Academic

University of Miami Law School To Defer 1L Admittees

By Dan Filler

The weak economy seems to be yielding exceptionally positive admission results for one law school.  According to ATL, The University of Miami School of Law has sent a letter to its newly admitted 1L students inviting them to defer the start of law school for a year.  It seems that the school's yield on offers was higher than expected.  This is consistent with the idea that applicants are highly motivated to attend law school, and leave (or entirely avoid) the work force.  It could also indicate that, when Patricia White took the Miami deanship, the school  promised to bolster student LSAT and GPA numbers by amping up student aid.

Whatever the reasons for this challenge - one that looks like "a nice problem to have",  but from an administrators point of view really isn't - the law school is spending a few bucks to try to shrink the Class of 2012.   It may be a tough problem to solve, however.  If people don't have other great options for the next year, it might take a fair amount of money to buy a deferral. 

According to a letter from Dean White, the school is offering those who defer the following bennies:

* Guaranteed $5,000 Public Interest Deferral Scholarship when completing 120 hours of public service. This scholarship would be in addition to any other scholarship award you may receive (not to exceed the cost of tuition).

* Increase your likelihood of selection for a $75,000 Miami Scholars Scholarship award ($25,000 each year for 3 years). This is a scholarship designed to encourage and reward public service.

* If qualified, be among the first group considered for all 2010 scholarships (see offer details).

* Apply your entire $300 seat deposit to Fall 2010, rather than receiving only a partial refund and forfeiting the balance.

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on July 01, 2009 (boomark / email).