Hi, I have a USD 22.5k scholarship in U Penn and admits to Columbia, Chicago and Berkeley. Columbia has categorically said they will not give me aid. Chicago and Berkeley haven't notified me of their aid decisions yet.
I'm not looking to specialize in any area really (even though I have a corporate law background) - and (in all likelihood) I will choose courses depending on the law school I finally decide to attend and the specific course faculty. My question is: Is the difference between U Penn, on the one hand, and Columbia/ Chicago on the other, justify an additional investment of USD 22.5k? U Penn has given me till tomorrow to respond, so please advise asap!

Congrats on the scholly $, which accounts for half tuition waiver.

Go to Penn if no restrictions imposed on course selection

Congratulations!

I think, I would take the scholarship, because I believe, that candidats with scholarships at Columbia already got admitted (but I am not sure).
Difference between these law schools ain't that significant, to turn down the $22.5k and the prestige of a scholarship. At UPenn, you could also benefit of the excellent possibilities of wharton school.

I think that admission at harvard law school could be slightly better than your scholarship at UPenn.

Thanks for these responses. Since I have to respond to U Penn by tomorrow (they have refused to extend my deadline), acceptance of the USD 22.5k scholarship award would mean that I have to withdraw my application from Harvard (as HLS has said that they will respond only sometime next week).
While I don't think I have much of a chance in Harvard, I seriously doubt I'll be able to get myself to withdraw my application!! What do you think? Is accepting Penn the sensible thing to do in these circumstances? And is everyone quite clear on this: Columbia (or Chicago) do not justify an additional USD 22.5k investment?

I'd pick Penn with scholarship (even if it's only 10,000) over Columbia with nada cents anyday. Columbia is not that worthy to forgo 10,000 USD, not to mention 22,000 USD!!! If I were you I'd even withdraw my application from Harvard, since it's highly uncertain...better take a safer bet.

Cheers

I'd pick Penn with scholarship (even if it's only 10,000) over Columbia with nada cents anyday. Columbia is not that worthy to forgo 10,000 USD, not to mention 22,000 USD!!! If I were you I'd even withdraw my application from Harvard, since it's highly uncertain...better take a safer bet.

Cheers

Hard choice!! I am sorry for you!

I think, you won't get a penny from HLS. The possible outcomes are:
HLS (unsure) vs. UPenn + 22.5k. If you are very willing to take risks, the HLS (0$-scholarship) option could be a little bit better. But of course, admission procedure at US law schools is a arbitrary (like a lottery). It would be a huge risk. How is your risk aversion?

In your circumstandes, I would think, it's a very good choice to accept UPenn's offer. You already have a great track record. You can be proud of yourself and add the prestige of being given a scholarshipt at one of the best law schools of the world to your CV.

I'd pick Penn with scholarship (even if it's only 10,000) over Columbia with nada cents anyday. Columbia is not that worthy to forgo 10,000 USD, not to mention 22,000 USD!!! If I were you I'd even withdraw my application from Harvard, since it's highly uncertain...better take a safer bet.

Cheers

I'd pick Penn with scholarship (even if it's only 10,000) over Columbia with nada cents anyday. Columbia is not that worthy to forgo 10,000 USD, not to mention 22,000 USD!!! If I were you I'd even withdraw my application from Harvard, since it's highly uncertain...better take a safer bet.

Cheers

So you would not agree with this:

HLS (regardless of aid) > CLS (regardless of aid) > Chicago or Berkeley (with some aid) > Penn (with substantial aid).

Assume prestige of the law school is the only relevant factor.

my preference would be:

HLS (regardless of aid) > CLS (regardless of aid) > Chicago or Berkeley (with some aid) or Penn (with substantial aid).

but it is based on the assumption that I am willing to take risks. (if you are not a gampler, then pick UPenN with substantial aid.)
the 22.5k-scholarship enhances the prestige of your application.

Penn - absolutely no doubt. Even if you had no scholarship there, it would be close.

I have been admitted to the schools mentioned above.

For me it is clear - HLS > PENN > CLS > Berkeley > Chicago.

I do not like the location of UofC and living costs at CLS + number of LLM cash cows are a bit disappointing.

Are you a ranking whore?

@ Newbie: Totally. am a complete ranking whore. All things equal (i.e. no aid from anywhere) I would have religiously followed the US News Law School Rankings.

This financial aid has complicated things a bit... but - I think I am going to say no to Penn's Scholarship Award.

I have been admitted to the schools mentioned above.

For me it is clear - HLS > PENN > CLS > Berkeley > Chicago.

I do not like the location of UofC and living costs at CLS + number of LLM cash cows are a bit disappointing.

Are you a ranking whore?

Great. Go to CLS and maybe UPenn reallocate the scholarship for me. hehehe...

Serious: Choosing a Law School it is a personal matter. After all, you are going to spent tons of cash and spend one year of your life in such environment.

Believe me, rankings are just rankings. The main facts you may consider are the following:

- specialization if any
- city costs
- professors
- class size
- living costs
- personal interests
- fellow students

Rankings are just an approximation and a simplification of the qualitiy of a law school. It's negligent to giva 22.5k away in order to be in a law school which is 1-4 ranks better. I would only give it away, if I've already got admitted at HLS.

But think twice. You will live for about 9 months there. After a while, the ranking gets insignificant. $22.5k is nice for your financial situation and scholarship from an ivy law school is neat for your CV. And bear in mind that you've already got admitted at world class universities! don't forget that ever!

Great. Go to CLS and maybe UPenn reallocate the scholarship for me. hehehe...

Serious: Choosing a Law School it is a personal matter. After all, you are going to spent tons of cash and spend one year of your life in such environment.

Believe me, rankings are just rankings. The main facts you may consider are the following:

- specialization if any
- city costs
- professors
- class size
- living costs
- personal interests
- fellow students

Deal.
Go to CLS and I will bump into upper east side and than I'll by you USD2500 worth of alcohol...(if penn gives me the half tuition waiver)...

Super. Sounds Good. We have a deal.
In light of this, I am definitely saying no U Penn. Thanks for helping me make up my mind! hehe.