Rutgers-Newark Class of 2015 (2011-2012 cycle) Forum

[MellowMantis]

I have been attempting to negotiate some sort of scholarship with ru Newark with no luck but just got a 5k /yr offer at ru Camden. Has anyone had luck using scholarship from one Rutgers to gain some at the other? Ideally I'd like to be in Newark. I have 30k at hofstra ad 15k at seton hall but ru Newark won't budge.

[Beeg12]

I have been attempting to negotiate some sort of scholarship with ru Newark with no luck but just got a 5k /yr offer at ru Camden. Has anyone had luck using scholarship from one Rutgers to gain some at the other? Ideally I'd like to be in Newark. I have 30k at hofstra ad 15k at seton hall but ru Newark won't budge.

I am in the exact same situation. I tried my hand at negotiating before I received my Camden offer. I was told, however, that my GPA did not qualify my for merit aid (3.4+). I responded with a "thank you for consideration" e-mail and mentioned that my decision was now between camden and newark, and included camden's latest offer, but have heard no response.

According to LSN there are people with GPAs under 3 that have received scholarships but their LSAT scores were well above Rutger's 75th. The recent issues with the merger at Camden and the more desirable geography of job placement for Newark makes them far more desirable, and, frankly, able to be picky about who they give money too. Also, "In-State tuition is still cheaper than your other schools" was the response to other school's scholarships I quoted, despite a 20+ point difference in rank.

For me, the stipulation that accompanies the money from Camden makes this scholarship almost a non-factor and I have a feeling Newark knows this.

Note: Will gladly accept the T-shirt Camden is sending me, and the personalized acceptance e-mail was a nice ego-boost.

[Linsanity]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

[Beeg12]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

I really disagree with this advice. This is not the right way to think about it. there are big differences in salary statistics as well as geographic placement. To base the decision solely on $5k/year that a student has a 50/50 shot at keeping is extremely shortsighted. The uncertainty at camden, the different locations that students would live at each school, the geographies of job placement, and employment statistics differ greatly enough to warrant a much more thoroughly researched decision.

[king3780]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

I hope anyone who picks Camden doesn't get stuck with a Rowan J.D.

[superbloom]

So is the consensus that R-N won't budge on scholarships? I'm hoping for some good money at Case Western to make a case for more at R-N, and I hope Seton Hall comes back with a good offer. I know rankings mean nothing, but when I tell my friends that I'm probably going to the school with the lowest ranking of those that I applied to, the elitist inside me dies a little.

[wfudeacons2005]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

I also really disagree with this. A non-guaranteed $5,000 for three years is nothing if the person really wants to live in the NYC region over Philadelphia region. Personally, growing up in north Jersey, I would never take $15,000 to move down south for a comparable school. It's a vastly different place. And, call me a sucker for a "good name" but I'd pretty scared throwing a deposit down at a place that there is even the slightest chance could become "Rowan Law" in the near future.

[2LT_CPG]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

I also really disagree with this. A non-guaranteed $5,000 for three years is nothing if the person really wants to live in the NYC region over Philadelphia region. Personally, growing up in north Jersey, I would never take $15,000 to move down south for a comparable school. It's a vastly different place. And, call me a sucker for a "good name" but I'd pretty scared throwing a deposit down at a place that there is even the slightest chance could become "Rowan Law" in the near future.

Rutgers has said that regardless of what happens with the proposed merger, all entering Rutgers Camden Law students will receive a Rutgers JD.

[KibblesnBitts]

All these schools are similarly and closely ranked. No point going for sticker. Take the money. I would suggest Camden.

I hope anyone who picks Camden doesn't get stuck with a Rowan J.D.

If I recall correctly, Rutgers President McCormick and the Board of Governors had a meeting where they decided that no matter what, people entering Rutgers Camden for the next 2 years will receive Rutgers degrees if the merger happens.

[MellowMantis]

So is the consensus that R-N won't budge on scholarships? I'm hoping for some good money at Case Western to make a case for more at R-N, and I hope Seton Hall comes back with a good offer. I know rankings mean nothing, but when I tell my friends that I'm probably going to the school with the lowest ranking of those that I applied to, the elitist inside me dies a little.

I can relate to this sentiment, in regards to rankings, which to practicing/hiring lawyers seem to only really matter if it's a top school (T14 or whatever) or a strong regional school. I think that Rutgers carries the best name and opportunities in New Jersey and the surrounding metropolitan area, obviously excluding some of the big-name powerhouses across the river. I also agree in discrediting the "take the Camden money" advise, regardless of whether I would be guaranteed a Rutgers degree. It is a low dollar figure with a high stipulation at a school that is in a much worse area than its sister school. I had asked the partners at a firm I'm working at now about feelings on this issue and rankings as I was leaning towards Pitt because of its higher ranking than Rutgers. The consensus was that while Pitt is a great school I really shouldn't go there unless that is definitely where I would like to practice. With NJ ties it would make more sense to attend Rutgers. I found this advise to make generally good sense and though anecdotal and unrepresentative of all opinions it was enough to push me in the direction of attending RU over the other offers at had which ranged from full rides at TTT to half tuition at a few TT. / End rant.

