Fordham University School of Law C/O 2018 Applicants Forum

[cafecreme15]

Has anyone actually successfully leveraged more merit money from Fordham? I wrote to the scholarship committee the other day, and received a response that in no way, shape, or form made any logical sense.

[Cpt Zapp Brannigan]

I tried to negiotate and got shot down hard and fast. I was kinda surprised-I made a good case, the numbers made sense and I was seriously considering Fordham.

The stereotype about Fordham being stingy is very accurate. They low ball most people and will not budge (check out LSN vs peer schools). At the end of the day, there are hordes of NYC kids that get rejected by NYU and will gladly pay sticker to stay in the city. It's location and position relative to area law schools give Fordham an unusually strong negiotating position.

I'll be withdrawing soon, space for someone else.

[m27]

I've always wanted to go to Fordham, but their sticker price and lack of scholarships is really making me consider otherwise.
IMO it may be safer to take a half/near full ride at Cardozo rather than pay full at Fordham. Nearly the same job prospects and probably easier competition at Cardozo to get to the top of your class if you wanted to transfer up. Thoughts?

[MEAhrnsbrak]

I've always wanted to go to Fordham, but their sticker price and lack of scholarships is really making me consider otherwise.
IMO it may be safer to take a half/near full ride at Cardozo rather than pay full at Fordham. Nearly the same job prospects and probably easier competition at Cardozo to get to the top of your class if you wanted to transfer up. Thoughts?

This is the exact scenario I play in my head over and over. I'd love other feedback as well.

[browniestasty]

I've always wanted to go to Fordham, but their sticker price and lack of scholarships is really making me consider otherwise.
IMO it may be safer to take a half/near full ride at Cardozo rather than pay full at Fordham. Nearly the same job prospects and probably easier competition at Cardozo to get to the top of your class if you wanted to transfer up. Thoughts?

This is the exact scenario I play in my head over and over. I'd love other feedback as well.

Same.

[Cpt Zapp Brannigan]

Every law student, LSAT instructor and book I've read about law school has said that you should never count on being able to transfer up. You can never truly predict how 1L year will go. Something as random as getting the flu around finals can impact your class rank.

If you get a full ride (or close to it) at Cardozo vs sticker at Fordham, I would def do Cardozo. But for less than a full ride, I think it's all shades of grey depending on the person. It depends on your aspirations and financial situation. Personally, if I had to choose between 50% scholly or less at Cardozo and sticker Fordham, I think I might actually go with Fordham. But that's because I have no college debt and no kids. Fordham has better Big Law and clerkship prospects. But only the top of the class at Fordham gets those opportunities. I've asked everyone and their mom about how well you have to do at Fordham to get "good" or prestigious jobs, but I've never been able to lock down a firm answer. Some people say top 50% of the class, others say it's top 20%. I imagine the truth is in the middle. I don't think theres any easy answers : / If I were you, use other offers (brooklyn, etc) to negiotate a better Cardozo offer.

Personally, I've decided to give up on NYC and attend a good regional school elsewhere on scholly. But I completely understand the urge to stay in NYC. If your dream has always been to live/work in NYC, then by all means consider Brooklyn, Cardozo or Fordham. Dont let the internet trolls snuff out your dreams! Theres are just my opinions so take with a grain of salt and feel free to ignore. GL!

[m27]

Every law student, LSAT instructor and book I've read about law school has said that you should never count on being able to transfer up. You can never truly predict how 1L year will go. Something as random as getting the flu around finals can impact your class rank.

If you get a full ride (or close to it) at Cardozo vs sticker at Fordham, I would def do Cardozo. But for less than a full ride, I think it's all shades of grey depending on the person. It depends on your aspirations and financial situation. Personally, if I had to choose between 50% scholly or less at Cardozo and sticker Fordham, I think I might actually go with Fordham. But that's because I have no college debt and no kids. Fordham has better Big Law and clerkship prospects. But only the top of the class at Fordham gets those opportunities. I've asked everyone and their mom about how well you have to do at Fordham to get "good" or prestigious jobs, but I've never been able to lock down a firm answer. Some people say top 50% of the class, others say it's top 20%. I imagine the truth is in the middle. I don't think theres any easy answers : / If I were you, use other offers (brooklyn, etc) to negiotate a better Cardozo offer.

Personally, I've decided to give up on NYC and attend a good regional school elsewhere on scholly. But I completely understand the urge to stay in NYC. If your dream has always been to live/work in NYC, then by all means consider Brooklyn, Cardozo or Fordham. Dont let the internet trolls snuff out your dreams! Theres are just my opinions so take with a grain of salt and feel free to ignore. GL!

