Scholarship Stipulations Forum
- Young Marino
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Scholarship Stipulations
I don't really understand how this works. For example, say I'm considering "law school X" due to a scholly that covers 80% of tuition as long as I maintain a 2.8 gpa. That doesn't seem like such a tough task but then the whole "grading on a curve" thing comes into play which I don't understand at all. What does that mean? If I get 2 A's and 3 B's my first semester of LS isn't that a 3.4 gpa? Does the "curve" actually bring that down?
- kay2016
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
The curve would go into effect before you get a grade in a class.
Let's say that the curve at your school is a 3.0 (in order to keep math nice)
That means that everyone could B's (3.0) and that the curve would work out.
Or that for every person that get's an A (4.0), someone must get a C (2.0)
Or any variation in between with plusses and minuses. So if they're all good exams, the separation between an A exam and a B or even a C exam may be minimal, depending on how your prof uses the curve.
So you could look into your prospective school and see what they're 1L class curve is.. Then more experienced users can probably help you calculate the odds of keeping your scholarship.. The school also can give you information (if it isn't posted somewhere) that will show how many students lost their scholarship last year, etc.
Good luck!
Let's say that the curve at your school is a 3.0 (in order to keep math nice)
That means that everyone could B's (3.0) and that the curve would work out.
Or that for every person that get's an A (4.0), someone must get a C (2.0)
Or any variation in between with plusses and minuses. So if they're all good exams, the separation between an A exam and a B or even a C exam may be minimal, depending on how your prof uses the curve.
So you could look into your prospective school and see what they're 1L class curve is.. Then more experienced users can probably help you calculate the odds of keeping your scholarship.. The school also can give you information (if it isn't posted somewhere) that will show how many students lost their scholarship last year, etc.
Good luck!
- Young Marino
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- Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2013 6:36 pm
Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Ok so basically, as long as I handle my shit I'll be ok? I won't have to worry about losing my scholly as long as MY gpa stays above 3.0 (hypothetically)? So in that case, what is the use of negotiating a lower stip if all I'm getting is maybe .2-.4 points of leeway?kayleighcheyenne wrote:The curve would go into effect before you get a grade in a class.
Let's say that the curve at your school is a 3.0 (in order to keep math nice)
That means that everyone could B's (3.0) and that the curve would work out.
Or that for every person that get's an A (4.0), someone must get a C (2.0)
Or any variation in between with plusses and minuses. So if they're all good exams, the separation between an A exam and a B or even a C exam may be minimal, depending on how your prof uses the curve.
So you could look into your prospective school and see what they're 1L class curve is.. Then more experienced users can probably help you calculate the odds of keeping your scholarship.. The school also can give you information (if it isn't posted somewhere) that will show how many students lost their scholarship last year, etc.
Good luck!
- jetsfan1
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:14 pm
Re: Scholarship Stipulations
The curve is different at each school though, so you should find out what the curve is for your school. Hypothetically, if its a 3.5 you should be ok. But if the curve is a 2.7? You could be in trouble. Thats the key variable.
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Thanks for the response but how would having a curve at 2.7 gpa constitute as "trouble" vs. a 3.5 gpa?jetsfan1 wrote:The curve is different at each school though, so you should find out what the curve is for your school. Hypothetically, if its a 3.5 you should be ok. But if the curve is a 2.7? You could be in trouble. Thats the key variable.
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- kay2016
- Posts: 1119
- Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:23 am
Re: Scholarship Stipulations
ALeal90 wrote:Thanks for the response but how would having a curve at 2.7 gpa constitute as "trouble" vs. a 3.5 gpa?jetsfan1 wrote:The curve is different at each school though, so you should find out what the curve is for your school. Hypothetically, if its a 3.5 you should be ok. But if the curve is a 2.7? You could be in trouble. Thats the key variable.
I think they meant if the curve (ie the average GPA of all 1Ls) is a 3.5, you should have a VERY good chance at staying above a 2.8..
