Top Law Schools

I have a question about the whole "negotiating scholarship" process that I've heard bits and pieces about. I'm wondering how "real" this is. I have a 3.78/171 (Ivy, FWIW), and will not be eligible for need based financial aid. Right now I have not yet applied to UVa, Michigan, or Northwestern, and truthfully, would probably turn down all of the above for Duke. I just got into Duke, and while it's not my first choice, I would be excited enough to go there but would want to get as much money from them (or any other school I end up getting into) as possible.

My question is whether this whole negotiating scholarships business is "real enough" that it's worth applying to those schools just to use them as leverage at Duke, or should I be fortunate enough, NYU or Penn?

Thank you so much!

It is real. Just be tactful, and don't be a douche when you do it.

Also, it works best when you get into similarly ranked/slightly lower ranked schools and get more $. For instance, if you got a 1/4th scholly to Duke and got into NYU at sticker, Duke would likely not give you any more $ just for getting in to a higher ranked school.

BUT, if Northwestern gave you a full scholly and you let Duke know about it, you definitely might be looking at some more $.

NU_Jet55 wrote:It is real. Just be tactful, and don't be a douche when you do it.

Also, it works best when you get into similarly ranked/slightly lower ranked schools and get more $. For instance, if you got a 1/4th scholly to Duke and got into NYU at sticker, Duke would likely not give you any more $ just for getting in to a higher ranked school.

+1

Tons of applicants do this every year, and schools are much more willing to negotiate scholarships with people who don't think they're God's gift to Adcomms...

OP:

This is a large part of my strategy, honestly. I think it is totally worth it. You probably have some fee waivers, making it a $12 and 2-6 hour investment for possibly as much as $150,000. Even if you paid $100 to apply... um, that is still totally worth it.

Just, as above, don't be a douche...

What schools do you think Duke would be interested in hearing about? Is it worth applying at Texas, Vandy, UCLA? Or are those not considered peer schools?

arism87 wrote:What schools do you think Duke would be interested in hearing about? Is it worth applying at Texas, Vandy, UCLA? Or are those not considered peer schools?

If you get into Duke you'll definitely get into those schools with srs $. That could possibly help you get more $ from Duke, but you won't know until you try.

Can you leverage scholarship from one school then use that for leverage at another school?

whymeohgodno wrote:Can you leverage scholarship from one school then use that for leverage at another school?