Job + Defer + Retake vs. T-20 school sticker

[SHANbangs]

Hey guys,

Just want to throw out my situation and get some feedback. 169, 3.24. Those are my stats. I was recently admitted to a t-20 school at sticker (in the spirit of anonymity, it's in a big politics city and is overshadowed by GULC). However, I have the option to defer non-binding and apply to other schools this september (they told me this via admissions office). Here is what I am asking: will deferring a year and attaining close to another year of work experience as a non-profit consultant (I already have 1 year under my belt) + retake on LSAT allow me to get into better law schools come september? Because my deferral is non-binding, X school will act as my "safety floor" and I will only be targeting t-14. Or, is my 3.24 GPA such a huge constraint that another year of work and a higher LSAT will likely do nothing? I am specifically targeting GULC, UVA, Penn, and a couple of other lower t-14. Not really looking at 15-18 because they are in locations I don't want to be.

[Malcolm8X]

Hey guys,

Just want to throw out my situation and get some feedback. 169, 3.24. Those are my stats. I was recently admitted to a t-20 school at sticker (in the spirit of anonymity, it's in a big politics city and is overshadowed by GULC). However, I have the option to defer non-binding and apply to other schools this september (they told me this via admissions office). Here is what I am asking: will deferring a year and attaining close to another year of work experience as a non-profit consultant (I already have 1 year under my belt) + retake on LSAT allow me to get into better law schools come september? Because my deferral is non-binding, X school will act as my "safety floor" and I will only be targeting t-14. Or, is my 3.24 GPA such a huge constraint that another year of work and a higher LSAT will likely do nothing? I am specifically targeting GULC, UVA, Penn, and a couple of other lower t-14. Not really looking at 15-18 because they are in locations I don't want to be.

Work experience = not THAT big of a deal, unless its Northwestern. Schools take on TONS of students straight from undergrad. Job is really good for saving up money for school.

If those are the schools that you're aiming for, and $$$ aren't an option, just apply early and ED to your MAIN target. If $$$ is a consideration, just apply EARLY! Your LSAT is good. If you think you can raise it significantly though, go for it. Work on a killer PS and make that school feel like that's your #1 pick. Either way, T-20 at sticker shouldn't happen.

[2014]

If you are targeting U.Va., 1 point + an ED means you are in, face similar if not lower tuition, and lower COL for 3 years. That is in addition to better job prospects.

I would wait.

[Patriot1208]

The higher LSAT will mean a big deal to you, but the work experience won't matter much. But, if you want UVA or GULC you'll need a retake.

[czelede]

Higher LSAT will help you overcome your GPA. I have almost the same GPA, and I'm in at several T-14 schools including Penn & Berkeley. If you have preference towards Penn and UVa, 2-3 points or more should make you pretty much an ED lock at least one of those schools (more like UVa, but you'd have a good shot at Penn too. The greater increase in LSAT the better your shot).

[bk1]

A point or two will help with UVa and with work experience would help at NU.

You will need a better LSAT to get into the T14, the work experience won't change things. That said, I think this is a great idea because it allows you a chance for a better school plus you can save some money to help offset the cost.

[dood]

this is my exact same scenario but i had slightly higher gpa than u (3.3). i deferred for a year from GW to make $ (my job paid over 6 figs) and buy models and bottles.

PROTIP #1: as a result of the increased $ on my W2, GW took away approx $20K in need-based grant from my fin aid package. not sure if that is a consideration for u, but def good to keep in mind.

PROTIP #2: its a lot harder to study for the lsat once uve gotten in and deferred. i never retook, just partied hard and then came to gw after my deferral.

[FiveSermon]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

[flcath]

I'd wait and retake, brah. The T20 or T25 or whatever is not a bad place to be, but it is a bad place to be going more than about $50K in debt.

I say this as someone at a roughly equivalent school.

[bk1]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

Schools seem to grant deferrals based on their own whim. The best thing to do is to ask the school (it is even better if you can give a reason for deferring).

[FiveSermon]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

Schools seem to grant deferrals based on their own whim. The best thing to do is to ask the school (it is even better if you can give a reason for deferring).

This might be hard since I don't have a job lined up coming out of undergrad. What are some common reasons for asking for a deferral?

[Malcolm8X]

this is my exact same scenario but i had slightly higher gpa than u (3.3). i deferred for a year from GW to make $ (my job paid over 6 figs) and buy models and bottles.

PROTIP #1: as a result of the increased $ on my W2, GW took away approx $20K in need-based grant from my fin aid package. not sure if that is a consideration for u, but def good to keep in mind.

PROTIP #2: its a lot harder to study for the lsat once uve gotten in and deferred. i never retook, just partied hard and then came to gw after my deferral.

WOW! That sucks! With that being said, this is important!

[minuit]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

GW makes you pay a $500 non-binding deferral fee that is not added to your tuition. Also, it states in the letter that any financial aid is not transferrable, and you will be reconsidered for aid the next cycle.

[glacierfrost]

Why would a school offer a non-binding deferral option? Seems like their asking for people to retake and keep them as a back up IMO. Do any other schools other than GW do this?

[bk1]

Why would a school offer a non-binding deferral option? Seems like their asking for people to retake and keep them as a back up IMO. Do any other schools other than GW do this?

Because they really want your numbers and are pretty sure they would admit you next cycle if you reapplied.

[glacierfrost]

So to clarify, OP could theoretically do the non-binding deferral. Then in this year off, retake the LSAT, get a higher score, and then reapply next cycle to a different school and attend the new school without any consequence?

[minuit]

So to clarify, OP could theoretically do the non-binding deferral. Then in this year off, retake the LSAT, get a higher score, and then reapply next cycle to a different school and attend the new school without any consequence?

yes

[dood]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

u'll lose ur 105K

[ATR]

i deferred for a year from GW to make $ (my job paid over 6 figs)

Why did you leave that job?

[dood]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

Schools seem to grant deferrals based on their own whim. The best thing to do is to ask the school (it is even better if you can give a reason for deferring).

This might be hard since I don't have a job lined up coming out of undergrad. What are some common reasons for asking for a deferral?

my reason was to work in order pay back UG loans.

"i have a good paying job, lots of UG debt, debt adverse, would like to take this opp to pay down debt before accumulating moar b/c responsible thing to do, blah blah blah"

the lady at GW wrote a 1 sentence email back basically saying "cool, send us $500"

[bk1]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

u'll lose ur 105K

You are saying that 3.0 is really that hard?

[dood]

i deferred for a year from GW to make $ (my job paid over 6 figs)

Why did you leave that job?

b/c it wasnt what i wanted to do with my life and no amount of money > chance to pursue ur dreams. plus i wasnt being challenged.

[dood]

Is GW the only school that has non binding deferal? Been offered 105k at GW and I'm seriously considering deferring for a year because I'm in a similar situation with a 168/3.8ish GPA (not graduated yet). If I can break 170, I hope to ED to one of MVP (P or V preferably).

u'll lose ur 105K

You are saying that 3.0 is really that hard?

no, im saying u wont get ur scholly at gw if u defer. u'll still be welcomed with open arms next year, but u'll be paying sticker.

[bk1]

no, im saying u wont get ur scholly at gw if u defer. u'll still be welcomed with open arms next year, but u'll be paying sticker.

Ah okay, got it.

[FiveSermon]

Lame. But expected.