Cornell Law Class of 2019 Forum

[runthetrap1990]

Come play blackjack with me, 0Ls

[cantexplaingottago]

Come play blackjack with me, 0Ls

Blackjack, eh?

[summer2015]

Hi everyone! Is anyone here an international student and already decided on attending Cornell?
If so, have you received any information regarding I-20 forms from the admissions office? I don't know if the office is too busy right now, but they haven't responded to my emails. Thanks!

[Yea All Right]

Anyone else kinda bummed that Cornell's numbers slipped this year while almost every other T14 school rose? It's a small class so a lot of it's probably just margin of error, but I actually thought that Cornell's #s would increase this year considering the big law hiring boom.

Also, since Hughes is down for renovation is everyone just renting off-campus?

You had me worried there for a sec but it turns out that 5 T14s went down in BL/FC #s. 9 T14s going up is a lot different from "almost every other" T14 going up.

[miku015]

Anyone else kinda bummed that Cornell's numbers slipped this year while almost every other T14 school rose? It's a small class so a lot of it's probably just margin of error, but I actually thought that Cornell's #s would increase this year considering the big law hiring boom.

Also, since Hughes is down for renovation is everyone just renting off-campus?

You had me worried there for a sec but it turns out that 5 T14s went down in BL/FC #s. 9 T14s going up is a lot different from "almost every other" T14 going up.

Haha apologies, when I posted Berkeley/GULC/NYU hadn't been released yet. Penn is down like...1% I would say that's just noise/self-selection probably.

[skimmilk]

I wasn't able to attend Cornell for either ASD. Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts and concerns about Cornell? Also what was the environment like? Do the students seem happy? Thanks!

[TheDapperDruid]

I wasn't able to attend Cornell for either ASD. Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts and concerns about Cornell? Also what was the environment like? Do the students seem happy? Thanks!

Thoughts:
• I thought the law school was pretty darn nice. Between the student lounge, the reading room, and the classrooms, everything looked to be on par with what you'd expect from an Ivy... Certainly blew BU and BC out of the water, IMO. Although, those are the only other schools I've seen, so I'm not sure how Cornell stacks up in relation to others.
• The professor that was subbed in for the mock class was actually very engaging and made the class quite enjoyable.
• The free food was pretty good, even great I'd say.
• The law students that my tour guide ran into along the way all seemed to be enthusiastic/happy, not in a "lets make our school look good" kind of way either, and everyone seemed to know each other, which seems like a nice community to have.

Concerns:
• My only concerns are in regard to the parking and housing. The parking situation on campus seems to be limited to metered lots or the parking garage, which is about a 10 minute walk to the law school. I also don't believe that this parking is guaranteed either. As for housing, Hughes hall is not available for the coming year, and the only on-campus housing that's within a reasonable distance of the law school is 13 South Ave. When it comes to 13 South, a reasonable distance is actually about 100ft, which is pretty darn awesome, but there are 30 rooms, only some of which will be available. As for off-campus housing, most of what I saw was pretty trashy/depressing and the prices didn't compensate for this. I hear CTT is nice, but I really can't justify $1000+ per month in rent.

[skimmilk]

I wasn't able to attend Cornell for either ASD. Would anyone be willing to share their thoughts and concerns about Cornell? Also what was the environment like? Do the students seem happy? Thanks!

Thoughts:
• I thought the law school was pretty darn nice. Between the student lounge, the reading room, and the classrooms, everything looked to be on par with what you'd expect from an Ivy... Certainly blew BU and BC out of the water, IMO. Although, those are the only other schools I've seen, so I'm not sure how Cornell stacks up in relation to others.
• The professor that was subbed in for the mock class was actually very engaging and made the class quite enjoyable.
• The free food was pretty good, even great I'd say.
• The law students that my tour guide ran into along the way all seemed to be enthusiastic/happy, not in a "lets make our school look good" kind of way either, and everyone seemed to know each other, which seems like a nice community to have.

Concerns:
• My only concerns are in regard to the parking and housing. The parking situation on campus seems to be limited to metered lots or the parking garage, which is about a 10 minute walk to the law school. I also don't believe that this parking is guaranteed either. As for housing, Hughes hall is not available for the coming year, and the only on-campus housing that's within a reasonable distance of the law school is 13 South Ave. When it comes to 13 South, a reasonable distance is actually about 100ft, which is pretty darn awesome, but there are 30 rooms, only some of which will be available. As for off-campus housing, most of what I saw was pretty trashy/depressing and the prices didn't compensate for this. I hear CTT is nice, but I really can't justify $1000+ per month in rent.

Thank You! I have some worries about housing/parking too :/

[Dante181]

deleted

[Lavitz]

Welp, got completely shut down in my request for a second reconsideration (think it might have even been an automated response with how quick the reply was). Not sure if Cornell/freezing in Ithaca is worth 150k...Anyone know if the first deposit is binding/requires us to withdraw other offers?

I gave them a call the other day and was told that you are required to withdraw from other offers as well as any pending decisions.

This is complete BS. First of all, if that were the case, I have no idea why it wouldn't be in writing. Second, although I'm aware that some schools are trying to get away with the bolded, it still violates the LSAC statement of good admission and financial aid practices, and it would likely be completely unenforceable (what is the school going to do if you stay on another school's waitlist, get admitted and go there instead?). See https://www.law.yale.edu/admissions/jd- ... hool-scams .

[Dante181]

deleted

[Lavitz]

It could have been an error on the part of the person I spoke to, or maybe they misunderstood me. By "pending decision", I meant schools that haven't given any decision yet rather than schools that have put you on a wait list, if that makes any difference.

Right, I'm criticizing the admission office, not you. And that shouldn't make a difference. You still haven't received a decision of admit or deny, and in my opinion (and apparently LSAC's opinion) it's unethical to make applicants withdraw from those schools without a final decision.

