American University Class of 2016 Forum

[z0rk]

In an entirely unwise move, I decided to look at the c/o 2015 American thread last night. People with numbers right at their averages and A LOT of people above their averages were getting WL and denied. I guess they are notorious for YPing (which is evident if you look at their LSN graph.) Perhaps this sheds some light (very dark light) on why some of us who applied in September or October still haven't heard. Or maybe I sent them the wrong PS? Gonna go check that....

Oh and one final nugget of sadness, it looks like they historically haven't given merit aid to anyone who wasn't above their 75% for BOTH GPA and LSAT. Joy.

Stop trying to read the tea leaves of last cycle. Apps are down. Money is better. The word is out about law school (i.e. it's only smart if you REALLY want to be a lawyer). It's a buyer's market. This is the best time in years to be an applicant.

This isn't to say that you (or anyone else in your situation) are a slam dunk or that American (or other notoriously "tight" schools with $$) is going to suddenly start making it rain. But this year IS different. Apply broadly, see where you get in, and negotiate.

1L at WCL here. I will say that they are very tight on giving out aid and I doubt that trend will change. I got offered a huge scholly from a lower ranked school and tried to use it to lure even just a tiny amount and they wouldn't budge. The official response I got was -- above the median for both GPA and LSAT or you are not qualified. That said, it could mean that people below 75th for both could get scholly money.

They also do a strong job on yield protecting, and in a buyers market they might target harder to ensure that the school does not drop rank or drop significantly.

[gatorgirl2012]

In an entirely unwise move, I decided to look at the c/o 2015 American thread last night. People with numbers right at their averages and A LOT of people above their averages were getting WL and denied. I guess they are notorious for YPing (which is evident if you look at their LSN graph.) Perhaps this sheds some light (very dark light) on why some of us who applied in September or October still haven't heard. Or maybe I sent them the wrong PS? Gonna go check that....

Oh and one final nugget of sadness, it looks like they historically haven't given merit aid to anyone who wasn't above their 75% for BOTH GPA and LSAT. Joy.

Stop trying to read the tea leaves of last cycle. Apps are down. Money is better. The word is out about law school (i.e. it's only smart if you REALLY want to be a lawyer). It's a buyer's market. This is the best time in years to be an applicant.

This isn't to say that you (or anyone else in your situation) are a slam dunk or that American (or other notoriously "tight" schools with $$) is going to suddenly start making it rain. But this year IS different. Apply broadly, see where you get in, and negotiate.

1L at WCL here. I will say that they are very tight on giving out aid and I doubt that trend will change. I got offered a huge scholly from a lower ranked school and tried to use it to lure even just a tiny amount and they wouldn't budge. The official response I got was -- above the median for both GPA and LSAT or you are not qualified. That said, it could mean that people below 75th for both could get scholly money.

They also do a strong job on yield protecting, and in a buyers market they might target harder to ensure that the school does not drop rank or drop significantly.

Do you feel your education is worth it so far? Are you hopeful for jobs/internships? What I've heard is that even though it's not the top school in DC, you're still in a good position to get great internships or jobs during the spring or fall when competition isnt as cut throat as it is during the summer. This is a huge factor in American's favor in my book...

[JayJones78]

In an entirely unwise move, I decided to look at the c/o 2015 American thread last night. People with numbers right at their averages and A LOT of people above their averages were getting WL and denied. I guess they are notorious for YPing (which is evident if you look at their LSN graph.) Perhaps this sheds some light (very dark light) on why some of us who applied in September or October still haven't heard. Or maybe I sent them the wrong PS? Gonna go check that....

Oh and one final nugget of sadness, it looks like they historically haven't given merit aid to anyone who wasn't above their 75% for BOTH GPA and LSAT. Joy.

Stop trying to read the tea leaves of last cycle. Apps are down. Money is better. The word is out about law school (i.e. it's only smart if you REALLY want to be a lawyer). It's a buyer's market. This is the best time in years to be an applicant.

This isn't to say that you (or anyone else in your situation) are a slam dunk or that American (or other notoriously "tight" schools with $$) is going to suddenly start making it rain. But this year IS different. Apply broadly, see where you get in, and negotiate.

1L at WCL here. I will say that they are very tight on giving out aid and I doubt that trend will change. I got offered a huge scholly from a lower ranked school and tried to use it to lure even just a tiny amount and they wouldn't budge. The official response I got was -- above the median for both GPA and LSAT or you are not qualified. That said, it could mean that people below 75th for both could get scholly money.

They also do a strong job on yield protecting, and in a buyers market they might target harder to ensure that the school does not drop rank or drop significantly.

Do you feel your education is worth it so far? Are you hopeful for jobs/internships? What I've heard is that even though it's not the top school in DC, you're still in a good position to get great internships or jobs during the spring or fall when competition isnt as cut throat as it is during the summer. This is a huge factor in American's favor in my book...

Tag. Would love to know more as the general thinking on TLS about AU is no no no (run run run)

[gatorgirl2012]

bump! we want answers! haha

[romanticegotist]

I mean you're probably just gonna get a *shrug* "It depends on who you are/who you know/etc"

[Sadieche2464]

How long before you guys went complete? It's been a week and I'm still at app rec'd?

[cnk]

I went complete 2 days after submitting my app

[ssmith29]

I'm still at a 2nd complete from 12/14 (originally complete from 11/17). Unfortunately there seems to be no precise method to this waiting game. I've heard back from some schools I've applied to in December w/in 2 weeks of applying, and still sitting at complete at others for months now even though I went complete in October/early November.

