Hi everyone,

I have been out of college for about a year now working, and am currently applying to these schools (all apps will be out in the next week)

Harvard
Columbia
Berkeley
UPenn
Northwestern
NYU
Duke
Michigan
Emory (alma mater, and a decent safety school)

Stats:
3.80 GPA (Business degree concentrating in finance, law)
171 LSAT

Softs:
Both recs come from professors I took undergraduate law classes with (for the law concentration in my degree)
Attended Emory, ranked #17 on USN
Will have 2 years work experience at a top 10 ranked business consulting firm
Was president of a major campus organization

Not sure how many of those softs matter, but more information better than less, right? As you can probably tell, I come from a slightly business oriented background. Any information on my chances at the above schools would be very helpful. Also, in case I reapply next cycle advice would be appreciated on how to strengthen my chances.

Thank you!

I'd say in at all but Harvard. But Columbia might be a WL/out, too.

In at all except Havard. Possibly WL/in at Columbia, several others with $$$

Thanks guys.

Just out of curiosity, one of my rec letters comes from a Harvard JD who wrote a directed letter to them... does that improve chances at all?

I don't think so. I would say out at Harvard and Columbia (LSAT-heavy and you're below the median), in everywhere else.

Is it one of Bain, McKinsey, or BCG? What kind of consulting?

i think you should gamble on HYS. I'd say in at at least NYU. If you applied to Chicago you'd get in there. I'm not all too sure why people think you are WL/out at Columbia. Columbia's 25th and 75th LSAT are 170 and 175, the GPAs are 3.6 and 3.81. There are means/medians on the site as well:

http://www.law.columbia.edu/jd_applican ... assprofile


Considering your GPA is at the 75th and your LSAT above the 25th, you should be accepted there without a problem. Harvard is 171/176, and GPA 3.76/3.96. Your numbers are at the lower end in both sections for Harvard but not outside their range so getting accepted isn't unlikely.

It's not one of those 3, but a very close competitor. A notch below in terms of prestige, but not by much.

Strategy consulting.

I'd also say out at Harvard and waitlisted/out at Columbia. Both put a great emphasis on LSAT (esp Columbia). I'd say he should try Stanford as well.

unrealistic reach:
harvard,stanford, yale

realistic reach:
--

target:
columbia,berkeley,penn,michigan

strong target:
nyu, chicago

safety:
northwestern,duke,emory

http://columbia.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats/0809/

Without a problem, eh?

Out of curiosity, how much would the ED have helped? Since I'm arguably borderline would it have pushed me over?

+1

Out at Harvard (maybe 10% chance)
Good chances at Columbia (> 50/50)
In at the rest

http://columbia.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,7&type=jd

I would also suggest applying to Chicago and Virginia (should be in at both).