Fordham c/o 2016/17 (2012-2013 Cycle) Forum

[njpark]

I know a bunch of you are at the ASD today.

Please share your experience (and pictures!)

[30-Something]

I know a bunch of you are at the ASD today.

Please share your experience (and pictures!)

Sorry, didn't take pics, but, I can tell you about ASD.

Full disclosure, Fordham is a done deal. I deferred enrollment last year, so, ASD wasn't about "making a decision" for me. Plus, I'm pretty big fan of Fordham. That said, I did have a good time. (Except for the part where I came down with malaria (self-diagnosed) toward the end and almost passed out during the alumni panel. Left before the closing reception, sorry I didn't get to say bye HHock, it was nice to meet you.) But, there were some moments that might have been off-putting to some of the kids in attendance... I'll get to that later.

To start things off, we got our swag bags and apparently they kicked up their swag game from last year, according to the current students milling about. We got an umbrella, a multiple port usb charger, a reusable grocery bag and a compressed t-shirt in the shape of a gavel.

From the atrium, they ushered us into the amphitheater for the dean's address, the curriculum overview and what they called the "faculty spotlight." Prof. Brudney gave a talk about the increase in the number of decision in which the SCOTUS cites dictionary definitions. And then Prof. Sylvain spoke about the internet and law.

Then they split us up into two groups for the mock classes. The one I attended covered lawyering skills, 6 admitted student volunteers questioned an actress using open ended questions. It was ok but I was kinda hoping for one of the core classes like torts.

After that we did lunch back in the atrium followed by the school tour led by a 1L. Fordham's current digs have a lot in common, architecturally, with my high school that was built in 1973. But, I feel that you should probably not pick your law school based on aesthetics alone. That said the new building will be open next fall and it looks pretty awesome and the chairs in the library are pretty comfy.

Following the tour, we split up again into self-designated breakout sessions, we had the chance to attend two session, selected from five options. The options were: Clinical Offerings, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, International Law and Public Interest Law. I selected Clinical and International, both were pretty informative. International was very much focused on the public interest end of things as the session was run by the co-directors of the Leitner Center.

It was during the Financial Aid session that, I think, some students might have been turned off. To be clear, I think that was Fordham's goal. The dean of enrollment basically said we know we don't award a lot of merit schollys. we know that Cardozo does. If School X offered you a free ride and we offered you 10k, feel free to take the free ride, because, we're probably not going to renegotiate. A direct quote, regarding negotiation, was "we don't like to reward the squeaky wheel."

Fordham was pretty honest about job prospects throughout the day. The dean of enrollment, during the opening address, joked about how we must not have a heard what a terrible decision it is to attend law school, we must be illiterate. His overall position was that law school, any law school, is not the best path to fame and fortune. The odds are against you. But, if you're open to working outside of big law, you just might be ok. Two of the alumni invited to speak on the panel were not employed upon graduation. However, and I'm sure these were rare instances, Fordham got them fellowships to work at the LS for a year, after which they were able to find other jobs after networking with Fordham alumni. So, you know, happy endings for them. But, it almost felt like a humble brag, you know? And then that's when the malaria set in and I had to go.

Hmm, I feel like this post comes across a little on the negative side... Not my intention. The faculty was friendly, engaging. The students were bright and happy with their decisions to attend the school. One student who wasn't participating in ASD, noticed the HHock and I were new admits and offered us her two cents about what a wonderful environment Fordham offers, she said the highs are worth the lows. I had a great time and I'm really looking forward to the fall. Hope to meet a whole lot of you in August.

[UselessKnowledge]

Thanks 30-Something! That was very informative and helpful for those of us who were not able to attend.

[dproduct]

Thanks 30-Something! That was very informative and helpful for those of us who were not able to attend.

[30-Something]

Thanks 30-Something! That was very informative and helpful for those of us who were not able to attend.

You're welcome! (Didn't realize how long this was until I responded to this post. Tl; dr. )

[hhockberger]

It was great to meet you, 30-something!

I would like to second everything you said, and add that I was really impressed with the other prospective students there (and the current students). Everyone I met had an interesting background and seemed extremely sharp, mature, and driven. I went to a couple of these sessions at other schools, and the caliber of potential students was much higher at Fordham, and I'm confident that all of our potential classmates have great careers ahead of them.

