Columbia students taking questions Forum

[etramak]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

[Nebby]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

[jbagelboy]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Idk. Tough to say retake a 171 (and if the GPA is bad, might not make a difference). If your choice is between Columbia at sticker and Fordham, I would go to Columbia. Those two schools do not provide substantially similar opportunities. If your choice is between Duke with $90k and Columbia at sticker, and your goal is generic biglaw, Duke provides substantially similar opportunities in most respects, and you save yourself a lot of pain going there. If there are no lower T14 with large scholarship options, the choice becomes more difficult and you have to weigh opportunity costs of extraneous choices like improving your application profile (which could include a higher LSAT or more work experience), not attending, or attending at sticker. I don't think there are zero circumstances that could justify going to a top law school at sticker cost, they are just few and far between.

[badlefthook]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

[Nebby]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

This is way too broad

[etramak]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Would if I could but I took it three times already. Wasted a take with a cancel and scored significantly below what I was prepping in my other 2 takes so I think I'm just bad on test day, to the point where it could be a huge waste of time to sit out another cycle.

My GPA is 3.9-3.93 range so I think I'd have a shot at a scholly at a lower t14, but, like I said I'm kind of attached to NYC

[jbagelboy]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Would if I could but I took it three times already. Wasted a take with a cancel and scored significantly below what I was prepping in my other 2 takes so I think I'm just bad on test day, to the point where it could be a huge waste of time to sit out another cycle.

My GPA is 3.9-3.93 range so I think I'd have a shot at a scholly at a lower t14, but, like I said I'm kind of attached to NYC

you should be getting a lot more than $0 from CLS with 171/3.9, and certainly more than $0 from NYU. And I understand being attached to NY, but with those numbers, you could swing a full ride to several lower T14s. Also this is crazy premature.

[badlefthook]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

This is way too broad

Ya it's broad. Just trying to create a portrait of the best case scenario of life at CLS vs. the worst case scenario.

On another note, would love to hear about anybody's experience with the SDNY externship, and if anybody has knowledge of folks who have worked in a USAO or State Attorney General's office right out of school.

[etramak]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Would if I could but I took it three times already. Wasted a take with a cancel and scored significantly below what I was prepping in my other 2 takes so I think I'm just bad on test day, to the point where it could be a huge waste of time to sit out another cycle.

My GPA is 3.9-3.93 range so I think I'd have a shot at a scholly at a lower t14, but, like I said I'm kind of attached to NYC

you should be getting a lot more than $0 from CLS with 171/3.9, and certainly more than $0 from NYU. And I understand being attached to NY, but with those numbers, you could swing a full ride to several lower T14s. Also this is crazy premature.

I know it's premature, but it's something that's really been bugging me as I research schools. LSN has 0% of students with my numbers reporting scholarships, I'm glad to hear you say that isn't the case.

[RSN]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

I asked this same question two years ago and got yelled at, which I didn't understand at the time but now I do, because law school is like 85-90% of your life while you're in it, and so this question is essentially asking "what are the best and worst things in your life right now," which is tough to answer. It's also very hard to split "things that are good and bad about Columbia" from "things that are good and bad about law school," and I think you're trying to get at the first one.

All that said, for Columbia, the typical answer you'll hear, and what I'd say, is that our bureaucracy is often frustratingly mediocre and inexplicably annoying to deal with, but we go to school with awesome people in a great community and have killer job prospects, which are much more important day to day.

[jbagelboy]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

I asked this same question two years ago and got yelled at, which I didn't understand at the time but now I do, because law school is like 85-90% of your life while you're in it, and so this question is essentially asking "what are the best and worst things in your life right now," which is tough to answer. It's also very hard to split "things that are good and bad about Columbia" from "things that are good and bad about law school," and I think you're trying to get at the first one.

All that said, for Columbia, the typical answer you'll hear, and what I'd say, is that our bureaucracy is often frustratingly mediocre and inexplicably annoying to deal with, but we go to school with awesome people in a great community and have killer job prospects, which are much more important day to day.

Yea. Awesome classmates, great friends, some brilliant and influential faculty, supportive community, unparalleled opportunities, both inside the law school and professionally, and living in new york would be highlights.

[Thelaw23]

At what point do you apply for an externship/clinic for 2L? At the end of your 1L second semester?

[White Dwarf]

At what point do you apply for an externship/clinic for 2L? At the end of your 1L second semester?

Applications for clinics/externships are due the first week in April.

[badlefthook]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

I asked this same question two years ago and got yelled at, which I didn't understand at the time but now I do, because law school is like 85-90% of your life while you're in it, and so this question is essentially asking "what are the best and worst things in your life right now," which is tough to answer. It's also very hard to split "things that are good and bad about Columbia" from "things that are good and bad about law school," and I think you're trying to get at the first one.

