Northwestern Law C/O 2016 (2012-2013 Applicants) Forum

[andy261]

Has anyone been able to get through to the admissions office over the phone yesterday or today? I keep getting their busy signal.

[TripTrip]

Has anyone been able to get through to the admissions office over the phone yesterday or today? I keep getting their busy signal.

Johann left the phone off the hook while he writes up the info to put out re: scholarships.

Which I am blissfully looking forward to.

[intlsplitr]

So I sent in my negotiation email (with attachment) before the tweet. I received a reply saying that the committee was meeting soon and would respond the week of April 8.

[untar614]

So i just got my financial aid package, and damn, even with the Wiggy, I'm still gonna end up with 90k of debt. I thought I'd be able to avoid GradPlus territory, but I guess not. I guess everyone's a loser in the student loan game, just to different extents.

[MAHamlin]

So i just got my financial aid package, and damn, even with the Wiggy, I'm still gonna end up with 90k of debt. I thought I'd be able to avoid GradPlus territory, but I guess not. I guess everyone's a loser in the student loan game, just to different extents.

Yeah, I think a lot of people forget the cost of living when they think about loans. It's a rude awakening when you realize that it will cost nearly $100,000 beyond tuition to attend...

[TripTrip]

Here's the scholarship update from Johann via twitter: --LinkRemoved--

Highlights:

A big problem with these "negotiations" is that they are usually approached from the wrong perspective. Last year, we received about 255 aid appeals. A majority of these appeals were written identically, as if there was a template out on the Internet.

Of those appeals, only 15% were successful. Those who were not initially receiving an award were successful 17% of the time. Those already receiving an award were successful 8% of the time.

[crumpetsandtea]

I'm sure the answer to my question is somewhere within this thread, but I did use the search function and didn't see as much as I suspect has been discussed here...Is anyone able to enlighten me on what they've heard about NU's responsiveness to scholarship negotiation? First, is it recommended if you are not satisfied with you award? And second, do they like you to just write an email, or actually attach PDFs of other scholarship offers? (Anything you may have heard about this at an ASW would be appreciated, as I can't attend). Finally, anyone know the email address this type of correspondence should be sent to? Thanks!

I don't know if someone else has responded to this already, but NU is DEFINITELY definitely open to negotiation. I have friends who SIGNIFICANTLY upped their scholarships by bringing competing scholarships from schools like Columbia or UChicago to the table. It's always better to send an email with the actual competing scholarship attached as a PDF, that way they don't have to waste time asking you for it first. When I negotiated, I sent my email to Johann and Jill (Dean of Admissions and Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, respectively).

Jill Rubin Decremer <j-rubin4@law.northwestern.edu>
Johann Lee <johann@law.northwestern.edu>

Hope that helps! Don't forget to be respectful but also firm when you request more money (:

Thanks! Good to know. Do you get the sense it's ok to address it to "Jill" and "Johann" rather than something more professional? I would usually err towards the professional side, but she's already responded to other emails with me by signing off as "Jill," and the way he tweets (and does everything else) makes it seem like he's casual / chill.

Yeah, sorry I didn't mean to come across like it was okay to address emails with just Johann or Jill. Definitely go with Dean Lee and Director Rubin Decremer. My b.

[oaken]

The scholarship process as of right now and re-opening the award process.

The bulk of our scholarship offers were released this past week. We are also continuing to fully consider all admits (regular/hold/waitlist) for aid, providing all the deadlines are met.

The release of offers also brings another rite of the admissions process, "scholarship negotiations."

A big problem with these "negotiations" is that they are usually approached from the wrong perspective. Last year, we received about 255 aid appeals. A majority of these appeals were written identically, as if there was a template out on the Internet. If you do decide to walk down this road, here are my tips so that your request will be reviewed in the best possible light.

YMMV- these tips are my opinion for NU only:

1. Don't call it a "scholarship negotiation"?

We are not a dealership and I'm not going to comp mudflaps. If you wish for us to "re-examine your financial aid package" or you wish to "appeal your financial aid package," we are open to taking that request. It may just be semantics, but it goes a long way.

2. Chicago can be expensive
3. Your tuition is expensive
4. Your cost of living is so high

I know how much it costs to live in Chicago. I know what our tuition will be next year. I also know how much it costs to live in a "college town" versus a city. Understood, I get it. This is low hanging fruit with very minimal persuasive value. No need to write about it.

