. Forum

[GFox345]

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[krads153]

I know when I applied to law school back in the day that there were people who ED'd who still got big scholarships, so I don't think that they were lying to you. Either way, it sounds like you don't have much to lose (you can afford law school regardless), so I would just wait for your scores and negotiate when you get them.

[052220152]

that sounds good enough for the 50ish scholly they give

[umichman]

Hey everyone,

I posted on this subforum roughly a month ago about my chances at admission to several schools in the bottom of the T-14. I am pleased to say that I was admitted to Georgetown, Vandy, and Michigan. At the time, I was kind of influenced by crippling self-doubt and it led me to ED Michigan. Don't get me wrong, Michigan is truly my first choice, but I think I had a solid shot at RD even with my old numbers (3.83/167).

Anyway, I retook this past Saturday because I had been consistently PTing in the 174-177 range even though I have already deposited at Michigan and withdrawn all my other applications pursuant to their binding ED contract. Well, I feel like there is a very good chance that I hit my practice average on this past LSAT (didn't fall victim to game 3), and I wanted to know if I have a shot in hell at getting any sort of scholarship that is remotely commensurate with an applicant with numbers of, say, (3.83/175), which at Michigan should probably be at least half tuition because I am GPA = 75 and over their LSAT 75th by like 6 points. I called the Office of Admissions after being accepted ED, and they told me that a retake for the purpose of increasing Merit Aid is a common practice among people that have already deposited and that, with a noticeable improvement, it often does lead to better scholarship offers.

That being said, I am hesitant to believe anything that they say because, well, they are not bound to tell the truth. All their answers have been very noncommittal, as you'd expect them to be because I am bound to go even if they don't give me a dime. They say on their website that ED applicants receive the same consideration for scholarships, but the data unsurprisingly indicate otherwise.

So before the flood comes in, I acknowledge that EDing was not the smartest decision, but as things stand it is too late for me to change that. Is there anything that I can do to increase my scholarship? Luckily I come from a wealthy family that can more than foot the Michigan bill, but regardless I feel bad for spending money that did not have to be spent, and that's why I decided to leave absolutely zero points on the table when it came to my LSAT prep. Is there any hope for me?

EDIT: I just wanted to emphasize this because I don't feel like I did a good job at conveying it in the post above. Michigan was my first choice for a variety of reasons. It places very well in the Midwest, which is where I want to live/work for at least the immediate future. Yet, it is a good enough school that it allows mobility all over the country. It is also just over an hour from where I grew up in Ohio, so being close enough to home to see my family more than once or twice a year was a huge factor for me. I am only saying this because a 3.83/175 combo would likely get me into all of CCN (Chicago especially because that is where I did my Undergrad) and possibly even give me a solid shot at HYS (although I realize that I have not, in reality, received this score yet).

From personal experience i can tell you that they will not use teh ED status against you. If you did substantially better, they will up your award proportionately. They are generally fair and appreciate that you did the ED.

[GFox345]

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[hunt godlink]

My two cents:

First, hold your horses until you actually receive the December score (I'm waiting myself as well).

Second, don't get me wrong, Michigan is a great school that places well in the various places that you foresee yourself residing at. BUT, general wisdom would say that you want to get into the BEST school that you can get accepted to with the BEST offer, which, looking at your numbers and PT scores, I don't think Michigan constitutes. And if you actually end up getting a 175, there is no doubt at all that you should withdraw and apply again early next cycle, even if it's for the sake of $$$ at Michigan. Even though your family can afford it, the potential $100,000 difference is still a lot of money.

[umichman]

Hey everyone,

I posted on this subforum roughly a month ago about my chances at admission to several schools in the bottom of the T-14. I am pleased to say that I was admitted to Georgetown, Vandy, and Michigan. At the time, I was kind of influenced by crippling self-doubt and it led me to ED Michigan. Don't get me wrong, Michigan is truly my first choice, but I think I had a solid shot at RD even with my old numbers (3.83/167).