All that said, for Columbia, the typical answer you'll hear, and what I'd say, is that our bureaucracy is often frustratingly mediocre and inexplicably annoying to deal with, but we go to school with awesome people in a great community and have killer job prospects, which are much more important day to day.

Thank you very much this is helpful. Sat in on an international finance class a couple weeks ago and was beyond impressed with the students. Very serious, professional, and engaged. Could not have been more different from a class I visited at Boalt, where the vibe was more laid back, quiet, nobody really asking any questions, etc. My only big concern is living in NYC. It just doesn't really fit my personality at all and everytime I visit I kind of hate it. But I'm thinking more and more I need to just suck it up because I was blown away by CLS and the students I met.

[jbagelboy]

For any Columbia students/alums who feels like answering, would love to know what you like most about attending Columbia and what you like least. TIA

I asked this same question two years ago and got yelled at, which I didn't understand at the time but now I do, because law school is like 85-90% of your life while you're in it, and so this question is essentially asking "what are the best and worst things in your life right now," which is tough to answer. It's also very hard to split "things that are good and bad about Columbia" from "things that are good and bad about law school," and I think you're trying to get at the first one.

All that said, for Columbia, the typical answer you'll hear, and what I'd say, is that our bureaucracy is often frustratingly mediocre and inexplicably annoying to deal with, but we go to school with awesome people in a great community and have killer job prospects, which are much more important day to day.

Thank you very much this is helpful. Sat in on an international finance class a couple weeks ago and was beyond impressed with the students. Very serious, professional, and engaged. Could not have been more different from a class I visited at Boalt, where the vibe was more laid back, quiet, nobody really asking any questions, etc. My only big concern is living in NYC. It just doesn't really fit my personality at all and everytime I visit I kind of hate it. But I'm thinking more and more I need to just suck it up because I was blown away by CLS and the students I met.

lol. you probably saw LLMs.

NYC is awesome tho. you'll love it.

[Stay-at-Home Son]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Would if I could but I took it three times already. Wasted a take with a cancel and scored significantly below what I was prepping in my other 2 takes so I think I'm just bad on test day, to the point where it could be a huge waste of time to sit out another cycle.

My GPA is 3.9-3.93 range so I think I'd have a shot at a scholly at a lower t14, but, like I said I'm kind of attached to NYC

you should be getting a lot more than $0 from CLS with 171/3.9, and certainly more than $0 from NYU. And I understand being attached to NY, but with those numbers, you could swing a full ride to several lower T14s. Also this is crazy premature.

I know it's premature, but it's something that's really been bugging me as I research schools. LSN has 0% of students with my numbers reporting scholarships, I'm glad to hear you say that isn't the case.

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

[RSN]

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

Sounds like your instincts are probably right, but what's your general job plan and how much money from Cornell?

[Stay-at-Home Son]

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

Sounds like your instincts are probably right, but what's your general job plan and how much money from Cornell?

Risk-averse is the way to be, apparently. As for my job plan, I always intended to go into BL, potentially doing tax or M&A work, with an eye toward moving in-house around a decade out of school. I work at a large corporation now, regularly interfacing and making connections with attorneys here, and have gotten some helpful advice on this front.

So here's the thing: Cornell's offering $25k/year, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that much, though of course it's enough to steer me away from sticker at CLS. I applied later in the cycle, and I think this hurt my chances at getting more aid. As if I needed another reason to hate myself.

Does any of that change the calculus?

[jbagelboy]

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

Sounds like your instincts are probably right, but what's your general job plan and how much money from Cornell?

Risk-averse is the way to be, apparently. As for my job plan, I always intended to go into BL, potentially doing tax or M&A work, with an eye toward moving in-house around a decade out of school. I work at a large corporation now, regularly interfacing and making connections with attorneys here, and have gotten some helpful advice on this front.

So here's the thing: Cornell's offering $25k/year, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that much, though of course it's enough to steer me away from sticker at CLS. I applied later in the cycle, and I think this hurt my chances at getting more aid. As if I needed another reason to hate myself.

Does any of that change the calculus?

That's a tough call. I think CLS can be worth $75k more than Cornell.

[Stay-at-Home Son]

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

Sounds like your instincts are probably right, but what's your general job plan and how much money from Cornell?

Risk-averse is the way to be, apparently. As for my job plan, I always intended to go into BL, potentially doing tax or M&A work, with an eye toward moving in-house around a decade out of school. I work at a large corporation now, regularly interfacing and making connections with attorneys here, and have gotten some helpful advice on this front.

