Any downsides to Early Action? Forum

[Nodbugger]

Say my GPA for this semester is just under the median for what GULC accepted last year. I apply Early action, will they flat out deny me? Or will they hold onto me and see what I get for my Spring Semester?

What if they do deny me and I destroy Spring Semester and raise my GPA a lot? Can I do regular decision still?

[jphiggo]

It's really in their interest to defer a decision rather than flat out reject an applicant if their 1L first semester grades are borderline, because they may be able to accept you after seeing your performance after your second semester. I imagine they reject only those who would not have any realistic chance, academic-wise, who have applied after their first semester.

With that said, I can give an answer to the broader question as to downsides to EA, especially at GULC, as the vast amounts of money you will spend to "hold" a spot. If you have grades that are really good, the likelihood that you will choose GULC over another T14 is small, so don't do what I did and keep paying them deposits...

[Nebby]

The only downside is that you'll spend $1800 to hold your spot by the time you hear back from other schools. Other than that, there's plenty of upsides

[m27]

It's really in their interest to defer a decision rather than flat out reject an applicant if their 1L first semester grades are borderline, because they may be able to accept you after seeing your performance after your second semester. I imagine they reject only those who would not have any realistic chance, academic-wise, who have applied after their first semester.

With that said, I can give an answer to the broader question as to downsides to EA, especially at GULC, as the vast amounts of money you will spend to "hold" a spot. If you have grades that are really good, the likelihood that you will choose GULC over another T14 is small, so don't do what I did and keep paying them deposits...

The only downside is that you'll spend $1800 to hold your spot by the time you hear back from other schools. Other than that, there's plenty of upsides

If you have a GPA at/above GULC's 75th percentile for transfers, would it be better to hold off submitting your application until closer to the deadline to avoid these fees?

[Nodbugger]

Thanks for the info, unless NU looks at my softs, and the fact that I'm already in Chicago and have lived in and around it my whole life, GULC will likely be my reach.

[jphiggo]

If you have a GPA at/above GULC's 75th percentile for transfers, would it be better to hold off submitting your application until closer to the deadline to avoid these fees?

Yes, in my opinion it would be. But, I know all too well how difficult that is to do in reality. It is nice having the GULC EA acceptance if you know you are going to transfer. It's basically a fall back option for you at that point. They know this too, however. There is a possibility that you will need to submit not just one, but two, deposits to hold your spot there while hearing back from the others after you obtain your second semester grades. It's a nice safety to have, but it's an expensive safety. If you have great grades now, it sounds like you know how to take a law school exam. With that said, your grades next semester will probably be good, too.

[071816]

the downside is that the action may be too early

[Nebby]

If you have a GPA at/above GULC's 75th percentile for transfers, would it be better to hold off submitting your application until closer to the deadline to avoid these fees?

Yes, in my opinion it would be.

[m27]

If you have a GPA at/above GULC's 75th percentile for transfers, would it be better to hold off submitting your application until closer to the deadline to avoid these fees?

Yes, in my opinion it would be.

Thanks jphiggo and Nebby. That's where my GPA is at now (3.9) and I would only consider actually transferring to H or CCN. Is it worth it to send an app to GULC for scholarship leverage or just wait to hear back from H/CCN and use that?

[clshopeful]

If you have a GPA at/above GULC's 75th percentile for transfers, would it be better to hold off submitting your application until closer to the deadline to avoid these fees?

Yes, in my opinion it would be.

Thanks jphiggo and Nebby. That's where my GPA is at now (3.9) and I would only consider actually transferring to H or CCN. Is it worth it to send an app to GULC for scholarship leverage or just wait to hear back from H/CCN and use that?

GULC and H/CCN are in different ballparks. I don't believe a 20k scholarship offer from GULC would make H/CCN even consider changing their offer

Edit: If you mean using GULC's offer to leverage your CURRENT school into more money, it's a good idea

[m27]

Edit: If you mean using GULC's offer to leverage your CURRENT school into more money, it's a good idea

Yes that's what I meant. Is it even possible to use an H/CCN transfer acceptance to get money from a GULC or lower T14 acceptance?

[jphiggo]

Edit: If you mean using GULC's offer to leverage your CURRENT school into more money, it's a good idea

Yes that's what I meant. Is it even possible to use an H/CCN transfer acceptance to get money from a GULC or lower T14 acceptance?

Unlikely. I only know of a handful of T14 schools that offer any money to transfers and it is all need-based, not merit-based, aid.

[clshopeful]

Do we TLSers know a full list of T1 schools w/ EA Transfer programs? Would be nice to have one,


I know of UChi, USC, and GULC. Any others have EA Transfers?

[TetrisBlock]

Do we TLSers know a full list of T1 schools w/ EA Transfer programs? Would be nice to have one,


I know of UChi, USC, and GULC. Any others have EA Transfers?

I think GULC is the only one with EA. The rest are ED (binding).