Not sure what to do, 3.14/175 Forum

[kerflux]

I originally took the LSAT in Oct and scored a 165, just retook in Feb and boosted up to 175. My GPA is an underwhelming 3.14. The schools I've applied to w/pending decisions that I'm worried about are: Northwestern, Duke, Cornell, Georgetown, USC, Davis. I also applied to UCLA (rejected ED), and UCI, UCH (WL) but I didn't ask for these three to hold my file for my feb score, so they evaluated it without that. I also threw apps to Notre Dame, Pepperdine, Loyola, USD, and SCU, but I'm not sure I plan on attending any of these.

Ultimately, I think I'd like to end up in Cali, where my ties are. I'm not dead set against anything, however. What schools do you think I should be pulling for, and do I have a legitimate shot at? Is the fact that my considered score from February going to hurt? Should I have sent more apps to t-14 schools, or would GPA likely have precluded me from them anyway?

Thanks for taking a minute to read and offer advice.

[srfngdd6]

you should prob hold off and apply next cycle...better chance of not only admission but $$$$$

[CanadianWolf]

Reapply next cycle to all tier one law schools that are of interest to you. Although I haven't checked lawschoolnumbers.com, you should receive significant scholarship money to WashUStL, Vanderbilt, GWU & maybe USC.

P.S. In my opinion, it would not be worthwhile to apply to any Top 6 law school due to your low GPA.

[83947368]

.

[bdubs]

you should prob hold off and apply next cycle...better chance of not only admission but $$$$$

OP: You won't be getting much if any money from the T14, or UCLA (if you were able to get in next cycle, which is questionable). If you get Northwestern then you should consider attending. If you want to wait out a cycle you might have a shot at Michigan or Penn, but it's not guaranteed.

You really shouldn't be considering the other schools on your list.

[kerflux]

Thanks, all.

Which would be the best t-14 option for returning to CA?
Is Georgetown a possibility?

[CanadianWolf]

UCLA. Oooops the new rankings aren't out yet. Nevermind.

[83947368]

.

[kerflux]

Do you guys think USC merits consideration?

[Tiago Splitter]

Do you guys think USC merits consideration?

USC is tough because they don't give out much money and typically give almost nothing to splitters. If you can land Northwestern it'd be tough to turn it down for 30K at USC.

[kerflux]

For some reason, I haven't been as enamored with NU as some of the other schools I mentioned - looking around and seeing the kind of recognition it's got on these boards as well as doing a little searching of my own has definitely piqued my interest level, though. Maybe it's the distinction that it has of requiring work-experience (which I do have) but I wondered how well I'd fit in as a 22 year-old.
The USC brand is very strong in CA, and I like LA - unsure about Chicago. Oh well, no point in extrapolating too much further when I don't even have a single acceptance yet

do you think SE disadvantage (included in PS & diversity) will offer any boost?

[Tiago Splitter]

For some reason, I haven't been as enamored with NU as some of the other schools I mentioned - looking around and seeing the kind of recognition it's got on these boards as well as doing a little searching of my own has definitely piqued my interest level, though. Maybe it's the distinction that it has of requiring work-experience (which I do have) but I wondered how well I'd fit in as a 22 year-old.
The USC brand is very strong in CA, and I like LA - unsure about Chicago. Oh well, no point in extrapolating too much further when I don't even have a single acceptance yet

do you think SE disadvantage (included in PS & diversity) will offer any boost?

I'm also from Southern California and hope to end up back there, but getting a good job is more important to me. You can go to Northwestern and get a biglaw job in LA much more easily then you can get a biglaw job in Chicago out of SC. Even with a 60K scholarship at USC, which is unlikely with your GPA, you'll need to work in biglaw or find a great LRAP to service the debt. The T-14 does a better job providing those things than USC.

The socioeconomic stuff might help a bit, but numbers will always matter far more.

[kerflux]

Point taken. Thank you.
It seems like NU / Gtown are probably my 2 most attractive options, if they're possibilities. This waiting gets old

[ColtsFan88]

I'm a 3.17/177 split, and I applied right when the October scores came out. I have an LSN profile under the name Bobeo if you want to take a look at my cycle.

Accepted: GWU, GTown, WUSTL$$, IUB$
WL: UCLA, UMich, ND
Rejected: UChi

[kerflux]

I'll look, thank you. Your numbers are more attractive; think those 2 points will make much of a difference?

And what option do you think you'll go with?

[t14fanboy]

OP I would apply to MVP on down along with UCLA and USC. Despite UCLA and USC favoring the GPA, there are several data points to suggest that your LSAT is high enough to snag an acceptance from them. Have you considered EDing to one of MVP? For example, Virginia is likely (pretty high likelihood) to be a waitlist and eventual reject, but a lock with ED.

[kerflux]

I'm planning on attending this cycle, & didn't apply to those schools... unless I become thoroughly convinced that doing otherwise would have a huge benefit, I'm probably going w/one of the schools that bites. Working a job that I despise and I already took a year off from UG. Not really able to save up so the take a year off to save for school doesn't really apply, either.
You think MVP offers much better prospects than Gtown/NU?

[Samara]

I'm planning on attending this cycle, & didn't apply to those schools... unless I become thoroughly convinced that doing otherwise would have a huge benefit, I'm probably going w/one of the schools that bites. Working a job that I despise and I already took a year off from UG. Not really able to save up so the take a year off to save for school doesn't really apply, either.
You think MVP offers much better prospects than Gtown/NU?

MVP is peer with NU, at least for biglaw, but are arguably better than GULC. If you don't get into NU or GULC, both of which will allow you to get back to CA, I would reapply next cycle with a better application strategy. You won't get Duke, Cornell is unlikely, USC is pretty iffy, and the others won't give you enough money to make it worth it.

[kerflux]

Sound advice; thank you.

I wish I had planned better for this cycle, but I received my score past most app deadlines. I figured USC would be difficult because of GPA, but I like the idea of attending school in CA

[09042014]

you should prob hold off and apply next cycle...better chance of not only admission but $$$$$

I would at least see how this cycle goes. If he gets NW, Cornell or Duke, they will never give him money.

As a splitter I'd take whatever t14 you get. You aren't likely to get anything but NW and GTown. Small shots at the rest of the lower t14, but not enough to recycle, unless you don't get any t14 this time.

[Samara]

Sound advice; thank you.

I wish I had planned better for this cycle, but I received my score past most app deadlines. I figured USC would be difficult because of GPA, but I like the idea of attending school in CA

Yeah, I hear you man. It sucks that all the splitter-friendly schools are in the Midwest. If you ride the waitlist though and do everything you can to get off of it, I bet you'll get NU this cycle. Check out the NU applicants thread for info on the waitlist and get connected to Dean Lee on G+: gplus.to/plusbyjohann

[kerflux]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your responses. I take it an ED to UVA isn't worth waiting an entire cycle if I get NU, in terms of CA portability?

[Samara]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your responses. I take it an ED to UVA isn't worth waiting an entire cycle if I get NU, in terms of CA portability?

Nope. UVa might be a little cheaper, due to COL, but doesn't place better.

[kerflux]

Well, got my first decision - held @ NU. How hard do you think it is to get pulled off of this?

[Samara]

Well, got my first decision - held @ NU. How hard do you think it is to get pulled off of this?

It seems like there are quite a few holds this cycle. That said, you'll have a definite leg up if you do the legwork. Do the optional essays, the hold interview if you can, follow Johann on G+, etc. Check the NU cycle thread for more details or PM me with any questions.