs even more problematic and scary for me, but that conversation probably belongs in another thread And no worries on the PM!