Does applying to TOO MANY schools hurt you? Forum

[dingoesatmybaby]

I was told that schools can see which other schools you apply to, and some even base their decision on that. For instance, they may not consider you to be a serious candidate since you are applying all over the place, and probably won't go to their school anyway. Or some may think that you will go to a better ranking school, so why bother accepting you, etc.

Is this true?

Because I was planning on applying to between 15-20 schools. I got a lot of fee waivers and wanted to use them all. But will this end up backfiring?

[bdubs]

I don't think they can see how many schools you are applying to. The only known sharing of application information on TLS is that schools circulate a list of admitted ED students to other schools to ensure that ED admits withdraw their applications.

[Gemini]

I dont think this is true.

Some law school applications ask for what other schools you applied to but I always leave that blank.

However, I have no real answer for you because I honestly don't know what the schools see. Perhaps they do... perhaps they don't. I think it is more likely that they don't though.

[krad]

I would guess that they can't see this unless you put it on the apps or apply ED...

I surely hope not since I applied to 17, all of which I have some kind of interest in attending.

[JazzOne]

15 to 20 applications is reasonable. Don't worry about it, OP. They'll accept you if they want you.

[ArchRoark]

It hurts your wallet...

[Fresh]

It hurts your wallet...

I got a lot of fee waivers and wanted to use them all. But will this end up backfiring?

[Gemini]

Still gotta spend $180-$240 on LSAC reports for 15-20 schools. That's a dent in MY wallet.

[HeavenWood]

Still gotta spend $180-$240 on LSAC reports for 15-20 schools. That's a dent in MY wallet.

For whatever reason, my father and I decided getting my apps in a week before getting back my LSAT score was worthwhile. Then, when fee waivers started coming in from super reaches like Duke, we realized we could have saved over $1,000...

[nyclawguy]

For whatever reason, my father and I decided getting my apps in a week before getting back my LSAT score was worthwhile. Then, when fee waivers started coming in from super reaches like Duke, we realized we could have saved over $1,000...

Just to let you know, you can contact the schools, inform them that you paid the fee prior to receiving the fee waiver, and they will (at least they did in my case) refund your payment (usually by check). The length of time this takes depends on the speed of their accounts receivable department.