Northwestern ED Forum

[Moneytrees]

I was wondering if there is any downside about doing early decision to Northwestern. I'm awaiting my LSAT score from September (have a 163 and 165 already) but I know that getting accepted through ED is extremely tough. Even if you don't have the requisite stats, is there any downside to throwing a hail mary in this case? Any thoughts?

[03152016]

if your stats aren't competitive for nu ed, is there a disadvantage to applying for it?
depends on how uncompetitive your stats are and your goals

if your goal is to minimize debt and you're not biglaw or bust
and a hail mary ed to nu prevents the possibly of a more viable ed to gw or wustl (this totally depends on your numbers, get those first)
it's possible you'll lose your best crack at a full ride from a top school

if you're looking strictly at t13+1 and your numbers aren't getting you $$$
then i don't think i see a downside
though obv don't get your hopes up

[Moneytrees]

That makes sense. I'm hoping to improve on the LSAT by at least 2 or 3 points, which I know still wouldn't be competitive for NU's ED. But I have decent softs and some good work experience, so I might go ahead and do it (even though I would keep my expectations in check, obviously).

Also, that's an interesting point about GW. Do you happen to know what stats you need to be competitive for that ED?

[twenty]

Do you happen to know what stats you need to be competitive for that ED?

3.75+/168+

Those are cumulative stats over the last three years, though. It may be even lower this cycle.

[slexisl1024]

if your stats aren't competitive for nu ed, is there a disadvantage to applying for it?
depends on how uncompetitive your stats are and your goals

if your goal is to minimize debt and you're not biglaw or bust
and a hail mary ed to nu prevents the possibly of a more viable ed to gw or wustl (this totally depends on your numbers, get those first)
it's possible you'll lose your best crack at a full ride from a top school

if you're looking strictly at t13+1 and your numbers aren't getting you $$$
then i don't think i see a downside
though obv don't get your hopes up

I think TITCR

[WeeBey]

if your stats aren't competitive for nu ed, is there a disadvantage to applying for it?
depends on how uncompetitive your stats are and your goals

if your goal is to minimize debt and you're not biglaw or bust
and a hail mary ed to nu prevents the possibly of a more viable ed to gw or wustl (this totally depends on your numbers, get those first)
it's possible you'll lose your best crack at a full ride from a top school

if you're looking strictly at t13+1 and your numbers aren't getting you $$$
then i don't think i see a downside
though obv don't get your hopes up

I think TITCR

I have no interest outside T13, I'm only aiming for BigLaw and I have an IP background (I'd rather do corporate though but any market paying job would be nice). Also I know URM cycles are unpredictable but I'd take 150k at NU over H. The only downside is if I somehow get a full ride to CCN which would not happen, or a real full ride to a T14 (NU is still short 6K a year). You'd be only left with 20k a year which you could even attempt to pay off with summer jobs and 2L SA, but you wouldn't even try with sticker loans.

I just feel like unless your a prestige whore, or want a clerkship/academia or have numbers competitive for a T6 full ride, NU 150k fucking great. MVPBDCN from what I can tell on LST are interchangeable (Yea if I had full rides to multiple I'd take the lower ranked or N/P since id rather live in the city, but a penny less id take the cheaper one).

I'd rather take a 160k at a V100 and have no debt than 160k at a V5 with a QUARTER OF A FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS in debt. Instead of paying rent in NYC and loan payments (which you wont ever get back) you could buy a condo, get a mortgage and build equity. So when you flame out 3-5 years, instead of being 100k in debt, you could have 200k in assets.

[star fox]

Only downside is they might offer the same scholly without the ed. But generally, no, just get rolled over to RD.

[Tiago Splitter]

I'd rather take a 160k at a V100 and have no debt than 160k at a V5 with a QUARTER OF A FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS in debt. Instead of paying rent in NYC and loan payments (which you wont ever get back) you could buy a condo, get a mortgage and build equity. So when you flame out 3-5 years, instead of being 100k in debt, you could have 200k in assets.

I was with you until this. A below median bro is lucky to snag any 160k firm in NYC he can find. He's not picking his favorite 160k firm in Des Moines.

[WeeBey]

I'd rather take a 160k at a V100 and have no debt than 160k at a V5 with a QUARTER OF A FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS in debt. Instead of paying rent in NYC and loan payments (which you wont ever get back) you could buy a condo, get a mortgage and build equity. So when you flame out 3-5 years, instead of being 100k in debt, you could have 200k in assets.

I was with you until this. A below median bro is lucky to snag any 160k firm in NYC he can find. He's not picking his favorite 160k firm in Des Moines.

LST has them at 63.3 100+ law firm and Fed Clerkships and 13.7 went into business that paid 99k-120k-135k which arent gonna be the kids in the bottom of the class.

I think that depends on how far below median. 55% and 65% aren't really different in the grand scheme of things. From what I've read I think middle third is solid with smart bidding, and bottom third is when you start running into trouble. Also only 21% are going to NYC so a bunch self select out of the easiest market to get.

