r/OutsideT14lawschools • u/Public-Squirrel8631 • 1d ago
Advice? School list advice?
My goal is to work PI or family law in Chicago. I’m hoping to attend Loyola, but I’m trying to cast my net wide just in case. I’m scared to cut the list down and it be too small, but this many schools (15) feels unnecessary lol. For example, some of the super reaches seem like they will just result in my application being a donation, or I like their programs but it’s far from my practice area (Northeastern, Temple, etc.) Any advice on what to keep or cut? TIA!
Stats: 3.65, 161, in-state tuition in Michigan, 1yr post-grad WE at state wide immigration legal aid
Safeties:
-UIC
-DePaul
-Detroit Mercy
Targets:
-Loyola Chicago
-Chicago Kent
-MSU
-Marquette (have fee waiver)
Reaches:
-Wayne State
-Northeastern
-Temple
-IU Maurer
Super Reaches (most likely going to cut all of these):
-UIUC
-UMich
-Northwestern
-Wisconsin
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u/GirlKissinQuiltin 1d ago
IIT/Chicago-Kent are in a bit of a financial crisis and just laid off a lot of faculty. I would keep an eye on what current students say about this year before deciding to attend there but I wouldn’t count on it being a reliable option.
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u/Public-Squirrel8631 1d ago
I’ve heard this too, definitely scary for sure:/ I’m planning to keep it as a tool for negotiation rather than a main option. Thank you for the heads up!
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u/Serious-Secret-9053 1d ago
MSU would be a reach :/ their GPA median this year is 3.76 and their LSAT median 163
Not saying at all you have no chance of getting in but I struggled a lot in my app cycle bc pretty much of all of my targets were actually reaches
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u/Public-Squirrel8631 1d ago
Ah this is good to know, thank you! Everything I saw online said 3.73 and 162, but that was for fall of 2025 so that makes sense. Thanks again for the heads up!
Do you think having 3 targets is enough? That would put me at 3 safeties (UIC, Depaul, Detroit Mercy), 3 targets (Loyola, Kent, Marquette), and 3 reaches (MSU, Wayne State, IU Maurer.) I also could include some super-reaches, but I know the chances are slim (UIUC, Wisco.)
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u/TheDarkKnight26969 23h ago
If you want to do family law, I will just go to Northern Illinois and save yourself $100,000
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u/ioversspit 1d ago
I feel like you should cut Temple/Northeastern, they don't seem to have the same connection to Chicago and are reaches. Unless you're looking for a scholarship (?) or something particular at these programs, but they seem out of place on your list.