What are my chances at T14? - interesting profile
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:04 am
Here goes:
I hold 2 bachelor's degrees - one in philosophy and one in economics. I will also hold a master's in economics at the end of this academic year from a pretty well-reputed state school. My LSDAS GPA is 4.08. My master's GPA is around a 3.4. I've taken quite a few practice LSAT tests and have been scoring in the 170-175 range (more consistently at the top end of that range). Let's assume I do as well on the actual test when I take it soon (I know this is a strong assumption, but let's just go with it).
Now, there are a few things I'm worried about. First is the prestige of my undergraduate institution. It is a flagship, land-grant university. It's not well-regarded, but not looked down upon either. Second is my graduate GPA - is this something I should actually worry about or is it a relatively minor detail?
Third are some past (criminal) low-points of my youth. I was charged with a few misdemeanors as a minor (malicious destruction of property, 4th degree burglary, and a couple other less serious charges), but never received more than probation. Also, I was adjudicated delinquent of felony theft, was put on probation, completed a brief youthful offender program, and paid restitution. In my first couple of years at college, I received two underage drinking citations and a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. All were dismissed (possession was dismissed after 6 months unsupervised probation). After this point, I became very involved/invested in school. I have attended various conferences, presented papers I've written, won various scholarships and fellowships, etc. I was also in a few leadership positions during my later years of undergrad. When it comes down to it, I turned it around and haven't been in any legal trouble since (going on 4 years now).
I think my history and transformation has the potential to make me stand out, but, unfortunately, in both good and bad ways. I would really like to be able to attend one of the top 5 or 6 programs (especially Stanford), but would be happy with any of the top 14. I'm hoping you all can give me some advice (other than to be completely honest on my application - I absolutely will be) and express your perceptions of my chances. Thank you in advance!
I hold 2 bachelor's degrees - one in philosophy and one in economics. I will also hold a master's in economics at the end of this academic year from a pretty well-reputed state school. My LSDAS GPA is 4.08. My master's GPA is around a 3.4. I've taken quite a few practice LSAT tests and have been scoring in the 170-175 range (more consistently at the top end of that range). Let's assume I do as well on the actual test when I take it soon (I know this is a strong assumption, but let's just go with it).
Now, there are a few things I'm worried about. First is the prestige of my undergraduate institution. It is a flagship, land-grant university. It's not well-regarded, but not looked down upon either. Second is my graduate GPA - is this something I should actually worry about or is it a relatively minor detail?
Third are some past (criminal) low-points of my youth. I was charged with a few misdemeanors as a minor (malicious destruction of property, 4th degree burglary, and a couple other less serious charges), but never received more than probation. Also, I was adjudicated delinquent of felony theft, was put on probation, completed a brief youthful offender program, and paid restitution. In my first couple of years at college, I received two underage drinking citations and a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. All were dismissed (possession was dismissed after 6 months unsupervised probation). After this point, I became very involved/invested in school. I have attended various conferences, presented papers I've written, won various scholarships and fellowships, etc. I was also in a few leadership positions during my later years of undergrad. When it comes down to it, I turned it around and haven't been in any legal trouble since (going on 4 years now).
I think my history and transformation has the potential to make me stand out, but, unfortunately, in both good and bad ways. I would really like to be able to attend one of the top 5 or 6 programs (especially Stanford), but would be happy with any of the top 14. I'm hoping you all can give me some advice (other than to be completely honest on my application - I absolutely will be) and express your perceptions of my chances. Thank you in advance!