Need help cutting the list down Forum

[ZachOda]

I'm having a tough time cutting down the number of schools that I will be applying to this fall. If anyone could help me with either pointing out things I've missed at some of my choices, or other criteria I should consider when applying to schools, that would be a great help.

Background: Going into senior year at a respected private institution in the Northeast. MA resident, all of my family lives in MA or RI, but I want to get out and see the rest of the country, possibly Washington state, Chicago, or Southeast. 3.67 UGPA (psych major), 166 LSAT. Not sure what I want to practice yet. Biggest concern for me right now is money, as my father was let go from his job about 9 months ago and we have no idea when he will be employed again.

Current list (in no particular order):

Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University (fee waiver)
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Washington
Washington University of St. Louis
William & Mary College
University of Wisconsin

I want to get down to at least 13, and hopefully have a final list of about 10

Any help, advice, opinions are greatly appreciated, thank you

[Veyron]

I'm having a tough time cutting down the number of schools that I will be applying to this fall. If anyone could help me with either pointing out things I've missed at some of my choices, or other criteria I should consider when applying to schools, that would be a great help.

Background: Going into senior year at a respected private institution in the Northeast. MA resident, all of my family lives in MA or RI, but I want to get out and see the rest of the country, possibly Washington state, Chicago, or Southeast. 3.67 UGPA (psych major), 166 LSAT. Not sure what I want to practice yet. Biggest concern for me right now is money, as my father was let go from his job about 9 months ago and we have no idea when he will be employed again.

Current list (in no particular order):

Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University (fee waiver)
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Washington
Washington University of St. Louis
William & Mary College
University of Wisconsin

I want to get down to at least 13, and hopefully have a final list of about 10

Any help, advice, opinions are greatly appreciated, thank you

Where do you want to work?

[TheBigMediocre]

If money is tight, don't waste the app fee on UVA. You're not getting in with those numbers.

[ZachOda]

I'm not extremely picky, but if I had to choose, either East Coast or Chicago area.

[DerrickRose]

I want to get down to at least 13, and hopefully have a final list of about 10

E-mail and ask for a fee waiver from all of those schools. Use any of them that they give you, and if they don't, apply anyway if you like the school.

You never know where that offer you can't refuse is going to come from, and at $12 a shot, its well worth it to apply all over the place. I applied to 25 schools and I regret not applying to more.

[Veyron]

University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
Mason
Fordham
BU
BC
GW

If you receive $ at any it will be limited but you are kinda screwed any which way.

[ZachOda]

What do you mean that I'm screwed? As in my score, or the situation I'd be in if I went for the schools you listed?
Just want to clarify

[Veyron]

What do you mean that I'm screwed? As in my score, or the situation I'd be in if I went for the schools you listed?
Just want to clarify

As in your shot at getting a job at any school that feeds into your preferred markets an that pays enough to pay off the loans that you would take out for these schools is tres low broham. May want to consider smaller markets or an LSAT retake.

[kalvano]

What do you mean that I'm screwed? As in my score, or the situation I'd be in if I went for the schools you listed?
Just want to clarify

As in your shot at getting a job at any school that feeds into your preferred markets an that pays enough to pay off the loans that you would take out for these schools is tres low broham. May want to consider smaller markets or an LSAT retake.

OP has a decent shot at lower T14.

Jesus Christ.

[Veyron]

What do you mean that I'm screwed? As in my score, or the situation I'd be in if I went for the schools you listed?
Just want to clarify

As in your shot at getting a job at any school that feeds into your preferred markets an that pays enough to pay off the loans that you would take out for these schools is tres low broham. May want to consider smaller markets or an LSAT retake.

OP has a decent shot at lower T14.

Jesus Christ.

In what universe?

[kalvano]

In what universe?

This one.

Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.

[blurbz]

In what universe?

This one.

Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.

Easily.

[holydonkey]

Current list (in no particular order):

Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University (fee waiver)
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Washington
Washington University of St. Louis
William & Mary College
University of Wisconsin

I want to get down to at least 13, and hopefully have a final list of about 10

Any help, advice, opinions are greatly appreciated, thank you

I'd really retake that LSAT, if you get even one point higher, you have a good shot at Cornell.

