Reapplication Decision

[Estro_lema]

Hello. I'm fairly new to this, but would appreciate any advice I can get.

My stats: 3.8/171. KJD, average sorts, volunteer work. White male. Top state university.

Out from HYS. In at Chicago ($15k/yr) and Columbia. Should I withdraw and reapply? I would retake the LSAT. Last year, (at the advice of my prelaw advisor, which I now regret...) I rushed and studied like mad for 6 weeks to take the June LSAT. Was still improving on my PT's.

My rationale would be for another shot at HYS and/or to secure a half/full scholarship at Chicago or Columbia (both of which are schools that I already love, though Columbia a bit more).

What are the risks? It seems like a gamble and I might not be willing to accept the worst outcome (which would be...?).

Thanks for your input.

[xylocarp]

Only one thread per topic please. I'm locking this one because the other has a response, but PM me if you want it the other way around.

Edit: Switched at the request of OP

[R. Jeeves]

How much $ do you have from other t14s?

[Estro_lema]

How much $ do you have from other t14s?

$30k/yr at Duke, UVA, Michigan.

[R. Jeeves]

I think the worst case scenario is you getting YP'd at the lower T-14s that you've already been accepted to and turned down $ from while also failing to get into HYS or CCN with more $.

But if you're sure you can bump your LSAT by a couple points its worth it IMO. What will you be doing during your year off (besides LSAT prep)? Also is your GPA going to change at all?

[Mack.Hambleton]

Retake reapply and get some WE. Easy

[jbagelboy]

Congrats on getting into great schools! Since you're k-jd, I'm always supportive of waiting and reapplying (not really to get into a different school at a higher price, but to receive a higher scholarship at schools you're already admitted to). I think Chicago or Columbia with $45k-$50k isn't a bad choice per se, but with your grades, youth and room for improvement, taking another year or two before making this choice is very sensible.

[CanadianWolf]

Retake if you feel confident that you can improve. Just 2 more points (173) should substantially enhance your law school options. If you can improve by 3 points to a 174, then you should be admitted everywhere & you should receive a few T-14 full tuition scholarship offers.

[Tiago Splitter]

I would try to negotiate one of Duke, UVA or Michigan up to something closer to full tuition. Nothing wrong with waiting though.

[Rigo]

I would try to negotiate one of Duke, UVA or Michigan up to something closer to full tuition. Nothing wrong with waiting though.

This.
What are your career goals, OP?

[Estro_lema]

If I wait a year, I would most likely spend it in a small/unknown firm in Germany. I'm bilingual and am interested in international arbitration or even immigration or international human rights (ie wide, international interests). I definitely would not be doing anything related to that if abroad this next year, though. I also don't see my GPA changing by more than .01, max .02.

A note: I'm from the Maryland area and I also like UVA's offer, but pulstar's worst case scenario is something that I have also been thinking about.

[R. Jeeves]

I'm not sure what the odd's of the previously mentioned worst case scenario occurring actually are. I'm guessing that if you score a 173+, work in Germany for a bit, and blanket the T-14 when you reapply, then you'll probably be in a good spot.