Who got a top-tier LSAT score but went to a lower tier school on purpose?

Question

I am going to go to law school with my fiance who doesn't feel as comfortable with testing as I do and I also want a full scholarship, so I think I will be applying to schools with lower LSAT data than people would usually aim for with my score.

I have a 171 - who got a similar score but went to a lower-tier school? Why? Did you regret it?

Answer 1

Don't do that if you can at all avoid it. There are plenty of cities with a variety of tiers of schools. In New York, for example, you're a lock at Fordham (which is the top of the 2nd tier) and have a great shot at Columbia and NYU (which are top tier schools). There are a number of lower tier schools in New York as well, like St. Johns, New York Law School, Brooklyn Law School, Hofstra, and many others.

I understand your position, though. I got into Washington and Lee. I went there for a week, while my fiance (now my wife) was back home in New York. The idea was that she'd join me in a year or I'd transfer to a school in New York. It was terrible, both because she wasn't there and also because of the extreme culture shock of Lexington, Virginia. After a week I e-mailed Fordham and got in off the wait list. I withdrew immediately from W&L and the next day I drove back to New York and started Fordham the next day.

Having gone through law school now, (just graduated) my advice is that there are plenty of schools in New York, Boston, and lots of other places for both of you. Make sure to apply to a lot. It doesn't make a big difference between different schools that are close to each other academically, but you don't want to drop down a tier because it can have a big impact on your first job, which is a big deal to both you and your future husband.

Well, that's my piece. Now I have to go and study for the bar exam. Good luck.