UCLA no$ vs ?

took the LSAT for the first time Feb10: 170. GPA 3.7 at UCLA. was planning to apply t14 in Sept 2012 for the 2013-2014 cycle, but UCLA invited me to apply in late March and admitted me early April for Fall 2012. would be thrilled, but they offered me no merit $ and no fin aid. zero. when I asked about merit $, Dean S. suggested I send them my competing offers which is odd, because he knows I applied after the cycle closed and don’t have any other offers.

did I screw up accepting UCLA’s invitation to apply so late in the cycle? if I accept now, I will have to finance full sticker with loans. I had hoped my #s would earn me at least some merit $.

wondering if I should decline and apply to several schools in Sept 2012 as planned? risky to decline and reapply? UCLA is my #1 choice but I can’t afford full sticker!

Not at all risky to decline and reapply. Sounds like they are trying to swindle you out of some $$$. If you apply to UCLA with a 170 and 3.7 in September I can almost guarantee they will give you some $. Make sure to apply to USC / Berk/ T-14, etc so that you have other offers to use in negotiations next cycle.

Definitely wait until next cycle.

Yup.