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Here's the deal:
Applying this cycle. Two years out of undergrad - did finance for the first year and will do something else with the second 12 months.
GPA: 3.3
LSAT: 173 (out of retakes)
Non-URM. Shooting for biglaw.

Would I be crazy to ED to Penn? I'm just worried about applying to the lower T-14 and getting no acceptance or money at schools from UVA on down. Perhaps ED Penn is my best shot at maximizing my employment prospect/cost ratio? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Don't ED Penn

How are you paying for school

Is money an issue?

No! And, if you are going to ED, why not NU? You get $150,000 in scholarship money if accepted through the program.

Mack.Hambleton wrote:How are you paying for school

I'll be financing entirely though loans. No previous outstanding debt.

The reason I'm considering ED to Penn is that I feel it'll give me a boost over applying early in the cycle regular decision. I'd say my chances at an RD admit are 10-20%, if that, whereas an ED looks much more likely. Penn looks like the school with the best employment prospects that I'd be able to get into. I'd LOVE to go to NU for free, but I didn't think there was a boost for ED applicants there, considering the scholarship and all.

sanderson90 wrote:

Mack.Hambleton wrote:How are you paying for school

I'll be financing entirely though loans. No previous outstanding debt.

The reason I'm considering ED to Penn is that I feel it'll give me a boost over applying early in the cycle regular decision. I'd say my chances at an RD admit are 10-20%, if that, whereas an ED looks much more likely. Penn looks like the school with the best employment prospects that I'd be able to get into. I'd LOVE to go to NU for free, but I didn't think there was a boost for ED applicants there, considering the scholarship and all.

Man that's too much debt. Do some calculations and see how long it would take you to pay them back assuming you get a big law job.

Can anyone else confirm this?

Don't you usually need a 3.4+ for NU ED ...OP's gpa may be slightly off

Broncos15 wrote:Can anyone else confirm this?

Don't you usually need a 3.4+ for NU ED ...OP's gpa may be slightly off

Doubt there's a hard gpa cutoff there or anything. It's still a reach for op of course, but not a bad idea.

I wouldn't ed to penn in this situation. That's a real strong lsat and may very well get some lower t14 money, or a nice offer off the waitlist perhaps.

Put together a polished app with plenty of "why x" essays and you'll do fine op.

Yeah just go for lower T14 money

Thanks for the responses everyone. Can't say I'm not still tempted by Penn's relatively juicy employment outcomes - it's likely I'd have a job, but at what cost? Looks like TLS seems to think that I'll get at least some $$ from the lower T-14, so I'm leaning toward that option but still haven't made up my mind.

I'd like to find someone who did end up paying sticker and getting biglaw to find out more about what post-law school debt-laden life entails.

Cornell has almost the same numbers