Top Law Schools

I've been stalking this site all day, and you all seem so knowledgeable and nice, so I just have to ask!

I haven't taken the LSAT yet, but my scores on diagnostics have been consistently between 171-175. (I got a 180 once, but that hasn't happened again and I'm not getting my hopes up for the real test!) I'm applying straight out of undergrad from a public university.

The fact is, I'm not sure where to apply. If I can go to the top, I can't decide whether it's more valuable to get my education at a top school no matter what the cost (my family is very willing to help), or take a free ride somewhere a little lower-ranked. Anyway, I'm really interested to hear my chances at Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Vanderbilt, and would appreciate any extra advice about other options!

Blanket the T10 if you actually break a 170 and you will have a good range of options.

everyone on here is going to tell you to get a real score and then come back (tls = grumpy groupthink). But the fact is that most people score pretty close to their pt average. assuming thats you too, just blanket top 14

Multiple edits for grammar..phone posting sucks.

Take the LSAT because no LSAT score = no chances. I've seen at least one person go from PTing in the 170s to getting a 165 on the day (anyone remember the poster Dr. Strangelove?).

acappella wrote: The fact is, I'm not sure where to apply. If I can go to the top, I can't decide whether it's more valuable to get my education at a top school no matter what the cost (my family is very willing to help), or take a free ride somewhere a little lower-ranked. Anyway, I'm really interested to hear my chances at Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Vanderbilt, and would appreciate any extra advice about other options!

With a 4.0 the sky's the limit, so best of luck on the LSAT. Then we can talk about this when you've got some options.

Also enjoy lawschoolnumbers.com or lawschoolpredictor.com if you want to mess with hypotheticals.

I'm guessing that every TLS poster would say: take the lsat and then figure out where to apply. If you get ~172+ I'd say you have a shot anywhere.

And to answer the the question about whether to take the best school at sticker or a lower school for free... it depends on what you want to do and where you want to live. Most people would say that HYS is better than anything, but maybe for you money at other top schools would be a better option. I'd say to just apply everywhere you want and be researching schools during the process. When schools start accepting you and offering scholarships you'll have a better idea of what you want.

Thanks to everyone who's answered so far! I expected to get scolded for not having a real LSAT yet, but I couldn't resist the temptation of asking anyway. I'm taking the test next week, so I'll update as soon as I know.

acappella wrote:Thanks to everyone who's answered so far! I expected to get scolded for not having a real LSAT yet, but I couldn't resist the temptation of asking anyway. I'm taking the test next week, so I'll update as soon as I know.

good luck! i'll stalk you on your cycle