The George Washington Law School 2010 Forum

[ashkenazy]

I do not understand GW's merit aid policy at all.

"At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards."

The 'those selected' seem to be very arbitrary. There are so many people with above median numbers who got nothing, but have identical numbers and just as strong of applications as some of those who get $100,000. This makes absolutely no sense. The expected cost per year is $69,000. Soooo, $207,000 over 3 years, and they offer absolutely nothing to lessen the blow? Wow....

Does anyone know if their policy has always been this way?

I think that it's awful hard be the judge of who has a strong application, especially because it's very difficult to say what exactly their Adcomm is looking for. I don't think they're throwing names of those people who have similarly high numbers into a hat and pulling names. It seems like what you're saying is that they have no reasonable way of deciding which applicant is better for their school. I think that their policy, and probably the policy of many other schools, is to choose not only the bright people with good numbers, but to choose the people who they think will bring more to their school. You've got high numbers? Great. What about the girl that helped start an adoption agency in China for disabled children? When we start talking about $$$$, above median numbers are almost always necessary but are rarely sufficient (unless you have a 170+, a 3.9+, and are applying to schools all below top 14). I might be completely off here, but that my .02 cents.

[justbluemyself]

.

[jk11287]

I do not understand GW's merit aid policy at all.

"At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards."

The 'those selected' seem to be very arbitrary. There are so many people with above median numbers who got nothing, but have identical numbers and just as strong of applications as some of those who get $100,000. This makes absolutely no sense. The expected cost per year is $69,000. Soooo, $207,000 over 3 years, and they offer absolutely nothing to lessen the blow? Wow....

Does anyone know if their policy has always been this way?

Its very frustrating to me as well, but you have to imagine that there are literally thousands of applicants with numbers over the medians. I think a lot of URM get merit offers, as well as military and non-trad applicants. And of course, people with ridiculously high LSATS like 175+ that shouldn't even be applying in the first place cause they'r enot going to go there haha.

[dee0910]

Anyone else going to the Miami ASR?!

I will definitely be there!

[umichgrad]

I think the money sitch is frustrating too...it really doesn't make any sense to give maybe 30 people nearly full scholarships when you could give 90 people 1st year tuititon.

[FromRussiaWithLove]

Edit: made a RC mistake, disregard post please

[danidancer]

Withdrew my acceptance today, freeing up a spot. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

[dummy66]

In 160/3.85 top 10, $105,450 free first year housing

[bostelo]

Does anyone know if GW offers housing for married students, or do you have to go off-campus?

[bostelo]

bump

[cendien]

Flat out rejected today. 3.37/168. I'm one of two rejections on the 168 line on LSN.

I'm guessing they've just pretty much run out of spots. My first rejection, and I'm not terribly phased by it. I don't think I would have really considered going there without a substantial scholarship, and they seem to have run out of money, too. Surprising rejection, nonetheless!

[cardinalandgold]

Finally heard from GW today. Waitlist Kinda bummed, as my parents live in DC and with some $$$ I might have considered GW. Oh well.

[set88]

^^ How are you guys hearing? In the mail, or by email?

[cardinalandgold]

^^ How are you guys hearing? In the mail, or by email?

Heard in the mail.

[mazzini]

Rejected today, but it might be due to the fact that I submitted without adequately proof reading and mentioned the unmentionable (Georgetown) instead of George Washington at one point in my essay.... whoops.

[minuit]

Finally heard from GW today. Waitlist Kinda bummed, as my parents live in DC and with some $$$ I might have considered GW. Oh well.

this one really surprises me... sorry when did you apply?

[cardinalandgold]

Finally heard from GW today. Waitlist Kinda bummed, as my parents live in DC and with some $$$ I might have considered GW. Oh well.

this one really surprises me... sorry when did you apply?

Applied early January.

[ec2xs]

Rejected today....167/3.2.

Somewhat surprised, actually.

[ENGINEERD]

Rejected today....167/3.2.

Somewhat surprised, actually.

167/3.2 also dinged today. Pretty bummed GW was one of my top choices...

[sibley]

Sorry to you guys =(

Here's to hoping the rest of your cycle is much happier.

[therealfp]

WL'ed yesterday (166, 3.73), I'm going to blame this one on submitting my app so late.

will be withdrawing soon

[Bailarina08]

WL'd early Feb. I sent in a LOCI updating them on my job, new responsibilities, etc, and just visited yesterday. Is it a good idea to send a new, short letter reiterating my interest in light of what I saw on my tour and during the class? I also had 2 new recommendations sent in, so I don't want to harass them.

[holidayfromreal]

sending in my withdraw letter today (is there a place to do this online?) so hopefully it will open up a spot. Good luck everyone!

[umichgrad]

went to the Philly admit reception tonight. PM me if you have questions about it (i like my pseudo-internet-anonymity).

[dudders]

Just got a lovely e-mail from GW titled Updates for Admitted Students announcing the school will not be offering or amending any merit scholarships for the rest of the season.