Top Law Schools

Long time follower, first time poster. I'll try to make a REALLY long story short. Would appreciate help on this one:

My concern is about my UG and how it will hurt/not effect me. I'll try to make this as understable and concrete as it really is:

First year, community college. Wasn't the best student in HS, made up for it here.

Second year, transferred to a 4 year institution. This was mainly to get away from home, but not a great year for me academically.

Third year, transferred to another school. Good grades.

Fourth year, transferred to another school. My family was going through personal issues, again, to make a long story short, my father couldn't keep up with the payments on the house that we were living in so I was forced to relocate to another college that would be significantly cheaper. Still remained good grades here.

Fifth year, yes, I'm a five year senior. Took me long enough to get over all the BS I had to overcome from HS, but in the end I completed my BA degree and have a 3.0 throughout all of it.

In the end, I've done 3 practice LSATS and got a 169, 165, 171 respectively in each. Of course, I'm aware that practices aren't as indicative to finding out your real score as actually taking the tests.

What I'm more concerned about is if going to 4 different schools in 5 years of UG is ultimately going to hurt my chances to admissions officers? Does it seem like I can't be consistant with the schools I choose to go to? There were reasons for my last transfer, but ultimately will this show a sign of inconsistancy to the schools I'm interested in? So far I've been at my current insistution for my last two years of my UG degree and have improved my grades extremely since I started my UG degree.

All in all, will attending four different colleges and spending 5 years in UG school significantly hurt my chances? My grades have improved tremendously since my freshman year, so will that be all that matters? I'm also a URM, if that holds any weight for anything. Any advice/help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

All things considered, you are in very good shape. The LSAT performances you are now having (165-170) will get you into any school, with $$$. Just write an addendum about the struggles. If you had a tough major and challenged yourself by taking hard courses, write about that also. It will help put the UGPA into clearer context. In my mind, the fact that you got through it all is a big plus; it says you have the toughness to get through a rigorous law program.

I've attended 3 different undergraduate institutions in 4 years, and my cycle has gone predictably. I wouldn't worry about it, but you should probably write an addendum for the GPA. Good luck.

You could always write your PS about moving around and your grades, ect. Then again, you could always summarize that in an addendum. I went to two schools and my UG director says he has seen people with more schools get into great law schools.

wetakinova wrote:Long time follower, first time poster. I'll try to make a REALLY long story short. Would appreciate help on this one:

My concern is about my UG and how it will hurt/not effect me. I'll try to make this as understable and concrete as it really is:

First year, community college. Wasn't the best student in HS, made up for it here.

Second year, transferred to a 4 year institution. This was mainly to get away from home, but not a great year for me academically.

Third year, transferred to another school. Good grades.

Fourth year, transferred to another school. My family was going through personal issues, again, to make a long story short, my father couldn't keep up with the payments on the house that we were living in so I was forced to relocate to another college that would be significantly cheaper. Still remained good grades here.

Fifth year, yes, I'm a five year senior. Took me long enough to get over all the BS I had to overcome from HS, but in the end I completed my BA degree and have a 3.0 throughout all of it.

In the end, I've done 3 practice LSATS and got a 169, 165, 171 respectively in each. Of course, I'm aware that practices aren't as indicative to finding out your real score as actually taking the tests.

What I'm more concerned about is if going to 4 different schools in 5 years of UG is ultimately going to hurt my chances to admissions officers? Does it seem like I can't be consistant with the schools I choose to go to? There were reasons for my last transfer, but ultimately will this show a sign of inconsistancy to the schools I'm interested in? So far I've been at my current insistution for my last two years of my UG degree and have improved my grades extremely since I started my UG degree.

All in all, will attending four different colleges and spending 5 years in UG school significantly hurt my chances? My grades have improved tremendously since my freshman year, so will that be all that matters? I'm also a URM, if that holds any weight for anything. Any advice/help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Do you have a 3.0 from your degree granting instititution, or a 3.0 LSAC GPA? Could be good to know.

If you were able to crack 170 without any major prep, you are golden. I never cracked 170 and I studied for months. With a good LSAT prep strategy, you should be able to score between 170-175 on the real thing.

Thank you all for your feedback.

The 3.0 is my LSAC GPA (3.02 to be exact). As far as my practice LSATs, the reason I'm concerned is because in the three practice tests I took there was no consistant upward trend or downward trend, it was 169, 165, and 171 so I'm hoping to keep going up from there. The second test (165) was the only one that I actually timed myself so I use that for more of a barometer to see where I'm at. All of them were without practice but I do plan on studying for them and probably joining a class (not sure which one yet, recommendations would be appreciated) all throughout the summer.

I plan on taking my LSAT in Nov., but I don't plan on applying to law school for maybe another year or two. The reason being because my father owns a family owned business that I plan on expanding during the next year or two. By being the co-owner of a company, I feel as if law schools would value that (if it's not that important to them I hope someone will let me know) and it would also seperate me from my low GPA. My GPA after my 2nd year was something dreadful like a 1.9 or 2.0 or something around that range so with a huge upward grade trend and some time off to pursue my own company, I think that would work to my advantage.

Any comments, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated because I have all these plans but don't know if I'm leaning toward the right direction with them or if I should take another route. Thanks again in advance.

Doubtful that your transfers will disadvantage you. If you explain your history well, that may even highlight your resilience and make your app more competitive.

A 165 on the LSAT is a very good score. Your undergraduate GPA of 3.02 is admirable considering your challenges. Law schools will accept you. The main concern raised by your posts is the discussion of running & expanding a family owned business. Be sure to make it clear on your law school applications that you do not plan to continue working while in law school unless it is a part-time law school or working during summer breaks. You actually should be a strong candidate for law school. Explanations are okay, but excuses are not. Good luck!
P.S. To address the question posed by your post heading: Your background is significant because it is a large part of who you are, while the transfers are insignificant for the most part with respect to law school admissions because you did well & have very legitimate explanations.