Scholarship Negotiation Letter Forum

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smithc2011

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Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by smithc2011 » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:05 pm

Hey guys,
I haven't heard back from one of my top schools about financial aid or merit-based scholarship info yet, and my decision is going to be very dependent upon that information. Can anyone offer me feedback on my negotiation letter, if you can even call it that?


Dear Admissions Committee,

I am very excited to have been offered admission YOUR LAW SCHOOL, since it is one of the few schools I’m seriously considering attending. I’ve been particularly impressed in my research into the SPECIFIC PROGRAM and your Mock Trial and Moot Court programs, and the more I explore your website, the more excited I get about the prospect of attending YOUR LAW SCHOOL. I’ve heard nothing but great things from current students and your web site, and look forward to an potential visit to learn more about YOUR LAW SCHOOL.

In your acceptance letter, you indicated that if awarded, I would be notified of merit-based aid in a separate letter. I’m unfamiliar with the financial aid process, being a first-generation college graduate and the first person in my family to pursue any graduate work. However, having already received my financial aid award letter from THIS LAW SCHOOL, and having received notification of merit-based scholarships to a number of schools, including $$$$$$ a year to COMPETITIVE LAW SCHOOL, I’m anxiously awaiting news from YOUR LAW SCHOOL concerning financial aid and scholarship information.

This is of particular importance to me for a number of reasons. Having already accrued approximately $$$$$ of student loan debt while financing my undergraduate education at MY UNDERGRAD, I’m very aware of the cost of my legal education. Furthermore, my mother is more worried about debt incurrence than I am, and is unlikely to cosign for any loans that I may need for my law school education. With seat deposit deadlines quickly approaching, my need for information concerning the cost of attending my top choices for law school is becoming more pressing every day.

While YOUR LAW SCHOOL is among my top schools, the debt I have accumulated thus far and my uncertainty about the future require that I begin exploring my other options more seriously. Accordingly, I would like to request consideration for merit aid, if I’m not already being considered, and information concerning the notification of financial aid. My schedule is very busy between now and upcoming seat deposit deadlines, and the sooner I can find out this information, the sooner I can schedule campus visits to YOUR LAW SCHOOL and my other top schools, so that I can make a final decision about my future legal education.

Thank you so much for reviewing this request. If you need anything else, I’m eager to help however I can. I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.

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pinkzeppelin

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by pinkzeppelin » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:11 pm

Seems long winded. You could probably say the same thing in one paragraph. They don't need to know that you're a first-generation college graduate, for example.

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smithc2011

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by smithc2011 » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:27 pm

Thanks, here's a revised one.


Dear Admissions Committee,

I am very excited to have been offered admission to YOUR LAW SCHOOLS, since it is one of the few schools I’m seriously considering attending. I’ve been particularly impressed in my research into SPECIFIC PROGRAM and your Mock Trial and Moot Court programs, and the more I explore your website, the more excited I get about the prospect of attending YOUR LAW SCHOOL. I’ve heard nothing but great things from current students and your web site, and look forward to an potential visit to learn more about YOUR LAW SCHOOL.

In your acceptance letter, you indicated that if awarded, I would be notified of merit-based aid in a separate letter. Having already received notification of merit-based aid to a number of schools ($$$$$ annually to COMPARABLE LAW SCHOOLS), I’m anxiously awaiting news from YOUR LAW SCHOOL concerning financial aid and scholarship information. I’ve already accrued approximately $$$$$ of student loan debt while financing my undergraduate education at UNDERGRAD, and am very aware of the cost of my legal education, given my parents unwillingness to cosign for loans. With seat deposit deadlines quickly approaching, my need for information concerning the cost of attending my top choices for law school is becoming more pressing every day.

While YOUR LAW SCHOOL is among my top schools, the debt I have accumulated thus far and my uncertainty about the future require that I begin exploring my other options more seriously. Accordingly, I would like to request consideration for merit aid, if I’m not already being considered, and information concerning the notification of financial aid. I will only be able to schedule a few law school visits between now and upcoming seat deposit deadlines, and my expected cost of attendance at YOUR LAW SCHOOL will directly impact the schools I visit and consider attending.


Thank you so much for reviewing this request. If you need anything else, I’m eager to help however I can. I look forward to hearing back from you as soon as possible.

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smithc2011

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by smithc2011 » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:51 am

p.s., for anyone curious,

sent at 7 pm, heard back with ~6.7k annually offer at 2 am. So it works again, although not enough to make a difference in my decision process.

SJJM

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by SJJM » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:23 pm

A little late for my opinion ...congrats on eeking out something. I think colleges are very interested in first generation college students. Since that is the case, wanted to wish you the very best !!

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pmjurado

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by pmjurado » Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:20 pm

Did you send this out by email or regular mail?

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smithc2011

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Re: Scholarship Negotiation Letter

Post by smithc2011 » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:37 pm

email has been fine for me, probably better because its more timely.

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