What Would You Pick? (3.96/160)

[7StringIbanez]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

If I don't get accepted from any of the waitlists I'm on, I would most likely choose Iowa simply because its reputation would make it much easier to land a job. However, Indianapolis would leave me with a lot less debt.

I'm really hoping Virginia or UCLA will admit me, for obvious reasons.

The real question is whether it is better to have less debt and a degree from a less reputable school, or more debt and a degree from a more reputable school. Thoughts?

[gator1]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

If I don't get accepted from any of the waitlists I'm on, I would most likely choose Iowa simply because its reputation would make it much easier to land a job. However, Indianapolis would leave me with a lot less debt.

I'm really hoping Virginia or UCLA will admit me, for obvious reasons.

The real question is whether it is better to have less debt and a degree from a less reputable school, or more debt and a degree from a more reputable school. Thoughts?

as simple as this, look for the reputation of the undergrad institution as well. Most people are ignorant of law school rankings but they seem to know a lot about undergraduate rankings...Princeton Law School would surely beat U of Iowa any day, even though Princeton doesn't have a law school.

as for the whole "waitlisted" you cannot count on those at ALL - whoever puts you on a waitlist is sending you to limbo. If you can, pay the deposit and keep waiting for the waitlist but by all means go with what you have at hand.

[aspire2more]

I'd wait to hear from Iowa about scholarship money before putting down a deposit. If you get a scholarship there and not Illinois, UCLA, or Virginia, then your decision is a no-brainer.

[tea_drinker]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

Is the scholarship at IU-Indy $35K/year or total? Which side of the Miss. river do you want to work/live in?

[justadude55]

I'd wait at all of those schools - one is bound to accept you.

105k to IU: B is not a bad deal for a school that is DEFINITELY not leaving the top 30 anytime soon. you have to weigh the option of graduating with minimal debt.

I really don't think UVA or UCLA will happen, particularly the former. UVA really does not like accepting students with 160s (unless they're URM), because they believe these students will have a difficult time competing according to a video I saw on youtube of one of their professors and former admission deans.

I don't see WL, turning into $ and 105k to Indiana seems MUCH BETTER than sticket to Illinois or Minnesota IMHO.

[7StringIbanez]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

Is the scholarship at IU-Indy $35K/year or total? Which side of the Miss. river do you want to work/live in?

The IU-Indy scholarship is $35k/year, assuming I maintain a 3.0 GPA (should be doable). I'm looking to work in Chicago or somewhere close to it.

[tea_drinker]

The IU-Indy scholarship is $35k/year, assuming I maintain a 3.0 GPA (should be doable). I'm looking to work in Chicago or somewhere close to it.

Wait to hear if you get anything from Iowa, if not, UI-Indy seems like a good deal. Although, you should not bank on getting big law firm jobs from either.

[justadude55]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

Is the scholarship at IU-Indy $35K/year or total? Which side of the Miss. river do you want to work/live in?

The IU-Indy scholarship is $35k/year, assuming I maintain a 3.0 GPA (should be doable). I'm looking to work in Chicago or somewhere close to it.

Is 3.0 good standing? I have a large offer from them as well, and it says good standing.

You don't seem too excited about Indiana, and that might be the best offer you can get with a 160. If you could get waitlisted to UVA with a 160, a 165 and ED app would prob get you in. I know it's a bummer and a cliche, but no way you'd retake? That seems to be the only hole on your app if you managed a WL with a 160.

[CanadianWolf]

You worry is premature unless one of the law schools has a deadline before April. Unfortunately, you just need to send LOCIs & wait a few weeks.

[paulinaporizkova]

there's no way you can push your lsat up a little bit? gah, you're wasting a fantastic GPA

[tea_drinker]

You don't seem too excited about Indiana, and that might be the best offer you can get with a 160. If you could get waitlisted to UVA with a 160, a 165 and ED app would prob get you in. I know it's a bummer and a cliche, but no way you'd retake? That seems to be the only hole on your app if you managed a WL with a 160.

I think if he can get 5 or more points on LSAT, he doesn't have to ED his way in to UVA.

[ATR]

I'm really hoping Virginia or UCLA will admit me, for obvious reasons.

0% chance of that happening with a 160 LSAT. I would work my ass off and retake the LSAT in June, then reapply early next cycle for the following reason:

there's no way you can push your lsat up a little bit? gah, you're wasting a fantastic GPA

[Zabini]

I agree with a lot of the others...my first thought when I saw thread title was "retake, reapply." If you can push that LSAT into the 167+ range you'll be golden for a lot of quality t14. Much better school + another year removed from ITE seems like a clear decision to me.

[cmob]

Agree with everyone here... the only thing even worth semi considering is IU; the other schools just seem like bad economic decisions IMO. As a splitter I'd love to be in your position and have that GPA, which can seriously set you apart with a better LSAT.

A year off to kill the LSAT and get some softs will put you in the range of not only T-14 but also some serious money to make it all (relatively) cheap. Yeah, you technically lose a year, but think in terms of having to fight for a regional job or going anywhere you want with a 160k biglaw job because you dominated at Columbia without the crushing debt.

[JamMasterJ]

If you go to Indy, you will almost certainly end up in Indianapolis. Try to get Loyola to match the offer. With your stats you have a solid chance of getting more $ from them. Otherwise, pick Iowa or wait a year.

[Sandro]

I would pick retake.

[danquayle]

I would pick retake.

Ordinarily I don't like this advice because its so simplistic and doesn't take into account what else is going on in your life... BUT...

The difference between Iowa and Virginia is massive and you're already waitlisted at Virginia with a 160. If you can boost that a little, maybe you can get in.

[Sandro]

I would pick retake.

Ordinarily I don't like this advice because its so simplistic and doesn't take into account what else is going on in your life... BUT...

The difference between Iowa and Virginia is massive and you're already waitlisted at Virginia with a 160. If you can boost that a little, maybe you can get in.

I didn't even read OP. Barring a "get shot if I dont attend LS next year" situation (which are VERY prevalent on TLS) retaking is the ONLY option. Come on. You spent 4 years working hard for that GPA and in the end my crappy UGPA and good LSAT will beat you as far as admissions to schools.

[FiveSermon]

r take

[minnbills]

retake- don't waste that GPA. Even a 165 will open up a lot of doors for you.

[Patriot1208]

I'm currently trying to decide which school is my best option here. This is what my current pick looks like, omitting denials and schools which are obviously worse than these.

U Virginia-----------------Waitlisted
UCLA---------------------Waitlisted
U Illinois------------------Waitlisted
U Minnesota--------------Waitlisted
U Iowa-------------------Accepted, I don't think scholarships have been awarded yet
U Wisconsin--------------Waitlisted
Loyola U Chicago---------Accepted, $10k scholarship
Indiana U - Indianapolis---Accepted, $35k scholarship

If I don't get accepted from any of the waitlists I'm on, I would most likely choose Iowa simply because its reputation would make it much easier to land a job. However, Indianapolis would leave me with a lot less debt.

I'm really hoping Virginia or UCLA will admit me, for obvious reasons.

The real question is whether it is better to have less debt and a degree from a less reputable school, or more debt and a degree from a more reputable school. Thoughts?

as simple as this, look for the reputation of the undergrad institution as well. Most people are ignorant of law school rankings but they seem to know a lot about undergraduate rankings...Princeton Law School would surely beat U of Iowa any day, even though Princeton doesn't have a law school.

as for the whole "waitlisted" you cannot count on those at ALL - whoever puts you on a waitlist is sending you to limbo. If you can, pay the deposit and keep waiting for the waitlist but by all means go with what you have at hand.

lol