Top Law Schools

Hi all,

As the subject states, my stats are (as a non-URM) 3.35 gpa and 169 on the Oct 2015 LSAT (161 on Feb. exam). I went to a top school, have a valid addendum for my lowish gpa, good softs. I really want to go to Michigan, trying to decide if I would get any advantage applying ED or not, or if I have any shot at all.

Thoughts?

.

I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

ChildWithADove wrote:I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

Why would an ED be better used at a lower ranked school? I was under the impression that EDs are typically used to gain entrance to schools where your numbers put you on the fence for admission, and that EDing at schools you'd likely be admitted to anyway just forfeits your bargaining position for merit scholarships.

Mrs Featherbottom wrote:

ChildWithADove wrote:I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

Why would an ED be better used at a lower ranked school? I was under the impression that EDs are typically used to gain entrance to schools where your numbers put you on the fence for admission, and that EDing at schools you'd likely be admitted to anyway just forfeits your bargaining position for merit scholarships.

Unfortunately your impression is incorrect. applying ED does not give a boost at many schools so cannot be used for on the fence applicants. Applying ED to any school that doesn't give a scholarship to ED applicants is going to put you at a loss for negotiating.

lymenheimer wrote:

Mrs Featherbottom wrote:

ChildWithADove wrote:I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

Why would an ED be better used at a lower ranked school? I was under the impression that EDs are typically used to gain entrance to schools where your numbers put you on the fence for admission, and that EDing at schools you'd likely be admitted to anyway just forfeits your bargaining position for merit scholarships.

Unfortunately your impression is incorrect. applying ED does not give a boost at many schools so cannot be used for on the fence applicants. Applying ED to any school that doesn't give a scholarship to ED applicants is going to put you at a loss for negotiating.

Sure, I get that. Still curious about ChildWithADove's recommendation about only EDing to T-20/30 schools over Michigan.

Mrs Featherbottom wrote:

lymenheimer wrote:

Mrs Featherbottom wrote:

ChildWithADove wrote:I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

Why would an ED be better used at a lower ranked school? I was under the impression that EDs are typically used to gain entrance to schools where your numbers put you on the fence for admission, and that EDing at schools you'd likely be admitted to anyway just forfeits your bargaining position for merit scholarships.

Unfortunately your impression is incorrect. applying ED does not give a boost at many schools so cannot be used for on the fence applicants. Applying ED to any school that doesn't give a scholarship to ED applicants is going to put you at a loss for negotiating.

Sure, I get that. Still curious about ChildWithADove's recommendation about only EDing to T-20/30 schools over Michigan.

Yea I don't think that's a good idea. Unless OP wants to go to one of them that gives a good scholly to EDers.

lymenheimer wrote:

Mrs Featherbottom wrote:

ChildWithADove wrote:I would apply, but I think your ED would be better used somewhere else. Given your GPA, I would only use ED at a T-20/30 (Vandy on the extreme high end).

That said, if you really can't see yourself going to any other school and, thus, would not use ED elsewhere... then I would go ahead and try ED at Mich.

Why would an ED be better used at a lower ranked school? I was under the impression that EDs are typically used to gain entrance to schools where your numbers put you on the fence for admission, and that EDing at schools you'd likely be admitted to anyway just forfeits your bargaining position for merit scholarships.

Unfortunately your impression is incorrect. applying ED does not give a boost at many schools so cannot be used for on the fence applicants. Applying ED to any school that doesn't give a scholarship to ED applicants is going to put you at a loss for negotiating.

I've seen some articles that showed that Michigan does give a slight advantage to ED appliers, and that advantage is higher if you're a splitter (which, for Michigan, I would be). But that data was a couple years old, and in this environment, law school admissions can change rapidly in a coupel years. So that was my whole question to begin with: is it worth it for me to apply ED to help my chances of getting in? Because if it won't help, then I'm with TSL logic here, apply early with RD and maintain bargaining power. Again, Michigan would be my top choice if I got in, pretty much regardless of $.

I think there is a chance that you will get in via RD but you could also potentially be rejected or waitlisted. My advice would be to look at the stats of people who got in with similar numbers last year and the year before, and see if that gives you any insights. I remember that some ED applicants did still get scholarships to Michigan this past cycle but I would also be very prepared to pay sticker. Either way, write a great Why Michigan essay and knock their socks off. Some of Michigan admissions is about fit and the more you can show that you are unique and want to be in Ann Arbor, the better.