How much does being "in state" help? Forum

[SoccerFan]

Hey TLS,

Long-time lurker here with a quick question. I am looking to apply to a variety of schools after I take the LSAT in October, however my top choice (for various personal and financial reasons) is the University of Tennessee. I am a resident of the state with plans on practicing in the Knoxville area after Graduation. In case it matters, I did attend UG in the state but not at UT.

Now I understand that as a state-funded school it prioritizes residents, but all of the information I can find about it is quite vague and nebulous. Does anyone know a bit more about how this factor plays out in the admissions process?

Thanks,

[FlanAl]

Not sure about ut but it totally depends on the state. Texas has a quota of how many in staters they have to have large advantage to residents. Vs uc's where your almost at an advantage being out of state

[Total Litigator]

Not sure about ut but it totally depends on the state. Texas has a quota of how many in staters they have to have large advantage to residents. Vs uc's where your almost at an advantage being out of state

TTCR. You need to do your research on the specific state schools where you live. Or you could just tell us where you live and TLS could do the work for you....

[descartesb4thehorse]

Not sure about ut but it totally depends on the state. Texas has a quota of how many in staters they have to have large advantage to residents. Vs uc's where your almost at an advantage being out of state

TTCR. You need to do your research on the specific state schools where you live. Or you could just tell us where you live and TLS could do the work for you....

Did you even read the OP? "my top choice (for various personal and financial reasons) is the University of Tennessee. I am a resident of the state with plans on practicing in the Knoxville area after Graduation. In case it matters, I did attend UG in the state but not at UT."

Tennessee.

[Blessedassurance]

http://www.law.utk.edu/administration/criteria.shtml

"As a state-supported institution, the College of Law has a primary responsibility to offer opportunities for the study of law to qualified Tennessee residents. Traditionally, Tennessee residents account for the majority of the student body."

[SoccerFan]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Perhaps I can say this another way that may be more helpful... Is it farfetched to believe that being a resident of TN that my LSAT or GPA could be slightly lower than the median and it not hurt my chances?

While my GPA is above the median at UT and I'm already in the upper 150s (just started studying), it would feel nice knowing I have a small buffer of sorts.

[boilerplated]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Perhaps I can say this another way that may be more helpful... Is it farfetched to believe that being a resident of TN that my LSAT or GPA could be slightly lower than the median and it not hurt my chances?

The resident preferences tend to hurt out-of-state students more than they help in-state students, since most of these schools will get the bulk of their applicants from within the state anyway. That's obviously different for the more elite state schools, but I imagine Tennessee is a normal case.