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Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:57 pm
by 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
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:58 pm
by Veyron
ZachOda wrote: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?
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:00 pm
by TheBigMediocre
If money is tight, don't waste the app fee on UVA. You're not getting in with those numbers.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:01 pm
by ZachOda
I'm not extremely picky, but if I had to choose, either East Coast or Chicago area.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:02 pm
by DerrickRose
ZachOda wrote:
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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:03 pm
by 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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:05 pm
by 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
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:07 pm
by Veyron
ZachOda wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:08 pm
by kalvano
Veyron wrote:ZachOda wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 pm
by Veyron
kalvano wrote:Veyron wrote:ZachOda wrote: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?
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:20 pm
by kalvano
Veyron wrote:In what universe?
This one.
Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:22 pm
by blurbz
kalvano wrote:Veyron wrote:In what universe?
This one.
Even barring that, OP will be in in the T20.
Easily.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:25 pm
by holydonkey
ZachOda wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:25 pm
by Veyron
kalvano wrote:Veyron wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:26 pm
by kalvano
Veyron wrote:kalvano wrote:Veyron wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:37 pm
by 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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:30 pm
by 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
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:11 am
by pre-law
ZachOda wrote: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
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:42 am
by JOThompson
It might be worthwhile to apply for an LSAC fee waiver. If approved, they'll retroactively apply it toward past LSAT administrations too.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:12 am
by 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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:44 am
by Thomas Jefferson
ZachOda wrote:
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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 11:54 am
by kalvano
Why cut Wake Forest? Very good chance of close to full scholarship.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:05 pm
by Thomas Jefferson
kalvano wrote: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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:36 am
by 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.
Re: Need help cutting the list down
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:00 pm
by ZachOda
concurrent fork wrote: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.