Top Law Schools

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Reach: One number is significantly below 25th / other is median or both numbers are below median
Target: Both numbers are slightly above median or only one number is above 75th
Safety: Both are above 75th.

This can vary based on the school because some have pretty strict GPA cutoffs.

bhan87 wrote:Reach: One number is significantly below 25th / other is median or both numbers are below median
Target: Both numbers are slightly above median or only one number is above 75th
Safety: Both are above 75th.

This can vary based on the school because some have pretty strict GPA cutoffs.

I think this is a little too strict. I'd also say that you should just look at http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com and if it looks like your numbers always get in then it's a safety, if it looks like you're 50/50 then it's a target, and if it looks like you're way below 50/50 then it's a reach.

Easy way:

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com

Deny / Weak Consider = Reach
Weak consider / Consider / Strong Consider = Target
Strong Consider / Admit = Safety

Does not work for URMs, has iffy results for splitters. For everyone else this is pretty accurate.

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UCFtau wrote:I believe this approach is a little misleading. My numbers are 3.83 and 165; which on lawschoolpredictor.com put me as a "Consider" for the bottom half of the T14. This is obviously a huge stretch to say those are my target schools.

And this is why I don't like LSP when you can just look at LSN and draw your own conclusions. You do have an okay shot at a lower T14 via ED.

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UCFtau wrote:bk187, would you mind saying which schools you are referring to? I have not read in-depth about ED (only see UVA ED mentioned a lot on TLS), though I do understand it shows stronger interest, you get your decision quicker, etc.

Probably UVa/UMich/UPenn. I know Penn took a 166 ED this cycle and Mich/Va tend to be the most forgiving to lower numbers. It's a small boost for splitters and reverse splitters who are usually served well by ED'ing because they weren't going to get $ at a T14 anyways.

(Assuming you are not retaking the LSAT which would be the best way to maximize your T14 chances) if I were you and you really wanted to go to a T14 at sticker (over say a lower ranked school with a scholly), I'd probably ED to UVa on application day 1. They have a 15 day turn around on their ED's so you'd get an answer by mid September. If you get in great, if not then ED to UMich (or UPenn) and you will get an answer from them by December. You can't do multiple ED's at the same time, but you can do them in succession if the schools allow it (I know Mich and Va do, I know NU does not meaning if you ED at NU you can't ED anywhere else during the same cycle).

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UCFtau wrote:Thanks for the elaboration. Seeing as an acceptance via ED in the T14 with most likely not come with a scholly attached, would it be worth it to pay sticker at UVA, Mich, or UPenn over a scholly say at a school such as UGA or UF?

Yes

But sticker at UVA, Mich, and Penn over substantial schollies at Duke, Cornell, and Gtown is questionable.

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UCFtau wrote:Thanks for the elaboration. Seeing as an acceptance via ED in the T14 with most likely not come with a scholly attached, would it be worth it to pay sticker at UVA, Mich, or UPenn over a scholly say at a school such as UGA or UF?

As the above poster said the lower T14 are generally seen as equivalent (though GULC is seen as having less placement power overall, maybe Cornell being seen as weaker when talking about places other than NYC).

But the answer to your actual question is it depends. Assuming you want to stay in that immediate area (e.g. GA or FL) then it might be prudent to take a hefty scholarship there where you will end up graduating with 60k debt or so versus taking sticker at a T14. It depends on your goals and where you want to work and the lower ranked school you are talking about.

UCFtau wrote:I think with my numbers I am out of the running for substantial scholarships at any of the T14. How about UVA/Mich/Penn via ED at sticker versus say BU/BC with small-mid scholly?

Also, what would you put my chances at for gaining acceptance via ED at those schools?

If the scholly isn't going to reduce your CoA at BU/BC to 100k or less (at minimum) then I don't think it's worth it, but if it is then I could definitely see a reason for taking BU/BC (if Boston is your be all end all) at 5 figure debt over a T14 at $200,000+ debt.

Check http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com to see how your chances are.