Female URM 3.1/173 Forum

[JDhopeful7]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to TLS, and while I have found a ton of information already on this site, I'm curious as to what my chances of a Top 25 acceptance are. I will be applying extremely early in the 2012 cycle.

GPA 3.1 (current GPA; possibility to slightly raise it by graduation)
LSAT 173
URM (AA and NA)
Decent Softs
Some Work Experience

Also, should I pursue a one-year master's program during my "off year" between undergrad and law school, or use the year to gain some work experience? Thank you for your time and responses!

[ConfusedLawMan]

HYS

[cinephile]

I would work and save during the year off. A masters won't be much a boost for admissions, so only go for it if it's something you're really interested in.

[JDhopeful7]

Thank you for your responses. I feel like my GPA is way too low for HYS, but I'll apply to those as my extreme reaches. I would prefer to work rather than paying a significant amount of money for a degree that may not help my career.

Also, should I write an addendum explaining my low GPA? I have a health condition (auto-immune/blood disorder) that has placed me in the hospital several times and/or required me to take several strong medications (for up to 3-4 weeks at a time) throughout my undergrad years. The middle of my junior year is when my doctors and I finally "got a hold" of my condition and it is quite clear how much better I perform when I'm healthy (I have averaged a 3.7+ since). Should I explain this in an addendum and/or mention that it will not be a problem during law school?

[arism87]

Thank you for your responses. I feel like my GPA is way to low for HYS, but I'll apply to those as my extreme reaches. I would prefer to work rather than paying a significant amount of money for a degree that may not help my career.

Also, should I write an addendum explaining my low GPA? I have a health condition (auto-immune/blood disorder) that has placed me in the hospital several times and/or required me to take several strong medications (for up to 3-4 weeks at a time) throughout my undergrad years. The middle of my junior year is when my doctors and I finally "got a hold" of my condition and it is quite clear how much better I perform when I'm healthy (I have averaged a 3.7+ since). Should I explain this in an addendum and/or mention that it will not be a problem during law school?

Short answer: Yes, I definitely would! Glad you're healthy now

[TommyK]

Thank you for your responses. I feel like my GPA is way to low for HYS, but I'll apply to those as my extreme reaches. I would prefer to work rather than paying a significant amount of money for a degree that may not help my career.

Also, should I write an addendum explaining my low GPA? I have a health condition (auto-immune/blood disorder) that has placed me in the hospital several times and/or required me to take several strong medications (for up to 3-4 weeks at a time) throughout my undergrad years. The middle of my junior year is when my doctors and I finally "got a hold" of my condition and it is quite clear how much better I perform when I'm healthy (I have averaged a 3.7+ since). Should I explain this in an addendum and/or mention that it will not be a problem during law school?

Yes, this is exactly the kind of situation that addenda are useful for, IMO.

I would blanket the t10 schools that you wouldn't be opposed to living near. You may be out of contention for HYS b/c of gpa, but I think it would be worthwhile to throw out an application because your lsat puts you in a very select group of 170+ URMs. Throwing out some regionals T25s as well because you'll get some offers for some full-rides there and graduating with low debt is nice.

[JDhopeful7]

Thank you arism87 and Tommy K - I'll make sure I write one. How understanding do you think adcomms will be upon reading the addendum? Also, I've been researching some fields to work in during my year off and I'm really considering a paralegal position - will this work experience give my application a boost?

[Drake014]

Thank you arism87 and Tommy K - I'll make sure I write one. How understanding do you think adcomms will be upon reading the addendum? Also, I've been researching some fields to work in during my year off and I'm really considering a paralegal position - will this work experience give my application a boost?

If you can wrangle a paralegal job, do so.

[d34d9823]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to TLS, and while I have found a ton of information already on this site, I'm curious as to what my chances of a Top 25 acceptance are. I will be applying extremely early in the 2012 cycle.

GPA 3.1 (current GPA; possibility to slightly raise it by graduation)
LSAT 173
URM (AA and NA)
Decent Softs
Some Work Experience

Also, should I pursue a one-year master's program during my "off year" between undergrad and law school, or use the year to gain some work experience? Thank you for your time and responses!

