Matt, aside from agreeing with Karl,
try the following. Rent an overseeder slicer. It will slice the soil and drop the seed so it comes in contact with the soil which is necessary for germination.
Only Scotts products i use are their seed as they have good mixes for sun or shade, have a high germination rate and very low weed content.
Find a %50 organic or %50 WIN fert a 2-1-1 ratio, it will tell you on the bag. example 16-8-8 or 20-10-10 or even 10-6-4 which is close. Agway has excellent ferts.
After you seed,apply #40 pelitized lime 2500 sg ft. and fertilize at full rate on bag.
If you don't like cutting use the same fert at 1/2 the rate Memorial Day - Fourth of July and Labor Day which will keep it green and thick. Next year around St Patricks day start your fertilizer program.
Fertilzing at any other time will just increase the growth of crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. Spot kill the weeds with a sprayer in mid June after your seed has had a chance to germinate and has been cut at least 3 times.
Get a broadcast fertilizer spreader it will make things real easy.
Don't overwater= fungus.