Admissions Interactions: Merit- and Need-Based Scholarships
Admissions Digest, 02.08.2022
What's Going On in the Admissions Cycle Right Now?
Law schools will continue to push out admissions decisions and scholarship offers as quickly as they can. Admitted students should anticipate communications regarding scholarship decisions, reconsideration policies, and upcoming events. Waitlisted candidates should prepare any relevant updates for submission, as admissions offices may take looks at their lists as we near commitment deadlines this spring.
FAQs from Students
Should I retake the LSAT? It depends. Read more about whether retaking the LSAT is a good option in our LSAT Tips Newsletter here.
Helpful Link
Sunday, February 20 is the assistance request deadline for the March LSAT (for required technology, internet access, and/or quiet space). For more information, click here.
Discussion
This week, our discussion continues on interactions with the law schools in terms of scholarship offers.
Merit-Based Scholarships
For most schools, applicants are automatically considered for merit-based awards following an offer of admission. Some schools will make scholarship offers at the same time that they communicate admissions decisions; however, there are schools that complete a separate review for scholarship awards at a later date. You’ll see this much more frequently within the T20.
For merit-based awards, while these decisions are primarily based on an applicant’s LSAT score and GPA, other factors can be considered, such as work experience, background, or other factors of importance to that particular institution. Pay close attention to that school’s time estimates for getting out scholarship award offers, as they can vary greatly from school to school.
Typically, these awards are communicated in writing either in a printed letter or via email, but initial communications of the award can also be made by phone. While thank-you responses are appreciated, there isn’t any pressure to reply to an email—just be wary of whether the award specifications affect commitment deadlines.
Need-Based Scholarships
Often, more information is required before a law school can determine whether a candidate is eligible for any need-based scholarship funding. Not all schools are able to provide need-based funding, but ones that do will typically either utilize the FAFSA or an internally created form. To be considered, candidates typically need to complete the FAFSA and/or the internal form by a certain deadline date.
Need-based scholarship consideration usually takes a bit more time, as admissions and/or financial aid officers need to review these additional forms and determine the level of need for each eligible candidate. Awards will be based on that level of need determination and may supplement or replace merit-based awards depending on the scholarship policies at a particular institution.
Where it is unclear whether a scholarship award offer is merit- or need-based, candidates can certainly reach out to admissions teams for clarification. Additionally, candidates can typically introduce additional information regarding need during the course of reconsideration, so long as that information is supplemented with documentation that demonstrates additional need beyond what the candidate could demonstrate in the FAFSA and/or school-specific need assessment form.
Inquiries about Award Funding
It is not uncommon for candidates to reach out to AOs to inquire whether all awards have been made—scholarship awards (like admissions offers) are often communicated in batches. If a school has made all of their initial offers and an admitted student has not received an award, they can typically utilize the reconsideration or scholarship negotiation process to make a scholarship award request. Within this process, candidates are able to provide documentation of awards from peer institutions with the hope that the school will provide a competitive offer (most schools do not go into this process with the intention of matching awards dollar for dollar—funding is limited, and they will try to award to as many candidates as they can).
Additionally, following the completion of any reconsideration or scholarship negotiation process, some AOs will maintain lists of students hoping for any possible boost in funding, should any funds become available as committed students withdraw to accept other offers. In these instances, you can follow up with the AO from time to time, but keep in mind that they have no control over whether any committed students withdraw, so they are not able to prioritize the timing of these potential offers.
7Sage Event
On Thursday, February 10, at 9:00 p.m. ET, David and the 7Sage Tutoring Team will host a webinar about "Need for Speed." The event will include a giveaway of a free hour of tutoring, and participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
For more details and to access the registration link, click here.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Boston University Law is offering guided tours and some financial aid webinars during the month of February. For guided tours, proof of vaccination and mask wearing are required, and interested applicants may sign up via the tour calendar here. On Wednesday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m. ET, the financial aid team is offering a virtual webinar on applying for outside scholarships. Register here. On Wednesday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. ET, the financial team is offering a virtual webinar on Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Register here.
Duke Law is offering law student-guided tours on Mondays and Fridays at 2 p.m. ET. Tour size is limited, so registration is advised. Register here.
GW Law is offering an “Ask Me Anything” virtual session for prospective applicants on Wednesday, February 9 at 2 p.m. ET. The event is a casual opportunity to ask questions of the admissions team. Register here.
Notre Dame Law is offering in-person visits for prospective and waitlisted applicants on Mondays, which include a class observation, admissions information session, and student-led tour. Visits are limited to 10 people at a time. Register here.
UC Irvine Law is offering virtual drop-in hours for prospective applicants interested in asking questions of the admissions team through Friday, February 11. For drop-in times and to sign up, click here.
UCLA Law is offering online information sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:15 p.m. PT. Register here.
WashU Law in St. Louis is offering meetings with admissions, virtual open houses, and live-streamed events. For more details and to sign up, click here.