I think HYS is almost certainly out with that GPA, but you're a double URM, so who knows? Make sure you check both boxes and submit a diversity statement.

WE > Masters, Paralegal > generic WE.

[arism87]

Thank you arism87 and Tommy K - I'll make sure I write one. How understanding do you think adcomms will be upon reading the addendum? Also, I've been researching some fields to work in during my year off and I'm really considering a paralegal position - will this work experience give my application a boost?

I think adcomms will be understanding about the GPA- unfortunately numbers are numbers and rankings are rankings. That said, I'm sure your GPA is preferable to someone else's with no explanation/ no reason to think their academic performance will change in LS

[dr123]

why spend money on a masters if you can make money working?

[d34d9823]

Thank you arism87 and Tommy K - I'll make sure I write one. How understanding do you think adcomms will be upon reading the addendum? Also, I've been researching some fields to work in during my year off and I'm really considering a paralegal position - will this work experience give my application a boost?

I think adcomms will be understanding about the GPA- unfortunately numbers are numbers and rankings are rankings. That said, I'm sure your GPA is preferable to someone else's with no explanation/ no reason to think their academic performance will change in LS

Agreed, but Yale's GPA low this year was 3.35. Harvard's was probably lower, but you have to be pretty damn special to have the lowest GPA in the entering class.

[arism87]

Thank you arism87 and Tommy K - I'll make sure I write one. How understanding do you think adcomms will be upon reading the addendum? Also, I've been researching some fields to work in during my year off and I'm really considering a paralegal position - will this work experience give my application a boost?

I think adcomms will be understanding about the GPA- unfortunately numbers are numbers and rankings are rankings. That said, I'm sure your GPA is preferable to someone else's with no explanation/ no reason to think their academic performance will change in LS

Agreed, but Yale's GPA low this year was 3.35. Harvard's was probably lower, but you have to be pretty damn special to have the lowest GPA in the entering class.

To some extent yeah, but since averages don't matter youd think the actual GPA would be somewhat irrelevant once it's below the 25th.. Then again, as you point out, that doesn't seem to be entirely true.

Regardless, I think OP will have a great cycle

[JDhopeful7]

I think it would be close to a miracle if I saw an acceptance to HYS, but I'll apply to those schools just in case I'm due for a miracle. I'll be applying to all of the California schools as well, since I'm a resident. I know Boalt is another reach because they love high GPAs, but what about my chances of getting into UCLA, USC, UCD, and UCI? Here are the schools I'm considering to apply to:

The Top14 (Boalt, Michigan and Cornell are my dream schools) and
UCLA
USC
UCD
UCI
George Washington
Notre Dame
Boston U
Illinois
Fordham
Hastings
Loyola-LA
San Diego
Pepperdine
Arizona

[ndirish2010]

I think it would be close to a miracle if I saw an acceptance to HYS, but I'll apply to those schools just in case I'm due for a miracle. I'll be applying to all of the California schools as well, since I'm a resident. I know Boalt is another reach because they love high GPAs, but what about my chances of getting into UCLA, USC, UCD, and UCI? Here are the schools I'm considering to apply to:

The Top14 (Boalt, Michigan and Cornell are my dream schools) (In everywhere MVPB down...chance at CCN, outside chance HYS)
UCLA
USC
UCD
UCI
George Washington- $$
Notre Dame- $$
Boston U- Probably in, though they like higher GPAs
Illinois- $$$
Fordham- In, they are pretty stingy though
Hastings
Loyola-LA
San Diego
Pepperdine
Arizona

I know nothing about the UC schools or USC.

[d34d9823]

I think it would be close to a miracle if I saw an acceptance to HYS, but I'll apply to those schools just in case I'm due for a miracle. I'll be applying to all of the California schools as well, since I'm a resident. I know Boalt is another reach because they love high GPAs, but what about my chances of getting into UCLA, USC, UCD, and UCI? Here are the schools I'm considering to apply to:

The Top14 (Boalt, Michigan and Cornell are my dream schools) and
UCLA
USC
UCD
UCI
George Washington
Notre Dame
Boston U
Illinois
Fordham
Hastings
Loyola-LA
San Diego
Pepperdine
Arizona

Don't waste your time past T14 unless you want UCLA. IMO you are a lock for T6.

