I graduated from Umass-Amherst with 2.998 in mathematics a few years back. That wasn't really a coincendence, I just wanted to graduate with a 3.0 and get it over with because I was an ROTC cadet. I'm finishing up my army contract now, did a deployment to Afghanistan, and will be getting out with the rank of Captain. How much consideration do law schools really give to work experience like this? I've been studying for the LSAT's and score in the 160's on practice tests, and I know with a few more months of dedicated studying I can break 170. I hear people talking about work experience all the time and I have no idea how much law schools really value it, or what percent of people are non-traditional students so its been hard for me to gauge my chances of acceptance. I know you can never create a formula for work experience, but I just don't know enough about these kinds of things to even understand how valuable my resume is.
I want to go to Boston College or Northeastern, is this the kind of person that those schools are typically is interested in? Any feedback or advice is appreciated.
NOTE: I'm not sensitive at all, so the truth is much more valuable than some sugar coated BS.
3.0 UGPA / Army Veteran Forum
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- Posts: 168
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2010 12:30 pm
Re: 3.0 UGPA / Army Veteran
I hear Northeastern is rather forgiving. The same w/ Northwestern. Just do the best you can to ensure that you score 170 or more. I have close to the same GPA... Northeastern should be a safe bet, but I wouldn't rely on anything but the numbers for help.
http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/
Hopefully, this site will help.
http://www.lawschoolpredictor.com/
Hopefully, this site will help.
- Grizz
- Posts: 10564
- Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:31 pm
Re: 3.0 UGPA / Army Veteran
First of all, many thanks for your service.
Secondly, what are your career goals? You're sub 3.0, which is normally a turn-off for schools, but you're close enough where it may not affect your cycle as much. The good news is that anecdotally, military service is one of the better softs. How much this will affect your cycle and distance you from your GPA it's tough to say for sure.
If I were you though, I'd aim for the 170+. I don't know how much money you have saved, but a 170+ gives you a great shot at respectable schools at whatever region you're aiming at, plus money too I would think. 171 or 172 should give you a decent ED shot at Northwestern. Not many sub 3.0s got into UVA, but a 170+ there might give you a shot ED as well.
Secondly, what are your career goals? You're sub 3.0, which is normally a turn-off for schools, but you're close enough where it may not affect your cycle as much. The good news is that anecdotally, military service is one of the better softs. How much this will affect your cycle and distance you from your GPA it's tough to say for sure.
If I were you though, I'd aim for the 170+. I don't know how much money you have saved, but a 170+ gives you a great shot at respectable schools at whatever region you're aiming at, plus money too I would think. 171 or 172 should give you a decent ED shot at Northwestern. Not many sub 3.0s got into UVA, but a 170+ there might give you a shot ED as well.
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- Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:35 pm
Re: 3.0 UGPA / Army Veteran
The GPA is going to hurt you, but if you get over a 170 on the LSAT I feel like you'll be good for the places you're looking at. I got waitlisted at Harvard with a 167 and a 3.72 and I think I would've just been straight up denied if I didn't have military experience. My advice is do everything in your power to break 170 and you should be able to get into the top 25.
- Dimsdale
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:26 pm
Re: 3.0 UGPA / Army Veteran
I had a 3.0/170 and left the Navy as an O-3. I was shut out of the T-14 (couple of waitlists) but I applied really late. I am certain it was the military experience that got me those waitlists because there were plenty of other people with my scores rejected outright. If you do get the 170 on the October LSAT, the biggest piece of advice I would give is to apply early. Have your apps ready to go the minute you get that score back. I would think you'd be a lock at Northeastern with a chance for some money, decent shot at BC. They have an early notification, not an early decision. Good luck and welcome back to civilian life.
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