Applying to Law School

[wwarui]

Hi and happy Thanksgiving!!

I am wondering how many schools we are allowed to apply to in the US. Someone said that the fewer we apply to the better and that 2 schools ought to be the maximum number. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Wangeci

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Wangeci,

There's actually not limit on the number of schools that you can apply to, although at a certain point the financial and time obligations of applying to dozens and dozens of law schools becomes overwhelming. So, I don't think that applying to 20 or more law schools is necessary (although I've seen it), but applying to just two is a very low in my estimation.

There are varying numbers cited for the average number of law school applications, but I'll post a few here from very different sources so you can see that the consensus--no matter the source--is that 2 is a very low number of schools to apply to:

• LSAC
  
  According to LSAC, In fall 2012, 53 percent of all applicants applied to five or fewer law schools. In fall 2012, 47 percent of all applicants applied to six or more law schools.
  
  
  University of Illinois
  
  In 2012, the average average number of applications per each University of Illinois seniors was 7.89.
  
  
  Ann Levine
  
  Ann Levine is a very knowledgeable law school admissions consultant, and she recommends applying to anywhere from 4-12 schools, with the number depending on on certain factors like your LSAT/GPA combination.

My personal feeling is that it does vary depending on factors such a whether you have a limited geographic area you are interested in (for example, if you have/want to go to law school in Minnesota, there are only four ABA-approved law schools in the state, and so you are naturally maxed out at 4 there. On the other hand, if you have middle-of-the-road numbers, you would probably want to apply to a larger slate of law schools in the hopes that you could get into one or more of the schools where your numbers are borderline.

So, it depends on the person but most people I've worked with apply to more than just two schools, and often quite a few more.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[wwarui]

Hi David:

This is fantastic!!! Thank you so much. I cannot go to law school without a scholarship. Also, I want to study at a school in a very warm region. So, I'll apply to about 6 to 12 schools.
Thanks!
Wangeci

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Wangeci,

That sounds great. Good luck with the applications!

Thanks!

[wwarui]

Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Wangeci,

I'm happy to help, but I'm not quite sure what you are asking about here. Are you asking about whether you should retake the LSAT or accept the LaVerne offer?

Please let me know the question and I'll do my best to assist you. Thanks!

[wwarui]

Hi David:

As strange as this sounds, I am wondering whether to accpet it. I had applied to 2 schools in the spring but I never expected an offer; I received it this morning. The reason I ask is because I know that LSAT scores have a huge impact on employment opportunities and earning potential. I am also wondering whether pursuing an LLM might offset problems relating to a low LSAT score. I guess I'm trying to be cautious.

If I accept this offer, I will somehow be expected to raise 70,000US$ each year. There is no way that I can obtain a scholarship with a score of 148.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Wangeci,

Thanks for the extra info! One thing I can't do is tell you whether to accept an offer or not. Only you have all the information needed to make that decision. That said, that's a lot of money, and if you need scholarships to raise it, you are right that the 148 isn't going to generate funds on that front. In a sense, does that then make the decision for you? You seem to be suggesting that.

Thanks!

[wwarui]

Hi David:

Thanks! It was difficult to write that message because ultimately I am the only one who can make that decision. But writing about it has allowed me to think clearly. Yes, I have decided not to accept the offer.

In one of her speeches, Sheryl Sandberg says that we have to go out and do what we fear most. I am so scarred of the LSAT that I have to work extremely hard and 'conquer' it.
Thank you very much for your support.
Wangeci

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Wangeci,

That makes sense and sounds like a good decision

There's no reason to fear the LSAT. It can be learned, and it can be beaten. But how you think about the test will affect how you study and ultimately how you do. It may help to listen to our free Test Mentality seminar on this topic. In our Free LSAT Help Area, there's an extensive discussion of test mentality from a free seminar we did prior to the October 2013 LSAT here. Please go to this page: http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/#free-lessons and see the second-to-last link, which is titled Test Mentality. I think that may help with your overall outlook on the LSAT, and give you a more aggressive mindset.

It might also help you to read an exchange I've been having with another student on this Forum, at http://forum.powerscore.com/lsat/viewto ... f=2&t=4666. And here's one last link you might find useful when you think about whether you should fear the LSAT: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/326 ... d-the-LSAT.

Good luck!