Duke University School of Law C/O 2019 Applicants Forum

[gobears!!]

Any other non-PT folks see/have any movement? It's cold and lonely out here.

[strawberrieee]

Thanks guys. I just got his response. He asked why Duke. Should I send him my Why Duke essay or should I summarize the main points only?

UPDATE: Since many people PMed asking me about it, I guess I'll just update this post. I solicited PT after receiving my Dec LSAT and before submitting my app. They asked more info abt my background and Why Duke. I sent in an 1-page email answering both and got PT invite after 2-3 days. Strong stats.

[icantwait]

Thanks guys. I just got his response. He asked why Duke. Should I send him my Why Duke essay or should I summarize the main points only?

Send the essay!

[Draconem]

Too late to throw my app in?

[Tycho]

Too late to throw my app in?

Nope.

[coffee888]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

[EnderWiggin]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

[icantwait]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

From how I read it, you must complete the Need Based Application first (before the interview). I would imagine this would allow them to ask any clarification questions since this is a financial aid interview, not an admissions interview. If either of you end up freeing up an earlier interview spot please let me know before you drop it as I would like to move my interview up if possible. Thanks!

[lymenheimer]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

From how I read it, you must complete the Need Based Application first (before the interview). I would imagine this would allow them to ask any clarification questions since this is a financial aid interview, not an admissions interview. If either of you end up freeing up an earlier interview spot please let me know before you drop it as I would like to move my interview up if possible. Thanks!

I dont read it this way...but i dont know. Dropping an email/phone call to fin aid office would be credited.

[lymenheimer]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

From how I read it, you must complete the Need Based Application first (before the interview). I would imagine this would allow them to ask any clarification questions since this is a financial aid interview, not an admissions interview. If either of you end up freeing up an earlier interview spot please let me know before you drop it as I would like to move my interview up if possible. Thanks!

I dont read it this way...but i dont know. Dropping an email/phone call to fin aid office would be credited.

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

[RZ5646]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

From how I read it, you must complete the Need Based Application first (before the interview). I would imagine this would allow them to ask any clarification questions since this is a financial aid interview, not an admissions interview. If either of you end up freeing up an earlier interview spot please let me know before you drop it as I would like to move my interview up if possible. Thanks!

I dont read it this way...but i dont know. Dropping an email/phone call to fin aid office would be credited.

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

Is this for merit scholarships or just to answer questions about financial need?

[lymenheimer]

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

Is this for merit scholarships or just to answer questions about financial need?

Its the scholarship interview. Assumed to be for fin aid stuff moreso than merit. If you will be wanting merit+need, youll see this option when you submit your application (again, itll make sense when you get your information when admitted).

[cdavis1024]

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

Is this for merit scholarships or just to answer questions about financial need?

Its the scholarship interview. Assumed to be for fin aid stuff moreso than merit. If you will be wanting merit+need, youll see this option when you submit your application (again, itll make sense when you get your information when admitted).

I jumped the gun when scheduling interviews came out, and I scheduled for this morning at 9:30am, which it looks like was one of the first interview spots. Submitted NeedAccess and FAFSA over the weekend, which I hope is ok, then sent in the Scholarship form thing early this morning.

I guess I'll let everyone know how it goes and what to expect from the interview. Hope I have good news to report!

[Pikapika]

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

Is this for merit scholarships or just to answer questions about financial need?

Its the scholarship interview. Assumed to be for fin aid stuff moreso than merit. If you will be wanting merit+need, youll see this option when you submit your application (again, itll make sense when you get your information when admitted).

I jumped the gun when scheduling interviews came out, and I scheduled for this morning at 9:30am, which it looks like was one of the first interview spots. Submitted NeedAccess and FAFSA over the weekend, which I hope is ok, then sent in the Scholarship form thing early this morning.

I guess I'll let everyone know how it goes and what to expect from the interview. Hope I have good news to report!

Good luck!!!

[cdavis1024]

.

[lymenheimer]

I'd likely hear back from them by the end of the month.

All in all, I'd say it went as well as it could have, so...show me the money! (??)

thank you for being our guinea pig! The bolded sounds great. My interview is next week and I didn't think they would get stuff out until mid/end-of February. Hope you get as much as you're looking for.

[jg61]

If we are applying for need-based and merit aid, does the Need Access application need to be completed prior to doing the optional skype interview? I know their site says the Duke Scholarship Form should not be completed until "after you have submitted your Need Access Application" but am not certain as to whether the interview can precede this or not (now fearing it cannot). Signed up for an interview this week but now realizing I might need to postpone as my need access application will take additional time to fill out. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks and best of luck to all!

+1. Also interested in this.

From how I read it, you must complete the Need Based Application first (before the interview). I would imagine this would allow them to ask any clarification questions since this is a financial aid interview, not an admissions interview. If either of you end up freeing up an earlier interview spot please let me know before you drop it as I would like to move my interview up if possible. Thanks!

