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Hello! This is my first post, but I've been reading these forums for awhile, and would really appreciate the collective wisdom of TLS!

I just got back my June LSAT score - 170 - and was wondering whether you think it's possible for me to get into UVA if I just apply regular decision. With my GPA (4.0) LSP only puts me at strong consider at UVA. UVA is my top choice, and therefore I'm tempted to apply ED for the boost, but I'm still a little worried about the prospect of going upwards of 200,000 dollars in debt.

I guess my dilemma is this - should I apply ED, so I have the best chance of getting accepted, or do I chance getting dinged and apply RD, hoping for acceptances or scholarships at other schools that I might be able to leverage against UVA for some financial aid (if I even get in to UVA)?

I'm in-state, not an URM, and will be straight from undergrad.

Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to read this and reply!!

RD and take the money.

Thank you for the reply Sundance! I'm really leaning toward RD, just nervous about getting rejected for my average LSAT score. Here's hoping the adcoms don't mind admitting someone with an LSAT only at their median, and no outstanding softs. Thanks again for the reassurance!

VA Residency makes this a much safer RD, in my opinion.

GotYourselfAStewGoin wrote:VA Residency makes this a much safer RD, in my opinion.

This.

Plus, I think with ED you'd potentially be giving up thousands and thousands of dollars in scholarships. Not worth it; your numbers are great!

GotYourselfAStewGoin wrote:VA Residency makes this a much safer RD, in my opinion.

Throw in some solid LORs, a passable PS, and baby, you got a stew.

eskimo wrote:

GotYourselfAStewGoin wrote:VA Residency makes this a much safer RD, in my opinion.

This.

Plus, I think with ED you'd potentially be giving up thousands and thousands of dollars in scholarships. Not worth it; your numbers are great!

Definitely, an although UVA insists they offer aid equally to RD and ED applicants you'll be able to apply to peer and better ranked schools if you RD then use other $$ to leverage even more from UVA.

DO NOT apply ED with those numbers, but do apply early.

I'm curious about this situation kind of from the reverse. I'm also an in-stater straight from undergrad, not an URM. However I have a 175, 3.55, so kind of a low GPA but a high LSAT.
Does the same advice apply? Like the OP I really want to go to UVA, and would be devastated if I didn't get in RD.

missvik218 wrote:

eskimo wrote:

GotYourselfAStewGoin wrote:VA Residency makes this a much safer RD, in my opinion.

This.

Plus, I think with ED you'd potentially be giving up thousands and thousands of dollars in scholarships. Not worth it; your numbers are great!

Definitely, an although UVA insists they offer aid equally to RD and ED applicants you'll be able to apply to peer and better ranked schools if you RD then use other $$ to leverage even more from UVA.

DO NOT apply ED with those numbers, but do apply early.

Thank you all so much! I've already got some strong LORs lined up (hopefully - at least they seemed really eager when I asked!), and am planning to apply Sept. 1st, the day UVA opens their application.

It's so nice of you to take the time to help me - good luck to everyone else who's applying this cycle!

(kayljsh - hopefully we'll be classmates in the fall!)

Definitely! Sometimes I totally forget that all y'all are real people... I know that seems weird, but it's funny to think about all these people with UVA threads, I could end up in classes with them.