RedYellowOrange '21–'22 app cycle Class of 2025 class year

Decided to go to law school late 2020. Second career. Previously a teacher for 6 years. Studied using 7sage Dec-June went 156-169.

My references were undergrad professors who aren’t professors anymore and taught me 9 years ago. No amazing softs. I applied with a goal of writing myself as a future public interest lawyer tangentially related to my prior profession.

What i wish i knew/did before applying to ALL these schools:

Look at the history of scholarships.

Don’t under-estimate your stats. I really didn’t need to apply to so many schools between 50-100. Public schools in the 20s-50s can be generous. No need to apply lower if you are my stats twin.

Look at 509s and employment stats before applying.

I uploaded some drafts/submissions of an assortment of things to a drive cause what really is privacy anyways: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16JMw331mcRcw2psZVSIDPe_4V9FMD-V2?usp=sharing

How I made decisions + thoughts and math on CoA (3 year total):

Most of my withdraws happened after getting a full ride to UIUC.
Schools I was most interested in post-offers: Davis, Iowa, W&L, UIUC. It came to Davis and Iowa, Davis barely won with their late scholarship increase. In the end it didn’t really matter, all good schools.

UC Davis $94,300 (82% tuition assuming 2/3L residency) Offered an unsolicited increase the day after I deposited to Iowa. Though I preferred everything Iowa, location means more than money to me in the end.

Iowa $76,785 (87% tuition assuming 2/3L residency) I chose Iowa because of cost, employment, and supports. I deposited and was set to attend, then UC Davis sent an increase in aid the day after I deposited. I’ve only lived on the west coast and the 20k difference seemed an okay cost to stay on the coast. If davis didn’t increase my aid I would’ve attended Iowa.

UIUC $69k (100% tuition) I’d end up with a job and no debt. Went to a few online things already and watched last years virtual event. Though I can make an argument UIUC was the better financial choice, I just felt it was too tied up in Chicago law market. I’m not anti-chicago, I just want choices.

W&L $111k (69% tuition) The alumni network is great and the job stats are amazing. Rent is cheap here too. Great contact to admitted students. Have had alum and student call. Went to the Feb virtual event. Even if I could get another $20k it wouldn’t be worth it. Iowa is basically the same number wise and a cheaper option.

William and Mary still $56k in tuition and fees. assuming $60k minimum in life expenses, easily over $110k. Not really an option. Was a top choice early in the cycle, wrote the optionals.

NDLS WL–>A $217k (23% tuition) WL January, Acceptance June. Didn’t send anything to them nor they to me prior to acceptance. Total price $100k more than UC Davis with outcomes in Chicago/NYC. NDLS has double the BL/FC rate, but I’d rather take a lower income job in California.

U of Washington $154k (30% tuition) I’m too cheap. Withdrew after the $12k/yr offer. I wish they were more generous, I would’ve attended for same price as UC Davis.

UMN $135k (66% tuition) I like UMN. I could get summer positions in the area. But, almost double what UIUC would be.

Fordham $195k (52% tuition) Graduating with ~$200k loans would be suffocating. Also the idea of being a poor student in NYC doesn’t sound awesome.

Cardozo $174k (61% tuition) I’d rather St. John’s which has offered a full ride. Cardozo’s employment is questionable and their high tuition basically on Fordham’s level.

ASU $125k (60% tuition assuming the $85k which current students have said is easy to ask for an extension)** **Applied with no reference letters. It was the school I would go to if my ancient references didn’t work. Withdrew after UIUC offer. ASU is a great school to apply early to and feel relaxed once they let you in. Knowing I was going to law school in October was great. You get to meet other applicants and take a free trip to Phoenix. Apply to ASU.

Seton: $122k conditional or $154k non-conditional Withdrew after UIUC offer. Shouldn’t have applied.

UF Levin $96K (67% tuition) This is a great deal. I’m not going to live in Florida.

U of Arizona $92k (75% tuition) Visited school. Withdrew after UIUC offer.

St. John’s $84k (100% tuition) The condition isn’t horrible (top 80%). Employment is good, and I could stay in the city for summer jobs. Ultimately withdrew because conditional as well as location.

Penn UP $75k (100% tuition) Withdrew after UIUC offer. Applied to have a guaranteed full ride offer.

Penn Dickinson $69k (100% tuition) Withdrew after UIUC offer. Applied to have a guaranteed full ride offer.

LMU Los Angeles Withdrew. The low employment can’t be made up with likely scholarship $.

Waitlists:
Northwestern I withdrew. The cost would be too much and having to turn down an offer would hurt my soul. Pretty sure the WL was only because I applied ED with borderline R stats.
USC Withdrew mid-may. They sent an email saying it was super unlikely they’d be pulling from WL.
Boston College Withdrew. I don’t see changing my plans for BC without a full ride, which would be unlikely.
WashU Withdrew before I had a decision. They clearly weren’t interested, no interview and months of silence. Redacted GPA.

Anyone interested in outcomes— 1L top 20%, took 2L biglaw in SF. No issue getting callbacks in LA/SF the two cities I applied to.