[miku015]

It could have been an error on the part of the person I spoke to, or maybe they misunderstood me. By "pending decision", I meant schools that haven't given any decision yet rather than schools that have put you on a wait list, if that makes any difference.

Right, I'm criticizing the admission office, not you. And that shouldn't make a difference. You still haven't received a decision of admit or deny, and in my opinion (and apparently LSAC's opinion) it's unethical to make applicants withdraw from those schools without a final decision.

With that said, I find it strange they don't post their rules about seat deposits anywhere on their website nor on their acceptance e-mails. How enforceable are rules that are never clearly communicated in the first place? I imagine you'd just get a very stern e-mail once they see you're double deposited somewhere...

[nonamer]

Welp, got completely shut down in my request for a second reconsideration (think it might have even been an automated response with how quick the reply was). Not sure if Cornell/freezing in Ithaca is worth 150k...Anyone know if the first deposit is binding/requires us to withdraw other offers?

I gave them a call the other day and was told that you are required to withdraw from other offers as well as any pending decisions.

On the admission email I received it said the first deposit of $300 is due May 1st. Second deposit of $600 is due June 1st. After June 15th if you have another active "reservation" (deposit) with another school they "reserve the right to withdraw" their offer.

[Tycho]

Welp, got completely shut down in my request for a second reconsideration (think it might have even been an automated response with how quick the reply was). Not sure if Cornell/freezing in Ithaca is worth 150k...Anyone know if the first deposit is binding/requires us to withdraw other offers?

I gave them a call the other day and was told that you are required to withdraw from other offers as well as any pending decisions.

On the admission email I received it said the first deposit of $300 is due May 1st. Second deposit of $600 is due June 1st. After June 15th if you have another active "reservation" (deposit) with another school they "reserve the right to withdraw" their offer.

I'll add that the confirmation e-mail for the first deposit instructs you to let them know if you "decide to enroll elsewhere." There wouldn't be a need to say that if they wanted you to withdraw all other apps. Also, what Lavitz said.

[Lavitz]

With that said, I find it strange they don't post their rules about seat deposits anywhere on their website nor on their acceptance e-mails. How enforceable are rules that are never clearly communicated in the first place? I imagine you'd just get a very stern e-mail once they see you're double deposited somewhere...

Double deposits are bit of a separate issue. But yes, most likely any school will have to first e-mail you and ask what's up because the deposit registry isn't updated frequently enough for them to be sure you didn't just withdraw from the other school recently. Also have never heard of a school actually rescinding an offer for this reason, due mostly to the fear of bad publicity.

[matterhorn]

Hey everyone, just got admitted today and had a quick question re: financial aid. I only have to submit my FAFSA, NeedAccess, and the 2016-2017 Cornell Scholarship App right? The financial aid checklist says I need to submit 2015 tax return forms but do I have to submit those now to be considered for scholarships? Thanks in advance!

[Lavitz]

Hey everyone, just got admitted today and had a quick question re: financial aid. I only have to submit my FAFSA, NeedAccess, and the 2016-2017 Cornell Scholarship App right? The financial aid checklist says I need to submit 2015 tax return forms but do I have to submit those now to be considered for scholarships? Thanks in advance!

• To apply for merit-based aid, need-based aid, and federal loans, you must submit the Financial Aid Information Sheet available on this page in January.
• To be eligible to receive federal loans, you must submit the FAFSA and a copy of your 2015 tax returns.
• To be eligible for need-based aid, you must also submit the Need Access report and submit a copy of your parents' tax returns.
• FAFSA and Need Access will be available January 1st.

You're going to need to submit the tax returns to get loans anyway. But if you just want a quick merit aid turnaround, you just need to submit the form and nothing else. IMO, need-based aid is a flame anyway.

[matterhorn]

• To apply for merit-based aid, need-based aid, and federal loans, you must submit the Financial Aid Information Sheet available on this page in January.
• To be eligible to receive federal loans, you must submit the FAFSA and a copy of your 2015 tax returns.
• To be eligible for need-based aid, you must also submit the Need Access report and submit a copy of your parents' tax returns.
• FAFSA and Need Access will be available January 1st.

You're going to need to submit the tax returns to get loans anyway. But if you just want a quick merit aid turnaround, you just need to submit the form and nothing else. IMO, need-based aid is a flame anyway.

I figured most of the aid would be merit-based anyway, thanks for the quick response! Also do you happen to know if the scholarship app can be emailed? The form says mail or fax but that just seems like it'd be more work for everyone involved.

[Lavitz]

I figured most of the aid would be merit-based anyway, thanks for the quick response! Also do you happen to know if the scholarship app can be emailed? The form says mail or fax but that just seems like it'd be more work for everyone involved.

Since there is an e-mail listed on the form, I imagine it would be fine. I don't think they would refuse to consider it because you e-mailed it instead.

[bluefish91]

.

[matterhorn]

I figured most of the aid would be merit-based anyway, thanks for the quick response! Also do you happen to know if the scholarship app can be emailed? The form says mail or fax but that just seems like it'd be more work for everyone involved.

Since there is an e-mail listed on the form, I imagine it would be fine. I don't think they would refuse to consider it because you e-mailed it instead.

I emailed mine and received an offer next day. Also, based on my stats, I would guess that my offer was largely need-based so I would send in the tax forms if they're readily available.

Thank you both for the responses!

[urbanist11]

Withdrew - just couldn't see myself in Ithaca

[niiiightnurse]

Is it pointless to try and negotiate scholarships at this point? I received mine this week if that makes any difference

[somethingElse]

Is it pointless to try and negotiate scholarships at this point? I received mine this week if that makes any difference

It would be pointless not to try and negotiate.