Top Law Schools

Hi guys, long time lurker, first time poster.

I have a 3.85 and a 161, URM, I've done two internships with private firms, one with the prosecutor's office, and I currently volunteer as an advocate for victims of sexual assault. I am public interest-based; I want to become an USA (ideally via DOJ honors).

So far I've applied to:
Temple (accepted, 90k with GPA req.)
Fordham (accepted, $45k unconditional)
Wash U (accepted, $36k unconditional)
Notre Dame (accepted, scholarship letter on the way)
Northwestern (had my interview today)
UPenn (waiting)
Georgetown? Columbia? Cornell? (haven't sent applications yet)

I know everyone says go to law in the state in which you want to practice, but I'm not sure if I should go Northeast or Midwest. My entire family in from the NY/NJ area (where I go to school), but my boyfriend and his family are from Chicago (I would never go to a school just because he's from the area, but we do plan to stay together. He's also applying to NE/MIDW schools only).

So the real question is, should I just go to the best school I can, cross my fingers for T14 and then practice wherever I want? Or should I stick with Fordham/Notre Dame depending on what region I need to decide to stay in? Should I apply to better schools so late, given my numbers and softs?

And assuming I get rejected from everywhere that I haven't yet been accepted to, which school would be the smart choice?

I have a 3.85 and a 161

You should retake in june for $$$

Temple (accepted, 90k with GPA req.)
Fordham (accepted, $45k unconditional)
Wash U (accepted, $36k unconditional)
Notre Dame (accepted, scholarship letter on the way)

please convert these numbers into COA to paint a clearer picture. 3(tuition + fees + COL - scholly)

wustl/f look waaay too expensive right now.

I know everyone says go to law in the state in which you want to practice, but I'm not sure if I should go Northeast or Midwest. My entire family in from the NY/NJ area (where I go to school), but my boyfriend and his family are from Chicago (I would never go to a school just because he's from the area, but we do plan to stay together. He's also applying to NE/MIDW schools only).

heres a thread OPed by a friend of mine who also applied the same year as her SO: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 7&t=184892

My father has generously offered to pay for my entire law school (including books, rent, etc). Money is only a consideration insofar as I don't want to put any undue strain on him, but I will not be incurring any debt.

well you should still retake in june to probably save him tens of thousands of dollars & possibly get of t14 WLs.

As of now, I think you should attend F because its where you & your family are from.

What type of URM are you? It would be wise to cast a wider net at the t-14 and to retake.

Still retake so your inheritance will be all the sweeter. Free money is free money. Also retake so you can have the pick of the litter of whatever law school you want. You're so close to Harvard you can taste it.

Dr.Zer0 wrote:What type of URM are you? It would be wise to cast a wider net at the t-14 and to retake.

I am half white and half puerto rican

Nova wrote:well you should still retake in june to probably save him tens of thousands of dollars & possibly get of t14 WLs.

The highest I got on a practice LSAT was a 158 (I started at a 155 before taking a prep course). The games section beats my ass every time. A 161 is the best score I've been able to get.

Besides, if I retake in June, will that affect my scholarship $ for this cycle?

BigZuck wrote:Still retake so your inheritance will be all the sweeter. Free money is free money. Also retake so you can have the pick of the litter of whatever law school you want. You're so close to Harvard you can taste it.

How do you mean?

da91392 wrote:The highest I got on a practice LSAT was a 158 (I started at a 155 before taking a prep course). The games section beats my ass every time. A 161 is the best score I've been able to get.

Besides, if I retake in June, will that affect my scholarship $ for this cycle?

games are the easiet section to master with practice. 6 points up from your diagnostic is nothing. your ceiling is likely a lot higher.

self study is how most people get high scores. if you read manhattan, the PSBs, and drill by section over the next few months you can probably improve your score to the high 160s.

& yes, a june score can increase your scholarship offers & get you off waitlists. Especially if you hit the schools median.

http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 6&t=195603

da91392 wrote:

BigZuck wrote:Still retake so your inheritance will be all the sweeter. Free money is free money. Also retake so you can have the pick of the litter of whatever law school you want. You're so close to Harvard you can taste it.

How do you mean?

16x/3.8x/URM is a very rare combination

http://mylsn.info/vw5qnx/

Retake, go to Harvard and end up debt free. You'd win at life. You're so close.

Look at this LSN profile: http://lawschoolnumbers.com/avd90

Don't waste your GPA, retake.