Can you change an application from RD to ED? Forum

[Bobeo]

I am taking the LSAT in October, and depending on my score I would like to ED to UVA or GULC. I was planning on taking a trip to the East Coast to visit schools the week after the LSAT as kind of a celebration.

Being a splitter (in case the ED didn't give it away), I want to get my application in as early as possible. I was thinking about sending in my app on the first day and asking the schools to hold it until the October scores are released. After my trip I could make my decision on where to ED (or not ED at all), and call the schools and change the status of my app. Is this allowed. Or once I submit a RD application am I locked into it?

[Eugenie Danglars]

If you submit the ED contract and a complete application before the ED deadline, I can't imagine them not allowing you to switch. I've heard of people doing that before on this site.

[Bildungsroman]

Up to this cycle it was possible at a number of schools. Whether that will remain the case is uncertain (at least from my perspective) right now. Relevant blog post by the Dean of Admissions for UMich: http://www.law.umich.edu/connection/a2z ... aspx?ID=44

tl;dr verson: LSAC has changed the language of their "best practices" admissions standards for law schools (standards to which virtually all law schools at least ostensibly sign on) in a way that may preclude schools from allowing a swap from RD to ED after the initial submitting of the application. I would contact the schools you're applying to and ask whether this will still be possible this coming cycle.

[Bobeo]

Up to this cycle it was possible at a number of schools. Whether that will remain the case is uncertain (at least from my perspective) right now. Relevant blog post by the Dean of Admissions for UMich: http://www.law.umich.edu/connection/a2z ... aspx?ID=44

tl;dr verson: LSAC has changed the language of their "best practices" admissions standards for law schools (standards to which virtually all law schools at least ostensibly sign on) in a way that may preclude schools from allowing a swap from RD to ED after the initial submitting of the application. I would contact the schools you're applying to and ask whether this will still be possible this coming cycle.

Thanks for the solid info.

[sarahh]

I am taking the LSAT in October, and depending on my score I would like to ED to UVA or GULC. I was planning on taking a trip to the East Coast to visit schools the week after the LSAT as kind of a celebration.

Being a splitter (in case the ED didn't give it away), I want to get my application in as early as possible. I was thinking about sending in my app on the first day and asking the schools to hold it until the October scores are released. After my trip I could make my decision on where to ED (or not ED at all), and call the schools and change the status of my app. Is this allowed. Or once I submit a RD application am I locked into it?

Generally, if you apply in January or February, that decreases your changes of getting accepted. But that does not necessarily mean that is you submit on September 1st instead of November 15th that you will have a better chance of getting in, especially if you are submitting without an LSAT score. They probably won't even look it your application until they get your score. And you won't know what schools are approriate to apply to until you get your score. You can have your resume and personal statement polished ahead of time, and submit applications fairly quickly after you get your score.