If I somehow get accepted to NU ED, I think I'd be able to find something that pays market as long as im not in the bottom 1/4 through doing the PLIP since i have a ip background (and even if i strike out their that experience will help me at OCI), only bidding NYC at OCI, mass mailing from the get go and whatever affirmative action there might be in the hiring process.

[Mullens]

I applied and was accepted ED at NU, but think it's only a good idea if your numbers are in a certain sweet spot.

If you have a below-median GPA and median+ LSAT score it might be your best shot at big money.

If you're over both medians, I wouldn't advise applying ED, even if NU is your first choice. NU has been very generous with scholarship money recently and gives out $165,000 scholarships to some people over both medians (though it may take negotiating offers from peer or higher ranked schools). You will also be foreclosing your opportunities at higher ranked schools where you might receive a competitive scholarship offer.

I'm not aware of anyone who got in ED with a below-median LSAT score, btw. My understanding is that the school uses it to firm up the LSAT median as high GPAs are easier to find than high LSAT scores.

[Moneytrees]

I applied and was accepted ED at NU, but think it's only a good idea if your numbers are in a certain sweet spot.

If you have a below-median GPA and median+ LSAT score it might be your best shot at big money.

If you're over both medians, I wouldn't advise applying ED, even if NU is your first choice. NU has been very generous with scholarship money recently and gives out $165,000 scholarships to some people over both medians (though it may take negotiating offers from peer or higher ranked schools). You will also be foreclosing your opportunities at higher ranked schools where you might receive a competitive scholarship offer.

I'm not aware of anyone who got in ED with a below-median LSAT score, btw. My understanding is that the school uses it to firm up the LSAT median as high GPAs are easier to find than high LSAT scores.

Thanks for the insight.

[WeeBey]

I applied and was accepted ED at NU, but think it's only a good idea if your numbers are in a certain sweet spot.

If you have a below-median GPA and median+ LSAT score it might be your best shot at big money.

If you're over both medians, I wouldn't advise applying ED, even if NU is your first choice. NU has been very generous with scholarship money recently and gives out $165,000 scholarships to some people over both medians (though it may take negotiating offers from peer or higher ranked schools). You will also be foreclosing your opportunities at higher ranked schools where you might receive a competitive scholarship offer.

I'm not aware of anyone who got in ED with a below-median LSAT score, btw. My understanding is that the school uses it to firm up the LSAT median as high GPAs are easier to find than high LSAT scores.

From my research, NU places just as well as any lower T14 excluding Penn. And the only way I'd go to law school next year in the states is a T14 full or HYS. Since getting a full ride to CCNP is unlikely for me and that I would take a full ride over HYS, without an ED my best possible cycle would probably have one or two full rides to the lower T14 and I don't really see any distinction between MVBDCN. My personal preference would be UVA(weather) then Cornell(NY placement) then NU (nice city). And ED isnt even a sure thing. Out of 10, its a 9 in most favourable outcome with a 10 being a Ruby or Butler or NYU full

[Tiago Splitter]

I'd rather take a 160k at a V100 and have no debt than 160k at a V5 with a QUARTER OF A FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS in debt. Instead of paying rent in NYC and loan payments (which you wont ever get back) you could buy a condo, get a mortgage and build equity. So when you flame out 3-5 years, instead of being 100k in debt, you could have 200k in assets.

I was with you until this. A below median bro is lucky to snag any 160k firm in NYC he can find. He's not picking his favorite 160k firm in Des Moines.

LST has them at 63.3 100+ law firm and Fed Clerkships and 13.7 went into business that paid 99k-120k-135k which arent gonna be the kids in the bottom of the class.

I think that depends on how far below median. 55% and 65% aren't really different in the grand scheme of things. From what I've read I think middle third is solid with smart bidding, and bottom third is when you start running into trouble. Also only 21% are going to NYC so a bunch self select out of the easiest market to get.

If I somehow get accepted to NU ED, I think I'd be able to find something that pays market as long as im not in the bottom 1/4 through doing the PLIP since i have a ip background (and even if i strike out their that experience will help me at OCI), only bidding NYC at OCI, mass mailing from the get go and whatever affirmative action there might be in the hiring process.

To be clear I think just about anyone at NU will do fine if they focus on NYC. 160k outside of NYC is really tough.

[bl1nds1ght]

I'd rather take a 160k at a V100 and have no debt than 160k at a V5 with a QUARTER OF A FUCKING MILLION DOLLARS in debt. Instead of paying rent in NYC and loan payments (which you wont ever get back) you could buy a condo, get a mortgage and build equity. So when you flame out 3-5 years, instead of being 100k in debt, you could have 200k in assets.

I was with you until this. A below median bro is lucky to snag any 160k firm in NYC he can find. He's not picking his favorite 160k firm in Des Moines.

There's only one firm I know of in the DSM that pays 160k (I think it's a specialized boutique). Otherwise, Belin is 140k, Dorsey is like 110-120k, Faegre is right at 100k, and Nyemaster is at like 90k or something.