ASU c/o 2019 Applicants (2015-2016) Forum

[Good Guy Gaud]

Got in with 45k total, but I was accepted to Arizona with a full ride. Any chance I can negotiate some extra money from ASU?

You should absolutely try. I had success doing so when I went to ASU. Prepare for it and come in with hard numbers (compared costs of attendance, etc.). They will likely claim that some of the financial differences are accounted for with ASU's close proximity to Phoenix, so be prepared to counter that too.

Checking in. I applied at the end of October and got accepted at end of November. Received a $25K scholly.

BTW, do any of you guys intend to study in advance for our 1L courses so that our burden can be lightened then?

I would generally advise against studying before 1L. Anecdotal, but it didn't help me much if at all. If you're determined to do so (let's face it, we are all a bit neurotic) stick with a rule-based topic like Civil Procedure. Otherwise you risk spending all of your time learning things that (1) you either won't need to know because your professor won't even touch the topic (we had a professor who completely neglected to discuss a MAJOR contracts topic in 1L because he didn't like the subject) and/or that (2) your professor disagrees with.

Try to relax. It may sound crazy now, but you can learn any 1L subject well enough to get an A in just a few weeks.

[flyhunter]

Got in with 45k total, but I was accepted to Arizona with a full ride. Any chance I can negotiate some extra money from ASU?

You should absolutely try. I had success doing so when I went to ASU. Prepare for it and come in with hard numbers (compared costs of attendance, etc.). They will likely claim that some of the financial differences are accounted for with ASU's close proximity to Phoenix, so be prepared to counter that too.

Checking in. I applied at the end of October and got accepted at end of November. Received a $25K scholly.

BTW, do any of you guys intend to study in advance for our 1L courses so that our burden can be lightened then?

I would generally advise against studying before 1L. Anecdotal, but it didn't help me much if at all. If you're determined to do so (let's face it, we are all a bit neurotic) stick with a rule-based topic like Civil Procedure. Otherwise you risk spending all of your time learning things that (1) you either won't need to know because your professor won't even touch the topic (we had a professor who completely neglected to discuss a MAJOR contracts topic in 1L because he didn't like the subject) and/or that (2) your professor disagrees with.

Try to relax. It may sound crazy now, but you can learn any 1L subject well enough to get an A in just a few weeks.

Thank you for your fast reply, Good Guy Gaud. It's always good to hear something like "get an A in just a few weeks". Is there anything, besides the courses I mentioned above, specifically I can prepare that will benefit the 1L study or life at ASU since I will be quite free in this coming half year before school starts in Fall? Feels quite guilty about spending half year doing nothing. Thanks for your advice in advance, Good Guy Gaud.

[Good Guy Gaud]

Honestly, you'd probably be better off spending your time going out and about in the legal community. If you think you know the area of law you'd like to focus in, try to snag coffee/lunches with local attorneys who practice in those areas. Not only will you learn about the field but you will get your name out there. If you meet enough attorneys and a position opens up at any of their firms (or friend's firms), don't be surprised if you're on the shortlist to an interview because you've already met someone, made a good impression and expressed an interest in the area. I am a firm believer that knowing someone opens more doors than good grades.

Do you have your schedule at this point? IMO, it is difficult to give advise about pre-1L studying that will be generally effective.

[flyhunter]

Honestly, you'd probably be better off spending your time going out and about in the legal community. If you think you know the area of law you'd like to focus in, try to snag coffee/lunches with local attorneys who practice in those areas. Not only will you learn about the field but you will get your name out there. If you meet enough attorneys and a position opens up at any of their firms (or friend's firms), don't be surprised if you're on the shortlist to an interview because you've already met someone, made a good impression and expressed an interest in the area. I am a firm believer that knowing someone opens more doors than good grades.

Do you have your schedule at this point? IMO, it is difficult to give advise about pre-1L studying that will be generally effective.

Very make sense to me, Thank you so much!

[MichiganMan87]

Anyone go to the Program Day yesterday? How was it?

[chad255]

Got in with 45k total, but I was accepted to Arizona with a full ride. Any chance I can negotiate some extra money from ASU?

Congrats on the full ride to Arizona. Out of curiosity, was the scholarship info. from Arizona included in the admissions packet they sent you or did you receive something else later on? I got some money from ASU, but haven't been notified of any scholarships from UA.

I have heard of many people that were very successful negotiating for more money from ASU by the way.

[Huskies13!]

