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I'm deciding between attending Northwestern Law and University of Pittsburgh School of Law. I haven't received financial aid information from NW yet, but the median grant is around $20,000, so assume that's what I've been awarded. I received a full ride at Pitt Law.

Obviously I'm concerned about the geographical reach of PItt, although I'd be happy to spend the beginning of my career at a firm in Pittsburgh. The prestige of Northwestern appeals to me but the price tag seems insane.

Please help!

Are there really no options in-between sticker at a T14 and a full-ride at a 50% employment school?

If you are focused on Big Law, Northwestern is an underrated school. That said, sticker + Chicago COL (even with a $20K grant) is pretty terrifying. If you come out below median (very possible, probably more than likely given your numbers), it's a crapshoot.

If retaking isn't an option, I'd take the full ride to Pitt. If you can retake, then retake.

I'm going to cast my vote for Pitt. First, it's a full ride. Second: it's in Pittsburgh, the most awesome city in America.

I went to Pitt for undergrad and regret ever leaving Pittsburgh. I may be biased.

I have a hard time believing there's no options between a full ride at the 81st best school and acceptance at the 12th best school - please tell me that you didn't just apply to these two schools?

Let's not assume that you have been awarded any money from NULS until you have.

Unless you want to live in Pitt permanently, retake is the only option between these two.

What are you stats? I wasn't aware that Pitt gave out full rides.

I'm in a similar situation - in at Northwestern (but likely with little to no money) and a full ride at Cardozo.

The only option is retake/reapply unless you want to live in Pittsburg forever (in which case Pitt at full ride). Even if your stats don't improve this year you should be able to get a full ride at a school with much better placement (ex. WUSTL is like 35% big law + fed clerkship).

If you want to go into Biglaw, you should clearly go with NU. Over 50 percent of their students get Biglaw. Bet on yourself, and go for it. NU opens doors Pitt law simply can't. If, on the other hand, you want to live in Pittsburgh and are not interested in Biglaw at all, then go with the full ride.

_

This really isn't a decision. Northwestern or apply next fall, first round. Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

sparty99 wrote:Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

Is this common/standard practice (asking multiple times)?

northwestern, no contest

theycallmefoes wrote:

sparty99 wrote:Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

Is this common/standard practice (asking multiple times)?

Last cycle I negotiated my scholarship right when I got it (March) to no avail, then tried again in late July and got it doubled.

Cobretti wrote:

theycallmefoes wrote:

sparty99 wrote:Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

Is this common/standard practice (asking multiple times)?

Last cycle I negotiated my scholarship right when I got it (March) to no avail, then tried again in late July and got it doubled.

How exactly do you go about asking again though if they said no already?

Bajam wrote:

Cobretti wrote:

theycallmefoes wrote:

sparty99 wrote:Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

Is this common/standard practice (asking multiple times)?

Last cycle I negotiated my scholarship right when I got it (March) to no avail, then tried again in late July and got it doubled.

How exactly do you go about asking again though if they said no already?

I came at them with a job offer I'd received in the meantime. Its best to have new ammo, but also with continuing decline in total applicants you can always just use the generic "I think I will have a more competitive application with these numbers next cycle" (which i also brought up).

Cobretti wrote:

Bajam wrote:

Cobretti wrote:Last cycle I negotiated my scholarship right when I got it (March) to no avail, then tried again in late July and got it doubled.

How exactly do you go about asking again though if they said no already?

I came at them with a job offer I'd received in the meantime. Its best to have new ammo, but also with continuing decline in total applicants you can always just use the generic "I think I will have a more competitive application with these numbers next cycle" (which i also brought up).

Good to know - thanks! What about negotiating an additional increase after having already received one? Can that be done?

theycallmefoes wrote:

Cobretti wrote:

Bajam wrote:

Cobretti wrote:Last cycle I negotiated my scholarship right when I got it (March) to no avail, then tried again in late July and got it doubled.

How exactly do you go about asking again though if they said no already?

I came at them with a job offer I'd received in the meantime. Its best to have new ammo, but also with continuing decline in total applicants you can always just use the generic "I think I will have a more competitive application with these numbers next cycle" (which i also brought up).

Good to know - thanks! What about negotiating an additional increase after having already received one? Can that be done?

There is never a harm in trying. Its just negotiations, there's nothing personal, and that's how the adcomms see it. Just be sure to do it respectfully to maximize your chances of getting a response.

It seems like there should be better full-ride options available if you got into Northwestern. Did you apply to any other schools?

Northwestern by a mile

Full ride at Pitt. Enjoy Pittsburgh. Seriously--awesome city

theycallmefoes wrote:

sparty99 wrote:Ask for more money at Northwestern. If they say no, ask again a few months down the line. Ask about 3x until you enroll.

Is this common/standard practice (asking multiple times)?

That guy who keeps saying go to PITT needs to STFU. No one cares how "great" the city is.

Don't worry about what is common/standard practice. Do you want to pay close to full-price? NO. So you MUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND get the cost of the degree as LOW AS POSSIBLE. I asked multiple times and it worked. Sometimes they said, no. Then a few months later, I asked again. Got more.

Dear (Admissions Director, FInancial Aid Director, Dean of the Law School):

I wanted to follow up with regards to our correspondence in May and see if you are able to increase my scholarship offer?



I have spoken with (insert school) alumni and I am nervous about the amount of debt that I will incur at graduation (approximately $80,000-$140,000). I have been offered a full tuition scholarship at (another school), which will result in a debt load of $40,000 at the time of graduation.



I am very interested in (insert school), however, my scholarship offer at (another school) is giving me second thoughts regarding enrolling at (insert school). As a result, I would like to know if you are able to increase your scholarship offer?



I am grateful for your scholarship award and appreciate any additional funding that you can provide.

Dear Admissions:

Thank you for taking the time to review my application, and especially for offering me a seat in your 2014 class. It is an honor to receive acceptance into your program.

When deciding what law school to attend one of my primary considerations will be financial. I have been offered a full tuition scholarship at Pittsburgh and generous scholarship assistance at UCLA, which includes no gpa/class rank stipulations. My total debt load from these programs will be $0 - $25,000 upon graduation (this includes tuition, housing, and fees). While Northwestern Law School is at the top of my list, these financial offers have made choosing a law school a difficult decision. As a result, I would like to know if you are able to provide non-repayable financial assistance so that I can pursue my legal education at Northwestern Law School. (OR: As a result, I would like to know if you can increase your scholarship offer of $15,000 a year).

I understand that there are limited funds for merit aid at Northwestern Law School, and I am grateful for any consideration that you might give me.

Warm Regards,

Dear Dean:

I hope you are doing well. I was recently accepted to Michigan Law School. Michigan offered me a grant award and in-state tuition during the second, third, and fourth year at the school. This grant award and reduced in-state tuition after the first year, will greatly reduce my debt load upon graduation.

I have spoken with UCLA alumni and I am nervous about the amount of debt that I will incur at graduation (approximately $90,000-$170,000). I am very interested in UCLA, however, my acceptance at the University of Michigan is giving me second thoughts regarding enrolling at UCLA. As a result, I would like to know if you are able to increase your scholarship offer or are you able to provide grant assistance so that I can pursue my legal education at UCLA?

I understand that there are limited funds and I am grateful for any consideration that you might give me.

Best,