Application Strategy Forum
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Application Strategy
I was hoping to get some feedback on my application strategy.
I'm a pretty heavy splitter at 173 / 3.05. I'm interested in ideally doing work for the federal government after law school, but I know that's not a guarantee, so I'd also be open to working on the state or local level, or doing some form of public interest.
Essentially, I'm not gunning for big law, and my hope is to find qualifying LRAP employment that will forgive my loans after 10 years. However, if I was unable to find such employment, I would be open to working in big law as a means of paying off my debt.
I'm fairly flexible geographically. Obviously, D.C. would be great if I was able to get a BigFed job, but I'm open to most places, especially the Pacific Northwest where I live now and have some work ties. I should add here that I have a SO who will be following me to law school, and living in a larger city would be much easier for her employment search.
These are the schools I'm applying to:
- UVA (already accepted)
- Duke
- GULC
- Penn
- Michigan
- UCLA
- Northwestern
- WUSTL
- UW
- Lewis and Clark
- Boston College
I'm wondering if I should be applying to more schools, and if you were in my shoes, would you target regional schools or the T14? I'm really interested in Penn, and was considering applying ED, due to a combination of it being in a large city, having great employment numbers, and my possibility of gaining acceptance. If I'm planning on pursuing LRAP qualifying employment, is taking out close to the full COA at any of these schools, especially Penn, a terrible idea?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
I'm a pretty heavy splitter at 173 / 3.05. I'm interested in ideally doing work for the federal government after law school, but I know that's not a guarantee, so I'd also be open to working on the state or local level, or doing some form of public interest.
Essentially, I'm not gunning for big law, and my hope is to find qualifying LRAP employment that will forgive my loans after 10 years. However, if I was unable to find such employment, I would be open to working in big law as a means of paying off my debt.
I'm fairly flexible geographically. Obviously, D.C. would be great if I was able to get a BigFed job, but I'm open to most places, especially the Pacific Northwest where I live now and have some work ties. I should add here that I have a SO who will be following me to law school, and living in a larger city would be much easier for her employment search.
These are the schools I'm applying to:
- UVA (already accepted)
- Duke
- GULC
- Penn
- Michigan
- UCLA
- Northwestern
- WUSTL
- UW
- Lewis and Clark
- Boston College
I'm wondering if I should be applying to more schools, and if you were in my shoes, would you target regional schools or the T14? I'm really interested in Penn, and was considering applying ED, due to a combination of it being in a large city, having great employment numbers, and my possibility of gaining acceptance. If I'm planning on pursuing LRAP qualifying employment, is taking out close to the full COA at any of these schools, especially Penn, a terrible idea?
Thanks for any help you can provide!
- dietcoke1
- Posts: 1326
- Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:18 pm
Re: Application Strategy
Just curious, why isn't Harvard or Stanford on this list?
While your chances of admissions may not be great, they have two of the best LRAP programs in the country. You never know what could happen, especially considering Harvard may be trying to get their median back to 173. Also, a JD from any one of those two would theoretically open doors in any city you wished to practice.
While your chances of admissions may not be great, they have two of the best LRAP programs in the country. You never know what could happen, especially considering Harvard may be trying to get their median back to 173. Also, a JD from any one of those two would theoretically open doors in any city you wished to practice.
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Re: Application Strategy
I would love to attend either of those schools, but I don't think they're realistic options. they do have great LRAP programs, but the application fees are getting a little pricey for me already.dietcoke1 wrote:Just curious, why isn't Harvard or Stanford on this list?
While your chances of admissions may not be great, they have two of the best LRAP programs in the country. You never know what could happen, especially considering Harvard may be trying to get their median back to 173. Also, a JD from any one of those two would theoretically open doors in any city you wished to practice.
- RamTitan
- Posts: 1091
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:45 pm
Re: Application Strategy
Why not Berkeley?
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Re: Application Strategy
Yeah I was thinking about Berkeley. I just don't think I've ever seen someone with a GPA as low as mine get in. Maybe I'll apply once I take care of some of these other application fees.RamTitan wrote:Why not Berkeley?
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- Posts: 279
- Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:48 am
Re: Application Strategy
with that 173, you certainly should be receiving plenty of fee waivers?PDX4343 wrote:Yeah I was thinking about Berkeley. I just don't think I've ever seen someone with a GPA as low as mine get in. Maybe I'll apply once I take care of some of these other application fees.RamTitan wrote:Why not Berkeley?
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Re: Application Strategy
I've gotten a good amount, and I've already applied to all of the places that gave me waivers. I just don't have the means to pay multiple $100+ application fees at once right now.vcap180 wrote:with that 173, you certainly should be receiving plenty of fee waivers?PDX4343 wrote:Yeah I was thinking about Berkeley. I just don't think I've ever seen someone with a GPA as low as mine get in. Maybe I'll apply once I take care of some of these other application fees.RamTitan wrote:Why not Berkeley?
- RamTitan
- Posts: 1091
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:45 pm
Re: Application Strategy
I'd send out some e-mails and request them; others will know more about this (since I have yet to do it), but apparently schools toss out waivers like candyPDX4343 wrote:I've gotten a good amount, and I've already applied to all of the places that gave me waivers. I just don't have the means to pay multiple $100+ application fees at once right now.vcap180 wrote:with that 173, you certainly should be receiving plenty of fee waivers?PDX4343 wrote:Yeah I was thinking about Berkeley. I just don't think I've ever seen someone with a GPA as low as mine get in. Maybe I'll apply once I take care of some of these other application fees.RamTitan wrote:Why not Berkeley?
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Re: Application Strategy
Thanks for the advice. I've actually done that already though. I know Berkeley is notorious for not giving out fee waivers as well, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try. Appreciate the help.
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- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:06 am
Re: Application Strategy
If you have the means apply to Harvard and Stanford. You never know unless you try. If you're considering PI I would also apply to NYU for one of the Root scholarships. If you want to save money I would drop BC. They don't seem incredibly generous with aid and with your outstanding LSAT they may wait list you knowing you'll have better options.
- PDX4343
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:59 pm
Re: Application Strategy
Thanks for the advice. i think you're right, BC can probably go. I also want to apply to NYU and maybe Harvard / Stanford a little late in the cycle.YoungSimba wrote:If you have the means apply to Harvard and Stanford. You never know unless you try. If you're considering PI I would also apply to NYU for one of the Root scholarships. If you want to save money I would drop BC. They don't seem incredibly generous with aid and with your outstanding LSAT they may wait list you knowing you'll have better options.
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