Which schools to apply to?

[sparrrkk_]

Hi,

I am trying to figure out which law schools I should apply to.
Since applying can get pretty expensive, I don't want to apply to schools where my chances of admission are so small that it's not even worth applying to.
If my GPA is at a school's median, how many points under a school's LSAT median can my score be for admission to be realistic?
For example, if my LSAT score is a 166, would a school with an LSAT score of 169 be too much of a reach?
I heard your LSAT score range is + or - 3 points, so I was assuming I would apply to schools with LSAT medians in that range.
Would greatly appreciate some advice on this
Thank you so much!!

[lsatadviceseeker]

Hi,

Not powerscore staff, but I applied the last cycle and basically if your LSAT and GPA are both below a school's medians then I would consider that school a "reach". "Target" schools are schools where you hit their medians. And "safety" schools would be those where you are above their 75th percentile ranks for LSAT and GPA. I would say to focus your apps on targets, send in some safeties, and maybe a few reaches (1-2 points below median). From my experience, I would say being 3-4 points below the median is a stretch unless you have a high GPA to make up for the difference. I didn't get into any of the schools I applied to where I was 3-4 below median. Those are just my thoughts based on my experience and personal research! Hope this helps!

[Paul Marsh]

Hi spark! Nice job getting a 166.

lsastadviceseeker is also a pretty good lsatadvicegiver - their comment above is right on the money as far as what constitutes a reach, target, and safety school. But don't just apply to the schools you can get in to, focus on the schools that will be the best investment for you. This means prioritizing (a) the schools that have programs that match with your field of interest (e.g. if you want to practice immigation law, pay special attention to schools with a well-established immigration clinic), and (b) especially the schools that are located in states/areas where you would be open to practicing after graduation (the local internship and network opportunities you get during school are a massive help for starting your career). Both of these will allow you to be much more competitive for the job you want upon graduating. Narrow down your search to schools located in areas where you'd want to practice and that have the resources for you to get ample hands-on experience throughout school (such as clinics), then divide those schools into target schools, reach schools, and safety schools.

Once you've decided what schools are the best fit for you, consider applying Early Decision to your top choice. That way you only have to pay for one application up front (plus applying Early Decision can give you a little boost on your application). If you get in, great! No more applications. If you don't get in, you have plenty of time to continue applying to more schools (this is what I did when I applied - I was also worried about money so I only applied to my top choice Early Decision, and was planning to apply to more had I gotten rejected).

Hope that helps! Best of luck with applying.