Anyway, I retook this past Saturday because I had been consistently PTing in the 174-177 range even though I have already deposited at Michigan and withdrawn all my other applications pursuant to their binding ED contract. Well, I feel like there is a very good chance that I hit my practice average on this past LSAT (didn't fall victim to game 3), and I wanted to know if I have a shot in hell at getting any sort of scholarship that is remotely commensurate with an applicant with numbers of, say, (3.83/175), which at Michigan should probably be at least half tuition because I am GPA = 75 and over their LSAT 75th by like 6 points. I called the Office of Admissions after being accepted ED, and they told me that a retake for the purpose of increasing Merit Aid is a common practice among people that have already deposited and that, with a noticeable improvement, it often does lead to better scholarship offers.

That being said, I am hesitant to believe anything that they say because, well, they are not bound to tell the truth. All their answers have been very noncommittal, as you'd expect them to be because I am bound to go even if they don't give me a dime. They say on their website that ED applicants receive the same consideration for scholarships, but the data unsurprisingly indicate otherwise.

So before the flood comes in, I acknowledge that EDing was not the smartest decision, but as things stand it is too late for me to change that. Is there anything that I can do to increase my scholarship? Luckily I come from a wealthy family that can more than foot the Michigan bill, but regardless I feel bad for spending money that did not have to be spent, and that's why I decided to leave absolutely zero points on the table when it came to my LSAT prep. Is there any hope for me?

EDIT: I just wanted to emphasize this because I don't feel like I did a good job at conveying it in the post above. Michigan was my first choice for a variety of reasons. It places very well in the Midwest, which is where I want to live/work for at least the immediate future. Yet, it is a good enough school that it allows mobility all over the country. It is also just over an hour from where I grew up in Ohio, so being close enough to home to see my family more than once or twice a year was a huge factor for me. I am only saying this because a 3.83/175 combo would likely get me into all of CCN (Chicago especially because that is where I did my Undergrad) and possibly even give me a solid shot at HYS (although I realize that I have not, in reality, received this score yet).

From personal experience i can tell you that they will not use teh ED status against you. If you did substantially better, they will up your award proportionately. They are generally fair and appreciate that you did the ED.

This is great to hear! As an update, I received a scholarship from Michigan totaling 45k (15k/year) yesterday with my current numbers (3.83/167). If I were to pull off, say a 175 on the December test, I would probably ask high and try to get to about half tuition, which is around 80k. Another option might be to request an invite for their Darrow Scholarships in light of my new scores. I really think that being at GPA 75th and WELL above LSAT 75th would give me a solid shot at one of them!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

I 3.6/170 and got half tuition. if you actually do get a 175, agreed with prior poster, hold your horses, but if you do, then you should only go if you get full tuition. the Darrow invite request might be a good idea. but either way, if you get a 175 only go if it is with full tuition. you could reapply next year adn either go to a better school with more money. but just a quick plug for michigan, i was around median this year and am working at a top 10 firm in a major market. michigan is definitely picking back up as far as hiring goes since they have decreased class size.

[GFox345]

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[TheRealSantaClaus]

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[hunt godlink]

My two cents:

First, hold your horses until you actually receive the December score (I'm waiting myself as well).

Second, don't get me wrong, Michigan is a great school that places well in the various places that you foresee yourself residing at. BUT, general wisdom would say that you want to get into the BEST school that you can get accepted to with the BEST offer, which, looking at your numbers and PT scores, I don't think Michigan constitutes. And if you actually end up getting a 175, there is no doubt at all that you should withdraw and apply again early next cycle, even if it's for the sake of $$$ at Michigan. Even though your family can afford it, the potential $100,000 difference is still a lot of money.

I have discussed the issue with my family already, and we have come to the conclusion that it is not worth it for me to take a year off, even assuming that my current offer $45k would be upped 100k, which would be just about full tuition. I understand that this is the conventional wisdom of TLS, but if I were going to go to a better school, it would be in the Midwest, and the only Law School that is better than Michigan in the Midwest is Chicago, and Chicago is where I did my Undergrad. Perhaps this is worth reconsidering. Given that I have ED'd, would it destroy my prospects to withdraw and reapply to different schools next cycle? Or have I already gone past the point of no return?

If you read my first post (it is totally understandable if you don't because it is long and poorly organized) then you will see that I am going to Michigan partially because it is just over an hour from where I grew up (whereas Chicago is over 6 hours away). As things are in Chicago, with working full time during my year off, I am only able to see my family once or twice a year, which is really taxing for me. It's not as if I need to be around them all the time, but it really is sad to see them so seldom. I have no interest in going to the East or West Coast, although I certainly understand that a name like Harvard, Yale, or Stanford would likely give me a boost in applying for jobs even in the Midwest.

