Should I apply through Chicago Law Scholars? Forum

[Beuv]

Hello everyone! I am very conflicted about how to apply (for the next application cycle).

Stats:
GPA - 3.85-3.9
LSAT - 175
STEM major
Decent softs, but nothing amazing

Essentially I am not particularly attracted to any school, except I want to go to a school that will throw the most scholarship at me (very loan-averse). I am currently attending UChicago, so I have the opportunity to apply through the Chicago Law Scholars program (binding and if accepted, guarantees $150,000). The one thing preventing me from applying through this program is the prospect that I may get more money from other schools. I was wondering if anyone has any advice? Should I apply through Chicago Law Scholars or should I cast a wider net within the T14 and hope I will get more money?

I hope I don't sound greedy! My parents are not around for any type of financial support. Thank you everyone in advance

[Rigo]

Would you rather stay in Chicago than go to Columbia or NYU?

[Dr.Degrees_Cr.Cash]

Do uchi under grads who apply regular decision do worse than their counter parts?

I think you reasonably in the running for a Ruby as is so I don't think you need to do the binding, and you'd have the opportunity for named scholarships other places.

[Rigo]

Yeah I’m wondering if being .01 or .02 below median GPA disqualifies for a Ruby.
Definitely Hamilton territory, I’d think.

[icechicken]

Do uchi under grads who apply regular decision do worse than their counter parts?

I've heard anecdotally that it can get marginal applicants yield-protected. OP's numbers are good enough that they should be fine anyway, though.

Yeah I’m wondering if being .01 or .02 below median GPA disqualifies for a Ruby.

There are a number of MyLSN profiles with GPAs as low as 3.69 that got the Ruby. It's definitely possible below 3.9

OP, if you have the stomach for it, the optimal strategy in terms of maximizing scholarships is probably to apply RD next cycle, and then, if you're not satisfied with the offers you get, to apply through Law Scholars the year after that. You're a strong candidate for a full ride somewhere in the T13, and it sounds like you'd prefer that outcome to $150k at UChicago, so I'd take the shot.

[Rigo]

You’re going to get a full ride to a great school. I’d apply broadly. You might just snag a Ruby (so better than $150k) anyways.

[runinthefront]

Yeah, I think the real question is whether you value 150k from Chicago over a full-ride from Duke/Penn/NU/UVA/Cornell, etc; with a shot at > 150k from Columbia, Chicago, NYU.

I'd apply broadly here if I were you, but if you think UChi at a substantial discount is head and shoulders better than a full-ride at UVA or something, then you wouldn't be crazy for applying to Chi. Law Scholars.

[Beuv]

Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you for the advice. I greatly appreciate it!

It does seem like it would be better for me to apply broadly rather than ED at Chicago, in case i get more scholarship money. My only fear is that I might not get any offer better than $150,000 from any school and if I apply RD to Chicago I might not get any money in the end. Then I'd have to reapply (which I am trying to avoid because that's...emotionally and mentally taxing). Is there any general trend for large scholarships in any of the t14 schools with my stats?

[Rigo]

Yeah you have numbers for a full ride at every single T13 (excluding HYS because they’re need-based).
Write really solid Why essays for everything outside of HYSCCN.

[Rigo]

I really really don’t see a world in which you’d come up empty handed unless you have a ridiculously flawed application or C&F issue we don’t know about.

[goingnutslawschool]

You have incredible stats- especially your GPA at UChicago (essentially earning A+’s in most of your classes). Almost unheard of. Although I haven’t applied yet, you should apply broadly and see what happens. Unless you are absolutely sure that you want to stay in Chicago for some reason like family, friends or just love the area.