Georgetown Law Class of 2019 Forum

[JuliusCaesar]

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[cub1014]

Just got the opportunity scholarship! I am so thrilled right now with this offer!

[squirtlesquad14]

Super confused by an email I just received from GULC. This is in reference to an "opportunity scholar": "This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is for $xxxxx per year for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

Does this mean my need based offer stacks with this offer? Or am I reading this wrong? I'm confused because although the two processes are separate, I thought you only got the higher of the two offers.

You get whichever is higher. All of their scholarship awards say that.

My latest scholarship bump email read "We are delighted to increase your academic scholarship for the entering class of 2016. This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is now for $XXXXX for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

The way I read into it is, this dollar amount is what you will be getting each year. My guess is the awkward phrasing is that the actual money you receive any given year may come from either pool depending on how they spread things out, but you only get a total for the higher number. So like, for instance, if you received $25k in need-based and a $15k merit based, they may give you $15k merit aid and then $10k need-based aid so they can use that extra $15k from the need-based pool to help more students, but you are still receiving $25k.

[JuliusCaesar]

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[basedvulpes]

Ugh I thought Georgetown offered me a full ride until I figured out that need and merit don't combine.

[LSATasaurusRex]

Any updates on PILS?

[TheKisSquared]

Dean's tuition grants are need-based, right?
If so, this gives me hope that other schools will also offer me good need-based packages
If not, this actually sort of seems like a strong opening offer from GULC given offers from my other schools.
Either way I have a lot of thinking to do now.

[you what]

Just got an email with a link to my financial aid award. Since it's entirely in loan form, can I assume that I will not be offered any merit scholarship money? I requested merit aid about two weeks ago, and got the form email back, but no other response. Never got a feeler email or anything. I would really like to make a fully informed decision about where to attend, but man GULC makes it hard.

Congrats to all of you who're getting scholly money.

[TheKisSquared]

Just got an email with a link to my financial aid award. Since it's entirely in loan form, can I assume that I will not be offered any merit scholarship money? I requested merit aid about two weeks ago, and got the form email back, but no other response. Never got a feeler email or anything. I would really like to make a fully informed decision about where to attend, but man GULC makes it hard.

Congrats to all of you who're getting scholly money.

I think MyAccess is only showing need-based aid right now, but I'm hoping someone can verify this.

[squirtlesquad14]

Just got an email with a link to my financial aid award. Since it's entirely in loan form, can I assume that I will not be offered any merit scholarship money? I requested merit aid about two weeks ago, and got the form email back, but no other response. Never got a feeler email or anything. I would really like to make a fully informed decision about where to attend, but man GULC makes it hard.

Congrats to all of you who're getting scholly money.

I think MyAccess is only showing need-based aid right now, but I'm hoping someone can verify this.

If you have already been offered merit aid, it will show up (mine shows my original merit offer that has since been increased twice). But the only thing it being solely loans means for sure, is that you were not offered a need-based grant. Financial aid only handles need-based aid, merit based aid is determined separately through the admissions office.

[seagan823]

Any updates on PILS?

Check the spreadsheet. Someone got a call.
They are anon but you can find them on LSN if you cross reference the numbers. I sent an email today asking if we will know before Friday. I know they have a waitlist/make multiple rounds of offers, as PILS selected people usually have options. That info came from a former PILS. Anyway, the wait is killing me slowly.

[RTR2016]

Hey there guys! Long-time lurker checking in here.
I didn't receive a feeler email, but sent an email on 03/12 requesting merit based aid and received an offer yesterday afternoon of $20k/yr. Received an email from financial aid about need-based aid today and was offered more aid/year in Dean's Tuition Grant, so now trying to figure out who to negotiate with...does the office of financial aid even negotiate offers?
Because the two don't stack, my instinct is to negotiate the higher of the two offers (need-based), but I don't know if that is a possibility...any thoughts or advice?