5. All offers not created equal

It is very tempting to send us all your awards. If you decide to send an award, it should be the "best" award. The one you are most likely to accept. At max, send 2 awards for our consideration.

6. Is there is a personal reason for attending NU

Significant other, specific education opportunity, special relatives, something I can't even conceive?

7. Only engage us if you are very serious about attending.

I can't stress this enough. No appeal will be dismissed pro forma. However, I want people who want to be at Northwestern. Please don't use this as a phishing expedition.

8. Chances of success

Earlier, I mentioned the 255 recorded appeals last year. Of those appeals, only 15% were successful. Those who were not initially receiving an award were successful 17% of the time. Those already receiving an award were successful 8% of the time.

[cookiejar1]

Are Johann and Jill approachable during ASW for informal conversations re: financial aid?

[rinkrat19]

Are Johann and Jill approachable during ASW for informal conversations re: financial aid?

They're pretty busy and your time is pretty scheduled. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to email and inquire.

You can just email your question to them, too. I know I had questions about fin aid that I got answered via email and the phone before eventually committing.

[sener212]

Employment stats for the class of 2012 just came out, fyi:

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/career/statistics/

[BigZuck]

Employment stats for the class of 2012 just came out, fyi:

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/career/statistics/

LST had the numbers already. Sad, makes me wonder what happened.

[Cobretti]

Employment stats for the class of 2012 just came out, fyi:

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/career/statistics/

LST had the numbers already. Sad, makes me wonder what happened.

was also hoping for an improvement over 2011. don't think its anything to panic over though, basically stayed the same.

[Micdiddy]

Yeah I was also looking at this. Michigan made a huge improvement in law firm placement. Makes it more attractive, IMO whereas NU basically stayed the same but did dip a bit
There's always some variance year to year, NU is still pretty consistently great for big law so nothing to fret over too much, IMO.

[LRGhost]

Pretty comprehensive information there.

[Micdiddy]

Looking at this updated info I'm not deterred at all actually. Employment prospects still look pretty sweet IMO.

[LRGhost]

Looking at this updated info I'm not deterred at all actually. Employment prospects still look pretty sweet IMO.

Now to get off the Hold list into the Admitted list

[Micdiddy]

Looking at this updated info I'm not deterred at all actually. Employment prospects still look pretty sweet IMO.

Now to get off the Hold list into the Admitted list

Here's hoping!!
I hate to be a downer, but cutting class size and giving a ton of people pretty major $$$ likely means little waitlist movement.
If you're "held" though and not Waitlisted than they're not waiting for spots to open up, they might just straight admit you.

[Cobretti]

Looking at this updated info I'm not deterred at all actually. Employment prospects still look pretty sweet IMO.

Now to get off the Hold list into the Admitted list

[LRGhost]

Looking at this updated info I'm not deterred at all actually. Employment prospects still look pretty sweet IMO.

Now to get off the Hold list into the Admitted list

http://th02.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2 ... Meadow.jpg

My cycle has gone very poorly. Everything is panic

EDIT: Although perhaps it's not gone poorly and I had higher hopes

[FlowBro]

Just got the luggage tag and a nice note! Glad to see that they're not forgetting about us way out here in Cali

[Micdiddy]

My cycle has gone very poorly. Everything is panic

EDIT: Although perhaps it's not gone poorly and I had higher hopes

I was underperforming my numbers quite a bit until NU saved me a$$. Don't panic, every cycle has ups and downs but eventually you'll get something you deserve

[Kikero]

Are Johann and Jill approachable during ASW for informal conversations re: financial aid?

They're pretty busy and your time is pretty scheduled. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to email and inquire.

You can just email your question to them, too. I know I had questions about fin aid that I got answered via email and the phone before eventually committing.

Jill made time to answer individual questions after the Fin Aid talk last year.

[Micdiddy]

Why does lst say NU will cost 290 undiscounted? ~55k/yr and ~25 col would be ~240. Where's the other 50k coming from?

Edit: using non-compounding interest it still doesn't add up, but maybe they're calculating compounding interest, so never mind i guess that'll get it up to ~290

[rinkrat19]

Why does lst say NU will cost 290 undiscounted? ~55k/yr and ~25 col would be ~240. Where's the other 50k coming from?

The interest that accumulates over the three years.