[wfudeacons2005]

That's good that they'll allow people to get their diploma with the Rutgers name on it but personally, even 15 years down the line, I wouldn't be happy if the school I went to changed it's name to something subpar. Even if that means it doesn't hurt me much employment-wise, I'd be pissed.

[2LT_CPG]

That's good that they'll allow people to get their diploma with the Rutgers name on it but personally, even 15 years down the line, I wouldn't be happy if the school I went to changed it's name to something subpar. Even if that means it doesn't hurt me much employment-wise, I'd be pissed.

Honestly though, if you're looking for a job in New Jersey, as you should if you're going to Rutgers (which as mentioned above, is a great regional school), there's no way an informed legal employer at any law firm in New Jersey doesn't know about the Rutgers Camden-Rowan merger. In the end it really does just get down to name prestige. Because in the end all the people to whom it matters (potential employers) know the situation. Zero interviewing partners, probably many of whom are Rutgers grads themselves, will go, "Rowan Law, WTF is that?"

[MellowMantis]

That's good that they'll allow people to get their diploma with the Rutgers name on it but personally, even 15 years down the line, I wouldn't be happy if the school I went to changed it's name to something subpar. Even if that means it doesn't hurt me much employment-wise, I'd be pissed.

Honestly though, if you're looking for a job in New Jersey, as you should if you're going to Rutgers (which as mentioned above, is a great regional school), there's no way an informed legal employer at any law firm in New Jersey doesn't know about the Rutgers Camden-Rowan merger. In the end it really does just get down to name prestige. Because in the end all the people to whom it matters (potential employers) know the situation. Zero interviewing partners, probably many of whom are Rutgers grads themselves, will go, "Rowan Law, WTF is that?"

While this is a very good point I would not like to lessen the possibility of out of state employment offers which I would have to assume to happen if you went to Rowan Law opposed to Rutgers which is a national name.

[Linsanity]

Relax. The name isn't changing anytime soon and we don't even know if it's going to happen. It's a long ways away. RU Camden > RU Newark.

[Beeg12]

Relax. The name isn't changing anytime soon and we don't even know if it's going to happen. It's a long ways away. RU Camden > RU Newark.

Are you trolling right now? What evidence do you have to support this statement? Job placement stats favor Newark. QOL in north jersey favors Newark over camden. Risk/reward favors Newark. If im missing something let me know. Would like to see you validate that statement.

[MellowMantis]

Relax. The name isn't changing anytime soon and we don't even know if it's going to happen. It's a long ways away. RU Camden > RU Newark.

Are you trolling right now? What evidence do you have to support this statement? Job placement stats favor Newark. QOL in north jersey favors Newark over camden. Risk/reward favors Newark. If im missing something let me know. Would like to see you validate that statement.

+1. Additionally, living in Newark you are practically living in a borough of NYC with all it offers at your disposal.

[Linsanity]

You have to be kidding me. See all the posts on this forum. Rutgers-Newark is as low on the NYC totem poll as you can get. Rutgers-Camden places better in Philly than Rutgers-Newark places in NYC.

[wfudeacons2005]

I think they are talking more about quality of life in Newark v. Camden.

[Massimiliano]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a roommate for the fall semester. Send me an e-mail at joe.a.bishop@gmail.com if interested.

[JCFindley]

Did anyone get admitted checking the compete on the emphasis on experience my accomplishments box?

If so any details you are willing to share would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JC

[Beeg12]

Did anyone get admitted checking the compete on the emphasis on experience my accomplishments box?

If so any details you are willing to share would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JC

I elected to be considered with more weight on my professional experience. I have 5 years experience in IT as an analyst, project manager, customer relations manager, and most recently in contract negotiations/closings. My GPA was terrible (2.35 LGPA) but my LSAT was 162. I was admitted off of the deferred list. I doubt that without my professional experience I would have been admitted, or at least admitted so quickly.

I would say to make your personal statement about your professional experience and situations that highlight skills necessary in the field of law. If you check that box, your whole application should highlight experience. This is one of the reasons why I chose to matriculate at Rutgers. I have a feeling they use this box to bridge a gap for people who have illustrated success without maintaining a great GPA.

[JCFindley]

Did anyone get admitted checking the compete on the emphasis on experience my accomplishments box?

If so any details you are willing to share would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JC

I elected to be considered with more weight on my professional experience. I have 5 years experience in IT as an analyst, project manager, customer relations manager, and most recently in contract negotiations/closings. My GPA was terrible (2.35 LGPA) but my LSAT was 162. I was admitted off of the deferred list. I doubt that without my professional experience I would have been admitted, or at least admitted so quickly.

I would say to make your personal statement about your professional experience and situations that highlight skills necessary in the field of law. If you check that box, your whole application should highlight experience. This is one of the reasons why I chose to matriculate at Rutgers. I have a feeling they use this box to bridge a gap for people who have illustrated success without maintaining a great GPA.

Thanks.....

[Bratty_60]

I also choose the professional experiences box to get into Rutgers. My LSAT was 152 and gpa was 2.92.

[argentinaguy9885]

Spoke with admissions on Friday and they expect a whole bunch of decisions from the AdCom any day now.

[JCFindley]

I also choose the professional experiences box to get into Rutgers. My LSAT was 152 and gpa was 2.92.

I guess we will see how it worked. My late app is more worrisome though I guess I will wait and see about that too....

JC