3.55, High 150's, DISCIPLINARY RECORD Forum

[KowboysUp]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here but I've been reading from time to time for over a year now. I just started applying following the December LSAT (because I'm an idiot and waited) and I'm just now fully coming to realize how badly my disciplinary record might hurt me in the application process, so I wanted to see what everyone else thinks. First some background:

- University of Massachusetts undergrad, Political Science major and Philosophy minor
- Not sure what the GPA will be after adjustment but it's currently 3.61 and I am expecting a slight drop once my transfer record is calculated in, though it could be the opposite, so I'm going with a 3.55 give or take as my working GPA.
- Just took the LSAT, but I was practice testing at around 158 almost every time, hit in the low 160's on only one PTest so that is unlikely, especially with how hard the December test was.

Now the important stuff, my disciplinary record:
- I was written up for drinking in the dorms my Sophomore year at Umass. This is akin to saying I was breathing at Umass, but I'm sure law schools don't prefer such things. I completed an alcohol education course and paid a fine.
- I was convicted in civil court of providing alcohol to minors and sanctioned by the University, as well as being given 40 hrs. of community service, which I am currently completing. I was, in fact, providing alcohol to two 20 year old friends who would be eligible to fight and die for their country, but not have a beer, but that's an argument for another day
- I was arrested and plead no contest in New Hampshire to charges of "Possession of an area with a controlled substance in it", and that substance was Marijuana. Now, Marijuana was and is still decriminalized in Massachusetts where I live and plan to attend law school, but something tells me that won't matter very much.

That was all way more long-winded than bullet points should be, but here's the question part:

With my numbers and those disciplinary records, assuming a strong application, personal statement, and of course, addendum, what are my chances at these six schools: Boston University, Northeastern, Suffolk, New England School of Law, Miami (Fla), and University of San Diego?

Thanks ahead of time for any help, I'm freaking out!

[JayTal]

With killer addendums and a score in the high 150s, Miami, Suffolk, and NESL might be possible.

[jks289]

BU seems like a crazy reach, but I applied to Harvard so no judgement here. Everything else looks roughly on target. Try lawschoolpredictor.com for better answers.

When you write you disciplinary addendum you are going to need to stop with the excuses. What matters is that you violated the law, not that you don't agree with the law in the first place. As an officer of the court it will be your obligation to uphold laws, or work through legal channels to change them. You don't get to decide which ones you follow. Just state what happened, say you realize your mistake, have matured, and that these issues will not come up again. They aren't serious offenses and as long as you disclose it, I doubt it will be a big problem.

[KowboysUp]

Thank you both for your replies.

I realize BU is a crazy reach, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't make that reach for the school I've wanted to go to for the last three years that is in my back yard, so I'm going to do it anyway.

I hear what you're saying about the excuses, this is a discussion board so the tone is very different. I wasn't planning on whining in the addendum.

Thanks again!

[kanji4488]

not bad

[NYVA311]

Almost definitely yes for all of those schools except BU, and I have no idea about San Diego. Money at NESL and Suffolk possibly.

[Moon_Man]

None of the incidents are particularly bad at all, it is just that there are three of them, which may indicate that you are not the sharpest tool in the shed, which in turn is much more concerning than the underlying conduct.