Law School: Getting, then losing merit scholarship

Most of the media attention has been focused on the student loan debt newbie JDs carry away from law school, increasingly without a job.  David Segal of THE NEW YORK TIMES uncovered a much more dramatic money story - one of merit scholarships obtained and then lost. 

 
"Gloria was saluted in her graduating class in college for being awarded a merit scholarship to attend law school. One year later, shock, they found out that Gloria had lost that scholarship and had returned home because she could not afford the law school tuition."

This one might indict the ethics of law schools more than the bleak job numbers.  However, the burden of finding out the realities of the merit-scholarship game is really up to the students.

According to Segal, more than one in four of those entering law school are awarded a merit scholarship. It could cover the whole nut for tuition.  The letter which comes with the announcement clearly states that the recipient must maintain a "B" average in law school.  Most assume they can do that - if not better.

Yet, there are two reasons why too many of the recipients can't do that "B."  One is that law schools usually grade on the curve, that is, grades are rationed.  Only a certain percentage of the students will bet the "A."  Another reason is that law school introduces to most of the students a foreign way of critical thinking.  Some, even the best and brightest in their undergraduate years, can't or won't get the hang of it.  As many fellow 1Ls muttered at Harvard Law School, "We wouldn't have come to law school if we knew it was like this."

Segal's article is bound to go viral and more college seniors will become aware that the merit scholarship may not be a source of income for them to depend on for the three years.   

Comments

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