[squirtlesquad14]

Hey there guys! Long-time lurker checking in here.
I didn't receive a feeler email, but sent an email on 03/12 requesting merit based aid and received an offer yesterday afternoon of $20k/yr. Received an email from financial aid about need-based aid today and was offered more aid/year in Dean's Tuition Grant, so now trying to figure out who to negotiate with...does the office of financial aid even negotiate offers?
Because the two don't stack, my instinct is to negotiate the higher of the two offers (need-based), but I don't know if that is a possibility...any thoughts or advice?

From everything I have heard, need based aid tends to be a limited pool, so you probably won't have much luck trying to negotiate it. It is basically a fixed number calculated based on everything you provide them, and only really fluctuates as you need changes (AKA it can go down...so you're better off getting as high of a merit offer as possible since that doesn't have a chance of being reduced for 2L or 3L).

[RTR2016]

Hey there guys! Long-time lurker checking in here.
I didn't receive a feeler email, but sent an email on 03/12 requesting merit based aid and received an offer yesterday afternoon of $20k/yr. Received an email from financial aid about need-based aid today and was offered more aid/year in Dean's Tuition Grant, so now trying to figure out who to negotiate with...does the office of financial aid even negotiate offers?
Because the two don't stack, my instinct is to negotiate the higher of the two offers (need-based), but I don't know if that is a possibility...any thoughts or advice?

From everything I have heard, need based aid tends to be a limited pool, so you probably won't have much luck trying to negotiate it. It is basically a fixed number calculated based on everything you provide them, and only really fluctuates as you need changes (AKA it can go down...so you're better off getting as high of a merit offer as possible since that doesn't have a chance of being reduced for 2L or 3L).

Thanks squirtlesquad. That's kind of what I was thinking, but just wanted some confirmation. Now to step up my hard ball negotiation game...

[RTR2016]

Ugh I thought Georgetown offered me a full ride until I figured out that need and merit don't combine.

That was me earlier this afternoon and man was that come-down a rough one once I figured that out. LOL

[basedvulpes]

Ugh I thought Georgetown offered me a full ride until I figured out that need and merit don't combine.

That was me earlier this afternoon and man was that come-down a rough one once I figured that out. LOL

I'm honestly kind of pissed off about it. Their email was so confusingly written that it feels like they're intentionally deceiving people.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Ugh I thought Georgetown offered me a full ride until I figured out that need and merit don't combine.

That was me earlier this afternoon and man was that come-down a rough one once I figured that out. LOL

I'm honestly kind of pissed off about it. Their email was so confusingly written that it feels like they're intentionally deceiving people.

the Andy way

[cub1014]

You guys are confusing me greatly.
"This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is for $XXXXX.XX per year for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

Does this mean the amount listed is the actual amount, or not?

[squirtlesquad14]

You guys are confusing me greatly.
"This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is for $XXXXX.XX per year for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

Does this mean the amount listed is the actual amount, or not?

The amount listed is what you will receive.

[cub1014]

You guys are confusing me greatly.
"This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is for $XXXXX.XX per year for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

Does this mean the amount listed is the actual amount, or not?

The amount listed is what you will receive.

If that is the case fantastic. The interesting thing about that is when I go to myaccess that number is the sum of the need and merit aid on my award page, but I keep hearing they don't stack. Perhaps it's possible opportunity scholarships are done differently?

[TheKisSquared]

Just got an email with a link to my financial aid award. Since it's entirely in loan form, can I assume that I will not be offered any merit scholarship money? I requested merit aid about two weeks ago, and got the form email back, but no other response. Never got a feeler email or anything. I would really like to make a fully informed decision about where to attend, but man GULC makes it hard.

Congrats to all of you who're getting scholly money.

I think MyAccess is only showing need-based aid right now, but I'm hoping someone can verify this.

