Scholarship Negotiation - not wanting to be rude? Forum

[waldorf]

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[brinicolec]

I was recently awarded 115k at WUSTL, my first choice, or 38k/year. I have acceptances from peer schools (albeit not a ton of money), a full ride at Indiana, a full ride at UIUC, and perhaps Iowa as well (still waiting to hear back). I'm hoping to negotiate for even a little bit more from Wash U, but my LSAT is low (163), so should I even bother? I don't want to come off as offensive, as I'm shocked to have received the amount I did with my less than stellar LSAT score.

(Please no "retakes". I am retaking in February but I work 50 hours/week so I'm not crazy optimistic. Just want to know if it would be offensive to negotiate for more when I'm lucky to receive what I did).

I don't think the school will be offended as long as you don't come off in a bad way. I think just saying you were wondering if there's any possible way they could increase your scholly because WUSTL is your first choice but you're hoping to reduce the cost wouldn't be a big deal. The worst they can do is say no.

[studentloanplanner]

I was recently awarded 115k at WUSTL, my first choice, or 38k/year. I have acceptances from peer schools (albeit not a ton of money), a full ride at Indiana, a full ride at UIUC, and perhaps Iowa as well (still waiting to hear back). I'm hoping to negotiate for even a little bit more from Wash U, but my LSAT is low (163), so should I even bother? I don't want to come off as offensive, as I'm shocked to have received the amount I did with my less than stellar LSAT score.

(Please no "retakes". I am retaking in February but I work 50 hours/week so I'm not crazy optimistic. Just want to know if it would be offensive to negotiate for more when I'm lucky to receive what I did).

Why worry about being rude? This is your future you're negotiating for. Law schools are in a horrible place right now in terms of leverage and need every student they can get. I'd be aggressive in your ask. I would just say that other schools have offered you much more attractive financial assistance, but that WUSTL is your first choice. I'd say something about the legal market being challenging and how you don't want to saddle yourself with debt. Therefore, you need to ask for $45,000 a year in scholarship money to make going to WUSTL a prudent decision, and that you would love to attend if they can help you.

[brinicolec]

I was recently awarded 115k at WUSTL, my first choice, or 38k/year. I have acceptances from peer schools (albeit not a ton of money), a full ride at Indiana, a full ride at UIUC, and perhaps Iowa as well (still waiting to hear back). I'm hoping to negotiate for even a little bit more from Wash U, but my LSAT is low (163), so should I even bother? I don't want to come off as offensive, as I'm shocked to have received the amount I did with my less than stellar LSAT score.

(Please no "retakes". I am retaking in February but I work 50 hours/week so I'm not crazy optimistic. Just want to know if it would be offensive to negotiate for more when I'm lucky to receive what I did).

Why worry about being rude? This is your future you're negotiating for. Law schools are in a horrible place right now in terms of leverage and need every student they can get. I'd be aggressive in your ask. I would just say that other schools have offered you much more attractive financial assistance, but that WUSTL is your first choice. I'd say something about the legal market being challenging and how you don't want to saddle yourself with debt. Therefore, you need to ask for $45,000 a year in scholarship money to make going to WUSTL a prudent decision, and that you would love to attend if they can help you.

I mean, I'd still say do worry about being rude (but asking wouldn't qualify as rude). Deans of admissions have talked about people who came into negotiations the wrong way, which turns the school off.

[studentloanplanner]

I was recently awarded 115k at WUSTL, my first choice, or 38k/year. I have acceptances from peer schools (albeit not a ton of money), a full ride at Indiana, a full ride at UIUC, and perhaps Iowa as well (still waiting to hear back). I'm hoping to negotiate for even a little bit more from Wash U, but my LSAT is low (163), so should I even bother? I don't want to come off as offensive, as I'm shocked to have received the amount I did with my less than stellar LSAT score.

(Please no "retakes". I am retaking in February but I work 50 hours/week so I'm not crazy optimistic. Just want to know if it would be offensive to negotiate for more when I'm lucky to receive what I did).

Why worry about being rude? This is your future you're negotiating for. Law schools are in a horrible place right now in terms of leverage and need every student they can get. I'd be aggressive in your ask. I would just say that other schools have offered you much more attractive financial assistance, but that WUSTL is your first choice. I'd say something about the legal market being challenging and how you don't want to saddle yourself with debt. Therefore, you need to ask for $45,000 a year in scholarship money to make going to WUSTL a prudent decision, and that you would love to attend if they can help you.

I mean, I'd still say do worry about being rude (but asking wouldn't qualify as rude). Deans of admissions have talked about people who came into negotiations the wrong way, which turns the school off.

Sure I was using that for rhetorical purposes. What I mean is that you shouldn't feel guilty trying to get the best deal you can for yourself. Stay humble, lay out logical reasons why a school would offer what you're asking, and deal fairly. You'd be surprised what could happen