Negotiating scholarship funding? Forum

[Bennettju]

Hey TLS,

So, my cycle is far from complete, but I thought I would get a head start on the financial aid piece. I've read some brief snippets on here about people negotiating their scholarship awards, usually on the basis of what another school has offered. Can anyone give me some additional insight into this process? (i.e., what's a tactful way to go about this? Who do you email/contact in an admissions office?)

Sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere, and thanks for the input!

[captainkirk]

have you read this yet? it provides some extremely helpful information:

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

[Bennettju]

Fantastic, thank you, Captain!

[msv5010]

That link was very helpful. However, does anyone have tips on negotiating when you have received an initial offer? More specifically, tips on how to initiate such conversations and negotiate the GPA requirement. Thanks.

[pearl_earrings]

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[maximus34998]

That link was very helpful. However, does anyone have tips on negotiating when you have received an initial offer? More specifically, tips on how to initiate such conversations and negotiate the GPA requirement. Thanks.

I'd like some help with this, as well. I just can't come up with a good way to say: "XX thousand dollars is nice, but this other school gave me more...so will you give me more?"

Any ideas?

[lawduder]

That link was very helpful. However, does anyone have tips on negotiating when you have received an initial offer? More specifically, tips on how to initiate such conversations and negotiate the GPA requirement. Thanks.

I'd like some help with this, as well. I just can't come up with a good way to say: "XX thousand dollars is nice, but this other school gave me more...so will you give me more?"

Any ideas?

Something along the lines of, "Your school is my first choice, but I have to consider cost as well... currently xxx is offering significantly more than you, but a more robust offer from your institution would make my decision easy." Obviously you want to make it sound pretty, but that's the gist of it. Also, no idea about the GPA requirement part.

[PDaddy]

I'd also like to know if anyone has had success negotiating GPA requirements.

Not finished with my cycle (about 20 schools left, 1WL, 1Rej), but I was admitted to several schools last year, all top 21-45.

I deferred at the one I liked best (with an allowance that I could still apply to other scxhools this year), and turned down another one in the top 2 of the group.

This year, I talked my deferral school down from 3.0 to 2.75 and increased last year's scholarship offer to full ride. I am actually thinking about calling it quits and going to that school b/c it doesn't get much better than that. I talked another down from 3.0 to 2.5 for this year as a reapplicant.

It's really strange b/c I have spoken to people from both of those schools and they complain about having to keep a 3.0 or 3.1.

I actually feel guilty. It really isn't fair to lower the requirements for some students and not others, but I'll take it.

[1800calturk]

I'd also like to know if anyone has had success negotiating GPA requirements.

Not finished with my cycle (about 20 schools left, 1WL, 1Rej), but I was admitted to several schools last year, all top 21-45.

I deferred at the one I liked best (with an allowance that I could still apply to other scxhools this year), and turned down another one in the top 2 of the group.

This year, I talked my deferral school down from 3.0 to 2.75 and increased last year's scholarship offer to full ride. I am actually thinking about calling it quits and going to that school b/c it doesn't get much better than that. I talked another down from 3.0 to 2.5 for this year as a reapplicant.

It's really strange b/c I have spoken to people from both of those schools and they complain about having to keep a 3.0 or 3.1.

I actually feel guilty. It really isn't fair to lower the requirements for some students and not others, but I'll take it.

Wow that is impressive. Can you shed some light on your process? If you don't mind me asking, how did you broach the subject of GPA? "Hey nice scholarship, but I don't think I'll be able to achieve a 3.0?" sounds a bit crass.