University of Iowa Class of 2016 Forum

[Paraflam]

In via e-mail just now. No mention of a scholarship, though, and I am well above both medians. I'm guessing scholarships are awarded later?

[michaelm55]

In via Email as well. No mention of scholarship. Does that mean I don't have one, or do I have to wait until after the FAFSA is filled out?

[glaciate]

My In Review date updated from 11/8 to 12/7 today, but no email or decision.

[chrisbru]

In via e-mail just now. No mention of a scholarship, though, and I am well above both medians. I'm guessing scholarships are awarded later?

Yup, scholarships will be given out later. I think they offer scholarships on a rolling basis, with the committee meeting in early January to give out the first batch, but don't quote me on that. As people definitively turn down their offer of admission, the scholarships offered to those candidates will be re-distributed to other candidates. Like a wait list for scholarships, kind of.

[michaelm55]

Thanks for the info Chrisbru. I appreciate it.

[typ3]

I would think that scholarships could be different this year since the class size has been reduced by nearly 100 students in 5-6 years.

[chrisbru]

I would think that scholarships could be different this year since the class size has been reduced by nearly 100 students in 5-6 years.

I doubt it... Less students = less money coming into the law school = a similar proportion of scholarships for the class and similar procedures.

[typ3]

I would think that scholarships could be different this year since the class size has been reduced by nearly 100 students in 5-6 years.

I doubt it... Less students = less money coming into the law school = a similar proportion of scholarships for the class and similar procedures.

I'm just thinking that since they have a budget shortfall between 20-30m that they are going to cut back on a few scholarships. I could be wrong though.

[chrisbru]

I would think that scholarships could be different this year since the class size has been reduced by nearly 100 students in 5-6 years.

I doubt it... Less students = less money coming into the law school = a similar proportion of scholarships for the class and similar procedures.

I'm just thinking that since they have a budget shortfall between 20-30m that they are going to cut back on a few scholarships. I could be wrong though.

I guess I'm assuming they'll keep the proportion the same though. They need those scholarships to keep their medians up, which they need to keep their rank up, which they need to keep endowments up, etc. etc. That's the cycle.

[typ3]

Who knows, I would assume that they will have to drop their medians this year like a lot of schools. Not really sure.

[chrisbru]

Who knows, I would assume that they will have to drop their medians this year like a lot of schools. Not really sure.

If they managed to do it last year, I assume they'd manage to do it again this year. Keep in mind that the decrease in class sizes across the board will offset some of the decrease in applicants. Plus, I'd assume that it's the lesser-qualified applicants that are applying less, but I could be wrong.

[typ3]

The more qualified applicants have falled off of a cliff. Take a look at t-14 applicants. Those who score 169+ aren't applying and those in the 164-168 range are down considerably as well. The silver lining is that applications for people scoring 145-156 are way up.

[mwhitley]

in via e-mail yesterday.

[Pineoneer]

In review as of today!!! Submitted 11/26 Complete 11/29. I think I am going to visit in a week. Pretty nervous and excited. Congrats to all who have gotten in already.

[JXander]

My most recent application status date says 11/2 and they received the application on 10/29. For those admitted (or any others), did the status ever change from "complete" to "in review?"

154; 3.84; URM; male; TX resident.

Relatively sure that it changes from complete to in review when they start looking at your application. You should be fine though, my guess. URM and over the GPA median but under LSAT. Usually Iowa seems to take URMs who are over one of the medians without much problem. There are tons of people on the opposite side (high LSAT, low gpa) to offset, and Iowa is dying for URMs.

I sure hope you are right. My Current Status Date is now 12/11. Super nervous!

[0808millerd]

My most recent application status date says 11/2 and they received the application on 10/29. For those admitted (or any others), did the status ever change from "complete" to "in review?"

154; 3.84; URM; male; TX resident.

Relatively sure that it changes from complete to in review when they start looking at your application. You should be fine though, my guess. URM and over the GPA median but under LSAT. Usually Iowa seems to take URMs who are over one of the medians without much problem. There are tons of people on the opposite side (high LSAT, low gpa) to offset, and Iowa is dying for URMs.

I sure hope you are right. My Current Status Date is now 12/11. Super nervous!

My status date changed on 11/30 to In Review and I have been checking and re-checking multiple times everyday since. Really hoping I can get lucky and that my WE boosts me into an acceptance with my LSAT being right at the median and my GPA being lower.

[chrisbru]

My status date changed on 11/30 to In Review and I have been checking and re-checking multiple times everyday since. Really hoping I can get lucky and that my WE boosts me into an acceptance with my LSAT being right at the median and my GPA being lower.

I'm pretty sure that you'll know via email before status checker, but don't quote me on that.

As for your numbers... What WE, and are you an Iowa resident?

[0808millerd]

My status date changed on 11/30 to In Review and I have been checking and re-checking multiple times everyday since. Really hoping I can get lucky and that my WE boosts me into an acceptance with my LSAT being right at the median and my GPA being lower.

I'm pretty sure that you'll know via email before status checker, but don't quote me on that.

As for your numbers... What WE, and are you an Iowa resident?

I have been a paralegal for 2+ years at a top firm in Chicago (top 3 in Chicago, top 10 nationally) with strong connections and opportunities to come back and I am not an Iowa resident.

[chrisbru]

My status date changed on 11/30 to In Review and I have been checking and re-checking multiple times everyday since. Really hoping I can get lucky and that my WE boosts me into an acceptance with my LSAT being right at the median and my GPA being lower.

I'm pretty sure that you'll know via email before status checker, but don't quote me on that.

As for your numbers... What WE, and are you an Iowa resident?

