USC (Gould) c/o 2018 Forum

[LawsRUs]

Anyone with a scholly do the acceptance form yet? There's an option to reserve scholly but no be sure what school. Wondering if I should just check that box now so I don't stupidly forget to do it later.

Yea, I was confused by this. So I wasn't sure whether I should reserve my scholarship now, or wait until I've heard back from negotiating. I'll probably be "that person" who forgets to do it later. Also, if we reserve it now, does that mean we are locked in getting that amount (i.e. we can't ask for more, even if another school ups their offer?)?

[RubyRod]

I'm wondering if choosing the unsure option will prompt them to start the negotiations with me. I can't think of any reason why they would have that option other than to know which students they have to keep working on. The kids with schollys are important to their stats, so adcomms will definitely want to know what they can do.... or so I would think. I could be totally wrong and they will start trying to recruit a replacement for you.

[LawsRUs]

I can't think of any reason why they would have that [undecided] option other than to know which students they have to keep working on.

I agree with this. I can't think of any other reason either. What do others think about this?

Or is it just mec and I on this?

[UCLAHopeful2015]

I can't think of any reason why they would have that [undecided] option other than to know which students they have to keep working on.

I agree with this. I can't think of any other reason either. What do others think about this?

Or is it just mec and I on this?

+1 - mostly to show I'm on this, too

[RubyRod]

Also, if we reserve it now, does that mean we are locked in getting that amount (i.e. we can't ask for more, even if another school ups their offer?)?

Re locked in: Reading the language it does not seem to support any sort of lock on the amount since there is no binding agreement to attend being made. If you check a box simply expressing any level of interest in scholarship above 0, you are not really providing any sort of service/exchange for the scholarship making it no where near a binding agreement, legally speaking based off of copyrights, trademarks, business, contracts, and appropriating likeness type law classes I had to take in undergrad.

Re negotiating power: We are still free to choose another school or walk away from the cycle entirely so every bit of negotiating power still exists. Also the whole, if you're not sold they clearly didn't offer enough thing.

[RubyRod]

.

[LawsRUs]

Also giant wrench in the decision making process... I have a job interview tomorrow for an awesome position in the concert touring and festivals business that could be worth deferring for. Fook. Who thought a bunch of pretty good options could be such a headache. first world problems

mec, look at you go!!

(I think the threat of deferral can easily become more leverage for you.)

Also, thanks for your insight re: locked in. What'm I going to do without your help

GL at your interview, sounds like a fun position!

[RubyRod]

mec, look at you go!!

(I think the threat of deferral can easily become more leverage for you.)

Yes I will finally have something to negotiate with

Also, thanks for your insight re: locked in. What'm I going to do without your help

I will be living vicariously through this TLS thread if I wind up deferring

GL at your interview, sounds like a fun position!

Thanks!

[LawsRUs]

mec, I hope your interview went well !!
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New poll.
If others have any suggestions for these polls, pls feel free to post or pm.

[KITTEN4DINNER]

In last Friday. How long does it usually take to get scholarship info?

[LawsRUs]

In last Friday. How long does it usually take to get scholarship info?

Yea!! Welcome!!

A new person itt! Hoorah!!!!!

Congrats on your acceptance Kit!
The scholarship info came ~1 week for me, via email to check the myLaw portal.

I hope you get loads Kit!!

[UOI4430]

I think the poll should read "Pacific North West" for us WA and OR folk.

[LawsRUs]

I think the poll should read "Pacific North West" for us WA and OR folk.

Thanks UOI!! Fixed now. Thanks for letting me know.

[RubyRod]

Anyone try to negotiate using a lower offer from vandy? Difference between USC and Vandy offers are $25k?

Side Note: How did Vandy wind up making dumb enough choices to have virtually no difference in estimated COA other than the tuition cost difference of 7k?

ETA: Who did you address your negotiation email to at USC?

