Can I beg Columbia to let me back in? Lost job. Forum

[pmannyc1]

Here is a little background. I applied to Columbia this last cycle and was admitted in December 2009. I received a generous scholarship offer, which they allowed me to defer for the class of 2014. I wanted to defer law school because I liked my job in finance.

Come Thursday August 19th...Our entire team gets informed that due to a corporate merger, all analysts that are not ranked in the top 25% are getting booted. It surprised all of us (including our managing director who is gettin terminated as well) Pretty much, coming next week, I will have severance for a couple of months and then collect unemployment.

Now, I want to call the admissions office tomorrow (technically today) and ask them if there is anyway they will admit for the fall.

Has anyone been able to rescind their deferral and convince the ad officers to allow them to attend for the year for which they originally applied? I am willing to take a cut in scholarship money.

Any advice on how to approach the admissions office and any insight from someone who successfully managed in a similar situation is greatly appreciated.

Im very stressed and I just signed a very expensive lease in July for another year because I did not think my job was at risk. BTW, I know someone will ask (173 LSAT, 3.86 GPA, non URM from top business Ugrad)

[Knock]

Here is a little background. I applied to Columbia this last cycle and was admitted in December 2009. I received a generous scholarship offer, which they allowed me to defer for the class of 2014. I wanted to defer law school because I liked my job in finance.

Come Thursday August 19th...Our entire team gets informed that due to a corporate merger, all analysts that are not ranked in the top 25% are getting booted. It surprised all of us (including our managing director who is gettin terminated as well) Pretty much, coming next week, I will have severance for a couple of months and then collect unemployment.

Now, I want to call the admissions office tomorrow (technically today) and ask them if there is anyway they will admit for the fall.

Has anyone been able to rescind their deferral and convince the ad officers to allow them to attend for the year for which they originally applied? I am willing to take a cut in scholarship money.

Any advice on how to approach the admissions office and any insight from someone who successfully managed in a similar situation is greatly appreciated.

Im very stressed and I just signed a very expensive lease in July for another year because I did not think my job was at risk. BTW, I know someone will ask (173 LSAT, 3.86 GPA, non URM from top business Ugrad)

Damn man, that's a rough situation. I don't have any advice but I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. My gut says you're probably out of luck, but it can't hurt to try. Good luck man! I hope everything works out for you.

[romothesavior]

My sincere condolences. That is really an unfortunate situation. My advice would be to call and talk to someone important (dean of admissions or something), explain your situation, and tell them you want to be there in the fall. I'm certain they'll have at least one person back out at the last minute, and there is always a chance you'd have priority over the WL people given your situation and your prior acceptance. They may feel bad for you and lend you a hand.

If not, I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to take off one more year. Just get another job (even if it is waiting tables) in order to pay for your rent, save some money, maybe take a trip or two and see some places you've never been to, and try to enjoy your year. Although I'm sure it sucks now, try to see the silver lining in this otherwise unfortunate situation and enjoy your year (no matter where you end up).

[pmannyc1]

Thanks for your response. Do you think it is worth it if I go to the office directly and bring my termination papers and all my documentation? I figure I have nothing to lose (worst is that I will attend the following year), but atleast they can put a face to a file if another seat opens up.

I am sitting at work right now and everyone here is super depressed or wants to burn down this building. I checked my stats with my managing director (who is also getting fired), turns out I was ranked 22/75, giving me a rank of top 29th percent. They fired everyone that was not in the top 25%.

[AngryAvocado]

Thanks for your response. Do you think it is worth it if I go to the office directly and bring my termination papers and all my documentation? I figure I have nothing to lose (worst is that I will attend the following year), but atleast they can put a face to a file if another seat opens up.

I am sitting at work right now and everyone here is super depressed or wants to burn down this building. I checked my stats with my managing director (who is also getting fired), turns out I was ranked 22/75, giving me a rank of top 29th percent. They fired everyone that was not in the top 25%.

That's rough, man. I was in sort of a similar situation, actually, and it felt pretty horrible at the time. My advice? Look at it this way: worst case scenario is that you get to take a year off and live the life before you go to one of the best law schools in the country. It's not exactly what you planned, but it's not the end of the world either. Good luck to you.

[bk1]

Call, explain situation, hope. At this point they may or may not (depending on how they feel about having class size increase by 1), but all you can do is try. Since they granted it, they may be considerate and let you back in if you tell them what happened though what they will do is anybody's guess.

As Avacado said though, you aren't in that terrible a position. While it does suck now, at least you have your CLS acceptance in hand. It may be nicer to be class of 2013, but being CLS class of 2014 is pretty damn good too.

[legalease9]

Never be afraid to ask. The worse they will do is give you a polite no. They may even say yes.

[pmannyc1]

Called them. They said probably not, but I need to send in a formal request to the Dean Iwerebon (which I just did). I will try but apparently orientation starts pretty soon and they have admitted people on the wait list-

ugh. I know Its not the end of the world. Just really thought I could enjoy my life this year and save some money for law school and travel next summer. My parents are wicked poor (I mean like our house was foreclosed on in middle America poor), so guess ill be taking on more debt now. Columbia class of 2014, i better dominate that shit!!

Ill let you know when I get an official reply from the Dean. Prob. later today telling me to come back again next year.

p.s. they just called up a coworker who was on vacation in hawaii to fire him and pretty much told him not to come back to the office next week. freaking harsh. if you all hear about an office fire in midtown manhattan, im pretty sure my coworkers stuffed their backpacks with kerosene and matches. HAHA

good luck with everyone in their cycle!

[legalease9]

Coming out of Columbia you should be fine, even if you graduate low in the class. Plus you at least get to draw unemployment for a year. Just bear in mind that when traveling, working at a new job etc., that unemployment goes away.

[ToadGoDead]

Here is a little background. I applied to Columbia this last cycle and was admitted in December 2009. I received a generous scholarship offer, which they allowed me to defer for the class of 2014. I wanted to defer law school because I liked my job in finance.

Come Thursday August 19th...Our entire team gets informed that due to a corporate merger, all analysts that are not ranked in the top 25% are getting booted. It surprised all of us (including our managing director who is gettin terminated as well) Pretty much, coming next week, I will have severance for a couple of months and then collect unemployment.

Now, I want to call the admissions office tomorrow (technically today) and ask them if there is anyway they will admit for the fall.

Has anyone been able to rescind their deferral and convince the ad officers to allow them to attend for the year for which they originally applied? I am willing to take a cut in scholarship money.

Any advice on how to approach the admissions office and any insight from someone who successfully managed in a similar situation is greatly appreciated.

Im very stressed and I just signed a very expensive lease in July for another year because I did not think my job was at risk. BTW, I know someone will ask (173 LSAT, 3.86 GPA, non URM from top business Ugrad)

go abroad for a year, you will appreciate the decision afterwards...

[romothesavior]

Look at it this way: worst case scenario is that you get to take a year off and live the life before you go to one of the best law schools in the country. It's not exactly what you planned, but it's not the end of the world either. Good luck to you.

THIS.

I know it blows now, but try to look on the bright side and live it up for the next year. Then go kick some ass at Columbia.

[lawschool2014]

I thought Columbia did not allow you to defer scholarship offers.....

[holborn]

also, orientation already happened last week and classes have already started. good try though...

[lawschool2014]

also, orientation already happened last week and classes have already started. good try though...

Busted. Pacman wins troll of the day award!