Declining this cycle's admits for better prospects next year Forum

[BillsFan9907]

So far I've gotten into WUSTL, Georgetown and NYU. I won't get a dime from NYU or Georgetown. Still waiting to hear from my quasi to outright reaches (Stanford, Penn, and Chicago) and fits (Cornell, UCLA and USC).

On paper, NYU seems amazing. It's number 1 in my field (International Law) and from the credible sources, it's a top school for Big Law placement. I cannot, however, feel comfortable with the insane amount of debt that I would incur. I am heavily toying with declining this years admits to give the LSAT one last shot and put some more money in the bank.

What is the protocol for this? Should I explain to the schools that accepted me that I would like to try again next cycle with a better LSAT score and a better chance of being more competitive for scholarship money? Or do I just not say anything, and apply again next year?

I know all the apps ask "have you applied before... if yes, were you admitted."

Part of me suspects that they already know why someone who was admitted and declined would apply for the next cycle; it would be redundant for me to tell them.

[rwhyAn]

I wouldn't tell them that. Just withdraw your apps or don't deposit.

[Optimist Prime]

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[akg144]

Yea depo take it again in June and reevaluate then. Worst case scenario NYU at Sticker most people would say it rough but definitely by no means a bad decision the consensus is HYS duh CCN a little tougher but welp its CCN deal with it - PVBM and DNCG no don't do sticker but NYU yea you can do that and if you really hate sticker you can always transfer and/or renegotiate if your grades are good enough. Re-take June - crush it and renegotiate and that's best case - transfer/re-negot. during 1L 2nd best case scenario worst case just don't strike out at OCI and you should be fine. If you strike out then welp PI and PSLF is always an option as well. Look at the recent numbers from recent NJL Go-To-Law poll 54.93% of NYU students got 160k jobs plus probably about 6-9% Article III jobs which will turn into 160k jobs. Not saying this isn't a huge decision but NYU-sticker as worst case scenario is not horrible by any means.

[BillsFan9907]

Thanks guys - I actually forgot to ask about that. If I have already deposited, what motivation do they have in giving me more money? Even though it will be harder for me to walk (because I put money down), the fact that I still can would be enough to negotiate around?

Is there some precedent for this here on TLS?

[rebexness]

It really depends on where your LSAT is now. Is it at median or 25th? Sure. Retake. Maybe deposit and then Retake in June- sit out if you hit your goal #s.

if you are already at or above their 75ths then I wouldn't bother.

[BillsFan9907]

speaking of the devil. Looks like spivey just touched on this.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... start=2150

[Tiago Splitter]

Yea depo take it again in June and reevaluate then. Worst case scenario NYU at Sticker most people would say it rough but definitely by no means a bad decision the consensus is HYS duh CCN a little tougher but welp its CCN deal with it - PVBM and DNCG no don't do sticker but NYU yea you can do that and if you really hate sticker you can always transfer and/or renegotiate if your grades are good enough. Re-take June - crush it and renegotiate and that's best case - transfer/re-negot. during 1L 2nd best case scenario worst case just don't strike out at OCI and you should be fine. If you strike out then welp PI and PSLF is always an option as well. Look at the recent numbers from recent NJL Go-To-Law poll 54.93% of NYU students got 160k jobs plus probably about 6-9% Article III jobs which will turn into 160k jobs. Not saying this isn't a huge decision but NYU-sticker as worst case scenario is not horrible by any means.

You can't just transfer if you don't like sticker. No idea where you came up with that. And good luck renegotiating with NYU.

OP I'd recommend depositing at NYU, hanging around a few other waitlists, and putting everything you have into a June retake. Just be prepared to wait another cycle if the retake goes well but doesn't improve your options as much as you'd like.

[Big Dog]

if I read your posts correctly, you have a great gpa and a <170?

If so, don't even think about NYU at sticker. Retake is the only answer. Clear 171 and the lower T14 will pay you to attend. Clear 173 and a school in Cambridge will easily beat NYU for International prestige.

[BillsFan9907]

if I read your posts correctly, you have a X/169?

If so, don't even think about NYU at sticker. Retake is the only answer. Clear 171 and the lower T14 will pay you to attend. Clear 173 and a school in Cambridge will easily beat NYU for International prestige.

Yup - that's me. If you don't mind, please edit out the GPA. It's very specific and as we are dealing with something that arguably kind of sort of approaches an ethical gray zone, I don't want too many identifying details out there.

[goldeneye]

if I read your posts correctly, you have a X/169?

If so, don't even think about NYU at sticker. Retake is the only answer. Clear 171 and the lower T14 will pay you to attend. Clear 173 and a school in Cambridge will easily beat NYU for International prestige.

Yup - that's me. If you don't mind, please edit out the GPA. It's very specific and as we are dealing with something that arguably kind of sort of approaches an ethical gray zone, I don't want too many identifying details out there.

there's no unethical anything here. they don't care about you as a person. they care about your numbers. deposit and retake. if you do better, tell them you want money or you'll withdraw. very simple.

[yossarian]

there's no unethical anything here. they don't care about you as a person. they care about your numbers. deposit and retake. if you do better, tell them you want money or you'll withdraw. very simple.

Considering a June retake but with a garbage (below 25ths at all t14) gpa. Does this recalibrate the equation? Can anything be gained from it?

[goldeneye]

there's no unethical anything here. they don't care about you as a person. they care about your numbers. deposit and retake. if you do better, tell them you want money or you'll withdraw. very simple.

Considering a June retake but with a garbage (below 25ths at all t14) gpa. Does this recalibrate the equation? Can anything be gained from it?

I guess it would matter where your LSAT is already. If it's over the 75 I'm not sure there is much to gain. Never hurts to negotiate with schools, though even if you don't retake.