Your application cycle is wrapping up. You have heard back from all of the schools you applied to. You are happy with the results. You’ve been accepted by many.
But there’s still one little problem — the schools you really like have not offered you the scholarships you were hoping for.
How do you politely ask them to reconsider? Can you negotiate? Yes, you can try.
Here are some ideas:
For your top school
If the school is your first choice, tell them. Schools want to help students who are very serious about attending their school.
For merit scholarships
If you have received higher merit scholarship amounts from other schools, especially if they are comparably ranked, you can include a pdf attachment of the offer letter from the competing school and politely inquire if it might be possible to match it. In addition, if you have received academic or other honors since originally submitting your application, you can tell them about it and include an updated resume.
For additional scholarships
You may able to find additional scholarships on your own, even if the school does not grant additional aid or scholarships. Check out AccessLex.org, an organization dedicated to helping applicants afford law school. They have a good scholarship database and counselors that you can talk to about how to finance law school.
For need-based aid
If financial circumstances have changed since you applied, let the financial aid office at the law school know. They may be able to help or may have ideas for you. They are a great resource so do not be afraid to reach out to them directly.
Evaluate your total cost of attendance
Even if schools do not grant equal scholarships, one may still be cheaper than another school. Evaluate the cost of living, the cost of housing, food, and commuting, in addition to comparing tuition. You may be surprised to find that the total cost of attendance is different than you expected. This can help you make informed decisions, once you compare total costs.
For waitlists
Keep in mind that if you get into a school from a waitlist, it may be less likely that you will receive scholarships, especially towards the end of a cycle. You also may only have a few days to decide. Therefore, I would suggest preparing the total cost of attendance at schools you are waitlisted at, and thinking in advance if you would accept an offer from a waitlist if it does not come with aid or scholarships.