If the curve (the average GPA) is a 2.7, then there's a greater than 50% chance you will be below the curve, and lose your scholarship. So negotiating the stipulation could save you a lot in that instance
- thesealocust
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- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:50 pm
Re: Scholarship Stipulations
In law school, the class is ranked from first to last. The letter grades you get are just abstractions of that fact. The curve is the means by which professors ensure even distribution of grades to allow for that ranking.
A scholarship requiring X GPA is in effect requiring you to outperform Y% of your peers.
Sometimes, that is reasonable - it might be a 2.7 GPA stipulation at a school with a 3.3 GPA median, meaning you only need to avoid the bottom 10% or so of the class.
Sometimes, this is insane - it might be a 3.3 stipulation at a school with a 3.0 GPA median, meaning you will lose your scholarship if for any reason you don't perform better than a substantial majority of your peers.
Since everyone at the school will be smart and working hard, it's always risky to assume you'll be able to meet a scholarship stipulation of the latter category, hence the negotiation.
A scholarship requiring X GPA is in effect requiring you to outperform Y% of your peers.
Sometimes, that is reasonable - it might be a 2.7 GPA stipulation at a school with a 3.3 GPA median, meaning you only need to avoid the bottom 10% or so of the class.
Sometimes, this is insane - it might be a 3.3 stipulation at a school with a 3.0 GPA median, meaning you will lose your scholarship if for any reason you don't perform better than a substantial majority of your peers.
Since everyone at the school will be smart and working hard, it's always risky to assume you'll be able to meet a scholarship stipulation of the latter category, hence the negotiation.
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Ok I think I'm getting it. Now say for school X, cum laude begins at 3.2 and the scholly stip is 2.8. Would the median then be some where between that? Like 3.0 or something? I guess I would have to find out the median of my class after my 1L correct?
- thesealocust
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Schools are generally relatively public about the grade distribution. But just knowing where cum laude begins + what the stipulation is won't be enough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_la ... GPA_curves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_la ... GPA_curves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution
- jetsfan1
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Exactly.I think they meant if the curve (ie the average GPA of all 1Ls) is a 3.5, you should have a VERY good chance at staying above a 2.8..
If the curve (the average GPA) is a 2.7, then there's a greater than 50% chance you will be below the curve, and lose your scholarship. So negotiating the stipulation could save you a lot in that instance
No they are pretty public about it, you can normally figure it out, and it stays pretty consistent over the years. Here's a wikipedia linkOk I think I'm getting it. Now say for school X, cum laude begins at 3.2 and the scholly stip is 2.8. Would the median then be some where between that? Like 3.0 or something? I guess I would have to find out the median of my class after my 1L correct?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_la ... GPA_curves
Edit: Ah, you beat me to it haha
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Yea I don't see the schools im looking at on this list. I'll probably just figure it out later when I start getting into places.. thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. But I guess the general rule is try to get the median gpa higher than the stip gpa or have em about even?
- Nova
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Try to go to a school that doesn't put stipulations on the scholarship.
Most good schools don't have stipulations beyond don't flunk out.
Most good schools don't have stipulations beyond don't flunk out.
Last edited by Nova on Sun Jun 02, 2013 10:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- thesealocust
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
The general rule is much closer to "schools that attach stipulations to scholarships are universally awful and you probably should retake the LSAT."ALeal90 wrote:Yea I don't see the schools im looking at on this list. I'll probably just figure it out later when I start getting into places.. thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. But I guess the general rule is try to get the median gpa higher than the stip gpa or have em about even?
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- Scotusnerd
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
This. I go to a TTT and even they don't have stips on my scholarship. That should tell you something about the schools that have them (Strong regional school, however.)thesealocust wrote:The general rule is much closer to "schools that attach stipulations to scholarships are universally awful and you probably should retake the LSAT."
- Emma.
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
The bigger issue with stipulations is that many of these schools will stack a section with all the scholarship kids. So you end up in a situation where in every class you are competing against people in the same situation you are. And because of the forced curve, some scholarship recipients will definitely lose their $$.ALeal90 wrote:Yea I don't see the schools im looking at on this list. I'll probably just figure it out later when I start getting into places.. thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it. But I guess the general rule is try to get the median gpa higher than the stip gpa or have em about even?
