TL;DR — Law School Deposit Time Is Here… Now What?
Cordel Faulk, former Chief Admissions Officer at the University of Virginia School of Law and head of College Solutions’ What’s Next? law school admissions advising program, knows the ins and outs of law school admissions. In today’s post, he shares his insights on how to make one of the hardest decisions of the entire process—making the final decision about which school to attend.
You made it through one of the most competitive law school admissions cycles ever—congrats! As deposit deadlines approach, remember: your decision should be personal, intentional, and true to you. Whether it’s money, rankings, or gut—there’s no wrong answer if it’s the one that fits who you are and what you want. And hey, the waitlist isn’t a dead end—it’s still a path forward.
It’s deposit season.
Here’s how to make the big choice without losing your mind.
Let’s be honest: this year’s law school admissions season was no walk in the park. The applicant pool was massive, full of smart, accomplished, and ambitious people. Offers were harder to come by, and the competition was fierce.
So if you came out of that storm with offers in hand—take a moment to really let that sink in. You did it. That’s not just good news. It’s an accomplishment.
Now it’s time for the next step: making your decision and submitting a deposit. It can feel huge. It can feel stressful. It can feel like the rest of your life is hanging on this one moment. But here’s what I want you to remember:
It’s going to turn out okay.
If you’re fortunate enough to be choosing between schools, don’t let that paralyze you. Think of it as a position of strength—you’re already ahead. This is where you shift from being judged by others to judging for yourself. That’s empowering.
A few truths to keep in mind:
Choose what’s right for you.
Not for your parents. Not for your mentors. Not for Reddit. Not for U.S. News. You.
When I had to make my own law school decision, I chose based solely on what felt right for me. My gut pointed me in one direction, even though my parents and the rankings pointed the other way. I followed my gut—and every day of my life has been better for that choice. My parents were wrong. U.S. News was wrong. And my gut? It nailed it.
Sometimes, take the money.
A generous scholarship can change your life—not just in school, but for the next decade. If the money makes sense for you, take it with zero regrets.Sometimes, take the rankings.
If your dream is to clerk on the Supreme Court or be on the fast track to BigLaw or academia, certain schools do make that path smoother. It’s not the only path, but let’s not pretend the numbers don’t matter. Just be honest with yourself about what you want.Sometimes, follow your gut.
If you walk into a school and feel like you’re home, don’t ignore that. A place where you’ll thrive and be happy might serve you better than a place that simply looks good on paper.
But—if you’re resisting your gut? That’s okay too. Just be thoughtful. Ask yourself why. There may be really good reasons to go another way. But make sure those reasons are yours, not someone else’s.
One more thing: don’t fear the waitlist.
If you’re still waiting on a school you love and they give you the call—take it! A late offer from a dream school is still a win. You’re not behind. You’re just on a different track, and that track might lead exactly where you want to go.
Final Thoughts
So here’s your reminder: you’ve already done the hard part. This next step? It’s a big decision, but it’s one you’re ready for.
Just choose with purpose, honesty, and clarity. Think about who you are, what you value, and where you’ll grow best.
You can’t mess that up.
And seriously—congrats again.
What’s Next?
The law school application process is intimidating, confusing, and at times scary. We at What’s Next? law school advising can use our expertise to demystify this process. We want it to be more exciting than it is scary. We can help you find the right fit. It’s out there.
Led by Cordel Faulk, former Chief Admissions Officer at UVA Law, What’s Next? is grounded in deep experience and honest guidance. We’ve helped applicants navigate this journey before — and we’re ready to help you do the same.