Boston University c/o 2018 (2014-2015) Forum

[JHP]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

[RareExports]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

[betty_bojangles]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I think I would wait until they give you your need aid package because I negotiated before that and I think they are trying to pass off their need award as a response to my negotiation. (I have friends applying who are in similar financial situations, did not negotiate and got the same need award.) Also I emailed the email they provided on the scholly letter.

[lsbd123]

When is the deposit deadline for BU?

[rion91]

When is the deposit deadline for BU?

4/15. postmarked by then. i'd recommend certify mailing it. also send with that slip that came in the mailed packet.

[JHP]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

[rion91]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

Agreed. I've also seen people use cost of living for other negotiations as well

[betty_bojangles]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

Use whatever makes it seem like a larger disparity?

[RareExports]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

Because ratio of the scholarsip to cost is totally irrelevant--it doesn't give any information of what you actually have to pay. A 30k scholarship at a 60k tuition school will be more expensive to attend on than a 15k scholarship at a 30k tuition school, but both have the same scholarship:total cost of attendance ratio. The total cost of attendance is most relevant.

[rion91]

fyi needaccess form's parental data is for those who won't turn 24 this year or if your parents claim you. if you are or will turn 24 at some time of the year AND your parents don't claim you on taxes, you don't need parent's info. i saw misleading discussion back a few pages stating parental data isn't needed if you turned 24 before classes start so i thought i'd put that out there :p

http://www.bu.edu/law/prospective/finan ... rships/jd/

[JHP]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

Because ratio of the scholarsip to cost is totally irrelevant--it doesn't give any information of what you actually have to pay. A 30k scholarship at a 60k tuition school will be more expensive to attend on than a 15k scholarship at a 30k tuition school, but both have the same scholarship:total cost of attendance ratio. The total cost of attendance is most relevant.

Understood. That's helpful--thanks!

[rion91]

For those of you who have negotiated offers from BU, how exactly did you go about doing so?

I calculated the percentage of merit scholarship they offered (as a percentage of total cost of attendance) and the percentage of merit scholarship that other schools have offered me. Are these the kinds of numbers you used to negotiate? Did you email the financial aid office or the assistant dean of admissions?

I'm just a lurker here, but that does not seem like a sensible approach. Either go by cost of attendance or by scholarship amount.

And usually you email admissions.

But what's the point in telling them that I got, say, $20,000 from a different school if that 20K isn't presented as a ratio of the total cost? (In other words, 20K isn't as generous if cost of attendance is 60K versus 20K for a school where cost of attendance would be 45K)

Not trying to be combative--just want to understand your thinking process.

Because ratio of the scholarsip to cost is totally irrelevant--it doesn't give any information of what you actually have to pay. A 30k scholarship at a 60k tuition school will be more expensive to attend on than a 15k scholarship at a 30k tuition school, but both have the same scholarship:total cost of attendance ratio. The total cost of attendance is most relevant.

Oh man I didn't see the percentages part. This makes more sense

[ath160610]

does anyone have access to the housing and roommate website? I've been accepted but can't log on. http://www.bu.edu/offcampus/

[Dr. Nefario]

does anyone have access to the housing and roommate website? I've been accepted but can't log on. http://www.bu.edu/offcampus/

I think it says you have to deposit first.

[dasani13]

does anyone have access to the housing and roommate website? I've been accepted but can't log on. http://www.bu.edu/offcampus/

idk about the off-campus housing website, but if you go on the prospective students page, there is housing information specifically for law students (roommate referral form, roommate and apartment list, etc.) the log-in info you'll need is on the status checker page.

[mak04]

Has anyone else got an email from BU requesting an updated resume? My resume was up-to-date when I submitted my application.

[lujanj7]

Has anyone else got an email from BU requesting an updated resume? My resume was up-to-date when I submitted my application.

Are you already admitted or have you not received a decision? I would assume that they are on the fence about you and are looking for more information. Try sending another LoR or add some fluff to your resume and send it in. Meaningful fluff, though.

[rion91]

that veryapt guide is a godsend

[lujanj7]

Anyone have any idea when we might be getting those travel stipends back from the ASW?

[Hispaniclaw]

speaking of travel stipends, has anyone had any success asking for one after the admitted students event? I wasn't available those days but would still like to visit before making a decision.

[rion91]

speaking of travel stipends, has anyone had any success asking for one after the admitted students event? I wasn't available those days but would still like to visit before making a decision.

I would contact Christine Carr. Admit site says funds are limited and it explicitly states for use at the preview day. Can't hurt to ask, tho.

[harvardlaw8]

So I've been sitting at complete since mid-January, no updates at all. What exactly does this mean? Are they placing my application on hold because they are not sure what to do with me? Does it mean I most likely will get waitlisted? Or should I be expecting a rejection sometime soon?

[rion91]

So I've been sitting at complete since mid-January, no updates at all. What exactly does this mean? Are they placing my application on hold because they are not sure what to do with me? Does it mean I most likely will get waitlisted? Or should I be expecting a rejection sometime soon?

http://mylsn.info/r/pre-law/timeline/chart/ check out BU and put the application sent month.

[JHP]

Regardless of whether or you will be attending or not, I thought it would be interesting to hear your impressions of the school/faculty/students/program? I went to one of the ASDs, and was overall pleasantly surprised by the quality of the facilities (at least, the parts of the facilities that I had time to see, which was not much) and the mock class was very comforting, as I was very impressed by the caliber of admitted students who showed up to the event and answered questions during the class (i.e. no one was trying to show off, but most seemed very smart).

I wasn't able to talk to a lot of current students, and haven't been able to speak to many alums, but wanted to hear other people's impressions! I will likely be attending.

[happyendings]

just got wait listed... sigh