UCLA ($$$) vs Georgetown ($$$) vs Pepperdine ($$$$) Forum

[Xanetos]

LSAT : 167
GPA : 4.0

Scholarship Amounts:
UCLA: 125,000
Georgetown: 105,000
Pepperdine: 150,000
Waitlisted everywhere else (T14's). Rejected no where.

I am not dead set on my path. Current goal would be to join a BigLaw firm with international offices and eventually relocate to said office.

The main debate in my mind is whether UCLA will allow me to transition to the east coast if so desired.

Part of me also wants to retake. Every practice test I took was around 172-178. So I also believe that'd be the choice and attend somewhere higher.

Not sure the year delay sounds great though.

Thoughts?

[krads153]

Retake - that's a great GPA.

[lymenheimer]

UCLA: 125,000
Georgetown: 105,000
Pepperdine: 150,000

Are these scholarship numbers or COA numbers? If the former, you need to calculate to make the latter. you should also read the stickied thread and give us all the requested information.

Also, retake.

[ponderingmeerkat]

LSAT : 167
GPA : 4.0

UCLA: 125,000
Georgetown: 105,000
Pepperdine: 150,000

The main debate in my mind is whether UCLA will allow me to transition to the east coast if so desired.

Part of me also wants to retake. Every practice test I took was around 172-178. So I also believe that'd be the choice and attend somewhere higher.

Not sure the year delay sounds great though.

Thoughts?

1. I would not count on UCLA getting you to the East Coast. Probably won't happen. Expect to work in California with that degree.

2. I would probably retake. A 4.0 GPA and 170+ LSAT (which is appears you are very capable of accomplishing) gets you solid money at the T13.

Try again next year (one year in the big scheme of things is nothing). Good luck!

[katalina1]

For what it's worth, I went to the UCLA Admitted Students Reception in NYC and there were tons of local alumni there, including many working in Big Law.

[usernotfound]

Probably retake? Where do you want to work? Did you apply to any other T-14's?

[deepseapartners]

I'm really surprised you didn't land Cornell or Michigan with those numbers. Did you apply late?

Also, if you underscored that much, you should definitely retake.

[Xanetos]

Thank you for the replies.

The two I didn't apply to were Cornell and Berkeley.

They weren't late, but definitely not early (so perhaps that qualifies as late).

Thanks for that information Katalina. I was curious about that.

I am going to visit UCLA next week. Living conditions, location, weather, etc--I'd probably enjoy it more. However I feel that Georgetown would have more opportunity.

I was curious if retaking seemed to be the consensus though. Seems a few share that opinion.

By the way, I love the "Life" picture.

[fliptrip]

Has this guy promised to pay you a visit if you don't go to law school in the fall?



If yes, then, gotta go to UCLA and prepare to make your way in California.

If no, then you absolutely must retake.

[zot1]

Do not go to Pepperdine.

[Glasseyes]

The fact that you're clearly capable of a higher LSAT and have a perfect GPA means you should be gunning for a full ride to something much higher rated than these schools (I say this as someone who came in with a much lower GPA, and who now goes to one of these schools on a decent scholarship). Under no circumstances should you go to Pepperdine, especially with your numbers; banish the thought. Study hard, use the tips in the LSAT forum, and work really hard to crack 170 and your options will open right up.