What are my chances? 3.15 GPA, 170+ LSAT Forum

[James Bond]

I'm new here and I apologize if this has been answered before, but I'm wondering what kind of schools I should expect to get into. My GPA is currently a 3.15 but my practice LSAT scores are north of 170 and I usually excel at testing. I was a jack-off my first two years of college, but I really pulled it together my junior year with 3.8's both semesters, and I don't plan on slowing down. I'm the vice president of my fraternity, a member of student government, a school Senator (made up of students, faculty, and administration), a regular political columnist for my school paper, and I have some quality, if unrelated, part-time work experience.

Oddly enough, when I was looking for undergrad I was in a similar situation...average to poor GPA and outstanding SAT scores...and it ended up screwing me over. Am I facing the same thing for law school? Does anyone have a similar experience?

[muddywaters]

Most will tell you to come back when you have a real LSAT score. Assuming you get a 170 (which is a big assumption), you have a shot at a top-14 school (not a great shot, though)

[Aeroplane]

http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com

170+ will give you a shot at T14. 172+ and a good application and I think you'd have a >50% shot.

Edit: I mean >50% of getting into at least one, not >50% at each one.

[creditedresponse1]

With a 170, Cornell is very likely.

[Marko Ramius]

With a 170, Cornell is very likely.

With a 170, Cooley is even more likely.

[James Bond]

Would I theoretically get some money from any of these school projections (which are a bit higher than I expected I might add) or would I be better served going to a lower school (top 50 or top 25 versus top 14) since I might get more scholarship money.

And just to clarify, I could theoretically get into Duke with those kind of scores? I'm far more interested in working in North Carolina or Florida then New York.

[Aeroplane]

Would I theoretically get some money from any of these school projections (which are a bit higher than I expected I might add) or would I be better served going to a lower school (top 50 or top 25 versus top 14) since I might get more scholarship money.

Yes, you could theoretically get some money from T14 with a high enough LSAT. I did with 3.1/174. It's worth a shot. Again, check out http://www.lawschoolnumbers.com People's scholarship offers are listed in their profiles along with admissions results.

The better school/more $$ decision really depends on what kind of work you want after graduation, and what region you want to live in. I wouldn't worry about the ranking/money tradeoff until you have offers. Apply to enough schools that your options next spring are somewhat open in this regard.

[cameronfraser88]

Come back when you have an LSAT score.

[eth3n]

Come back when you have an LSAT score.

agreed. I was 170+ multiple times on proctored practice tests, and i 165'd the real thing.