interesting work experience, pretty good lsats, mediocre gpa Forum

[yurishima]

Numbers: 3.39 (with summa, honors thesis, etc.) with upward trend (ugpa ~3.85), but from an average state university (Florida)
Averaging 170ish on practice tests.

Taught English for one year in China after graduation/currently teaching second year in Japan. Decent skills in both languages (with tests to prove it), and a black belt in judo for good measure (even Y seems proud that it has a few black belts in its ranks!). I imagine good letters, one especially with strong connections to Duke.

My question is: will a high LSAT and interesting WE be enough to counterbalance my mediocre gpa and make a top 14 a possibility? I especially have my eye on Cornell, which offers a law in China study abroad thing. That gives me perfect ammunition for a PS.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[joebruin999]

Numbers: 3.39 (with summa, honors thesis, etc.) with upward trend (ugpa ~3.85), but from an average state university (Florida)
Averaging 170ish on practice tests.

Taught English for one year in China after graduation/currently teaching second year in Japan. Decent skills in both languages (with tests to prove it), and a black belt in judo for good measure (even Y seems proud that it has a few black belts in its ranks!). I imagine good letters, one especially with strong connections to Duke.

My question is: will a high LSAT and interesting WE be enough to counterbalance my mediocre gpa and make a top 14 a possibility? I especially have my eye on Cornell, which offers a law in China study abroad thing. That gives me perfect ammunition for a PS.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Work experience doesn't count for shit. All schools care about are numbers and URM

[joebruin999]

Numbers: 3.39 (with summa, honors thesis, etc.) with upward trend (ugpa ~3.85), but from an average state university (Florida)
Averaging 170ish on practice tests.

Taught English for one year in China after graduation/currently teaching second year in Japan. Decent skills in both languages (with tests to prove it), and a black belt in judo for good measure (even Y seems proud that it has a few black belts in its ranks!). I imagine good letters, one especially with strong connections to Duke.

My question is: will a high LSAT and interesting WE be enough to counterbalance my mediocre gpa and make a top 14 a possibility? I especially have my eye on Cornell, which offers a law in China study abroad thing. That gives me perfect ammunition for a PS.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Work experience doesn't count for shit. All schools care about are numbers and URM

TITCR

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

Work experience doesn't count for shit. All schools care about are numbers and URM

TITCR

Did you really just do that?

[HBK]

Work experience doesn't count for shit. All schools care about are numbers and URM

TITCR

Did you really just do that?

That was really douchey of him. However, TITCR.

[yurishima]

Okay, well, if work experience "doesn't count for shit," then what would you suggest I do to improve my chances? I have a few months ahead of me to bring my lsat up the last critical points. And I'll have maybe five months or so to kill when I go back to America. Any ideas on what I could do in those five months to spice up my application?

[Mosca]

Okay, well, if work experience "doesn't count for shit," then what would you suggest I do to improve my chances? I have a few months ahead of me to bring my lsat up the last critical points. And I'll have maybe five months or so to kill when I go back to America. Any ideas on what I could do in those five months to spice up my application?

Study for the LSAT.

[yurishima]

Okay, so... my plan is as follows: study for the LSAT, go back to America, study for the LSAT some more.

I can tell my immediate future is going to be really exciting!

[Holly Golightly]

Okay, so... my plan is as follows: study for the LSAT, go back to America, study for the LSAT some more.

I can tell my immediate future is going to be really exciting!

As someone with a slightly lower GPA and some similar work experience, I can say with some certainty that this is exactly what you should do. If you get >170 on the LSAT, you should be able to crack T14. Also, try to get ANY job when you're back in the U.S. so you don't have a hole in your resume. Good luck!

[memaha]

Okay, so... my plan is as follows: study for the LSAT, go back to America, study for the LSAT some more.

I can tell my immediate future is going to be really exciting!

As someone with a slightly lower GPA and some similar work experience, I can say with some certainty that this is exactly what you should do. If you get >170 on the LSAT, you should be able to crack T14. Also, try to get ANY job when you're back in the U.S. so you don't have a hole in your resume. Good luck!

+1 get the 170+

[Bauer24]

Work experience is only useful for Northwestern.. without it, you will probably not get in. With it, your chances are really good- given an LSAT in the 170's.

[Holly Golightly]

Work experience is only useful for Northwestern.. without it, you will probably not get in. With it, your chances are really good- given an LSAT in the 170's.

And this is why I'm probably going to NU next year.

[yurishima]

Work experience is only useful for Northwestern.. without it, you will probably not get in. With it, your chances are really good- given an LSAT in the 170's.

And this is why I'm probably going to NU next year.

...I've always wanted to live in the greater Chicago area!

[sluguy14]

Northwestern's a hell of a school. Nail that LSAT.

[yurishima]

People's College of Law's a hell of a school. Nail that LSAT.

After thoroughly researching the subject, I have come to the conclusion that the People's College of Law does not even CONSIDER the LSAT in its admissions process!

Just what kind of game are you playing with me, you rascal?!