LSAT cutoff for ED reach? Forum

[willwash]

Hi all. I'm looking for advice on where to use my priceless ED. Quick background. Not a URM. Have NOT taken LSAT yet, taking in Feb, applying for 2013 cycle. 3.49 from UNC. Got married the summer between junior and senior years, wife got pregnant in October of senior year and I waited tables that year to support the family. Ended up spending about 1.5 years on food stamps and ultimately joined the Navy as a naval flight officer. Senior year GPA~3.75; addendum on GPA will emphasize that life circumstances shocked me into maturity and that my senior year is a reflection of me actually putting forth full effort. Currently active duty Navy, will have 5.5 years service and 2 combat deployments under my belt and have matured greatly since first years of UG. Virginia resident targeting UVA, reaching for Columbia and Chicago.

Here's the question: with that GPA should I use my ED at UVA no matter what my LSAT score or, as a VA resident, is there a point on the LSAT scale where I could consider myself a lock at UVA and be safe reaching a little higher with my ED? I'm PTing now in the low to mid 170s and I'd really like to shoot for Columbia or Chicago with my ED, but if that seriously jeapordizes my chance at acceptance at UVA, I should probably play it safe and ED UVA. Damn that 3.49!

Here's what I'm currently thinking:
<167: ED UVA (reach), safety W&M and UNC
168-172: ED UVA, Hail Mary CCN
173-175: ED Columbia or Chicago, RD UVA (safety)
176+: Hail mary HYS, ED Columbia or Chicago, RD UVA

Is this a fairly good plan?

[BlueDiamond]

Have NOT taken LSAT yet

conversation over

[ThomasMN]

Looking at LSN you are pretty much a lock at UVA ED with a 170 or above.

[bobbyh1919]

Have NOT taken LSAT yet

conversation over

[joshceo]

As mentioned above, your lsat score will be a determining factor and the foundation to your game plan. If you are applying for the 2013 cycle, you obviously have plenty of time to figure out this game. Take February LSAT, obtain score, modify your plan accordingly. You know your GPA isn't rock solid, but you probably realize that GPA doesn't mean shit when combined with a monster LSAT score. Also, realize that ED is a gamble token...it can often increase your odds at a reach school, while other times it has little to no effect. Your best bet is to ED where you REALLY want to attend, then spread your apps to a handful of top 20 schools. Forget the naysayers...every school you're aiming for is phenomenal. Your time is better spent studying for the lsat, rather than fishing for bullshit advice on tls. Additionally, keep your GPA addendum brief, it's not like you're trying to excuse a 2.2 at your local community college, despite the majority elitist opinion you may receive from the fantastic cesspool of tls. All the best my friend.

[Tiago Splitter]

3.49 is a solid effort.

I would ED CCN if you come in below 175, but only ED above that if you are dead-set on one of the 3. Now get back to studying!

[LawSchoolChampion]

Why CCN if I might ask?

I would never ED a school that isn't my target, and you shouldn't either.

If you want UVA, get a 170+. For a VA resident, that should lock you in (apply the first day, of course). Your military service, family ties, and residency status should make you a perfect candidate.

With that said, study your ass off and apply to CCN for the scholarship leverage. And make sure you apply to the entire T-14 (or at least all of those that you can get waivers for) so that you may use their scholarship offers (potentially) against UVA as well.

Good luck.

[willwash]

Why CCN if I might ask?

I would never ED a school that isn't my target, and you shouldn't either.

If you want UVA, get a 170+. For a VA resident, that should lock you in (apply the first day, of course). Your military service, family ties, and residency status should make you a perfect candidate.

With that said, study your ass off and apply to CCN for the scholarship leverage. And make sure you apply to the entire T-14 (or at least all of those that you can get waivers for) so that you may use their scholarship offers (potentially) against UVA as well.

Good luck.

UVA is my target. CCN are possible reaches depending on my LSAT. If I get a 175+ I'd be wasting my ED on UVA. As you say, I'd probably get in with $$ (as a VA resident with outstanding softs) at that level anyway, but CCN might still deny due to low GPA without the ED boost. 173-175 and I'm not sure. Anything under 173 and I'm definitely EDing UVA.

I think what you're cautioning against is me using my ED on C C or N and not getting in, and also not getting into UVA (when ED I would have) and being stuck going to W&M or UNC (albeit most likely for free). That is something that has me worried, but is that possibility worth using up an ED that could get me into CCN?