IN AT COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL!!!!!! Forum

[CanadianEH]

Were the letters dated April 1st?

[Dignan]

I just got my award letter by email. Nothing. Oh well. Given that Berkeley just offered me $75K (and I get in-state tuition as a Cali resident), it's going to be hard for me to pick CLS over Berkeley.

(And, yes, the CLS letter was dated April 1.)

[Dtackpat75]

Got my award via email as well. Probably because I informed them of NYU's deadline which I got extended until the 12th. 40k from Columbia vs. 50k from NYU. So financial aid is basocally a wash. I definitely cannot complain. I am visiting NYU next weekend I already love Columbia though. At least I get to basically pick between my two top schools based on fit and comfort level and not just what makes the most sense financially. I hate those gut vs. logic decisions.

[s419]

Am I the only one who got more money today from CLS ($65k) than from NYU ($50k)? Pretty surprised that they managed to use email and to respond by the NYU deadline. good luck to everyone deciding in the coming days!

[andreea7]

Congrats to those who got their awards from CLS!

[holborn]

anyone get their award from CLS who was NOT facing the NYU deadline (and informed CLS of the deadline)?

[BenJ]

anyone get their award from CLS who was NOT facing the NYU deadline (and informed CLS of the deadline)?

I think they sent all of those by snail mail yesterday. So you'll probably get it tomorrow or Monday.

[MTC87]

no award letter from CLS or NYU, but i just got one for $45k from chicago. should i send notice of this CLS/NYU, or wait till i hear from them? will i hear at all if they decide not to give me anything?

[BenJ]

no award letter from CLS or NYU, but i just got one for $45k from chicago. should i send notice of this CLS/NYU, or wait till i hear from them? will i hear at all if they decide not to give me anything?

CLS and NYU both alert you if they give you nothing. Send them the Chicago offer before their decision.

[holborn]

no award letter from CLS or NYU, but i just got one for $45k from chicago. should i send notice of this CLS/NYU, or wait till i hear from them? will i hear at all if they decide not to give me anything?

this happened to me as well. I live in Manhattan so I should find out today if my award notice went out with the first batch. if not, ill send them my chicago award to try to leverage. Will also do this if I get home today and they've given me $0. haha

[Series70]

Nothing in the mail today here in Brooklyn. I'm in the same situation, with the 45k offer from Chicago. Would it really be best to tell NYU and CLS about Chicago BEFORE receiving their initial offers? I'm just worried that NYU might be considering giving me, say, 50k or something, and that playing my Chicago hand too quickly could end up hurting me. Any thoughts?

[muahawhawhaw]

Nothing in the mail today here in Brooklyn. I'm in the same situation, with the 45k offer from Chicago. Would it really be best to tell NYU and CLS about Chicago BEFORE receiving their initial offers? I'm just worried that NYU might be considering giving me, say, 50k or something, and that playing my Chicago hand too quickly could end up hurting me. Any thoughts?

I was in a similar position where NYU offered me 50K and I thought I could maybe get a similar or better offer from Columbia by not sending them my NYU offer. Big mistake, as I got nothing from them. I'm pretty sure Columbia considers themselves better than NYU, but still, having sent that letter could have really helped me. Now I have to resort to last-minute tactics to see if they change their minds. I say send it; these are top-6 schools, so don't take receiving money from them for granted unless you have HYS numbers.

[GermX]

3.4, 169, I didn't even bother applying, kind of heart breaking, I was aiming for a 175 on the LSAT but that's life I guess=(. I'll try transferring.

[Series70]

I was in a similar position where NYU offered me 50K and I thought I could maybe get a similar or better offer from Columbia by not sending them my NYU offer. Big mistake, as I got nothing from them. I'm pretty sure Columbia considers themselves better than NYU, but still, having sent that letter could have really helped me. Now I have to resort to last-minute tactics to see if they change their minds. I say send it; these are top-6 schools, so don't take receiving money from them for granted unless you have HYS numbers.

So you told Columbia about the NYU offer after they gave you nothing, and they still didn't budge? I thought that, even if I got a $0 message from CLS, letting them know about Chicago might have made them reconsider; but are all offers final? (I appreciate your input, as I really don't have a clue.) Thanks!

[Dignan]

I was in a similar position where NYU offered me 50K and I thought I could maybe get a similar or better offer from Columbia by not sending them my NYU offer. Big mistake, as I got nothing from them. I'm pretty sure Columbia considers themselves better than NYU, but still, having sent that letter could have really helped me. Now I have to resort to last-minute tactics to see if they change their minds. I say send it; these are top-6 schools, so don't take receiving money from them for granted unless you have HYS numbers.

So you told Columbia about the NYU offer after they gave you nothing, and they still didn't budge? I thought that, even if I got a $0 message from CLS, letting them know about Chicago might have made them reconsider; but are all offers final? (I appreciate your input, as I really don't have a clue.) Thanks!

Nothing is final until you accept or decline their offer. In past years, they've occasionally budged when someone negotiates after an initial offer was made. But it's obviously not a good sign if they've assessed the strength of your position and decided that you merit $0 in aid.

I'm thinking of letting CLS know about my Berkeley offer. I'm willing to go an additional $50K in debt to go to CLS, but not an additional $100K. Maybe I'll just be blunt and tell CLS that. They'll probably laugh it off, but it can't hurt.

