Like the LSAT, applying to law school requires a strategy. There are many factors to consider when thinking about which law schools to apply to: LSAT score and GPA competitiveness, essay and overall law school application strength, location, and desired scholarship amount.
However, most applicants should apply to 5-15 law schools. It’s best to cast a wide net and organize your law school list between target, reach, and safety schools.
How To Create A Law School List
Target Law Schools
Most of your chosen law schools should be at the “target” level, meaning your best LSAT score and GPA are above that school’s median. Look for law schools where you have a realistic chance of getting in and a desire to attend. Many successful applicants choose between five and 10 target schools. If your LSAT is much higher than your GPA, or vice versa (often called a “splitter”), you may want to consider applying to additional target schools to maximize your chances.
Safety Law Schools
Always include a few “safety” schools on your list. These are schools where your LSAT score and GPA are well above the median, and admission is highly likely. Most applicants choose two to three safety schools, but, again, if you’re a splitter, choosing more safety schools can be a great way to bolster your list.
Reach Law Schools
Many students also apply to a few “reach” schools. These should be schools that you’re interested in attending despite a lower acceptance probability. How many “reach” schools you apply to is an individual decision. Applicants with unique backgrounds or applications should generally choose more “reach” schools, as these traits can greatly influence law school admissions.
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What Else Should I Know?
Other factors may affect how many schools you decide to apply to. If you’re hoping to attend law school in one specific location or are looking for a program that not all schools offer, your list might be shorter. Your law school list should reflect you and your future goals.
Cost is also a big determining factor. Law schools in general are a significant investment, but some have a higher cost of attendance than others. If you hope to receive law school scholarships to cover part of your tuition, applying to more schools also gives you greater chance of receiving one.
Maximizing Your Chances of Law School Acceptance
Every law school applicant is different and the admissions process is holistic. However, a competitive LSAT score can help strengthen any application. Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average.
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