[supersplittysplitter]

Anyone try to negotiate using a lower offer from vandy? Difference between USC and Vandy offers are $25k. Difference in tuition now would make up 21k but USC has had a higher average tuition hike... Anyone have luck with this?

Side Note: How did Vandy wind up making dumb enough choices to have virtually no difference in estimated COA other than the tuition cost difference of 7k?

ETA: Who did you address your negotiation email to at USC?

interested in this as well. Would like to negotiate with USC using schollys from higher ranked schools, only problem is my USC scholly is about $25k-$40k higher, so negotiating is going to be a little awkward.

[MikeJD]

I doubt Vanderbilt will work because of the location and USC beats them in big law placement basically every year. I think UCLA or a t-14 are needed to get more $$ from USC. In fact I don't think they would even match Vanderbilt if you want to work in California if Vanderbilt was giving you more.

[RubyRod]

I doubt Vanderbilt will work because of the location and USC beats them in big law placement basically every year. I think UCLA or a t-14 are needed to get more $$ from USC. In fact I don't think they would even match Vanderbilt if you want to work in California if Vanderbilt was giving you more.

Vandy is still in an entertainment hub, ranked higher, and USC matched a full ride to WUSTL for someone on here.
ETA employment percentage at Vandy is in the 80s while USCs is in the 60s

[MikeJD]

I doubt Vanderbilt will work because of the location and USC beats them in big law placement basically every year. I think UCLA or a t-14 are needed to get more $$ from USC. In fact I don't think they would even match Vanderbilt if you want to work in California if Vanderbilt was giving you more.

Vandy is still in an entertainment hub, ranked higher, and USC matched a full ride to WUSTL for someone on here.
ETA employment percentage at Vandy is in the 80s while USCs is in the 60s

You can try but I doubt it. Vandy had a much better year for class of 2013 employment much smaller class size helped with that. They don't care that Vandy is ranked higher because it's a regional school. They matched a full ride from WUSTL this cycle??

You are in at UCLA right?? Plays those two against one another, that has worked for many people.

[RubyRod]

You are in at UCLA right?? Plays those two against one another, that has worked for many people.

Yes I am. Hoping to get both of them up with Vandy first then play them against one another. UCLA was surprisingly low in their offer. I'm not a splitter so I don't really understand why.

[LawsRUs]

ETA: Who did you address your negotiation email to at USC?

Mary Bingham, Director of Financial Services
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Does Vandy not negotiate or something?
You could play the country music card, mec, I know how much you like it ; I'm kidding.

Concerns about employment

Not sure if this will work--
Using the difference in interests on loans after X number of years in repayment (depending on how much you borrow, it could be significant, more than $5k)

[RubyRod]

Does Vandy not negotiate or something?

I think only 1 person had any luck with negotiating and it was very minimal. They say they do not negotiate, and when they send the scholarship they send out all of this cost of living and tuition comparisons. I was actually surprised at how much they gave me, thought it would be less based off of how stingy they've been. Conversely UCLA was disappointing.

You could play the country music card, mec, I know how much you like it ; I'm kidding.

I actually am playing the entertainment industry hub card since that's one of my big positives about USC I'll pretend to like country for this kind of money!

Concerns about employment

I have a letter written but am unsure of how to write these statistics in without sounding negative towards the school. I feel like I shouldn't be smack talking their employment stats.

[LawsRUs]

Two sentences in passive voice should be sufficient right? I mean I'm sure they are aware of them.

Meanwhile I haven't started negotiating with SC. The second school has not gotten back to me. Super worried..

[KITTEN4DINNER]

Thanks Laws!! YTM

[LawsRUs]

Thanks Laws!! YTM

Kit, how is 'SC looking for you? Top choice? Top 2, 5? Or not seriously considering?

And how 'bout for you Mike? Splitty? UOI? And others?

And pls feel free to post about random shit, like best places to eat around USC.

[KITTEN4DINNER]

USC is a strong 2, but that's mainly because I haven't received an offer yet. Definitely my favorite school, but my number 1 is offering a full scholarship - which is why it's my number 1.