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Some background: Graduated in May and currently working at a biglaw firm on the staff side, trying to learn the ropes. Ideally, I would apply to law school next Fall to start the Fall of 2016. My goals are currently biglaw or bust, specifically litigation.

Numbers: 3.68, 170, work experience, decent softs

The issue: I want to apply to Early Decision to Northwestern - I love the campus, and the scholarship is too tempting to pass up. Because it's binding, I would miss out on the chance to apply to some reach schools I would love to go to (T4) but don't really have a chance at. I'm thinking about applying to those four schools this cycle, and if they all say no, applying ED next cycle as planned. I would then defer a year if any of them were to accept me - is this a good strategy?

Also: In the event Northwestern were to reject me before the GW ED application closes, could I then apply there ED as well? Thank you all!

jewkidontheblock wrote:Some background: Graduated in May and currently working at a biglaw firm on the staff side, trying to learn the ropes. Ideally, I would apply to law school next Fall to start the Fall of 2016. My goals are currently biglaw or bust, specifically litigation.

Numbers: 3.68, 170, work experience, decent softs

The issue: I want to apply to Early Decision to Northwestern - I love the campus, and the scholarship is too tempting to pass up. Because it's binding, I would miss out on the chance to apply to some reach schools I would love to go to (T4) but don't really have a chance at. I'm thinking about applying to those four schools this cycle, and if they all say no, applying ED next cycle as planned.

Also: In the event Northwestern were to reject me before the GW ED application closes, could I then apply there ED as well? Thank you all!

You could probably ED to GW if NU were to reject you, just read the wording of the ED contracts carefully. Some say you may only apply to one ED per cycle, others say you can only have one active ED. Those aren't the exact words they use, but along those lines. If you don't plan on retaking though, I would just blanket T14 this cycle unless you want to work one more year.

It looks like this is the language from their ED agreement:

During this admissions cycle, I have not submitted and will not submit an application for Early Decision at any other law school nor will I enter into an Early Decision agreement with any other law school.

Would this be enforced even after a rejection?

jewkidontheblock wrote:It looks like this is the language from their ED agreement:

During this admissions cycle, I have not submitted and will not submit an application for Early Decision at any other law school nor will I enter into an Early Decision agreement with any other law school.

Would this be enforced even after a rejection?

I do not know the answer to that one, but it would appear you could only ED to them, even if they reject you. I'll let someone with more expansive knowledge really tell you though.