If you have already been offered merit aid, it will show up (mine shows my original merit offer that has since been increased twice). But the only thing it being solely loans means for sure, is that you were not offered a need-based grant. Financial aid only handles need-based aid, merit based aid is determined separately through the admissions office.

Thanks! So basically, we might still hear about merit aid which hasn't been decided yet. GULC's process is definitely more confusing than others.

[squirtlesquad14]

You guys are confusing me greatly.
"This scholarship, in combination with any need-based grants you may receive or have received from Georgetown, is for $XXXXX.XX per year for each of three years of full-time study here at the Law Center."

Does this mean the amount listed is the actual amount, or not?

The amount listed is what you will receive.

If that is the case fantastic. The interesting thing about that is when I go to myaccess that number is the sum of the need and merit aid on my award page, but I keep hearing they don't stack. Perhaps it's possible opportunity scholarships are done differently?

They don't stack. Opportunity Scholarship itself is a mix of need and merit based aid. From their annual fund website asking for alumni support:

Opportunity Scholarships

Opportunity Scholarships are awarded to students with the highest academic credentials and the most significant financial need - exceeding $18,500 annually. A three year commitment (of $10,000/year) helps the Law Center be certain that the most highly qualified candidates have access to a Georgetown legal education and ensures that a student's financial resources are not a barrier to his or her decision to enroll at Georgetown Law.

Participants receive:
A student profile
An invitation to the Law Center's annual scholarship luncheon
Hogan Society membership

But as far as I can tell, they will also do that for regular awards to better allocate their resources. Like I had said before, say you receive a $15k merit award and a $25k need-based award, you'll get $25k...but $15k might be a merit award so they can save that other $15k of need-based aid to help other students.

[squirtlesquad14]

Just got an email with a link to my financial aid award. Since it's entirely in loan form, can I assume that I will not be offered any merit scholarship money? I requested merit aid about two weeks ago, and got the form email back, but no other response. Never got a feeler email or anything. I would really like to make a fully informed decision about where to attend, but man GULC makes it hard.

Congrats to all of you who're getting scholly money.

I think MyAccess is only showing need-based aid right now, but I'm hoping someone can verify this.

If you have already been offered merit aid, it will show up (mine shows my original merit offer that has since been increased twice). But the only thing it being solely loans means for sure, is that you were not offered a need-based grant. Financial aid only handles need-based aid, merit based aid is determined separately through the admissions office.

Thanks! So basically, we might still hear about merit aid which hasn't been decided yet. GULC's process is definitely more confusing than others.

As far as I can tell, no one has gotten an initial award (other than the Opportunity Scholarship recipients) yet since that first wave...and we all have until the 1st to submit the intent to enroll form to secure that scholarship, so I wouldn't be surprised if another wave of initial awards goes out on Monday the 4th once they know how much of their initial awards sent out are actually being accepted.

[Glasseyes]

Advice from I thread I created a few months back asking how to get $$$ at GULC.

My numbers are significantly lower than yours and I got a decent pile of money after heavy negotiations. Provided you play your cards right, you will do very well. Echoing everyone else, blanket everything from Columbia down, plus UCLA, Texas, Vanderbilt, Wash U, and GW. Negotiate at every school to maximize your bargaining power, then prepare to navigate the gauntlet...

If for some insane reason GULC doesn't offer money after your acceptance, email admissions and say you'd like to be considered for merit aid. Gently hound them until they offer to let you write the extra essay; once they offer it up, write the hell out of it. They'll ask you to name a figure that would allow you to attend: be reasonable, but you're negotiating, so start on the high side. You could be ballsy and ask for a full ride, but def request at least 120k—I have no idea if they actually go that high, but ask anyway. Again, gently hound them until they cave, which should be right before the initial deposit is due. The real key is to double deposit at whichever peer schools are offering more money than GULC. This is essential. Higher-ranked schools are better, obviously, but Texas should work, and possibly others. Before the second deposit deadline, reach out to GULC and see if there's room to negotiate again, expressing interest in the school as well as sadness that you ultimately have to make the best financial decision despite your passionate desire to attend GULC, blah blah. If they haven't already maxed out your scholarship, they'll probably buckle and give you another bump. Now, the best part: 1-2 weeks before orientation, ask again. Do it tactfully and just say that you're concerned about your finances, and that you've heard scholarship money sometimes opens up due to late-summer waitlist movements. They won't want to lose you, and may offer more money. Go forth and prosper.

