Top Law Schools

Hi, I've been lurking TLS for a long time now, and I'd like to thank everyone for all the awesome advice.

I just scored a 164 on the October exam, and I have a 3.44 undergrad GPA from HYS (major is Economics). I'm just wondering what it would take to get me into a T14 school, preferably HYS. I don't really want to retake though, because I just don't have the time to study. I'm an analyst at a bulge-bracket investment bank, which means I work 80+ hours per week. Plus, I've already studied about 100 hours.

I am a multi-generational legacy at HYS (both undergrad and law school); would that help? I could also get a pretty famous attorney who's an alum of the same school to write me a LOR. Our bank is a client of his.

Also, my dad is a partner at a V10 firm. Would I be able to get a job at his firm with any old T14 degree?

I'm sorry if I seem like an asshole, I just want some advice. I'm not trying to take shortcuts, it's just really hard to find the time to study when you're an investment banker. I only get like 5 hours of sleep per night as is.

based on your stats, you probably arent getting a T14. nepotism may help you later tho.

also, if you are already an analyst, why chase the law pipedream? unless your dad can guarantee you a job, seems risky.

Ok, what if I got my LSAT score past 170? Say, within the HYS middle 50%. I know my GPA is below it.

It would take you getting a 3.7+ and a 173+. And no, unless he's the hiring partner. Firms tend to try to shield the recruiting process from nepotism.

GunningForPartner wrote:Ok, what if I got my LSAT score past 170? Say, within the HYS middle 50%. I know my GPA is below it.

H has a GPA floor of 3.7. You aren't getting in regardless to HYS with that GPA.

I'm really mainly looking at HYS. Say I get 173, their median. Would that + LORs + legacy + WE cut it? Also, I go to the undergrad school of the law school.

No chance at HYS due to that GPA.

Check out mylsn.info/search for an idea of your chances at certain schools with various scores. Also keep in mind that schools are increasingly looking for 170+ LSATs.

stillwater wrote:based on your stats, you probably arent getting a T14. nepotism may help you later tho.

also, if you are already an analyst, why chase the law pipedream? unless your dad can guarantee you a job, seems risky.

I want a JD/MBA. I already know I'm going to get into HYS b-school, and I just want to make sure I'll get into the JD program as well.

Could I apply to the b-school first and then apply to the LS during my first year at b-school? Would that give me a bump?

Ok, what if I got someone like Eric Holder to write me a LOR? (it's not Holder he went to CLS, but just imagine someone of that level of fame)

GunningForPartner wrote:Ok, what if I got someone like Eric Holder to write me a LOR? (it's not Holder he went to CLS, but just imagine someone of that level of fame)

I doubt that would change things. Your GPA is too low for HYS.

Can your parents afford to make a large donation? A really large one.

This smells like a flame to me, but in case it's not:

You're definitely out at YHS with a 3.44 regardless of your LSAT. A 169 would get you into Cornell and probably Michigan (at sticker), but anything below that will likely lock you out of the T14. Being a legacy won't help you. A recommendation from a famous attorney would not impress anyone. As for your dad being able to get you a job, why don't you ask him? In general, that's highly unlikely. Maybe your family connection helps you get an interview or something, but it won't fast-track you to getting hired.

By the way, I realize 100 hours is hard to come by for you, but that's really not very much studying compared to what most high-scorers on this forum put in.

GunningForPartner wrote:

stillwater wrote:based on your stats, you probably arent getting a T14. nepotism may help you later tho.

also, if you are already an analyst, why chase the law pipedream? unless your dad can guarantee you a job, seems risky.

I want a JD/MBA. I already know I'm going to get into HYS b-school, and I just want to make sure I'll get into the JD program as well.

Could I apply to the b-school first and then apply to the LS during my first year at b-school? Would that give me a bump?

No (as to a bump).

GunningForPartner wrote:Ok, what if I got someone like Eric Holder to write me a LOR? (it's not Holder he went to CLS, but just imagine someone of that level of fame)

This thread really strains credulity. In case you're real, no, the title alone does not impress anyone. The recommender needs to have directly evaluated your work -- preferably your academic work. Academic LORs are strongly favored.

Why don't you ask your dad about your hiring prospects? This forum wouldn't know about whether or not your dad's firm specializes in nepotism. And why would you want a JD/MBA if you want biglaw?

I don't think you could get into any "any old T-14" without a retake - no matter who your LORs come from.

No LSAT score increase will get you into HYS.

I smell Fordham.

Stick to analysis. Connections won't get you into law school. If that's your mindset you really are better suited to staying out of law, as with that GPA/LSAT/Unwillingness to retake, you are a lock out of the T14, and without a T14 name you won't get the gravitas that seems ever-so crucial in your way of thinking and strategy to success.

