Applying To Law School: 3 Or 4 Applications Enough?

Applying to law schools can be a stressful process, especially when it comes to deciding how many schools to apply to. While there is no perfect number, a good rule of thumb is to apply to at least a dozen law schools, including reach schools, midrange targets, and safeties. Most students apply to two reach schools, three target schools, and two safety schools. Reach schools are those where your GPA and LSAT scores are below the school's median, while target schools are those where your scores are at or above the median. Safety schools are those where your scores are significantly higher than the medians, and you are almost guaranteed acceptance. It's important to strike a balance and not apply to too many or too few schools, taking into account factors such as location, rankings, specializations, costs, and bar passage rates.

Reach schools

Applying to law schools can be stressful, especially if you are unsure where to aim your applications. It is important to apply to a wide range of schools, as very few applicants are guaranteed a place at their school of choice.

A reach school is a college that is unlikely to offer admission. A college qualifies as a reach school if your GPA and standardized test scores are significantly below the college's average, or if it is a highly selective college with a low acceptance rate.

When it comes to law schools, a reach school is one where your GPA and LSAT scores are below the school's median scores, or your GPA is higher but your LSAT score is below the 25th percentile.

• Number of Applications: On average, students apply to between 5 and 15 law schools each cycle. While spreading your applications over many schools can be beneficial in certain scenarios, avoid applying to too many (20 or more) unless absolutely necessary, as it can be expensive and time-consuming.
• Realistic Admission Possibilities: Evaluate your chances of admission by checking the school's median and 75th percentile scores and comparing them to your own.
• Resume and Personal Statement Boosters: In addition to scores, evaluate your resume and craft a compelling personal statement that showcases your unique story, motivations for law school, and background.
• Character and Fitness Issues: Any character or fitness issues on your application may hurt your chances of admission, regardless of your GPA and LSAT scores. However, don't let this discourage you from applying to schools you are interested in. Address these issues in your personal statement and spin them to your advantage.
• Location and Culture: Ensure that the schools you apply to are ones that you would actually want to attend if accepted. Consider the surrounding area, student life activities, housing, and general culture.
• Financial Aid: Law school is expensive, so check what percentage of students receive financial aid and how much they typically receive. Apply for scholarships and don't be afraid to negotiate with schools.
• Application Timeline: Some schools have early admissions deadlines, while others will not respond until the summer of the following year. Take these factors into account when planning your application timeline.

As a general rule, most students apply to two reach schools, three target schools, and two safety schools. However, you should aim most of your applications at target schools and only send a few to reach schools. It is recommended to apply to at least three reach schools to increase your chances of gaining acceptance into one.

Target schools

Applying to law schools can be a stressful process, especially when it comes to deciding which schools to target. Target schools are those where your GPA and LSAT scores are at, above, or close to the school's median scores. In other words, these are schools that you have a good chance of getting into and would be excited to attend.

• Consider your grades and LSAT scores: Evaluate your LSAT scores and GPA to determine which schools fall into the "target" category for you. You can use online calculators to compare your scores to those of accepted applicants at your desired schools. However, keep in mind that these calculators may not account for qualitative factors like personal statements and resumes, and admissions officers may weigh different factors differently.
• Research school specializations: Look for schools that offer specialized programs or clinics that align with your career goals and interests. For example, if you're interested in environmental law, you might consider Vermont Law School, or if you're interested in maritime law, the University of Miami School of Law in Florida could be a good option.
• Location and culture: Consider the location of the school and whether you would be happy studying and living there for the duration of your degree. Also, look into the campus culture to see if it aligns with your values and what you're looking for in a law school experience.
• Financial aid and scholarships: Law school is expensive, so be sure to research the financial aid options available at your target schools, including scholarships and merit-based aid.
• Application timeline: Different schools have different application deadlines and processes. Make sure to take these into account when creating your application timeline to ensure you don't miss any important dates.
• Number of target schools: Most students apply to around three target schools, but this number can vary depending on your circumstances. If you have a very competitive application, you might consider applying to more target schools to increase your chances of getting into a wider range of schools.