I also think asking for fee waivers is a good idea.

[Veyron]

In what universe?

This one.

Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.

Yes, this is my point. T-20 with no (or little) $ is not a good proposition.

[kalvano]

In what universe?

This one.

Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.

Yes, this is my point. T-20 with no (or little) $ is not a good proposition.

Apply early, there will be some money.

I'd request fee waivers and apply to every school on the list.

[KMaine]

How does alphabetical order = no particular order? I mean, I would have done the ABC order a little differently, but it is still a very particular order.

[ZachOda]

Thank you all for your input

KMaine: Yes, it is in alphabetical order, because I took it from my list on LSAC. I meant the "in no particular order" in the sense that they were not in any order of preference.

I may consider a retake, but it might be difficult to get back into the studying. I have my experimental course for my major, which will take up a good deal of time, as well as working 20 hrs a week. Also, I feel that I lucked out on the June LSAT because the logic games, which are by far my worst section, seemed very easy compared to what I was getting on practice tests

[pre-law]

I'm having a tough time cutting down the number of schools that I will be applying to this fall. If anyone could help me with either pointing out things I've missed at some of my choices, or other criteria I should consider when applying to schools, that would be a great help.

Background: Going into senior year at a respected private institution in the Northeast. MA resident, all of my family lives in MA or RI, but I want to get out and see the rest of the country, possibly Washington state, Chicago, or Southeast. 3.67 UGPA (psych major), 166 LSAT. Not sure what I want to practice yet. Biggest concern for me right now is money, as my father was let go from his job about 9 months ago and we have no idea when he will be employed again.

Current list (in no particular order):

Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University (fee waiver)
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Washington
Washington University of St. Louis
William & Mary College
University of Wisconsin

I want to get down to at least 13, and hopefully have a final list of about 10

Any help, advice, opinions are greatly appreciated, thank you

[JOThompson]

It might be worthwhile to apply for an LSAC fee waiver. If approved, they'll retroactively apply it toward past LSAT administrations too.

[traehekat]

Like others have said, start off emailing all schools you are interested in and requesting a fee waiver. I did this for a few schools towards the end of my cycle that I was only just sort of interested in, and one of them ended up being one of the final schools I was considering because of a large scholarship. You can never be sure how some schools are going to look at your application. Some are going to absolutely love it and be willing to throw some significant money your way, so it is worth it to apply to a lot of schools, especially if you can nab some fee waivers.

Your list is actually pretty good, and if I were in your position I would apply to all of them, save maybe ASU, UVA, and Duke. If you want to narrow the list, focus on where you want to work and apply to schools that feed into that region.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University (fee waiver)
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
Indiana University at Bloomington
University of Iowa
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina
University of Texas
Vanderbilt University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
University of Washington
Washington University of St. Louis
William & Mary College
University of Wisconsin

I wouldn't cut any more so as to keep your options open and allow for maximum scholarship leverage (I'd also recommend adding W&L to your list based on the fact that you have GMU and W&M on there). As others have said, apply for fee waivers. If you do want to narrow your list more, do so based on geographic preference.

[kalvano]

Why cut Wake Forest? Very good chance of close to full scholarship.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Why cut Wake Forest? Very good chance of close to full scholarship.

Eh. Seemed redundant with UNC on the list I'm also not the biggest fan of it, personally. YMMV though.

[concurrent fork]

You need to decide for yourself where you want to practice. These are all regional schools. Seeing more of the country might sound like a great perk, but you could have a very difficult time getting a job close to your family if you leave the area.

[ZachOda]

You need to decide for yourself where you want to practice. These are all regional schools. Seeing more of the country might sound like a great perk, but you could have a very difficult time getting a job close to your family if you leave the area.

True, but I really don't have a huge preference right now. I'm not certain I want to stay in New England, I'm interested in seeing what the Chicago area or Southeast has to offer. Overall though, I would prefer to be in an urban setting.