How does significant reverse splitting affect target schools? Forum

[jw10]

So I just got my October Lsat score back and I'm starting to finalize my list of schools to apply to. I live in the midwest and would be happy to stay here for the foreseeable future. I have little interest in big law at this point, and I have no desire to practice in Chicago (currently live in Illinois and don't really like the city). I would be fine staying in more rural Illinois or the midwest generally as well long term. I'm fine being in a smaller city but want to avoid anything the size of Chicago.
My current stats are LSAT 161, LSAC gpa 3.98 from a small private college, and average softs. I'm registered to take the lsat again in November, so hopefully I can boost the score by a few more points but we'll have to wait and see.

Assuming worst case scenario and my lsat stays the same I'm having a difficult time figuring out what realistic target schools are. I know gpa is weighted much lower than lsat obviously, but what kind of a ratio is the relationship? Is the gpa much of a boost to the lower lsat score or is it minimal. Right now my Lsat is right at the median for a number of schools in the 30s but its certainly way lower than anything top 20 plus.

Curious what your thoughts are?

[crazywafflez]

If your score doesn't improve and you are fine living in nonmajor cities in the midwest- just go to the state flagship school you wanna practice in. Nebraska is great for Nebraska, Indiana for Indiana, Iowa for Iowa, etc.
Focus on the ones you'd be happy to end up in. I'm sure there's some mobility for Iowa to go to Indiana (maybe vice versa?), but yeah, focus on getting into the state flagship you wanna go to and getting the best scholly you can there.
I would still try and get your score up to get a better scholarship though.