retake, right? another nyu cornell thread Forum

[davey jones]

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[deepseapartners]

Don't count out Cornell, they've been throwing a lot of money at students in the past few years. And your odds of getting NYC Biglaw, based solely on the numbers, are probably better, and definitely just as good good, as if you went to NYU.

Do you think a retake would up your score from 171 to 174/175?

[ih8makingscreennames]

Typical stuff: 171 LSAT, 3.5 GPA, PR URM. Applied mid-January. Have one take left. Immediate goal is NYC tax/employment biglaw, hope to exit into a different market in the long term bc NYC is outrageously expensive, and even though I want to live in the best city in the US, I can't imagine doing it for more than a few years. Also, not as debt averse as most people here. I would be comfortable with 150k in loans.

Currently looking at 45k from NYU (which I see as outperforming my numbers, also: see mylsn) and a Cornell acceptance, still waiting on finaid offer. Total COA (commuting about an hour to NYU from NJ) is 185k at NYU, not counting possible 2L SA contributions (because this money is not a given and I'm calculating worst case scenarios here). Living on campus or in the city puts me about 215-230k in the hole, and that's just stupid.

However, I don't see Cornell beating that unless they give me like 150k. 150k puts me at 101k total COA and I get to live on campus, which is definitely more convenient (but Ithaca, which I am wary about). 100k scholly puts me around 160k in debt, and then it's like "dude just go to NYU, you get to be in MFH for a good chunk of the day."

I'm riding waitlists at Chicago, Penn, Michigan, Georgetown. None of these schools have high waitlist -> acceptance percentages so I'm considering them out until further notice. CLS and NU haven't gotten back to me. In short, I have no bargaining chips this cycle.

I know I should probably retake, but I would definitely appreciate everyone's opinion.

Are you K-JD?

[davey jones]

Are you K-JD?

no, i have 1.5 years WE

[davey jones]

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[fliptrip]

If it's just about scoring NYC biglaw, Cornell and NYU are pretty close in terms of the risk you're taking. Fortunately, Cornell should come in for your at a considerable discount vis-a-vis NYU. Clearly, you have every right to set your own guidelines for what you're looking for cost-wise, but Cornell doesn't need to give you $150k off to make it a good choice.

I'm voting ride these w/ls, seeing what Cornell comes in at and retaking the cycle at least if you don't like the picture. I feel like as a PR URM even at you current stats, you should be looking at something a little more appealing than what you have right now.

[chickensoup1234]

My vote is for against retaking

[Rigo]

Wait on Cornell money. I'm thinking they'll come through for you.

[Foghornleghorn]

I would ride it out, some of these schools lower down might be yield protecting. At a minimum, you should try and negotiate with Cornell---particularly with your desire with the NYC market.

[EzraFitz]

Anecdotally, had similar numbers to yours, and Cornell would not budge even with decent negotiating status. But I think if they come over $100k it really comes down to preference for you.

[WinterComing]

If you decide to retake and sit out, what would you be doing with the year off? I feel like TLS often just says "get work experience." But in a borderline case like yours, I guess I'd feel better sitting out to, say, work at a law firm than to, say, work at McDonald's.

[mabes]

we have same LSAT and i had only a couple points higher GPA, and just got the same offer from NYU and have a 6figure+ offer from Cornell. They might end up deciding for you

[16to19]

Totally unrelated, but for the last month or two (and likely forever more) whenever I've seen John Goodman, I've reflexively thought about law school admissions. This is weird, but I'm pretty sure if I met him in person I'd ask him about Michigan vs. Georgetown.

It's really put a damper on mid-series west wing.

If it's just about scoring NYC biglaw, Cornell and NYU are pretty close in terms of the risk you're taking. Fortunately, Cornell should come in for your at a considerable discount vis-a-vis NYU. Clearly, you have every right to set your own guidelines for what you're looking for cost-wise, but Cornell doesn't need to give you $150k off to make it a good choice.

I'm voting ride these w/ls, seeing what Cornell comes in at and retaking the cycle at least if you don't like the picture. I feel like as a PR URM even at you current stats, you should be looking at something a little more appealing than what you have right now.