3.6, 161, URM (NA) Forum

[Hjones33]

Long time reader, first time poster. I have a 3.6 from a state school in the pacific northwest and got a 161 lsat. I am half Native American, half white (That is what I am so there doesn't need to be a discussion of just putting one or the other). I have heard that I will get the same "bump" as someone who just checked off NA, and have read that I will need to show a connection to my tribe in my DS. Anyway, what range of schools do you guys think I can get into? And with my URM status should I apply to schools where I am not close to the LSAT median? I am hoping for tier 1, but also will apply to Lewis and Clark because I really like Portland.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[sach1282]

Retake the LSAT IMO, with a 168+ the URM boost, and your decent GPA, you would be looking at T-14 instead of low T1.

[Tiago Splitter]

Retake the LSAT IMO, with a 168+ the URM boost, and your decent GPA, you would be looking at T-14 instead of low T1.

Retake is the correct answer, but low T-14 is already a possibility.

[sach1282]

Yeah, URM boost for NA is pretty big (according to conventional TLS wisdom anyway). I agree with Tiago, definitely apply to at least GULC/Cornell/Duke/Northwestern (if you have WE). But like I said above, with 168+ you could blanket the T-14 quite possibly get a T-6 acceptance or 2.

[JamMasterJ]

make sure to disclose tribal affiliation. A 168 would be consider for CCN

[Hjones33]

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate the responses. I studied a lot for the lsat to get a 161, but it was all self study. Could I improve it to a 168, even though I already studied for a 161? Would a class like testmasters help a lot?

And you actually think I have a shot to a lower t-14 school with a 161?? That would be awesome. Thanks again guys for the input.

Edit: BTW, I don't have any noteworthy WE, I am a senior in College.

[sach1282]

Yes, you have a shot at lower T-14 (albeit not a great shot) and are certainly in somewhere in the T30.

Personally, and I think many on TLS agree with me on this, self-study is superior to course study for the LSAT. I did both. The reason is that the course has to meet the needs of students with differing strengths/weaknesses and natural abilities. Self-study is always at the perfect pace, covering the material that you need. My first LSAT score (after taking a Kaplan course for the entire summer) was 161. I retook doing self-study and now I'm applying with a 171. Go for it!

[Hjones33]

Thanks a lot on the tips.

[Tiago Splitter]

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate the responses. I studied a lot for the lsat to get a 161, but it was all self study. Could I improve it to a 168, even though I already studied for a 161? Would a class like testmasters help a lot?

And you actually think I have a shot to a lower t-14 school with a 161?? That would be awesome. Thanks again guys for the input.

Edit: BTW, I don't have any noteworthy WE, I am a senior in College.

I improved 12 points after taking a Testmasters class. Sach is right that the class can go somewhat slowly for people with prior exposure to the test, but they also give you a huge amount of homework to do and review on your own. With your GPA and URM status, it won't take much of an improvement to get big money throughout the T-14. That said, you'd need to find something to do with your gap year as applying this cycle won't be possible with a retake.

[Hjones33]

Ya, I was thinking about taking a year off and retaking in June so I could apply early to most schools. Thanks for the info Tiago. I like the idea of being given a lot of homework and having more of a structured environment.


Also, Vanderbilt Law recently came to my school for a law school fair and talked about wanting more regional diversity. Is there actually a "regional diversity" bump? I am not asking for my own application process, I am just curious if people have found this to be true? Because a school like Vanderbilt probably doesn't get very many kids from Oregon. Is it more just of a tie-breaker kind of thing?