Boston University C/O 2020 Applicants (2016-2017) Forum

[Long shot hero]

So with my LSAT I don't think I'll be competitve too much for the ED scholly - gonna throw it in for the chance and to show higher interest but not gonna bank on it or anything. 167 is still above the 75th by a couple so not a bad place to be, I think it's my slightly below median GPA which will take me out of the running. Excited to get everything completed though!

lol I did ED with a slightly lower LSAT and GPA, but also purely for the sake of showing interest. I also visited from way out of state so they reallyyy know I wanna go.

[WamBamThankYouMaam]

Anyone doing BU-Bound ED? I'm really considering it. 3.35 GPA, Mexican URM, and PTing mid to high 160's. BU is my top choice, but really nervous my GPA is too low. Would the fact that you won't be considered for merit scholarships make it slightly easier to get in?

[ashrice13]

Anyone doing BU-Bound ED? I'm really considering it. 3.35 GPA, Mexican URM, and PTing mid to high 160's. BU is my top choice, but really nervous my GPA is too low. Would the fact that you won't be considered for merit scholarships make it slightly easier to get in?

It's tough to say because this is the first year BU is doing the BU bound thing so there isn't much evidence to support one way or another.

However, general advice is to never do binding ED agreements the preclude you from scholarships because you will likely end up with 200,000+ debt leaving school.

My personal thought on it is to Focus on your LSAT. Bring that score up as high as you can and apply RD. Being a URM with a LSAT above their 75th you might have a shot. Any upward trends in your GPA or are your lower scores In Harder classes/when you were going through an illness or something? If you can get a high LSAT and write a GPA addendum, I think that will help a ton.

[Long shot hero]

Anyone doing BU-Bound ED? I'm really considering it. 3.35 GPA, Mexican URM, and PTing mid to high 160's. BU is my top choice, but really nervous my GPA is too low. Would the fact that you won't be considered for merit scholarships make it slightly easier to get in?

It's tough to say because this is the first year BU is doing the BU bound thing so there isn't much evidence to support one way or another.

However, general advice is to never do binding ED agreements the preclude you from scholarships because you will likely end up with 200,000+ debt leaving school.

My personal thought on it is to Focus on your LSAT. Bring that score up as high as you can and apply RD. Being a URM with a LSAT above their 75th you might have a shot. Any upward trends in your GPA or are your lower scores In Harder classes/when you were going through an illness or something? If you can get a high LSAT and write a GPA addendum, I think that will help a ton.

Looking at LSN graphs there have been a solid amount of URM admits with GPAs below or at yours and with LSAT scores well below your PT's. You could probably pull solid $$$ imo.

[Long shot hero]

That being said, I would not ED. You could pull an acceptance from an even better school potentially if you score at the top of your potential. Plus ED just takes away a lot of bargaining power.

[Dr. Nefario]

As others mentioned, binding ED loses a lot of leverage. The general consensus is don't do it unless you already have law school funded.


ETA: even then, don't do it

[WamBamThankYouMaam]

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[zeglo]

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[Long shot hero]

As others mentioned, binding ED loses a lot of leverage. The general consensus is don't do it unless you already have law school funded.


ETA: even then, don't do it

ED at BU is a scholarship...well one of them is at least.

This convo was in regards to the BU Bound - not the Dist. Scholar.

[Dodocogon]

In addition to the discussion above, from looking at LSN's examples BU looks like they splash a little more cash for URMs

[Dr. Nefario]

As others mentioned, binding ED loses a lot of leverage. The general consensus is don't do it unless you already have law school funded.


ETA: even then, don't do it

ED at BU is a scholarship...well one of them is at least.

This convo was in regards to the BU Bound - not the Dist. Scholar.

As mentioned, I was referring to the BU Bound. By all means, apply for the full-ride if BU is your top choice and you don't want the option to ED anywhere else.

One caveat, re scholarship leverage: as this is the first year of the BU Bound, we can only speculate on leverage based on how it seems to work at other school.

[Dodocogon]

Fee waiver just dropped for me.

[ashrice13]

Fee waiver just dropped for me.

Glad people are still getting them...hopefully one comes through for me!

[ashrice13]

I haven't received a fee waiver despite my stats definitely being in the range for it.

If you're interested, here's the response I got when I tried to solicit one:
-------------------

Thank you for your interest in Boston University School of Law. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a merit-based fee waiver by request. We do offer select candidates merit-based fee waivers through the LSAC Candidate Referral Service (CRS). Please be sure to register with the CRS.

We do review requests for need-based fee waivers. If you feel that you may qualify for a need-based fee waiver, please email us at bulawadm@bu.edu with the following information. If you are registered student, please include a copy of your current year’s financial aid award letter which includes budget and award. If you are not currently a student, please email a letter stating your financial situation and include documentation. Please include your name and LSAC number in the email.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely,

Emily Vecchiarelli
Senior Program Coordinator
Boston University School of Law
Admissions and Financial Aid
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Admissions I 617-353-3100
Financial Aid I 617-353-3160

[masterz]

I got the exact same email when I tried to solicit a fee waiver couple weeks ago. LSAT>75%, Foreign GPA=Above Average. I thought they were just not into foreign-educated applicants.

I haven't received a fee waiver despite my stats definitely being in the range for it.

If you're interested, here's the response I got when I tried to solicit one:
-------------------

Thank you for your interest in Boston University School of Law. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a merit-based fee waiver by request. We do offer select candidates merit-based fee waivers through the LSAC Candidate Referral Service (CRS). Please be sure to register with the CRS.

We do review requests for need-based fee waivers. If you feel that you may qualify for a need-based fee waiver, please email us at bulawadm@bu.edu with the following information. If you are registered student, please include a copy of your current year’s financial aid award letter which includes budget and award. If you are not currently a student, please email a letter stating your financial situation and include documentation. Please include your name and LSAC number in the email.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely,

Emily Vecchiarelli
Senior Program Coordinator
Boston University School of Law
Admissions and Financial Aid
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Admissions I 617-353-3100
Financial Aid I 617-353-3160

[theboringest]

Hmm, I haven't gotten a fee waiver email. Stats >both 75ths, and a Boston native so I'm definitely interested...I'm going to email them but not expecting much based on the above responses.

[carasrook]

i inquired about a fee waiver and received a similar response to the responses above. surprisingly, i got a fee waiver through CRS!

[ashrice13]

i inquired about a fee waiver and received a similar response to the responses above. surprisingly, i got a fee waiver through CRS!

wmail or hidden? There may be hope yet!

[carasrook]

i inquired about a fee waiver and received a similar response to the responses above. surprisingly, i got a fee waiver through CRS!

wmail or hidden? There may be hope yet!

got it via email!

[whodareswins]

Would attend with $$$, both stats above the 75ths, but not by too much...

[Dodocogon]

Submitted today (ED)! Now the wait til mid/late December begins.

[ashrice13]

Just submitted!! Now the waiting game begins.

[Dodocogon]

Just submitted!! Now the waiting game begins.

So you got that pesky LOR then? Glad to hear it! A month and a half won't be that bad really though.

[ashrice13]

Just submitted!! Now the waiting game begins.

So you got that pesky LOR then? Glad to hear it! A month and a half won't be that bad really though.

Yes! Shaming in person was what finally did it. Much harder to ignore someone that is standing in front of you.

I think it will actually be easier than waiting for the LSAT. If I get bad news here, it doesn't necessarily mean that I have to wait until 2018 the way a bad LSAT score would have. Then again...we'll see how I feel in a few weeks haha

[studyingeveryday]

Good luck guys! still waiting for two recommenders myself lol.