American University Class of 2016 Forum

[jstr00az]

Hey everyone,

I recently got accepted to the WCL on early decision with an inent to receive a scholarship. The scholarship awards will be announced in March, however. If I do not get one, I will probably spend 2013 honing my LSAT and aiming for a better university. My question: Am I legally allowed to refuse attending WCL in Fall of 2013 despite the early decision option? And if yes, will that somehow negatively reflect on my future applications? All help is appreciated!

The Dean Merit schollies are already out. Are there more?

Was the ED binding? Read the wording in the ED agreement. It's in there.

It is binding, but it doesn't say anything about not attending law school period.

BINDING? Come on, you want to be a lawyer but you can't figure this out? There is nothing binding about any of these promises to attend. Sheesh. It's like you go onto a used car lot, and the salesperson shakes your hand and says, "so you promise to buy the car" and you nod your head. It's a worthless promise. These admissions promises are like that. They are nonsense. Don't pay any attention to them.

[nba101790]

Hey everyone,

I recently got accepted to the WCL on early decision with an inent to receive a scholarship. The scholarship awards will be announced in March, however. If I do not get one, I will probably spend 2013 honing my LSAT and aiming for a better university. My question: Am I legally allowed to refuse attending WCL in Fall of 2013 despite the early decision option? And if yes, will that somehow negatively reflect on my future applications? All help is appreciated!

The Dean Merit schollies are already out. Are there more?

Was the ED binding? Read the wording in the ED agreement. It's in there.

It is binding, but it doesn't say anything about not attending law school period.

BINDING? Come on, you want to be a lawyer but you can't figure this out? There is nothing binding about any of these promises to attend. Sheesh. It's like you go onto a used car lot, and the salesperson shakes your hand and says, "so you promise to buy the car" and you nod your head. It's a worthless promise. These admissions promises are like that. They are nonsense. Don't pay any attention to them.

Is it not the case that if you attempt to break an ED agreement (besides any deposit penalties) the school with the grievance can share that behavior with other schools? It's clearly a breach of faith that doesn't bode well for your character in the eyes of most admissions committees, I would speculate.

[2012Lsatscore]

.

[babasil1]

Thanks for all the swift responses, guys. It's not that I plan on attending a diff. school in Fall 2013 - my question has to do with whether I can generally refuse to go to law school this Fall despite the ED. No scholarship is very likely to lead to such an unfortunate (fortunate?) outcome.

[2012Lsatscore]

.

[babasil1]

Thanks for all the swift responses, guys. It's not that I plan on attending a diff. school in Fall 2013 - my question has to do with whether I can generally refuse to go to law school this Fall despite the ED. No scholarship is very likely to lead to such an unfortunate (fortunate?) outcome.

Should you decide to withdraw, just don't reapply to WCL. You should be okay next cycle.

Most people who do binding ED don't require money to attend. The option basically takes away all of your scholly bargaining power because you are a sure bet.

Damn... the very reason I applied ED was because the website claimed ED applicants get considered for merit-based scholarships first...

[2012Lsatscore]

.

[slawww]

I'll be withdrawing tomorrow. Hope it opens a spot for someone here. Also hoping the Law School Gods return the favor for me

[danitt]

I'll be withdrawing tomorrow. Hope it opens a spot for someone here. Also hoping the Law School Gods return the favor for me

Same tbh. I know I'm not going there at this point.

[slawww]

I'll be withdrawing tomorrow. Hope it opens a spot for someone here. Also hoping the Law School Gods return the favor for me

Same tbh. I know I'm not going there at this point.

Same. I think if you're 100% sure you won't be attending a law school you're accepted to, withdrawing is the courteous thing to do.

[2012Lsatscore]

.

[wu27]

Officially sent the withdrawal e-mail. Waiting for a confirmation response. Good luck to those waiting! Peace out folks.

There's also a not attending form on this page, then you won't need to wait for the e-mail!
http://www.wcl.american.edu/admiss/formdeadlines.cfm

[jstr00az]

The Dean Merit schollies are already out. Are there more?

Was the ED binding? Read the wording in the ED agreement. It's in there.

It is binding, but it doesn't say anything about not attending law school period.

BINDING? Come on, you want to be a lawyer but you can't figure this out? There is nothing binding about any of these promises to attend. Sheesh. It's like you go onto a used car lot, and the salesperson shakes your hand and says, "so you promise to buy the car" and you nod your head. It's a worthless promise. These admissions promises are like that. They are nonsense. Don't pay any attention to them.

Is it not the case that if you attempt to break an ED agreement (besides any deposit penalties) the school with the grievance can share that behavior with other schools? It's clearly a breach of faith that doesn't bode well for your character in the eyes of most admissions committees, I would speculate.

A breach of faith? Anyhoo, you're wrong.

[slawww]

Officially withdrawn. Hope it helps someone here.

[danitt]

Officially withdrawn. Hope it helps someone here.

+1.

[2012Lsatscore]

.

[gitguy]

Applying the day the application became available has not paid off for me with an admit (or a subsequent money offer). This might have to do with their YP tendencies. In any case, almost no chance that I would attend without a serious money offer, which is likely not going to materialize.

[a2blifeUIUC]

Applying the day the application became available has not paid off for me with an admit (or a subsequent money offer). This might have to do with their YP tendencies. In any case, almost no chance that I would attend without a serious money offer, which is likely not going to materialize.

I'm in the exact same situation. I thought my numbers would have been right in their fold, but it seems like WCL's YP makes this whole game a bit unpredictable.

All that to say, having heard from so many schools earlier in the cycle, I would need some serious cash to enroll.

[cnk]

has anyone heard back w/ a decision recently? still at complete since 11/26 then 12/14...

[BBB]

I was complete on 1/9, accepted by email on 1/18

[JadeWest]

Withdrew. Offered $

Here's to you all

[CJ007]

has anyone heard back w/ a decision recently? still at complete since 11/26 then 12/14...

Still waiting for decision

Sent 11/16/12
Received 11/19/12
Complete 11/30/12
Update 12/14/12

I researched the top ip law firms in the country, and TONs of AU grads work for them in the DC offices. This gives me a little more confidence about job prospects coming out of American despite all the recent unemployment talk and statistics. There's always hope.

[gatorgirl2012]

How are people finding out about scholarships? By letter, email? If it's by the AU portal, where?! This school already annoys me.

[romanticegotist]

has anyone heard back w/ a decision recently? still at complete since 11/26 then 12/14...

Still waiting for decision

Sent 11/16/12
Received 11/19/12
Complete 11/30/12
Update 12/14/12

I researched the top IP law firms in the country, and TONs of AU grads work for them in the DC offices. This gives me a little more confidence about job prospects coming out of American despite all the recent unemployment talk and statistics. There's always hope.

It would be prudent to see when they graduated from the school. I am essentially ignoring anything pre-2008 since we are in a new world.

[wu27]

How are people finding out about scholarships? By letter, email? If it's by the AU portal, where?! This school already annoys me.

By e-mail and they send a letter afterwards