- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 9010
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Fri Mar 27, 2020 1:01 pm
#74523
Below is a question from a prospective law school student, Nia, and PowerScore CEO Dave Killoran.
Nia: "Is it worth it to try to negotiate between a T14 and a top 30? Wisconsin offered me a 90% scholarship, I wouldn’t have to take the bar and I can work for a federal agency (I currently have 5 years of DC experience). I got waitlisted at Northwestern. It is my dream school and was my first choice. Until Wisconsin made me a scholarship offer at the end of May, my original plan was to reapply next cycle. My ultimate goal is to become a federal judge so going to a school that has better fed clerkship rates is ideal. That being said, is it rude to try to negotiate a 90% offer from Wisconsin with Northwestern while on the waitlist? I don’t want to ruin my shot at acceptance but also not sure the likelihood of me getting into Northwestern with money at this point. I’ve already sent a LOCI and completed their waitlist interview. Also, I checked the law schools of judges for the district courts I want to sit on and its a mix of Wisconsin, Northwestern, or Ivy league."
Dave Killoran: "Hi Nia,
In my experience the answer is No. T14s don’t see themselves as competing with T30 schools, and so you are coming at the negotiation from a place of weakness, and usually those requests are dismissed almost immediately.
The chances of getting into Northwestern off the waitlist with money aren’t great, as you fear, and while I don’t think attempting to negotiate with them would change your chances of getting in, I also don’t think it would impact any monetary offers they might make. Your best option is likely to call them up and get on with a live person, and ask about your status and explain your dilemma: you really want Northwestern but Wisconsin has made a generous and compelling offer, and is there any indication of what might happen with your WL status so you can make some decisions? That’s not a full negotiation ploy but it puts you in the position of listening to what they say. If you feel the opportunity is there to mention it as leverage, you can do so explicitly but I wouldn’t start out by going right at that point. I’ve heard many adcomms react badly to negotiations using schools they don’t see as on their level so tread carefully here.
Good luck!"
Nia: "Is it worth it to try to negotiate between a T14 and a top 30? Wisconsin offered me a 90% scholarship, I wouldn’t have to take the bar and I can work for a federal agency (I currently have 5 years of DC experience). I got waitlisted at Northwestern. It is my dream school and was my first choice. Until Wisconsin made me a scholarship offer at the end of May, my original plan was to reapply next cycle. My ultimate goal is to become a federal judge so going to a school that has better fed clerkship rates is ideal. That being said, is it rude to try to negotiate a 90% offer from Wisconsin with Northwestern while on the waitlist? I don’t want to ruin my shot at acceptance but also not sure the likelihood of me getting into Northwestern with money at this point. I’ve already sent a LOCI and completed their waitlist interview. Also, I checked the law schools of judges for the district courts I want to sit on and its a mix of Wisconsin, Northwestern, or Ivy league."
Dave Killoran: "Hi Nia,
In my experience the answer is No. T14s don’t see themselves as competing with T30 schools, and so you are coming at the negotiation from a place of weakness, and usually those requests are dismissed almost immediately.
The chances of getting into Northwestern off the waitlist with money aren’t great, as you fear, and while I don’t think attempting to negotiate with them would change your chances of getting in, I also don’t think it would impact any monetary offers they might make. Your best option is likely to call them up and get on with a live person, and ask about your status and explain your dilemma: you really want Northwestern but Wisconsin has made a generous and compelling offer, and is there any indication of what might happen with your WL status so you can make some decisions? That’s not a full negotiation ploy but it puts you in the position of listening to what they say. If you feel the opportunity is there to mention it as leverage, you can do so explicitly but I wouldn’t start out by going right at that point. I’ve heard many adcomms react badly to negotiations using schools they don’t see as on their level so tread carefully here.
Good luck!"