Need help picking schools 2013-14 cycle Forum

[immamac]

Hey everyone first time posting. I took my first LSAT in June, and now I'm trying to figure out which schools to apply to.

3.68/165/URM

I know I should retake in October, but I would like to know if I can get a substantial scholarship with these numbers. I will be financing my 1L totally on loans, and I will be working close to minimum wage for 2L-3L. Given that I'll rack up 45-60k on COL, a scholarship is crucial. I'm from Santa Fe, NM, and only have contacts here. I would like to work on the West Coast and in the Southwest, maybe D.C. or NYC.

Reach: NW, Georgetown, U MN

Realistic: Notre Dame, U W, ASU, BU

Safety: UC Boulder, UC Hastings, UNM


I got my BA in Econ so I'm interested in the JDMBA. I'll apply as a 1L after I take the GMAT so I'm not too concerned with that now. The fields I'm interested are corporate finance and IP.



Thank you all for your help. TLS is the best.

[che3055]

I'm no expert on URMs, but if you're AA you should be shooting much higher. Still plan to retake, but if you're a AA and pull 170+, you'll be in great shape.

[AnaMariana42]

Seconding the "aim higher" bit. What kind of URM? If AA, even with current stats you should blanket Harvard on down. With a 170 retake you're golden.

[North]

Are you African American? If you are, only bother applying to the T14:




If you're not, things get dicier. Keep planning to retake the LSAT either way. 170+ or bust.

[jbagelboy]

Hi,

As others have mentioned, you are severely understating the boost you receive in admissions as an under represented candidate (i.e., African american, mexican, native american). If you fall into that category, you stand a strong chance at T6 admission, and even Harvard admission, with a 165.

[immamac]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

I'm Mexican-American, born in America. I think this is URM right?

T14 sounds great, interested in NYU and Cornell, maybe Columbia. But 150k plus 60k COL is pretty scary.

Where do you all think I have a shot at 30k a year to full tuition? Would it be worth it taking sticker at a T14?

[che3055]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

I'm Mexican-American, born in America. I think this is URM right?

T14 sounds great, interested in NYU and Cornell, maybe Columbia. But 150k plus 60k COL is pretty scary.

Where do you all think I have a shot at 30k a year to full tuition? Would it be worth it taking sticker at a T14?

Again, no URM expert, so you may wanna poke around in the URM forum. From what I understand, MA does qualify as URM, but the boost is not nearly as significant as it would be for AA. As it stands, I'd imagine you'd probably get some cash from Cornell. Bump up a few points on that retake, and a full ride there should be within your grasp. Bump over a 170 and I'd guess you'll get pretty solid money at NYU, and some very worthwhile scholarships from MVPB down.

Long story short - kill that retake, and you won't have to worry about taking T14 at anywhere close to sticker.

[Monochromatic Oeuvre]

Again, no URM expert, so you may wanna poke around in the URM forum. From what I understand, MA does qualify as URM, but the boost is not nearly as significant as it would be for AA. As it stands, I'd imagine you'd probably get some cash from Cornell. Bump up a few points on that retake, and a full ride there should be within your grasp. Bump over a 170 and I'd guess you'll get pretty solid money at NYU, and some very worthwhile scholarships from MVPB down.

OP shouldn't give two shits about Cornell. With a decent retake, he'd be deciding between Harvard and Stanford. He has a chance at both as it is.

[immamac]

Again, no URM expert, so you may wanna poke around in the URM forum. From what I understand, MA does qualify as URM, but the boost is not nearly as significant as it would be for AA. As it stands, I'd imagine you'd probably get some cash from Cornell. Bump up a few points on that retake, and a full ride there should be within your grasp. Bump over a 170 and I'd guess you'll get pretty solid money at NYU, and some very worthwhile scholarships from MVPB down.

OP shouldn't give two shits about Cornell. With a decent retake, he'd be deciding between Harvard and Stanford. He has a chance at both as it is.

Thanks for the words of encouragement brah. You guys sold me, definitely retaking and dusting off my preptests. TLS is the freakin' greatest.

Thank you all again.

[californiauser]

Don't even apply to Hastings. No one, under any circumstance, should consider going there. Their employment numbers are worse than many legit TTTTs.

[A Parliment of Owls]

Just a sidenote, if you do a JD MBA at most schools you can apply for the MBA program with your LSAT score. So if you retake and kill the LSAT you can forget about the GMAT and get that UPenn/Wharton dual degree.

[nebula666]

Enjoy Stanford

[mr.hands]

Enjoy Stanford

OP isn't black. I dont think he has a chance at Stanford

OP, I think you should focus on Michigan through GULC. That's your fit range, probably. Then throw a couple of reaches and some safeties in.