Applying to only one law school

[glasann]

Hi! There's really only one law school I would go to (due to family circumstances -- I'm settled down with a family here and the top 50 law school is in my town). If I don't get in, I just won't go to law school -- I have a career here already so, as much as I'd love to go, I don't HAVE to. Anyway, there is a question on their application that asks what other schools I am applying to and, of course, on that question I am planning to answer truthfully that this is the only one I am applying to.

However, should I make this clear elsewhere, like in my personal statement? Can't decide whether this would make me look desperate (bad thing!) or a good yield protect (good thing!).

Maybe it's dumb anyway to apply to only one -- even know it's the only one I would actually matriculate, maybe I should apply to others for scholarship bargaining purposes?

Based on my stats, I'd say it's neither a reach nor a safety. I think I have a pretty solid chance of getting in but it's by no means a guarantee.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi glasann!

It will no way make you look desperate! It's a clear signal to the school that you are committed, and will attend if accepted. That's very valuable to schools. Should you take the one-school application route, to address that I'd write a Why X essay for the school, and explain your situation and make clear they are your goal school.

Now, the one caveat is the one you mentioned: you have zero leverage in financial negotiations with the school should they accept you and not offer you the kind of money you want to see. Depending on the size of this issue, that would suggest you should pick a few schools that can compete in terms of leverage, and apply and see what happens. A lot has to go right there for it to work though: you get into all of them (or some), they give you better offers than your local school, and the local school sees them as comparable competition. That's not guaranteed at any point on that path, so you'd need to choose carefully and then hope they come in with stronger offers

Thanks!