Thanks for your input!
I completely agree that one shouldn't bank on transferring up. Instead, I think that someone in such a situation should select a school that would: (a) provide them with the opportunity to move up if he/she gets the grades and (b) set the mind at ease/be content if they end up in the middle of the pack at the end of 1L. In general, I don't think it's smart to pay sticker for a law school unless its T14. Top of the class and bottom of the class at Harvard Law still has a degree from Harvard Law and will still get employed. Top of the class and bottom of the class at Fordham Law on the other hand- it's a toss up that could accrue significant debt.

[browniestasty]

I agree with everyone.

It's just such a personal decision but I am waiting on Cardozo and Brooklyn to tell me scholarship and loan info so I don't even have all the info I need to make a decision yet.

It's driving me crazy.

[storpappa]

I agree with everyone.

It's just such a personal decision but I am waiting on Cardozo and Brooklyn to tell me scholarship and loan info so I don't even have all the info I need to make a decision yet.

It's driving me crazy.

How much is an extra % chance worth to you?
http://www.lstscorereports.com/compare/ ... o/fordham/

[m27]

I agree with everyone.

It's just such a personal decision but I am waiting on Cardozo and Brooklyn to tell me scholarship and loan info so I don't even have all the info I need to make a decision yet.

It's driving me crazy.

How much is an extra % chance worth to you?
http://www.lstscorereports.com/compare/ ... o/fordham/

The difference in numbers are so small that it really just comes down to you as a person, how much $$ you get, and how much $$ you're willing to take as loans. I didn't realize how similar Brooklyn Law and Cardozo were number wise.

[confused_humpback]

Pretty much in the same position as everyone else. Deciding between Cardozo/Brooklyn with more $$ and Fordham with not as much in scholarships. And also the option of just not going is on the table for me.

If you have any interest in doing Biglaw, then you should pretty much go to Fordham if you want any chance. Seems like Fordham does send a pretty good number of grads into biglaw but there's still a pretty big risk factor.

The decision I'm having to make is if I want to go into a midlaw or small law direction (leaning toward labor and employment), if the financial risks of school really weigh up to the earning potential if I go in that direction.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[christraeger]

I applied to/was accepted to Fordham last cycle and successfully negotiated for a (slightly) higher scholarship. Happy to discuss if anyone wants to PM me!

[256986245]

In! just got the email

[m27]

In! just got the email

Congrats!
When did you go complete? Also numbers? (You can PM)

[256986245]

In! just got the email

Congrats!
When did you go complete? Also numbers? (You can PM)

Thanks! I went complete around 1/15, 162, 3,6

[morningstar]

Finally went UR1 today after nearly 2 months at complete. Woo hoo?

[RachelZane13]

Waitlisted via e-mail yesterday around 5:30 p.m. Sent 1/22, complete 2/03, status date change 3/20. Will stay on and see what happens!

[cafecreme15]

Just to confirm, Fordham's first seat deposit is non-binding, correct?

[morningstar]

In via email! Complete first week of feb, UR yesterday.

[WhatCouldHaveBeen]

Submitted 1/23 and complete (I think) within a few days, just had a status change yesterday to 3/23 with status still listed as "your application is complete." My #s are strong for Fordham and I am in at a few t-14s, but my numbers are not YP candidates. Anyone else in a similar boat?

[LawsRUs]

Submitted 1/23 and complete (I think) within a few days, just had a status change yesterday to 3/23 with status still listed as "your application is complete." My #s are strong for Fordham and I am in at a few t-14s, but my numbers are not YP candidates. Anyone else in a similar boat?

Yep.

[Jessicakes90]

Submitted 1/23 and complete (I think) within a few days, just had a status change yesterday to 3/23 with status still listed as "your application is complete." My #s are strong for Fordham and I am in at a few t-14s, but my numbers are not YP candidates. Anyone else in a similar boat?

Yep.

Same, but submitted 2/1, date change 2/17 to "your application is complete", nothing since then...

[morningstar]

Submitted 1/23 and complete (I think) within a few days, just had a status change yesterday to 3/23 with status still listed as "your application is complete." My #s are strong for Fordham and I am in at a few t-14s, but my numbers are not YP candidates. Anyone else in a similar boat?

Yep.

Same, but submitted 2/1, date change 2/17 to "your application is complete", nothing since then...

If it helps, mine went complete the day after I submitted it and there was no change until I heard this morning.

[Ms4life]

Date change as of this morning, but nothing on actual decision.

[NoBladesNoBows]

.