Scholarship retention above 3.2 or top 30% Forum

[kickincane21]

So I have narrowed down my potential law schools to two primary choices but was reviewing the scholarship retention notes.

School 1 says I need to stay in top 30% to retain my scholarship and school 2 says I need to stay above a 3.2.

Probably a questions I should know the answer to, or at least know where to look, but honestly I don't.

Which stipulation is typically easier to keep? Both schools are within 10 rankings of each other.

[sidhesadie]

I think it depends on what the median is and then what % 3.2 equates to. It would also be helpful to know what GPA 30% equates to and how far above the median that is. You have to make them both the same measure to compare them.

[kickincane21]

Wow, now I'm even more confused haha. The 3.2gpa is at UF and the 30% is at Loyola. How would I figure out how to make them comparable?

[rman1201]

Wow, now I'm even more confused haha. The 3.2gpa is at UF and the 30% is at Loyola. How would I figure out how to make them comparable?

Something to consider: The UF one comes with a probation period if you fall below a 3.2, so at least you have time to either improve or drop out without losing significant money. I think with the Loyola one you're SOL for at least one semester's tuition if you find out you fell below the requirement.

[OperaSoprano]

OP, I would caution you to be really careful with scholarship stipulations-- top 30% in particular is draconian. Can you potentially keep this scholarship? Of course. 100%. Are the odds against you doing so? Well, according to the math... I say this as someone who looks back happily on her 1L year-- I am still not sure how it happened and if I could have done it again and I would never have wanted to gamble that I'd wind up in a position to keep a scholarship like that one. As for the other, you need to find out the median GPA at that school, obviously, but the most crucial thing to do is to ask if they will consider removing or reducing the stipulations, particularly if you state the school in question is your first choice and you will be able to commit if your scholarship is guaranteed.

[BizOwner]

Also look into mandatory grading curves. Of some of the scholarships I've received, some schools have a mandatory 1L grading curve that is much different than upper level classes making retention a whole different ballgame. Especially when some of it is out of your hands.

[Moxie]

Negotiate with both schools to get them to drop their grade stipulation?

Also, check with UF and find out what the median is. I'd bet a 3.2 is a lot lower than top 30%, but best to check and be safe.

[thewarflamingo]

At ASD, the professors said classes at UF are curved between 3.15 and 3.25 so 3.2 is more or less about median. So UF would be easier to keep grade-wise.

[CanadianWolf]

Univ. of Florida--especially if you want to live & work in Florida.