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Hello there,
I'm getting ready to submit my apps in the next month, and received fee waivers from everywhere but HYSB (grrrr Berkeley...). My game plan is to apply to the T13 minus Cornell (no chance of going there), but those extra few hundred dollars for HYS really hurt. I also know that I'm not going to go to one of them anyway, because I'm 100% going to follow the $$$ within the T13. My question is, would an acceptance at one of these schools, most probably Harvard, provide any negotiation power lower in the T13? Would Michigan or NYU up their offer if I tell them I'm in at Harvard? If not, I'll take that $300 and use it on something I tangibly need.
GPA: 3.75+
LSAT:175+

Yes, an acceptance at Harvard will be a really good negotiation chip at schools below them. It’ll be worth it to apply to all of HYS to maximize your potential leverage. (This was a refreshing new angle in debating applications to HYS)

UVA2B wrote:Yes, an acceptance at Harvard will be a really good negotiation chip at schools below them. It’ll be worth it to apply to all of HYS to maximize your potential leverage. (This was a refreshing new angle in debating applications to HYS)

This.

This is my understanding too. I really feel you on shelling out that $300 right now, but a single acceptance at an HYS will probably get you a lot more money back over the next few years.

OK thanks!

Also, because of need-based aid, you may get money from them, depending on your financial situation.

UVA2B wrote:Yes, an acceptance at Harvard will be a really good negotiation chip at schools below them. It’ll be worth it to apply to all of HYS to maximize your potential leverage. (This was a refreshing new angle in debating applications to HYS)

Piggybacking off of OP; would the same principle apply to CCN for leveraging scholarships from lower T14s?

Cogburn1984 wrote:

UVA2B wrote:Yes, an acceptance at Harvard will be a really good negotiation chip at schools below them. It’ll be worth it to apply to all of HYS to maximize your potential leverage. (This was a refreshing new angle in debating applications to HYS)

Piggybacking off of OP; would the same principle apply to CCN for leveraging scholarships from lower T14s?

Yes, but not nearly to the same extent. Definitely still worth the $100 app fee though.

It's a few hundred bucks for the chance of thousands. Do it and don't look back.

emkay625 wrote:Also, because of need-based aid, you may get money from them, depending on your financial situation.

I'm pretty sure OP's logic is T13 full-ride >>>> needs-based aid at HYS, and I completely agree. Doesn't HYS reduce your aid too if you get a 2L SA? Lame. IIRC, someone said that max need-based aid at HYS still puts someone back $150k. Why go back $150k if you want standard biglaw when you can take on $0-$30k at a lower T13? Prestige ain't worth it.

RedPurpleBlue wrote:

emkay625 wrote:Also, because of need-based aid, you may get money from them, depending on your financial situation.

I'm pretty sure OP's logic is T13 full-ride >>>> needs-based aid at HYS, and I completely agree. Doesn't HYS reduce your aid too if you get a 2L SA? Lame. IIRC, someone said that max need-based aid at HYS still puts someone back $150k. Why go back $150k if you want standard biglaw when you can take on $0-$30k at a lower T13? Prestige ain't worth it.

Yup. This is exactly the battle being fought balancing cost and prestige (or benefit, if you're an economist).

HYS makes sense on a case by case basis, but it's every bit as often the T13 with a big scholarship makes sense.

People can way in on this too but I might apply to Cornell as well. Even if you don't plan to go it's a great way to leverage $$$ at other t-13 schools you are interested in. As has been said, apply to Harvard.

Chaimthegreat wrote:People can way in on this too but I might apply to Cornell as well. Even if you don't plan to go it's a great way to leverage $$$ at other t-13 schools you are interested in. As has been said, apply to Harvard.

I'd agree. OP has a very good chance at getting a full-tuition offer from Cornell. If your $35 buys even a %1 chance at negotiating an extra $10k somewhere else you're getting terrific ROI.