URM, T5 Hopes, Low GPA w/ Traumatic Circumstance During Undergrad. Help? Forum

[nytech90]

Hello All,

Hope you're doing well.

After a number of years being told to just get a job, the field is too saturated, law school too expensive, etc. I've finally decided to pursue my dream of going to law school.

After doing a cost/benefit analysis I think the field only makes sense for me if I can get into a T10 (preferably a T6). Harvard has always been my dream school but my GPA is a bit lower than it should be due to some extenuating circumstances incurred during undergrad.

I've included some facts about myself below for easy reference. Appreciate the good counsel in advance.

Thanks!

---

Stats
URM (Mexican American, Born in Mexico)
LSAT 170 (Plan on taking once more)
3.3 (See below)
Graduated in 2012
Have a successful career in tech - have been consistently promoted and have worked with Fortune 500 clients.

Contributing Factors
First generation college student, parents were very hands off during undergrad
Experienced a traumatic experience during my Junior year (Father was killed by a drunk driver, did not take any time off and grades suffered)
Engaged in the prosecution of the driver who hit my father throughout Senior year.
From a low-income earning family

[Traynor Brah]

Good call on doing the retake. But even as things stand you're going to get a good scholarship at a T6 (T5 is not a relevant distinction; NYU is regarded as an immediate peer of Columbia and Chicago). You don't say where you want to be long-term, and depending on the answer to that question, a few other schools in the T14, where you'll be getting full rides from, might be better options than a moderately discounted T6 or an H at sticker. Apply everywhere in the T14 (if you want to be in socal or texas, also apply to UCLA or UT, respectively), try to improve on the retake, then come back and reassess with us. You're in a very, very good spot.

[sesto elemento]

Apply to NYU and their Anbryce scholarship.

[180kickflip]

Good call on doing the retake. But even as things stand you're going to get a good scholarship at a T6 (T5 is not a relevant distinction; NYU is regarded as an immediate peer of Columbia and Chicago). You don't say where you want to be long-term, and depending on the answer to that question, a few other schools in the T14, where you'll be getting full rides from, might be better options than a moderately discounted T6 or an H at sticker. Apply everywhere in the T14 (if you want to be in socal or texas, also apply to UCLA or UT, respectively), try to improve on the retake, then come back and reassess with us. You're in a very, very good spot.

I'm all for optimism, but I think this goes a bit far. OP is just as likely to be waitlisted in the t6 as accepted with a scholarship, and I definitely don't think he is likely to get multiple t14 full scholarships. I could see multiple 90-120k offers, but I haven't heard of many URMs with 3.3 GPAs being offered full rides (and those that have are most likely AA).

[sesto elemento]

Good call on doing the retake. But even as things stand you're going to get a good scholarship at a T6 (T5 is not a relevant distinction; NYU is regarded as an immediate peer of Columbia and Chicago). You don't say where you want to be long-term, and depending on the answer to that question, a few other schools in the T14, where you'll be getting full rides from, might be better options than a moderately discounted T6 or an H at sticker. Apply everywhere in the T14 (if you want to be in socal or texas, also apply to UCLA or UT, respectively), try to improve on the retake, then come back and reassess with us. You're in a very, very good spot.

I'm all for optimism, but I think this goes a bit far. OP is just as likely to be waitlisted in the t6 as accepted with a scholarship, and I definitely don't think he is likely to get multiple t14 full scholarships. I could see multiple 90-120k offers, but I haven't heard of many URMs with 3.3 GPAs being offered full rides (and those that have are most likely AA).

OPs best chance of getting a full ride is to

Apply to NYU and their Anbryce scholarship.

Outside of that, OP won't get into HYSB because of his GPA and shouldn't apply to those schools unless he gets a fee waiver.

[scone]

OP won't get into HYSB because of his GPA and shouldn't apply to those schools unless he gets a fee waiver.

Rubbish. MyLSN puts OP at ~20-30% for HYSB, ~50% for rest of T6. Definitely should apply, especially given OP's decent softs and extenuating circumstances.

[Johann]

I'dtake 5 to 1 odds on this guy getting into Yale and 2 to 1 on Harvard.

[dreamerchic19]

great LSAT score, just make a good personal statement/successful application and you should be fine

[ND2018]

I'dtake 5 to 1 odds on this guy getting into Yale and 2 to 1 on Harvard.

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