I have been a paralegal for 2+ years at a top firm in Chicago (top 3 in Chicago, top 10 nationally) with strong connections and opportunities to come back and I am not an Iowa resident.

Why not keep working there and do a night program in Chicago?

[0808millerd]

My status date changed on 11/30 to In Review and I have been checking and re-checking multiple times everyday since. Really hoping I can get lucky and that my WE boosts me into an acceptance with my LSAT being right at the median and my GPA being lower.

I'm pretty sure that you'll know via email before status checker, but don't quote me on that.

As for your numbers... What WE, and are you an Iowa resident?

I have been a paralegal for 2+ years at a top firm in Chicago (top 3 in Chicago, top 10 nationally) with strong connections and opportunities to come back and I am not an Iowa resident.

Why not keep working there and do a night program in Chicago?

Not possible. I am working too many hours to try and fit a school schedule and studying into it. Its either full time school or nothing. I have already gotten into other schools with scholarships and I am expecting acceptances to others, just hoping for Iowa since it is one of the higher ranked schools I applied to.

[chrisbru]

Why not keep working there and do a night program in Chicago?

Not possible. I am working too many hours to try and fit a school schedule and studying into it. Its either full time school or nothing. I have already gotten into other schools with scholarships and I am expecting acceptances to others, just hoping for Iowa since it is one of the higher ranked schools I applied to.

You're working more than 50 hours a week? If so, you're probably making more than you'll make after graduating from Iowa. If you think you can go back to that firm or another firm in Chicago, you'll probably still be better off going to Chicago-Kent or Loyola Chicago. There are VERY few Iowa grads that make it to Chicago, like less than 5 a year. I know you think you can be top 10% of your class, but that may not happen... Going to a lower ranked school in the city you want to live in is probably a better choice, especially if it will be cheaper for you.

That being said, I'm not sure how much work experience is a factor (especially only two years). However, Iowa is one of the schools that looks at the "whole package" rather than just numbers, so you never know.

[0808millerd]

Why not keep working there and do a night program in Chicago?

Not possible. I am working too many hours to try and fit a school schedule and studying into it. Its either full time school or nothing. I have already gotten into other schools with scholarships and I am expecting acceptances to others, just hoping for Iowa since it is one of the higher ranked schools I applied to.

You're working more than 50 hours a week? If so, you're probably making more than you'll make after graduating from Iowa. If you think you can go back to that firm or another firm in Chicago, you'll probably still be better off going to Chicago-Kent or Loyola Chicago. There are VERY few Iowa grads that make it to Chicago, like less than 5 a year. I know you think you can be top 10% of your class, but that may not happen... Going to a lower ranked school in the city you want to live in is probably a better choice, especially if it will be cheaper for you.

That being said, I'm not sure how much work experience is a factor (especially only two years). However, Iowa is one of the schools that looks at the "whole package" rather than just numbers, so you never know.

I am pulling in anywhere between 50 and 60 a week with some weeks being more and the compensation isn't as luxurious as you may think. I would probably take Loyola-Chicago over Iowa for the reasons you stated, but having an acceptance to Iowa would A) be a great option and B) potential help in pulling scholarship money from other lower ranked schools (i.e.- Loyola).

[chrisbru]

I am pulling in anywhere between 50 and 60 a week with some weeks being more and the compensation isn't as luxurious as you may think. I would probably take Loyola-Chicago over Iowa for the reasons you stated, but having an acceptance to Iowa would A) be a great option and B) potential help in pulling scholarship money from other lower ranked schools (i.e.- Loyola).

How much do you expect to be making as an attorney? $25/hour is considered high at this point (for internships), and anyone making over $60k a year after graduation is pretty excited as far as I've seen.

Not trying to be negative here, just making sure people know what they are getting into. I left a $50k a year job for the very real possibility of making that same amount with $80k in student loans and 3 years of wages lost.

[feralinfant]

I am pulling in anywhere between 50 and 60 a week with some weeks being more and the compensation isn't as luxurious as you may think. I would probably take Loyola-Chicago over Iowa for the reasons you stated, but having an acceptance to Iowa would A) be a great option and B) potential help in pulling scholarship money from other lower ranked schools (i.e.- Loyola).

How much do you expect to be making as an attorney? $25/hour is considered high at this point (for internships), and anyone making over $60k a year after graduation is pretty excited as far as I've seen.

Not trying to be negative here, just making sure people know what they are getting into. I left a $50k a year job for the very real possibility of making that same amount with $80k in student loans and 3 years of wages lost.

these are fair warnings but poster mentioned he works at a nice law firm and has the opportunity to go back which possibly makes this a reasonable investment. also just a heads up that this isn't the thread for warnings about law school in general. you might make a mod cranky if you're not careful.

[chrisbru]

I am pulling in anywhere between 50 and 60 a week with some weeks being more and the compensation isn't as luxurious as you may think. I would probably take Loyola-Chicago over Iowa for the reasons you stated, but having an acceptance to Iowa would A) be a great option and B) potential help in pulling scholarship money from other lower ranked schools (i.e.- Loyola).

How much do you expect to be making as an attorney? $25/hour is considered high at this point (for internships), and anyone making over $60k a year after graduation is pretty excited as far as I've seen.

Not trying to be negative here, just making sure people know what they are getting into. I left a $50k a year job for the very real possibility of making that same amount with $80k in student loans and 3 years of wages lost.

these are fair warnings but poster mentioned he works at a nice law firm and has the opportunity to go back which possibly makes this a reasonable investment. also just a heads up that this isn't the thread for warnings about law school in general. you might make a mod cranky if you're not careful.

Yeah, I was referring to Iowa specifically and the ability to get back to Chicago with an Iowa law degree.