Just to clarify, since I'm being quoted slightly out of context: the amounts I mentioned above relate to the OP in that thread, who had much better numbers than I did. If you're closer to medians and ask for a full ride you'll get laughed at, and they'll question your judgment. Caveat two: I'm a non traditional student with stronger softs than a lot of my classmates (at least on paper), so I have no idea if my approach will work for others. Some folks had similar results with similar methods, and others did not. And the last caveat: approach your negotiations delicately; be tactful, never aggressive. I heard a story recently where someone tried a hardball negotiation tactic late in the game at his top choice T20... the school not only called his bluff, they rescinded his acceptance. I can only assume he negotiated like an ass. Strongarm negotiations are not going to make this happen, not when there's always a waiting list full of desperate kids ready to take your spot and pay sticker. You're asking for help at this point, rather than exerting imaginary leverage.

[seagan823]

Advice from I thread I created a few months back asking how to get $$$ at GULC.

My numbers are significantly lower than yours and I got a decent pile of money after heavy negotiations. Provided you play your cards right, you will do very well. Echoing everyone else, blanket everything from Columbia down, plus UCLA, Texas, Vanderbilt, Wash U, and GW. Negotiate at every school to maximize your bargaining power, then prepare to navigate the gauntlet...

If for some insane reason GULC doesn't offer money after your acceptance, email admissions and say you'd like to be considered for merit aid. Gently hound them until they offer to let you write the extra essay; once they offer it up, write the hell out of it. They'll ask you to name a figure that would allow you to attend: be reasonable, but you're negotiating, so start on the high side. You could be ballsy and ask for a full ride, but def request at least 120k—I have no idea if they actually go that high, but ask anyway. Again, gently hound them until they cave, which should be right before the initial deposit is due. The real key is to double deposit at whichever peer schools are offering more money than GULC. This is essential. Higher-ranked schools are better, obviously, but Texas should work, and possibly others. Before the second deposit deadline, reach out to GULC and see if there's room to negotiate again, expressing interest in the school as well as sadness that you ultimately have to make the best financial decision despite your passionate desire to attend GULC, blah blah. If they haven't already maxed out your scholarship, they'll probably buckle and give you another bump. Now, the best part: 1-2 weeks before orientation, ask again. Do it tactfully and just say that you're concerned about your finances, and that you've heard scholarship money sometimes opens up due to late-summer waitlist movements. They won't want to lose you, and may offer more money. Go forth and prosper.

Just to clarify, since I'm being quoted slightly out of context: the amounts I mentioned above relate to the OP in that thread, who had much better numbers than I did. If you're closer to medians and ask for a full ride you'll get laughed at, and they'll question your judgment. Caveat two: I'm a non traditional student with stronger softs than a lot of my classmates (at least on paper), so I have no idea if my approach will work for others. Some folks had similar results with similar methods, and others did not. And the last caveat: approach your negotiations delicately; be tactful, never aggressive. I heard a story recently where someone tried a hardball negotiation tactic late in the game at his top choice T20... the school not only called his bluff, they rescinded his acceptance. I can only assume he negotiated like an ass. Strongarm negotiations are not going to make this happen, not when there's always a waiting list full of desperate kids ready to take your spot and pay sticker. You're asking for help at this point, rather than exerting imaginary leverage.

Sorry for the copy paste, that was reckless of me. Should have thought more about the context in wish you provided me that information. Thanks for clarifying for everyone and for the cautionary tale.