Penn Law Class of 2019 Forum

[aviendha]

Had my Toll interview this past weekend; was a pleasant experience. Based on what I was told, it sounds like we could be hearing back either way, earliest, by the end of this week. Good luck to all Toll applicants!

So it could be sometime next week?

[norton123]

So I just got info from the financial aid office. Don't qualify for any need based aid, which is not a surprise. But, it says my estimated family contribution is $60k/year. Does this mean I can only borrow the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and this expected family contribution? My parents' contribution to my legal education will be nowhere close to $60k annually, so if I can't borrow more than $25k/year I simply can't afford to attend Penn. Can anyone shed light on this?

[pittsburghpirates]

So I just got info from the financial aid office. Don't qualify for any need based aid, which is not a surprise. But, it says my estimated family contribution is $60k/year. Does this mean I can only borrow the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and this expected family contribution? My parents' contribution to my legal education will be nowhere close to $60k annually, so if I can't borrow more than $25k/year I simply can't afford to attend Penn. Can anyone shed light on this?

You can always borrow for the expected family contribution. So don't worry about that!

ETA: If you click on the blue link in your FinAid portal, it will confirm this for you!

[norton123]

So I just got info from the financial aid office. Don't qualify for any need based aid, which is not a surprise. But, it says my estimated family contribution is $60k/year. Does this mean I can only borrow the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and this expected family contribution? My parents' contribution to my legal education will be nowhere close to $60k annually, so if I can't borrow more than $25k/year I simply can't afford to attend Penn. Can anyone shed light on this?

You can always borrow for the expected family contribution. So don't worry about that!

Wow thanks for the quick reply! That puts me at ease. I am looking to only borrow federal loans - Stafford and Grad Plus - because I plan to do public interest work and those are the only type that qualify for TolLRAP. Does borrowing over the expected family contribution include Grad Plus? I'm not sure if you can only borrow in federal money based on the school's calculation of what you would need. Sorry if that's a silly question. Thanks for everyone's help!

[penn19]

Had my Toll interview this past weekend; was a pleasant experience. Based on what I was told, it sounds like we could be hearing back either way, earliest, by the end of this week. Good luck to all Toll applicants!

So it could be sometime next week?

Well, hopefully this week. lol.

[gobears!!]

Had my Toll interview this past weekend; was a pleasant experience. Based on what I was told, it sounds like we could be hearing back either way, earliest, by the end of this week. Good luck to all Toll applicants!

So it could be sometime next week?

Well, hopefully this week. lol.

I believe the last interviews are today. Hopefully the turn around is quick. I'm also expecting them to be waterfalled out because I'm sure not every recipient will accept (thanks HYS). But good luck y'all!

[MouseRat]

Just got a Wilson! They want a decision by Friday though, so it seems like there may be some quick turnarounds coming up.

[James.K.Polk]

Just got a Wilson! They want a decision by Friday though, so it seems like there may be some quick turnarounds coming up.

Woohoo! Congrats!! Still waiting on FA here; hopefully it's today

[aviendha]

Had my Toll interview this past weekend; was a pleasant experience. Based on what I was told, it sounds like we could be hearing back either way, earliest, by the end of this week. Good luck to all Toll applicants!

So it could be sometime next week?

Well, hopefully this week. lol.

I believe the last interviews are today. Hopefully the turn around is quick. I'm also expecting them to be waterfalled out because I'm sure not every recipient will accept (thanks HYS). But good luck y'all!

Thanks, good to know

[MouseRat]

Just got a Wilson! They want a decision by Friday though, so it seems like there may be some quick turnarounds coming up.

Woohoo! Congrats!! Still waiting on FA here; hopefully it's today

Thanks!! They seemed very open to follow-up emails FWIW. It took me two reminder emails and an in-person visit to get my offer.

[JusPassItToWill]

Just got a Wilson! They want a decision by Friday though, so it seems like there may be some quick turnarounds coming up.

Woohoo! Congrats!! Still waiting on FA here; hopefully it's today

Thanks!! They seemed very open to follow-up emails FWIW. It took me two reminder emails and an in-person visit to get my offer.

Congrats, Mouserat!

If I reached out to them initially (by email) last Tuesday, do you think I should follow up with them again today or tomorrow, or just wait to hear back from them? I'm not in the area, so I can't really do an in-person visit.

[MouseRat]

Just got a Wilson! They want a decision by Friday though, so it seems like there may be some quick turnarounds coming up.

Woohoo! Congrats!! Still waiting on FA here; hopefully it's today

Thanks!! They seemed very open to follow-up emails FWIW. It took me two reminder emails and an in-person visit to get my offer.

Congrats, Mouserat!

If I reached out to them initially (by email) last Tuesday, do you think I should follow up with them again today or tomorrow, or just wait to hear back from them? I'm not in the area, so I can't really do an in-person visit.

Thanks! Have you heard back at all? I would send a reminder email - definitely won't hurt. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss more!

[James.K.Polk]

Any news? Penn's offer (no matter the amount) is really the only thing between me and making a decision...

[slizerd]

Any news? Penn's offer (no matter the amount) is really the only thing between me and making a decision...

I feel like the most likely date to hear back from finaid would be next Monday, since it'll be past the 15th deadline for named schollies and still before the deposit date

[James.K.Polk]

Any news? Penn's offer (no matter the amount) is really the only thing between me and making a decision...

