Duke University School of Law C/O 2019 Applicants Forum

[EliCoe]

Applied RD 11/13. Went complete sometime in January. Under review this morning.

[Shib26]

Applied RD 11/13. Went complete sometime in January. Under review this morning.

Same here, complete 1/6, under review as of 2/8. Good to see some movement.

[herecomesthesun]

If any admits are going to cancel or reschedule their fin aid interview, please let a fellow TLS-er know. First available dates aren't until March 9th now...

Is anyone else canceling theirs? I have one scheduled for early March, but would love to bump it up if I can

[vested]

How does Mordecai work? If I'm being considered for it, should I have received some notice by now? With the fin aid interviews so far away, I'm guessing there won't be much money left for me here

idk how many rounds of Mordecais there are (or if there even are multiples). The first round has already passed. However, I don't think you should be concerned about there not being much money left, whatever that means.

There's a finite amount of scholarship money.

Right. But you're assuming that they don't have measures in place to ensure individuals get the scholarships they deserve. That they don't keep a reserve for negotiations. That they give all the money to the first interviewers and then screw the later interviewers. I mean, the scholarship committee just (reportedly) met for the first time this past friday. Other than Mordecais, nobody has gotten any money offer yet. You're just not giving the whole process enough credit.

I agree with this, but still the office should be better about anticipating these concerns and addressing them by adding a bit more clarity to the way they describe the process. And, I guess this process is part of what makes PT possible--I'm trying to remember that so I complain less

[lymenheimer]

I agree with this, but still the office should be better about anticipating these concerns and addressing them by adding a bit more clarity to the way they describe the process. And, I guess this process is part of what makes PT possible--I'm trying to remember that so I complain less

Yea I can see getting confused inside of how it works, but I think the drama is increased exponentially by everyone communicating over it without taking into consideration the context. Like the fact that 84% or so of Duke Law students are receiving some sort of scholarship aid. It may not be enough to sway certain individuals, but that doesn't mean that they aren't giving out decent money, or even that they are going to run out of money. It's similar to the person who gets rejected from a school and says "they must not be taking [insert arbitrary quality of applicant] this year".

It is quite a bit more defined and explicit than other schools as well. I mean, people had to email Mich to get word that no scholarship aid was being offered (to that individual). And other schools send out scholarships with admission packets, while they wait to send out scholarship offers for other applicants. To be fair to Duke, even though it seems like an unfair and unbalanced process, they are the only ones that I have been looking at with a fairly clear timeline and process for receiving scholarship offers. It is only exaggeratedly annoying/unfair because the individual knows how and where they fall on that timeline, making it seem unfair, especially if the applicant was not fortunate enough to get PT or a decision before the scholarship interviews opened up. But even that can fall on the timeline in proportion to other admits.

eta: and not a jab at RZ, but for someone with strict financial requirements, it is not fair for an individual to hate on the school if they are not able to fulfill those requirements (again, not commenting on RZ's post, but I have seen it prior where people say "well they didn't give me any money, they must not want me. I had to get a big scholarship to attend anyways, so I'm not gonna go now. They obviously don't care...etc")

[jewkidontheblock]

Anyone think scholly letters will be sent out today? Looks like they were released around this time last year.

[urbanist11]

It's possible! Keep an eye on status checker. Especially those who interviewed mid January.

[lymenheimer]

It's possible! Keep an eye on status checker. Especially those who interviewed mid January.

Totally forgot they sent updates by status checker. Thanks for the reminder!

[RZ5646]

How does Mordecai work? If I'm being considered for it, should I have received some notice by now? With the fin aid interviews so far away, I'm guessing there won't be much money left for me here

idk how many rounds of Mordecais there are (or if there even are multiples). The first round has already passed. However, I don't think you should be concerned about there not being much money left, whatever that means.

There's a finite amount of scholarship money.

Right. But you're assuming that they don't have measures in place to ensure individuals get the scholarships they deserve. That they don't keep a reserve for negotiations. That they give all the money to the first interviewers and then screw the later interviewers. I mean, the scholarship committee just (reportedly) met for the first time this past friday. Other than Mordecais, nobody has gotten any money offer yet. You're just not giving the whole process enough credit.

Idk, I guess I'm just worried that not applying until January set me up for failure re scholarships and I'll have to reapply next year. Hopefully you're right about them keeping enough money in reserve. I'd be really bummed about not being considered for Mordecai though.

