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I have 168 LSAT and 3.7 GPA and was planning to blanket the T-14 with applications. Thought I should send an Early Decision to Harvard because there was no chance I’d get in and there was no way they’d give me a merit scholarship anyway. Turns out HLS doesn’t do ED. Where would be a worthwhile place to send an ED, if anywhere? Some schools ask if I you did ED somewhere – will this hurt my application to other schools?

To head off some comments I'm sure you'll get - I've found these forums are super negative about ED because of the view that paying full sticker is rarely worth it, even at top schools. Personally, I think there are still circumstances where someone's personal debt tolerance and specialized professional goals could make going to certain schools at sticker worth it as far as the math goes, especially a school with low income debt forgiveness.

Here is a more direct answer to your question that I found super interesting: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/applyin ... -not-to-ed

Also FYI, Harvard doesn't do merit aid anyway.

ED should only be done at schools which guarantee a scholarship for it. So with your numbers, BU or WashU would be appropriate. No, there is no school worth paying sticker price, and even if you don't believe that, there's no evidence that an ED application increases your chances of admission.

But with your goals of blanketing the T14, you should really consider a retake. Unless you're a URM, your current numbers only give you a shot at some of the lower T14, and you won't be competitive for money at the T14s that do accept you.

No reason to ED with your numbers. You'll get into lower T14 with money.

Rigo wrote:No reason to ED with your numbers. You'll get into lower T14 with money.

I was thinking ED would be a trade of money for rank. Anywhere you think that would be worthwhile?

bagelofthedamnd wrote:

Rigo wrote:No reason to ED with your numbers. You'll get into lower T14 with money.

I was thinking ED would be a trade of money for rank. Anywhere you think that would be worthwhile?

There's no scenario where that's worthwhile for you. ED doesn't increase your chances of admission enough (if it increases them at all) to do that. And there's no point in going to any of the schools you have a chance at for sticker when you can go to a slightly lower-ranked T14 for less money. You won't be deciding between Harvard and Georgetown.

Blue664 wrote:Here is a more direct answer to your question that I found super interesting: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/applyin ... -not-to-ed

Wow! Thank you for that link! Glad someone did the math on it.

Think UChicago is my new HLS? Or would you suggest playing safe with NW?

bagelofthedamnd wrote:

Rigo wrote:No reason to ED with your numbers. You'll get into lower T14 with money.

I was thinking ED would be a trade of money for rank. Anywhere you think that would be worthwhile?

Rank doesn't matter.
Career outcomes are pretty much the same amongst the T14 schools you can ED to, so why not just RD and go where the money is?

Rigo wrote:

bagelofthedamnd wrote:

Rigo wrote:No reason to ED with your numbers. You'll get into lower T14 with money.

I was thinking ED would be a trade of money for rank. Anywhere you think that would be worthwhile?

Rank doesn't matter.
Career outcomes are pretty much the same amongst the T14 schools you can ED to, so why not just RD and go where the money is?

Blue664 above posted this great link - http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/applyin ... -not-to-ed

It's an article by PowerScore which seems to indicate that several top schools give a real advantage to ED, and NW gives a full scholarship along with its' admissions boost.

bagelofthedamnd wrote: Blue664 above posted this great link - http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/applyin ... -not-to-ed

It's an article by PowerScore which seems to indicate that several top schools give a real advantage to ED, and NW gives a full scholarship along with its' admissions boost.

You're not going to get that scholarship but if there's anywhere to ED in the T14, it's Northwestern.
You have decent numbers. If you want to ED and pay sticker, it's no sweat off my back. You just haven't provided a compelling reason for why YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST ATTEND UVA--or any other specific school.

Replying that ED provides an advantage to acceptance in no way counters what I was saying ("RD and go where the money is.") btw.

bagelofthedamnd wrote: It's an article by PowerScore which seems to indicate that several top schools give a real advantage to ED, and NW gives a full scholarship along with its' admissions boost.

I believe people who get that are usually above both 75ths though

I wouldn't ED anywhere unless it's offered by a school I truly want to get into, or it provides a large sum of scholarship.