American University 2011 Applicants Forum

[grnidgrl]

I applied really late in the cycle because I took the Feb LSAT. I'm also not living in the country right now which is making everything more challenging. I missed the Need Access deadline, called like 2 days later and was pretty much told that if you didn't apply on time you aren't going to get anything. I still kind of want to go there since I'm really interested in International Law and they have such a good program, but I really don't want to go so far into debt. I'm also still waiting to here from Temple, which has good programs, is a lot less expensive, and is closer to home. Does anyone thin American is worth paying sticker? Any advice?

[abonda01]

I applied really late in the cycle because I took the Feb LSAT. I'm also not living in the country right now which is making everything more challenging. I missed the Need Access deadline, called like 2 days later and was pretty much told that if you didn't apply on time you aren't going to get anything. I still kind of want to go there since I'm really interested in International Law and they have such a good program, but I really don't want to go so far into debt. I'm also still waiting to here from Temple, which has good programs, is a lot less expensive, and is closer to home. Does anyone thin American is worth paying sticker? Any advice?

If I were you I'd probably retake in June or September then reapply in the fall. You'll be better off applying much earlier in the cycle.

[nightman09]

How're people finding their financial aid packages on my.american.edu? I can't seem to find it...

[Flips88]

How're people finding their financial aid packages on my.american.edu? I can't seem to find it...

Sign in. Go to Finances->"Financial Aid: Loan Adjustment Request"->2011

[things fall apart]

Despite applying and getting in within the same business week I only got federal loans amount to less than 50% of the tuition cost. This seems, to me, like it is simply not possible to attend the school since neither myself nor my parents can chip anything in.

Is there any point in emailing them or should I just let it go? I was really interested in this school but I may be forced go a few steps lower to get $$$.

[Flips88]

Despite applying and getting in within the same business week I only got federal loans amount to less than 50% of the tuition cost. This seems, to me, like it is simply not possible to attend the school since neither myself nor my parents can chip anything in.

Is there any point in emailing them or should I just let it go? I was really interested in this school but I may be forced go a few steps lower to get $$$.

Do you mean grants covered up to half tuition? Grants are loans you don't have to pay back. Federal loans cover the rest.

[jplwine]

Despite applying and getting in within the same business week I only got federal loans amount to less than 50% of the tuition cost. This seems, to me, like it is simply not possible to attend the school since neither myself nor my parents can chip anything in.

Is there any point in emailing them or should I just let it go? I was really interested in this school but I may be forced go a few steps lower to get $$$.

Do you mean grants covered up to half tuition? Grants are loans you don't have to pay back. Federal loans cover the rest.

Or, did you mean that the Stafford Loans only covered about half tuition($20,500)? You can still apply for GraduatePlus loans if that is the case. American doesn't seem to offer lots of $$$ unless you apply for PIPS.

[abonda01]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

[ash8309]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

Someone on the admissions desk said that they were doing another round of merit schollys and that they would be notifying people mid to late this week. Glad to know someone got something!

[deepspacenine]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

Did they give you a one time or 3 year? Do they even give 3 year 5k schollys?

[Flips88]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

Did they give you a one time or 3 year? Do they even give 3 year 5k schollys?

They only give non-renewable scholarships (with the exception of PIPS)

[deepspacenine]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

Did they give you a one time or 3 year? Do they even give 3 year 5k schollys?

They only give non-renewable scholarships (with the exception of PIPS)

So there are no 2L and 3L scholarships except for PIPS?

[Flips88]

I emailed admissions a few weeks ago to be reconsidered for a merit scholarship and I just received an email with a 5k merit offer.

Did they give you a one time or 3 year? Do they even give 3 year 5k schollys?

They only give non-renewable scholarships (with the exception of PIPS)

So there are no 2L and 3L scholarships except for PIPS?

I think you can apply for them and they may offer them, but what they offer you is for first year only and nothing guaranteed after. so you could theoretically get some more, but you could end up with only $5k/$10k and no more after.

[deepspacenine]

I think you can apply for them and they may offer them, but what they offer you is for first year only and nothing guaranteed after. so you could theoretically get some more, but you could end up with only $5k/$10k and no more after.

Thanks for the info! Bummer there isn't more money to offer given the high cost/COL in DC. Good luck to everyone deciding and still waiting to hear about acceptance!

[abonda01]

I think you can apply for them and they may offer them, but what they offer you is for first year only and nothing guaranteed after. so you could theoretically get some more, but you could end up with only $5k/$10k and no more after.

Thanks for the info! Bummer there isn't more money to offer given the high cost/COL in DC. Good luck to everyone deciding and still waiting to hear about acceptance!

I find it pretty absurd, especially considering how important scholarships are in attracting more talent to your school, thus increasing your rankings. So either American doesn't have very much money, or they don't care about improving their rankings. I find both a bit irksome.

[abonda01]

Don't listen to me, I just want more money.

[Flips88]

I think you can apply for them and they may offer them, but what they offer you is for first year only and nothing guaranteed after. so you could theoretically get some more, but you could end up with only $5k/$10k and no more after.

Thanks for the info! Bummer there isn't more money to offer given the high cost/COL in DC. Good luck to everyone deciding and still waiting to hear about acceptance!

I find it pretty absurd, especially considering how important scholarships are in attracting more talent to your school, thus increasing your rankings. So either American doesn't have very much money, or they don't care about improving their rankings. I find both a bit irksome.

They are poorly endowed for scholarship since a lot of their alumni go into public interest work and don't have money to donate

[abonda01]

They are poorly endowed for scholarship since a lot of their alumni go into public interest work and don't have money to donate

That makes a lot of sense.

[ZFB]

So there are no 2L and 3L scholarships except for PIPS?

At the ASD they stated that there are scholarships other than PIPS available to 2L and 3L's other than PIPS. I'm pretty sure at least one of them is full-tuition+ (don't have the info with me at work).

[abonda01]

There seem to be a number of other scholarships, but they are awarded during the year rather than during the admissions process: http://www.wcl.american.edu/finaid/restrict_funding.cfm

[cam22]

Anyone else seriously considering this school, I'll likely be putting my deposit in this weekend? Any other tls'ers doing the same or have already.

P.S WCL gets no love on this site:(

[ZFB]

Anyone else seriously considering this school, I'll likely be putting my deposit in this weekend? Any other tls'ers doing the same or have already.

P.S WCL gets no love on this site:(

I am. My goals are not Big Law and I think WCL will be able to provide me exactly the education and opportunities I need to get where I want to be.

[Chouchous]

I ultimately decided to just attend the graduate school in the fall and maybe retake and reapply next cycle...I really really liked the law school when I visited but I got no merit or need-based aid and I just cannot justify paying sticker.

[oreo3405]

Anyone else seriously considering this school, I'll likely be putting my deposit in this weekend? Any other tls'ers doing the same or have already.

P.S WCL gets no love on this site:(

Put in my deposit today!!

[ZFB]

At this point I'm just waiting a little longer to see if I can get any of that reassign merit aid. If not, oh well, I'll suck it up and deal with it, but it would certainly help.