Chi (90k; 170 COA) or reapply Forum

[drawstring]

So my options right now are Chicago (90k offer; 170 COA ) or reapply. I'm a K-JD, have a 4.0+/173 on one take, and I have close to no savings and my parents don't have the capacity to contribute much. My goal is California (particularly LA) biglaw, although I am a Canadian with my closest link to that area being the fact that I'm on the west coast of Canada.


Update:

NYU wouldn't budge on the 75k and I withdrew
Duke upped to 105k but I wasn't satisfied and withdrew
Chicago wouldn't budge on 90k
Withdrew from Columbia after being WL'd; rejected at Yale; WL'd at HLS; likely WL at SLS.

So my only offer on the table now is 90k at Chicago. Is it unreasonable for me to be unsatisfied with that amount? Is re-applying to extreme given the offer and my goals (Cali biglaw)?

[aboutmydaylight]

So my options right now are Chicago (90k), Duke (90k), NYU (to be determined; assume something like 90k though). I'm a K-JD, have a 4.0+/173 on one take, and I have close to no savings and my parents don't have the capacity to contribute much. My goal is California (particularly LA) biglaw, although I am a Canadian with my closest link to that area being the fact that I'm on the west coast of Canada.

I was held at Columbia and it's been silence from HYS since November. I think it's fairly realistic at this point that I don't land any of HYS, and I probably wouldn't chose Columbia over Chicago.

So, assuming it's just Chicago, Duke, and NYU at 90k, I have two questions:

1. What's the best option in your opinion
2. Given my numbers, are these disappointing options and is it worth it to reapply next cycle?

Thanks!

Chicago at 90k is really good for a 173/4.0 imo. What else were you expecting? I think that's easily the best choice here.

[drawstring]

I was expecting about that much from Chicago. I hoped for more but it seems fairly in line with the offers I've seen similar number combos get.

[Mack.Hambleton]

Are you wailisted at H? Even so I wouldn't be surprised if you got in off the WL

[Mal Reynolds]

Negotiate with U Chi. You should be able to get some more.

[killer133]

What about Berkeley? If you seriously want to end up in CA, as long as COA is similar, Berkeley might be better than Chicago given that you have no ties at CA. Otherwise, I think Chicago is clear winner here.

[drawstring]

Thanks for the responses.

Are you wailisted at H? Even so I wouldn't be surprised if you got in off the WL

The WL hasn't come out yet, but I think it's more likely than not that I end up there. I think I have a decent chance of getting in from there but at the same time I've accepted that there is also a real chance that I don't.

Negotiate with U Chi. You should be able to get some more.

I plan to, though at this point my other offers aren't very strong.

What about Berkeley? If you seriously want to end up in CA, as long as COA is similar, Berkeley might be better than Chicago given that you have no ties at CA. Otherwise, I think Chicago is clear winner here.

I didn't apply there. I set myself on California a few months into the cycle and overestimated my chances of getting there via HYS. I definitely wish that I had applied.

[Big Dog]

you should be able to get more money out of Duke for those numbers. Even with more $$, I vote Chicago.

[Mal Reynolds]

Try bumping up Duke then negotiate with U Chi. That number seems a little low for your numbers and what I recall hearing from other students, at U Chi at least. You should be able to get more but I would suggest taking U Chic at 90k even if you get Duke to give you more. What about NU? You should have a full ride there.

[arklaw13]

That seems like a really low-ball offer for Duke. Plenty of people with 173/4.0-ish numbers have gotten Mordecai.

[Theopliske8711]

A 4.0/173 would make you competitive for a Rubby/Hammy/Vandy. I don't see how you can't negotiate for some more.

[2014]

Obviously UChi, this presently isn't a hard decision at all.

Try to negotiate for sure, but UChi at half cost is still an exceptional deal.

[AspiringAcademic]

A 4.0/173 would make you competitive for a Rubby/Hammy/Vandy. I don't see how you can't negotiate for some more.