I'm at the same status, almost identical dates. I applied mid-Nov, and have heard from every other law school I applied to. 167/3.53, I don't know why American is taking so long.

[gjk07fsu]

Accepted today. Considering going for broke and swallowing the high tuition cost and attending a great law school here. Also going to come down to Chicago-Kent's decision FT.

[gatorgirl2012]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever

has anyone had issues logging on with their AU ID? I was way more excited to receive my official letter until I actually received it lol

[zoomzoom88]

i want scholly info.

[gatorgirl2012]

i want scholly info.

haha me too, from what i understand that doesn't come until march :/

[Sadieche2464]

I went complete 2 days after submitting my app

I wonder if I should contact admissions. All of my other apps went complete within two days.

[njpark]

How long before you guys went complete? It's been a week and I'm still at app rec'd?

I've been at "Application Received" since 1/7

[Sadieche2464]

How long before you guys went complete? It's been a week and I'm still at app rec'd?

I've been at "Application Received" since 1/7

Same date for me.

[gjk07fsu]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever

has anyone had issues logging on with their AU ID? I was way more excited to receive my official letter until I actually received it lol

I received my letter yesterday, and have been unable to log in with the AU ID. Haven't contacted tech support yet, though.

[JayJones78]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever

has anyone had issues logging on with their AU ID? I was way more excited to receive my official letter until I actually received it lol

I received my letter yesterday, and have been unable to log in with the AU ID. Haven't contacted tech support yet, though.

I wouldn't bother. I logged into mine it has no FA info and nothing too interesting. It does set up an AU email but that is pretty premature for me

[ariadne328]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever

has anyone had issues logging on with their AU ID? I was way more excited to receive my official letter until I actually received it lol

I received my letter yesterday, and have been unable to log in with the AU ID. Haven't contacted tech support yet, though.

I wouldn't bother. I logged into mine it has no FA info and nothing too interesting. It does set up an AU email but that is pretty premature for me

This. I wouldn't worry about it yet.

Thinking back, when I went through the registration process, I remember having to wait before this information actually allowed me to log into their system. I obviously don't know how long you waited to try logging in, but if it was right away just give it some time and try again.

[gjk07fsu]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever

has anyone had issues logging on with their AU ID? I was way more excited to receive my official letter until I actually received it lol

I received my letter yesterday, and have been unable to log in with the AU ID. Haven't contacted tech support yet, though.

I wouldn't bother. I logged into mine it has no FA info and nothing too interesting. It does set up an AU email but that is pretty premature for me

This. I wouldn't worry about it yet.

Thinking back, when I went through the registration process, I remember having to wait before this information actually allowed me to log into their system. I obviously don't know how long you waited to try logging in, but if it was right away just give it some time and try again.

Makes sense. I assumed FA information would be available now. If it isn't, I have no reason to care about logging in.

Thank you both

[JayJones78]

I received my official letter today.... no swag, just a magnet.... lol not even a viewbook, in an effort to be environmentally friendly it claims, whatever


I wouldn't bother. I logged into mine it has no FA info and nothing too interesting. It does set up an AU email but that is pretty premature for me

This. I wouldn't worry about it yet.

Thinking back, when I went through the registration process, I remember having to wait before this information actually allowed me to log into their system. I obviously don't know how long you waited to try logging in, but if it was right away just give it some time and try again.

Makes sense. I assumed FA information would be available now. If it isn't, I have no reason to care about logging in.

Thank you both

Sure. Do you think you'll accept? AU is one of the school that I'm very very cautious about..

[njpark]

How long before you guys went complete? It's been a week and I'm still at app rec'd?

I've been at "Application Received" since 1/7

Same date for me.

Finally went complete today!

[gjk07fsu]

Sure. Do you think you'll accept? AU is one of the school that I'm very very cautious about..

For me, it comes down to Chicago-Kent's decision. I've wanted to move to Chicago (I'm a South Florida guy all my life) for the past two years, and just sent an AU application out to have another option in a city like DC. I wasn't expecting to get accepted. C-K is close enough in ranking and prestige that I would probably choose it over AU, because I'd prefer to be in Chicago.

Why so cautious about AU? Is it the high price tag? Competition in the legal market against better schools like Georgetown and GW? AU is still a great school, in a great city.

[JayJones78]

Sure. Do you think you'll accept? AU is one of the school that I'm very very cautious about..

For me, it comes down to Chicago-Kent's decision. I've wanted to move to Chicago (I'm a South Florida guy all my life) for the past two years, and just sent an AU application out to have another option in a city like DC. I wasn't expecting to get accepted. C-K is close enough in ranking and prestige that I would probably choose it over AU, because I'd prefer to be in Chicago.

Why so cautious about AU? Is it the high price tag? Competition in the legal market against better schools like Georgetown and GW? AU is still a great school, in a great city.

All of the above and a probalameric job prospects. My cycle is not even close to be over but if it'll come down to the two acceptance I have (AU and W&L) I may choose W&L because the low to extremely low COL there (and its a much much higher ranked school)

[sergiokun16]

Ladies and Gents, I give you Professor Steve Vladeck of WCL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_mBh3jf2z8

[Jdawgie]

I'm in.

165 3.27 URM

All's quiet on the scholarship front. I simply won't go for sticker price.