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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 12/6/23
Part of your journey to becoming an attorney is choosing the perfect list of law schools to apply to. To learn more about how many law schools you should apply to, read on.
While you may already have your dream law school picked out, it’s never a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket, especially if that one basket is a law school like Harvard, which is extremely competitive to get into.
This guide will address all of these questions to reveal the perfect number of law schools you should apply to!
The best strategy is to apply to three target schools, at least three reach schools, and three safety schools.
These law schools will be the most competitive on your list and have the highest admission requirements.
You should apply to at least three reach schools. These schools are extraordinarily difficult to get into, so by applying to several, you increase your chances of gaining acceptance into one.
Your target schools will be those that you have a higher chance of getting into based on your standardized test scores and GPA. Target schools will have median LSAT scores similar to yours, meaning you have a fair chance of getting into these schools.
You should apply to three of these schools as well to maximize your chances of admission.
Finally, you should apply to around three safety schools. Safety schools are lower-ranking schools that have low score requirements. The purpose of applying to these schools is to have options to fall back on if you don’t get into your reach or target schools.
Safety schools should be those that you are almost guaranteed to be accepted into because your scores are significantly higher than their medians.
There is no need to apply to more than three safety schools because you are most likely going to get accepted into most, if not all, of them.
While we’ve suggested you should apply to around nine law schools to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission into at least one, you may choose to apply to less or more, depending on your circumstances and application timelines.
For instance, if you have a very high LSAT score, you may choose to apply to fewer schools because you’ll have a higher chance of gaining admission to all of them.
On the other hand, if you have an LSAT score that is too low to be considered competitive at mid to high-ranking schools, you may want to only apply to two reach schools and four safety schools.
Generally, 15 schools is the maximum number of schools you should apply to. If you apply to different types of schools, as we have suggested here, you’ll have good odds of getting into at least one of these 15.
The key isn’t applying to as many law schools as you can, it’s applying to several good law schools that you have a realistic chance of gaining admission to! Keep in mind your scores and the application requirements of the schools you’re interested in to create the best list of schools to apply to.
When putting together a list of potential law schools, here are some things to think about:
Considering these factors can help you put together a list of potential law schools that align with your academic and career goals.
Let's discuss some common mistakes that individuals often make when applying to or attending law school:
Avoiding these common mistakes can help prospective law students make informed decisions and have a successful law school experience.
If you have any more questions about applying to law school, read on to find your answers.
Yes, you should. Even if you have your heart set on one law school and are unwilling to go to any other, you should still apply to others if you’re ready to start your JD. If you don’t gain admission into your top choice, you will still have other options to fall back on and can always try to transfer into your top choice after your first year!
You should apply to at least two safety law schools, but can apply to more depending on your application. If you have a low LSAT score or a low GPA you may want to apply to more.
When deciding which law schools to apply to, you should first consider where you want to study or work. If you know you won’t relocate, there is no point applying to schools outside of your state, even if they’re easier to get into.
After location, the most important factor to consider is how competitive your application is. If you have a strong application, consider applying to more high-ranking reach and target law schools than safety schools. If you have a weaker application, consider doing the opposite.
Luckily, you don’t have to make these big decisions yourself! You can work with a law school admissions expert for comprehensive support in choosing the right schools and increasing your chances of acceptance at your target schools!
You can also begin with our quiz and select the relevant score, location, and campus environment to find out which schools to apply to!
Even if you don’t have the exact scores recommended to apply to T14 schools, it’s worth applying if you’re willing to put extra time and effort into your application to avoid common mistakes that can cost you your spot!
You’ll have to work even harder on the other parts of your application, such as your personal statement, resume, or optional essays, to make up for these lower scores.
No, applying to 10-15 law schools is typically more than enough to guarantee admission to at least one school.
Knowing how many law schools to apply to can make the application process less daunting! By applying to several reach, target, and safety schools, you’ll give yourself the best chances of gaining admission into law school and can officially start your legal journey!
