Possible for me to get into a top 20 law school?

[Hannahfox123]

My undergraduate GPA = 3.45
Last 2 undergraduate semesters GPA = 4.00 (30 credit hours)
Last 3 undergraduate semesters GPA = 3.98 (43 credit hours)
Last 4 undergraduate semesters GPA = 3.79 (56 credit hours)

GPA is bad I know, but there are some other things to list.
My undergraduate GPA is over 178 credit hours.
I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology (minor in Chemistry) and another Bachelors of Science in Psychology (minor in Physics).
I have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (from University of Michigan) focus of research is in Cancer Biology. GPA in all graduate school = 4.00
I can get excellent LOR's w/out question.
My Psychology major GPA = 4.0; That is, I earned an A in every Psychology course I took.

I want to go into Patent Law but I know new lawyers are having a lot of issues finding jobs so I don't want to even really consider it unless I have a chance at a top 20 school.

Is it possible with a 3.45 GPA (what kind of LSAT would I need?)
Also note, I took the LSAT my Junior year of college and got a 146 (would that score be ignored after 6 years have passed?)

[jetlagz28]

You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate. A score from that long ago won't count or be seen so no worries.

[Hannahfox123]

You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate. A score from that long ago won't count or be seen so no worries.

What kind of score would I need? Think of it as a math problem

My portfolio + LSAT score = Top 20 Law School acceptance

LSAT = Top 20 Law School acceptance - My portfolio

That's good they wont consider my old LSAT score;

I didn't study for it =P

[scribelaw]

Probably a 167-168 to get into the lower end of the T20...A 170+ for a chance at the T14.

Good luck.

[soullesswonder]

If you applied to all schools 10-20 without regard to location or cost, I think you could get an acceptance with a 166 (most likely at WUSTL). Otherwise, I concur with scribelaw.

[MoS]

Only your first Bachelor's degree will count for your gpa. Maybe you got them at the same time, if not you will have to re-estimate you gpa. Yes, after 6 years your old lsat won't count. And Hight 160's. Like 168-169. WashU likes splitters (High Lsat, lower GPA)

[98234872348]

sorry bro, no chance.

[kalvano]

Doesn't WUSTL buy high LSAT's? Like anything over 167?

[schnoodle]

with your background, you might have a great shot at emory. their ti:ger program in conjunction with tech is outstanding. the gpa is trouble... but i think 167+ would get you in with your resume and story.

[sluguy14]

Doesn't WUSTL buy high LSAT's? Like anything over 167?

yeah, more or less. With the OP's GPA, anything 167 or above would just about guarantee admission, and probably at least some scholarship money. A 166 would give him a very good shot of getting in, but shoot for that 167+ and you're golden. If you can manage a 170, they'll throw all kinds of money your way.

[UFMatt]

I also have a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. Your undergrad GPA is slightly higher than mine. I got a 168 and was offered scholarships to Emory and Minnesota (also got into BU). I couldn't crack Vanderbilt or higher though. With a 3.45 you'd probably want at least a 167 to get into T20. Good luck.

[eldizknee]

.

[singingvontrapp]

You need a new LSAT score before anyone can reasonably speculate.

[beef wellington]

Your GPA isn't horrible but obviously it won't be over any T20 medians which is all that matters. Therefore you'll only really have a shot anywhere that you're over the LSAT median.

[ec2xs]

A 167 got you into Wash U this year. With the PhD background and grade trend, I think a 166 would put you in the top 20 for sure.

[Hannahfox123]

Cool, That's what I wanted to hear.

Now I just have to get a high LSAT =D

Anybody know off the top of their head what percentile a 170 would be (180 is perfect right?)

[Cupidity]

you have a solid shot at boston university if you can pull a 167+, they have a top health law program and their biomed engineering is also top ranked. I imagine if you want to do health/science patent law, it would be an excellent place.

[zozin]

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-co ... ograms.htm

Put in your GPA, enter possible LSAT scores. When the school of your dreams has "Admit' next to it, then you know what you roughly need to get on the LSAT. Add 1-2 points to the score, just to be safe.

[r6_philly]

http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/wp-content/uploads/Law-School-Predictor-Full-Time-Programs.htm

Put in your GPA, enter possible LSAT scores. When the school of your dreams has "Admit' next to it, then you know what you roughly need to get on the LSAT. Add 1-2 points to the score, just to be safe.

And apply really EARLY.

[Jacktone]

Cool, That's what I wanted to hear.

Now I just have to get a high LSAT =D

Anybody know off the top of their head what percentile a 170 would be (180 is perfect right?)

Here are how some of the numbers you care about stack up currently in terms of percentiles:

180=99.9
170=97.5
167=94.9
146=29.6

I'm surprised no one here has cautioned you after seeing your previous LSAT score. It's true that it won't be a factor in your admission, and I know you said that you didn't study. However, unless there were significant factors affecting your ability to perform on the test day or your ability to perform on standardized tests has dramatically improved over the past six years, I imagine you will continue to score around 146 on your first few practice tests as you begin studying this time around. From 146 to 167 is a hell of a long way to have to climb. I'm not saying that it can't be done; I just don't envy your position.

[No1ustad]

166+ will give u a chance at T20, 170+ for a good chance at T14, 173+ shoe-in T14

[r6_philly]

I'm surprised no one here has cautioned you after seeing your previous LSAT score. It's true that it won't be a factor in your admission, and I know you said that you didn't study. However, unless there were significant factors affecting your ability to perform on the test day or your ability to perform on standardized tests has dramatically improved over the past six years, I imagine you will continue to score around 146 on your first few practice tests as you begin studying this time around. From 146 to 167 is a hell of a long way to have to climb. I'm not saying that it can't be done; I just don't envy your position.

I think with that kind of GPA lately, and with grad work, you just assume that something happened with the first test. Maybe he took the test cold without proper prep at all... Maybe he reads better now after all the extra course work. It is hard to discount someone who has earned this much academic achievement after the test.

[r6_philly]

166+ will give u a chance at T20, 170+ for a good chance at T14, 173+ shoe-in T14

There are no shoe-ins at T14. A 80% chance yes but not a shoe-in, you just never know.

[MURPH]

Take a LSAT prep course. Kaplan has a poor reputation. The people who run Testmasters seem to be nuts but their course is outstanding. (I took this course) Blueprint has positive reviews. GetPrepped! is crap. (I taught for them.)
You should commit to studying 4 - 5 hours per night, 5 - 6 nights per week from now until the June LSAT.

[japika]

Take a LSAT prep course. Kaplan has a poor reputation. The people who run Testmasters seem to be nuts but their course is outstanding. (I took this course) Blueprint has positive reviews. GetPrepped! is crap. (I taught for them.)
You should commit to studying 4 - 5 hours per night, 5 - 6 nights per week from now until the June LSAT.

Sounds good. I am pretty good at the games, but the critical reading thing is what I bombed first time around (mind you I didn't practice =/); Hopefully reading all those scientific articles will help with that =D