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I am not exactly sure what I want to do after I graduate but i have not ruled out big law and feel confident that I could find something even if I go to fordham (not so sure about Cardozo). Either way, what do you guys think?

Standard advice in this situation: Fordham is not what it once was as a result of ITE. Going into high six figure debt is probably not worth the approximately 20 or so percent increase in big law prospects you'll get by going to Fordham at sticker over Dozo with a full ride.

That said, I suppose it's a personal decision. You have to weigh the likelihood that you'll lose that Dozo scholarship and end up paying sticker there for two years. What's the stipulation?

I'd say probably Cardozo if you can get the stips removed from your scholly.

I dont know, I just listened to a message on my phone and they didnt say anything about stipulations.

Cardozo.

sampras13 wrote:I dont know, I just listened to a message on my phone and they didnt say anything about stipulations.

There probably are. Either ask them or wait until the mail packet arrives.

bk187 wrote:

sampras13 wrote:I dont know, I just listened to a message on my phone and they didnt say anything about stipulations.

There probably are. Either ask them or wait until the mail packet arrives.

Cardozo gave me full scholarship last year when I applied. There was a tiered system for keeping the scholarship with various threshold figures. I don't remember what they were, but they gave a figure that allowed you to keep 100% scholly, 75%, 50%, etc.

Try to leverage a schollarship out of Fordham using the money from Carshmozo. If that doesn't work, go to schmozo. Fordham is not that much better; its not worth it to turn down full tuition at Schmozo.

Take the full ride. Oh, and retake.

Personally, I don't think the schools are so monumentally different to warrant the additional 120K+ or so in additional money you would be paying.

I'm in the exact same situation. I'm still waiting on a bunch of schools, but I do want to be in NYC ultimately.

My logic:
200k of debt at Fordham = Paying back $835 monthly for 20 years. I'm not sure I can stomach that because I want to practice in the Public Interest sector.

But, another part of me wants to go to the best school that I get into.

Very hard decision, but I think I'm capable of being in the top 10% of my class, so this would make me lean towards Cardozo because I would still have job opportunities (not that I have anyway of knowing for sure how I'll do, but I plan on working my butt off).

IsleMet wrote:But, another part of me wants to go to the best school that I get into.

Very hard decision, but I think I'm capable of being in the top 10% of my class.

Must be the foolhardy/naive part of you that said both of these things.

And hey hey hey! Calm down! (Just doing that in advance, people on the internet get so riled up)
You've got a lot of stuff still coming in like you said, but IMO, under no circumstance is it a sensible decision to take Fordham at sticker over a full ride at Dozo (well I shouldnt say that, if your parents or your job are paying, have a field day...).

Aqualibrium wrote:

IsleMet wrote:But, another part of me wants to go to the best school that I get into.

Very hard decision, but I think I'm capable of being in the top 10% of my class.

Must be the foolhardy/naive part of you that said both of these things.

And hey hey hey! Calm down! (Just doing that in advance, people on the internet get so riled up)
You've got a lot of stuff still coming in like you said, but IMO, under no circumstance is it a sensible decision to take Fordham at sticker over a full ride at Dozo (well I shouldnt say that, if your parents or your job are paying, have a field day...).

Shut up stupid!!! just kidding...

I did say "I think" and that I really "have no way of knowing" in order to tone down what I was saying.

I agree, full ride vs. sticker...no way I'd pay sticker. I'm crossing my fingers for need based aid or possibly negotiating some sort of scholarship from Fordham. I guess I'll have to wait until March/April before I need to make any real decisions.

IsleMet wrote:I'm crossing my fingers for need based.

Thankfully you're not holding your breath, otherwise you'd be dead long before you ever entered law school.

reasonable_man wrote:Try to leverage a schollarship out of Fordham using the money from Carshmozo. If that doesn't work, go to schmozo. Fordham is not that much better; its not worth it to turn down full tuition at Schmozo.

This.

and how exactly does one go about doing this?

sampras13 wrote:and how exactly does one go about doing this?

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 22&t=79373

bk187 wrote:

IsleMet wrote:I'm crossing my fingers for need based.

Thankfully you're not holding your breath, otherwise you'd be dead long before you ever entered law school.

Haha, so I've been told. I'm hoping my expected family contribution of 0 and undergrad debt nets me something. Maybe they'll be willing to negotiate scholarship ...I'm trying to be optimistic here!