Puerto Rican, 161, 2.46, Options? Forum

[towkthi]

161, 2.46 gpa
Puerto Rican

I already have a degree and 3 years of quality work experience at a government agency. I have been working on a BS in computer science over my lunch break and at night for the past year and a half and will be done before I enroll. My second run through undergrad has been much better as I'm carrying a 3.3 gpa in a far different major. My first run through college was marked by various problems, many beyond my control. I'm enamored with intellectual property (planning on patent law) and as such am interested in the NYC, DC, Chicago, and San Fran markets.

Thoughts? Flames? Advice?

[towkthi]

gpa is how lsac calculates it my first school gpa is a 2.89

[towkthi]

Just saw the appropriate board that this should have been posted.

[General Tso]

YOU WILL GET IN EVERYWHERE YOU APPLY

[towkthi]

I'm new to the boards but I'm going to assume that is sarcasm.

[Joeshan520]

1) Retake the LSAT and Score >165
2) Write an addendum in your application explaining why your college experience was plagued by problems.
3) Apply to a lower Tier 1 in the geographical regions you described

-My two pennies

[DustyfootPhilospher]

You are Puerto Rican and scored over a 160. That means that within the demographic as well as the other main URM categories (black american, puerto rican, mexican...) you are in a very high percentile.
The fact that you scored a 161 had a 2.46gpa and then later got a 3.3 in a tough major puts you in the position of almost a splitter but with an added bonus. Schools love self improvement. What you will see happen is that some schools will look at both GPA s as an aggregate and reject you. But you will have a few schools that will basically disregard the first GPA providing you have a great addendum and just look at the 3.3. So that will put you in a position of having a 3.3 and a 161 as a Puerto Rican which is not bad. That demographic is one or the most under represented URM’s in Law. Combine those stats with good work experience and you will have a shot at a T14 if applying early although I would say those are well within the category of stretches, but if you apply to all of them you never know. I would say you could def. break into a top 20. Just aim for schools that are known to weigh LSAT heavier than GPA as well as schools that do not average LSAT scores. That may indicate that they will be willing to look at only the higher GPA as well. Joeshan520 is under selling you a bit. He would be right if you were white American. And GeneralTso is a bit over zealous. But you should have a shot at USC and UC Hastings for the Cali market. You would get into GWU and Emory as well which have excellent IP programs and are pretty portable in that specialization anywhere on the east coast. It also would be nice to know what your first major was and what schools you attended. Also make sure you will be able to receive a final transcript in time to apply to these schools early.

[towkthi]

I was a double major in History and Political Science at a good public state school.

[towkthi]

The computer science degree is from a good state school, not an AAU member school like my first undergrad but it is on track to get invited.