Georgetown c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[pedestrian]

I am literally in the EXACT same position as a few of you folks. I attended the Jan admitted students weekend and fell in love w/ DC and Georgetown really made a good impression as well. At that point I had been admitted to 7 schools ranked better than Gtown, with big money at a few, and I still would have gladly put my seat deposit down at Gtown. I just kept thinking in the back of my mind... "I hope they make it an easy decision when scholarship offers come out." Needless to say, they didn't, and now all of the good will that they created during my visit has just turned to disappointment and resentment over their stupid/opaque/seemingly arbitrary method of awarding merit aid. It seems like a lot of other really qualified (probably over-qualified) applicants have had the same reaction to this whole mess as well, and I can't help but see it as a HUGE misstep on Georgetown's part. If their goal was to disqualify applicants who wouldn't actually attend if offered money, then at least in my case, I know they made a mistake.

As I said earlier in this thread, I would be a fool to pay for a professional education from people who themselves behave so unprofessionally.

The same thing happened to me. I visited GULC for a conference and absolutely loved it. I would have gladly chosen it over several higher ranked schools if they could have matched financial aid, or even just sold me on their ability to get me to a job that would pay off my debt. Unfortunately, the whole financial aid process and general tenor of communication has been very off-putting (and my cycle went much better than expected, so in the end I wouldn't have gone anyway).

FWIW I had an alumni interview with a recent grad who was near the top of his class, got an A3 clerkship, and went into V10 biglaw - basically one of their shining stars. When I asked about job prospects and financial aid, he hesitated. In the end he all but recommended that I go to a peer school.

I still think that it has a lot going for it in terms of faculty, location, and lay prestige, but they are really teetering with their response to the new economy and the drop in applications. I'm not sure what the answer is - cut the class size, tap their large alumni base, use ED + full ride to lock in committed applicants with high numbers like NU & GW... they need to step it up though.

[BigZuck]

I don't think anyone ITT or TLS can reasonably say or ever said that GULC isn't a good school or that it's not well-regarded in the legal world. A GULC J.D. can take you places. But the basis of the concern is based on its real-world cost, which far outpaces its peers.

I truly envy those who got substantive scholarships to GULC. When I say substantive, i mean enough scholly to make a real difference. A 30k award for example is not substantive. It doesn't make any significant difference to the total cost once COL/interest is included.

Again, the concern has nothing to do with GULC prestige. No one is contesting that. But GULC was a risky investment even before the whole scholarship snafu that happened this cycle. If you're planning on financing your degree with student loans and are expecting to pay sticker at GULC, then take a moment to ignore the prestige kool-aid to consider the cost . If you got into GULC you most likely have great alternatives.

I would have chosen GULC if they matched or came close to my offers at the schools that are their peer when it comes to employment (meaning the UCLA/USC/Vandy/UT subset). I will not choose GULC at sticker when I have scholarships at places like Michigan and Duke. That's not me being an elitist, that's just being pragmatic.

I'm not t14 or bust, I'm all about choosing the best school based on employment outcomes and cost. GULC will never be that for the vast majority of applicants. They already were in a precarious position and I think that will be exacerbated this cycle. They need to step up as another poster said. It will be interesting to see what happens when the dust settles after this cycle.

[Xs20]

Personal sklls and character have an insanely higher degree of influence on one's impact and ability to succeed in this world.

Character and interpersonal skills carry a lot more weight than the name of the school once you get past the top 6, and TLS neglects this.

While this is true to a degree, it doesn't extrapolate out very far down the rankings. In other words, you could have the best "character and interpersonal skills" in the world, but you won't even get the interview in the first place if you don't go to a good enough school and/or have good enough grades. Also, "character and interpersonal skills" don't count for anything when you're up to your eyeballs in debt and firms are making massive layoffs to boost their bottom line. To second what cusenation said, GULC certainly is a well-respected school, but you'd be crazy to go there at sticker.

[yellowedpages]

In!!! Had an interview less then two weeks ago and at least two status date changes since then if anyone is curious.

[Bfalcon]

Personal sklls and character have an insanely higher degree of influence on one's impact and ability to succeed in this world.

Character and interpersonal skills carry a lot more weight than the name of the school once you get past the top 6, and TLS neglects this.

While this is true to a degree, it doesn't extrapolate out very far down the rankings. In other words, you could have the best "character and interpersonal skills" in the world, but you won't even get the interview in the first place if you don't go to a good enough school and/or have good enough grades. Also, "character and interpersonal skills" don't count for anything when you're up to your eyeballs in debt and firms are making massive layoffs to boost their bottom line. To second what cusenation said, GULC certainly is a well-respected school, but you'd be crazy to go there at sticker.

I'm just talking general success in life. Anyhow, moot point for me at least.

In other worlds, how many people out of the 600ish of the entering class do you think have applied to pils? 100? 200? 50?

