Building a Target List of Law Schools That Are the Right Fit

Since the pandemic, competition for spots in law schools has become especially fierce. With heightened admissions competition, applicants will need to build a balanced, effective list of target schools that ensures they will secure a spot in a law school, ideally with a financial aid package that will help them escape crushing debt.

Taking a “shotgun” approach of applying to 20 or more schools in the hopes that one application gets through can take substantial time and money. Whether your target list is a mere sketch or has expanded out of control, it's worth investing research and thought to build a manageable slate of schools where you have a realistic shot of admission.

How Many Law Schools Should You Apply To? 

There is no “correct” number of schools to consider. That exact number likely depends on your own profile and preferences. But given the tough admissions climate, I recommend applying to at least 10-12 schools.

Break down your list into three categories: reach schools, mid-range schools, and safety schools. One or two safety schools should suffice—if you aren’t admitted to those safety schools, you’re better off reapplying once you’ve strengthened your candidacy by retaking the LSAT or rewriting your essays. Balance the rest of your list between reaches and mid-range schools.

To get a sense of whether a school is a reach, mid-range, or safety, start by looking at the benchmarks of the previously admitted classes. Data about median LSAT scores and GPAs for each law school are available on each law school’s website as well as impartial sites like Law School Transparency.

You can use the online calculators provided by LSAC or 7Sage to get a rough sense of your own competitiveness at each law school. These statistics should be taken with plenty of salt, of course. Even if the numbers are accurate and up to date, it isn’t exactly random which applicants get in with below-average stats. If 10% of applicants with your grades and test scores are admitted to a certain school, you better have some other factors on your side, like an uncommon background or work experience.

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Reasons to Send More or Fewer Law School Applications

Applicants who have a weak point in their candidacy—like a low GPA, low test scores, or a blemish on their record—may want to apply to a higher number of schools in order to insulate their chances and avoid being roundly rejected. After all, different admissions officers may perceive such candidates differently. There’s no way to know in advance which schools would be more forgiving than others.

On the other hand, applicants with strong and well-rounded profiles may find themselves in a privileged position of only needing to apply to 6-10 law schools. This may also be true of applicants who are considering other life options beyond law school, and would prefer to reapply at a later date than attend a less selective school.

Likewise, you may have a shorter target list if you are only interested in attending schools within a certain legal market. For example, if you only want to attend law school in Texas, then you will likely only apply to a half dozen schools. You may have an even shorter list in less competitive legal markets. After all, plenty of states have only one or two law schools.

Remember, only compose your list of schools that you would be willing, perhaps even a bit excited, to attend if you were accepted. Unless you are dead set on attending law school in the fall, hell or high water, you’re better off reassessing your options than spending three years at a school that feels like a poor fit.

How to Find an Ideal Fit Law School

Estimating your odds of gaining admission to a particular law school can be tricky. Numbers don’t tell the whole story. Remember: your essays, resume, transcript, recommendation letters, and other materials are reviewed by real people. Admissions officers pride themselves in perceiving applicants holistically and understanding the context behind their applications. 

If a school only cared about statistics, it would be cheaper to build a selection algorithm than to staff an admissions office. Pretty soon, that school would end up with applicants who look good on paper but act immaturely, contribute little to class discussions and campus life, and crumple under the pressures of law school.

How else can you find a target school? Here are a few suggestions to identify schools where you have a shot of being admitted and finding a good fit.

• Location. Law school comprises three years of your adult life, so where you live matters. While graduates of any accredited law school can sit for the bar exam in any state, schools have strong local networks that reward students who plan to practice locally, from clinical opportunities to alumni connections. Besides, if you attend a law school in a city or region you don't like, it’s going to be a long and lonely three years. 

• Specialization.  Look for law schools that align with your academic and professional interests. If you know you want to practice corporate law, then check out a potential law school’s course offerings in corporate law and the professors who teach them, along with relevant programs and student activities. If you can’t find much, that’s a sign that you may have trouble finding resources, support, and like-minded peers on campus. Geography can play a role here too—you’re not going to get much of a leg up in corporate law without a robust local sector.

• Culture. Some law schools are larger than others. Some are well-integrated within large research universities while others are more close-knit. Some have urban campuses while others are suburban or rural. Some attract an outsized number of students with certain political views, religious affiliations, heritage, international backgrounds, or military service. Some are more friendly and easy-going while others are more studious and career-focused. Some have politically engaged student bodies while others cater to students more focused on professional goals. Don’t make assumptions–understand who you are as a student and what kind of culture best accommodates your needs. Law school is hard enough, find a place that feels like home, where you can make lifelong friendships and connections.'

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