So here's the thing: Cornell's offering $25k/year, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that much, though of course it's enough to steer me away from sticker at CLS. I applied later in the cycle, and I think this hurt my chances at getting more aid. As if I needed another reason to hate myself.

Does any of that change the calculus?

That's a tough call. I think CLS can be worth $75k more than Cornell.

Forgot to mention that during 2L and 3L I could conceivably work 20+hrs/week remotely in my current job to borrow less. Not sure how much that matters.

[Stay-at-Home Son]

In a similar though less desirable situation here: 171/3.73, somewhat attached to NYC due to personal relationships, would hate to turn down a CLS acceptance, but I'm treating sticker debt as functionally the same as a rejection. Parents definitely can't help. My gf will most likely move to the city after PA school with a salary that will allow her to live comfortably, and the idea is that I'd mooch off of/live with her while at CLS, but this just seems like too much of an unknown on which to base such an enormous decision. I got a generous $0 from NYU today, which doesn't bode well for getting money from CLS, but I'm trying to stay positive. As the old Russian adage goes, a pessimist thinks things cannot get worse; an optimist knows they can.

I have a decent offer from Cornell, and I did like the school when I visited. As much as I love CLS, I'm sure you'll all say I'd be stupid to pay sticker with an offer from another school that has not-too-dissimilar post-grad job opportunities. I should give up on the hope of getting aid from CLS and steel my nerves for the brutal Ithaca winters, right?

Sounds like your instincts are probably right, but what's your general job plan and how much money from Cornell?

Risk-averse is the way to be, apparently. As for my job plan, I always intended to go into BL, potentially doing tax or M&A work, with an eye toward moving in-house around a decade out of school. I work at a large corporation now, regularly interfacing and making connections with attorneys here, and have gotten some helpful advice on this front.

So here's the thing: Cornell's offering $25k/year, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that much, though of course it's enough to steer me away from sticker at CLS. I applied later in the cycle, and I think this hurt my chances at getting more aid. As if I needed another reason to hate myself.

Does any of that change the calculus?

That's a tough call. I think CLS can be worth $75k more than Cornell.

I have an idea of what you mean by that, but could you elaborate a little bit? Would the difference just be that I'm paying down debt for an added two years or so, but with better career prospects?

[dabigchina]

Many parents won't pay for graduate school, but if push came to shove and their kid was looking at default, they could and would bail them out and make their payments.

I would add that even if your parents are comfortable with paying for your grad school, evaluate how comfortable you will be with accepting that much help from your parents, especially if they aren't wealthy enough to write a check for 200k+ without batting an eye. Even if you aren't getting saddled with actual debt, owing your parents that much money, even if it comes in the form of a gift, could definitely take a psychic toll on some people.

I certainly won't be asking my parents for any help. I live in NYC and, while I'll still apply to a few schools outside of the city, want to go to law school here. I prefer Columbia to NYU but my 171 LSAT means I'd be paying sticker or close to sticker at both schools according to LSN (that is, if I'm accepted. You'll all kill me for even suggesting this but I'm toying with the idea of ED since recent lsn data suggests a slight bump for candidates with my numbers).

Would you all suggest going for a Fordham scholarship instead? I've been working to get accepted to T6 schools since my sophomore year of UG and I really really hate the idea of turning down an offer from Columbia.

Retake the LSAT and try to get 173+

Would if I could but I took it three times already. Wasted a take with a cancel and scored significantly below what I was prepping in my other 2 takes so I think I'm just bad on test day, to the point where it could be a huge waste of time to sit out another cycle.

My GPA is 3.9-3.93 range so I think I'd have a shot at a scholly at a lower t14, but, like I said I'm kind of attached to NYC

you should be getting a lot more than $0 from CLS with 171/3.9, and certainly more than $0 from NYU. And I understand being attached to NY, but with those numbers, you could swing a full ride to several lower T14s. Also this is crazy premature.

I know it's premature, but it's something that's really been bugging me as I research schools. LSN has 0% of students with my numbers reporting scholarships, I'm glad to hear you say that isn't the case.

I know someone with a 170 3.9 who's here @ sticker. I could see you getting nothing.

That being said, go to Duke or something and fly here on the weekends. 200k buys a lot of plane tickets.

[etramak]

What about a Columbia student interested in PI who pays sticker? Is LRAP that generous?

[Nebby]

What a Columbia student interested in PI who pays sticker? Is LRAP that generous?

It would cover the debt, yes, but likely not the best financial decision

[benwyatt]

What a Columbia student interested in PI who pays sticker? Is LRAP that generous?

It would cover the debt, yes, but likely not the best financial decision

Also depends on how much money you're making.
LRAP is complicated and a one sentence answer on it is impossible.