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Just found out for school X the median gpa is 3.13.. so if I have a stip at 2.8, I have a decent shot a retaining correct?
- kalvano
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
That's a stupid stipulation and you should just ask them to waive it.
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- Nova
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Florida?
I think thats like top 85%...
I think thats like top 85%...
- thesealocust
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
All things considered, a pretty good chance. Certainly not one of the worst offeners.ALeal90 wrote:Just found out for school X the median gpa is 3.13.. so if I have a stip at 2.8, I have a decent shot a retaining correct?
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route. Not saying I will but it's good to know what I'd be getting myself into if I do..thesealocust wrote:All things considered, a pretty good chance. Certainly not one of the worst offeners.ALeal90 wrote:Just found out for school X the median gpa is 3.13.. so if I have a stip at 2.8, I have a decent shot a retaining correct?
- Nova
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
dont do thatALeal90 wrote:Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route.
you have a 3.8....
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- Clearly
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
This. Seriously.Nova wrote:dont do thatALeal90 wrote:Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route.
you have a 3.8....
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Dude if I don't get into a tier 1, I'm taking the best financial package possible, which will prob be a full ride or close to a full ride at a TTTT. I'm not going to a TT at sticker when I have a better shot at getting to the top of my class at TTTT and have an opportunity to minimize my debt. Retaking is probably not an option(unless I score so low that I have to) because I will be out of the country from October to March and I really don't want to wait another cycle. Appreciate your insight thoughNova wrote:dont do thatALeal90 wrote:Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route.
you have a 3.8....
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
Drop the "better shot at getting to the top of my class at TTTT" and I agree with the above. Law school is a different beast, and your undergrad stats do not predict where you will end up ranking wise. Every year, PLENTY of people take TT/TTT/TTTT offers with that same mindset and end up losing their money. Tons of people (myself included) had exactly the same thought you did when selecting a lower-ranked school. It's not like you're going to be the only smart person there, and don't try to convince yourself that because you did better on the LSAT and had a higher UGPA you're somehow more prepared for law school.ALeal90 wrote:Dude if I don't get into a tier 1, I'm taking the best financial package possible, which will prob be a full ride or close to a full ride at a TTTT. I'm not going to a TT at sticker when I have a better shot at getting to the top of my class at TTTT and have an opportunity to minimize my debt.Nova wrote:dont do thatALeal90 wrote:Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route.
you have a 3.8....
- Young Marino
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Re: Scholarship Stipulations
I'm not saying all that and I'm definitely not saying that I'm not going to give every ounce of energy in my body to get into that top percentile. In law school everybody is smart but above all, hard working. I HAVE to commit to being the hardest worker there no matter the cost. That's the only way I'm succeeding.. I'm looking at it like I'm preparing for a 3 year war. Not to mention, law school X is about half an hour from where my folks live. I can commute from home and bring down my C.O.L. and outside stress levels significantly. All I would have to do is focus on LS. No bills, no cleaning, no annoying undergrad neighbors and no other worries except for my grades and that my friend, is a beautiful thingjustcallmeit wrote:Drop the "better shot at getting to the top of my class at TTTT" and I agree with the above. Law school is a different beast, and your undergrad stats do not predict where you will end up ranking wise. Every year, PLENTY of people take TT/TTT/TTTT offers with that same mindset and end up losing their money. Tons of people (myself included) had exactly the same thought you did when selecting a lower-ranked school. It's not like you're going to be the only smart person there, and don't try to convince yourself that because you did better on the LSAT and had a higher UGPA you're somehow more prepared for law school.ALeal90 wrote:Dude if I don't get into a tier 1, I'm taking the best financial package possible, which will prob be a full ride or close to a full ride at a TTTT. I'm not going to a TT at sticker when I have a better shot at getting to the top of my class at TTTT and have an opportunity to minimize my debt.Nova wrote:dont do thatALeal90 wrote:Thanks that definitely makes me feel a whole lot better about taking the TTTT route.
you have a 3.8....
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