Thursday, July 23, 2015
Indiana Tech Law School Gives 100% Scholarships To Every Student In Effort To Retain 57 2Ls/3Ls, Recruit 20 1Ls In Wake Of Accreditation Denial
KPC News, Law School Skips Appeal, Reapplies to ABA:
The Indiana Tech Law School did not appeal a June decision by the American Bar Association’s Council on Legal Education denying it accreditation — but only because the university’s leaders decided reapplying for the ABA’s endorsement would be the quicker, more effective approach. ...
The school’s enrollment the first two years did not live up to expectations. It had hoped for 100 the first year, and enrolled 25. The second year was a little better, but the school ended the year with just 57 first- and second-year students.
Because of the uncertainty over the accreditation status, some of those students may well transfer elsewhere, Cercone acknowledged. It also has put a damper on recruitment.
“Obviously, in the posture we’re in this year, I don’t expect that to improve,” he said. “We would like to have 20 students in the incoming class, and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
As an added enticement, the university is giving 100-percent scholarships to every single student enrolled there next year.
“It shows the university’s and the board of trustees’ support for the law school and their belief in the law school, and we hope that’s going to incentivize students to stay,” Cercone said.
As Oprah Winfrey might say: "You get free tuition! You get free tuition! Everybody gets free tuition!
Update:
- ABA Journal, This Law School Will Give 100% Scholarships to All Of Its Students; It's Not Too Late to Apply
- Above the Law, When Is Something NOT Worth $0? When It’s A Scholarship To Indy Tech Law
- National Law Journal, Indiana Tech Law School Offers Free Ride for All Students
- Wall Street Journal Law Blog, Law School Promises Free Tuition to All of its Students*
https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2015/07/indiana-tech-law-school-gives-100-scholarships-to-every-student-in-effort-to-retain-57-2ls3ls-recrui.html
Comments
Denial of accreditation put a "damper on recruitment"? The school's latest ploy is called a "death rattle." Only students with nothing else to do -- that is, zero opportunity cost to their time -- would spend a single day at this place.
Posted by: Steven J. Harper | Jul 23, 2015 7:45:00 AM
so. . . what's the end game here?
They just set the market price for their services. . . why would anyone ever pay more.
Posted by: terry malloy | Jul 23, 2015 7:22:58 AM
Seems reasonable, but I note the lack of the word "unconditional" attached to the scholarships. Does anyone know if they have requirements? Even a "remain in the top 50%" requirement would mean that half of the students will be out of luck come 2L year and make this otherwise positive seeming step somewhat cringe-worthy.
Posted by: Former Editor | Jul 23, 2015 7:08:00 AM
What possible reason would anyone have to attend a non-accredited law school? I understand California may have some oddball provisions re bar admission but generally all state bars require attendance at an accredited institution as do most jobs. What is the purpose of staying in business, particularly if you are giving out 100% scholarships? Time for Indiana Tech to go out of business and let their students go.
Posted by: Tom | Jul 23, 2015 9:47:20 AM