I feel like the most likely date to hear back from finaid would be next Monday, since it'll be past the 15th deadline for named schollies and still before the deposit date

And the same day as the Northwestern deposit deadline, and past my self-imposed deadline of "Selection Sunday"

I guess if it's a big enough offer, I can't be mad but... I really thought they said it would be last week.

[Eloverro]

Kinda off topic while waiting patiently for that big big scholarship we all will receive, where would people live if they attended Upenn? I have read most people either go west philadelphia or center city, but thats a broad scope. Center city right next to Upenn or all the way near farmount? I can't decide if its worth having a nicer apartment to foresake the ability to walk to class. Anyone have any idea where you would live?

[slizerd]

Any news? Penn's offer (no matter the amount) is really the only thing between me and making a decision...

I feel like the most likely date to hear back from finaid would be next Monday, since it'll be past the 15th deadline for named schollies and still before the deposit date

And the same day as the Northwestern deposit deadline, and past my self-imposed deadline of "Selection Sunday"

I guess if it's a big enough offer, I can't be mad but... I really thought they said it would be last week.

Oh man that's rough hahah "selection Sunday" is great, if only law schools would help make it easier to meet those deadlines! Have you notified them that you're interested in attending but have looming deadlines so need to know aid soon? (Sorry if you've mentioned that previously)

[Biglaw1990]

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[pdevastey]

Kinda off topic while waiting patiently for that big big scholarship we all will receive, where would people live if they attended Upenn? I have read most people either go west philadelphia or center city, but thats a broad scope. Center city right next to Upenn or all the way near farmount? I can't decide if its worth having a nicer apartment to foresake the ability to walk to class. Anyone have any idea where you would live?

i live in the city and would strongly suggest living in university city (West philly but close to the schools Drexel and penn), at least for your first year that way it eases the commute, getting used to the city and just keeps you in a college community. it is cheaper than most places in the city. i wouldn't live further west than 52nd street. North you shouldnt past spring garden or further south than baltimore ave.( give or take a few blocks) Center city is fine(more expensive) but then your commute gets slightly longer and past 8 pm the El( market franford line) it runs slower and you would get annoyed waiting for it for too long like i used to.

[pittsburghpirates]

So I just got info from the financial aid office. Don't qualify for any need based aid, which is not a surprise. But, it says my estimated family contribution is $60k/year. Does this mean I can only borrow the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and this expected family contribution? My parents' contribution to my legal education will be nowhere close to $60k annually, so if I can't borrow more than $25k/year I simply can't afford to attend Penn. Can anyone shed light on this?

You can always borrow for the expected family contribution. So don't worry about that!

ETA: If you click on the blue link in your FinAid portal, it will confirm this for you!

What FinAid portal? I'm confused. Do you mind shedding light on this?

In the email that cane from FinAid, there was a link to see the award. Following that link, there are several tabs in that sheet including the award letter and a financial aid worksheet. The financial aid worksheet is where the blue links are that I was referring to

[Biglaw1990]

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[pittsburghpirates]

So I just got info from the financial aid office. Don't qualify for any need based aid, which is not a surprise. But, it says my estimated family contribution is $60k/year. Does this mean I can only borrow the difference between the estimated cost of attendance and this expected family contribution? My parents' contribution to my legal education will be nowhere close to $60k annually, so if I can't borrow more than $25k/year I simply can't afford to attend Penn. Can anyone shed light on this?

You can always borrow for the expected family contribution. So don't worry about that!

ETA: If you click on the blue link in your FinAid portal, it will confirm this for you!

What FinAid portal? I'm confused. Do you mind shedding light on this?

In the email that cane from FinAid, there was a link to see the award. Following that link, there are several tabs in that sheet including the award letter and a financial aid worksheet. The financial aid worksheet is where the blue links are that I was referring to

There was not a link in my financial aid email. I was only granted merit aid and I didn't apply for need-based aid, so maybe that's why.

Yeah that's definitely possible. Guess I should caveat the above and say that was just true for me but may not be for others. That said, can still definitely borrow for expected family contribution

[Eloverro]

Kinda off topic while waiting patiently for that big big scholarship we all will receive, where would people live if they attended Upenn? I have read most people either go west philadelphia or center city, but thats a broad scope. Center city right next to Upenn or all the way near farmount? I can't decide if its worth having a nicer apartment to foresake the ability to walk to class. Anyone have any idea where you would live?

i live in the city and would strongly suggest living in university city (West philly but close to the schools Drexel and penn), at least for your first year that way it eases the commute, getting used to the city and just keeps you in a college community. it is cheaper than most places in the city. i wouldn't live further west than 52nd street. North you shouldnt past spring garden or further south than baltimore ave.( give or take a few blocks) Center city is fine(more expensive) but then your commute gets slightly longer and past 8 pm the El( market franford line) it runs slower and you would get annoyed waiting for it for too long like i used to.

Thanks for this! I was contemplating center city but it seems a bit expensive for what I want. Really not looking to live in a shitbox for the next 3 years so I would like a bit more space and relatively nice amenities. Thanks for the help!

[slizerd]

Just deposited!! Hope to see you guys there in the fall

[MeganB]

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