[feralinfant]

Just withdrew from the waitlist. Hope this speeds some of you along. Good luck.

[dingbat]

Just withdrew from the waitlist. Hope this speeds some of you along. Good luck.

Porque?

[teiswei]

Just withdrew from the waitlist. Hope this speeds some of you along. Good luck.

Porque?

Northwestern

[njpark]

Thanks 30-Something! That was very informative and helpful for those of us who were not able to attend.

You're welcome! (Didn't realize how long this was until I responded to this post. Tl; dr. )

Thank you for the info
I applied a few weeks ago and have my fingers crossed (Fordham is my first choice)

And I hope you're feeling better!

[skri65]

Got 5K per year scholly. I was below median LSAT so I'm not too surprised. Anyone know if schools take into consideration tuition when considering negotiations? For example,
would a school like BU or BC take into account the fact that their tuition is cheaper if I were to try to negotiate with them with a fordham acceptance/minor scholly?

[30-Something]

Thanks 30-Something! That was very informative and helpful for those of us who were not able to attend.

You're welcome! (Didn't realize how long this was until I responded to this post. Tl; dr. )

Thank you for the info
I applied a few weeks ago and have my fingers crossed (Fordham is my first choice)

And I hope you're feeling better!

Thanks NJ... Feeling better today. Good luck with your cycle!

[sdmelzer]

Status date moved today. Went complete Jan 31st. The agony....

[CR2012]

Status date moved today. Went complete Jan 31st. The agony....

Weirdest thing, just as I read your post, status checker updated mine too. :S

[sdmelzer]

Status date moved today. Went complete Jan 31st. The agony....

Weirdest thing, just as I read your post, status checker updated mine too. :S

Haha that happened to me earlier this morning in another school's thread.

[xodaryll]

Went complete on 1/10 and again today? Bad sign? Meaningless sign?

[jbates14]

got my third update today as well...hopefully getting a decision soon

[Gemini]

Got 5K per year scholly. I was below median LSAT so I'm not too surprised. Anyone know if schools take into consideration tuition when considering negotiations? For example,
would a school like BU or BC take into account the fact that their tuition is cheaper if I were to try to negotiate with them with a fordham acceptance/minor scholly?

If you're in NYC, you should tell them your scholly info plus the living expenses difference. I get 5,000 from Fordham and got a 10,000 offer from BC.

[skri65]

.

[mg7]

Status date updated today to 2/6. Was previously complete at 1/11. Anyone know how many times it updates before we hear something?

[jbates14]

Status date updated today to 2/6. Was previously complete at 1/11. Anyone know how many times it updates before we hear something?

Looks like some people heard after only 2 changes earlier in the cycle, but I don't think there is any pattern. My date just changed for the third time ( I applied late december/early january)

[mg7]

Well then here's hoping to some good news for us today!

[Gemini]

Got 5K per year scholly. I was below median LSAT so I'm not too surprised. Anyone know if schools take into consideration tuition when considering negotiations? For example,
would a school like BU or BC take into account the fact that their tuition is cheaper if I were to try to negotiate with them with a fordham acceptance/minor scholly?

If you're in NYC, you should tell them your scholly info plus the living expenses difference. I get 5,000 from Fordham and got a 10,000 offer from BC.

Well living expenses in NYC are generally higher than in Boston and tuition significantly higher as well. I would think the opposite than what you got. By that, I mean that a 5K at Fordham is essentially paying 44K tuition, which is around the same as the tuition at BC and BU. So BC/BU wouldn't care about a 5K scholly from Fordham because that only makes up the difference in tuition.

Do I have this right? As in, is a 5K Fordham scholarship essentially meaningless when negotiated with a Boston school?

All I'm saying is I got a $5,000 scholly from Fordham and was able to negotiate from that a $10K scholly with B.C., but I got along really well with a lady in Financial Aid (at B.C.) and she sorta pushed hard for me.

As for living expenses, ain't nothing wrong with saying you're planning on living in NYC with your parents rent-free.
(especially if that's actually your plan for the foreseeable future).

[hhockberger]

Is there a c/o 2016 facebook group yet?

[teiswei]

Due to impending snow, #FordhamLaw - including @FLSAdmissions will be closed tomorrow.