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My #s are 3.7/168/167 (was PTing higher but messed up Oct retake)

Due to family considerations I plan to go to LS in Los Angeles.
But just looking at my resume/history I don't seem to have ties to CA.

This is my school list because I narrowed it down to places I might actually go to:
UVA (fee waiver)
Cornell
UCLA (Fee waiver)
UT Austin
USC

Is it too risky not to apply below USC with my #s? I really just want USC/UCLA.

JJDancer wrote:My #s are 3.7/168/167 (was PTing higher but messed up Oct retake)

Due to family considerations I plan to go to LS in Los Angeles.
But just looking at my resume/history I don't seem to have ties to CA.

This is my school list because I narrowed it down to places I might actually go to:
UVA (fee waiver)
Cornell
UCLA (Fee waiver)
UT Austin
USC

Is it too risky not to apply below USC with my #s? I really just want USC/UCLA.

Why UT Austin? Seems random.
How about UCI, as it's free as well (Just $12 for the LSAC report), and many believe it will be ranked with UCLA/USC when it receives full accreditation (a formality really). You're right around their medians.
Maybe a safety in Loyola?

I think you should apply to more. Add a few safeties just in case (Loyola was a great recommendation, maybe also Pepperdine and/or San Diego?). I don't think not having ties to CA will hurt your chances of admission.

Also, I'd apply to more schools in your target range, even if you have no plans to actually attend those schools. You can always leverage those schools for more $ at UCLA/USC. You can probably expand your list fairly cheaply, assuming you take advantage of fee waivers.

The following is based on the assumption that it's "LA or bust." I'm also fairly cynical, fwiw.

Apply to more schools: Loyola LA, Pepperdine, San Diego and UCI. Also apply to Bezerkley, for kicks.

If you're truly set on LA, and you don't have any ties there (aside: What are 'family considerations'? Those might qualify as 'ties' to California.), getting into the LA market from Cornell or UVa is going to be more difficult than getting in from USC or UCLA, even considering the rank. I would be hesitant to waste my money on Cornell or UVa, especially if you're not a VA resident.

UCI is still handing out scholarship money like candy, but it seems PI-heavy, for what that's worth. I doubt it debuts at the UCLA/USC ranking level though, like the poster above me claims.

In response to the title of your post I am also applying to a fairly smaller number of schools. I originally was only thinking 4 or so but it is probably a good idea to apply as broadly as you can while considering your financial circumstances based on what I've seen and been told.

You should be in at USC.

patrickd139 wrote: UCI is still handing out scholarship money like candy, but it seems PI-heavy, for what that's worth. I doubt it debuts at the UCLA/USC ranking level though, like the poster above me claims.

I doubt that too. Thanks all for your insight. I think I'll apply to Loyola/UCI just in case. I might add BU/BC/Vandy/GW to the list to have some better ranked schools in the chance I strike out at the 5 schools I mentioned and my only option is Loyola.

More thoughts are welcome

JJDancer wrote:

patrickd139 wrote: UCI is still handing out scholarship money like candy, but it seems PI-heavy, for what that's worth. I doubt it debuts at the UCLA/USC ranking level though, like the poster above me claims.

I doubt that too. Thanks all for your insight. I think I'll apply to Loyola/UCI just in case. I might add BU/BC/Vandy/GW to the list to have some better ranked schools in the chance I strike out at the 5 schools I mentioned and my only option is Loyola.

More thoughts are welcome

I also think you should apply to UCI and Loyola. You'll receive great $$ at each. You look pretty good for USC, but full price is quite a load.

It's unlikely that UCI will debut next to USC and UCLA in the rankings, but consider the financial savings (maybe you could look at it like T30+$ vs. T20). Plus, UCI will do whatever it takes to get you a job (the school's reputation depends on it, really). Countless classmates of mine (UCI 1L) turned down UCLA and USC for UCI (and quite a few turned down T10 schools, as well). Having said that, many students obviously turned down UCI for the others, so it depends on your situation.

Thanks.
Money is a bit of a factor since I have mountains of UG debt but a 60K scholly at USC/UCLA would be enough for me to pass up even fullrides at Loyola/UCI (not sure if those are offered/if I would qualify - just saying my personal preference)

JJDancer wrote:Thanks.
Money is a bit of a factor since I have mountains of UG debt but a 60K scholly at USC/UCLA would be enough for me to pass up even fullrides at Loyola/UCI (not sure if those are offered/if I would qualify - just saying my personal preference)

More (probably unsolicited) advice: don't worry about weighing scholarships until you get them. Focus first on applying to schools that will maximize your career chances. Sometimes this means taking a full ride at Loyola, sometimes this means attending Stanford at sticker. But get your options in front of you. I personally think this application cycle is going to be screwy, so you don't want to foreclose anything by not applying to a realistic range of schools.

trudat15 wrote: How about UCI, as it's free as well (Just $12 for the LSAC report), and many believe it will be ranked with UCLA/USC when it receives full accreditation (a formality really).

Those people are hilariously misguided.