I dont read it this way...but i dont know. Dropping an email/phone call to fin aid office would be credited.

Update: Just submitted my Fafsa/NeedAccess and scholarship application. It says "Your next step should be to schedule or decline the online scholarship interview." So it looks like I was wrong and you should complete before scheduling an interview...A phone call to fin aid still might be credited to confirm.

I e-mailed the finaid office and was told exactly this

[RZ5646]

Scholly Interview things:

I was apparently the very first person to interview, which I hope is a good thing, since aid is considered in the order interviews are conducted...

It was really laid back and very conversational; not at all something to be nervous about. I was asked if I wanted to clarify or highlight anything about my financial situation other than the things I wrote in NeedAccess, as well as what I was looking for in terms of "fit", what I liked about Duke's program, and how I would be involved in the Duke Law community other than just going to class and going home - they like alum that stay in touch and have ties to the school.

There's also an opportunity to ask questions about their financial aid/loan repayment options, and I was told that I'd likely hear back from them by the end of the month.

All in all, I'd say it went as well as it could have, so...show me the money! (??)

This was unrelated to merit, right?

[jg61]

Scholly Interview things:

I was apparently the very first person to interview, which I hope is a good thing, since aid is considered in the order interviews are conducted...

It was really laid back and very conversational; not at all something to be nervous about. I was asked if I wanted to clarify or highlight anything about my financial situation other than the things I wrote in NeedAccess, as well as what I was looking for in terms of "fit", what I liked about Duke's program, and how I would be involved in the Duke Law community other than just going to class and going home - they like alum that stay in touch and have ties to the school.

There's also an opportunity to ask questions about their financial aid/loan repayment options, and I was told that I'd likely hear back from them by the end of the month.

All in all, I'd say it went as well as it could have, so...show me the money! (??)

This was unrelated to merit, right?

My understanding is that merit and need are considered together unless you select otherwise on the second application form (which they strongly suggest you don't do). I have my interview this week and will ask.

[RZ5646]

Scholly Interview things:

I was apparently the very first person to interview, which I hope is a good thing, since aid is considered in the order interviews are conducted...

It was really laid back and very conversational; not at all something to be nervous about. I was asked if I wanted to clarify or highlight anything about my financial situation other than the things I wrote in NeedAccess, as well as what I was looking for in terms of "fit", what I liked about Duke's program, and how I would be involved in the Duke Law community other than just going to class and going home - they like alum that stay in touch and have ties to the school.

There's also an opportunity to ask questions about their financial aid/loan repayment options, and I was told that I'd likely hear back from them by the end of the month.

All in all, I'd say it went as well as it could have, so...show me the money! (??)

This was unrelated to merit, right?

My understanding is that merit and need are considered together unless you select otherwise on the second application form (which they strongly suggest you don't do). I have my interview this week and will ask.

I am so confused about scholarships and financial aid, and it seems like every school has a different process. Undergrad was so simple in comparison: submit app and fafsa, get money.

[lymenheimer]

I am so confused about scholarships and financial aid, and it seems like every school has a different process. Undergrad was so simple in comparison: submit app and fafsa, get money.

Duke is unique in that they do an active merit+need-based. They consider your merit based on numbers, and interview you for your need (with merit questions/considerations included: goals, bring to Duke, desire, future activity with Duke, etc). The only strictly merit-based interview you would get would likely be for Mordecai. idk if they do merit-based interviews for individuals who decline the need-based consideration. You are trying to get as much money as possible though, right? So your interview will be like the above poster mentioned. It's a little bit confusing but not so much so to stress this much over it. I'm sure it will all connect once you go through the process.

[RZ5646]

I am so confused about scholarships and financial aid, and it seems like every school has a different process. Undergrad was so simple in comparison: submit app and fafsa, get money.

Duke is unique in that they do an active merit+need-based. They consider your merit based on numbers, and interview you for your need (with merit questions/considerations included: goals, bring to Duke, desire, future activity with Duke, etc). The only strictly merit-based interview you would get would likely be for Mordecai. idk if they do merit-based interviews for individuals who decline the need-based consideration. You are trying to get as much money as possible though, right? So your interview will be like the above poster mentioned. It's a little bit confusing but not so much so to stress this much over it. I'm sure it will all connect once you go through the process.

I guess I was confused by how they combine the two

[lymenheimer]

I guess I was confused by how they combine the two

However they want. You get $10k/yr because your numbers are good, and your need is estimated at 2k/yr. = 12k/yr. So your scholarship offer would say: "36k divided up evenly over 3 years so 12k/yr". I doubt they break it down to merit+need, but at least they interview you. Other schools strictly say "if you are awarded based on merit, we will not consider you for need". Others do a similar thing with merit+need, but don't interview and only use need access.

[Duggiiee]

Anyone not able to locate Duke on the Need Access site?

Edit: Ignore. Chose the wrong year.

[ugg]

Did all of you do a Why Duke?