Sit out or enroll? Forum

[nailglue]

Tomorrow is my deadline to choose to enroll or not in Georgetown for this fall and retain my small scholarship, so I want to get a last minute opinion that I'm doing the right thing.

Basically, I've decided that unless I break into the T6 over summer (I'm on waitlist at CCN and held at Harvard), I'm going to sit out this cycle and get my applications in super early next cycle (September/October) instead of the last week of January like I did this cycle. A lot of you and some people in real life think that my cycle was really hurt by the timing involved, and that I would have better options / more money next cycle.

Numbers: 171/3.63 (science)/MA URM
Acceptances: GULC ($30K), Vandy ($80K), Cornell ($ unknown still), UCLA ($45K)

Is sitting out the right choice here? I feel like it is even though it won't be optimal (I'll be 28 when I graduate if I sit out another year). I just need some reassurance that I'm making the right call here. For the record, I want BigLaw, but no specific location other than not in the South.

[woeisme]

Depends on what your other options were. GULC with a smaller scholarship was your only T14 offer? How big was the scholly?

Y

[nailglue]

Yes, I got waitlisted everywhere from Columbia down to Northwestern except my sole rejection of Berkeley.

$30K over three 3 years. Vanderbilt with $80K, Cornell is still unknown, UCLA with $45K.

[woeisme]

Well, I'd definitely take Cornell over GULC, but I wouldn't take Cornell at sticker with your stats. So I'd see what you're offered and then reassess. If it's not appealing, I'd go ahead and reapply next cycle.. EARLY.

Worst case scenario is that your prospects are no better next year and you've "wasted" a year. That's probably unlikely and isn't actually that horrendous of an outcome anyway.

[iamrobk]

I have pretty similar #'s (same LSAT, lower GPA), and tbh your best choice is just to ED to Penn or UVA.

[zaltman]

I am basically in your exact same boat. 171/3.6 Waitlisted at GULC MICH UVA DUKE waiting to hear from cornell and got the 80k scholarship from VANDY. Also like you I applied super late.

For what its worth I will be attending Vanderbilt next year and am pretty psyched about it.

[nailglue]

I am basically in your exact same boat. 171/3.6 Waitlisted at GULC MICH UVA DUKE waiting to hear from cornell and got the 80k scholarship from VANDY. Also like you I applied super late.

For what its worth I will be attending Vanderbilt next year and am pretty psyched about it.

Yeah, I just read your history. You finished your apps about two days before I did. I'm patient enough that I think it'd pay off in a big way to wait this one out though for my future. Unless Cornell can offer something substantial, I can always wait till fall and ED somewhere in the T10. I'd rather have a truly national degree than a very large regional one. Plus, I'm from TN already, so Vandy isn't my cup of tea personally.

[thelawyler]

Tomorrow is my deadline to choose to enroll or not in Georgetown for this fall and retain my small scholarship, so I want to get a last minute opinion that I'm doing the right thing.

Basically, I've decided that unless I break into the T6 over summer (I'm on waitlist at CCN and held at Harvard), I'm going to sit out this cycle and get my applications in super early next cycle (September/October) instead of the last week of January like I did this cycle. A lot of you and some people in real life think that my cycle was really hurt by the timing involved, and that I would have better options / more money next cycle.

Numbers: 171/3.63 (science)/MA URM
Acceptances: GULC ($30K), Vandy ($80K), Cornell ($ unknown still), UCLA ($45K)

Is sitting out the right choice here? I feel like it is even though it won't be optimal (I'll be 28 when I graduate if I sit out another year). I just need some reassurance that I'm making the right call here. For the record, I want BigLaw, but no specific location other than not in the South.

Deposit and see what happens over the summer.

And I PM'd you my cycle. I applied early Oct.

[nailglue]

Deposit and see what happens over the summer.

Sent you a PM. I can't see your LSN due to visibility settings. Where would you suggest depositing? I think I'd prefer Cornell over GULC personally, and I think they'll give me more $ anyway, so that's where I'd lean unless Vandy ends up coming out huge for me.

[83947368]

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[thelawyler]

Does anyone think that people may put a little too much importance on applying early? I bought into it, and I'm not saying it's bad advice, but I don't think very many people out perform their stats because they apply in September/November.

That being said I don't think it can hurt OP to reapply. 28 doesn't seem too old to graduate. I almost feel like that may be the perfect age and I wouldn't be surprised if OP can do better. Maybe give GULC a legit sounding reason for not attending this year so as to not burn any bridges?

Well, I don't people over perform their numbers. But you can definitely under perform them by applying late.

OP, I disabled again so I hope that was helpful. And yes, I would take Cornell too if you want Big Law.