What would the harm be in asking for more? When going to law school (didn't go to ASU...but from Arizona...didn't get in back then) i negotiated with every school. Eventually chose a school with less scholarships because of good job prospects and location, but of course you should at least call and ask for more! Usually you need to show somebody gave you more...but at least try I say.

[samwilwerding]

Got in with 45k total, but I was accepted to Arizona with a full ride. Any chance I can negotiate some extra money from ASU?

You should absolutely try. I had success doing so when I went to ASU. Prepare for it and come in with hard numbers (compared costs of attendance, etc.). They will likely claim that some of the financial differences are accounted for with ASU's close proximity to Phoenix, so be prepared to counter that too.

Checking in. I applied at the end of October and got accepted at end of November. Received a $25K scholly.

BTW, do any of you guys intend to study in advance for our 1L courses so that our burden can be lightened then?

I would generally advise against studying before 1L. Anecdotal, but it didn't help me much if at all. If you're determined to do so (let's face it, we are all a bit neurotic) stick with a rule-based topic like Civil Procedure. Otherwise you risk spending all of your time learning things that (1) you either won't need to know because your professor won't even touch the topic (we had a professor who completely neglected to discuss a MAJOR contracts topic in 1L because he didn't like the subject) and/or that (2) your professor disagrees with.

Try to relax. It may sound crazy now, but you can learn any 1L subject well enough to get an A in just a few weeks.

I'm in the same boat (45k to ASU or full ride at Arizona). The most important number to look at when deciding where to attend is the percentage of recent graduates who had full time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage nine months after graduation. That's the kind of job you're going to law school to get, so make sure the school you go to is doing well in getting their students those kinds of jobs. When you look at that particular number, ASU and Arizona are about the same. Much lower ranked schools (such as SMU and Baylor) have far better statistics when it comes to jobs. I don't think you will ever regret going to law school for free; think very carefully before you start taking out loans for tuition. If you want to read more on this topic, there's great book out called Don't Go to Law School (Unless). I highly recommend it.

[Good Guy Gaud]

ASU vs. UofA is basically a push in Arizona. Both schools get the same amount of respect in the legal community and each have their alums that will prefer to hire grads from their respective schools. Go to whichever school you prefer (which can be based on total COA, surroundings, girls, etc.).

That being said, ASU does offer a little bit of a networking advantage given its location. Regardless, I don't think you can make a bad choice between the two if you want to stay in Arizona after graduation.

[samwilwerding]

ASU vs. UofA is basically a push in Arizona. Both schools get the same amount of respect in the legal community and each have their alums that will prefer to hire grads from their respective schools. Go to whichever school you prefer (which can be based on total COA, surroundings, girls, etc.).

That being said, ASU does offer a little bit of a networking advantage given its location. Regardless, I don't think you can make a bad choice between the two if you want to stay in Arizona after graduation.

That's some really good info. As (I'm guessing) someone from AZ, how do you/law firms interpret ASU's recent ascent in the law school rankings? With the new ACLS building, do you expect ASU to start attracting students with higher LSATs and continue their rise? Also, I lived in Glendale (suburb of Phoenix) for three and half years (when I was stationed at Luke AFB) and loved it there. But how does living in Phoenix compare to living in Tucson?

[Good Guy Gaud]

ASU vs. UofA is basically a push in Arizona. Both schools get the same amount of respect in the legal community and each have their alums that will prefer to hire grads from their respective schools. Go to whichever school you prefer (which can be based on total COA, surroundings, girls, etc.).

That being said, ASU does offer a little bit of a networking advantage given its location. Regardless, I don't think you can make a bad choice between the two if you want to stay in Arizona after graduation.

That's some really good info. As (I'm guessing) someone from AZ, how do you/law firms interpret ASU's recent ascent in the law school rankings? With the new ACLS building, do you expect ASU to start attracting students with higher LSATs and continue their rise? Also, I lived in Glendale (suburb of Phoenix) for three and half years (when I was stationed at Luke AFB) and loved it there. But how does living in Phoenix compare to living in Tucson?

I am from AZ. I don't think local law firms really consider the recent rise. It certainly brings increased legitimacy to the school, but many local firms aren't going to, for example, look up the school's rank when making any determinations. I think there's just a bit of a preference for ASU/UofA in that firms would rather hire grads who went to school here and presumably are from here and/or want to remain local. It's easier to make that logical jump for local students than for out of state grads.

