Question of the Week - January

January 30, 2008

Q: I applied and am waiting for a decision on my application. When should I expect to hear from the Admissions Office?

A: Our admissions committee began reviewing applications this month and our first offer letters went out a couple of weeks ago. You should expect to get a decision depending on when your application file was completed (meaning that the admissions office has received all required materials). We try to review files in the order that they completed. If your file completed before January, then you should hear from us by the end of February. If your file was completed after the first of the year, then you should hear from us about 4-8 weeks after your application file completed.

If you have any concern about your application, or believe you should have received a decision already, please contact our office at 800-303-4860 or lawadmss@lclark.edu and we will check on the status of your application.

January 23, 2008

Q: I have questions about various federal loans (i.e. the criteria, their amounts, etc.). How can I get more information?

A: You can start with our website that describes the various student loans provided by the federal government. You can also find more information on the FAFSA website describing the Federal Student Aid Programs. Finally, you can contact Diana Meyer, Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, at meyer@lclark.edu or 503-768-7090, with any further questions you might have.

January 16, 2008

Q: Are scholarships renewable or are they one-time offers?

A: Scholarships for incoming students are renewable every year the student is enrolled. The only requirement to keep the scholarship is that the student maintains a 2.85 GPA or higher. The main reason our awards are based on merit is because there is a GPA requirement to keep a scholarship and we do not want our students to lose them if possible. Luckily, most recipients are able to perform well enough to keep their awards.

January 8, 2008

Speaking of scholarships, what does Lewis & Clark Law School offer to incoming students and how can I apply for them?

A: You will want to look into scholarship opportunities at each law school you apply to as the application process, amounts awarded, and qualifications are unique to each law school.

Applying for scholarships at Lewis & Clark is easy because essentially, your application to the law school is your scholarship application. On your law school application form, make sure to check the appropriate boxes indicating your interest in being considered for scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on the merit that one brings to the school and the amounts vary. Merit can mean many things. In this case, most of the emphasis is placed on your previous academic performance and your LSAT score. Other factors that are considered include writing ability, work or activities, diversity, and other significant accomplishments.

Applicants also have the option of submitting a scholarship statement with their application. This statement is used to provide additional information that one wishes the admissions committee to especially consider when determining scholarship awards. Typically, the statement highlights one’s merit and perhaps describes financial need. While these awards are not need-based, financial hardship may be considered during review for scholarships as long as significant merit is also there. Your FAFSA will not be reviewed for scholarship consideration.

The other scholarship we have for incoming students is for Native American law school applicants provided by the confederated tribes of the Quinault Indian Allottees Association. All self-identified Native students will receive information about this scholarship in the mail. If you have been admitted and have not heard about this, but are interested, please contact us and we will send you an application.

Beyond Lewis & Clark's merit-based scholarships for incoming students, there are also outside scholarships for incoming law students out there! For more information, visit the Outside Scholarships section at our Scholarships and Awards information page.

January 2, 2008

Q: What applications or forms must be filled out for financial aid and/or scholarship consideration?

A: This is a question you will want to ask each law school you apply to as the answers may vary.

At Lewis & Clark Law School, the FAFSA is the only form that needs to be filled out for federal financial aid. Ideally, the FAFSA will be submitted before March 1, 2007 if applying for Fall 2007, though you can submit the FAFSA after this date if necessary.

As for scholarships at Lewis & Clark, your application to law school is what will determine your eligibility and competitiveness for them. There's a section on the law

school application itself that asks you to indicate if you’re interested in being considered for a merit-based scholarship. Checking “yes” is all you need to do to be considered and the committee will determine your merit compared to the rest of the applicant pool. You can submit a separate statement if you wish highlighting your specific qualifications for scholarships, but note that this is optional and is most helpful if you're providing any additional or new info that is not already in your application.