Will undergrad prestige matter? Forum

[Vauldin]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

I have a 171 and 3.95. Here are my softs;

Appointed by governor to serve two year term as CSU Student Trustee. Highest and most powerful position a student can hold.
Regional supervisor for two political campaigns.
Founder and president of Secular Student Alliance on campus.
Nationally ranked in moot court and mock trial.
President of moot court.
Washington D.C. congressional internship.
Over 100 hours volunteered at a food pantry in one of the poorest areas in the country.
Active in student government. Started a bike safety campaign and subsidized lock program with police department.
Published research paper on poverty in central california.

Now here's my problem. I went to CSU Fresno, which is not Stanford to say the least. It is not even remotely prestigous, and I'm against students from Harvard and such. With high numbers and what I think are strong softs, do I have a chance at t14? t10? t5?

[seancris]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

I have a 171 and 3.95. Here are my softs;

Appointed by governor to serve two year term as CSU Student Trustee. Highest and most powerful position a student can hold.
Regional supervisor for two political campaigns.
Founder and president of Secular Student Alliance on campus.
Nationally ranked in moot court and mock trial.
President of moot court.
Washington D.C. congressional internship.
Over 100 hours volunteered at a food pantry in one of the poorest areas in the country.
Active in student government. Started a bike safety campaign and subsidized lock program with police department.
Published research paper on poverty in central california.

Now here's my problem. I went to CSU Fresno, which is not Stanford to say the least. It is not even remotely prestigous, and I'm against students from Harvard and such. With high numbers and what I think are strong softs, do I have a chance at t14? t10? t5?

You're good.

[Kikero]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

I have a 171 and 3.95. Here are my softs;

Appointed by governor to serve two year term as CSU Student Trustee. Highest and most powerful position a student can hold.
Regional supervisor for two political campaigns.
Founder and president of Secular Student Alliance on campus.
Nationally ranked in moot court and mock trial.
President of moot court.
Washington D.C. congressional internship.
Over 100 hours volunteered at a food pantry in one of the poorest areas in the country.
Active in student government. Started a bike safety campaign and subsidized lock program with police department.
Published research paper on poverty in central california.

Now here's my problem. I went to CSU Fresno, which is not Stanford to say the least. It is not even remotely prestigous, and I'm against students from Harvard and such. With high numbers and what I think are strong softs, do I have a chance at t14? t10? t5?

Your numbers are good, being from a less than prestigious UG school doesn't change that. I graduated from a tiny private school nobody's heard of and I got some great offers, including a full tuition scholarship to a t14.

[Dany]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

No, it really doesn't. Aside from a shitty online degree or going to Princeton and graduating with highest honors, it's your numbers that are important, not your UG school.

[Shooter]

In this instance, undergraduate prestige will not matter.

UG prestige usually only matters in the sense that kids who graduate from higher ranked universities *generally* have better career prospects and more impressive extracurricular opportunities. You already have decent softs, so you'll probably get in everywhere your numbers would predict (i.e. money from t14, in at a couple t6 and decent shot at t3).

[Br3v]

No

[Tom Joad]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

I have a 171 and 3.95. Here are my softs;

Appointed by governor to serve two year term as CSU Student Trustee. Highest and most powerful position a student can hold.
Regional supervisor for two political campaigns.
Founder and president of Secular Student Alliance on campus.
Nationally ranked in moot court and mock trial.
President of moot court.
Washington D.C. congressional internship.
Over 100 hours volunteered at a food pantry in one of the poorest areas in the country.
Active in student government. Started a bike safety campaign and subsidized lock program with police department.
Published research paper on poverty in central california.

Now here's my problem. I went to CSU Fresno, which is not Stanford to say the least. It is not even remotely prestigous, and I'm against students from Harvard and such. With high numbers and what I think are strong softs, do I have a chance at t14? t10? t5?

I really do think it hurts your chances a little at HYS, but I am probably in the minority. I have really similar numbers to you which are borderline HYS and haven't had luck there yet, but they are a tough nut to crack for anybody. But rest assured, you will get good offers. Just blanket the T14 early and negotiate scholarships to get to the school you want to go to.

[tennisking88]

No one cares. I went to a high ranked school and it didn't help. Would've gotten into the same places had I gone to CSU. Just focus on your personal statement/recs and get your apps in early. You should be good.

PS: this is exactly the reason there's a standardized test. Since there are no required UG courses/majors for law schools, the schools are almost obligated to weigh the LSAT more. The fact that you got a 171 validates your high GPA.

[NJPitcher]

No one cares. I went to a high ranked school and it didn't help. Would've gotten into the same places had I gone to CSU. Just focus on your personal statement/recs and get your apps in early. You should be good.

PS: this is exactly the reason there's a standardized test. Since there are no required UG courses/majors for law schools, the schools are almost obligated to weigh the LSAT more. The fact that you got a 171 validates your high GPA.

Law schools couldn't care less where you went to undergrad. If your mom got accredited they'd be OK with whatever GPA you got taking courses in your basement for 4 years.

[CanadianWolf]

OP: You are in fine shape for all law schools.

[kalvano]

This question has been asked and answered, but the answer relies heavily on each applicants specific situation, so here is mine.

No, it doesn't. Stop trying to brag on the internet.