| Topic Name: |
Re-Apply? |
| Message Name: |
Now I'm just speculating . . . |
| Date Posted: |
06/29/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
The only reason I thought I might have a chance for a scholarship is because they take the highest LSAT score which for me is a 163 and the 75th percentile LSAT is a 162. My grades are towards the upper 50th percentile I think. Anyways, I can't afford USD without money, bottom line. And I don't mean loans. However, after talking to you, it sounds like if I were to get any money, it would be wise not to immediately cast aside USD because its considered "2nd tier". Like I've said before, I don't really care for BIGLAW unless, perhaps, if its to practice tax and in that case if would only be for a year or two at the max. I want to work for the DOJ ultimately or become a DA. I like SD and would not mind living and working there after graduating. If I were to finish in the top 10-15% of the class, would I find it difficult to work in SF however? How is the USD degree regarded in San Diego and southern california in general? And, if your numbers were superior to the average USD student, what made you decide to attend? Was it the scholarship? Thanks Sassy!! |
| Message: |
One thing I forgot to ask you is whether you're coming from out of state. Although USD won't admit it (because I asked), I've noticed they tend to give scholarship to applicants from out of state even though their numbers are lower. The school is really focused on gaining national recognition so the school seems to be more aggressive in recruiting out of state students. I met one girl on campus tour day who applied from out of state, had lower numbers than me but got a larger scholarship. I think her numbers were about like yours, maybe a bit higher but not much.
USD claims that it doesn't play the scholarship "game." However, one of my classmates told me (and I take it with a grain of salt) that when she didn't get incoming scholarship she called up financial aid and said she's going to go elsewhere unless she sees some money. USD said that they don't play the scholarship game, yet strangely enough just a week later she received notice of a 1/2 scholarship. I have no idea if the two events are connected and have no idea if it's a good strategy to bug financial aid in such a way. I offer up the story to you just as another case study for you to ponder.
Anyway, I guess I didn't realize USD is so much more expensive than other schools. What does Hastings cost per year?
I'm rooted in SD (husband, family, great job w/ major firm) so I had no desire to leave town. Basically, I applied to USD knowing I'd go there regardless of scholarship. I have to admit, I was surprised to only get 1/2 scholarship incoming and I have often wondered if it was b/c USD knew I'd go there regardless b/c it's the best school in town and I only applied to SD schools. Thus, it's possible USD saw me as someone that didn't need to be enticed with scholarhip. However, I'm just totally speculating on that one -- who really knows how the scholarship game works for incoming? All I know is once you're in and do well, you can pretty much count on scholarship if you're in top 5%, and scholarship has been known to make it's way down to top 10%.
I don't know how USD is perceived in SF. However, there are a number of SD firms that have offices in SF (mine is one of them) so I know you can interview in SD and seek placement in SF. My firm has USD grads in its SF/PA offices. As for SD firm perception of USD, I have a ton of friends who graduated top 10% from USD and they're all at top firms in town.
Good luck with your decision . . . looks like you're doing some good research -- aw, a sign of a good lawyer-to-be!
If you end up at USD, let me know -- I'll give you the scoop on the profs.
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