Really need help.... Forum

[ZachOda]

So I've asked before, but this time I could really use the guidance that everyone from TLS has been great at providing.
Here's my background: Will be a senior at a respected Northeast private institution, majoring in Psychology. 3.67 UGPA, 166 LSAT. Would like to go to school in a major city, no real preference where, but If I had a choice, possibly Southeast or Chicago areas. Currently live in MA. For schools that I've started looking hard at, I have UNC, UGA, Emory, UIUC, UWashington (State), Ohio State, Indiana, ND, and Minnesota. Now here is the reason I just can't look at LSN or LawSchoolPredictor. My father has been out of work for about 8 months now, and we're not sure when he will be getting steady employment again. Combine that with about 60K in loans from UG, I need to find a place that I can afford, either with a good scholarship or low COL. I did get fee waivers from URichmond, Minnesota, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, and George Mason. Should I consider them more than the others? Should I look at other schools as well, and where would anyone suggest? Thank you so much for your input

[TheOcho]

You can still use LSN and law school predictor to see which schools are targets, reaches, and safeties. If a school is a reach, it's unlikely you'll receive much $. You probably need to be above or near a school's median LSAT and/or GPA to get $$, but some schools are more generous with money than others. I think UIUC is generous with money. You can easily figure out the COL in any particular region on your own with a little bit of research.

Don't put extra emphasis on a school because of fee waivers, especially Richmond, Seton Hall, or Cincinnati. You probably can't predict which schools will give you what as far as $ goes, but if more people read this you might get some idea based on their past experience applying to the schools you're interested in (some $ info is available on LSN, too). Good luck.

[traehekat]

Solid list, I might throw in William and Mary, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Wake Forest.

Good luck.