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Hello Everyone,

I have a hypothetical question of sorts.

I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at Northwestern and I would like to enroll in their law program next year if accepted. Looking at the traits and qualities Northwestern Law is looking for, I feel like they are very similar to my graduate program and I also feel like I would be a strong canidate. Here's the issue, my LSAT was not the best (a mediocre 155. My undergrad GPA was about 3.8 from Arizona State and my professional work experience is much greater than most individuals my age (7 years working for a top credit card and financial corporation on priority projects at 23 years old). Additionally, I have shown I can perform well in the classroom and I was strong enough for another one of the university's graduate programs. I think if I can obtain the interview, I can sell myself enough to get in.

However, obtaining the interview may not even happen with my LSAT score. While working full time in a high stress position and attending graduate school, I will have virtually no time to study to retake the LSAT (which was part of the problem in my first test). In an ideal world, I would get in the first time but I am not very confident it will happen until my LSAT score improves.

All of this leads me to the question: If I apply this fall and do not get in, will it harm my chances of getting in when I reapply in fall of 2013 after I have graduated from my current graduate program and had a chance to devote time to retaking the LSAT?

Thanks in advance to anyone who read through all of my rambling and has an opinion on the matter.

99% chance you won't get in with that lsat

pretty sure anyone can schedule an interview with NU. They really stress it as part of the application.
I hope your WE is full-time post-undergrad work experience or it won't carry as much weight as you hope.
Best bet is to study your ass off and retake. A 3.8 really isn't anything too special for NU, but if you can get up to a 168 or so you should have a decent shot at getting in.

also forgot to answer the question about reapplying. A first rejection won't matter, but save yourself the $116 and just retake the lsat before applying.

You won't be admitted now unless your parents are super billionaires who can donate to the school. Admissions is based on test scores and GPA, nothing else. Don't let northwesterns work experience bent or your own work experience inflate your hopes too much. Just go and focus on the LSAT if you really want in.

Everyone gets an interview. retake

To answer your first question. It won't affect your second cycle

Frankly, I wouldn't even bother applying with the 155. Just wait, finish your graduate program, and study for the June or October LSAT, and apply next year.

But to answer your actual question, no, I don't think reapplying after a rejection would hurt you significantly.

ETA: all applicants get an interview as part of the application itself. It's not something that gets granted to a few like Harvard's JR1 or anything.

In case you're skeptical about all these claims about your chances, have a look at last year's cycle and what numbers people needed to get in:
http://northwestern.lawschoolnumbers.co ... Cycle=1112

If your PS reads like your posts then you won't even get in with a 170+

bdubs wrote:If your PS reads like your posts then you won't even get in with a 170+

It's a forum, not a personal statement, buddy.

j12 wrote:I hope your WE is full-time post-undergrad work experience or it won't carry as much weight as you hope.

My work experience has been full time all seven years but I have only been out of undergrad about two of those. I have been in various high level positions in the field and our corporate headquarters for about 5 years. Looking at my resume, my WE reads as someone in their late twenties to early thirties as apposed to early twenties. During my time, I have headed up multiple high dollar projects and have received multiple awards within my company.

My interviewer for the graduate program was quite impressed with my experience and raved how many of the MBAs she has interviewed for the program didn't have the experience I have. One of my current professors in my program is also a professor in the law program so I may attempt to obtain a LoR from him.

I do believe I will apply if it's not going to hurt me in the future. $100 is worth the shot in my eyes, and if I don't get in, it just means I will gain that much more work experience prior to applying accross the country rather than just in Chicago.

I appreciate your response and assistance!