Should I wait any longer for fee waivers? Forum

[mercyme]

I took the LSAT for the first time in September and got a 177. I was advised to wait for some t14 fee waivers to come in since then but none have materialized. The schools I have asked since then, like Harvard and Chicago, have said they grant merit-based waivers under only specific circumstances, but I have heard stories from other law students that they got waivers normally from them. I'm not sure what to do at this point since I don't want to shell out $1000 for application fees. Should I wait any longer?

[RandomInternetPerson]

You have an excellent LSAT, and I presume a decent GPA.

Full Honesty, I would just ask myself "what college that I know would give me a full ride would I hate myself the least for attending". And just apply there.

Let the clock keep doing it's thing on the fee waivers. Treat the option above as a "safety" if you prefer. Just the thoughts of a random person on the internet.

[cavalier1138]

I'd send in apps in the next month. Ask LSAT for a need-based fee waiver if you qualify, or ask specific schools for one if you want. But don't sit around waiting for them.

And in case you (or anyone reading) was wondering...

Full Honesty, I would just ask myself "what college that I know would give me a full ride would I hate myself the least for attending". And just apply there.

Let the clock keep doing it's thing on the fee waivers. Treat the option above as a "safety" if you prefer. Just the thoughts of a random person on the internet.

Do not do this. Law school is not undergrad; there is no such thing as a "safety" school.

[crazywafflez]

Ditto what Cav said- I emailed a bunch of schools asking for a waiver- said this is my LSAT score and why I would like/need a waiver. Most schools were pretty fine with giving me the waiver (however, some did say no). Best of luck.

[RandomInternetPerson]

I'd send in apps in the next month. Ask LSAT for a need-based fee waiver if you qualify, or ask specific schools for one if you want. But don't sit around waiting for them.

And in case you (or anyone reading) was wondering...

Full Honesty, I would just ask myself "what college that I know would give me a full ride would I hate myself the least for attending". And just apply there.

Let the clock keep doing it's thing on the fee waivers. Treat the option above as a "safety" if you prefer. Just the thoughts of a random person on the internet.

Do not do this. Law school is not undergrad; there is no such thing as a "safety" school.

If given the choice of Debt vs No Debt, make the choice that works best for you.

If you can't afford to apply (realistically) without waiting for fee waivers.........don't skip the electric bill.

[antelope]

You can just reach out and ask about how to obtain one. Some places like NYU only send them through CAS, others only do need based where you need to fill out a form with your financial info (I think YHS does this?) And there are some that you just need to ask to get one (I think NU does this)

With that said, don't over apply. You seem to have good stats, only apply to places where you can see yourself actually attending. Don't waste time on "safeties". Just try to keep your list as short as possible.

[RandomInternetPerson]

You can just reach out and ask about how to obtain one. Some places like NYU only send them through CAS, others only do need based where you need to fill out a form with your financial info (I think YHS does this?) And there are some that you just need to ask to get one (I think NU does this)

With that said, don't over apply. You seem to have good stats, only apply to places where you can see yourself actually attending. Don't waste time on "safeties". Just try to keep your list as short as possible.

I'll simplify this for people......pick your favorite place that will let you in for free. Many will tell you before you even apply if you have a high enough LSAT and GPA.
Or don't. It's your life OP. Wishing you the best no matter what. Honestly.

[cavalier1138]

You can just reach out and ask about how to obtain one. Some places like NYU only send them through CAS, others only do need based where you need to fill out a form with your financial info (I think YHS does this?) And there are some that you just need to ask to get one (I think NU does this)

With that said, don't over apply. You seem to have good stats, only apply to places where you can see yourself actually attending. Don't waste time on "safeties". Just try to keep your list as short as possible.

I'll simplify this for people......pick your favorite place that will let you in for free. Many will tell you before you even apply if you have a high enough LSAT and GPA.
Or don't. It's your life OP. Wishing you the best no matter what. Honestly.

Again, people are saying that this is a bad idea because "your favorite place that will let you in for free" might not serve your goals. So I'm not sure how you think it helps OP (or anyone) to throw applications at schools that aren't likely to place them in the career they want.

[RandomInternetPerson]

You can just reach out and ask about how to obtain one. Some places like NYU only send them through CAS, others only do need based where you need to fill out a form with your financial info (I think YHS does this?) And there are some that you just need to ask to get one (I think NU does this)

With that said, don't over apply. You seem to have good stats, only apply to places where you can see yourself actually attending. Don't waste time on "safeties". Just try to keep your list as short as possible.

I'll simplify this for people......pick your favorite place that will let you in for free. Many will tell you before you even apply if you have a high enough LSAT and GPA.
Or don't. It's your life OP. Wishing you the best no matter what. Honestly.

Again, people are saying that this is a bad idea because "your favorite place that will let you in for free" might not serve your goals. So I'm not sure how you think it helps OP (or anyone) to throw applications at schools that aren't likely to place them in the career they want.

Thus the qualifiers. To each their own.
We have NO IDEA what OP's goals are, not with that single limited post in a one post account.
I'm sure OP appreciates your thoughts too. Not everyplace needs to be an echo chamber.