For a more tangible example, TTT-->HLS = nobody cares about TTT, he went to HLS! --- HYS-->TTT = How the hell did he not get into a T14?

Unfortunate truth: getting into HYS for undergrad actually raises the bar in many ways.

If you have to ask us if your connections will get you in, they won't.

You can still snag a T14 with a 170+ and your current work experience should set you up nicely for OCI after your 1L year.

GunningForPartner wrote: I work 80+ hours per week.

GunningForPartner wrote:I go to the undergrad school of the law school.

In case you're legit, you'll need to be at least in the mid 170's to have a fighting chance.

GunningForPartner wrote:Hi, I've been lurking TLS for a long time now, and I'd like to thank everyone for all the awesome advice.

I just scored a 164 on the October exam, and I have a 3.44 undergrad GPA from HYS (major is Economics). I'm just wondering what it would take to get me into a T14 school, preferably HYS. I don't really want to retake though, because I just don't have the time to study. I'm an analyst at a bulge-bracket investment bank, which means I work 80+ hours per week. Plus, I've already studied about 100 hours.

I am a multi-generational legacy at HYS (both undergrad and law school); would that help? I could also get a pretty famous attorney who's an alum of the same school to write me a LOR. Our bank is a client of his.

Also, my dad is a partner at a V10 firm. Would I be able to get a job at his firm with any old T14 degree?

I'm sorry if I seem like an asshole, I just want some advice. I'm not trying to take shortcuts, it's just really hard to find the time to study when you're an investment banker. I only get like 5 hours of sleep per night as is.

Pretty sure you are trying to take shortcuts.

But anyway, I have no idea how connections/nepotism works really for HYS Law (I've heard undergrad is a different story), but you would really need to retake. Have you considered quitting your job to study? It's a shitty option, but might be worth it, and it sounds like you probably are not doing this job just for the money to get by.

> multigenerational legacy
> HYS undergrad
> exploiting social connections
> sense of entitlement
>
> 164 / 3.44

Ahh, what beautiful schadenfreude

As much as I loathe people like you, there is at least one Yallie who got in with <170 and <3.8 because she was a legacy.

You aren't getting into "HYS" law schools with a 3.44 no matter what other factors you have; unfortunately for you, today's admission demographics make significantly more leeway for underprivileged and under-represented populations than for excessively privileged ones.

How did you get a job at an investment bank with below a 3.75 GPA anyway? It seems like you've already put your connections to good use.

What I would recommend if you are really committed to the attorney thing would be to:

1) Retake for 173+
2) Apply to CCNP and pray for Columbia; since you're still on the low end for GPA, otherwise, NYU or Penn will definitely take you
3) Go to whichever you get into (I'm assuming sticker won't be a problem since you're loaded), hopefully Columbia which has the same placement in NYC large firm work for all intents and purposes as the other top law schools and will satisfy your families' prestige-driven mentality (also they like ivy UG's), and if you want to pursue a joint MBA with Harvard or Stanford, they have a joint degree program between the three
4) Use your connections from there - no one on this board can truly tell you what they are worth. Ask daddy

Otherwise, if you think HBS or SBS will take you with a 3.44, just work another 2 yrs at your bank and go to business school. I wouldn't see law as an attractive option in your shoes

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MistakenGenius wrote:

GunningForPartner wrote:Ok, what if I got someone like Eric Holder to write me a LOR? (it's not Holder he went to CLS, but just imagine someone of that level of fame)

Unless you mean Obama or a Supreme Court Justice, then I cannot think of anyone with that level of fame. And no matter how many times you ask it doesn't change what everyone has told you. Your GPA is WAY too low for Harvard. Despite what others here say, some connections would definitely help, but yours will not. Sasha and Malia will have no trouble getting into law school. Notice how easy it was for Princess Beatrice to be accepted to our top schools. If you were a Rhodes scholar or Delta force member, things would be different, but you're not. Just retake, get above a 170+, and apply to other T14's and hope daddy's connections will help you out. And FYI, I absolutely despise you even though I sense a flame. I grew up poverty stricken and had to battle cancer while working my way through college. Then I see entitled brats who think they can skate by on their Daddy's coat tails.

Now now, don't go all Leninist over here.

I will also say that I think business school admissions are far more holistic at least than law school admissions. Too many people of low socioeconomic backgrounds are unable to get high GPA's (due to say, being first-generation college and not being able to navigate the system, having to work a ton during the week, etc) nor study for the LSAT for the time duration necessary for 170+ (due to having to work, familial disruptions, etc).

Law school caters far more to the privileged and smart but not to the underprivileged and smart. Business school allows you to get in through so many different paths that just about everyone has a chance.

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