I got a 165, and have a 3.8 at my degree school. (My composite is a bit lower, but I've been going to college part-time since my freshman year in high school (I got some C's in high school) and my GPA has steadily improved.

For T-14, I'm kind of counting on my softs. I studied abroad, externed at a law office, and am currently taking a year off to work abroad. I also have good volunteer experience: I was in a service fraternity, spent spring breaks working in third world countries, and rehab centers, and volunteer here as well.

I've already applied to a few schools--Illinois, Vanderbilt, William and Mary, GMU, and a few pipe dreams in T-14.

I feel so in the middle---I'm obviously outside T-14 with my 165....but there's that hope that my softs and GPA will push me over.

What do you all think?

Your best shot in the t-14 is Cornell... but not gonna lie, it ain't looking good. Apply non-binding early action! I think the deadline is Nov 15th.

Throw in GW/BU/BC if you're interested in those. You'll probably get into 2 of the 3.

Edit: No longer applicable

what's your actual GPA? The cum. GPA is the one that matters, not your degree GPA... and IMO, your softs aren't good enough to push you over at a reach

Thanks! My composite GPA is a 3.6. It just blows my mind that colleges would count C's I got as a freshman and sophomore in high school taking college level courses against me---especially considering my extremely upward grade trend.

I've now applied to

UVA (#1 choice-applied late and was waitlisted last year. [I have some things working in my favor for getting in there--but only there--I'm kind of queestioning my decision not to go ED there.])

Michigan (Applied early, but not early decision--want to keep my options open)
Vanderbilt
Boston University
Notre Dame
Illinois
George Mason
William and Mary
St. Thomas (Interested in Public Interest work)

I am applying ASAP to:
UNC
Cornell
UC-Berkely
WUSL
UCLA

Am considering applying to:
GW
Indiana
Colorado
Florida
Fordham

With a 165 and a 3.6 your target schools are #20-30. Softs will most likely not push you over the edge to crack T14. Consider a retake if you won't be happy outside the T14.

With that, a lot of 20-30s won't bite either :/

Really? I thought with a 165, 3.6 OP would have a pretty solid shot at BU, Fordham, Emory and to a lesser extent WUSTL

oh dear, this thread makes me nervous.

hmm

Softs can push you over the top at a T14 with a 164-166 and 3.6-3.8. There's a good chance you'll have to do it from the waitlist, and the odds are certainly again you, but there are plenty of examples that show that it can happen. There's no magic type of soft; the biggest thing is how you present yourself. Use every chance you get (extra essays, addenda, whatever) to expand on yourself, how you fit the school, etc. If you can get the adcomms to fall in love with you, they can make space for you, especially if you applied early when there's more space to work with...

agree T14 is out but blanket 20-30, the 165 this early in the game will open some doors

I applied last cycle with a 166, 3.5 and was in at Emory, BU, Fordham and ND and was out or WL at WUSTL, BC, and GW.

I think OP should be in decent shape if he blankets 20-30. T14 (or UT/Vandy/UCLA) is not happening though imo.



Hate to say it, but your GPA is 3.6. It sucks that classes in HS lowered it, but that's how it works. It's good to have a strong upward trend, but don't be under the impression that you are going to be viewed as equivalent to other applicants with an 3.8 LSDAS GPA. The schools have to report your 3.6, therefore you are viewed as a 3.6 applicant.

my mistake. didn't see his follow-up.