Remember, when creating your list of target schools, it's important to do thorough research and carefully consider all the factors that are important to you. This will help ensure that you end up at a school that is a good fit for your academic and career goals, as well as your personal preferences.

Safety schools

Applying to law schools can be a stressful process, especially when you are unsure where to aim your applications. It is important to apply to a wide range of schools, striking a balance between reach schools, midrange targets, and safety schools.

When creating your list of safety schools, it is important to keep in mind factors such as location, reputation, rankings, specializations, costs, and financial aid. You should also consider bar passage rates, alumni network, faculty and resources, class size, career services, diversity and inclusion, and campus culture.

In addition to these factors, you should also evaluate your resume and craft your personal statement to showcase your unique story, motivations for law school, and background.

Application fees

The application fee charged by law schools is typically in the range of $0 to $85 per school, with most schools charging somewhere between $30 and $85. It is worth noting that fee waivers are often available, and applicants may qualify based on certain criteria such as GPA, LSAT scores, or financial need. These waivers can be unsolicited, solicited, or automatic, depending on the school and the applicant's circumstances.

In addition to the application fee, there is also the CAS fee, which is typically $45 per school. The CAS is managed by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and is used to streamline the application process by bundling transcripts, letters of recommendation, LSAT scores, and other documents in one place. Most schools require applicants to use CAS, and the registration fee for this service is currently $195.

Other costs to consider when applying to law schools include test preparation and registration fees. Test prep books can cost around $50 each, while online or in-person courses can be significantly more expensive. The LSAT, for example, costs $190 to register, and there are additional fees for changing the test date or location.

Given the various expenses involved, applying to law schools can be quite costly. It is important for applicants to be mindful of their budget and to explore options for reducing costs, such as fee waivers or scholarships. The application fees, along with other costs, can easily amount to over $1,000, especially for those applying to a large number of schools. Therefore, it is advisable to carefully research and select the schools that align with your interests, goals, and budget.

Personal statements

The personal statement is a crucial part of your law school application. It is your opportunity to showcase your writing ability, your personality, and your experience. Here are some tips for writing a strong and effective personal statement:

• Be authentic and straightforward: Write about something personal, relevant, and unique to you. Be honest, candid, and straightforward. Avoid trying to fit your statement into a defined category or box. Write in your own voice using phrases and vocabulary that you would normally use.
• Focus on a specific topic: Choose a narrow and concrete topic. Offer specific details and focus on a particular experience and its impact on you. Avoid covering too much information or your entire life story.
• Grab the reader's attention: Start your essay with an interesting and engaging first paragraph. Share an anecdote or a personal story that will hook the reader and make your application memorable.
• Showcase your writing skills: Demonstrate your writing and communication abilities by presenting your thoughts clearly, concisely, and logically. Ensure your statement is well-written, proofread, and free from errors and typos.
• Highlight your individuality: Discuss your background, including your ethnicity, family, religion, or socioeconomic factors, that sets you apart and motivates you to succeed in law school. Avoid restating your resume or listing your qualifications, as the personal statement is meant to showcase who you are beyond your academic and professional accomplishments.
• Tailor your statement to the school: Research the school thoroughly and tailor your statement to highlight why you want to attend that specific school. Mention specific faculty members, programs, or student organizations that interest you and explain how they align with your goals and experiences.
• Avoid legal jargon and clichés: Stay away from legal concepts, jargon, or clichés in your statement. Do not play a role, such as that of a lawyer or judge, and avoid advocating controversial views that may offend your reader.
• Follow instructions: Read the application instructions carefully and follow any provided guidelines or prompts. Most law schools allow you to choose your own topic, but some may require you to address a specific question.
• Seek feedback: Ask your pre-law advisor or someone else to review your statement before finalizing it. Get feedback on the content, clarity, and effectiveness of your statement.

Remember, the personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences that make you a strong candidate for law school. Be authentic, engaging, and concise in your writing, and focus on highlighting the aspects of your background and experiences that are most relevant to your law school application.

Frequently asked questions