I think ASU will stay consistent with its ranking, maybe go up or down a little. The new building won't do much for rankings but its location should definitely help with networking. There aren't a lot of firms by the Tempe campus. But like I said before, if you want to stay in AZ, no one is really going to care about how ASU is ranked vs UofA or anything like that. It has that local pull.

I prefer Phoenix to Tucson no doubt. Much larger city and I believe it offers everything Tucson does and then some. Housing costs are going to be relatively similar but in Phoenix you have a much wider area you can choose from (Scottsdale, Phoenix (north, south, central), Glendale, Mesa, Chandler, Avondale, etc).

[CPAlawHopefu]

Got a call today from the Dean with Congrats.

[invgr8]

Checking in.

I applied on 10/15 ED non-binding. Got accepted 11/23 with a $45,000 scholarship over three years.

[astro24]

Can anyone who was accepted through the binding application post or PM me their stats? I'm trying to gauge what kind of offer I would get if accepted.

[SlithyTove]

Is anyone planning on attending the reception with Dean Doug Sylvester in Tucson next week? Or has anyone attended a previous reception who'd be willing to share their experience?

[Good Guy Gaud]

Or has anyone attended a previous reception who'd be willing to share their experience?

It's what you would expect. Talking up the school and the opportunities it has to offer, etc. If anything, it's a good opportunity to meet some of your future classmates/colleagues.

[SlithyTove]

Or has anyone attended a previous reception who'd be willing to share their experience?

It's what you would expect. Talking up the school and the opportunities it has to offer, etc. If anything, it's a good opportunity to meet some of your future classmates/colleagues.

Is it lecture style, with the Dean just talking to us about the school or is it more interactive? It's only an hour long so I can't imagine that it's too involved but it'd be nice to have a chance to ask questions and mingle.

[Good Guy Gaud]

Or has anyone attended a previous reception who'd be willing to share their experience?

It's what you would expect. Talking up the school and the opportunities it has to offer, etc. If anything, it's a good opportunity to meet some of your future classmates/colleagues.

Is it lecture style, with the Dean just talking to us about the school or is it more interactive? It's only an hour long so I can't imagine that it's too involved but it'd be nice to have a chance to ask questions and mingle.

Sorta in the middle. You'll have time to ask questions and mingle no doubt. Dean Sly is a boss too.

[SlithyTove]

Sorta in the middle. You'll have time to ask questions and mingle no doubt. Dean Sly is a boss too.[/quote]

This is really helpful, thanks!

[mstone219]

I am submitting my binding application today, and I am extremely nervous! Did anyone else submit the binding application??

I submitted my binding app last week, so your nervousness is completely relatable. Have you heard back with good news yet?
Will I be seeing you in class?

Side note, 3.4 GPA and 156 December LSAT (I got rocked on LG which is usually my best section by far). Retaking the LSAT in February, holding my app for review pending those scores. SWEATING it out because I won't hear back til end of March...!

Anyone else interested in the sport law curriculum?

[mstone219]

I was just accepted through the binding (O'Connor Merit Scholars) process. My app went complete on 11/16 and I received the phone call from the dean with an offer on 11/24.

I submitted my binding app last week. Do you mind sharing your scholarship and stats?

[MH136]

Anyone else interested in the sport law curriculum?

I am! It would be really cool to contribute to the journal sometime over the 3 years. I might look at ADR stuff too.

[mstone219]

Anyone else interested in the sport law curriculum?

I am! It would be really cool to contribute to the journal sometime over the 3 years. I might look at ADR stuff too.

Yeah I absolutely want to get involved with that journal as well. What is ADR though?

Did you send in your app yet?

[MH136]

Yeah I absolutely want to get involved with that journal as well. What is ADR though?

Did you send in your app yet?

I was admitted a little over two weeks ago. Was my top choice and am 99% likely to accept and attend. Pretty excited to say the least.

ADR is alternative dispute resolution. If everything was to work out, I would help some team/firm through arbitration partnering with the MLBPA. It's a long shot, but if it doesn't work out I hope those skills can be transferable to "new wave" of avoiding costly litigation. So basically mediation negotiation etc.

[oh lawd]

Just got an email saying ASU would like to discuss a "more competitive" scholarship offer as a result of "the Dean freeing up more scholarship funds."

It seemed like a mass email, although I don't know how mass. I've been waiting to hear back from ASU about a more competitive scholarship offer since the holidays when I got a full ride offer from UofA. Did anybody else get this email?