Hi! After getting my scores back yesterday, I'm officially a splitter.
172 (up from 167 in June)/3.29 GPA
I'm a non traditional applicant. I had to work all through college for 40+ hrs a week tutoring others to pay off my subsidized tuition and to pay off some family debts (long story short, my originally well off family went bankrupt when I was 8 or 9, got screwed over by some bad lawyers during the process, and got into a lot of debt, which is also partly why I want to become a lawyer).
I have a grad degree with 3.63 GPA, though I know it's not going to be that relevant.
My absolute dream schools are NYU and Columbia, because I'm in NYC now, and my fiancé also works here. It's not impossible to relocate, but just not preferred. Do I have a shot at either of those schools? Which one should I ED at?
Another thing I'm thinking of is to retake in December. I was getting an average of 178 on PTs, so I could do better, but then I would be applying late. Assuming I can get a 178 in Dec (not at all guaranteed, but assume for the sake of argument), and applied when I get my score, would I have more chance of getting in NYU and Columbia than if I applied with my stats now?
Also, how do you guys get the fee waivers? Thank you for your advice, everyone!