[kraffcook]

Did people get e-mails telling them they weren't getting scholarships? I was told I was being considered and then nothing. I saw that pretty much all the scholarships went out last week, but they haven't sent me anything. I e-mailed them 2 days ago and am still waiting for a response.

[uconjak]

I would say that most of the scholly money has been allocated. Their is some left probably for those special snowflakes they want, no matter what. even then it will probably be only 15k/year. They might have some money for some waitlisted kids who they are trying to woo into the school. They have pissed me off so much i doubt i am going thier unless they make it worth my while and I am highly doubting they will come to the table. I have some good school options with other schools who are stepping up and making the effort.

[GoldHattedGatsby]

Received my acceptance letter in the mail today, exactly one week after my group interview!

[jone7007]

Received my acceptance letter in the mail today, exactly one week after my group interview!

Congrats!

[jessicayaaay]

There is a particular elitism within TLS, and I don't care for it. In the real world, outside of forums etc, opportunities are what you make of it. Personal sklls and character have an insanely higher degree of influence on one's impact and ability to succeed in this world. Making it to a good law school is just one small step.

My 2 cents anyway. Not looking for an argument whatsoever. Thanks though! Mostly just wondering about PILS!

Thank you for your bold honesty. You have just written what I, as a silent observer, have been thinking this whole time.

[topped2013]

Today was the first day I could access the admitted students website.

Can anyone explain to me how to access the damn yellow form?

[az21833]

in via snail mail! had group interview like a week ago in nyc

[jvincent11]

There is a particular elitism within TLS, and I don't care for it. In the real world, outside of forums etc, opportunities are what you make of it. Personal sklls and character have an insanely higher degree of influence on one's impact and ability to succeed in this world. Making it to a good law school is just one small step.

My 2 cents anyway. Not looking for an argument whatsoever. Thanks though! Mostly just wondering about PILS!

Thank you for your bold honesty. You have just written what I, as a silent observer, have been thinking this whole time.

+1

[SteelPenguin]

I'll be having my group interview in New York today. Anyone else going today?

I was nervous at first, but I've gotten pretty excited about it in the past couple of days. My numbers aren't great for Georgetown, but I'm glad they're giving me a chance to prove myself and potentially earn an admission. At the very least, if I'm rejected, I'll know I gave it my best effort.

Also, the general consensus on group interviews is that after the interview, a decision will be made within a couple of days, right?

[framboozer]

I received an acceptance letter yesterday. It was dated March 4, 2013. That's the first I learned of my getting in. I checked my status checker and it just said "Application Completed."

I liked the little note handwritten on my acceptance letter. I like when schools add a personal touch and mention something about my particular application.

[bluecouch]

I received an acceptance letter yesterday. It was dated March 4, 2013. That's the first I learned of my getting in. I checked my status checker and it just said "Application Completed."

I liked the little note handwritten on my acceptance letter. I like when schools add a personal touch and mention something about my particular application.

Congrats!

I agree about the handwritten note. The note on my letter from Dean Cornblatt was the nicest note I've received on an acceptance letter. It was personal and really thoughtful.

[Rlabo]

I'll be having my group interview in New York today. Anyone else going today?

I was nervous at first, but I've gotten pretty excited about it in the past couple of days. My numbers aren't great for Georgetown, but I'm glad they're giving me a chance to prove myself and potentially earn an admission. At the very least, if I'm rejected, I'll know I gave it my best effort.

Also, the general consensus on group interviews is that after the interview, a decision will be made within a couple of days, right?

+1 cya there

[uconjak]

God almighty,
I am getting stuff from GULC all the time today a hard bound book..Pic of law school...stop sending me stuff and just give me some money to attend. I have got this type of crap for weeks now.

[FromDCtoWhere]

Went to the on-campus info session/ tour today. For the people who are caught in WL limbo with me, the key dates that were mentioned were 1 week after May 1st & June 3rd (seat deposits), 1 week after the first tuition deadline (July/August?), and orientation week.

The school was very impressive, their clinical programs and on-campus interviews with firms were a big plus for me. I should have taken pics to post but I forgot, sorry! If anyone has questions about the info session, feel free to ask. Good luck to everyone still waiting on decisions!

[mehh]

Anyone know when admitted students weekend is/was?

[jone7007]

Anyone know when admitted students weekend is/was?

There was one in January. There is also one 3/21 and 3/22.

[HankBashir]

Just got the "Finalist" e-mail for Round 2 of the merit scholarship process.

[turn left]

Just got the "Finalist" e-mail for Round 2 of the merit scholarship process.

Same. Based on the first round there's still a chance we end up with nothing though right?

[kraffcook]

Just got the "Finalist" e-mail for Round 2 of the merit scholarship process.

Thank god there's another round. I still haven't heard anything since I responded to their additional info request in early February. Hopefully I'll get an e-mail tonight

[HankBashir]

Just got the "Finalist" e-mail for Round 2 of the merit scholarship process.

Same. Based on the first round there's still a chance we end up with nothing though right?

Yep. The first round results came out starting about page 101 of this thread.