[urbanist11]

Someone got a mordecai in mid February last year so just chill out a bit

[RZ5646]

Like the fact that 84% or so of Duke Law students are receiving some sort of scholarship aid

I think schools try to game that number though.

eta: and not a jab at RZ, but for someone with strict financial requirements, it is not fair for an individual to hate on the school if they are not able to fulfill those requirements (again, not commenting on RZ's post, but I have seen it prior where people say "well they didn't give me any money, they must not want me. I had to get a big scholarship to attend anyways, so I'm not gonna go now. They obviously don't care...etc")

Yeah, I'm definitely not hating on Duke, I'm just impatient, and the fact is that it just wouldn't be wise for me to attend Duke at anything close to sticker price. It's a great school and I'd definitely go if the money were right, but if I have to pay full price for law school, I have better offers.

[urbanist11]

Like the fact that 84% or so of Duke Law students are receiving some sort of scholarship aid

I think schools try to game that number though.

eta: and not a jab at RZ, but for someone with strict financial requirements, it is not fair for an individual to hate on the school if they are not able to fulfill those requirements (again, not commenting on RZ's post, but I have seen it prior where people say "well they didn't give me any money, they must not want me. I had to get a big scholarship to attend anyways, so I'm not gonna go now. They obviously don't care...etc")

Yeah, I'm definitely not hating on Duke, I'm just impatient, and the fact is that it just wouldn't be wise for me to attend Duke at anything close to sticker price. It's a great school and I'd definitely go if the money were right, but if I have to pay full price for law school, I have better offers.

Re #1 not sure how a school would "game" the fact that they are giving need and merit grants to students. When you compare to peers like UVA, Duke gives a far larger % of students $.

Re #2 I don't understand why you think your choice is between $0 and mordecai at Duke. I don't get your fixation on Duke in general. Apply broadly and negotiate like the rest of us.

[lymenheimer]

Like the fact that 84% or so of Duke Law students are receiving some sort of scholarship aid

I think schools try to game that number though.

eta: and not a jab at RZ, but for someone with strict financial requirements, it is not fair for an individual to hate on the school if they are not able to fulfill those requirements (again, not commenting on RZ's post, but I have seen it prior where people say "well they didn't give me any money, they must not want me. I had to get a big scholarship to attend anyways, so I'm not gonna go now. They obviously don't care...etc")

Yeah, I'm definitely not hating on Duke, I'm just impatient, and the fact is that it just wouldn't be wise for me to attend Duke at anything close to sticker price. It's a great school and I'd definitely go if the money were right, but if I have to pay full price for law school, I have better offers.

Re #1 not sure how a school would "game" the fact that they are giving need and merit grants to students. When you compare to peers like UVA, Duke gives a far larger % of students $.

Re #2 I don't understand why you think your choice is between $0 and mordecai at Duke. I don't get your fixation on Duke in general. Apply broadly and negotiate like the rest of us.

Yea. Urbanist beat me to it (I was drafting a longer response). 509 is pretty clear on the number of scholarships. And Duke, as opposed to some schools, doesn't have such a wide spread for their 25, 50, and 75 percentiles re: scholarships. That is the only way I could think they would game it (by funneling a larger number in the lower brackets). But >40% of the class receives >/= 1/3 tuition scholarship aid. So that is significant assistance, even for those of us who don't qualify for the larger scholarships, as compared to other schools who might have a wider range between 25 and 75.

Also, I think #2 is where they keep their small class size and loyalty. Not to be inconsiderate of your position (because I totally understand not wanting to pay sticker), but I wouldn't admit you to Duke knowing that you'd only attend if most of your COA was taken care of by scholarship. I'd rather admit students who are highly interested in the school (and understand how the financial aid is managed), and then give them a scholly that can assist in their education. And that is neither to shit on your position that finances matter (they do - and they are a heavy consideration in my deliberations as well), nor to say that you aren't highly interested in Duke. But to make such a quick jump to "I have better options", makes the Duke interest seem pretty disingenuous. But maybe I'm just misinterpreting your tone. Also, if you are looking at being a target for Mordecai, you won't be looking at sticker, so Urbanist is right about that too.

[herecomesthesun]

If any admits are going to cancel or reschedule their fin aid interview, please let a fellow TLS-er know. First available dates aren't until March 9th now...

Is anyone else canceling theirs? I have one scheduled for early March, but would love to bump it up if I can

Bumping this prematurely, but I just had to reschedule mine for even later in March because of a conflict. If anyone is planning to move theirs, that would be wonderful

[RZ5646]

Like the fact that 84% or so of Duke Law students are receiving some sort of scholarship aid

I think schools try to game that number though.

eta: and not a jab at RZ, but for someone with strict financial requirements, it is not fair for an individual to hate on the school if they are not able to fulfill those requirements (again, not commenting on RZ's post, but I have seen it prior where people say "well they didn't give me any money, they must not want me. I had to get a big scholarship to attend anyways, so I'm not gonna go now. They obviously don't care...etc")

Yeah, I'm definitely not hating on Duke, I'm just impatient, and the fact is that it just wouldn't be wise for me to attend Duke at anything close to sticker price. It's a great school and I'd definitely go if the money were right, but if I have to pay full price for law school, I have better offers.

