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Hi all - I created a new account since my last account was basically my name. I'm at a top 20 school and I applied to transfer to Harvard, Columbia, Chicago and Northwestern. I applied to Northwestern mostly as a way to negotiate scholarship with my current school. The other three schools I would strongly consider. I'm currently borderline top 10% (school doesn't disclose).

My dilemma is that I've been accepted to Northwestern but haven't heard from the other three and probably won't until after NW's deadline to accept this Monday. I don't want to use my silver bullet scholarship negotiation since NW will be less leverage than a Chicago or the like, but I also don't want to be locked out of the other three and then stuck with no leverage at my current school.

Advice?

Can you deposit and Northwestern and withdraw if you get in elsewhere/get more $ at your current school?

Full disclosure: I am currently hoping for an admit to NU, but as it seems that a lot of schools will not do much in the way of negotiating scholarships with people contemplating transferring, don't deposit at a school unless you would want to go to it (or you might lose the deposit and not get any increased money from your current school)

Wouldn't the increased scholarship from NU cover the cost of the deposit? If you think you can get at least $500 or whatever from negotiating over your NU acceptance, it covers itself and eliminates risk. Seems like you should just fork over the cash.

I guess it depends on how likely you think you'll be able to draw a scholarship out of NU. Clearly you thought it was likely enough to pay the $100 or so in app fees - is it likely enough to cover the $500 or so? Answer that and I think you have the answer to your question.

Obviously not sure what NU's deal is, but NYU's intent to enroll form requires withdrawal from your current university. Can you deposit without doing so?

Useless without knowing current school.

Agree that it would help to know your current law school.

I could be wrong, but I doubt it is going to make that big of a difference if you walk in to negotiate with an acceptance from NU vs Chicago/etc. NU is still a fantastic school. I think you just have to sell that you are serious about transferring.

Also, a lot of us haven't had much luck in negotiating extra money from our current schools this year. So be ready for that.

Current school is Minnesota. NU allows me to deposit without withdrawing from my current school, so I do have that option.

But it's also an interesting thought that the difference in rank btwn NU and Chicago wouldn't matter to my current school. I just assumed it would - do you think that's true?

The difference between NW and the other schools you have applied to (for purely negotiation purposes) will not make a difference, if they are going to be "pursuaded" to keep you they are going to make the offer regardless.

I would make it now so you know whats on the table in case you are denied everywhere else and waited to long to negotiate.