I also wondered about that (at or above 75%s for UChi). Maybe they're seeing lower because KJD? I'd have thought they'd get Harvard too, and that hasn't come through yet.

Good luck with negotiations! Shake them hard enough and some more money might come tumbling out of their pockets.

[manu6926]

...

[Doorkeeper]

How do you not get one of HYS with a 4.0+/173? Something is up here with you application.

Of your options, I would use NYU and Chi to bounce scholarships up and see which place you like the most.

[drawstring]

Thanks for all the responses. Chicago seemed like the best option so I'm not surprised at the vote, and I'll start negotiating once other offers come in.

So not getting any of HYS= bad cycle given my numbers? I feared I'd become one of those people.....

[PrideandGlory1776]

There's no way 173 4.0 doesn't land HYS wait patiently even if it means till august and go to Harvard, Yale or Stanford I guarentee you that you will make it into one for sure.

[aboutmydaylight]

Thanks for all the responses. Chicago seemed like the best option so I'm not surprised at the vote, and I'll start negotiating once other offers come in.

So not getting any of HYS= bad cycle given my numbers? I feared I'd become one of those people.....

You gotta ask yourself what you stand to gain from an HYS acceptance anyway. Would you matriculate even at sticker against 90k at Chicago? How much financial aid do you think you'll get? Is it really worth putting off law school for another year? A 173/4.0 not getting HYS might be irregular but an HYS acceptance is not necessarily your best option in today's market. If you're dead set on HYS and you think you'll get ~15k a year in financial aid, then it may be worth it to hold out and reapply. If you retake you could potentially get more from Chicago.

That being said all of this could be premature and you still may get HYS so it may not matter.

[RodneyRuxin]

There's no way 173 4.0 doesn't land HYS wait patiently even if it means till august and go to Harvard, Yale or Stanford I guarentee you that you will make it into one for sure.

I've seen plenty of people take UChi at 90k over H/S. The advice to take H/S at sticker is bad unless there's a compelling reason to do so (academia). Don't take advice from someone who can't spell guarantee.

[ga208]

If you get a year work experience you will be a much stronger candidate for HYS - and also for good schollys at T6 schools. K-JDs are at currently at a significant disadvantage - maybe because getting employed these days is a feat onto itself.

[drawstring]

Thanks for all the responses. Chicago seemed like the best option so I'm not surprised at the vote, and I'll start negotiating once other offers come in.

So not getting any of HYS= bad cycle given my numbers? I feared I'd become one of those people.....

You gotta ask yourself what you stand to gain from an HYS acceptance anyway. Would you matriculate even at sticker against 90k at Chicago? How much financial aid do you think you'll get? Is it really worth putting off law school for another year? A 173/4.0 not getting HYS might be irregular but an HYS acceptance is not necessarily your best option in today's market. If you're dead set on HYS and you think you'll get ~15k a year in financial aid, then it may be worth it to hold out and reapply. If you retake you could potentially get more from Chicago.

That being said all of this could be premature and you still may get HYS so it may not matter.

I think I'll get some need based aid from HYS, though probably not more than 20k a year.

[drawstring]

75k from NYU.

Not happy though maybe I was expecting too much based on my stats.

[aboutmydaylight]

75k from NYU.

Not happy though maybe I was expecting too much based on my stats.

They're low-balling you.

[drawstring]

Update:

NYU wouldn't budge on the 75k offer and I withdrew
Duke upped to 105k but I wasn't satisfied and withdrew
Chicago wouldn't budge on 90k offer
Withdrew from Columbia after being WL'd; rejected at Yale; WL'd at HLS; likely WL at SLS.

So my only offer on the table now is 90k at Chicago (about $150k COA). Is it unreasonable for me to be unsatisfied with that amount? Is re-applying too extreme given the offer and my goals (Cali biglaw with no ties)?

eta: clarity

[Theopliske8711]

Re-apply next year very early in the cycle. Get a simple job for now and chill.