Where to apply?

[sparrrkk_]

Hi there,

I'd really appreciate some help with a dilemma I am facing in regards to which law schools to apply to. I am aiming to go to a T14 law school in addition to UCLA and USC. My gpa is a 3.89 so it is comfortably above or at the median for many law schools I am considering. Since I took the November LSAT makeup on December 8th, I don't have my LSAT score yet. I would really like to submit my apps ASAP so I'm trying to plan which schools would be appropriate in advance.
I was wondering how much lower an LSAT score can be from the median for an application to have a decent chance? For example, if I get a 167, is it worthwhile to apply to law schools with a median of 168 or even 169?
I heard that law schools weigh the LSAT score the greatest. Would I still have a decent chance if my LSAT is 1-2 points below the median but my GPA is higher?
Additionally, I read somewhere that being a URM makes a slight difference? How do you think this would figure into everything?
Thanks in advance for your help! As applying is expensive, I'd love to get a grasp of where I'd even have a chance before I apply

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Sparrkk,

Thanks for the question! Trying to figure out which schools to apply to without an LSAT score is very difficult, so anything said here is general and could change significantly once you have your score

Some thoughts:

"I was wondering how much lower an LSAT score can be from the median for an application to have a decent chance? For example, if I get a 167, is it worthwhile to apply to law schools with a median of 168 or even 169?"

• Being at the median is important, but you can certainly be 2-3 points below the median and still get in. there are thousands of examples of this over the years.

"I heard that law schools weigh the LSAT score the greatest."

• This is correct. The LSAT is the #1 factor in where you get in.

"Would I still have a decent chance if my LSAT is 1-2 points below the median but my GPA is higher?"

• You'd certainly have a chance. Being at the median is hugely preferable, to be honest. I once listened to a T14 dean talk about how he'd prefer candidates take the LSAT again if they were even 1 point under the median, even if it meant pushing their apps back into February.

"Additionally, I read somewhere that being a URM makes a slight difference? How do you think this would figure into everything?"

• URM status makes a huge difference, and largely would change all the answers above as it opens up the numbers significantly.

Thanks!