[clintonius]

Nothing in the mail today here in Brooklyn. I'm in the same situation, with the 45k offer from Chicago. Would it really be best to tell NYU and CLS about Chicago BEFORE receiving their initial offers? I'm just worried that NYU might be considering giving me, say, 50k or something, and that playing my Chicago hand too quickly could end up hurting me. Any thoughts?

Pretty sure it's best to wait, especially if you expect your award soon and will have time to negotiate.

[muahawhawhaw]

I was in a similar position where NYU offered me 50K and I thought I could maybe get a similar or better offer from Columbia by not sending them my NYU offer. Big mistake, as I got nothing from them. I'm pretty sure Columbia considers themselves better than NYU, but still, having sent that letter could have really helped me. Now I have to resort to last-minute tactics to see if they change their minds. I say send it; these are top-6 schools, so don't take receiving money from them for granted unless you have HYS numbers.

So you told Columbia about the NYU offer after they gave you nothing, and they still didn't budge? I thought that, even if I got a $0 message from CLS, letting them know about Chicago might have made them reconsider; but are all offers final? (I appreciate your input, as I really don't have a clue.) Thanks!

Not quite. I sent them an e-mail yesterday and will call if I don't get a response by Monday, so we'll see in the next few days (I got an extension on the NYU deadline to the 7th). I also agree with Dignan- I'm assuming I'll really have to put some effort into getting Columbia to budge.

I really, really liked Columbia, so I hope that they're willing to meet me halfway. Phooey.

[MTC87]

I was in a similar position where NYU offered me 50K and I thought I could maybe get a similar or better offer from Columbia by not sending them my NYU offer. Big mistake, as I got nothing from them. I'm pretty sure Columbia considers themselves better than NYU, but still, having sent that letter could have really helped me. Now I have to resort to last-minute tactics to see if they change their minds. I say send it; these are top-6 schools, so don't take receiving money from them for granted unless you have HYS numbers.

So you told Columbia about the NYU offer after they gave you nothing, and they still didn't budge? I thought that, even if I got a $0 message from CLS, letting them know about Chicago might have made them reconsider; but are all offers final? (I appreciate your input, as I really don't have a clue.) Thanks!

Nothing is final until you accept or decline their offer. In past years, they've occasionally budged when someone negotiates after an initial offer was made. But it's obviously not a good sign if they've assessed the strength of your position and decided that you merit $0 in aid.

I'm thinking of letting CLS know about my Berkeley offer. I'm willing to go an additional $50K in debt to go to CLS, but not an additional $100K. Maybe I'll just be blunt and tell CLS that. They'll probably laugh it off, but it can't hurt.

yeah this makes sense to me if there is room for negotiation after the final offer. i think i'll wait for notice from nyu/cls before telling them about the chicago offer. just to hedge against the off chance that nyu/cls where originally going to offer more than chicago, or decide that they only need to do a XX% match of chicago or something.

[Series70]

My letter ended up arriving on Saturday. 25k over three years! I'm pretty happy about it, as that is pretty much the best I could hope for, given what other people have been reporting. I guess it's still worth contacting them and mentioning the 45k from Chicago, though, right? Just to see if they budge at all? (I have another question for financial aid anyway, so I might as well mention the offer in the same email.)

[irie]

My letter ended up arriving on Saturday. 25k over three years! I'm pretty happy about it, as that is pretty much the best I could hope for, given what other people have been reporting. I guess it's still worth contacting them and mentioning the 45k from Chicago, though, right? Just to see if they budge at all? (I have another question for financial aid anyway, so I might as well mention the offer in the same email.)

is this need-based or merit?

[irie]

My letter ended up arriving on Saturday. 25k over three years! I'm pretty happy about it, as that is pretty much the best I could hope for, given what other people have been reporting. I guess it's still worth contacting them and mentioning the 45k from Chicago, though, right? Just to see if they budge at all? (I have another question for financial aid anyway, so I might as well mention the offer in the same email.)

is this need-based or merit?

nvm, dumb question, i forgot CLS doesnt give merit unless its hamilton/butler

[holborn]

nothing for me. looks like its time to draft a 'but look what other schools gave me' email...

[BenJ]

My letter ended up arriving on Saturday. 25k over three years! I'm pretty happy about it, as that is pretty much the best I could hope for, given what other people have been reporting. I guess it's still worth contacting them and mentioning the 45k from Chicago, though, right? Just to see if they budge at all? (I have another question for financial aid anyway, so I might as well mention the offer in the same email.)

I think they'd bump it up to $30-35k, maybe a little more, if you show them the $45k at Chicago.

[of Benito Cereno]

didn't get a chance to look at lionsgate when I visited and am wondering if anyone has pictures or impressions to share? also, does anyone know the price range for an unfurnished 1 bedroom? also, when is the housing assignment process?

[blue5385]

...and while we are talking about housing, am I the only person who didn't apply for a studio/1 BR? I applied to live in the CLS-specific apartments on 115th St. -- they seemed spacious enough to me at ASW (one guy in particular had a HUGE bedroom all to himself) and the people living there seemed happy enough with their roomies and general living situation. However, I feel like I'm the only person who is voluntarily choosing to live with roommates...