Re #1 not sure how a school would "game" the fact that they are giving need and merit grants to students. When you compare to peers like UVA, Duke gives a far larger % of students $.

Re #2 I don't understand why you think your choice is between $0 and mordecai at Duke. I don't get your fixation on Duke in general. Apply broadly and negotiate like the rest of us.

Yea. Urbanist beat me to it (I was drafting a longer response). 509 is pretty clear on the number of scholarships. And Duke, as opposed to some schools, doesn't have such a wide spread for their 25, 50, and 75 percentiles re: scholarships. That is the only way I could think they would game it (by funneling a larger number in the lower brackets). But >40% of the class receives >/= 1/3 tuition scholarship aid. So that is significant assistance, even for those of us who don't qualify for the larger scholarships, as compared to other schools who might have a wider range between 25 and 75.

Also, I think #2 is where they keep their small class size and loyalty. Not to be inconsiderate of your position (because I totally understand not wanting to pay sticker), but I wouldn't admit you to Duke knowing that you'd only attend if most of your COA was taken care of by scholarship. I'd rather admit students who are highly interested in the school (and understand how the financial aid is managed), and then give them a scholly that can assist in their education. And that is neither to shit on your position that finances matter (they do - and they are a heavy consideration in my deliberations as well), nor to say that you aren't highly interested in Duke. But to make such a quick jump to "I have better options", makes the Duke interest seem pretty disingenuous. But maybe I'm just misinterpreting your tone. Also, if you are looking at being a target for Mordecai, you won't be looking at sticker, so Urbanist is right about that too.

I think you understand my point with the first item: the overall percentage isn't that useful because it suggests the probability that you will be offered a scholarship, but not how much that scholarship will be worth, and that's what most people are really interested in. You have data about the breakdown of those scholarships, which is certainly more informative.

As for school interest, there is something to be said for school spirit, tradition, prestige, liking the location, etc., but overall return on investment is paramount for me. I simply can't afford for it not to be.

Just to be clear, I am not hating on Duke (or any other school) in any way, shape, or form, nor do I feel entitled to any sort of scholarship. Sorry if I gave that impression to anyone.

[lymenheimer]

As for school interest, there is something to be said for school spirit, tradition, prestige, liking the location, etc., but overall return on investment is paramount for me. I simply can't afford for it not to be.

ROI is a good consideration, but if you spend years in biglaw, even sticker at a school is going to give you a positive ROI. Of course, I understand what you mean, but there are certain advantages to Duke's system and there are disadvantages to Duke's system. If high ROI biglaw is the goal, Cornell at high scholarship may be your best choice regardless...(barring a fully at another T14). For example though. Look at NYU 509. Only 38% of students get scholarships. They have a larger number of full-tuition scholarships, but on the lower end, it's possible to be screwed.

[jc1194]

Can someone please explain what the Priority Reserve list is in a little more detail? (i.e. how it differs from a normal waitlist and what steps I should take from here) Called the admissions office and all I was told was "it is what it sounds like it is"

[lymenheimer]

Can someone please explain what the Priority Reserve list is in a little more detail? (i.e. how it differs from a normal waitlist and what steps I should take from here) Called the admissions office and all I was told was "it is what it sounds like it is"

They're not wrong. Drop the capital letters and read it like that. It's the list they draw applicants from before they go to the WL. You should treat it like a waitlist, but know that you are a priority candidate for admission. I don't know where you are confused...

[RZ5646]

Can someone please explain what the Priority Reserve list is in a little more detail? (i.e. how it differs from a normal waitlist and what steps I should take from here) Called the admissions office and all I was told was "it is what it sounds like it is"

It's the top of the waitlist

[mustmixwithaction]

I have something listed on my status checker under scholarships, but no listing of any mailings.
let's hope it's this week!
(I interviewed in early Jan.)

[lawyergirl94]

Finally under review as of 2/8.. Submitted on 12/20, went complete on 1/4...

[earthabides]

I have something listed on my status checker under scholarships, but no listing of any mailings.
let's hope it's this week!
(I interviewed in early Jan.)

Same, not sure when it showed up

[heynowheynow]

Finally under review as of 2/8.. Submitted on 12/20, went complete on 1/4...

Similar dates. Any word on general time frames from here?

[lawschoolapplicant92]

I have something listed on my status checker under scholarships, but no listing of any mailings.
let's hope it's this week!
(I interviewed in early Jan.)

Same, not sure when it showed up

I've had "Need/Merit" listed under scholarship type since the day after I submitted my financial aid form in December so :/

[lymenheimer]

I've had "Need/Merit" listed under scholarship type since the day after I submitted my financial aid form in December so :/

You submitted that before NA/Fafsa opened up?