However, at this point, having gotten into a T-14 with money, I think that it is high time that other considerations come into play. Like where do I want to live and work? How often do I want to see my family? And what kind of environment do I want to attend Law School in? Chicago is a fantastic school, but as a Uchicago grad, I can say with confidence that Hyde Park seriously sucks. Chicago did just introduce a binding early decision program this year that is exclusively for Students and Alumni of the University of Chicago that guarantees a 150k Scholarship if admitted, but again, I am certain that I cannot stand to be in/around Hyde Park for 3 more years of my life. I know it sounds foolish, but I just can't. It might be hedonistic, but I view law school as a means to explore a new place, learn new things, make new friends, and maybe enjoy myself during the process, and I just don't want to do that in Hyde Park. Is this an idiotic idea?

Look at it this way: right now you have no options other than Michigan. If you care at all about your chances (admission and scholarship) at any other schools, including YHS, apply next cycle. Your specific catch is that there is a very real potential that your chances are great.

[WheninLaw]

I can say with confidence that Hyde Park seriously sucks. Chicago did just introduce a binding early decision program this year that is exclusively for Students and Alumni of the University of Chicago that guarantees a 150k Scholarship if admitted, but again, I am certain that I cannot stand to be in/around Hyde Park for 3 more years of my life. I know it sounds foolish, but I just can't. It might be hedonistic, but I view law school as a means to explore a new place, learn new things, make new friends, and maybe enjoy myself during the process, and I just don't want to do that in Hyde Park. Is this an idiotic idea?

I don't think it's idiotic, but it's overblown. You don't have to live in HP (I didn't) nor spend much time there.

I'd also sit out this cycle if you hit the 175 range. Hard to explain how much debt sucks. Edit: Please don't try for HYS over the 150K @ Chicago. That would be idiotic.

[GFox345]

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[gnomgnomuch]

Update: Well, guys, it didn't go as well as I'd thought. I received a 169. While it is a modest improvement, it does take me from below Michigan's median to their 75th percentile. Any chance of getting a better scholarship offer!?

Can't hurt to e-mail them and ask. The worst that could happen is they say no, and you're no worse off than you were before you asked.

[hunt godlink]

If I were in your situation, I would retake and reapply next cycle because of your pt averages. But seeing that you didn't get a 174+, attending Michigan with an okay scholarship isn't terrible given your current stats and situation.

[GFox345]

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[Duggiiee]

After seeing my new LSAT score, Michigan immediately upped my offer from 30k to 75k (about half tuition). I was about to call them, and I got the email! Retaking the LSAT was the most worth it thing I have ever done!

Congrats!!! I'm in a similar situation (current offer from Mich, want to take LSAT again). When you upped your score did they just email/call you to offer more money immediately (without contact from you)? do you think there is any risk to a lower score?

[GFox345]

After seeing my new LSAT score, Michigan immediately upped my offer from 30k to 75k (about half tuition). I was about to call them, and I got the email! Retaking the LSAT was the most worth it thing I have ever done!

Congrats!!! I'm in a similar situation (current offer from Mich, want to take LSAT again). When you upped your score did they just email/call you to offer more money immediately (without contact from you)? do you think there is any risk to a lower score?

Thanks! Michigan just sent me an email with a subject line "Revised Award Amount." I didn't contact them at all after receiving my new score. As for the lower score, I spoke directly to an Adcom, and he said that there is absolutely no risk and that they only care about the highest score. Good luck!

[Duggiiee]

After seeing my new LSAT score, Michigan immediately upped my offer from 30k to 75k (about half tuition). I was about to call them, and I got the email! Retaking the LSAT was the most worth it thing I have ever done!

Congrats!!! I'm in a similar situation (current offer from Mich, want to take LSAT again). When you upped your score did they just email/call you to offer more money immediately (without contact from you)? do you think there is any risk to a lower score?

Thanks! Michigan just sent me an email with a subject line "Revised Award Amount." I didn't contact them at all after receiving my new score. As for the lower score, I spoke directly to an Adcom, and he said that there is absolutely no risk and that they only care about the highest score. Good luck!

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much and congratulations again!