[PDaddy]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K? I would have had my ass in Nashville before I finished opening my acceptance letter. Getting $95K would be better (you could ask for an additional $5K per year and see what they say), but you didn't do too badly. Though ranked higher (and barely at that), GULC isn't even a better school than Vandy. COL in Nashville is much cheaper than in D.C., and Vandy graduates can work pretty much anywhere GULC grads can work. Do you think Vandy grads can't work in D.C. or NY? They can and do. SMH bigtime.

[woeisme]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K? I would have had my ass in Nashville before I finished opening my acceptance letter. Getting $95K would be better (you could ask for an additional $5K per year and see what they say), but you didn't do too badly. Though ranked higher (and barely at that), GULC isn't even a better school than Vandy. COL in Nashville is much cheaper than in D.C., and Vandy graduates can work pretty much anywhere GULC grads can work. Do you think Vandy grads can't work in D.C. or NY? They can and do. SMH bigtime.

First, no. Second, OP explained why he wasn't really interested in Vandy.

[flem]

I'd throw a deposit into GULC and ride the fuck out of every waitlist you're on. Worst case scenario you just eat the seat deposit.

[woeisme]

Where would you suggest depositing? I think I'd prefer Cornell over GULC personally, and I think they'll give me more $ anyway, so that's where I'd lean unless Vandy ends up coming out huge for me.

Yeah, Cornell. If they don't give you a decent package, tell them about the GULC money. They'd probably be willing to match it.

[nailglue]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K?

It's less about turning down Vandy for GULC and more about waiting to reapply to see if I can get into better schools. Even without being URM, my numbers are good enough for Mich, and I don't want to sell myself short by attending a lesser school for less money than I should otherwise get.

[flem]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K?

It's less about turning down Vandy for GULC and more about waiting to reapply to see if I can get into better schools. Even without being URM, my numbers are good enough for Mich, and I don't want to sell myself short by attending a lesser school for less money than I should otherwise get.

I agree with you. Do that. Did you apply really late or something?

[nailglue]

I agree with you. Do that. Did you apply really late or something?

My applications were sent out the 22nd of January and went complete around January 24th or 25th.

Also, Cornell knows about all the scholarship offers. They had me scan/email them to them.

[CanadianWolf]

Sit out a year because it's obvious that you're unhappy with your current options & because you are willing to sit out for a year to increase your options.

[woeisme]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K?

It's less about turning down Vandy for GULC and more about waiting to reapply to see if I can get into better schools. Even without being URM, my numbers are good enough for Mich, and I don't want to sell myself short by attending a lesser school for less money than I should otherwise get.

Well, Mich is a poor example since it's really on par with (and in some respects lags behind) Cornell, but I'd think you're within striking distance of CCN and thus agree.

[jrthor10]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K?

It's less about turning down Vandy for GULC and more about waiting to reapply to see if I can get into better schools. Even without being URM, my numbers are good enough for Mich, and I don't want to sell myself short by attending a lesser school for less money than I should otherwise get.

Well, Mich is a poor example since it's really on par with (and in some respects lags behind) Cornell, but I'd think you're within striking distance of CCN and thus agree.

This Cornell > Mich argument is very location dependent. Michigan is definitely considered a better law school in some circles.

[woeisme]

Why would anyone turn down $80K at Vandy to go to GULC with $30K?

It's less about turning down Vandy for GULC and more about waiting to reapply to see if I can get into better schools. Even without being URM, my numbers are good enough for Mich, and I don't want to sell myself short by attending a lesser school for less money than I should otherwise get.

Well, Mich is a poor example since it's really on par with (and in some respects lags behind) Cornell, but I'd think you're within striking distance of CCN and thus agree.

This Cornell > Mich argument is very location dependent. Michigan is definitely considered a better law school in some circles.

For sure. My point is that all in all, these are peer schools. So waiting a year just to hope to get in one or the other isn't necessarily the best move. But because I think OP has a shot at CCN, I agree with reapplying.

[romothesavior]

I agree with tflem. Ride out the waitlists and see what happens, but be ready and willing to do another cycle. One year of sitting out could be worth a lot of money and better schools, so it is absolutely worth it. 28 is not too old to graduate law school at all. Going to law school mid-20s and graduating late-20s is very common.

I'm glad you are thinking about this the right way and not rushing in! Good luck OP.

[83947368]

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[Nelson]

Michigan is a peer school with Cornell in the same sense that CCN is a peer group with Mich. In that it is not. Sure they're peers in being lower T14s. Cornell is actually normally considered peers with the DGN group, whilst Michigan is peer with VPB. It seems like OP wants to break into MVPB.

Job prospects in the lower T14 are mostly interchangeable. The MVPB vs. DNCG distinction is totally out of date.