[JDhopeful7]

I think it would be close to a miracle if I saw an acceptance to HYS, but I'll apply to those schools just in case I'm due for a miracle. I'll be applying to all of the California schools as well, since I'm a resident. I know Boalt is another reach because they love high GPAs, but what about my chances of getting into UCLA, USC, UCD, and UCI? Here are the schools I'm considering to apply to:

The Top14 (Boalt, Michigan and Cornell are my dream schools) and
UCLA
USC
UCD
UCI
George Washington
Notre Dame
Boston U
Illinois
Fordham
Hastings
Loyola-LA
San Diego
Pepperdine
Arizona

Don't waste your time past T14 unless you want UCLA. IMO you are a lock for T6.

So no safeties? Also, would ED to Michigan or UCLA help?

[d34d9823]

So no safeties? Also, would ED to Michigan or UCLA help?

I'm hesitant to give advice that you may rely on, but my gut feeling is that you will get T6. Have you posted in the URM thread or talked to Gaia? I would trust their advice more than mine.

[20121109]

I think it would be close to a miracle if I saw an acceptance to HYS, but I'll apply to those schools just in case I'm due for a miracle. I'll be applying to all of the California schools as well, since I'm a resident. I know Boalt is another reach because they love high GPAs, but what about my chances of getting into UCLA, USC, UCD, and UCI? Here are the schools I'm considering to apply to:

The Top14 (Boalt, Michigan and Cornell are my dream schools) and
UCLA
USC
UCD
UCI
George Washington
Notre Dame
Boston U
Illinois
Fordham
Hastings
Loyola-LA
San Diego
Pepperdine
Arizona

Don't waste your time past T14 unless you want UCLA. IMO you are a lock for T6.

So no safeties? Also, would ED to Michigan or UCLA help?

Don't ED to Michigan. You will get in RD, and there is no reason to deprive yourself of better opportunities.

You will get into the T14 quite easily. Hold out for possible HYS, be happy with T6 or T7-14 with money.

[20121109]

So no safeties? Also, would ED to Michigan or UCLA help?

I'm hesitant to give advice that you may rely on, but my gut feeling is that you will get T6. Have you posted in the URM thread or talked to Gaia? I would trust their advice more than mine.

<3

LOL...OP feel free to PM me, if you like

[SupraVln180]

I would say HYS- out, CCN- probably in at least one of them, Rest of T-14- In

URMs get boost for their LSAT, not GPA (except rare cases). So basically, you'd be viewed as a 3.1/180. Which is good, but your GPA is still real low. I think one of CCN will bite and you'll get $$$ at lower T-14.

[d34d9823]

URMs get boost for their LSAT, not GPA (except rare cases).

Kinda like HYP grads get boosts for their PS scores, not their LSAT, amirite?

[PEguy]

try hard as you possible can to raise your grades... seriously, sacrifice all of your life for your remaining time at school and get a 4.0 and try to raise to like 3.3.... if you get up there you'll have a shot at a good school with that LSAT and being a URM... and by good I mean top 14 easily.

[d34d9823]

try hard as you possible can to raise your grades... seriously, sacrifice all of your life for your remaining time at school and get a 4.0 and try to raise to like 3.3.... if you get up there you'll have a shot at a good school with that LSAT and being a URM... and by good I mean top 14 easily.

Yeah, I dunno how much time you have left, but I could see HYS if you could get to a 3.3-3.5.

[JDhopeful7]

try hard as you possible can to raise your grades... seriously, sacrifice all of your life for your remaining time at school and get a 4.0 and try to raise to like 3.3.... if you get up there you'll have a shot at a good school with that LSAT and being a URM... and by good I mean top 14 easily.

Yeah, I dunno how much time you have left, but I could see HYS if you could get to a 3.3-3.5.

I've been plugging in numbers in the lawschoolpredictor's GPA calculator. With all A+'s, I could see a 3.35...however, realistically, I can see myself improving my GPA to a 3.28-3.30. Of course I'll be shooting for that 3.35 however.

I also wanted to say thank you to all of those who answered my questions and contributed to this thread. You helped me out so much!! Good luck to all of you