Should I Add Safety Schools to My Applications?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently navigating the law school admissions process and feeling a bit uncertain about my next steps. I’ve applied to 15 schools: Michigan (11/15), all other T14s and UCLA minus Yale and Stanford (12/6), and Yale and Stanford (12/15). These are the only schools I’ve applied to so far.

So far, I’ve received an interview invitation from Georgetown (which I haven’t scheduled yet due to limited availability) and a rejection from Michigan. I haven’t heard back from the other schools yet. With the unexpected Michigan result and high application numbers this cycle, I’m starting to worry about my chances overall.

Some have suggested I add one or two safety schools as a backup. However, I’m hesitant because I strongly prefer the schools I’ve already applied to and wouldn’t want to attend elsewhere, even with a full scholarship. That said, I also don’t want to risk striking out completely and having to take another gap year.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you decide whether or not to apply to safety schools? I’d appreciate any advice or insights.

Thanks for your help!