LSAC Forum vs. campus visit

whitneyenelson

I'm registered for an LSAC forum in November, but it turns out that's also a really good day to go visit the campus of my number one school. Does it make more sense to attend the forum, or get the one-on-one time on campus?

speedwagon

Hmm. I just went to the forum in NYC. I found it kind of useful but not thaaaaaat useful ultimately. Admissions people are admissions people and their answers are pretty predictable. I did some asking of my carefully researched questions - and they were specific - and mostly the answers were not that substantive. I picked up fee waivers, which was easy enough, but I imagine I could have gotten them anyways. ("What is your policy on fee waivers?" was my nice polite way to ask.) I did walk away with some negative impressions which I am trying to weigh against overall rep.

I am 100% planning to visit as I go through this process. It's easier for me because I am only applying to schools by where I live but I think it will be essential, especially for schools I am otherwise considering who seem to be good fits but put me off because of their admissions rep or student who was at the table.

I do think the workshop I went to was interesting but not essential. I am planning to check out their online stuff to go to one or two of the other sessions.

I would say, especially if you want to go to schools you can't visit, it's worth it to at least go meet people and get a sense that way. Talking to students was awesome and highly recommended. But for me, I think the actual visit will be essential, especially for differentiating between schools. It also doesn't necessarily have to take all day - you could get there early, see your top 5 or 6 schools, and leave.